These are the anime that actually delivered in 1981. Every score here comes from fans rating each episode as it aired, so a strong premiere can't carry a weak finale. The ranking updates weekly. Filter by Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter, or see what's airing this week.
All Seasons 1981
WHAT'S WORTH WATCHING
Ranked by fans who actually watched every episode.
Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow
Mobile Suit Gundam I
Daicon Opening Animations
Mechanical Boy Dotakon
Fuusen no Doratarou
The Enchanted Journey
Doraemon: Doraemon Comes Back
Ai no Gakkou Cuore Monogatari
The Story of Hellen Keller: Angel of Love and Light
Kaibutsu-kun: Kaibutsu Land e no Shoutai
Dr. Slump: Arale-chan Specials
Doraemon: Ken-chan no Bouken
Koutsuu Anzen da yo Doraemon
Chiisana Love Letter: Mariko to Nemunoki no Kodomo-tachi
Doraemon Movie: Boku, Momotarou no Nanna no Sa
Golden Warrior: The Gold Lightan
Little Women
Chie The Brat
Queen Millennia
Ninja Hattori-kun
Dash! Kappei
Firebird
Urusei Yatsura
God Mars
Shin Dokonjou Gaeru
The Call of the Wild
Hello! Sandybell
Kaba Enchou no Doubutsuen Nikki
Tomorrow's Joe 2 The Movie
Doraemon the Movie: The Records of Nobita, Spaceblazer
21 Emon Uchuu e Irasshai!
Captain Movie
Miss Machiko
Furiten-kun
Voltron: Defender of the Universe
Manzai Taikouki
Saikyou Robot Daiouja
Adieu Galaxy Express 999
Dr. Slump: Arale-chan
Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds
Taiyou no Kiba Dougram
Tiger Mask Nisei
Bremen 4
Ulysses 31
The Fantastic Adventures Of Unico
Galactic Cyclone Braiger
The Swiss Family Robinson: Flone of the Mysterious Island
Honey Honey's Wonderful Adventures
Manga Mitokoumon
Swan Lake
Donbe's Story
Chie the Brat
Run Melos
Belle and Sebastian
Space Warrior Baldios
Macron 1
Ohayou! Spank
Natsu e no Tobira
The Sea Prince and the Fire Child
Yuki: Snow Fairy
Mobile Suit Gundam I
Mobile Suit Gundam II: Soldiers of Sorrow
Daicon Opening Animations
Mechanical Boy Dotakon
Fuusen no Doratarou
The Enchanted Journey
Doraemon: Doraemon Comes Back
Ai no Gakkou Cuore Monogatari
The Story of Hellen Keller: Angel of Love and Light
Kaibutsu-kun: Kaibutsu Land e no Shoutai
Dr. Slump: Arale-chan Specials
Doraemon: Ken-chan no Bouken
Koutsuu Anzen da yo Doraemon
Chiisana Love Letter: Mariko to Nemunoki no Kodomo-tachi
Doraemon Movie: Boku, Momotarou no Nanna no Sa
Golden Warrior: The Gold Lightan
Little Women
Chie The Brat
Queen Millennia
Ninja Hattori-kun
Dash! Kappei
Firebird
Urusei Yatsura
God Mars
Shin Dokonjou Gaeru
The Call of the Wild
Hello! Sandybell
Kaba Enchou no Doubutsuen Nikki
Tomorrow's Joe 2 The Movie
Doraemon the Movie: The Records of Nobita, Spaceblazer
21 Emon Uchuu e Irasshai!
Captain Movie
Miss Machiko
Furiten-kun
Voltron: Defender of the Universe
Manzai Taikouki
Saikyou Robot Daiouja
Adieu Galaxy Express 999
Dr. Slump: Arale-chan
Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds
Taiyou no Kiba Dougram
Tiger Mask Nisei
Bremen 4
Ulysses 31
The Fantastic Adventures Of Unico
Galactic Cyclone Braiger
The Swiss Family Robinson: Flone of the Mysterious Island
Honey Honey's Wonderful Adventures
Manga Mitokoumon
Swan Lake
Donbe's Story
Chie the Brat
Run Melos
Belle and Sebastian
Space Warrior Baldios
Macron 1
Ohayou! Spank
Natsu e no Tobira
The Sea Prince and the Fire Child
Yuki: Snow Fairy
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best anime of 1981 so far?
- The current number one sits at the top of this list, ranked by fans who scored every episode as it aired. The order updates weekly while the season airs.
- How are these rankings decided?
- Fans rate individual episodes, not whole shows. No critic scores, no studio hype. If a show falls apart in its second half, the ranking shows it.
