Best anime of 1998 — top 16 ranked

The best anime that premiered in 1998, ranked by MyAnimeList user score. Cowboy Bebop leads with a score of 8.75, followed by Perfect Blue and Initial D First Stage. The 16 titles below average 7.98/10 and are drawn from MyAnimeList's top 2,000.

  1. 1 Cowboy Bebop poster

    Cowboy Bebop

    TV · 26 eps · Spring 1998 · Sunrise
    ★ 8.75
    2.1M members
    #51 on MAL
  2. 2 Perfect Blue poster

    Perfect Blue

    Movie · 1 ep · Winter 1998 · Madhouse
    ★ 8.56
    846.6K members
    #138 on MAL
  3. 3 Initial D First Stage poster

    Initial D First Stage

    TV · 26 eps · Spring 1998 · Gallop
    ★ 8.37
    451.3K members
    #266 on MAL
  4. 4 Trigun poster

    Trigun

    TV · 26 eps · Spring 1998 · Madhouse
    ★ 8.22
    848.7K members
    #435 on MAL
  5. 5 Cardcaptor Sakura poster

    Cardcaptor Sakura

    TV · 70 eps · Spring 1998 · Madhouse
    ★ 8.19
    493.9K members
    #467 on MAL
  6. 6 Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden poster

    Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden

    Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Gaiden
    OVA · 24 eps · Winter 1998 · K-Factory
    ★ 8.13
    27.7K members
    #558 on MAL
  7. 7 Serial Experiments Lain poster

    Serial Experiments Lain

    TV · 13 eps · Summer 1998 · Triangle Staff
    ★ 8.11
    929.8K members
    #599 on MAL
  8. 8 Case Closed Movie 02: The Fourteenth Target poster

    Case Closed Movie 02: The Fourteenth Target

    Meitantei Conan Movie 02: 14-banme no Target
    Movie · 1 ep · Spring 1998 · TMS Entertainment
    ★ 7.88
    71.3K members
    #993 on MAL
  9. 9 Outlaw Star poster

    Outlaw Star

    Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star
    TV · 24 eps · Winter 1998 · Sunrise
    ★ 7.83
    174K members
    #1,114 on MAL
  10. 10 Getter Robo: Armageddon poster

    Getter Robo: Armageddon

    Change!! Getter Robo: Sekai Saigo no Hi
    OVA · 13 eps · Summer 1998 · Brain's Base
    ★ 7.79
    18.8K members
    #1,204 on MAL
  11. 11 Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz poster

    Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz

    Shin Kidou Senki Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz Tokubetsu-hen
    Movie · 1 ep · Summer 1998 · Sunrise
    ★ 7.78
    67.1K members
    #1,258 on MAL
  12. 12 Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back poster

    Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back

    Pokemon Movie 01: Mewtwo no Gyakushuu
    Movie · 1 ep · Summer 1998 · OLM
    ★ 7.68
    288.8K members
    #1,544 on MAL
  13. 13 Master Keaton poster

    Master Keaton

    TV · 24 eps · Fall 1998 · Madhouse
    ★ 7.66
    33.6K members
    #1,599 on MAL
  14. 14 His and Her Circumstances poster

    His and Her Circumstances

    Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou
    TV · 26 eps · Fall 1998 · Gainax
    ★ 7.60
    259.6K members
    #1,802 on MAL
  15. 15 Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi yo!! Masaru-san poster
    ★ 7.58
    14.1K members
    #1,895 on MAL
  16. 16 Future GPX Cyber Formula Sin poster

    Future GPX Cyber Formula Sin

    Shinseiki GPX Cyber Formula Sin
    OVA · 5 eps · Fall 1998 · Sunrise
    ★ 7.56
    3.7K members
    #1,972 on MAL

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