Summary
- The best sci-fi anime offer thought-provoking themes and engaging storytelling.
- Classic anime like "Psycho-Pass," "Ghost in the Shell," and "Neon Genesis Evangelion" exemplify the genre.
- "Steins;Gate" demonstrates that strong character development is key to a successful sci-fi anime.
Science fiction is an amazing genre of literature that blends real and fictional science to tell gripping stories. There have been several classic anime with these themes, and while some of these great stories persist, there are tons that are complete and waiting to be discovered or finally given a chance.
The sci-fi genre meshes well with several other genres and themes, so while the fictional or real science ties the story together, there is still a tale of intrigue, drama, and action to be told. Some of the best anime ever made are in this category. Here are some of the best completed anime for sci-fi fans.
The Best Sci-Fi Anime Ever, Ranked
Mecha, cyberpunk, and space operas, science-fiction anime come in many shapes, and the genre's best shows represent Japanese animation at its peak.
12 Psycho-Pass
A Tale Of A Society's Failings As It Tries To Protect Its People
Psycho-Pass
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2012 - 2019-00-00
- Seasons
- 3
- Studio
- Production I.G, Tatsunoko Production
- Number of Episodes
- 41
- Creator(s)
- Gen Urobuchi
Gen Urobochi is well known in the anime space for his subversive stories, including the famous Madoka Magica. In Psycho-Pass, Urobochi is at his ever-present best, crafting a story about a society controlled by a flawed system and the administration of justice.
The first season was definitely the highlight, with a great protagonist and an even better villain, but the other two seasons of the show were also very good. The themes explored are thought-provoking, which is the best anyone can ask of a good science fiction story.
11 Ghost In The Shell
One Of The Most Influential Sci-fi Anime Of All Time
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2002 - 2005
- Seasons
- 2
- Studio
- Production I.G
- Japanese Title
- Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex
- Based On
- Manga
- Number of Episodes
- 52
- Creator(s)
- Shirow Masamune
Before anime became mainstream, there were very few shows that caught the fancy of the public. Ghost In The Shell was not one of them. What it did, though, was act as a great influence for many artists. There are references to this story in all sorts of media, most notably in The Matrix.
Ghost In The Shell has three major continuities: The Movies, Stand Alone Complex, and Arise. Stand Alone Complex is perhaps the most accessible as it is like a regular procedural that enables viewers to connect with Major Kusanagi Motoko and her team a lot more. It explores themes about what it means to be alive, and the case of the Laughing Man is very intriguing.
10 Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song
The Action Scenes Are Riveting
Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2021 - 2021
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Wit Studio
- Creator
- Tappei Nagatsuki, Eiji Umehara
- Number of Episodes
- 13
Vivy tells the story of an android robot of the same name who is made to sing, but is then recruited to save the world from an impending AI revolution. The themes of this 2021 show may be familiar, considering the world is currently trying to grapple with the effects of AI and its growing influence.
10 Best Anime Fights Of The Last Decade
The 2010s were rife with incredible anime battles, but which of them were a cut above the rest?
Besides its good story, one of the most surprising things about Vivy are the fight scenes. They are so fluidly done that it has a mesmerizing effect on the viewer. Since it’s an original, it has no manga source, and tells its entire story in its moderate 13-episode run.
9 Pluto
Pluto’s Story Greatly Elevates Its Source Material
Pluto
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 26, 2023
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Studio M2
- Characters By
- Takashi Nagasaki
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Naoki Urasawa
- Number of Episodes
- 8
Urasawa Naoki might be best known for his seminal work on Monster, but in Pluto, he has also created one of the anime sci-fi greats. Set in the world of Astro Boy, the godfather of anime, Pluto delves into the relationship between man and machine. In this world, robots walk the earth and co-exist with humans. However, they are at risk because one of their own is killing people.
The story is aimed at a mature audience and can get a bit difficult to grasp, but then again, a lot of good sci-fi is like that. The reimagining of a classic character like Astro Boy really sets the anime apart. While it can be a bit to get through, it deserves a shot.
8 Neon Genesis Evangelion
A Story Of The Difficulty Of Human Connection
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1995 - 1996
WHERE TO WATCH
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Gainax, Tatsunoko
- Japanese Title
- Shinseiki Evangelion
- Number of Episodes
- 26
The truth of Hideaki Anno’s mental state when creating this show has been well documented, but it doesn’t take away from an excellent sci-fi show. The futuristic setting and the large mecha battles between the Angels and Evangelion have fascinated people for ages.
At its heart, Neon Genesis tells of the struggle of trauma, connecting, and living. While the world falls apart, the characters deal with real teenage problems. In Shinji, Anno created one of the most divisive anime characters ever made. The ending is also divisive, but if it isn’t satisfactory, there is a movie that clears things up.
7 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
A Gritty Crime Drama With Loads Of Blood And Gore
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2022 - 2022
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Trigger
- Based On
- Video Game (Cyberpunk 2077)
- Story By
- yoshiki usa
- Number of Episodes
- 10
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was something of a sleeper hit. Many didn’t have high expectations of it, but then it turned out to be a stellar show with tragic undertones. David, whose mother wants him to secure his future with a job at the Arasaka corporation, falls into the wrong crowd: a group of cyborg criminals called Edgerunners.
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Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is an anime based on the beloved CD Projekt Red's game, Cyberpunk 2077, with a great cast of incredibly strong characters
Loosely based on the video game Cyberpunk 2077, this show has some of the staples of a lot of sci-fi: a dystopian future, a flawed society, a corrupt corporation at the top of the ladder, and so on. It does do a great job with the action, and the violence will please fans of such.
6 Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Over-The-Top Space Battles Never Felt So Good
Gurren Lagann
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2007 - 2007
WHERE TO WATCH
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Gainax
- Japanese Title
- Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
- Number of Episodes
- 27
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is the show that literally birthed Studio Trigger. The story of Simon and his co-fighters was an endearing one, and the visual style that came to define Studio Trigger was first cemented here. The story of Gurren Lagann is fairly straightforward, but they really shine with the fights.
The battles waged by Simon continue to expand into levels of incredulity, but this is actually to the show’s benefit. It also featured some great characters — most notably Kamina, who sometimes felt like the main character…until he was not.
5 Cowboy Bebop
The Space Bounty Hunters Are A Timeless Duo
Cowboy Bebop
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1998 - 1999
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Sunrise
- Creator
- Hajime Yatate
- Number of Episodes
- 26
Cowboy Bebop is a well-respected anime within the community, and one that is credited with elevating the status of anime worldwide. The futuristic setting and some of the technology served as the backdrop for a fun action adventure.
Cowboy Bebop is mostly episodic, with most of the episodes being self-contained, but the story of Spike’s past and his rivalry with Vicious is always great to watch. The animation is timeless, and the music is iconic. Cowboy Bebop feels like one of those shows that everyone should see at least once before they die.
4 Code Geass
The Brilliance Of Lelouch Brings The Show To Life
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2006 - 2008
- Directors
- Gorō Taniguchi
- Writers
- Ichirō Ōkouchi
- Seasons
- 2
- Studio
- Sunrise
- Japanese Title
- Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch
- Number of Episodes
- 50
There are several comparisons to be made between Code Geass and Death Note, but the former is clearly more within the sci-fi genre. It deals with an alternate Earth that is technologically advanced, and the power that Lelouch used to bring the world to its knees.
The mecha aspects of Code Geass are better represented than the psychological nature of the show, highlighting Lelouch’s genius. The protagonist wants to live in a better world, and once he obtains the power of the geass, which enables him to command anyone to do anything, things start to get heated. Everything culminates into a brilliant finale that resonates with fans to this day.
3 Legend Of The Galactic Heroes
The Legendary Show Very Few Have Seen
Legend Of The Galactic Heroes
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1988 - 1997
- Directors
- Noboru Ishiguro, Masatoshi Tahara, Keizo Shimizu
- Writers
- Shimao Kawanaka
- Seasons
- 4
- Studio
- K-Factory, Kitty Film Mitaka Studio
- Japanese Title
- Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu
- Based On
- Novel
- Number of Episodes
- 110
Legend of the Galactic Heroes tells the tale of a war between two factions: the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance. The story is told through the eyes of hundreds of characters as the two geniuses at the head of each faction fight for control of the galaxy.
7 Great Anime Set In A Spaceship
These stellar sci-fi anime all predominantly take place in a spaceship.
LotGH understands average humans really well, and its philosophical assertions are worthy of consideration. It is 110 episodes long, which is definitely a commitment, but it is an epic story that should be seen by more people.