Best Xenofiction Anime, Ranked

The world of fiction is vast and varied, featuring subgenres like fantasy, science fiction, horror, and so on. One subgenre that incorporates both fantasy and sci-fi elements is that of xenofiction. Most individuals have come across media in this genre, but might not be familiar with the name. Xenofiction is written from the perspective of non-human characters such as animals, aliens, artificial intelligence, or other beings significantly different from humans.

These narratives explore the world through the eyes and experiences of these entities, emphasizing their unique viewpoints, sensory experiences, thought processes, and cultural understandings, which can be vastly different from those of humans. What this genre mostly does is challenge viewers to empathize with and understand perspectives that are entirely foreign or "alien" to human experience. The world of anime is no stranger to xenofiction or its tropes. For those who want to get into the genre, check out the shows below.

Related

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.

Posts

5 Massugu Ni Ikou

A Dog’s Perspective On Life

• Genres: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life
• Studios: Yumeta Company

Dogs love their owners, but that same grace is not always extended to their owner’s friends. This anime shows the perspective of a dog Mametaro, who is the main protagonist He loves his owner and his girlfriend, but does not like his owner’s best friend. Unfortunately for Mametaro, he can talk but no one can hear him, so he finds it difficult to communicate his feelings or express himself to his owner.

As long as his fellow dogs can hear him, Mametaro is good. What seems ordinary to humans is like fantasy to him and his fellow dog friends. Mametaro enjoys exploring, and he takes viewers on an intriguing journey as they see life through the lens of a dog.

4 Silver Fang

Dogs Preparing for War Against Bears

• Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama
• Studios: Toei Animation

In this anime, fans follow Gin on a journey to avenge his father’s death and put an end to the bears that continuously attack his homeland. Witnessing his father’s death woke up a monster in him. His father died at the hands of Akakabuto, and because of this, Gin had to assume leadership over his siblings, being his father’s successor.

Gin lacked something Akakabuto had: allies. In order for his plan to be successful and to be victorious over the bears, he needed to gather allies, and fast. Gin travels across Japan to find dogs worthy enough to be his allies and be in it for the cause. As he travels, he takes viewers along with him, showcasing the harsh realities animals face, pack mentality, and the laws of the wild.

3 Wolf's Rain

Wolves Disguised As Humans

• Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi
• Studios: Bones

In the real world, wolves are being hunted by humans, and it is the same in the world of Wolf's Rain. The difference is that the story is told from the wolves’s perspective, and as expected, they do not enjoy being hunted down and killed by humans. To protect their race and avoid being killed, they cast illusions on themselves to make them appear like humans.

Related

5 Best Anime With Animal Protagonists, Ranked

These anime series feature protagonists that many behave like humans, but are very much members of the animal kingdom.

Posts

By  John Cunningham

Kiba, the main protagonist, is a lone wolf looking for paradise, a place only wolves can find. This paradise is hard to find, and the journey to get there is not an easy one as there are countless obstacles on the way, but Kiba is determined alongside Hige, Tsume, and Toboe.

2 A Centaur's Life

Life From A Half-Human, Half-Horse’s Perspective

In the world of A Centaur’s Life, humans do not exist. Instead, various mythical creatures like centaurs, angels, demons, merfolk, and other humanoid beings make up the world's population. These creatures have unique characteristics like wings, tails, animal ears, horns, and so on. Just like how some creatures are mythical to humans, the characters in this world view humans as mythical creatures.

The protagonist of this anime is Himono, a centaur girl. She has horselike features, four legs, and a tail. This anime centers on her life as a high school student and how she goes about her day-to-day activities with her best friends, Nozomi and Kyoko. These fantasy races live their lives in a modern-day setting similar to real life, introducing viewers to a unique perspective.

1 Beastars

A World Where Carnivores and Herbivores Live Together

Humans are aware of the nature of carnivores and herbivores in the animal kingdom. Carnivores only eat meat, meaning they can eat their fellow animals. Meanwhile, herbivores only eat plants. This anime takes viewers on an intriguing journey into the lives of these animals.

In Beastars, humans do not exist, and the world is occupied by humanoid animals. Carnivores and herbivores are opposites. In this world, they live peacefully together, but the tension between them cannot go unnoticed. It is quite hard for a carnivore to go against its nature, and it was only a matter of time before one of them snapped. Their once peaceful world falls into disarray when Tem, an herbivore and a student at Cherryton Academy, is found torn to pieces, having been killed by a carnivore. This anime follows the perspective of Legoshi, Tem’s friend and a carnivore, as he tries to fight the allegations of being Tem’s killer and bring the real killer to justice.

More

10 1980s Anime That Need A Reboot

These anime of the classical, genre-defying, and defining 80s could use a modern-day reboot to bring them back into the public consciousness.

Posts

By  Jack Eaton