10 Best Sci-Fi Anime

Science fiction has fascinated viewers across media with their imaginative settings and visions for the future. Unsurprisingly, anime, too, is stacked with incredible shows that stoke our dreams of space travel, giant robots, high-tech gadgets, and more.

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Unlike other forms of media, anime’s natural ability to suspend disbelief gives it a huge advantage in imaginative storytelling. With its expressive 2D visuals and fluid characters and animation, it transcends the limits of realism and thus boasts some of the best sci-fi storytelling we’ve ever seen. So, if you’re looking for your next sci-fi fix, you won’t go wrong with these anime.

10 Space Dandy

From the director of Cowboy Bebop comes another great space adventure. Space Dandy is a groovy sci-fi comedy that follows Dandy and his motley crew’s misadventures through the galaxy. With exotic aliens, eccentric robots, and evil scientists, the anime is a thrill ride of sci-fi madness through the stars.

The art, animation, and direction differ greatly from Cowboy Bebop’s noir aesthetic, but Shinichiro Watanabe’s creative vision lends the show a playful, disco-inspired style. Watch it for its quirky characters, hilarious comedy, and eye-catching animation.

9 Astro Boy

Astro Boy is an anime classic and one of Japan’s most influential anime of all time. It was the first anime to broadcast in the West, thus opening the world to the anime industry — it has inspired many authors since it aired in 1963.

The touching story of a scientist who creates a robot to fill the hole of his son’s passing has become a pop culture sensation and popularized many sci-fi tropes since its inception. If you want to witness a true sci-fi classic, Astro Boy is the best show.

8 Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)

You can thank Mobile Suit Gundam for creating a special place in your heart for the giant Mechs. The anime experienced such massive popularity over time that it defined the genre for nearly two decades, inspired multiple iterations, and has become one of the most recognizable franchises in the industry.

It includes a lot of sci-fi elements we’ve grown to love, including militarized giant robots, space colonies, futuristic cities, and more. Looking at it today, it’s hard to believe the anime almost got canceled because of the lack of popularity. It’s a good thing Bandai’s plastic figures gave it the revival it needed.

7 Neon Genesis Evangelion

Another giant of the mecha genre, Evangelion, features a lot of the sci-fi elements popular in mecha anime but uses them to build a setting that deeply explores the human psyche. What starts off as giant robots fighting colossal creatures soon becomes a show that revolves around themes of loneliness, depression, human evolution, and interpersonal bonds.

Evangelion’s influence across the anime industry can be witnessed in how prevalent the tropes it popularized have become. If you’ve ever wondered why tsunderes have twin tails or kuuderes have short hair, it’s likely a conscious reference to Evangelion. It’s no wonder it made Hideaki Anno one of the anime’s most well-known directors.

6 Steins;Gate

Steins;Gate has long held a spot as one of MAL’s top 10 anime of all time and for good reason. Its themes of time travel, the multiverse, and the butterfly effect, weave together an intricate plot where seemingly insignificant decisions have life-changing consequences for its characters.

Although the anime starts off a little slow, it quickly pulls you into a riveting sci-fi epic with its adorable characters, muted colors, and dream-like art style. It captures some beautifully human moments that stay with you long after the credits roll.

5 Dr. Stone

Dr. Stone takes sci-fi in the opposite direction from a futuristic, advanced civilization. When a mysterious green light turns humans into stone for millennia, the humans who awaken from their petrification find themselves in a world reclaimed by nature. Armed only with their knowledge, they have to reestablish civilization from near scratch.

The mystery behind the petrification phenomenon and the application of real scientific principles makes Dr. Stone perfect for anyone with a taste for more realism in science fiction. Watch it for its non-battle shonen action and educational value.

4 Legend Of The Galactic Heroes

Legend of the Galactic Heroes was adapted from the award-winning novel series by Yoshiki Tanaka. It practically defines the term ‘space epic’ with its militaristic themes, intergalactic conflict, and clashing social and political ideologies.

The anime features all the science fiction tropes we’ve come to love and tells a gripping, nuanced story of 2 leaders from opposing and distinct cultures. Its adult cast and political power struggles make it a great anime for more mature audiences, but anyone will enjoy its classic sci-fi setting and emotionally engaging story.

3 Cowboy Bebop

It’s impossible to talk about sci-fi anime without mentioning Cowboy Bebop. Spike, Jet, Faye, and Ed aren’t your usual anime characters — they are cultural icons. Their adventures through Cowboy Bebop’s rustic, neo-noir galaxy were the gateway for an entire generation of anime fans in the West.

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Every nook and cranny in Cowboy Bebop’s vast galaxy feels real. Sci-fi enthusiasts will definitely appreciate how the state of disrepair in this lawless galaxy blends futuristic technology with a rust-bucket charm. Although Space Dandy may be more recent, Cowboy Bebop is still Shinichiro Watanabe’s magnum opus for many anime fans.

2 Ghost In The Shell (1995)

Ghost in the Shell is an award-winning sci-fi animated film in which technological advancements have allowed humans to replace parts of themselves with cybernetics. The film’s visionary direction, nuanced themes, and iconic shots have even inspired popular movies like The Matrix.

Ghost in the Shell’s sci-fi story blurs the line between man and machine. It envisions a future in which cybernetics is a part of everyday life and raises questions about humanity when not just our bodies but our minds and memories can be altered. If you’re looking for a thought-provoking, cinematic anime, look no further.

1 Akira

Akira is one of the most influential animated films of all time, having won multiple awards, and inspired countless anime. Even though it was released in 1988, its animation holds up even today, and many of its shots and symbols, like Kaneda’s bike, are some of the most recognizable visuals in anime.

One of the reasons Akira is so critically acclaimed is how closely it draws inspiration from real events. The explosion that destroyed Tokyo in the film is reminiscent of the bombs that hit Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and its real-world parallels make its sci-fi setting all the more believable. The body horror in it may not be for everyone, but if you want to see a truly iconic anime, Akira is the film for you.

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