Sci-fi anime are a blast to watch when you find the right ones that get you hooked
Whether it’s anime, manga, or movies, science fiction is one of the most popular genres. Sci-fi has it all, whether it’s AI gone rogue, Alien Invasion, Time Travel, or an Adventure in Space, presented in the most captivating of ways. So, here’s our list of the 17+ Best Sci-Fi Anime that will undoubtedly pique your interest!
17. World Trigger
When a portal to another world suddenly opens on Earth, strange creatures known as “Neighbors” invade Mikado City, malicious beings impervious to traditional weaponry. The Border Defense Agency was formed in response to their arrival to combat the Neighbor threat with special weapons known as “Triggers.” Even after several years since the gate first opened, Neighbors continue to pose a threat, and Border members remain vigilant to ensure the planet’s safety.
Regardless of the delicate situation, members-in-training such as Osamu Mikumo are not permitted to use their Triggers outside of headquarters. When a mysterious new student in his class is dragged by bullies into a forbidden area, they are attacked by Neighbors, and Osamu is forced to do what he believes is right. Transfer student Yuuma Kuga, to his surprise, easily dispatches the aliens, revealing himself to be a humanoid Neighbor in disguise.
16. A Certain Scientific Railgun
The esper development programme is based in Academy City, which is teeming with students and at the forefront of scientific advancement. Mikoto Misaka, an electricity manipulator known as “The Railgun,” is ranked third among the seven “Level 5” espers in Academy City.
When strange occurrences begin to occur throughout the city, she discovers that each crime is linked to the enigmatic “Level Upper,” a legendary device that allegedly raises its user’s esper level. As the situation deteriorates, it becomes clear that there is more to Level Upper than meets the eye, and that Academy City may be a far more twisted place than the glamorous utopia it appears to be.
Mikoto and her friends are the focus of A Certain Scientific Railgun, as are the dangerous situations they encounter while pursuing Level Upper. “There is never a dull moment in this city,” says Mikoto.
15. Darker than Black
Heaven’s Gate appeared ten years ago in South America, and Hell’s Gate appeared ten years ago in Japan, obscuring the once familiar night sky with an oppressive skyscape. These Gates are areas where physics laws are ignored for unknown reasons. With the appearance of the Gates, contractors emerged, who were granted supernatural abilities in exchange for their humanity.
In the Japanese city surrounding Hell’s Gate, Section 4 Chief Misaki Kirihara finds herself at odds with an infamous Contractor codenamed Hei. Hei, like his colleagues, undertakes missions for the mysterious and ruthless Syndicate while slowly peeling back the dark layers covering a nefarious plot that threatens Contractors’ very existence in the underground world.
Tensai Okamura’s sci-fi thriller is a subtle exposé on a war where political positions and justice have no sway—a war fought entirely in the shadows.
14. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
If you polled people to see if they believed in aliens, time travellers, or perhaps espers, the majority would say no; Kyon, a typical high school student, is one of them. However, on the first day of school, he meets a girl who quickly turns his world upside down.
During the first day of class, the lovely Haruhi Suzumiya expresses her dissatisfaction with “normal” people and her desire to meet supernatural beings. Dumbfounded, Kyon discovers her dissatisfaction with the school’s lack of paranormal-focused clubs and unwittingly inspires her to start her own. To spread joy throughout the world, she forms the Haruhi Suzumiya Brigade, also known as the SOS Brigade.
After the SOS Brigade is formed, Haruhi manages to recruit Kyon and three other members: quiet bookworm Yuki Nagato, shy upperclassman Mikuru Asahina, and eternally optimistic Itsuki Koizumi. Despite their outward appearances, the new SOS Brigade members each have their own Haruhi-related secrets. Haruhi and the SOS Brigade whisk Kyon away on a series of misadventures, each one bringing him closer to the truth about who and what she is, caught up in the mystery surrounding the eccentric club leader.
13. The Irregular at Magic High School
Magic, once thought to be folklore and fairy tales, has evolved into a systematised technology that is taught as a technical skill at the turn of the century. Students at First High School, the institution for magicians, are divided into two groups based on their entrance exam scores: “Blooms,” those with high scores, are assigned to the First Course, while “Weeds,” reserve students, are assigned to the Second Course.
Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba, First High School siblings, are the focus of Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei. After taking the exam, Miyuki is assigned to the First Course, while Tatsuya is assigned to the Second Course. Despite his practical test results and status as a “Weed,” Tatsuya possesses extraordinary technical knowledge, physical combat abilities, and unique magic techniques, making him the outlier at a magical high school.
12. Parasyte: The Maxim
They appeared out of nowhere: parasitic aliens who descended on Earth and quickly infiltrated humanity by burrowing into vulnerable targets’ brains. In order to feed on unsuspecting prey, these insatiable beings gain complete control of their host and can morph into a variety of forms.
Shinichi Izumi, a sixteen-year-old high school student, becomes infected with one of these parasites, but it does not take over his brain, instead landing in his right hand. Because it is unable to relocate, the parasite, now known as Migi, must rely on Shinichi to survive. As a result, the pair is forced to coexist in an uneasy manner and must defend themselves from hostile parasites in the hopes of eradicating this new threat to their species.
11. Neon Genesis Evangelion
The world faces a new threat fifteen years after the Second Impact: monstrous celestial beings known as “Angels” invade Tokyo-3 one by one. Humanity is unable to defend itself against the Angels despite using the most advanced munitions and military tactics. The only hope for human salvation is NERV, a mysterious organisation led by the cold Gendou Ikari. NERV uses massive humanoid robots known as “Evangelions” to fight the Angels with cutting-edge advanced weaponry and Absolute Terror Fields.
Shinji Ikari, Gendou’s 14-year-old son, returns to Tokyo-3 after being abandoned for years. Shinji is fighting an internal war against the deeply buried trauma caused by his mother’s death and his father’s emotional neglect. Shinji’s life is forever changed after meeting Misato Katsuragi, a 29-year-old NERV officer who treats him with a free-spirited maternal kindness he has never known.
Shinji is forced into action following a devastating Angel attack, and Gendou reveals the real reason he invited his son back to Tokyo-3: Shinji is the only child who can pilot Evangelion Unit-01, a new robot that uses his biometrics to communicate. Shinji defends Tokyo-3 against the angelic threat despite the brutal psychological trauma caused by piloting an Evangelion, completely unaware of his father’s dark schemes.
10. Gurren Lagann
Simon and Kamina were raised in a deep, underground village beneath the legendary surface. Kamina is a free-spirited loose cannon determined to make his mark, whereas Simon is a timid young boy with few ambitions. One day while excavating the earth, Simon discovers a mysterious object that turns out to be the ignition key to an ancient artefact of war, which the duo names Lagann. With the help of Yoko Littner, a hot-blooded redhead with a massive gun who roams the world above, Simon and Kamina use their new weapon to repel a surprise attack from the surface.
The sky is now visible after the battle, prompting Simon and Kamina to set out with Yoko to explore the surface wastelands. Soon after, they join the fight against the “Beastmen,” humanoid creatures in powerful robots known as “Gunmen” who terrorise the surviving humans. Despite some difficulties and setbacks, the trio fights bravely alongside other survivors to reclaim the surface while gradually unravelling a galaxy-spanning mystery.
9. 86 Eighty-Six
The Republic of San Magnolia claims that its ongoing conflict with the Giadian Empire has resulted in no casualties, but this is simply propaganda. While the silver-haired Alba of the Republic’s eighty-five sectors live safely behind protective walls, those of different appearances are interned in a secret eighty-sixth faction. In the military, they are known as the Eighty-Six, and they are forced to fight against the Empire’s autonomous Legion, which is led by the Republican “Handlers.”
As the Spearhead squadron’s new Handler, Vladilena Milizé has been assigned. Despite being shunned by her peers for being a fellow Eighty-Six supporter, she continues to fight against their inhumane discrimination. Captain Shinei Nouzen commands the Spearhead squadron. He is well-known for being the sole survivor of each squadron in which he has served, and he insists on carrying the names and wishes of his fallen comrades with him. Will the collision of these two young souls ignite the spark that lights their path to salvation, or will they perish in the flames of despair?
8. Dr. Stone
After five years of suppressed feelings, Taiju Ooki, a high school student, is finally ready to confess his feelings for Yuzuriha Ogawa. However, just as Taiju begins his confession, the Earth is struck by a blinding green light, terrifying everyone and turning them to stone.
Taiju awakens several millennia later to find that the modern world has vanished, as nature has flourished in the years that humanity has stood still. Taiju discovers one other living human among the statues: his science-loving friend Senkuu, who has been active for a few months. Taiju discovers Senkuu’s grand plan to resurrect civilization through science. Taiju’s strength and Senkuu’s intelligence combine to form a formidable alliance, and they quickly discover a way to resurrect the petrified.
Senkuu’s master plan, however, is jeopardised when those who awaken challenge his ideologies. Meanwhile, the cause of human petrification is unknown.
7. Psycho-Pass
Justice and its administration have changed over time. In the 22nd century, Japan imposes the Sibyl System, an objective method of determining each citizen’s threat level by examining their mental state for signs of criminal intent, known as their Psycho-Pass. Inspectors enforce the law by subjugating, often with lethal force, anyone who harbours the slightest ill will; alongside them are Enforcers, jaded Inspectors who have turned into latent criminals and have been granted relative freedom in exchange for carrying out the Inspectors’ dirty work.
Akane Tsunemori enters this world, a young woman with a genuine desire to uphold justice. However, as she works alongside veteran Enforcer Shinya Kougami, she quickly realises that the Sibyl System’s judgments are not as flawless as her colleagues believe. With everything she’s ever known turned upside down, Akane wonders what true justice is and whether it can be upheld by a corrupt system.
6. Made in Abyss
The Abyss is a gaping chasm stretching down into the earth’s depths, teeming with mysterious creatures and ancient relics. What caused it to happen? What exactly is at the very bottom? Divers, or daring individuals, have attempted to unravel the mysteries of the Abyss by fearlessly plunging into its darkest depths. Those who remain on the surface hold the White Whistles in high regard as the best and bravest of the Divers.
Riko, the daughter of the abducted White Whistle Lyza the Annihilator, aspires to be like her mother and explore the depths of the Abyss. However, as a new Red Whistle, she is only permitted to explore the top layer. Despite this, Riko meets a mysterious robot dressed as a young boy by chance. Reg is his name, and he has no memory of the events that led up to his discovery. Certain that the technology used to create Reg must have originated deep within the Abyss, the two decide to venture into the chasm in order to recover his memories and witness the depths of the great pit for themselves. They are, however, unaware of the harsh reality of the Abyss’ true existence.
5. Cowboy Bebop
Crime is unending. By 2071, humanity had spread throughout the galaxy, colonising the surfaces of other planets with settlements similar to Earth’s. Murder, drug use, and theft are common in these new societies, and intergalactic outlaws are being pursued by an increasing number of tough bounty hunters.
Spike Spiegel and Jet Black make a living by pursuing criminals throughout space. Underneath his goofy and aloof demeanour, Spike is haunted by the weight of his violent past. Meanwhile, Jet is dealing with his own troubling memories while caring for Spike and the Bebop. Faye Valentine, a stunning con artist, and Ein, a bioengineered Welsh Corgi, join the duo.
A threat from Spike’s past disrupts the Bebop crew’s lives as they form bonds and work to apprehend a colourful cast of criminals. Spike must choose between a life with his newfound family and vengeance for old wounds as a rival’s maniacal plot unfolds.
4. The Promised Neverland
The Grace Field House, which is surrounded by a forest and has a gated entrance, is home to orphans who happily live together as one big family under the care of their “Mama,” Isabella. Although they must take tests every day, the children are free to spend their time as they see fit, usually playing outside, as long as they do not stray too far from the orphanage—a rule they must follow at all times. However, all good things must come to an end, and every few months, a child is adopted and sent to live with their new family, never to be heard from again.
The three oldest siblings, on the other hand, are suspicious of what is going on at the orphanage, and they are about to discover the cruel fate that awaits the children at Grace Field, including the twisted nature of their beloved Mama.
3. Gintama
Edo was the epicentre of the zeal and ambition of samurai from all over Japan. However, those ambitions appear to be unattainable since feudal Japan’s surrender to powerful aliens known as the “Amanto.” With the once-powerful shogunate rebuilt as a puppet government, a new law is passed outlawing the use of swords in public.
Enter Gintoki Sakata, an eccentric silver-haired man who always carries a wooden sword and maintains his samurai status despite the ban. Gintoki frequently undertakes charitable endeavours as the founder of Yorozuya, a small business for odd jobs—though usually in rather unusual and unexpected ways.
In the ever-changing world of Edo, the Yorozuya encounter everything from alien royalty to scuffles with local gangs, aided by Shinpachi Shimura, a boy with glasses allegedly learning the way of the samurai; Kagura, a tomboyish girl with superhuman strength and an endless appetite; and Sadaharu, their giant pet dog who loves biting on people’s heads.
2. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Beginning with the conquest of Japan in 2010, the Holy Empire of Britannia is establishing itself as a dominant military nation. Following its swift defeat, Japan was renamed Area 11, and it has seen significant resistance against these tyrants in an attempt to regain independence.
A Britannian student, Lelouch Lamperouge, is caught in the crossfire between the Britannian and Area 11 rebel armed forces. He escapes, however, thanks to the timely appearance of a mysterious girl named C.C., who bestows on him Geass, the “Power of Kings.” Recognizing the vast potential of his newly discovered “power of absolute obedience,” Lelouch sets out on a perilous journey as the masked vigilante Zero, leading a merciless onslaught against Britannia in order to exact ultimate vengeance.
1. Steins;Gate
Rintarou Okabe, an eccentric scientist, has an insatiable thirst for scientific knowledge. Rintarou co-founds the Future Gadget Laboratory with his wacky but well-meaning friend Mayuri Shiina and his roommate Itaru Hashida in the hopes of developing technological innovations that perplex the human psyche. Despite their lofty claims, the trio’s only notable “gadget” is a microwave capable of mysteriously turning bananas into green goo.
However, when Rintarou decides to attend neuroscientist Kurisu Makise’s time travel conference, a series of strange events occur, leading him to believe that the “Phone Microwave” gadget is more than meets the eye. Rintarou experiments with the “time machine,” attracting the ire and attention of the mysterious organisation SERN.
As a result of the novel discovery, Rintarou and his friends are constantly in danger. He is fighting not only to save his loved ones, but also to keep his sanity as he works to repair the damage his invention has caused to the timeline.
BONUS: Vivy – Fluorite Eye’s Song
The stench of fresh blood and burning bodies fills the air when highly evolved AIs decide to wipe out humanity. A scientist bets everything on a relic from the past in a desperate attempt to avert disaster.
In a century’s time, AIs are already a part of human society, programmed with specific missions that must be completed throughout their lifespan. Vivy, the world’s first self-driving AI, is a singer tasked with spreading happiness through her voice. She strives to pour her heart into her performances in a theme park where she rarely gets a proper audience, bound to repeat it day after day—that is, until an advanced AI from the future appears before her and enlists her assistance in preventing a devastating war that has been brewing for a hundred years. Vivy is thrown into a century-long journey to avoid the violent history that awaits her, with no time to process the revelation that turns her world on its head.
Let us know what’s your favorite sci-fi anime in the comments below and as always, thanks for reading!
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