Post-apocalyptic and end-of-the-world animes

In today’s article, we will share the best post-apocalyptic or end-of-the-world animes for you to watch. These are animes that depict a world being destroyed or life after it in an isolated society. There are several animes that fall into this genre.

Generally, end-of-the-world or post-apocalyptic animes are action shounen. Many of these animes take place in parallel worlds and alternative realities. Some may address the end of the world, but they will not be on the list, as it is focused on post-apocalyptic themes.

Shingeki no Kyoujin – Attack on Titan

In an apparently post-apocalyptic and mysterious world, humans have lived trapped within 3 giant walls for over 100 years to protect themselves from giant titans that eat humans for no apparent reason.

One day, the wall breaks, and a gigantic titan larger than the wall appears, causing panic and destroying lives. The main protagonist, driven by revenge, enters an academy to train and become an army explorer to fight against the titans.

One of the most famous animes of all time, recommended for those who are not yet used to watching animes. It is a very popular anime with over 4 seasons and a story full of action and horror.

Dr. Stone – Back to the Stone Age

Several thousand years after a mysterious phenomenon turned all of humanity to stone, the extraordinarily intelligent, science-oriented boy, Senku Ishigami, wakes up.

Facing a world in the Stone Age and the total collapse of civilization, Senku decides to use science to rebuild the world. Starting with his childhood friend Taiju Oki, who awakened at the same time, they will begin to rebuild civilization from scratch…

With two million years of scientific history from the Stone Age to the present day, this unprecedented adventure story is about recreating the lost technology in the meantime, while another group intends to prevent this from happening.

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Simon lives a boring life in the underground village of Jeeha, where his main job day after day is to dig tunnels. His best friend Kamina wants to go out into the surface world in search of adventure, something strictly dangerous and forbidden.

One day, during his usual excavations, Simon discovers a robot with a large face buried among the rocks. In the meantime, another giant robot invades the village, fighting with a human girl from the surface named Yoko.

The two friends seize the opportunity to fight and go to the surface. There they discover a great war for the survival of the human race – will the desire for freedom prevail in the battle?

Evangelion

In the future, a devastating event known as the Second Impact destroyed Tokyo as we know it, giving rise to Tokyo III – a city besieged by mysterious life forms known only as Angels.

The only line of defense for humanity is the Evangelions, a set of artificial machines piloted by a trio of fourteen-year-old teenagers, Rei, Shinji, and Asuka. The fate of Japan and the entire world now rests with these three children.

The original anime is a classic from the 90s that sparked many bittersweet opinions. It had several OVAs and a set of remake films to correct the mistakes made in the first animation. It’s somewhat of a must-watch anime in the otaku world.

Sidonia no Kishi

An alien race called Gauna destroyed Earth, leaving humanity struggling to survive aboard the spaceship Sidonia. Even after a century since the last encounter with the Gauna, military service is mandatory.

The story focuses on Nagate Tanikaze, whose grandfather secretly hid him in the forgotten depths of Sidonia. He reappears on the surface as a stranger, unaware of the world but ready to fight against the Gauna.

One of my favorite animes, it has action, suspense, romance, and a lot of emotion. Some end up dropping it because of the first episodes or the CG, but I assure you it’s a great anime that is worth it and even has dubbing.

Darling in the Franxx

Set in a distant future, the earth is ruined and humanity establishes the mobile city of Fort Plantation. The pilots produced within the Plantation live in Mistilteinn, also known as “the cage.”

The children live there, knowing nothing of the outside world or the freedom of the sky. Their lives consist of battles to carry out missions. Their enemies are mysterious giant life forms known as Kyouryuu, and the robot-pilot children called Franxx face them.

For the children, piloting a Franxx proves their existence. A boy named Hiro is called Code: 016, and he was once known as a prodigy. However, he has fallen behind, and his existence seems unnecessary. Not piloting a Franxx is the same as ceasing to exist. One day, a mysterious girl known as “Zero Two” appears before him. Two horns protrude from her head.

Other Animes about Post-Apocalyptic Worlds

There are other Japanese animated films and anime series that deal with post-apocalyptic or end-of-the-world themes. Below is a list of animes from the genre, with no information other than the name. I recommend giving them a chance; they are great animes:

(The ones in Bold mean that I have watched and liked);

• Patema Inverted;
• Hoshi no Hito;
• Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou;
• Suisei no Gargantia;
• Ergo Proxy;
• Black Bullet;
• God Eater;
• Desert Punk;
• Akira;
• Shin Sekai Yori;
• Owari no Seraph;
• Chrome Shelled Regios;
• Wolf’s Rain;
• 7 Seeds 2nd Season;
• Freedom;
• No. 6;
• Coppelion;
• Agent Aika;
• Planetarian;
• Expelled From Paradise;
• Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita;
• Pale Cocoon;
• Heroic Age;
• Code Geass;
• AICO;