Do you like science fiction or Sci-Fi animes? In this guide, we will share the best in the genre, along with a complete list of good animes that often go unnoticed by people.
Sci-fi, or science fiction, is a genre of speculative animes that is based on imagination. They usually explore a new world, whether in the future or the past, as well as other planets and alternate lands.
The genre commonly presents humanity’s curiosity and innovation as they grapple with new technologies, new societies, or new frontiers in Space. Most of the time, these animes are theoretically possible through science.
Table of Contents
Steins;Gate – The best time travel Sci-Fi anime
Without a doubt, the best science fiction anime involving time travel is called Steins;Gate. A perfect work with plenty of psychological thriller, mystery, and full of references to the otaku world, as well as references to the real world.
The anime tells the story of a group of young people who end up creating a time machine using a microwave; it sounds confusing and crazy, but WATCH IT! This is undoubtedly the best anime I have ever watched in my life! It’s hard to give a synopsis without spoilers.
The anime consists of 24 episodes plus one OVA, followed by a movie and a second spin-off season that shows an alternative timeline that is relevant to the main story, where the events lead to the outcomes of the first season.
Gintama – A Sci-Fi comedy
Gintama is a huge success in Japan, being one of the greatest comedy animes of all time, heavily focused on making parodies and references. In this anime, we have a universe full of samurais, aliens, and other eye-catching creatures.
Various space races known collectively as Amanto arrived during the era of samurais. The highly advanced technology of the Amanto resulted in total conquest and a severe economic change. Now, former samurais like Gintoki turn to survive.
Gintoki’s profession is that of a yorozuya, which consists of doing any job for money. However, he is unmotivated and spends most of the day on the couch reading the latest edition of Jump while being tormented by his employees Shinpachi and Kagura.
Sidonia no Kishi – Knights of Sidonia
An alien race called Gauna destroyed Earth, leaving humanity struggling to survive aboard the ship Sidonia. Even though a century has passed since the last encounter with the Gauna, military service is mandatory.
For Nagate Tanikaze, whose grandfather secretly hid him in the forgotten depths of Sidonia, it is a strange new world as he is forced to come to the surface. However, his recruitment comes just in time, as the Gauna have suddenly reappeared.
Despite the CG, once you get used to it, the anime captivates you and takes you to great emotions, with a good dose of action, romance, and twists. Try giving this great science fiction anime a chance.
In addition to Sidonia no Kishi, I want to give honorable mentions to other animes involving space battles and mecha, in order to avoid similar animes on the list. Please give a chance to the animes Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and Aldnoah Zero.
Yakusoku no Neverland – The farm anime
Emma, Norman, Ray, and many other “siblings” live in an orphanage isolated from the outside world. They live an enchanted life surrounded by friends and protected by Mama, their caretaker, all in the hope of finding a home by the age of 12.
The only rule is that they must never venture outside the gate that isolates them from the rest of society, as dangers await them. But one day, the children learn the true horror of what is in store for their short lives…
In this universe, creatures have evolved and become predators of humans; through an agreement between them, these creatures raise children on farms resembling daycare centers in order to sell them as food.
Code Geass – Toppling an Empire
In this universe, a large part of the world is dominated by an empire called Britannian. Japan is one of its domains, named Area 11, and the Japanese suffer such prejudice that they are not even called Japanese, but rather the Elevens.
The forgotten son of Emperor Lelouch, who is very intelligent, outraged by all the events in the world, one day ends up rebelling against the empire, waging a vast mental battle using the power granted to him.
In this universe full of mechas, Lelouch receives a power that allows him to give an order to a person by looking into their eyes. He uses this ability to manipulate people on both sides, creating a great rebellion under the name of a masked figure called Zero.
Boku no Hero Academia – The world of heroes
In this universe, over 70% of the population has some special ability; some use these abilities to become heroes. The protagonist Midoriya Izuku was born without any ability but is passionate about heroes and desires to be one of them.
One day, the most powerful and famous superhero on the planet, All Might, offers a golden opportunity to the boy. Midoriya has the chance to inherit All Might’s power to be trained and become his successor.
With this, Midoriya goes to study at the largest Hero School to enhance his skills and fight against villains. Boku no Hero is a highly successful anime with several seasons that you probably already know. If not… Run to watch it!
It is worth mentioning that there are other animes in the hero fiction genre. We can briefly mention One Punch Man, an anime with plenty of comedy and action. I decided to mention it briefly here to avoid several similar animes on the list.
Dr.Stone – If the world loses everything?
Several thousands of years after a mysterious phenomenon that turns all of humanity to stone, the extraordinarily intelligent and science-oriented boy, Senku Ishigami, awakens.
Facing a world of stone and the total collapse of civilization, Senku decides to use science to rebuild the world. Starting with his super strong childhood friend Taiju Oki, who awakened at the same time, they will begin to rebuild civilization from scratch…
The anime portrays well the evolution and human inventions; it has a very exciting story involving conflicts with people who do not want human evolution, natives who survived the freezing, and much more.
Space Brothers – Uchuu Kyoudai
One of my favorite animes and one of the most popular in Japan that goes unnoticed by Western society. In this everyday story, we are in the shoes of Mutta, a 30-year-old unemployed man with a childhood dream of going to space.
His younger brother Hibito managed to realize this dream by becoming an astronaut. Despite being older, Mutta tries to catch up with his brother by enlisting to become an astronaut with the goal of going to Mars. It seems like a different theme, but it is very exciting.
Just with the synopsis, I can’t capture your attention, but this anime is simply epic! Mixing different genres, with a lot of drama and psychological elements, along with a more realistic comedy. Watch the anime that has won the TOP1 Weekly in Japan several times.
Psycho-Pass – Controlled by a system
In Psycho-Pass, a system called Sibyl is responsible for Japan’s security. Through its technology, it can identify people’s criminal coefficients, preventing them from committing crimes even before they think about doing so.
This creates a completely different universe, where people need to avoid getting stressed; otherwise, they need to be institutionalized. A whole technological, dark, and punk world, where a kind protagonist ends up being recommended to serve as an inspector.
The inspectors work alongside latent criminals known as executors, who need to capture potential criminals using a weapon that only fires if the person’s coefficient is high. The weapon can paralyze or kill depending on the value.
Kiseijuu – The sci-fi anime of parasites
In this anime, parasites invade the human brain, taking over their lives and living in hiding while feeding on other humans. Thousands of murders have been happening and worrying society.
In the midst of this, a young man named Shinichi Izumi ends up being attacked by a parasite but manages to defend himself using a headphone, causing the parasite to only settle in his right hand.
For the survival of Shinichi and the parasite lodged in his right hand, both agree to coexist and work together to fight against the parasites that are killing humans. Will this work out?
Other Sci-Fi Science Fiction Animes
If we consider any different anime that has some scientific basis, the list of science fiction and sci-fi animes is gigantic. For this reason, below we will share a well-extensive list of these animes, ordered by the most popular:
Responsive Table: Scroll the table sideways with your finger >>
| Name of Sci-Fi Anime | Year |
| Steins;Gate | 2011 |
| The Promised Neverland | 2019 |
| Gintama | 2006 |
| One-Punch Man | 2015 |
| Made in Abyss | 2017 |
| Cowboy Bebop | 1998 |
| Dr. Stone | 2019 |
| My Hero Academia | 2016 |
| Parasyte -the maxim- | 2014 |
| Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann | 2007 |
| Psycho-Pass | 2012 |
| Space Brothers | 2012 |
| Overlord | 2015 |
| Aria the Origination | 2008 |
| Log Horizon | 2013 |
| Hinamatsuri | 2018 |
| Assassination Classroom | 2015 |
| Astra Lost in Space | 2019 |
| A Certain Scientific Railgun | 2013 |
| Full Metal Panic! | 2005 |
| Kino’s Journey | 2003 |
| Darker than Black | 2007 |
| Carole & Tuesday | 2019 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam 00 | 2007 |
| Planetes | 2003 |
| From the New World | 2012 |
| Megalo Box | 2018 |
| Aria the Natural | 2006 |
| Blood Blockade Battlefront & Beyond | 2017 |
| Neon Genesis Evangelion | 1995 |
| Kill La Kill | 2013 |
| Kaiba | 2008 |
| Girls’ Last Tour | 2017 |
| Macross Frontier | 2007 |
| Outlaw Star | 1998 |
| Den-noh Coil | 2007 |
| Tiger & Bunny | 2011 |
| Eureka Seven | 2005 |
| Super Dimensional Fortress Macross | 1982 |
| Symphogear XV | 2019 |
| Sword Art Online | 2012 |
| Future Boy Conan | 1978 |
| Last Exile | 2003 |
| Irresponsible Captain Tylor | 1993 |
| Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet | 2013 |
| The Irregular at Magic High School | 2014 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam Wing | 1995 |
| Knights of Sidonia | 2014 |
| Darwin’s Game | 2020 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam SEED | 2002 |
| Plastic Memories | 2015 |
| Crest of the Stars | 1999 |
| Ergo Proxy | 2006 |
| Toward the Terra TV | 2007 |
| A Certain Magical Index | 2008 |
| Banner of the Stars | 2000 |
| DARLING in the FRANXX | 2018 |
| Blood Blockade Battlefront | 2015 |
| Deca-Dence | 2020 |
| Space Dandy | 2014 |
| Chrome Shelled Regios | 2009 |
| Aldnoah.Zero | 2014 |
| Kino’s Journey -the Beautiful World- the Animated Series | 2017 |
| Gundam Build Fighters | 2013 |
| Guilty Crown | 2011 |
| Serial Experiments Lain | 1998 |
| GaoGaiGar FINAL Grand Glorious Gathering | 2005 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam | 1979 |
| Tsuritama | 2012 |
| No. 6 | 2011 |
| Samurai 7 | 2004 |
| Bokurano | 2007 |
| Now and Then, Here and There | 1999 |
| Uninhabited Planet Survive | 2003 |
| Air Gear | 2006 |
| Motto To Love Ru | 2010 |
| Tenchi Universe | 1995 |
| Rainbow Sea | 2011 |
| Heroic Age | 2007 |
| Taikong Lixianji | 2010 |
| FLIP FLAPPERS | 2016 |
| Read Or Die TV | 2003 |
| Deadman Wonderland | 2011 |
| Kiznaiver | 2016 |
| Gundam Build Fighters Try | 2014 |
| Space Adventure Cobra | 1982 |
| Symphogear AXZ | 2017 |
| Sgt. Frog | 2004 |
| Accel World | 2012 |
| Dimension W | 2016 |
| Thunder Jet | 1994 |
| Chobits | 2002 |
| A Certain Scientific Accelerator | 2019 |
| Captain Harlock | 1978 |
| Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny | 2004 |
| Martian Successor Nadesico | 1996 |
| Armored Trooper Votoms | 1983 |
| World Trigger | 2014 |
| Black Bullet | 2014 |
| Level E | 2011 |
| Black Cat | 2005 |
| Aria the Animation | 2005 |
| Stellvia of the Universe | 2003 |
| Gleipnir | 2020 |
| Kuromukuro | 2016 |
| God Eater | 2015 |
| Mojakou | 1995 |
| Haiyore! Nyaruko-san W | 2013 |
| Vandread | 2000 |
| Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha | 2004 |
| Galaxy Express 999 | 1978 |
| Space Patrol Luluco | 2016 |
| Zegapain | 2006 |
| Date a Live | 2013 |
| RahXephon | 2002 |
| Mai-Otome | 2005 |
| Please Teacher | 2002 |
| Giant Gorg | 1984 |
| Trinity Blood | 2005 |
| Ginga Hyouryuu Vifam | 1983 |
| Symphogear G | 2013 |
| Symphogear GX | 2015 |
| Solty Rei | 2005 |
| Jyu-Oh-Sei | 2006 |
| Infinite Ryvius | 1999 |
| Tenchi Muyo! GXP | 2002 |
| Planet With | 2018 |
| Mobile Fighter G Gundam | 1994 |
| Scryed | 2001 |
| Valvrave the Liberator | 2013 |
| Tekkaman Blade | 1992 |
| Mahoromatic | 2001 |
| Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventures | 1999 |
| Gatchaman Crowds Insight | 2015 |
| The Asterisk War | 2015 |
| Mars Daybreak | 2004 |
| Gatchaman Crowds | 2013 |
| Genesis Climber Mospeada | 1983 |
| Turn A Gundam | 1999 |
| Gun x Sword | 2005 |
| Infinite Stratos | 2011 |
| GaoGaiGar | 1997 |
| Casshern Sins | 2008 |
| Saber Marionette J to X | 1998 |
| Excel Saga | 1999 |
| Brigadoon | 2000 |
| Sentou Mecha Xabungle | 1982 |
| To Love Ru | 2008 |
| Oh! Edo Rocket | 2007 |
| SSSS.Gridman | 2018 |
| Moonlight Mile | 2007 |
| Buddy Complex | 2014 |
| Heavy Object | 2015 |
| Blue Comet SPT Layzner | 1985 |
| Witchblade | 2006 |
| Urusei Yatsura | 1981 |
| High School Fleet | 2016 |
| Aquarion Evol | 2012 |
| Fafner Exodus | 2015 |
| Macross Delta | 2016 |
| AKB0048 | 2012 |
| Marude Dameo | 1991 |
| Needless | 2009 |
| Basquash! | 2009 |
| Fractale | 2011 |
| Oban Star-Racers | 2006 |
| Danball Senki Wars | 2013 |
| Majestic Prince | 2013 |
| Galaxy Angel A | 2002 |
| Saber Marionette J | 1996 |
| GANTZ | 2004 |
| Haiyore! Nyaruko-san | 2012 |
| UFO Robo Grendizer | 1975 |
| After War Gundam X | 1996 |
| Angelic Layer | 2001 |
| No Guns Life | 2019 |
| Kinnikuman | 1983 |
| Muteki Robo Trider G7 | 1980 |
| Desert Punk | 2004 |
| Cyber Formula | 1991 |
| The Big O | 1999 |
| Fantastic Children | 2004 |
| Rockman.EXE Stream | 2004 |
| Figure 17 | 2001 |
| YAT Anshin! Uchuu Ryokou | 1996 |
| The Diary of a Crazed Family | 2008 |
| Jurassic Tripper | 1995 |
| Twin Spica | 2003 |
| Bodacious Space Pirates | 2012 |
| Rockman.EXE Beast+ | 2006 |
| Kamisama Dolls | 2011 |
| Toushou Daimos | 1978 |
| Texhnolyze | 2003 |
| Eureka Seven AO | 2012 |
| Star Twinkle Pretty Cure | 2019 |
| Kiddy Grade | 2002 |
| .hack//SIGN | 2002 |
| Asura Cryin’ | 2009 |
| Cyborg Kuro-chan | 1999 |
| World Conquest Zvezda Plot | 2014 |
| Chou Denji Robo Combattler V | 1976 |
| Galaxy Angel Z | 2002 |
| Cybersix | 1999 |
| Cyborg 009 (1979) | 1979 |
| Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs | 1984 |
| Brynhildr in the Darkness | 2014 |
| Fafner | 2004 |
| Rocket Girls | 2007 |
| Zetman | 2012 |
| Ultra B | 1987 |
| Galaxy Angel X | 2004 |
| Phoenix | 2004 |
| Gear Fighter Dendoh | 2000 |
| Macross 7 | 1994 |
| Heat Guy J | 2002 |
| Strike Witches TV | 2008 |
| Starship Operators | 2005 |
| Gozonji! Gekkou Kamen-kun | 1999 |
| Queen Millennia | 1981 |
| Sky Girls TV | 2007 |
| Danball Senki W | 2012 |
| Rockman EXE Axess | 2003 |
| Hyper Police | 1997 |
| Mazinger Z | 1972 |
| Lost Universe | 1998 |
| Rockman.EXE Beast | 2005 |
| Cat Planet Cuties | 2010 |
| Dennou Boukenki Webdiver | 2001 |
| Great Mazinger | 1974 |
| The Legend of Black Heaven | 1999 |
| Time Travel Tondekeman! | 1989 |
| Terra Formars | 2014 |
| Blue Gender | 1999 |
Other TOP Sci-Fi and Science Fiction Anime Lists
To conclude the article, I will leave some videos from partners that talk about science fiction or sci-fi animes:
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