Get ready to blast off into the unknown, because we’re about to explore the world of sci-fi anime! From futuristic cities and high-tech gadgets, to mind-bending stories of time travel and alternate realities, sci-fi anime series have captivated audiences around the world with their imaginative storylines and innovative concepts.
In this article, we’ll be showcasing some of the most popular and highly rated sci-fi anime series (according to MyAnimeList) that have made a splash in the world of anime. Whether you’re a fan of fast-paced action and high-tech gadgetry, or more interested in thought-provoking stories about the nature of reality, there’s something on this list for you.
So strap in and get ready to journey to the far reaches of space and beyond, because we’re about to take you on a tour of the most popular sci-fi anime series out there!
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86 Eighty Six
Having just recently aired in 2021, 86 Eighty Six has already amassed a huge audience pushing it to be one of the best sci-fi anime of all time. 86 Eighty Six is set in a dystopian world where a group of people known as the “86” are treated as disposable resources and used for military purposes by the ruling powers.
The main character, Shin, is an 86 who has been assigned to pilot a special weapon called a “Legion” and fight against the Republic of San Magnolia, a powerful nation that has conquered much of the world. As he battles against overwhelming odds and struggles to survive in a society that sees him as expendable, Shin must also confront his own identity and the meaning of his existence. The series explores themes of oppression, identity, and the human desire for freedom.
29/30
The Asterisk War
The Asterisk War is an anime series set in a world where people with superhuman abilities, known as “Genestella,” attend schools called “festas” to hone their skills and participate in battles called “festas.”
The main character, Ayato Amagiri, is a young man who enrolls in the prestigious Seidoukan Academy and becomes embroiled in the festas and the conflicts between the different schools. As Ayato battles against other Genestella and confronts the challenges of being a Genestella in a society that treats them as outcasts, he must also grapple with the mysteries of his own past and the true nature of his powers. The series combines elements of action, drama, and science fiction as it explores themes of identity, power, and the human desire for acceptance.
28/30
Serial Experiments Lain
Serial Experiments Lain is an anime series about a young girl named Lain Iwakura who becomes interested in the concept of the “Wired,” a global network that connects people’s minds and allows them to share information and experiences.
As Lain becomes more immersed in the Wired and investigates its mysteries and dangers, she begins to experience strange occurrences and confront the blurred lines between reality and the virtual world. The series combines elements of drama, mystery, and science fiction as it explores themes of identity, consciousness, and the human desire for connection and understanding.
27/30
Accel World
Accel World is an anime series about a young man named Haruyuki Arita who is a bullied and unpopular student at his school. However, Haruyuki’s life changes when he is approached by a girl named Kuroyukihime, who introduces him to a virtual reality game called Accel World, where players use their brains to accelerate time and fight against other players.
As Haruyuki becomes involved in the world of Accel World and battles against other players, he must also confront the challenges of his real life and the consequences of his actions in the game. The series combines elements of action, drama, and science fiction as it explores themes of identity, power, and the human desire for acceptance.
26/30
Trigun
Trigun is an anime series about a young man named Vash the Stampede, who is known throughout the galaxy as a notorious bounty hunter and a destructive force. However, Vash is actually a pacifist who avoids violence and only uses his powers, which include superhuman strength and speed, to protect others.
As he travels from planet to planet and encounters various characters, including fellow bounty hunters and people in need of his help, Vash must confront the dangers and mysteries of the galaxy and his own past, and deal with the misconceptions and misunderstandings that surround him. The series combines elements of action, comedy, and drama as it explores themes of friendship, morality, and the human desire for peace.
25/30
Kiznaiver
Kiznaiver is an anime series about a group of young people who are selected to participate in an experimental program called the Kizuna System, which links their pain and emotions to each other in order to create a more harmonious and empathetic society.
The main character, Katsuhira Agata, is a young man who has lost the ability to feel pain and is chosen to be a part of the Kizuna System along with his childhood friends and other classmates. As they undergo the program and confront the challenges and dilemmas that come with being linked to each other, the Kiznaivers must also grapple with their own issues and the bonds of friendship and love that connect them. The series combines elements of drama, romance, and science fiction as it explores themes of empathy, friendship, and the human desire for connection.
24/30
From the New World
From the New World is an anime series set in a distant future where humanity has evolved to possess psychic powers and lives in a utopian society where conflict and crime are virtually nonexistent.
The main character, Saki Watanabe, is a young girl who has just gained her powers and is about to start her education at Sage Academy, a prestigious school for psychic children. As Saki and her friends learn about their powers and the history of their society, they begin to uncover dark secrets and the true nature of their world, and must confront the challenges and dangers that come with this knowledge. The series combines elements of drama, mystery, and science fiction as it explores themes of identity, society, and the human desire for knowledge.
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Orange
Orange is an anime series about a young woman named Naho Takamiya who receives a letter from her future self, detailing events that will take place in her life and asking her to change the outcome. The letter tells Naho that a new transfer student named Kakeru Naruse will join her class and will be the key to preventing a tragedy that will occur in the future.
As Naho tries to follow the instructions of her future self and prevent the tragedy, she must also confront her own feelings for Kakeru and the challenges of changing the past. The series combines elements of drama, romance, and science fiction as it explores themes of love, regret, and the human desire to change the past.
22/30
A Certain Magical Index
A Certain Magical Index is an anime series set in a world where people with supernatural abilities, known as “espers,” coexist with normal humans and are divided into different levels based on their abilities.
The main character, Touma Kamijou, is a young man with the ability to negate other people’s powers and attends a school for espers and other individuals with special abilities. As Touma and his friends confront the dangers and conflicts that arise between the different groups of espers and the organizations that seek to use their powers, they must also deal with the challenges of their own abilities and the bonds of friendship and loyalty that hold them together. The series combines elements of action, drama, and fantasy as it explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the human desire for acceptance.
21/30
Btooom!
Btooom! is an anime series about a young man named Ryota Sakamoto who is a skilled player of a popular video game called Btooom!, in which players use bombs to eliminate each other in a virtual battlefield.
When Ryota finds himself stranded on a deserted island and forced to participate in a real-life version of the game, he must use his skills and strategies to survive and defeat the other players, who are all strangers with their own motives and abilities. As Ryota confronts the dangers of the game and the emotional and psychological challenges of his situation, he must also grapple with the truth about his past and his own identity. The series combines elements of action, drama, and survival as it explores themes of survival, morality, and the human desire for power.
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The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is an anime series about a high school student named Kyon who is drawn into a strange and mysterious world by his classmate, Haruhi Suzumiya, a girl with extraordinary abilities and a desire to find the extraordinary in the mundane.
As Kyon and the other members of the SOS Brigade, a club founded by Haruhi, investigate supernatural and paranormal phenomena and deal with the challenges of Haruhi’s eccentric and unpredictable behavior, Kyon must also confront his own feelings for Haruhi and the true nature of her powers. The series combines elements of comedy, drama, and supernatural as it explores themes of friendship, identity, and the human desire for purpose.
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Plastic Memories
Plastic Memories is an anime series about a young man named Tsukasa Mizugaki who works for a company called SAI Corp and is tasked with retrieving “Giftias,” humanoid robots with advanced artificial intelligence that are used as companions and assistants. However, Giftias have a limited lifespan and Tsukasa must work with a Giftia named Isla to retrieve other Giftias before their expiration date and help them find new owners.
As he and Isla carry out their missions and confront the challenges of their work and their own feelings for each other, Tsukasa must also grapple with the moral and ethical implications of the Giftias and the bonds of love and memory that connect them to humans. The series combines elements of drama, romance, and science fiction as it explores themes of love, identity, and the human desire for connection.
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Black Bullet
Black Bullet is an anime series set in a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction due to a deadly virus that turns people into monsters called “Gastrea.”
The main character, Rentaro Satomi, is a young man who works as a civil officer and fights against the Gastrea using his powers as a “Promoter,” a human who has a special bond with a “Curse,” a weapon that can transform into different forms. Along with his partner, a young girl named Enju, Rentaro battles the Gastrea and confronts the challenges of being a Promoter in a society that treats them as outcasts. The series combines elements of action, drama, and science fiction as it explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and the human desire for survival.
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Darker than Black
Darker Than Black is an anime series set in a world where people with supernatural abilities, known as “Contractors,” are forced to work for various organizations and governments.
The main character, Hei, is a Contractor who works as a spy and assassin for the Syndicate, a secret organization, and uses his powers to manipulate electricity to carry out missions and fight against other Contractors. As he navigates the complex and dangerous world of the Contractors and confronts the consequences of his actions, Hei must also grapple with the mysteries of his past and the true nature of his powers. The series combines elements of action, drama, and science fiction as it explores themes of identity, morality, and the human desire for power.
16/30
Date A Live
Date A Live is heavily recognised as one of the best sci-fi anime – so much so that several seasons have already been adapted with prospects for more. Date A Live follows a story about a young man named Shido Itsuka who has the ability to seal the powers of spirits, supernatural beings who have caused disasters on Earth.
To prevent further destruction, Shido is tasked with “dating” the spirits and convincing them to stop their rampages. As he gets to know the spirits and helps them confront their personal issues, Shido must also deal with his own complicated relationships with the spirits and the people around him. The series combines elements of romance, comedy, and action as it explores themes of love, friendship, and the power of human connection.
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Gintama
Gintama is an anime series set in a fictionalized version of Edo, Japan, where aliens have invaded and taken control of the government.
The main character, Gintoki Sakata, is a former samurai who now works as a freelancer, taking on various odd jobs and fighting against the aliens and the corrupt officials who serve them. Along with his friends, including the loyal Shinpachi Shimura and the strong-willed Kagura, Gintoki confronts the challenges of living in a world where the samurai spirit has been lost and battles against those who threaten the peace of the city. The series combines elements of action, comedy, and drama as it explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the human desire for freedom.
14/30
The Irregular at Magic High School
The Irregular at Magic High School is an anime series set in a world where magic is a normal part of society and people attend magic schools to learn how to use their abilities.
The main character, Tatsuya Shiba, is a young man who enrolls in the prestigious First High School, a magic school for the elite, and is labeled an “irregular” because of his unique magical abilities. As he navigates the challenges of life at the school and battles against other students and organizations who seek to use magic for their own gain, Tatsuya must also confront the secrets of his past and the truth about his own powers. The series combines elements of action, drama, and fantasy as it explores themes of identity, power, and the human desire for acceptance.
13/30
Guilty Crown
Guilty Crown is a wildely loved sci-fi anime series set in a future Japan where a mysterious virus called the Apocalypse Virus has devastated the country. To combat the virus, the government creates a special power called the “Power of the King,” which allows a select few individuals to wield incredible abilities.
The main character, Shu Ouma, is a high school student who acquires the Power of the King and becomes embroiled in a conflict between the government and a rebel group called Funeral Parlor, who seek to overthrow the government and reveal the truth about the Apocalypse Virus. As he navigates the complex political landscape and fights to protect his friends, Shu must also confront his own feelings of guilt and the weight of his responsibilities. The series explores themes of power, loyalty, and the cost of protecting those you care about.
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Deadman Wonderland
Deadman Wonderland is an anime series about a young man named Ganta Igarashi who is falsely accused of a crime and sentenced to a prison called Deadman Wonderland, where inmates are forced to participate in deadly games and attractions for the entertainment of the public.
As Ganta struggles to survive in the brutal and corrupt prison and clear his name, he is aided by a mysterious girl named Shiro and other inmates who possess special abilities. Together, they must confront the dangers and atrocities of Deadman Wonderland and uncover the truth behind the prison and its connection to a catastrophic event in the past. The series combines elements of action, drama, and horror as it explores themes of injustice, survival, and the human desire for freedom.
11/30
Made in Abyss
Made in Abyss is an anime series about a young girl named Riko who is an orphan living in the city of Orth and dreams of becoming a Cave Raider like her mother, who disappeared in the mysterious Abyss, a vast and unexplored chasm that contains ancient artifacts and mysterious creatures.
When Riko finds a robot boy named Reg who has fallen from the Abyss, she sets out on a journey to the bottom of the Abyss to find her mother and uncover the secrets of the mysterious chasm. As they descend deeper into the Abyss and confront the dangers and mysteries within, Riko and Reg must also grapple with their own emotions and the bonds of friendship and love that hold them together. The series combines elements of adventure, drama, and fantasy as it explores themes of friendship, determination, and the human desire for knowledge.
10/30
Gurren Lagann
Gurren Lagann is an anime series that follows the story of Simon and Kamina, two young men who dream of breaking through the surface of the underground world they live in and reaching the surface.
When they finally manage to escape, they join the fight against the Spiral King, Lordgenome, and his army of Beastmen, who seek to conquer the surface world and enslave humanity. As they pilot their own giant mechas, the Gurren Lagann and Lagann, Simon and Kamina face challenges and make sacrifices in their quest to defeat the Spiral King and bring freedom to the surface world. The series explores themes of determination, friendship, and the power of the human spirit.
9/30
Darling in the FranXX
Darling in the FranXX is a widely adored sci-fi anime series set in a dystopian future where humanity’s survival relies on giant mechas called FranXX, which can only be piloted by children.
The main character, Hiro, is a young boy who has lost his motivation to pilot a FranXX and is paired with a mysterious girl named Zero Two, who has the ability to turn into a monster when piloting a FranXX. Together, they must fight against the klaxosaurs, giant creatures that threaten humanity’s existence. As they battle, Hiro and Zero Two develop a close bond and confront their own personal issues, including their own mortality and their roles in a society that sees them as nothing more than tools. The series explores themes of love, loss, and the human desire for connection.
8/30
Psycho-Pass
Psycho-Pass is an anime series set in a future where society is managed by a system called the Sibyl System, which uses advanced technology to measure and control the mental states of individuals and determine their suitability for various roles in society.
The main character, Akane Tsunemori, is a young woman who becomes an inspector for the Public Safety Bureau’s Division 1, tasked with enforcing the Sibyl System’s orders and catching criminals. As she investigates cases and confronts the moral and ethical dilemmas of the Sibyl System, Akane must also grapple with the dark secrets of her own past and the true nature of the Sibyl System. The series combines elements of action, drama, and science fiction as it explores themes of justice, identity, and the human desire for control.
7/30
Dr. Stone
Dr. Stone is an anime series about a group of people who are suddenly turned to stone and awaken thousands of years later in a world where all civilization has been destroyed.
The main character, Senku Ishigami, is a high school student who has retained his intelligence and scientific knowledge and sets out on a mission to rebuild society from the ground up. Along with his friend Taiju, who has also been revived, Senku must gather resources, overcome challenges, and defeat the forces that seek to stop them as they work to rebuild humanity’s technological advancements and create a new world. The series combines elements of action, adventure, and science fiction as it explores themes of friendship, perseverance, and the human desire for progress.
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Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a beloved classic – not only among the best sci-fi anime series but, in the whole anime industry. This series is set in a future world where humanity is on the brink of extinction due to the appearance of giant monsters known as Angels.
To combat the Angels, the organization Nerv has created giant bio-machine weapons called Evangelions, which are piloted by a select few teenagers. The main character, Shinji Ikari, is recruited to pilot an Evangelion and join the fight against the Angels, but he struggles with feelings of inadequacy and the weight of his responsibilities. As he confronts the Angels and his own inner demons, Shinji must also unravel the mysteries surrounding Nerv, the Evangelions, and his own past. The series explores themes of identity, mental health, and the human condition.
5/30
Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is an anime series about a group of bounty hunters who travel through space in pursuit of the galaxy’s most dangerous criminals.
The main character, Spike Spiegel, is a former member of a criminal organization who has left his past behind and become a bounty hunter, working alongside his partners Jet Black, Faye Valentine, and Edward Wong. As they travel from planet to planet and take on various bounty-hunting jobs, the crew of the spaceship Bebop confront the dangers of their profession and the personal issues that haunt them. The series combines elements of action, drama, and comedy as it explores themes of redemption, loyalty, and the human desire for freedom.
4/30
Parasyte: The Maxim
Parasyte: The Maxim is an anime series about a young man named Shinichi Izumi who is attacked by a “Parasyte,” a creature that tries to take over his body and mind.
However, the Parasyte, who takes the form of a hand and names itself Migi, is unable to fully take control of Shinichi and instead becomes his companion and helps him fight against other Parasytes who threaten humanity. As Shinichi and Migi confront the dangers of the Parasytes and try to coexist, they must also deal with the moral implications of their actions and the tensions between their own desires and the needs of humanity. The series combines elements of action, drama, and horror as it explores themes of identity, morality, and the human condition.
3/30
The Promised Neverland
The Promised Neverland is an anime series about a group of orphaned children who live at an idyllic orphanage called Grace Field House.
When they discover the dark truth about their lives and the fate that awaits them, the children, led by Emma, set out on a mission to escape and find the “Promised Neverland,” a place where they can live free and safe. As they confront obstacles and betrayal on their journey, the children must also grapple with the moral implications of their actions and the bonds of love and friendship that hold them together. The series combines elements of action, drama, and mystery as it explores themes of survival, loyalty, and the human desire for freedom.
2/30
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is highly praised as one of the best anime of all time, let alone sci-fi. This series follows the story of Lelouch vi Britannia, a high school student who possesses a special power called “Geass,” which allows him to command the will of others.
Lelouch uses this power to lead a rebellion against the Holy Britannian Empire, a powerful and technologically advanced nation that has conquered much of the world. As he struggles to overthrow the empire and bring freedom to his homeland, Lelouch must confront difficult moral choices and the consequences of his actions. The series explores themes of power, political intrigue, and the cost of rebellion.
1/30
Steins;Gate
Steins;Gate is an anime series about a group of friends who accidentally discover the ability to send messages back in time using a device they have built. As they experiment with their newfound power and try to prevent a future disaster, the friends must also deal with the consequences of their actions and the complex moral dilemmas that arise.
The main character, Rintaro Okabe, becomes caught up in a web of time travel and must race against time to prevent a catastrophic event and save the people he loves. The series combines elements of science fiction, drama, and mystery as it explores themes of time travel, fate, and the human desire to change the past.
