Science-fiction anime series have some of the best world-building across the genre. Though many series recycle the same tried-and-true tropes, sci-fi staples like spaceships, mechs, and unexpected plot twists never get old.
Futuristic, dystopian settings that ponder the potentials of modern technology continually excite viewers. Whether it’s anime or Hollywood movies, science fiction is always popular. There’s no shortage of titles in the genre. Anything could happen as long as the story is engaging, and the characters are compelling. In fact, some of them are perfect for introducing new anime fans to the medium.
Updated on May 29, 2023, by Andrea Sandoval: Anime science fiction series get more popular and interesting as time passes. From the classics like Evangelion to more recent shows like Heavenly Delusions, there is plenty of iconic sci-fi anime to watch. We updated this list and added more crucial sci-fi anime series that audiences love.
35 Accel World
1 Season / 24 Episodes
For fans of Sword Art Online, there’s yet another anime based on a Reki Kawahara series that occurs in a virtual reality world. Accel World follows Haru Arita, an unpopular kid constantly bullied about his physical appearance.
Haru finds comfort in virtual reality, but the plot thickens when Haru is introduced to a software called Brain Burst, which exchanges real-life cognitive improvement for winning dangerous duels. With the help of popular classmate Kuroyukihime, Haru will try to reach the highest level of the game and find out the creator’s intentions.
34 Gintama
9 Seasons / 367 Episodes
Gintama makes a mockery out of every single anime trope in the book. It blends sci-fi with comedy, action, and fantasy to create a unique series unlike any other. It takes place during Japan’s feudal period. However, in this version of history, aliens took over the planet and banned samurai.
Gintoki is a lovable protagonist who was once a great samurai. Now, however, he’s struggling to make ends meet by picking up odd jobs. When he isn’t working, he’s picking his nose and reading Shonen Jump on the couch. The series isn’t nearly as dark as other sci-fi titles, which is precisely why it’s so well-loved.
33 Inuyashiki
1 Season/ 11 Episodes
Inuyashiki is a sci-fi anime about Ichiro, an average office worker who’s just trying to make ends meet. He’s the black sheep in his family, and even after he built them a shiny new house, he couldn’t get as much as a “thank you.”
One day, Inuyashiki is diagnosed with a fatal, lifelong disease. The news shook him to his core, so he took a walk to get his thoughts straight. Unfortunately, a UFO crashes into him, and his body is rebuilt into a robotic weapon of war. Inuyashiki is a twisted series with tons of body horror that fans of Tokyo Ghoul and Parasyte will surely love.
32 Fullmetal Alchemist
1 Season / 51 Episodes
Fullmetal Alchemist is a classic science fiction anime from the 2000s. With a steampunk aesthetic, the series is an interesting mixture of medieval mythology and sci-fi. It follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, who want to use the Philosopher’s Stone to restore their bodies after they couldn’t resurrect their mother with alchemy.
Fullmetal Alchemist doesn’t only have amazing, intense action sequences, but it also delves into enthralling philosophical dilemmas and some heartbreaking scenes. However, this series also contains plenty of hilarious moments, so it’s not a very dense anime, either.
31 Darling In The FranXX
1 Season / 24 Episodes
Most sci-fi anime series aren’t optimistic. In fact, many sci-fi anime protagonists view the proverbial glass as 99.9% empty. However, Darling In The FranXX is a diamond in the rough.
In Darling in the FranXX, survivors of a deadly war against aliens trained the younger generation to get retribution. They used giant mechanical weaponry called the FranXX. Hiro, the protagonist, nearly gives up on his goal to become a pilot until meeting Zero Two. Meeting her restored his optimism, proving the power of love.
30 Time Of Eve
1 Season / 6 Episodes
Time of Eve (aka Eve no Jikan) take spalce in a futuristic environment where androids have become a common occurrence. While androids are usually subjugated to human will, human Rikuo Sakisaka starts attending “The Time of Eve” café, where humans and androids coexist without revealing their real nature.
Time of Eve is perfect for those interested in a more philosophical approach to the science fiction genre. The series explores themes of objectification, identity, and human nature. Furthermore, it discusses the Three Laws of Robotics set by the iconic Science Fiction author Isaac Asimov.
29 Outlaw Star
1 Season / 26 Episodes
Outlaw Star came out in the last 90s, but it’s a timelessly fun series to watch. It’s a space western that instantly became a classic. Gene Starwind leads the titular Outlaw Star’s crew through many exciting adventures.
The crew of the Outlaw Star is hunting for the Galactic Leyline, a treasure that most would only consider an urban legend. Fans of classic Shonen series like One Piece would certainly enjoy Outlaw Star, but it’s also perfect for any sci-fi anime fan looking for a feel-good adventure series to brighten their day.
28 FLCL
3 Seasons / 18 Episodes (So Far)
One of the most interesting coming-of-age stories in anime, FCLC (also known as Fooly Cooly) mixes sci-fi with surrealism to create a unique story. When Haruko Haruhara hits 12-year-old Naota Nandaba in the head with a guitar, Naota creates a portal that allows robots to sprout out of his head.
The robots come from a mysterious company called Medical Mechanics, which seems in disagreement with Haruko. As tensions trigger within this universe, Naota ends up in the middle of it all. So far, the show has three seasons that feature different characters, but two more seasons are on the way.
27 Astro Boy (1963)
4 Seasons / 193 Episodes
Most other sci-fi anime series wouldn’t even exist without 1963’s Astro Boy. Produced by Mushi Production, Astro Boy was one of the first anime series to generate worldwide success. Without it, anime wouldn’t be the global phenomenon it is today.
Astro Boy is about a robot whose master abandoned it. He endures several trials and tribulations in a Y2K-esque setting. It has tons of unexpected social commentary that fans are sure to appreciate. Though it’s not as colorful as other anime series, and its style may not appeal to most, Astro Boy is still a must-watch for every anime aficionado.
26 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
1 Season / 10 Episodes
Based on the popular video game Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a short anime that doesn’t hold any punches. Set in a metropolis called Night City, this anime revolves around David, who becomes a sort of mercenary called an Edgerunner.
Night City is a dystopian futuristic world in which corporations control six districts. The best aspects of this anime are its extraordinary art, particularly the fascinating color palette, and its savage and absurd but thoroughly engaging characters.
25 The Promised Neverland
2 Seasons / 23 Episodes
The Promised Neverland is a chilling post-apocalyptic adventure featuring orphans raised as livestock for bloodthirsty demons and monsters. The anime’s first season is a brutal and unapologetic mind game that will surely stress viewers out and make them rethink everything.
The Promised Neverland’s first season had sky-high production values. Its animations conveyed the horror on each character’s face as they discovered the truth about their nightmarish reality in an otherwise unassuming orphanage. The Promised Neverland’s subtle social commentary, combined with the characters’ adventures to escape their fate, makes it a thrilling watch.
24 A Certain Scientific Railgun
3 Seasons / 73 Episodes
A Certain Scientific Railgun or Toaru Kagaku no Railgun occurs in Academy City. In this futuristic school, most of the students possess special psychic abilities. The story revolves around middle-schooler Mikoto Misaka, one of seven people assigned a level 5 ranking for her formidable power.
A Certain Scientific Railgun is perfect for people looking for a light and funny show. Keeping things interesting, this anime also has plenty of epic scnes and thrilling actions sequences to pair with its heartwarming elements.
23 Dr. Stone
2 Seasons / 35 Episodes (So Far)
Dr. Stone is among the most popular and innovative science fiction anime series. It combines intense post-apocalyptic action with real-world science to enthrall viewers. It centers around the compelling journey of Senku Ishigami, a boy genius and science prodigy who awakens to an Earth where everyone has been turned into stone.
Now, it’s up to Senku and his newfound friends to rebuild millions of years of human progress with nothing but his stock knowledge of science and trial and error. Dr. Stone is a unique shonen anime where the protagonist is more brains than brawn and more pragmatic than idealistic.
22 Erased
1 Season / 12 Episodes
Also known for its Japanese name, Boku dake gan Inai Machi (which translates as “The Town Where Only I Am Missing”), Erased is a science fiction and thriller anime that follows the life of Satoru Fujinuma. Saturo is a 29-year-old man who can travel in time to prevent accidents from happening.
When his mother’s life is threatened, Saturo travels 18 years into the past, which will allow him to not only save his mother but also his childhood friends who were kidnapped in the past. With beautiful animation, Erased is engaging, funny, and heartwarming.
21 Parasyte: The Maxim
1 Season / 24 Episodes
Parasyte: The Maxim is an odd and disturbing anime centered on aliens that burrow into the brains of their humans and turn them into living weapons. It’s similar to Venom but has much more body horror and less shock value. The protagonist, Shinichi Izumi, reluctantly bonds with one of the aliens. It took residence in his right hand, so Shinichi named him “Migi.”
Both of them reached a mutual agreement that they need each other to survive though Shinichi does often try to wrestle with the alien’s murderous thoughts. It turns out his parasite wasn’t the most competent and failed to take over his brain. Now, it’s up to Shinichi to defend other humans from similar parasites.
20 One-Punch Man
2 Seasons / 24 Episodes
One-Punch Man is an extraordinary story about a superhero named Saitama, whose superpower is the ability to defeat any opponent with only one punch. The story is set in a world with four moons with a Hero Association to which Sataima belongs.
Throughout the series, viewers will see Saitama putting his power on trial as he fights stronger foes and cunning villains to get a higher ranking in the Hero Association. An epic anime with a unique concept, this series is a must-watch, even if it has received very poor critics for its second season.
19 Made In Abyss
2 Seasons / 25 Episodes
Made In Abyss is one of the medium’s darkest and most compelling sci-fi titles. It takes place in the underworld, or “Abyss,” and it always has a sense of foreboding dread. Something terrible is always about to occur, and the world-building constantly keeps viewers in anticipation of the worst.
The titular Abyss is a dark chasm where only the toughest spelunkers dare to venture. Riko, the protagonist, is intrigued by a sentient robot named Reg. He wanted to find its creator and figured they’d only be found in the Abyss’ depths. Reg’s memories must also be recovered somewhere inside the darkness. The series is a must-watch and the perfect introduction to the genre.
18 Elfen Lied
1 Season / 13 Episodes
Elfen Lied is a harrowing yet heartwarming show with a devastating premise. It tells the story of Lucy, aka “Nyu,” the first diclonius. The diclonius are human mutations recognized by their horns and long invisible arms known as vectors. Lucy escapes a high-security facility, leaving a bloody trail behind her.
Lucy’s later found by teenagers Kohta and Yuka after suffering a head injury that made her forget her identity and lose the ability to speak. Elfen Lied is a very gory show that explores human hatred, violence, and greediness. As short as it is, Elfen Lied is transgressive, funny, and enthralling, making it one of the best anime series from the 2000s.
17 Space Brothers
2 Seasons / 99 Episodes
Space Brothers is a nice change of pace from all the darkness and the monsters in other sci-fi anime series. It centers on two brothers who swore to each other in childhood that they would become astronauts.
Fast forward to adulthood, reality happens, and their paths in life diverge. However, their dream is still intact; both wanted to be astronauts. Space Brothers follows their journey as they try to fulfill their childhood dreams in a combination of comedy, slice-of-life, and sci-fi in one heartwarming seinen mix.
16 Mob Psycho 100
3 Seasons / 37 Episodes
With unique art that goes from beautiful to colorful and violent, Mob Psycho 100 mixes the quotidian with the supernatural. Shigeo Kageyama, also known as Mob, is a boy with psychic powers who struggles with getting together with his school crush.
However, Mob’s biggest problem is that he needs to learn to control his powers before his emotions get the best of him. Mob Psycho 100 is an extraordinary anime that has earned many accolades and has been listed as one of the best animes from the 2010s. This coming-of-age story is definitely worth watching.