Best Sci-Fi Anime

Like any form of visual media, there are countless genres and subgenres of anime shows and films. With no limits to the amount of creativity a writer can have when creating an animated piece of work, anime has been able to cover a wide variety of topics, themes, and cultures. One of the most popular genres is science-fiction anime, with a few of the highest-rated movies and series being categorized as sci-fi.

Those looking for adventures that explore the far reaches of space or ask the big what-if questions of life in the future will find that Japanese animation has them covered. More importantly, the industry’s sci-fi tales cover a wide range of subgenres, tones, and art styles, ensuring there is something for just about everyone. Here are the best sci-fi anime ever, along with recommendations for the current seasons.

Updated September 22, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The Summer 2024 anime season‘s sci-fi anime are mostly done, so let’s shift focus to Fall 2024.

Each anime’s MyAnimeList score is included as a reference; however, it is not the ranking’s only determining factor since things like genre influence will also be taken into account. Some shows also blend sci-fi with other genres, with the former taking a backseat at times.

Upcoming Fall 2024 Sci-Fi Anime

Summer 2024 is pretty much done, so it is time to look ahead to the upcoming season. On paper, Fall 2024 should be quite a ride thanks to a few massive continuations and equally big newcomers. Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- should be a huge sequel, and the same can be said for Blue Lock. Shangri-La Frontier, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, DanMachi, Arifureta, Blue Exorcist, Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online, and Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles are also making their returns, and they should all be pretty big deals.

In terms of new shows, Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror is shaping up to be an exciting adaptation of Junji Ito’s terrifying manga. Dragon Ball Daima is, well, Dragon Ball, so it will obviously attract some attention. Blue Box should keep both sports and romance fans engaged. Meanwhile, Dandadan should be a lot of fun, and it might even scratch somebody’s sci-fi itch since aliens are involved.

Still, let’s take a look at Fall 2024’s unquestionable sci-fi anime:

• Demon Lord 2099 – Blending sci-fi and fantasy, this series follows a Demon Lord who is revived in (basically) a cyberpunk society. While he has access to magic, he has to adapt to a universe driven by science and technology that goes beyond his understanding. The light novel is fairly short at just three volumes, but Demon Lord 2099 should make for a fun anime.
• Mechanical Arms – Building on a one-episode ONA, Mecha-ude‘s quality is difficult to predict. Not only is it an original story (although a manga exists), but it is also handled by a studio with only a single series to its name. As such, this could be a pleasant surprise or one of Fall 2024’s most forgettable shows. The premise revolves around a human who bonds with an alien called Arma, and they are protected by a warrior named Aki while being harassed by an evil organization. Look, this could be entertaining.

Best Summer 2024 Sci-Fi Anime

The ongoing season has most genres covered to an extent, even if the spread has been far from even. Naturally, the lineup has dozens of fantasy stories, with many Summer 2024 anime taking place in medieval-style worlds. Sci-fi anime are in comparatively low supply, although the current crop leans more into the genre than most of its recent predecessors.

Even if it does not have a science-fiction show on the same level as Kaiju No. 8, Summer 2024 has enough quality to keep fans engaged. Let’s highlight the season’s best sci-fi offering.

NieR:Automata Ver1.1a (Cour 2)

Undoubtedly Summer 2024’s biggest sci-fi anime, NieR: Automata Ver1.1a has a lot of things going for it, including great animation courtesy of A-1 Pictures. 2023’s first season was hampered by production issues that led to a momentum-killing delay, which is particularly awful for an anime as story and lore-driven as this peculiar adaption. Nevertheless, the first cour ended on a relatively high note, setting the stage for a promising and superior sequel.

As the war for Earth continues, NieR: Automata Ver1.1a has slowly started to pull back its curtain, revealing the awful truth behind the Androids’ never-ending struggle. While the story can be complicated at times, the anime can be enjoyed solely for its action, twists, and clever world-building. Beyond the sheer spectacle, NieR: Automata Ver1.1a features a great cast of characters, with 2B and 9S being particularly fantastic. Their relationship serves as the show’s emotional heart, and it is very fragile.

While an ONA series,
Dead Dead Demons Dededede Destruction
is also pretty great.

Now, here are the best sci-fi anime of all time…

27 Urusei Yatsura (2022)

MyAnimeList: 7.41 (Season 1)

A sci-fi comedy classic, Urusei Yatsura is a sitcom about a perverted guy who winds up with an alien fiancée. Lum loves her darling with all her might, while Ataru mainly wants to flirt with girls and do his own thing, two acts that normally result in a quick electrocution. The anime has a well-established status quo that paves the way to plenty of laugh-out-loud moments courtesy of its larger-than-life protagonists and a plethora of quirky secondary characters.

Sci-fi is associated with heavy social themes and lofty concepts, but the genre can get silly as well. Urusei Yatsura represents that side of the equation, and there is a reason the property has been around since the late ’70s.

The
1981 anime
is also very good and fondly remembered, and it could have replaced the 2022 version. However, the latter was picked due to its accessibility.

26 The Promised Neverland

MyAnimeList: 8.50 (Season 1)

This horror anime will make viewers’ skin crawl. Following a group of orphaned children being cared for by their appointed Mother, this series shows the traumatic experiences of intelligent kids trying to escape the deadly home they’re trapped in.

The Promised Neverland‘s soundtrack is chilling, the characters are wonderful, and the villains are too creepy to handle. The first episode alone will get audiences hooked. For anime fans looking to get scared out of their pants, this spooky sci-fi anime‘s first season needs to be a priority. Unfortunately, the second season is underwhelming and rushed, to the point that skipping it might be the better option.

25 Kaiju No. 8

MyAnimeList: 8.33

One of Spring 2024’s biggest shows fell within the sci-fi category, although it is more Godzilla than Steins;Gate. Kaiju No. 8 envisions an alternate reality where humanity has to constantly deal with attacks from massive (or smallish) monsters, a dangerous but important role only a few people are equipped to handle. Japan’s Defense Force are (essentially) superheroes who use equipment designed from the kaiju they beat, and they are always on the lookout for capable soldiers. Despite his best efforts, Kafka was never able to pass the group’s entrance exam, forcing him to join the post-battle clean-up crew instead. However, when the exam’s age limit is raised, he decides to give it one final go. Also, he accidentally eats a kaiju and unlocks the ability to transform into a powerful monster. So, there is that too.

With great production value, lovable characters, and intense fights, Kaiju No. 8 leaves impressive first, second, and third impressions, and the season seems to be improving with each new episode. In his early 30s, Kafka is a nice change of pace for a shonen lead, and he embodies maturity, passion, and hints of desperation well. The rest of the characters are not too shabby either, particularly Reno and Shinomiya. Still, a show like this lives and dies on the quality of its monsters, an area Kaiju No. 8 nails.

24 Heavenly Delusion

MyAnimeList: 8.21

Heavenly Delusion is drenched in mystery. The anime envisions a post-disaster world filled with monstrosities and the scattered remains of human civilization. Maru and Kiruko travel across Japan in search of a place called “Heaven,” a journey defined by frustration, near-death experiences, and constant terror. As this unfolds, the anime also follows a group of children living within a research facility that seems to be a safe haven but is likely anything but.

Production I.G’s anime has only started to pull back the curtain on the manga’s lore and mysteries, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in widespread uncertainty alongside the main characters. So far, Heavenly Delusion has raised way more questions than answers, and if the latter eventually arrive via a sequel, this sci-fi anime could turn out to be one of the greats.

23 Made In Abyss

MyAnimeList: 8.66 (Season 1)

Made in Abyss ranks low because it is more fantasy than science fiction, however, the anime sprinkles just enough elements from the latter to qualify. In this world, adventurers turn to The Abyss in search of glory, descending its numerous layers filled with wonder and horror. The young Riko yearns to follow her mother to the bottom of the Abyss, a seemingly impossible journey that becomes only improbable once the girl befriends Reg, a boy with a body seemingly modified by science.

Young kids going on a wild adventure might sound like a pleasant time, and while Made in Abyss is certainly fantastic, the show is anything but lighthearted. The anime deals with abuse, sacrifice, and human experimentation, just to name a couple of themes.

22 Ergo Proxy

MyAnimeList: 7.90

Ergo Proxy is one of those sci-fi anime that is quite divisive, especially due to its structure and pacing. While not devoid of overarching threads, most episodes are fairly situational and loosely connected, which can create a sense that the story is going nowhere fast. However, the series is seemingly designed to be watched a couple of times, and things improve on a second viewing.

Ergo Proxy is primarily about its atmosphere, character development, and philosophical ideas, the latter of which are dense by anime’s standards. Even if those elements fail to hit the mark with some viewers, they can still look forward to an inconsistent but regularly great cyberpunk anime with relentless ambition.

21 A Certain Scientific Railgun

MyAnimeList: 7.66 (Season 1)

Academy City is home to espers, people who possess special powers that can range from incredibly potent to harmlessly mundane. As its name suggests, this city houses various schools that seek to teach their students how to control and maximize their abilities; unsurprisingly, there are also plenty of people who want to take advantage of these same children.

A spin-off of A Certain Magical Index, A Certain Scientific Railgun pushes Mikoto Misaka to the forefront, a teenager deeply embedded into Academy City’s public guide and underground experimentation. Although the powers are just straight-up fantasy, this anime tackles classic sci-fi themes such as cloning really well. While the first season is pretty forgettable, A Certain Scientific Railgun S and T are both considerably better, delivering compelling character-driven drama along with intense action and even the occasional laugh. The Sisters arc is comfortably among the best sagas in the sci-fi anime genre.

20 Dr. Stone

MyAnimeList: 8.28 (Season 1)

Shonen has hundreds of power fantasies, but very few stories harness the power of science. Set thousands of years after humanity was suddenly frozen, Dr. Stone follows the revived Senku as he tries to use his scientific knowledge to survive in a world that has reverted to the Stone Age. More importantly, he wants to return humanity to its technological heights, a goal that not everyone agrees with.

Starting strong and improving with each new cour, Dr. Stone manages to juggle drama, humor, action, and even a hint of education. While the premise is outlandish and leans heavily into fantasy, Senku’s science is grounded in reality, with the “fiction” part largely stemming from the protagonist’s near-unlimited knowledge and the speed at which scientific breakthroughs are achieved.

19 Parasyte: The Maxim

MyAnimeList: 8.33

Another great sci-fi anime that will leave viewers feeling spooked, Parasyte is set in an alternate version of the present day when a human-eating alien species infiltrates Earth, ready to devour all mankind. The main protagonist Shinichi Izumi fails to have his mind taken over by a parasite, leaving the alien trapped in his right hand.

The two natural enemies must now work together to stop parasites from ending humanity. Parasyte comments on many important themes, including the balance of humanity and their environment and the ideas of morality. It’s a thrilling watch that will have fans wanting more.

18 Space Dandy

MyAnimeList: 7.88 (Season 1)

This exciting space anime is widely loved for its quirky, funky vibes, lovable characters, and fantastic animation. The amount of detail that went into Space Dandy‘s story and lore is enough to keep viewers glued to the TV until they’ve binged it all.

The series follows the eccentric Dandy, a space explorer on the hunt to discover new alien species with his energetic team of sidekicks. It’s the perfect anime to put on for a good time with plenty of laughs. Along with all the comedy and parody aspects of the show, there are beautiful animation styles, charming dialogue, and amazing storylines.

17 Outlaw Star

MyAnimeList: 7.84

This fan-favorite sci-fi space western came out over 20 years ago but still continues to hold a big place in the hearts of classic anime lovers. The story follows the fun-loving crew on the Outlaw Star, a ship led by Gene Starwind, on their hunt for the legendary treasure called “Galactic Leyline.”

Outlaw Star has a unique animation style and beautifully balances the drama, comedy, and mystery elements. Although its age shines through at times, the ’90s series is still charming in its own right, and it has a pulp fiction-esque quality that adds an element of timelessness. While generally overshadowed by Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star is nevertheless a fun ride.

16 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

MyAnimeList: 8.60

Based on CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was Trigger’s best anime since Kill la Kill, and an argument could be made that the series represents the studio at its absolute peak. Right out of the gate, the anime immerses viewers in Night City, a dystopian metropolis driven by corporations and a clear social divide. This type of setting is everywhere in cyberpunk fiction, but Edgerunners‘ visual presentation helps set Night City apart from its contemporaries.

More importantly, the OVA series tells an engaging character-driven story that has very few lull moments. The anime follows David, a teenager with a lot of potential who gets dragged into the city’s underbelly following a personal tragedy. David’s journey is laced with tragedy and foreboding, along with a lot of action and suspense.

15 Space Brothers

MyAnimeList: 8.49

Sci-fi typically strives to strike a middle ground between fantasy and realism, although several stories prioritize one side over the other. Unlike most sci-fi anime, Space Brothers prioritizes realism above everything else, and the result is a grounded show about the hardship astronauts go through in pursuit of space travel.

The anime revolves around two brothers who, as kids, dreamed of reaching for the stars; one achieved this goal, while the other went down a different path. Now, the latter has a chance to put on that iconic orange suit, and he plans to not let this opportunity slip away. Both of their journeys are well worth experiencing.

14 Trigun

MyAnimeList: 8.22

A classic that tends to be associated with Cowboy Bebop and Outlaw Star, Trigun offers a fantastic blend of sci-fi and Western tropes, creating an action-packed romp that balances drama, world-building, and humor incredibly well. While Trigun Stampede is worth watching, the 1998 original is arguably still the stronger series, largely thanks to featuring a more dynamic and charismatic version of Vash the Stampede as the protagonist.

Without getting into the unexpectedly philosophical central story, Trigun‘s brilliance comes down to sheer entertainment value. The anime is just fun, and some of the best episodes follow a case-of-the-week format that simply allows Vash, Wolfwood, Milly, and Meryl to shine. They are great individually and as a group, and they all have well-written backstories that are explored intelligently during the second half of the series.

13 Psycho-Pass

MyAnimeList: 8.34 (Season 1)

This 2014 psychological sci-fi thriller gained critical acclaim from across the globe due to its impressive character development and stories within a new, unique world. In a dystopia in Japan’s future, humans are under the constant watch of the government through highly advanced technology that can quantify their mental state and potential for criminal activity.

Psycho-Pass highlights the experiences and relationships between various Inspectors and Enforcers who work under the Ministry of Welfare’s Public Safety Bureau to investigate criminal cases. Tackling quintessential sci-fi concepts like human agency and precognition, Psycho-Pass delivers visceral action alongside nuanced philosophical discussions. The first season is fantastic, but the sequels are notably messier.

12 Gintama

MyAnimeList: 8.94 (Season 1)

A hodgepodge of genres, Gintama mixes sci-fi, comedy, action, and fantasy to create a shonen anime quite unlike anything else on the market. During feudal times, Japan fell at the hands of aliens, who quickly outlawed samurai and started to reshape human society and its technology. Consequently, Edo transformed into a futuristic city with historical sensibilities.

Left with nowhere to go as a former samurai, Gintoki sets up a business designed to take on any requests, and he is accompanied by the straight-laced Shinpachi and the powerful Kagura. Together, they go on many inspired misadventures, producing plenty of laughs and tears along the way. Gintama‘s blend of genres means it does not fit into one category, and the anime only occasionally explores themes relating to sci-fi.

11 Mobile Suit Gundam

MyAnimeList: 7.77

Even more than 40 years after its initial release, Mobile Suit Gundam continues to be remade into new series, films, toys, and games. The franchise made such an impression on sci-fi and anime in general that it basically transcends the medium. Mecha anime continues to use Gundam as a reference to this day.

After space colonies under the control of the Principality of Zeon have declared war on the Earth Federation in a more advanced timeline, they must fight back with their brand new RX-78 Gundam mobile suit. It’s a classic that everyone needs to see at least one point in their lives.

10 Astro Boy

MyAnimeList: 7.10

This discussion might not even exist without the creation of Astro Boy, one of the first animated Japanese shows to achieve international fame, leading to the rise in the popularity of anime as a whole.

Astro Boy was about a highly advanced robot abandoned by its creator, and the heroic protagonist goes through many challenges in a timeline set 40 years in the future, being the year 2000. This classic series brings up themes of anti-war, the preservation of nature, and societal discrimination.

9 Pluto

MyAnimeList: 8.48

Naoki Urasawa’s Pluto manga finally received an adaptation in 2023. Based on an Astro Boy storyline, the story follows a detective as he tries to find the killer responsible for a range of murders with both human and robot victims. The manga is considered a masterpiece, so expectations were high for the anime, and it largely managed to live up to expectations.

Pluto envisions a world where humans and robots co-exist, and the latter are so advanced that they can replicate most human emotions. This setup allows the series to deliver realistic and socially relevant commentary on tough concepts like discrimination and PTSD, all the while telling an engaging murder mystery fueled by two gripping and complex figures (the aforementioned detective and Atom, a young robot boy).

8 Serial Experiments Lain

MyAnimeList: 8.09

One of the greatest psychological anime of all time, Serial Experiments Lain came out at a time when technology was evolving at an incredibly rapid pace, largely thanks to the rise of the internet. Through Lain’s haunting exploration of The Wired, the anime explores themes of identity and perception, just to name a few.

Serial Experiments Lain just needs to be watched as a write-up cannot do justice to its dated but incredible visuals, best-ever sound design, and cerebral storytelling. In terms of pure entertainment, Lain can be an exhausting and confusing sit, especially during an initial watch; however, as an experience, the anime is one of a kind.