If you’re asked to name your favorite ten anime, there’s a possibility that science fiction series might not make the cut if you’re more drawn to iconic shows like “Ghost in the Shell” with its cyberpunk aesthetic or “Code Geass” with its mecha themes. Science fiction is typically less popular, with only the die-hard fans and those knowledgeable about both current titles and established classics appreciating it. In the face of popular genres such as fantasy, action, everyday life, and even supernatural stories, science fiction can easily be overshadowed and slip through the cracks in terms of audience focus. The fact that much sci-fi overlaps with other genres doesn’t help its cause.
Science fiction animation isn’t limited to exploring themes that other genres can’t, it also delves into profound questions and observations about human nature. Characters, settings like robots, space exploration, and dystopian worlds are additional elements. This list of contemporary science-fiction anime features both underrated and popular series with captivating narratives that have garnered less attention than they deserve in recent years.
1) Dr. Stone
Dr. Stone is rapidly gaining recognition and buzz within the online anime community and among fans, and justifiably so. The narrative unfolds 3700 years after our current era, where high school student Taiju Oki grapples with the reality that the civilization he knew has been devastated. It’s revealed that humanity encountered a catastrophe, resulting in its population being transformed into stone statues.
In a world eerily silent due to a terrifying freeze, Taiju is tasked with assisting his friend, the scientist Senku Ishigami, in uncovering the reason behind this petrification and finding a solution to free those still encased in stone. The anime, titled Dr. Stone, showcases the indomitable spirit of humanity as its characters strive for a brighter tomorrow through the use of genuine scientific knowledge. To date, there have been three seasons released, with the fourth and final season now airing.
2) World Trigger
In a world dominated by creatures from another dimension, we find ourselves in Mikado City – a place where a gateway mysteriously opens, allowing these monstrous beings, known as Neighbors, to invade. With conventional human technology proving insufficient against them, a group called Border is formed as the city’s last line of defense. This organization uses a unique technology called Triggers, which are powered by a biological energy source known as Trion and have been taken from the Neighbors themselves.
This animated series focuses on four main characters: Osamu Mikumo, who lacks direct combat prowess, Yuma Kuga, a resident who chooses to engage in battles for Border, Chika Amatori, an expert sniper with exceptional Trion skills, and Yuichi Jin, a character endowed with the ability to briefly glimpse into the future. The show delivers thrilling fight sequences that are not merely about individual skill, but heavily emphasize cooperation and unity in this novel world.
3) Pluto
In collaboration with co-writer Takashi Nagasaki and overseen by Macoto Tezuka, son of Astro Boy’s creator Osamu Tezuawa, Naoki Urasawa penned the series known as Pluto. This work is deeply rooted in classic sci-fi anime style, and it was handled with great attention to detail. Pluto delves into an expanded retelling of the “The Greatest Robot on Earth” storyline from Astro Boy, focusing on robot detective Gesicht who’s investigating a string of crimes involving both robots and humans. The clues suggest that a robot may have been responsible for these killings – a rare event given it’s been years since a robot took a human life.
The truth emerges that Pluto, a lethal robot engineered for combat against Earth’s strongest mechanical beings, is responsible for these bizarre murders. This narrative delves into ideas of human nature, oppression, post-conflict realities, and artificial intelligence. It provokes thoughts: at what point does the boundary between mankind and nonliving entities blur and merge? Who has the authority to establish and cross that boundary line in the first place?
4) Kaiju No. 8
Some anime are destined for greatness, and Kaiju No.8 is definitely one of them. The show has a distinctive mix of elements from Pacific Rim, Attack on Titan, and the Monsterverse, creating a fresh and exciting blend. Set in Japan, where kaiju monsters regularly wreak havoc, the story follows Kafka Hibino, who ingests a parasitic entity that gives him the power to transform into a kaiju. This newfound ability propels Kafka to join the Defense Force, an elite unit that combats kaiju using specialized suits and weaponry.
Kaiju No. 8 offers an enticing mix of extraordinary creatures, thrilling battle sequences, and a well-developed ensemble of characters, each with their own complex pasts and ambitions. This anime delves into Kafka’s struggle to protect humanity while grappling with his fear of his powers and the widespread dread that these monsters he now belongs to inspire.
5) Moonrise
One of Netflix’s recent additions to its expanding anime library is titled “Moonrise,” set in 2025 and consisting of 18 episodes. This series depicts a future where Earth is managed by an AI system, promoting prosperity and peace for the majority of humankind. However, lawbreakers are exiled to live on the Moon, which has developed into a world marked by poverty, hardship, and strife. As tensions escalate between the Lunar and Terrestrial populations, a rebellion ignites among the disgruntled Moon dwellers.
In the animated series titled “Moonrise“, Jack Shadow serves as the central figure. This character is a young man who tragically loses his family due to a terrorist incident orchestrated by moon dwellers. Spurred by this heartbreaking event, Jack decides to enlist in a special unit with the objective of defeating the self-proclaimed “moon king”. The series delves into concepts like inequality and justice within a harmonious sci-fi setting, employing stunning visuals and animation.
6) Heavenly Delusion
Heavenly Delusion” flawlessly demonstrates how science fiction can seamlessly interweave with different genres. This anime merges elements of sci-fi, post-apocalyptic landscapes, and the supernatural. The narrative in “Heavenly Delusion” primarily revolves around two distinct storylines. One is centered on a school called Heaven, a fortified compound that is cut off from what they claim is a devastated, infernal world outside. The other tale follows Kiruko and Maru as they journey through the external wilderness in pursuit of this Heaven.
Heavenly Delusion explores ideas around gender, solitude, and optimism as we follow Kiruko and Maru’s relationship during their trek towards Heaven while dealing with the hurdles presented by this grotesque society they inhabit. Although there is only one season available at present, enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating a second installment that will pick up where the manga’s storyline left off.
7) Trigun Stampede
As an avid anime fan, let me tell you that “Trigun Stampede” stands out as a brilliant reinvention of a classic series, giving it a fresh, contemporary spin. If you’re familiar with the original “Trigun” from 1998 – a unique blend of sci-fi and western genres centered around the adventurous Vash the Stampede – then you’ll appreciate how “Trigun Stampede” expands upon its rich backstory and delves deeper into the intricate details of the original anime. This reboot offers something enticing for both long-time fans and newcomers to the series.
The narrative unfolds in a future where Earth is no longer suitable for human life, driving us to abandon our planet and seek a new place to call home. The siblings Vash and Knives reside on a fleet of colonies, their lives intertwined with extraordinary plant-like organisms that generate energy essential for the fleet’s survival. This prequel offers glimpses into Vash’s past, showcasing the great extremes we may go to, in pursuit or protection of our convictions and aspirations.
8) Apocalypse Hotel
The Apocalypse Hotel offers an exceptional fusion of everyday life anime and futuristic elements, making it a delightful watch from the very beginning. This series is adored for its snug cast of characters, beautiful artwork that makes it a soothing choice upon first viewing. The plot revolves around a unique hotel on Earth, managed entirely by robots. In the past, Earth was hit by an airborne disease which rendered it inhospitable for humans to inhabit.
In the distant future when Earth is uninhabited by humans, the Gingarou Hotel still stands, managed by artificial intelligence. The series follows its daily routines, even hosting alien guests visiting the hotel. It’s a captivating show that appeals to those who appreciate heartwarming stories about found families.
9) Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
In less appreciated genres, there are still exceptional works that spark conversation – Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is one such example. This series draws inspiration from the lore of the Cyberpunk universe, particularly the video game Cyberpunk 2077. With a distinctive visual style, this Netflix anime debuted in 2022, completing its run with a solitary, 10-episode season.
The story unfolds within Night City, a thriving metropolis that was once part of California, now plagued by rampant violence, crime, and corrupted capitalism. Our protagonist, David Martinez, hails from humble beginnings but has climbed his way to become the top student at Arasaka Academy. After a heartbreaking event, he decides to abandon his academic life and join the ranks of edgerunners – an underworld group engaged in cybernetically-enhanced criminal activities within their gangs. The anime delves into the perils and benefits of technological advancements, the relentless pursuit of power, and corporate exploitation as its central themes.
10) 86 Eighty-Six
86 Eighty-Six is a relatively underestimated choice in the realm of science fiction anime, despite its impressive world development and character-centric narrative. The series unfolds in the context of the Republic of San Magnolia, a nation engaged in conflict with the Empire of Giad. Noteworthy technological advancements in this struggle take the form of Juggernauts – mechanical combatants designed to battle the robotic soldiers of the Empire, known as Legions.
One aspect of the Republic that isn’t openly disclosed to many of its citizens is the control exercised by humans, specifically the minority known as the Eighty-Six. This marginalized group is viewed as less than human and are forced to wage war for the very government that oppresses them. The anime titled 86 Eighty-Six delves into the story of the Spearhead Squadron, a notorious group of 86 fighters, and their latest handler, as they gradually uncover the hidden truth behind the Republic’s ongoing conflict.
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2025-07-21 06:11