5 Best Science Fiction Anime of 2025, Ranked

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Every year, lots of new anime series and seasons are released to meet the increasing demand from fans. Anime’s growing popularity means there’s always something good to watch. Viewers are also exploring a wider range of genres, appreciating the creative ideas, settings, and detailed worlds anime offers. While many genres are available, some—like fantasy and science fiction—are consistently the most popular.

Science fiction anime has been popular for decades, with many classic shows originating in the 1980s – often considered its peak. Popular genres like mecha and cyberpunk are both part of the larger sci-fi category. Recent hits like Trigun Stampede, Dr. Stone, and World Trigger have gained a lot of praise for their creative stories and ideas. In fact, the past year has seen a surge of exciting new sci-fi anime. This list highlights some of the best science fiction anime of 2025 that you won’t want to miss before the year ends.

5) Moonrise

Released in 2025, Moonrise is a recent anime addition to Netflix. The first season has 18 episodes, and while there’s no news yet about a second season, fans are hoping for one. This show offers a fresh take on a classic war story, but with a sci-fi twist set in space, featuring battles between different groups. It’s visually stunning, with beautiful animation that really makes the detailed worlds and action scenes come alive.

Moonrise centers around a large-scale conflict between people on Earth and those who have settled on the Moon. The story follows Jack Shadow, whose quest for revenge begins when his family is killed in bombings that appear to be the work of lunar extremists. As Jack fights against the Moon’s rebels, the show explores themes of revenge and prejudice, and how governments can use propaganda and control to manipulate public opinion.

4) Kaiju No. 8

Released in 2024 with a second season following in 2025 (the same year the anime gained popularity), Kaiju No. 8 is quickly becoming a standout dark shonen series, filling the void left by recently concluded shows. Its success stems from a compelling combination of detailed world-building, complex characters, and impressive animation, leading fans to eagerly anticipate a third season. Though packed with fast-paced, intense action, the series also offers a surprisingly thoughtful and engaging story.

I’m completely hooked on Kaiju No. 8! It’s set in a world constantly terrorized by these huge monsters called Kaiju, and it’s heartbreaking to see the destruction and loss of life. Luckily, Japan has built up this incredible Defense Force to fight them off. But the story really gets interesting when Kafka Hibino unexpectedly gains the power to become a Kaiju himself! It gives him this amazing chance to fight back, and honestly, it’s a wild ride. If you loved Tokyo Ghoul or Attack on Titan, you absolutely need to check this one out – seriously, don’t wait!

3) Apocalypse Hotel

Released in April 2025, Apocalypse Hotel is a deeply moving science fiction series that stands out for its thoughtful exploration of big ideas, rather than action-packed sequences. With only 12 episodes, it’s a perfect show to watch in one sitting. Beyond its beautiful animation and striking visuals, the series delves into themes of what it means to be human, the importance of connection, and the challenges of loneliness and change – all within a unique setting populated only by robots who run a mysterious hotel.

I’m completely hooked on Apocalypse Hotel! It’s set way in the future, after something terrible happens on Earth forces everyone to leave and try living in space. The story centers around the Gingarou Hotel, which is run by robots who are still holding out hope for humanity’s return – a century after everyone left! It’s a really fascinating look at the daily lives of these robot staff members as they deal with the first guests arriving from other planets, all while quietly wondering if humans will ever come back home. It’s a beautiful blend of slice-of-life and a slightly melancholic sci-fi vibe.

2) Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX is part of the long-running Gundam franchise, which began in the late 1970s. The series centers around giant robots piloted by humans in combat, and has spawned over 50 different versions of the story across various timelines. GQuuuuuuX takes place within the established Universal Century timeline and is notable for being one of the shortest Gundam series ever made. Released in 2025, it consists of just 12 episodes, totaling a little over an hour of content.

A year after the Principality of Zeon wins the war, a new story unfolds in Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX. Amata Yuzuriha, a typical high school student, finds herself caught between Zeon and the Space Police when the Red Gundam reappears. When Amata steals a prototype Gundam robot called the GQuuuuuuX, her life takes a dramatic turn. This latest installment in the Gundam series is a must-see for fans, offering a captivating protagonist and fresh details that expand the established universe.

1) Dr. Stone

Over the past five years, Dr. Stone has become a hugely popular and talked-about science fiction anime, quickly establishing itself as a modern classic. The series, which began in 2019, recently concluded its main story with Dr. Stone: Science Future (released in 2025), with a final installment planned for next year. It’s a compelling blend of familiar anime elements, incredibly detailed world-building, and some of the best character development in recent sci-fi.

I recently watched Dr. Stone, and it’s a really interesting story. It begins with this strange event where everyone on Earth suddenly turns to stone. Thousands of years later, a young man named Senku wakes up, along with his friend Taiju. Senku’s determined to figure out what happened and, more importantly, to revive everyone. It’s fascinating to watch them try to rebuild civilization from scratch, using science to recreate modern technology. The show is a really hopeful story, balanced with a lot of clever scientific problem-solving.

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2025-11-15 07:11