Star Wars is arguably the most influential science fiction franchise of all time, and it remains beloved by fans today. Over the years, it’s expanded with numerous sequels, movies, series, spin-offs, and animated shows, many of which have been highly praised. The franchise consistently draws viewers in with its focus on space adventures, complex characters, and political intrigue. Fortunately, anime often explores similar themes, offering plenty of shows and films that capture the same feeling as Star Wars.
Similar to Star Wars, many of these anime combine futuristic technology with well-developed characters. Here are seven sci-fi anime you should definitely check out if you’re a Star Wars fan.
7) Moonrise
In the near future, WIT Studio’s new sci-fi series depicts a world where an AI network governs everything, allowing humanity to live peacefully by following its rules. However, a project to develop the Moon – which sends criminals and pollution there – creates a growing divide between those living on Earth and those exiled to the Moon, highlighting a stark difference in their quality of life.
A terrible terrorist attack sparks a war on the Moon, pulling Jacob Shadow into the fighting. Devastated by personal loss, he enlists in the army to battle the lunar rebels, where he unexpectedly comes face-to-face with someone from his past.
6) Outlaw Star
A hidden gem from the 1990s, this story offers a captivating adventure filled with excitement and the wonder of space travel. It centers around Gene Starwing, a character who longs to captain his own spaceship and explore the galaxy, but currently finds himself stuck working various small jobs alongside his friend, James Hawking.
Their lives take an unexpected turn when they take on a job from Rachel Sweet, a notorious treasure hunter. They soon find themselves responsible for protecting a secretive girl named Melina, and quickly become involved in far more danger than they anticipated.
5) Neon Genesis Evangelion
Widely considered a classic sci-fi anime, the story begins fifteen years after a devastating global catastrophe called the Second Impact. Even as the world tries to rebuild, humanity now faces a new and terrifying enemy: powerful, otherworldly beings known as Angels, who pose an overwhelming threat.
To defend against a dangerous threat, a clandestine group called NERV creates massive, robotic beings known as Evangelions. The story centers on Shinji Ikari, a 14-year-old boy called upon by his distant father to pilot one of these robots, Unit-01. While hesitant at first, Shinji soon discovers that battling these creatures is far more challenging and complex than he ever imagined.
4) Crest of the Stars
Many sci-fi fans consider Crest of the Stars a hidden gem, and it’s highly regarded for its detailed universe, compelling characters, and emotionally resonant stories. Like Star Wars, the series centers on a large-scale interstellar war, but it focuses more on the characters’ personal journeys and struggles, rather than just constant action. It explores themes of diplomacy, what defines a person, and simply trying to survive.
In a far-off future, the Abh Empire – a technologically superior race of genetically engineered humans – controls space and poses a threat to humanity. Facing overwhelming destruction, humans unite to form the Four Nations Alliance, hoping to challenge the Empire’s power.
3) Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Everyone’s excited about the new anime version of Ghost in the Shell by Science SARU, but the original film remains a classic. Directed by Mamoru Oshii, the original Ghost in the Shell was groundbreaking for its time, blending traditional animation with early computer graphics to create a visually stunning experience.
In the year 2029, Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg working for Japan’s highly skilled Section 9, is assigned to find a dangerous hacker who can control people’s cyborg brains online. As she investigates, she discovers unsettling truths about the world of cybernetics and the increasingly blurry boundary between humans and machines.
2) Legend of the Galactic Heroes
This beloved science fiction series takes place after a 150-year war between the powerful Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance finally comes to a close. With the war over, new leaders emerge, including the brilliant military strategist Reinhard von Lohengramm and the insightful historian Yang Wenli.
The delicate peace quickly falls apart as the two sides keep fighting because they disagree on fundamental beliefs. When disaster strikes, Reinhard and Yang are forced to put aside their rivalry and uncover the real reasons behind the conflict.
1) Cowboy Bebop
Originally aired in 1981, this beloved series, created by the acclaimed director Shinichirō Watanabe, is famous for its unique blend of space adventure and western themes, along with stunning animation that still looks incredible today. The story takes place in 2071, after humans have colonized the galaxy, and with them, crime has spread as well. As the galaxy faces chaos filled with murder, drugs, and theft committed by ruthless criminals, the only hope for justice lies with a group of daring space bounty hunters.
The Bebop is a spaceship crewed by bounty hunters who travel the solar system, chasing down criminals for rewards. Each crew member has a mysterious past, making their adventures through space exciting, risky, and memorable.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
https://comicbook.com/anime/list/4-most-anticipated-upcoming-anime-from-demon-slayer-studio/embed/#
Read More
- Best Controller Settings for ARC Raiders
- Survivor’s Colby Donaldson Admits He Almost Backed Out of Season 50
- How to Get the Bloodfeather Set in Enshrouded
- Gold Rate Forecast
- 32 Kids Movies From The ’90s I Still Like Despite Being Kind Of Terrible
- Best Werewolf Movies (October 2025)
- How to Build a Waterfall in Enshrouded
- Yakuza Kiwami 3 And Dark Ties Guide – How To Farm Training Points
- Meet the cast of Mighty Nein: Every Critical Role character explained
- These Are the 10 Best Stephen King Movies of All Time
2026-03-02 06:41