I love some good sci-fi literature, be it anime, movies, tv-series, or even a book.
I have watched the space anime genre for quite a while now and in all types of content but watching a sci-fi space-related anime hits quite differently.
When it comes to sci-fi, the anime has to be worked very diligently, the story, the animation, the designs all matter equally and a lot into making that anime a masterpiece, so let us see how these anime hold up their qualities and also what they lack.
There are several amazing Space Anime we are gonna explore in this article, so get your engines ready and put your astronaut suits on cause we are ready to take off into space!
Starting Count Down! T-16, Hajimemashite!
Updated June 22, 2024, by Shagun Singh: Anime science fiction Space series have been gaining popularity and capturing more interest as time goes by. There is a wide range of iconic sci-fi anime to watch, from the classics like Evangelion to more recent shows like Heavenly Delusions. We’ve taken the time to update this list with some classic space anime that may have slipped under the radar for many viewers.
Here Are Some Of The Best Space Anime
15. Crest of the Stars
Seikai no Monshou (Crest of the Stars) is about a world set in the distant future where the small human world is invaded by a superior race of humanoids.
The Abh Empire, the superior humanoid race is shown to conquer many worlds that come in their way, and humanity is next and we as viewers see how it all unfolds as the humans finally unite under the Four-Nation Alliance, keeping their differences aside.
Jinto Linn, a count in the Abh Empire but the son of the President of Martine who sold his own world for selfish reasons has to live among the Abhs, the people who destroyed families of humans on earth.
Go Watch to understand the complicated emotions of Jinto and humanity.
14. Valvrave the Liberator
This anime is heavily inspired by our history here on Earth. It is set in distant future where humanity has the technology to eastablish galactic colonies and wage space wars.
What is the more deadlier than a man? Another man. The anime explores the fact that no matter how far humanity reaches, it can never unite under a shroud.
The plot shows two factions growing strong, the Atlantic Rim United States (ARUS) and Dorssia Military Pact Federation (Dorssia).
These polar factions resemble two of the very realistic and powerful nations on Earth, these two factions wage galactic war on each other and between this chaos rises a third faction the JIOR.
The story is very dramatic and heavily based on wars, strategies and military tactics and quite enjoyable by a vast audience.
13. Space Patrol Luluco
Uuchu Patrol Luluco (Space Patrol Luluco) is an anime about a middle school girl named Luluco, who loves to be normal and wants to become just another school going girl with nothing abnormal about her.
Though her dream is quite a long way from her as she lives in Ogikubo, which is kinda like a Space Immigration Center, so its filled with both humans and aliens.
Due to a series of incidents involving her father who works at Space Patrol and the Chief of Space Patrol, Over Justice, she ends up working for the Patrol to uncover the mystery at her school.
The anime excels at comedic and kawaii scenes along with some good space and adventure elements.
12. The Irresponsible Captain Tylor
The protagonist of this titular series, Justy Tylor, a 20-year lazy man with more than enough love for women. What would you do if I say that the most irresponsible person on the spaceship you’re currently traveling on is the Captain?
As the title suggests the story is about an irresponsible man who somehow ends up being awarded the captainship of a space cruiser named Soyokaze.
Now the captain of a Space Cruiser, he has more responsibilities than he ever imagined he’d have and more problems than relaxing times which he yearned for so much.
The anime has some well-executed comedic scenes which are definitely worth watching the anime for along with some wit from the most irresponsible person on the Space Cruiser.
11. Macross
The original 1982 anime, Macross follows the events that take place after a mysterious spaceship crashes into the Earth and humans discover that they’re far from alone in this universe.
The Macross, spaceship belongs to a race of aliens called the Zentradi. On the day of the first flight of the rebuilt Macross, the Zentradi invade Earth and among the confusion a shot is fired which leads to the beginning of a Galactic War.
Amongst the confusion and the heat of the battle the Macross tries to escape the shots by trying to launch itself out of the Earth gravity field and suddenly gets teleported to a somewhere far away lost in space.
The story then follows the main characters, Hikaru and Minmay as they get stuck on the spaceship along with the Macross crew.
10. Voices of a Distant Star
Hoshi no Koe (Voices of a Distant Star) is an animated movie set in the year 2046, where technology is advanced and humanity has come a long way.
The story is about a romantic couple who just after graduating high school get separated due to a attack on humanity by an advanced race of aliens
Mikako, the female protagonist gets selected for a Space Expedition and thus has to go on a journey through space along with her crew whereas Noburu is stuck on Earth pining for the love of his life.
This is definitely a must-watch for all those who are currently in a long-distance relationship trying to keep the spark alive in their relationship.
9. Terra Formars
This anime has probably one of the most interesting premises out of all space anime I have looked at on this list.
Do you think you’d survive against humanoid cockroaches on the distant planet of Mars? I don’t think I’ll even step out of the spaceship, please parcel me back to Earth.
In this anime, humanity tries to colonize Mars, they try to achieve that by sending algae as a plant organism and cockroaches as a animal organism to Mars.
After this, the world is under-attack by a virus called, “Alien Engine Virus” much like how we are suffering right now from COVID-19.
Watch the anime to find out how a team of 100 men and women plan to survive on the planet Mars, now infected by the developed and thriving population of humanoid cockroaches.
8. Knights of Sidonia
Next up on number nine we have Sidonia no Kishi (Knights of Sidonia) an anime about a dystopian future where humanity has already been destroyed by the elite and more powerful race of aliens called Guana, who are trying kill off the remnants of humanity.
The protagonist of the anime, Nagate Tanikaze wakes up from what was a life-long sleep from a pod in ship called Sidonia.
When the alien race, Guana attacks the ship of Sidonia, Tanikaze and his comrades have to retaliate, thus comes the name, Knights of Sidonia.
The anime has an interesting premise and tries really hard to execute the story and manages pretty well. The animation quality is also amazing and very pleasant to look at.
7. Planetes
On number seven we have, Planetes, an anime set in 2075 when humanity is so advanced in technology that space travel is as common as getting ice cream at a local grocery store.
The protagonist of the show, Ai Tanabe a cheerful woman who lives her dreams in the vastness of space joins a corporation in the department responsible for Debris Collectlion.
The anime portrays how the vastness of space is contrasted by the daily lives of people born on Earth, it shows how insignificant we can be while also showing how much one human can achieve in their lifetime and change things around them.
This anime is inspired. Watch it to find out how Ai Tanabe deals with all that is going on in her daily life and the people around her.
6. Space Brothers
Next up on number seven we have an anime about the lives of astronauts, one of the most sought after and simultaneously one of the most difficult professions on Earth.
Space Brother shows two loving brothers, Mutta and Hibito, when young they witness a UFO sighting which inspires them to make a promise to each other, that someday they will become accomplished astronauts.
Watch the anime to find out how they take this journey together and make it to space. This anime is perfect to watch with siblings or with friends.
5. Astra Lost in Space
Kanato no Astra is an anime with a fairly common premise where humanity has advanced several stages and is making strives for more. Space Travel in this world is very common and even feasible for everyone.
Kanato Hoshijima, the protagonist of the show is one of the teenagers that are headed to a distant planet for a Space Excursion.
Watch what happens as the trip goes haywire and the group gets stranded on a spaceship in an unknown part of the galaxy, truly Lost In Space.
Astra and his friends have to navigate through their resources, use them in moderation and survive through this huge journey. Will they be able to survive this?
4. Space Dandy
Space Dandy is one of the most popular comdey anime related to space. It is about a young and cheerful man named Dandy, the captain of his personal spaceship Aloha.
Dandy is a alien hunter by profession, his job entails catching and disposing of alien life causing ruckus in the universe. This job does sound very straight-forward and simple but it puts Dandy in the weirdest of situations.
The show does comedy very well, it is one of the most funniest shows out there space or no space. Watch it to have a fun time.
3. Legend of the Galactic Heroes
PSA, this is not a just another anime, this is a masterpiece. It is one of a kind, an anime that probably will leave you thinking, “Wait what? Did I just watch that right.”
Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu (Legend of the Galactic Heroes) is an anime about two powerful interstellar nations, The Galactic Empire and Free Planets Alliance.
This anime is a battle of wits on both sides of the Galaxy and even amongst both the factions. It is a battle of strategies, ideologies, a battle among friends and dynasties.
If you really haven’t watched this anime, Go Watch it right now, you will definitely not ever forget watching this and will probably obsess over it with fellow weebs.
2. Gundam Franchise
The Gundam Franchise needs no introduction to seasoned weebs and maybe even some new ones.
It is the best Mecha Anime Franchise ever to be created, it right up there with the best.
Gundams have such a wide variety of content in their arsenall, anime, movies, toys, action figurines, 40 feet tall statues that look absolutely gorgeous in Japan.
It is my dream to visit that statue and click a picture while posing.
Also love their Gundam building sets, the action figurines.
1. Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is the most popular space anime to ever be aired. It is piece of art that will most definitely live on in the hearts of millions of people around the world, especially the 90s generation.
The plot revolves around a kind-hearted young man Spike and his rowdy group of friends all aboard the spaceship called Bebop.
The anime is set in 2071, where humanity has already colonised several planets and left the Earth behind as it became inhabitable.
In this world the Space Police hires bounty hunters to catch criminals around the solar system called, “Cowboys”
Cowboy Bebop will take you on an adventure of a lifetime, it is one of the best anime out there and definitely the best space anime there is.
See You Space Cowboy…
