The 5 Best Sci-Fi Anime Series Of All Time
Anime has been imagining the future of our world for decades, asking the important questions we didn’t even know we had or have the answers to. Like, who actually controls technology? Can it save us or trap us? What happens if other worlds collide with ours? What happens if those in power misuse AI to take control of the Earth? The best sci-fi anime doesn’t just throw robots, mechas, lasers or apocalyptic worlds at us. It actually makes us stop and think about our place on this planet. Sure, some shows deliver straight-up action, like epic space battles that leave your jaw on the floor, but others, like mind-bending dystopias, push you to question the very essence of our reality. From androids with motives to tech that turns on humanity, these are some of the best anime sci-fi movies and TV shows of all time.
Steins;Gate
18-year-old Rintarou Okabe calls himself a “mad scientist.” And he acts the part, too, tinkering in a cramped lab with his roommate, Itaru Hashida. Their biggest experiment is a Phone Microwave, which turns bananas into green goo. But it’s not as useless as it sounds. When Okabe sees Kurisu Makise die at a conference, the microwave suddenly sends texts into the past, and every choice made becomes a matter of life and death. After a few fumbles, we start to question whether or not Okabe can actually fix his timeline.
There’s a reason why you’ll find this title at the top of nearly every anime sci-fi list on the web. Unlike most anime series, Steins;Gate doesn’t rush you. Yeah, it starts off fairly slowly in the first few episodes, but the highly acclaimed series builds tension with its really great writing and characters worth caring about. If you stick around, it delivers one of the best shows of all time.
Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop‘s Spike Spiegel isn’t just a character drifting through space. He’s dodging his past while chasing bounties across the galaxy with Jet Black. Set in 2071, the show takes place during a time when humanity has colonised the stars. Unfortunately, crime followed too. And that’s exactly where Cowboy Bebop’s crew steps in. Together, the have made it their job to take down intergalactic outlaws with choreographed hand-to-hand fights, Hong Kong-style gunplay, and aerial dogfights.
Each episode flips between space Western, neo-noir, comedy, and quiet character moments, keeping your attention sharp. Over 26 episodes, the show tells a complete story that’s equal parts action and reflection, proving Cowboy Bebop’s reputation as a sci-fi anime masterpiece isn’t just hype. Just don’t compare it to the live-action Netflix series. That was awful.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Fourteen-year-old Shinji Ikari didn’t sign up to save the world, but fifteen years after the Second Impact, he’s humanity’s only hope against invading Angels in Tokyo-3. Piloting Evangelion Unit-0 isn’t just about fighting, though. Synchronising with the giant robot leaves the young boy wrestling with trauma, abandonment, and pressure most adults couldn’t handle.
Neon Genesis Evangelion doesn’t sugarcoat its story either. Its approach pushes past typical sci-fi, using a broken world to explore heavy topics like mental health, identity, and the actual consequences of survival. Fans have called it “the anime of all animes,” and, honestly, the animation and the story support that claim. Every frame in the series tests your attention while making you feel for each one of the characters you encounter. If you want a sci-fi anime series that challenges you while tugging at your emotions, Neon Genesis Evangelion is pretty much the benchmark.
Code Geass
After the Holy Empire of Britannia conquers Japan, renaming it Area 11, the locals lose any say over their lives. Giant robots called Knightmares enforce Britannia’s rule, and chaos is the norm. Enter Lelouch Lamperouge, who’s got a name as epic as his plans. He suddenly gains Geass, a mysterious power that lets him bend people to his will. Instead of playing it safe, though, he sparks a full-on rebellion, building a world shaped by his own ideals.
If you really liked Death Note, you’ve probably had a friend who recommended that you try Code Geass next. Sure, both series have smart protagonists and shadowy schemes, but that’s pretty much where the similarities stop. But what makes Code Geass different isn’t just the mechas or the action. The political chess, the moral gray areas, and the payoff in the end keep fans coming back. As one fan put it, “Every move Lelouch makes feels like a trap you didn’t see coming.” For action, strategy, and stakes, this sci-fi anime still delivers.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
If you skipped Cyberpunk: Edgerunners thinking it was just more tie-in fluff for a game that flopped, you’re missing out. Netflix’s anime actually revived interest in Cyberpunk 2077, proving the game wasn’t dead yet.
The story follows David Martinez, a kid from Night City’s slums trying to please his mom by attending Arasaka Academy. One accident later, he’s orphaned, finds a Sandevistan cyberware spine that grants super speed, and promptly gets expelled after a little “revenge” moment. Enter Lucy, a thief who drags David into the world of Edgerunners, cyborg outlaws who break laws for cash and thrills.
The show isn’t shy about pain or trauma. Losing his mom sends David down a brutal path of suffering, but the anime balances it with neon explosions, over-the-top action, and one of the most visually striking dystopian worlds on Netflix. If you like your sci-fi messy, fast, and unforgettable, this is the ride.
