Who doesn’t love a well-written sci-fi series? Thanks to the curiosity about the unknown and unexplored technology, the genre is popular for keeping viewers glued to the screens. Hit franchises like Star Wars, Star Trek, Alien and The Matrix are some prime examples. However, sci-fi is no longer restricted to live-action productions and has taken over anime as a medium in the last few decades.
Now, sci-fi is regarded as one of the best genres for building intense stories in anime. It is safe to say that the success of these anime dramas is based on their futuristic and dystopian visuals and themes.
The anime universe boasts an abundance of extraordinary sci-fi titles, where anything can unfold, as long as the stories are engaging and the characters have a sense of belonging. At times, sci-fi anime series serve as ideal introductions for beginners. Serial Experiments Lain, Steins; Gate and Space Brothers make for an outstanding watch for those who are new to it.
So, it is time to explore the unknown world, where the ordinary turns into the extraordinary. From classics to award-winning hits, the best sci-fi anime series are definitely worth checking out.
Here are some of the best sci-fi anime series to watch
Legend of the Galactic Heroes (1988)
Set in the far future, Legend of the Galatic Heroes tells the story of a long-running war between two interstellar states — the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance. Two military geniuses, Reinhard von Lohengram on the Imperial side and Yang Wen-li on the Alliance side are rivals and brilliant commanders but have very different personalities and ambitions. Reinhard seeks to reform the corrupt Galactic Empire, while Yang wants to live a quiet life but finds himself drawn back into the war.
You can think of Legend of the Galactic Heroes as the Star Wars of the anime world, thanks to its intense storylines and world-building. It is based on the sci-fi novel series by Yoshiki Tanaka, which led to manga series, video games and stage productions.
IMDb rating: 9/10
Steins; Gate (2011)
Steins; Gate has always been way ahead of its time, covering diverse genres like psychological thriller, mystery, crime and even sci-fi. The plot, which takes place in the year 2010, centres on scientist Rintaro Okabe and his friends as they stumble upon a time machine made using a microwave and a mobile phone, which lets one alter the present by sending texts to the past. As the anime progresses, the group soon realises that disturbing the past comes with its consequences.
Based on 5pb and Nitroplus’s 2009 visual novel of the same name, the sci-fi drama is praised for its portrayal of time travel and mental illness such as PTSD. Steins; Gate received the Newtype Anime Awards for the top male anime character of the year, Rintaro Okabe. In 2012, it was also nominated for the 43rd Seiun Award in the Best Media category.
IMDb rating: 8.8/10
Space Brothers (2012)
Since childhood, Mutta and Hibito dreamed of becoming astronauts and exploring space. In 2025, Hibito successfully achieves this by becoming the first Japanese person to step on the moon. On the other hand, Mutta has recently been fired from this job. When he receives an acceptance letter to a space training programme for new astronauts, he begins his journey as he strives to finish his only dream of becoming an astronaut like his brother did.
Space Brothers showcases an aspiring tale blended with sci-fi elements. The series took home awards in the general category at the 56th Shogakukan Manga Award and the 35th Kodansha Manga Award.
IMDb rating: 8.2/10
8 Gripping Anime Series Like ‘Classroom Of The Elite’ That Are Set In High School
10 Anime Series Like ‘One Piece’ To Binge-Watch If You Love Luffy’s Adventures
Pluto (2023)
Set in a futuristic world where humans and robots coexist, Pluto begins with a series of mysterious murders. Curiously, all the victims have objects positioned near their heads, resembling horns. Gesicht is a Europol robot detective trying to track down these murders, and as he uncovers evidence, it shows that a shadowy figure named Pluto is linked to them.
While the Netflix adaptation hit the screens in October 2023, the manga series had already been a commercial success selling more than 8.5 million copies and securing multiple awards including the ninth Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.
Filled with conspiracy theories and thoughtful mysteries, this sci-fi anime series is guaranteed to make audiences scratch their heads with multiple questions surrounding technology’s consequences and the advancement of AI.
IMDb rating: 8.2/10
Serial Experiments Lain (1998)
Lain Iwakura, a socially awkward teenager, finds herself among the recipients of a troubling email sent by her classmate Chisa Yomoda, who tragically died by suicide. Once she opens the email, it transports her into the Wired, a virtual realm of interconnected communication networks akin to the internet. Lain’s existence undergoes a profound transformation as she becomes entangled in a series of puzzles one after another.
Like Steins; Gate, Serial Experiments Lain combines psychological thriller, mystery, and science fiction elements. Over the years, critics and fans have lauded this anime series for its dark visuals and storytelling format and for portraying realistic issues like the cons of technology and paranoia. Additionally, the series also went on to win the Excellence Prize at the Japan Media Arts Festival in 1998.
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Planetes (2003)
Planetes takes place in 2075 when space travel has become a common norm for humans, which has also led to the issue of space debris resulting in damages to other spacecraft and their equipment. The story is centred around the DS-12 Toy Box’s crew of the Space Debris Section, where Ai Tanabe is a newbie who joins veteran Hachirota Hachimaki Hoshino’s crew. Their job involves venturing out in EVA suits to capture and dispose of the debris, a dangerous yet crucial task.
Based on the manga written and illustrated by Makoto Yukimura, the 26-episode anime is a mix of slice-of-life and sci-fi for those looking to watch the mundane lives of ordinary people set against the backdrop of space. In 2005, both anime and manga series bagged the Seiun Award for Best Dramatic Presentation in Science Fiction.
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Dr. Stone (2019)
In Dr Stone, a sudden and mysterious flash turns mankind into stone for over 3700 years. In April 5738, Senku Ishigami is unexpectedly revived and wakes up to a world where human civilisation’s traces have been completely eroded by time. He and his friend Taiju Oki are on a quest to free up the rest of the petrified population.
The sci-fi anime series has been adapted from the manga of the same name written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by the South Korean artist Boichi. After the series’ release, it went on to win the 64th Shogakukan Manga Award for the Shonen category.
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Heavenly Delusion (2023)
Similar to Dr Stone, Heavenly Delusion follows a comparable storyline in which a catastrophe disrupts modern society for over 10 years. During this chaos, a group of children are isolated from the outside world and gradually discover its existence, sparking curiosity among some. Meanwhile, two survivors Maru and Kiruko embark to find a mysterious location known as Heaven.
The sci-fi series has been derived from its manga series written and illustrated by Masakazu Ishiguro and has been serialised in Monthly Afternoon magazine since 2018. It has been lauded for keeping the tale mysterious and character development.
IMDb rating: 8/10
‘Shiki’ And 7 Other Vampire-Themed Anime Series For A Blood Curdling Binge-Watch
Best Horror Anime Movies According To IMDb: ‘Neo Tokyo’, ‘Memories’ And More
(Hero and feature image credit: IMDb/Pluto and Heavenly Delusion)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-Which are the best sci-fi anime series to watch?
Pluto, Planetes, Space Brothers, Serial Experiments Lain and Steins; Gate are some of the best sci-fi anime series to add to your watchlist.
-Is sci-fi an anime genre?
The sci-fi genre is prominent in anime as well as regular TV series and movies.
