Like any form of visual media, there are countless genres and sub-genres of anime shows and films. With no limits to the amount of creativity a writer can have when creating an animated piece of work, anime has been able to cover a wide variety of topics, themes, and cultures.
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One of the most popular genres of anime is science fiction, with some of the highest-rated movies and series being categorized as such. Those looking for adventures that explore the far reaches of space or ask the big what-if questions of life in the future will find that Japanese animation has them covered.
10 Outlaw Star (1998)
This fan-favorite sci-fi space western came out over 20 years ago but still continues to hold a big place in the hearts of classic anime lovers. The show's story follows the fun-loving crew on the Outlaw Star, a ship led by Gene Starwind.
The show tells the story of the group on their hunt for the legendary treasure called "Galactic Leyline". It has a very unique animation style and beautifully balances the drama, comedy, and mystery elements.
9 Code Geass (2006)
With a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, this anime is undoubtedly a favorite among fans. The 2-season series focuses on a futuristic world where the Holy Empire of Britannia rules over a third of the globe, including all of Japan. The main characters form a rebellion dedicated to fighting against this terrifying empire.
Code Geass has a meaningful plot with beautifully developed characters. It features a good amount of mature themes and violence, making it a great binge for those old enough to understand the anti-totalitarian views and political critiques.
8 Psycho Pass (2012)
This 2014 psychological sci-fi thriller gained critical acclaim from across the globe due to its impressive character development and stories within a new, unique world. In a dystopia in Japan's future, humans are under the constant watch of the government through highly advanced technology that can quantify their mental state and potential for criminal activity.
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The series highlights the experiences and relationships between various Inspectors and Enforcers who work under the Ministry of Welfare's Public Safety Bureau to investigate criminal cases.
7 Steins;Gate (2011)
Prepare for an anime filled with an incredible story, music, art style, characters, and themes. The show was based on a visual novel that was just as well received. The series follows a group of friends who invents a machine that can send messages through time, resulting in unexpected ripples across the past and present day.
Steins;Gate is loved for being a show about traveling through time without having all of the typical plot holes and mistakes that most time travel media tend to have.
6 Astro Boy (1963)
This list wouldn't even exist without the creation of Astro Boy, the first animated Japanese show that made international fame, leading to the rise in the popularity of anime as a whole. The show was about a highly advanced robot abandoned by his creator who goes through many challenges in a timeline set 40 years in the future, being the year 2000. Astro Boy brings up themes of anti-war, the preservation of nature, and societal discrimination.
5 Gurren Lagann (2007)
This highly popular anime features a wild, out-of-this-world future where all humans live in underground villages to space the dangers of the Earth's surface.
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Two orphans, Simon and Kamina, escape their sad lives under the ground and head to the surface, where they find companions to help them gain peace with the dangerous, robotic fiends and Beastmen. The anime is loved for its colorful art style and smooth, clean animation during fast-paced action scenes.
4 Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)
After dangerous monsters appear on Earth with a goal to kill all humans, the main protagonist gets sucked into a world of mecha-fighting unlike any other. The series is applauded for its stunning artwork, coherent plot, and lack of typical sci-fi plot holes. Neon Genesis Evangelion features an incredible, unique realistic world, and has a dark, addicting story full of nail-biting mysteries.
3 Ghost in the Shell (1995)
With so many books, films, shows, and video games all themed on this story, it's a no-brainer that it is one of the greatest sci-fi anime of all time. This Japanese cyberpunk anime is based on the highly-acclaimed manga of the same name, following the story of a technologically advanced cyborg public security agent named Mokoto who is faced with the psychological ideas of what makes humanity and self-identity.
It's powerful, beautiful, and filled with incredible music, making it not a film and following anime series to miss out on.
2 Mobile Suit Gundam (1979)
Mobile Suite Gundam also continues to be remade into new series, films, toys, and games, even 42 years after its initial release. It made such an impression on sci-fi and anime in general, being such a highly regarded series. Mecha anime continues to use Gundam as a reference to this day.
After space colonies under the control of the Principality of Zeon have declared war on the Earth Federation in a more advanced timeline, they must fight back with their brand new RX-78 Gundam mobile suit. It's a classic that everyone needs to see at least one point in their lives.
1 Cowboy Bebop (1998)
This anime reigns as one of the most-watched and adored of all time, being such a heavy influence on anime in the late 1990s when it first aired. The fun, easy-to-watch show based in the far future follows Spike Spiegel, a chill, easy-going bounty hunter. He travels alongside his companions completing bounties to make some cash and explore the galaxy.
It's a breath of fresh air from the over-the-top, wild, bizarre tropes that can be found in a heavy majority of anime, being just a simple, jazzy, and detective thriller with great music and characters.