Discover the thrilling world of space anime, where epic battles, interstellar exploration, and futuristic technology captivate audiences with engaging stories and breathtaking visuals. Space anime transcends boundaries, combining genres such as mecha, western, and romance, providing a diverse range of stories.
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In this list, we have ranked the best space anime that have shaped and inspired the genre, leaving an unforgettable mark on the anime community. From the iconicCowboy Bebopto the grand Legend of the Galactic Heroes, these masterpieces will transport you to the depths of space, igniting your imagination and leaving you wanting more.
10Knights of Sidonia
Knights of Sidonia is set in a distant future where Earth has been destroyed byterrifying monster beingsknown as Gauna. The remnants of humanity now reside on a colossal spaceship called Sidonia. The story follows Nagate Tanikaze as he joins the ranks of Sidonia’s Guardians, elite mecha pilots tasked with defending humanity.
As the conflict intensifies, Nagate and his comrades uncover secrets about Sidonia’s past and the Gauna. The series showcases intense space battles, political conspiracies, and the struggles of survival in a post-apocalyptic world.
9Gurren Lagann
Gurren Lagann exists in a future where humanity is forced to live underground by a tyrannical ruler, Lordgenome. The story follows Simon, a young digger, and Kamina, a rebellious teenager, as they discover a mysterious mecha and rise to the surface.
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Joined by Yoko, a skilled sniper, they form Team Gurren and battle oppressive forces with their mecha, Gurren Lagann. The series is renowned for its over-the-top action, epic space battles, and powerful narrative about overcoming odds to achieve freedom and protect the universe.
Planetes is set in a near-future world where space travel has become commonplace. The series follows the crew of the debris collection ship Toy Box, whose mission is to clear Earth’s orbit of hazardous space junk.
The story centers around Hachimaki, a debris collector with dreams of owning his own spaceship, and Ai Tanabe, a newcomer with a strong sense of justice. As they face the dangers of space debris collection, the crew navigates interpersonal relationships and grapples with larger socio-political issues that arise from humanity’s expansion into space.
7Space Dandy
Space Dandy follows theeccentric bounty hunterDandy and his quirky crew, including a robot vacuum named QT and a cat-like alien, Meow, as they journey through the cosmos in search of rare alien species. Set in a colorful and imaginative universe, the episodic series embraces a lighthearted and humorous tone, often parodying common sci-fi tropes.
Each episode showcases unique adventures, from space battles to thought-provoking existential dilemmas. With its distinctive animation style and whimsical storytelling, Space Dandy has become a beloved addition to the space anime genre.
6Outlaw Star
Outlaw Star is about the adventures of Gene Starwind and his young partner, Jim Hawking, as they unexpectedly acquire the advanced spaceship Outlaw Star. They embark on a thrilling quest for the Galactic Leyline, a legendary treasure rumored to grant unimaginable power.
The crew includes a mysterious assassin named Twilight Suzuka, a bio-android named Melfina, and an alien catgirl, Aisha Clanclan. Along the way, they face various adversaries, including space pirates and assassins, while navigating the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and their place in the universe.
Macross is a long-runningmecha animeset in a future where humanity has developed transforming fighter jets and advanced technology. When an alien spacecraft crash-lands on Earth, humans reverse-engineer the technology to build the powerful SDF-1 Macross, a spaceship capable of interstellar travel.
The series follows the Macross crew as they face the warlike Zentradi, an alien race bent on capturing the ship. Macross explores themes of love, war, and the power of music, as the crew seeks to protect Earth and build bridges with their extraterrestrial foes.
4Mobile Suit Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam is a groundbreaking mecha series set in the Universal Century, a future where humanity has colonized space. The story revolves around the war between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon, who fight for independence using giant robots called mobile suits.
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Amidst this conflict, young Amuro Ray becomes the pilot of the Federation’s advanced mobile suit, the RX-78-2 Gundam. As he battles Zeon’s ace pilot, Char Aznable, the series depicts the devastating consequences of war and the struggles of ordinary people caught in the crossfire.
3Space Battleship Yamato
Space Battleship Yamato is set in a future where Earth faces extinction from radioactive pollution caused by an alien race, the Gamilas. Humanity’s last hope lies in the Space Battleship Yamato, a ship built from the wreckage of a WWII battleship equipped with advanced technology.
The series follows the Yamato’s crew, led by Admiral Okita and young pilot Susumu Kodai, on a perilous journey to the distant planet Iscandar, which holds the key to Earth’s salvation. Along the way, they confront enemy fleets and the harshness of space.
2Legend of the Galactic Heroes
Legend of the Galactic Heroes is an epic space opera that chronicles the interstellar war between the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance. The story focuses on two brilliant military strategists: Reinhard von Lohengramm of the Empire and Yang Wen-li of the Alliance.
As they navigate the complexities of war and politics, their rivalry and respective ambitions shape the galaxy’s fate. The series delves into power, corruption, and the human cost of war, offering a complex, character-driven story about leadership and the struggle for peace.
1Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is a stylish space western that follows a group of bounty hunters, or cowboys, aboard the spaceship Bebop. The series centers on Spike Spiegel, a laid-back martial artist with a mysterious past, and his pragmatic partner Jet Black, a former cop.
Along the way, they are joined by femme fatale Faye Valentine, eccentric hacker Edward, and a genetically engineered corgi, Ein. As they pursue bounties across the galaxy, they confront various adversaries while their pasts slowly unfold, revealing complicated histories, relationships, and personal demons.
