If there’s one famous anime known for its depiction of piracy, it has to be One Piece. Part of the infamous “Big Three” (including other 2000s shonen series like Naruto and Bleach), One Piece follows the adventures of Luffy and his loyal crew, dubbed the Straw Hat Pirates, as they search for the legendary One Piece treasure that will allow him to claim the title of Pirate King. The beloved series is known for its signature art style, vast array of characters, and playing on the “found family” trope that’s grown in popularity over recent years. The anime is also notorious for how long it’s been running, having started in 1999 and reaching well over 1,100 episodes by mid-2025.
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While One Piece will always remain a classic in pirate anime, the investment required to finish weeks worth of content can be a bit daunting to new fans of the genre. Regardless, if you’re in the market for compelling anime that deal with themes of piracy, there are plenty of other shows that dabble in pirate-style adventure; though, some of them are space pirates, and a few can lean towards modern standards of piracy versus the more traditional definition. In this list, we’ll be looking at ten awesome pirate anime that are a great starting point for anime fans who are searching for a new series to add to their watch list.
10) High School Fleet
High School Fleet is an anime series blending high-seas adventure with the everyday drama of high school girls. The show first aired in 2016, with a single season containing 12 episodes, along with a two-episode OVA; in 2020, an additional film was released, titled High School Fleet: The Movie. This series is best classified as a blend of action and drama genres, with a militaristic undercurrent utilized through the use of maritime operations. Additionally, High School Fleet explores themes such as teamwork, overcoming obstacles, the burden of legacy, and coming into your own person.
The setting of High School Fleet takes place in a futuristic society where most of the world has been submerged underwater due to rising sea levels. As a result, humanity has built floating cities and vessels designed to assist in naval operations; one of these organizations is named the Blue Mermaids, a police force that handles distress signals and conflict on the ocean. Akeno Misaki is a high-schooler growing up under these conditions who dreams of one day becoming a member of the Blue Mermaids. Her group, the Yokosuka Girls’ Marine High School trains young girls to operate ships in order to one day join the ranks of maritime organizations. After her crew is falsely accused of mutiny, Akeno and the other girls must go on the run and work to prove their innocence
9) Mars Daybreak
Mars Daybreak is unique in its setting: the series takes place on Mars, but also underwater due to the planet being submerged, blending space and sea-faring piracy. The anime series was released in 2004, and had a total of one season containing 26 episodes. Praised for its innovative concept and world-building, Mars Daybreak blends aspects of mecha anime, science fiction, and action. The series handles complex themes such as social inequality, aspiring for freedom, forming strong connections, relying on others, and rebellion against authority.
In Mars Daybreak, humans live on the foreign planet covered in water, causing scarcity in supplies, work, and other resources, turning much of society to piracy for survival. Gram River is a menial worker on Mars, who becomes entangled with pirates during a raid that he narrowly survives thanks to the help of an unknown mecha machine. After this encounter, Gram is recruited to fly the mecha for the Ship of Aurora, a crew infamous for stealing from the rich to distribute necessities to the poor on Mars. Gram must decide his own destiny throughout his adventures with the Aurora crew, pursued by Earth’s forces in an attempt to stop the pirates and cover up the government’s own misdeeds.
8) Bodacious Space Pirates
Bodacious Space Pirates is an interesting spin on the pirate genre, with a high-schooler becoming the formidable captain of a ship and learning how to be a pirate. The anime series first aired in 2012, and had a single 26-episode season; there was an additional movie, Bodacious Space Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace, released in 2014. It’s got the perfect dose of action sequence balanced with slice-of-life moments that show the exciting battles and everyday reality of running a pirate ship. The show addresses themes of legacy and inheritance, teamwork, learning leadership, and exploration.
The plot of Bodacious Space Pirates follows Marika Kato, an ordinary high school girl who learns that her father was an infamous space pirate, and that she is next in line to captain his ship, the Bentenmaru. Operating under government sanctions, Marika must inherit the title of captain and perform her deceased father’s previous duties; additionally, Marika faces the challenge of juggling her everyday school life and friendships outside of space piracy. Leading staged raids on rich ships to provide entertainment and thrill, Marika learns about the truth behind the glamorous facade of pirates, all while managing her new crew.
7) Treasure Island
If there’s any pirate story considered an all-time adventure classic, it has to be Treasure Island. The story is so popular it was adapted into an anime series in 1978 with a total of 26 episodes. It followed the original Treasure Island storyline, bringing the plot to a new audience. The series explores themes such as exploration, the value of trust, loyalty, the downfall of greed, and aspects of good versus evil. In particular, the anime adaptation of Treasure Island stands out for its charming art style, with an appearance straight out of a hand-drawn book.
The plot is centered around Jim Hawkins, a young boy accompanied by his pet leopard, Benbow. Jim joins an expedition to discover the long-lost, buried treasure of Captain Flint, a pirate legend of old. On board the voyaging ship taking them closer to their destination, Jim befriends cook Long John Silver; this friendship is quickly broken when Jim discovers Long John was a former pirate, and intends to stage a mutiny onboard. This conflict comes to a head between the pirates loyal to Long John Silver and the crew, with Jim caught in the middle of a web of plots and secrecy, all while searching for the mysterious treasure’s location.
6) Vinland Saga
Vinland Saga is a historical anime series that takes place during the prime of the Viking era. The anime series debuted in 2019, and has a total of two seasons with 24 episodes each. While it isn’t technically the most traditional pirate tale, Vikings shared numerous traits with historical pirates, including exploration, sea-faring, and raiding — all aspects of Vinland Saga. Thematically, the show focuses on things like revenge cycles, the destructive nature of war, legacy, finding purpose, and what makes a warrior great.
The show’s plot centers around Thorfinn, our main character, and a young warrior whose father is brutally slain by Askeladd, a mercenary renowned for his skill. Dedicating his life to seeking vengeance for his father, Thorfinn becomes part of Askeladd’s mercenary crew once he becomes of age, waiting for the opportunity to strike. But surrounding his inner turmoil, Thorfinn begins to see more and more of the grim reality of a wartorn world and the desecration such behavior leaves behind. So begins his own personal journey to Vinland, a land Thorfinn vows will be safe for his people to live and prosper.
5) Fena: Pirate Princess
Fena: Pirate Princess might seem like a throwaway anime, but the subtle coming-of-age elements coloring the main character’s journey makes the show worth a watch. Besides the show’s captivating art style and fluid animation, it’s unique blend of adventure, drama, and fantasy craft a vibrant world that perfectly compliments the plot. Fena: Pirate Princess was released in 2021, and has a single 12-episode season available. The show explores themes of freedom, the burden of family legacy, self-discovery, and destiny.
The anime series revolves around Fena Houtman, a young orphaned girl who washed ashore on the remote, colonized island of Shangri-La. Years later, desperate for a ticket off of the island, Fena enters into an arranged marriage that proves unfruitful; at the last minute, Fena is saved by warriors who formerly served her family line. Fena learns the truth of her heritage in the form of a single stone left behind by her father, accompanied by the word “Eden”. In an effort to discover more about her family legacy and her father’s final voyage, Fena takes command of pirate ship and crew, setting off to discover the stone’s secrets that might reveal her own true destiny.
4) Sol Bianca
Sol Bianca is one of the earliest examples of space pirates in anime, even more exemplary for the use of an all-female pirate crew. The original animation was an OVA work consisting of two episodes that released between 1990 and 1991; in addition, a sequel series, Sol Bianca: The Legacy, came out in 1999 as a soft reboot of the series. The anime is praised by fans for its classic but original character design, voice-acting, and strong world-building present even within a relatively short run-time. This series is known for its use of themes such as found family, self-identity, the human need for exploration, and the search for purpose.
In Sol Bianca, the series is set in a futuristic time period aboard the spaceship, Sol Bianca, captained by an all-female band of space pirates. The pirates are branded mercenaries, notorious for their actions spanning the galaxy. When a young boy named Rim stows away onboard their vessel, who beseeches the crew to help him find his parents on Earth. Enticed by the promise of treasure and riches, the Sol Bianca crew decide to assist Rim in order to locate the legendary Gnosis, an ancient artifact rumored to be hidden on the planet’s surface.
3) Space Adventure Cobra
Space Adventure Cobra is a classic anime from the 80s that is recognized for being part of the golden era of sci-fi anime series. The show aired in 1982, and had a single season containing 31 episodes before drawing to a close. Space Adventure Cobra was heavily praised for its pulp fiction feel, blending the elements of a space opera with fast-paced action sequences that make for a quick, easy watch. Themes in the show include the significance of friendship, heroism, loyalty, overcoming the past, and growth.
In Space Adventure Cobra, the show follows the renowned space pirate, Cobra, famous for his signature move: his Psychogun, a powerful laser built into his arm. Hunted for his exploits and legacy, Cobra decides to erase both his memories and physical appearance to escape the grasp of the Space Mafia Guild, who have been chasing him down. In spite of his best efforts, Cobra becomes aware of his identity again, bringing him back into the dangerous, fast-paced lifestyle he was accustomed to, accompanied by his robot-friend, Lady as they traverse space.
2)Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon is a prime example of modern piracy depicted in an anime series. The show released in 2006, and had a total of two complete seasons under its main title, consisting of 12 episodes each; an OVA continuation of the series, titled Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail, was released with five episodes. This anime is known for its fast-paced, hard-hitting fight sequences and brutality explored in depth on screen as the characters live in a world submerged in crime and violence. Themes that Black Lagoon maneuvers are trauma, the cycle of violence, freedom versus control, and the importance of connection.
The story of Black Lagoon starts with Rokuro Okajima, or Rock, a businessman working at a dead-end job who is tasked with making a delivery on behalf of his company. On the way, Rock is taken hostage by the Lagoon Company, a dangerous group of mercenaries. Instead of assisting in his recovery, Rock’s company abandons him to their mercy, prompting Rock to deny his previous idea of safety and morality and join forces with the Lagoon crew. Operating from the crime-riddled city of Roanapur, Rock learns more about the underground world he’s now a part of, and the criminal organizations that pull the strings.
1) Space Pirate Captain Harlock
Space Pirate Captain Harlock is one of the earliest examples of a space opera seen in anime. The series was aired in 1978 and had a total of 42 episodes contained within a single season. There was also a 2013 film adaptation of the series, titled Harlock: Space Pirate. This show is a captivating blend of science fiction, action, drama, and adventure; Harlock is often credited with creating the archetype for future sci-fi heroes. The series explores themes such as the futility of violence, the struggle for freedom, empathy, hope, and the challenges of life.
Space Pirate Captain Harlock takes place in the year 2977, in a futuristic society defined by opulence, with machines performing most of humanity’s tasks and needs for them. This passivity makes Earth susceptible to invading alien forces, named the Mazone, who aim to control and colonize humanity. Captain Harlock and his loyal crew rise to the challenge of fending off the alien threat as well as dealing with Earth’s controlling government that has kept humanity complacent for too long.
Have you watched any of these anime series? Tell us more about your favorite pirate anime in the comments below. And join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
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