Star Trek is one of the most successful science fiction franchises ever created, holding its place among other hard-hitting picks of the genre. First debuting back in 1966 with Star Trek: The Original Series, the franchise has branched off with multiple television, film, and book adaptations. At its core, Star Trek remains a classic adventure story, utilizing the backdrop of space as a means to navigate themes of human nature, morality, self-discovery, and the importance of establishing bonds with others. Despite the years that have passed, the franchise still pulls in and keeps fans, cementing Star Trek as a primary influence within science fiction media.
Videos by ComicBook.com
One of the key challenges when exploring new media formats is discovering pieces of work that resonate with you as strongly as your favorite series. Anime isn’t often thought of when it comes to sci-fi; however, the medium boasts insanely successful titles such as Akira, Mobile Suit Gundam, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Ghost in the Shell. This list will explore some of the outliers in anime science fiction, works that might not be classified as space operas or mecha but something closer to old school Star Trek. These series lean towards exploration and discovery in space, and the complex emotions of characters that find themselves with the stars as a backdrop to their development.
7) Edens Zero
Edens Zero is a science fiction anime series written by author Hiro Mashima, creator of the popular anime show, Fairy Tail. The anime blends aspects of adventure, action, and fantasy into a wider space opera narrative that occurs against the background of deep space. Edens Zero was first released in 2021 and has a total of two seasons, though a third season was previously green-lit for creation. Themes explored in the anime include self-discovery and identity, the importance of friendship, finding purpose, and hope.
The series follows Shiki Granbell, a young boy who lives alongside robots on the deserted amusement park planet of Granbell. During his time there, Shiki is taught how to use Ether Gear by his robotic grandfather, Ziggy, allowing him to manipulate gravity. After Ziggy’s death and subsequent years pass, space-faring content creators land on the planet with the intent of exploration. Shiki’s remaining robotic family encourages him to leave Granbell before the robots die off from lack of Ether energy, prompting Shiki to board the stranger’s spaceship and explore the cosmos.
6) Galaxy Express 999
Galaxy Express 999 is one of the oldest picks on this list, having first debuted back in 1978 with a single season consisting of over 100 episodes. Later films were released in the following years, including Galaxy Express 999 (1979) and Adieu Galaxy Express 999 (1981). The show features a nostalgic, simplistic art style and animation that only enhances the overall message of treasuring the value of human emotion and spirit. Additional themes the show navigates include the consequences of war, oppression, cyclical revenge, and the price of immortality.
The plot of Galaxy Express 999 is set in a futuristic world where humanity can transfer their consciousness into mechanical bodies that will live forever. Tetsuro Hoshino and his mother desire a way to obtain these bodies for themselves, despite how expensive they are; to overcome this obstacle, the two make a plan to board the Galaxy Express 999 train and ride it to the last stop, planet Andromeda, where mechanical bodies are supposedly free. Along the way, Tetsuro’s mother is killed by human hunters, with her dying wish for her son to continue their journey and live the immortal life she can no longer have.
5) Astra Lost in Space
Astra Lost in Space is another sci-fi series that combines survival with space exploration. The show was first aired in 2019 and had a single season containing 12 episodes. Astra Lost in Space has been acknowledged for its concise plot, solid character development throughout the series, and intriguing depiction of adventure through the lens of high school students. And despite its relatively short run-time, it’s got some depth to it, including themes such as self-identity, coming of age, the concept of truth, and teamwork.
This series is set in the distant future where space travel and exploration are seen as commonplace. An average group of high school students takes a brief planetary trip together, when a blinding light appears and teleports them light-years away from planet Earth. The students discover an abandoned spaceship and decide to scavenge for supplies before boarding with the intention of traveling back to their home planet. Along the way, the students must learn how to rely on each other for survival, encountering various worlds and cultures along their trip across the stars.
4) Trigun Stampede
Trigun Stampede is an awesome retelling of the classic anime series, Trigun (1998). Instead of a hard reboot or remake, Trigun Stampede offers peeks into the background of the original show, giving insight into past events and expanding on ones we’ve already seen. Released in 2023, Trigun Stampede currently has a single season with 12 episodes; a final, second season is scheduled to be released in 2026, titled Trigun Stargaze. Besides the unique, CGI-style animation and fast-paced action sequences, the series offers in-depth looks at themes like pacifism versus violence, survival, and overcoming trauma.
The story of Trigun Stampede takes place on the barren, desert planet of No Man’s Land. Living on planet is Vash the Stampede, an infamous gunman with a massive bounty on his head; in contradiction to his reputation, Vash is a pacifist who avoids killing anyone he comes into conflict with. Reporter Meryl Stryfe goes looking for the legendary “Human Typhoon”, discovering Vash, who opposes all of the rumors circulating about him. Growing entrenched in Vash’s debacles across the planet, Meryl and others slowly learn about the complicated past revolving around Vash and his twin brother, Knives.
3) Planetes
Planetes is an early 2000s science fiction anime show that relies on elements of drama, comedy, and romance as it navigates the everyday existence of futuristic space debris collectors. The show was released in 2003 and had a single season containing 26 episodes before ending. Planetes is unique among other sci-fi anime in its lack of the fantastical, focusing on slice-of-life moments that just so happen to be set in deep space. Themes the anime navigates include human ambition, existential purpose, human connection, and corporate greed.
In Planetes, the series is set in the far-off year of 2071, where humans have begun venturing into space while dealing with the threat of debris orbiting Earth. This “garbage belt” of trash is caused by the increasing frequency of human travel into the cosmos. The crew of the Toy Box, a garbage collector spaceship, works to clear the debris from around the planet at great risk to themselves, despite the stigma surrounding their jobs. Planetes explores the lives of the Toy Box crew, their hopes and dreams while working beneath a corrupt, greedy organization, and how their own personal growth occurs while performing a thankless job.
2) Space Dandy
Space Dandy is an amazing space-centric science fiction series that deals heavily with the philosophical nature of exploring the solar system. The show was released in 2014, with two seasons containing 13 episodes each before drawing to a close. Rich with color and vibrant art, the series contrasted the episodic adventure style it was based on by diving into the psychology of its characters. Heavy themes the anime addresses include the meaning of existence, freedom, the joy of life, and the beauty of human nature.
At its core, Space Dandy is a celebration of the carefree, meaningless joy that comes with venturing into the galaxy for the sake of it. The show follows the life of Dandy, an eccentric alien hunter tasked with recording new life forms across space and sharing his findings. Accompanied by his alien companion, Meow, and an old-school robot, QT, the group traverses different planets searching for signs of life while embarking on adventures that are often as outlandish as they are hilarious.
1) Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is considered a modern classic of science fiction anime for a reason. The show was first released in 1998 and has a single season consisting of 26 episodes, or “sessions”. It embraces the neo-noir aesthetic while also weaving in threads of the space western genre; besides the incredibly stylized animation and art, the show sports a fast-paced yet introspective tone that draws audiences in. Themes that Cowboy Bebop delves into include existentialism, facing the past, loneliness, forging meaningful bonds, and regret.
The story of Cowboy Bebop takes place in the future, during the year 2071. Humanity has fled Earth after a catastrophic disaster left the planet uninhabitable, instead choosing to colonize and explore the vastness of space. This lawless, sprawling conquest of the solar system resembles the Wild West; in this environment, we follow the crew of the spaceship Bebop. The group consist of intergalactic bounty hunters chasing wanted criminals for a reward. Along the journey, the Bebop members must confront their own pasts and fears, while learning to rely on each other as a team.
Have you seen any of these anime series? Tell us your favorite science fiction anime in the comments below.
Most Viewed
-
Image via THQ Nordic -
image courtesy of 20th Century Studios -
Image courtesy of 2th Century Studios
