Science fiction has been breaking records left and right lately. This probably has something to do with the fact that many viewers are craving sci-fi, and weโre fortunate enough to have many streaming platforms trying to deliver on that desire. However, some of the best sci-fi shows will always be the classics, as they paved the way for everything that followed. When it comes to sci-fi, thereโs plenty to choose from, but most series donโt have a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, so that makes these three series stand out among the rest. Even better, all three series are readily available on streaming services, so nothing is stopping us from diving in.
Videos by ComicBook.com
Rotten Tomatoes is a great resource when youโre trying to find something new or interesting to watch. The site breaks down critic ratings versus general viewer ratings, providing a better sense of scores across a broader audience. In other words, itโs a great way of checking against multiple demographics. As far as weโre concerned, Rotten Tomatoes nailed the score for these three sci-fi shows, so go ahead and start binge-watching!
3) Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
If youโre a sci-fi fan, the odds are good that youโve been seeing a lot of chatter about Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. This animated series is set in the same world as Cyberpunk 2077 (the video game), utilizing the same city and plot devices. The show was intended to be a one-off, but it had enough acclaim to warrant a sequel, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is set in Night City, a metropolis that has been taken over by technology, corruption, and cybernetic overliance (and addiction). Classic cyberpunk themes. Enter David Martinez, he was a kid with a lot of potential, but his life took a turn, putting him on the path to join up with an edgerunner crew.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners has already gotten a lot of critical acclaim, touching upon the writing, voice acting, and animation style. The series stars the voices of Kenn, Aoi Yลซki, Hiroki Tลchi, Michiko Kaiden, Takako Honda, Wataru Takagi, and Tomoyo Kurosawa. For those wondering, no, you donโt need to have played the game to follow the show.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is available to stream on Netflix.
2) Pantheon
Pantheon is another heavy-hitting sci-fi series readily available on Netflix. It also deals with the repercussions of technology, though it offers a very different look and world. In this world, a new technology is on the horizon, sitting mere moments before the public begins to utilize it in mass. The technology? The ability to upload one’s mind into digital systems.
Hereโs the problem: the two companies pioneering the technology built it through illegal and immoral means. Enter Pantheonโs three protagonists: Maddie Kim, Caspian Keyes, and Vinod Chanda. One is just a teenager whoโs trying to cope with losing her father, the other is a gifted teenager, and the third is a computer engineer. Each sees a different piece of this complex puzzle, and together they can help society understand what is about to happen.
Pantheon is an impressive yet heavy-hitting series, not dissimilar to Black Mirror. Pantheon stars the voices of Katie Chang, Paul Dano, Aaron Eckhart, Rosemarie DeWitt, Chris Diamantopoulos, Raza Jaffrey, Daniel Dae Kim, Ron Livingston, and Taylor Schilling.
Pantheon is available to stream on Netflix.
1) Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is undoubtedly the oldest series on this list, making its perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes all the more impressive. This 1998 anime combines neo-noir, Space Western, and cyberpunk into one creative yet highly compelling series. In particular, Cowboy Bebop is famous for defying genre norms and exploring complex themes, such as existentialism and loneliness.
The year is 2071, and one unlikely crew has come together aboard the Bebop, a bounty-hunting vessel. At the helm are Spike Spiegel and Jet Black. However, they quickly find themselves adding some surprising faces to the crew, including a hyper-intelligent corgi, an eccentric hacker, and a gambler on the run.
Cowboy Bebop is an absolute masterpiece, both in visuals and storytelling. The show was popular enough to get an anime movie, plus it has more recently gotten a live-action adaptation. Cowboy Bebop stars the voices of Koichi Yamadera, Unshล Ishizuka, Megumi Hayashibara, Aoi Tada, Megumi Hayashibara, and many others. Thereโs also the English voice cast, which includes Steve Blum, John Billingslea, and Wendee Lee.
Cowboy Bebop is available to stream on Crunchyroll and Disney+.
Most Viewed
-
image courtesy of 20th Century Studios -
Image courtesy of Prokino Filmverleih
