Unmissable: The Top 10 Must-Watch Science Anime

The connection between anime and science fiction has always been strong. Many popular science anime explore scientific concepts and futuristic worlds to tell captivating stories that capture the imagination of viewers. From time-travel adventures to conflicts between humans and AI, sci-fi anime covers a wide range of thought-provoking ideas.

If you're a fan of cutting-edge anime, keep reading for our top 10 picks of science anime that you absolutely cannot miss. Our list includes iconic classics and exciting recent releases, encompassing everything from hard sci-fi to softer speculative fiction. With intricate plots, dynamic characters, and breathtaking animation, these shows demonstrate why the combination of science and anime is such a winning one.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion and is not ranked in any particular order.

Top 10 must-watch science anime: A journey beyond imagination

1) Steins;Gate

Steins;Gate (Image via White Fox)

A group of friends in Steins;Gate accidentally invent time travel and find themselves dealing with the significant repercussions. The protagonist, Rintaro Okabe, learns he can send messages to the past to alter the future, but soon discovers the disastrous consequences of even minor changes. This thrilling anime seamlessly navigates its time-travel concept without inconsistencies or paradoxes. Okabe's frantic efforts to undo the harm caused by altering the past create intense drama with a mix of dark twists and comedic relief, solidifying Steins;Gate's reputation as one of the most intricately crafted science anime series.

2) Serial Experiments Lain

Serial Experiments Lain (Image via Triangle Staff)

Serial Experiments Lain, a classic from the 1990s, delves into the impact of the emerging internet technology on human consciousness. The series revolves around Lain, a teenage girl who uncovers powerful secrets after receiving an email from a classmate who attempted suicide. As strange events unfold, Lain begins to question the divide between the real world and cyberspace, ultimately becoming entangled in a global network that links human minds. With its haunting atmosphere and surreal visuals, Serial Experiments Lain was ahead of its time in predicting concepts like augmented reality and internet privacy issues that are pertinent today. Its enigmatic and open-ended conclusion solidifies it as a pioneering work of science fiction.

3) Planetes

Planetes (Image via Sunrise)

For a more authentic and practical portrayal of potential future scientific advancements, consider watching Planetes. Taking place in 2075, the series focuses on a team responsible for clearing hazardous debris from Earth's orbit. Instead of glorifying technological progress, the show depicts the everyday tasks necessary to ensure safe and sustainable space travel.

Despite its unassuming backdrop and diverse group of characters, Planetes offers a thought-provoking exploration of present-day challenges extrapolated into the future. How will capitalism, discrimination, terrorism, and pollution influence humanity's expansion into space? This slice-of-life science anime tackles complex issues without providing simple solutions.

4) Psycho-Pass

Psycho-Pass (Image via Production I.G)

Set in a futuristic Japan, this dystopian crime thriller revolves around the "Psycho-Pass" system, which constantly monitors and quantifies individuals' likelihood of committing a crime. When a series of brutal murders disrupts the perfect order maintained by the Sibyl system, Inspector Akane and her team take on the challenge of solving the case and capturing the perpetrator.

The series presents a disturbing world where algorithms dictate people's destinies based on their thoughts and emotions. With a high-stakes cat and mouse game between law enforcement and criminals, and thought-provoking explorations of crime, justice, and technology, Psycho-Pass is a science anime that shouldn't be missed.

5) Gurren Lagann

Gurren Lagann (Image via Gainax)

Gurren Lagann offers a thrilling blend of mecha action and scientific theories. The anime follows rebels Simon and Kamina as they battle beastmen oppressors using giant robots powered by spiral energy. When they discover a portal to the planet's surface, they step into a conflict of far greater scale.

The seemingly absurd escalation in Gurren Lagann serves as a metaphor for the exponential growth of the human population and technological progress. The galaxy-flinging battles reflect how scientific discoveries shape civilization's capacity in unpredictable ways. Beyond the action, the anime delivers deep messages about human potential.

6) Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell (Image via Production I.G)

Ghost in the Shell is considered one of the greatest science anime masterpieces. It portrays a future world where cybernetic technology blurs the line between human and machine. The story follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg federal agent who leads Section 9, a covert ops team that deals with cyber crimes and hacking threats posed by artificially intelligent computer programs.

The gritty cyberpunk setting of the film was groundbreaking in the 90s, as it used CGI animation and depicted a chilling vision of the Internet age. The technology showcased in the film, such as thermoptic camouflage and cyberbrains that can hack human memories, now appears remarkably prescient rather than simply distant science fiction.

7) Akira

Akira (Image via TMS Entertainment)

Akira is a must-have on any list of top science anime. This 1988 film is set in the post-apocalyptic Neo Tokyo and follows Shōtarō Kaneda's mission to save his friend Tetsuo from a secret government project that is unraveling his psychic powers. The ensuing destruction unveils that Tetsuo's abilities may be linked to experiments that occurred before a cataclysmic event that destroyed Tokyo years ago.

The setting, filled with authoritarian regimes, rebel groups, anti-government protests, and biker gangs, gives Akira a rebellious and subversive feel that still holds strong decades later. The stunning hand-drawn action and complex themes of political corruption, activism, and friendship solidify its status as the ultimate adult anime science fiction epic.

8) Cowboy Bebop

Cowboy Bebop (Image via Sunrise)

Cowboy Bebop is a timeless science anime masterpiece with a jazzy soundtrack, sleek space-age gunfights, and thought-provoking themes about identity. The show follows bounty hunters Spike Spiegel and Jet Black as they track down dangerous criminals across the solar system, set against the backdrop of various colonized planets. While embracing Western genre influences, Cowboy Bebop delves into deeper questions surrounding memory, regret, and mortality through its encounters with unique targets. It's this seamless blend of philosophical depth and stylish swagger that truly distinguishes this classic science fiction anime.

9) Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion (Image via Gainax)

Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the few anime franchises that has had a significant impact on mainstream culture. It challenged the expectations for science fiction anime in the 1990s. Following a global cataclysm known as Second Impact, 14-year-old Shinji is enlisted to pilot the giant bio-machine Evangelion to combat invading monsters known as Angels.

Beneath the surface of the familiar mecha battles, the series delves into a psychoanalytic examination of the pilots who are thrown into the defensive duty by Shinji's estranged father's secretive organization, NERV. Symbolism and subtext drive the deconstruction of the genre, addressing themes of trauma, depression, and the hero's journey unlike any anime before it.

10) Dr. Stone

Dr. Stone (Image via TMS Entertainment)

What if the entire human population turned to stone for thousands of years? Dr. Stone delves into this concept as it follows the story of Senku, a brilliant yet unconventional teenager who awakens to the daunting task of rebuilding human civilization.

Using his vast scientific knowledge, Senku gradually recreates technology, crafting items such as electricity, glass, batteries, and even smartphones from natural resources. While categorized as teen adventure fiction, this anime series also provides an in-depth look at the fundamental principles and advancements behind the everyday conveniences of modern life. Dr. Stone manages to make science accessible and engaging, rather than daunting.

Conclusion

In summary, anime has a thrilling connection to the limitless creativity of science fiction. These science anime series incorporate a wide range of scientific concepts and breakthroughs, ranging from astrophysics to zoology, to weave captivating narratives that ponder potential futures within our grasp or entirely unprecedented.

Dive into the masterful worlds of science anime, where stunning animation and memorable soundtracks are accompanied by a spirit of intellectual curiosity about existence, ethics, and progress. Turn on your photonic brain to maximum flicker rate and prepare to be immersed.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of science anime, I am thrilled to see the recognition given to this captivating genre. The article provides an excellent overview of some of the must-watch science anime series that have left an indelible mark on the industry. From the mind-bending time travel of Steins;Gate to the philosophical exploration of Serial Experiments Lain, each of these anime offers a unique blend of scientific concepts and imaginative storytelling.

The inclusion of Planetes and Psycho-Pass further demonstrates the diversity and depth of science anime. Planetes takes a more grounded approach, presenting a realistic portrayal of space exploration and the challenges that come with it. On the other hand, Psycho-Pass delves into the darker side of technology and raises important questions about surveillance, privacy, and the potential consequences of a society controlled by an all-knowing system.