Scifi Anime reccomendatios

[Future Man Cobra]

Anime gets a lot of discussion, but I wanted to share anime with people that you may not have heard of. Some of these you definitely have, others, probably not. But here is a good guide for a scifi fan that wants to find a scifi anime. Just to be clear, I've either watched the show I'm recommending, or have heard praise for it from sources I trust. Either way, I think this'll be a fun ride!

Macross: Do You Remember Love?

This is a great film, it's anything a scifi fan could ask for! Action, romance, saving the galaxy! It is the improved version of the tv show, that had a lot of issues. It's a great film, and should be enjoyed by everyone!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kgMIwuUsOME

Crusher Joe

You can't get more scifi than Crusher Joe! A man on a mission in space, things get blown up and people get tricked, but a Crusher is life!

]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RpdTo1Nc9Ho

Dirty Pair

Very few are as awesome as the Lovely Angels! They destroy things, get the jobs done, but in process, planets are blown up! They're competent at their job, but god, if you ever see them, run!

]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z53R0LoeV8c

Space Adventure Cobra

This is an amazing show, watch the 1980s one, because the modern one sucks. The art in the original is stunning, the animation is fluid, it's a very unique show that is pulp in nature. If you want an adventure novel fully realised, Cobra is your man!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dt6XXfcdVY0

Gunbuster

What about an emotional punch! Something about saving Earth? I've found it! Gunbuster!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0MlyEFK3iSM

Astroboy

I know what you're thinking, it's a kids show! But it's a freaking wonderful show, that has lovely art and is beautifully animated. It has stories that are surprising deep, and touching. Check it out if you have a soft spot for saving the world, and bridging that gap between humans and robots.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=unmq7cD8jRA

Texhnolyze

This is a thinking man's anime, probably makes no sense, but it's haunting, and about technology. If this one seems too full on, look at Serial Experiments Lain instead.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u3SzOzm8lmo

NieA_7

But that one doesn't look scifi at all! I hear the outrage, but one of the main characters is an alien and the whole series has an element of alien refugees. It's a funny, serious, sad and contemplative series. I love it and would recommend it to anyone to give it a go. It's about growing up and moving on, and about family. This makes it a great anime in my book.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B6zM_jcnkWA

Planetese

I want more scifi! In fact, I want serious, hard scifi! You're in luck, that's what this show is about. It's about garbage collectors in space, but it's serious and thoughtful. If that's your thing, check it out!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jmNnzIIbeQw

Level E

I want something funnier! Okay, wow, that's demanding, but I hear you. Here is Level E, it's wacky, strange and incredibly Japanese, and it's probably what would happen if an alien came to earth!

https://vimeo.com/89196553

Dennou Coil

Okay, but what about a scifi that's more, you know, down to earth? Then you've found it. It about 'a team of school children that investigate the mystery behind new augmented-reality technology.' If that doesn't sound interesting, then what are you smoking?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lbUnz1a9GPk

The Irresponsible Captain Tylor

This show is beyond wacky, and funny. The main hero, is he galant and brave, or just plain dumb? Is he a genius, or just stupidly, stupidly luck? Who knows, but he'll save the day anyway! Because who can argue with the results of this insane captain!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H8W7eF49xv4

Cowboy Bebop

You all knew this was coming, no list is complete without it, especially a scifi anime list. It's a great show, with great action! Watch it, you won't regret it!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw3fN3OPk3A

Votoms

Where is the mecha? You can't have an anime scifi list without mecha! That's true, so here you are, a serious war drama, that has mecha!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J8hwDQJRU7E

Votoms Mellowlink

The one above is too long! 50 episodes more or less?! Are you crazy! I have a life. Okay, fair point, here watch this one instead, it's shorter, just as cool, about a lone man taking down mecha, with his bare hands! Okay, not exactly like that, but close enough!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ySnuPN_3Xts

Gundam 08th ms team

That was really cool! I want another real robot type show! You know, something shortish, with like, real war and robots! Okay, here you are! Hope you like it!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h_PKgztP0zw

Legend of the Galactic Heroes

I only like Star Trek, and The Expanse, you know, real scifi! With large stories and never ending amount of episodes! The type of show that I can watch for a whole year and never be bored! You're in luck! Anime has that too, your welcome!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9E2RvobUsHQ

Gundam Unicorn

That's all very well and good, but where is the Gundam? There is only one here! It's the biggest franchise in anime! The only one holding on the torch proudly for mecha's today! The last dinosaur standing? Where is it? Okay, I hear you! Here it is, it's a great show, a proper scifi saga! Check it out!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sCGwLNtR0lQ

Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans

Was that a music video? What's with the AMV? Only thing I could find, sheesh. Okay, well I still want more Gundam! Something that I can just watch without decades of knowledge. I like what you've said so far, but what else? I got one more, it's got a funny name, but is a proper war drama. Check it out!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SOAZhVSDw_c

Turn A Gundam

One more please! Okay, here is a show, looks like a Ghibli film, is beautiful, and is about maintaining peace, as opposed to war. It's serious, stunning and interesting. Check it out!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tpqwY7tsZS4

Space Dandy

Those were so serious, I want one more! Okay, here you are! Space Dandy. It's ridiculous! Each episode incredibly unique. One episode it's super serious, the next, it's sillier than your next door neighbour. It's stunning to watch, with great animation. Give it a shot, if you dare!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ah0Orskm0Y

[Karha of Honor]

I guess Gun Frontier counts as sci fi. Imagine if somebody only watched spaghetti westerns in his life and did a whole lot of drugs That's what would come out.

[Rasp]

Macross Plus was also pretty good

Does Dragonball Z onward count? I mean there are aliens and spaceships granted its taken more of a future fantasy route than science fiction but that always struck me as splitting hairs.

[MithrandirOlorin]

Madlax (the middle of the Girls with Guns Trilogy)
Code Geass
Gundam 00
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's

[Edvarius]

I guess Gun Frontier counts as sci fi. Imagine if somebody only watched spaghetti westerns in his life and did a whole lot of drugs That's what would come out.

I thought that resulted in Trigun?

[MithrandirOlorin]

Isn't Legend of the Galactic heroes basically what PT haters think the OT was?

[Steve]

This list is incomplete. It's missing Outlaw Star.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0N3L-pcGdc

And then there is the Crest of the Stars/Banner of the Stars series. A battle from the second series:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsr1owuAw7c

[Karha of Honor]

Isn't Legend of the Galactic heroes basically what PT haters think the OT was?

Hell no. The EU could never explain that nonsense unlike LOGH.

[ORCACommander]

MMMM I just imported outlaw star on blu ray from the UK. mmmmmmm

[ScreamingDoom]

Miniskirt Space Pirates aka Bodacious Space Pirates is also really good.

Yes, the name sounds awful. I didn't hold out much hope when I started watching it, either.

But it is surprisingly good.

It takes place on a world who, generations before, fought a War of Independence against Earth. Since their economy and industry wasn't up to a toe-to-toe battle with the Old Earth, they turned to Privateers, giving them Letters of Marque to raid shipping and fill stopgaps in their military lines.

That war is long since over, but the original Privateers (or, rather, their Letters of Marque) survive, passed down like family heirlooms. The government doesn't offer new ones; only the old ones are valid, so if a Letter isn't properly passed to a descendant of the Captain, that pirate band dissolves.

A young girl in the equivelent of High School ends up with one of these Letters of Marque by way of her father, a very famous space pirate (her mother was also a space pirate, but gave up the life after getting pregnant).

The show is quite interesting in how it builds the universe, the mechanics of space combat, and the society that utilizes space pirates.

"Space pirates" are, for the most part, entertainment troupes. They "attack" space liners full of wealthy patrons and "rob" them. The liner company pays for these exciting acts of piracy; different pirate bands have different styles. Space pirate bands are known to attract... colorful (yet highly skilled) people.

Of course, that's not their only business. Sometimes they ferry cargo that the employeers want to avoid being tracked by the government. Sometimes the government itself hires them for things which might be politically sticky, but sending a space pirate gives them deniability.

Of particular interest is how space battles are conducted; there are known "stages" that happen. Long past weapons range, there is an intricate dance of computer networks; if one ship can master the computers of the other, then they will have no choice but to surrender. After all, computers control nearly all aspects on a ship -- an attacker gaining control of that could just shut down the life support and wait for the people aboard to suffocate. During this stage, there is also manoeuvring, which can take hours or even days. Weapons range is usually several hundred kilometers away, at least for most energy weapons. Shorter range plasma weapons and missiles are used up close. Then, finally, there are boarding actions.

It's quite impressive the amount of thought and detail the author put into the whole thing. It also has distinct story arcs which don't wear out the welcome; everything from wayward Princesses of nearby empires looking for ancient relics to the political manoeuvrings of wealthy corporations and powerhungry politicians.

And, yes, there are some manifestly silly anime tropes on display.