Best Space Anime

Key Takeaways

• Astra: Lost in Space is a light-hearted and exciting anime that takes viewers on a journey through space with a group of young explorers.
• Classroom Crisis offers a realistic and unique blend of sci-fi and school elements, giving viewers a glimpse into the space industry.
• Cowboy Bebop is a popular and must-watch space exploration anime, featuring a lovable cast of characters and thrilling adventures aboard their ship.

Some anime series remain with their feet firmly planted on the ground, delivering stories rooted in reality, or at least on the surface of a planet that may or may not be Earth as people know it. Slice of life, mystery, fantasy…multiple genres encompass these animes, but there are some that brave the stars to bring new and exciting sci-fi adventures.

Exploring space has been a lifelong ambition of humanity, to venture through the stars and reach further planets or even solar systems to see what kind of life may or may not exist. While reality still seems far from realizing this dream, space fanatics can at least live this fantasy through the following space anime.

Updated October 6, 2024 by C.M Edwards: No theme has endless potential quite like aiming a story at the sky and shooting for the moon. Space is an endless bag of possibilities that can hold anything from alien species, planet-sized colonies, or alternate dimensional wormholes. With the endless possibilities of space, anime is the perfect medium to take advantage of the stories that could come from the void and create exceptional entertainment. Many times, some of the best stories are set in the unknown frontier of space where a rag-tag crew explores the void or attempts to discover a new world after the earth becomes uninhabitable. These stories explore the stars and take fans on journeys with stunning views of intergalactic scenery. There are dozens of anime for space lovers that make exploring the unknown the priority. Here are a few more of the best space anime for interested viewers.

1 Vandread

Mecha Harem In Space

• Studio: Gonzo
• Number Of Episodes: 13

In the world of Vandread the sides are split down the middle by gender, Men vs. Women. Two neighboring planets have been at constant war due to their differing ideals. Hibiki finds himself captured after sneaking onto an enemy ship where things take an unforeseen turn.

With a portion of the crew taking a liking to him, Hibiki is forced into servitude on the female-dominated battleship and what starts out as a simple escape mission turns into an intergalactic race to save the universe. Hibiki learns about the power within himself and how the differences between men and women aren’t that large as they voyage across the stars.

2 Tale Of The Galactic Heroes

Intersteller Politics With Real Consequences

• Studio: 12
• Number Of Episodes: Production I.G

Tale of the Galactic Heroes is large-scale story-telling at it’s finest. Characters have deeply driven motivations, and the political maneuvering resembles that of the moving of the pawns of Game of Thrones. There are numerous factions, biding for territory and control and two main characters plot together to outwit entire governments. After nearly a century of war, two individuals take it upon themselves to create a secret alliance while fighting for opposite sides and finally bring peace to the galaxy. Tale of the Galactic Heroes is an excellent story with all the bells and whistles, including an extensive observation of the intersteller territories that hang in the balance.

3 Voices Of A Distant Star

Universal Heartache

• Studio: Comix Wave Films
• Number Of Episodes: 1

Love is the most powerful force in the galaxy and is put to the test when two childhood friends are ripped from each other’s grasp when one moment they are enjoying each other’s company, and the next they are light years apart.

When a sudden alien attack puts the world in danger, the world government begins choosing individuals to fill the ranks for a space expedition that is to be the first step in retaliation against the alien threat. Mikako and Noboru’s relationship is strained as the distance between them grows when Mikako is chosen for the expedition and Noboru is left behind. Voices of A Distant Star does a beautiful job of expressing how a need can cross boundaries between worlds.

4 Space Pirate Captian Harlock

An Excellent Story Driven Universe

• Studio: Toei Animation
• Number of Episodes: 42

Harlock is a staple name in the sci-fi anime community and has appeared in numerous classic anime, including his own feature animated film. The Space Pirate Captain Harlock series is a phenomenal anime that focuses on the series namesake and his crew, who pilot the ship Arcadia.

Harlock and his allies go on several adventures across multiple galaxies in an attempt to prevent the extinction of the human race from a mysterious alien threat that could cause catastrophic danger throughout the universe. Harlock’s character goes through a series of changes as he explores the void, and his stoic confidence has made him a highly favored character throughout anime history.

5 Tenchi Universe

A Whimsical Tale That Journeys Across Multiple Universes

• Studio: AIC
• Number of Episodes: 26

The Tenchi franchise is a fun-loving, whimsical, yet action-packed series of shows that focus on Tenchi Muyo, a young boy who becomes caught in the middle of intergalactic politics. One part harem, one part comedy, and one part science fiction adventure, Tenchi Universe takes to the stars with his family and the several women who love him.

While racing across the universe and getting into all sorts of trouble, Tenchi and his friends and family make enemies of almost everyone and nearly destroy the universe twice, all in one day. Tenchi must even learn about his alien roots and how he may be a lost member of a royal intergalactic family while trying not to be killed by Space Pirates. It’s fair to say that Tenchi Universe has it all wrapped in one pleasant series.

6 Edens Zero

An Imprompto Journey To Become The Demon Lord

Edens Zero is an anime that has a dedicated following of manga readers who were overjoyed when the series gained an anime adaptation. The story of the show follows Shiki, a socially awkward one-hundred-year-old boy who finds himself sailing on a spaceship after a coincidental meeting with Rebecca, a B-cuber who makes videos for the interwebs.

The two bond quickly and set off into the unknown, which leads them into a slew of adventures, and eventually as members of the Eden Zero’s crew. The plot thickens as Shiki’s heritage is revealed, and he’s in line to become the next demon king. While going wherever the solar winds take them, Shiki and his new friends get into all types of trouble while on adventures and grow as a crew, learning to trust each other.

7 Classroom Crisis

A Galactic Field Trip Filled With Hijinks

• Studio: Lay-Duce
• Number of Episodes: 13

For fans who enjoy the utilization of a school setting in anime, look no further than Classroom Crisis. This anime blends the aspects of sci-fi and space with an anime revolving around a classroom of school girls who find themselves tasked with being the engineers for humanity’s spacecraft on their academy on Mars. Among the actual construction and work is the red tape of bureaucracy, which gives a somewhat realistic look into the space industry.

As such, Classroom Crisis goes above and beyond what most school anime does, introducing a futuristic setting in space, and foregoing the usual light-hearted or cutesy school settings for a story with a touch more realism, and even some ephemeral glances into the darker sides of any industry where a profit is to be made.

8 Ulysses 31

A Classic Tale Of Exploring The Unknown

• Studio: TMS Entertainment
• Number of Episodes: 26

Ulysses 31 is one of the more child-friendly anime series, which offers a unique sci-fi retelling of Homer’s classic tale Odysseus, set in the 31st century. In this show, the Gods of Olympus become enraged that Ulysses killed the Cyclops to free a group of enslaved children. In his rage, Zeus curses Ulysses and his children to travel through space with their crew frozen in time until they reach the Kingdom of Hades, which is when his crew will be returned, and he will be free to return to planet Earth.

This is undoubtedly an ambitious show that retells a classic tale with a new and exciting sci-fi spin, which was made all the more impressive than it was created for children. Even so, more mature viewers will find much to enjoy in Ulysses 31.

9 Space Patrol Luluco

A Wholesome Space Adventure

• Studio: Trigger
• Number of Episodes: 13

Studio Trigger delivered a fun and abstract space exploration anime with Space Patrol Luluco, which follows the story of Luluco who joins the Space Patrol on daily missions to cover the cost of reviving her father, who was frozen by alien contraband. The premise alone of this show oozes promises of space exploration and adventure, which are one of the main draws of this show, alongside its zany cast of characters.

A short and sweet series, Space Patrol Luluco is an easily digestible and binge-able show that will undoubtedly entertain fans of space or other Trigger anime shows.

10 Knights Of Sidonia

A Dramatic Tale Of The Last Days Of Humanity

Based on a manga of the same name, Knights of Sidonia takes place on a huge ship known as the Sidonia, following the story of underdog Nagate Tanikaze who lives in isolation in the underbelly of the ship, but emerges once he masters the Garde Pilot simulation, and achieves his dream as he is chosen as one of the Garde Pilots. But with the safety of the Sidonia threatened, Nagate gets more than he bargained for with his newly appointed position.

An engaging plot that employs the inspirational story of an underdog rising in the ranks of the world, Knights of Sidonia is an anime well worth the watch. And with two seasons and a movie, fans of the anime have plenty of media to consume.

11 Mobile Suit Gundam

A War Between Earth And The Stars

Everyone has heard the word Gundam at some point in their lives, even those who don’t watch anime. The giant models that can fetch a pretty price are undoubtedly famous, and they have a classic anime to go with it that is responsible for the popularity of mecha-piloting anime and movies that still survive to this day.

The show itself revolves around a fictional Universe that is home to a war between the Principality of Zeon and the Earth Federation, which a new crew finds themselves a part of. But with a Gundam at their disposal, the plucky crew might just make it through to survive another night. For people who have seen the toys, it’s now time to see the show.

12 Outlaw Star

A Journey To Find The Source Of Space Magic

After an asteroid crashes in a fictional desert close to China, humanity finally gains the resources needed to make the dream FTL travel a reality, and thus humans take to touring the stars, setting up colonies on other planets, with the story kicking off on one of the backwater colonies. That is until Gene Starwind and James Hawking find themselves the proprietors of the Outlaw Star, and set off searching for great treasure.

With its cast of lovable characters including the catgirl Aisha Clanclan, and the group on a new, exciting mission every week, Outlaw Star is an anime not to be missed by those who are fans of space exploration. And having only 26 episodes, casual viewers can easily digest this great show but might be left wanting more.

13 The Irresponsible Captain Tylor

Being Frivolous On An Intergalactic Voyage

• Studio: Tatsunoko Productions
• Number of Episodes: 26

Adapted from a light novel series of a similar name, The Irresponsible Captain Tylor is an anime series that follows the titular character Tylor, who stumbles his way through life with no real thought or plan for his future, simply living one day to the next. Yet, he ends up captaining his ship as part of the United Planets Space Force after successfully resolving a hostage situation, earning him his ship the Soyokaze.

The anime is all about Tylor and his crew exploring among the stars on their somewhat derelict and run-down ship, with a focus on comedy without sacrificing the space adventure element. If anime fans want to laugh and be excited in equal measures, The Irresponsible Captain Tylor is sure to deliver.

14 Space Dandy

A One Of A Kind Action packed Experience

Step into the boots of hunter Dandy, a gun-toting spacefarer who makes his living cruising the galaxy hunting down aliens, with a more humorous and light-hearted approach to the space exploration scene than most other series. Space Dandy takes a more monster-of-the-week approach to its structure, following the exploits of Dandy and his robot buddy QT as they travel through space hunting after their next paycheck.

With little in the way of an overarching story or character arc, Space Dandy is recommended for people looking for a fun space action with no heavy story or moral message coded into its plot. It’s a simple, short anime series viewers can enjoy if they go into the series with these expectations, and don’t take anything they see too seriously.

15 Astra: Lost In Space

A Ride Home With Intergallactic Stops Along The Way

• Studio: Lerche
• Number of Episodes: 12

Astra: Lost in Space is a short and sweet space-faring story about a group of young people who find themselves lost among the stars of deep space. After they arrive at a space camp, they are flung to the orbits of different planets that are lightyears from their home, and now these young hopefuls must travel across worlds in order to return there.

As such, the core of this anime is all about exploring space and will take viewers on a journey of light-hearted sci-fi fun with some pulp elements in its adventure story. Exciting and unique, Astra: Lost in Space is the ideal anime for fans of space stories and sci-fi, and now its complete viewers can easily binge through all twelve episodes.

16 Cowboy Bebop

A Unique Mix Of Noir And Science Ficiton

One can’t talk about space and anime without mentioning Cowboy Bebop, the most well-known and popular anime set among the stars. Though it is a spaghetti western with a twist in its setting, there is plenty of exploring done by Spike and his crew to merit it as a space exploration anime, featuring a cast of lovable characters including the cool Faye Valentine, the eccentric Ed, the loveable corgi Ein and of course, the main character and bounty hunter Spike.

Cowboy Bebop follows their exploits as they sail across the sea of stars aboard their ship called the Bebop, on the hunt for criminals to earn the bounties. This is the essential premise of the show, but it is a reductive way of describing this anime, as there is so much heart and story to be found amid the episodes, and any anime fan worth their salt should have this on their radar if they haven’t watched it already.