whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Award Winning · Sci-Fi

The best award-winning sci-fi anime you can start from the beginning

37 anime that are both award-winning and sci-fi, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Cowboy Bebop, Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.

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The list

1. 1 Cowboy Bebop TV · 1998 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #49 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
2. 2 Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion TV · 2006 · 25 episodes · Sunrise · #61 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
3. 3 Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Gurren Lagann TV · 2007 · 27 episodes · Gainax · #89 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
4. 4 Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex TV · 2002 · 26 episodes · Production I.G · #213 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
5. 5 Shinseiki Evangelion Neon Genesis Evangelion TV · 1995 · 26 episodes · Gainax · #265 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
6. 6 Koukaku Kidoutai Ghost in the Shell Film · 1995 · Production I.G · #364 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
7. 7 Planetes TV · 2003 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #409 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
8. 8 Kaiba TV · 2008 · 12 episodes · Madhouse · #532 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
9. 9 Gankutsuou Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo TV · 2004 · 24 episodes · Gonzo · #581 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
10. 10 Serial Experiments Lain TV · 1998 · 13 episodes · Triangle Staff · #600 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
11. 11 Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Film · 2006 · Madhouse · #622 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
12. 12 Kanata no Astra Astra Lost in Space TV · 2019 · 12 episodes · Lerche · #647 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
13. 13 Paprika Film · 2006 · Madhouse · #675 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
14. 14 Dennou Coil Den-noh Coil TV · 2007 · 26 episodes · Madhouse · #725 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
15. 15 Summer Wars Film · 2009 · Madhouse · #739 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
16. 16 Evangelion Movie 1: Jo Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone Film · 2007 · Khara · #752 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
17. 17 Sakasama no Patema Patema Inverted Film · 2013 · Studio Rikka · #870 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
18. 18 Top wo Nerae! Gunbuster Gunbuster OVA · 1988 · 6 episodes · Gainax · #1055 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
19. 19 Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya TV · 2006 · 14 episodes · Kyoto Animation · #1136 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
20. 20 Memories Film · 1995 · Madhouse · #1371 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
21. 21 Higashi no Eden Eden of The East TV · 2009 · 11 episodes · Production I.G · #1392 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
22. 22 Uchuu Senkan Yamato Star Blazers: The Quest for Iscandar TV · 1974 · 26 episodes · Office Academy · #1834 on MyAnimeList 80% would recommend
23. 23 Ouritsu Uchuugun: Honneamise no Tsubasa Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise Film · 1987 · Gainax · #2326 on MyAnimeList 78% would recommend
24. 24 Mugen no Ryvius Infinite Ryvius TV · 1999 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #2515 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
25. 25 Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Basho The Place Promised in Our Early Days Film · 2004 · CoMix Wave Films · #2594 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend

Why this is not a MyAnimeList search. Every entry here is one you can start from the beginning. Anything with a prequel or a parent story is left out, as are recaps and compilation editions — about half of what MyAnimeList ranks. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.