whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Drama

The best space drama anime you can start from the beginning

41 anime that are both drama and space, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu, Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199, Planetes.

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The list

1. 1 Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Legend of the Galactic Heroes OVA · 1988 · 110 episodes · K-Factory · #12 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
2. 2 Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 OVA · 2012 · 26 episodes · Xebec · #316 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
3. 3 Planetes TV · 2003 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #409 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
4. 4 Terra e... (TV) Toward the Terra (TV) TV · 2007 · 24 episodes · Tokyo Kids · #1018 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
5. 5 Top wo Nerae! Gunbuster Gunbuster OVA · 1988 · 6 episodes · Gainax · #1055 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
6. 6 Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These - Kaikou Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These TV · 2018 · 12 episodes · Production I.G · #1141 on MyAnimeList
7. 7 Kidou Senshi Gundam Mobile Suit Gundam TV · 1979 · 43 episodes · Sunrise · #1220 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
8. 8 Memories Film · 1995 · Madhouse · #1371 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
9. 9 Soukou Kihei Votoms Armored Trooper Votoms TV · 1983 · 52 episodes · Sunrise · #1374 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
10. 10 Uchuu Kaizoku Captain Herlock Space Pirate Captain Harlock TV · 1978 · 42 episodes · Toei Animation · #1407 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
11. 11 Kidou Senshi Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 TV · 2016 · 22 episodes · Sunrise · #1489 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
12. 12 Uchuu Senkan Yamato Star Blazers: The Quest for Iscandar TV · 1974 · 26 episodes · Office Academy · #1834 on MyAnimeList 80% would recommend
13. 13 Waga Seishun no Arcadia Captain Harlock: Arcadia of my Youth Film · 1982 · Toei Animation · #2167 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
14. 14 Uchuu no Kishi Tekkaman Blade Tekkaman Blade TV · 1992 · 49 episodes · Tatsunoko Production · #2261 on MyAnimeList 77% would recommend
15. 15 Ouritsu Uchuugun: Honneamise no Tsubasa Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise Film · 1987 · Gainax · #2326 on MyAnimeList 78% would recommend
16. 16 Mugen no Ryvius Infinite Ryvius TV · 1999 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #2515 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
17. 17 Captain Herlock Space Pirate Captain Harlock Film · 2013 · Toei Animation · #3015 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
18. 18 Kurau Phantom Memory TV · 2004 · 24 episodes · Bones · #3147 on MyAnimeList 73% would recommend
19. 19 Sentou Yousei Yukikaze Yukikaze OVA · 2002 · 5 episodes · Gonzo · #3468 on MyAnimeList 72% would recommend
20. 20 Densetsu Kyojin Ideon Space Runaway Ideon TV · 1980 · 39 episodes · Sunrise · #3985 on MyAnimeList 69% would recommend
21. 21 Ginga Tetsudou Monogatari The Galaxy Railways TV · 2003 · 26 episodes · Planet · #4281 on MyAnimeList 68% would recommend
22. 22 Moonlight Mile 1st Season: Lift Off TV · 2007 · 12 episodes · Studio Hibari · #4359 on MyAnimeList 71% would recommend
23. 23 11-nin Iru! They Were Eleven Film · 1986 · Magic Bus · #4392 on MyAnimeList 69% would recommend
24. 24 Hoshi no Koe Voices of a Distant Star OVA · 2002 · 1 episode · CoMix Wave Films · #4466 on MyAnimeList 68% would recommend
25. 25 Blue Gender TV · 1999 · 26 episodes · AIC · #4711 on MyAnimeList 67% 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.