whatanimeshouldiwatchnext

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

25 sci-fi anime ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Steins;Gate, Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu, Gintama.

Recommend me one sci-fi anime

Narrow it down: Action 331 · Mecha 319 · Adventure 305 · Comedy 227 · Drama 221 · Space 152 · Fantasy 146 · Romance 127 · Military 117 · Mystery 84 · Super Power 81 · Adult Cast 64 · Suspense 63 · Psychological 63 · School 56 · Award Winning 37 · Gore 35 · Horror 32 · Music 29 · Time Travel 27 · Parody 27 · Historical 26

The list

1. 1 Steins;Gate TV · 2011 · 24 episodes · White Fox · #6 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
2. 2 Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Legend of the Galactic Heroes OVA · 1988 · 110 episodes · K-Factory · #12 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
3. 3 Gintama TV · 2006 · 201 episodes · Sunrise · #21 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
4. 4 Cowboy Bebop TV · 1998 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #49 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
5. 5 Takopii no Genzai Takopi's Original Sin ONA · 2025 · 6 episodes · Enishiya · #50 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
6. 6 Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion TV · 2006 · 25 episodes · Sunrise · #61 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
7. 7 Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Gurren Lagann TV · 2007 · 27 episodes · Gainax · #89 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
8. 8 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners ONA · 2022 · 10 episodes · Trigger · #99 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
9. 9 Made in Abyss TV · 2017 · 13 episodes · Kinema Citrus · #102 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
10. 10 Chou Kaguya-hime! Cosmic Princess Kaguya! ONA · 2026 · 1 episode · Studio Colorido · #193 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
11. 11 Pluto ONA · 2023 · 8 episodes · Studio M2 · #206 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
12. 12 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
13. 13 Shinseiki Evangelion Neon Genesis Evangelion TV · 1995 · 26 episodes · Gainax · #265 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
14. 14 Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song Vivy -Fluorite Eye's Song- TV · 2021 · 13 episodes · Wit Studio · #266 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
15. 15 86 86 Eighty-Six TV · 2021 · 11 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #281 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
16. 16 Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin OVA · 2015 · 6 episodes · Sunrise · #307 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
17. 17 Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu Parasyte: The Maxim TV · 2014 · 24 episodes · Madhouse · #308 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
18. 18 Psycho-Pass TV · 2012 · 22 episodes · Production I.G · #313 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
19. 19 Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 OVA · 2012 · 26 episodes · Xebec · #316 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
20. 20 Redline Film · 2009 · Madhouse · #341 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
21. 21 Koukaku Kidoutai Ghost in the Shell Film · 1995 · Production I.G · #364 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
22. 22 Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou Girls' Last Tour TV · 2017 · 12 episodes · White Fox · #397 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
23. 23 Planetes TV · 2003 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #409 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
24. 24 Shinsekai yori From the New World TV · 2012 · 25 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #410 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
25. 25 Trigun TV · 1998 · 26 episodes · Madhouse · #428 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend

Why this is not MyAnimeList's sci-fi ranking. 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 — so there are no second seasons or side stories to work backwards from. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.