whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Sci-Fi

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

26 anime that are both sci-fi and historical, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Gintama, Taiyou no Ko Esteban, R.O.D: Read or Die.

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The list

1. 1 Gintama TV · 2006 · 201 episodes · Sunrise · #21 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
2. 2 Taiyou no Ko Esteban The Mysterious Cities of Gold TV · 1982 · 39 episodes · Studio Pierrot · #1290 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
3. 3 R.O.D: Read or Die R.O.D - Read or Die OVA · 2001 · 3 episodes · Studio Deen · #1758 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
4. 4 Zipang TV · 2004 · 26 episodes · Studio Deen · #2050 on MyAnimeList 80% would recommend
5. 5 Fushigi no Umi no Nadia Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water TV · 1990 · 39 episodes · Gainax · #2100 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
6. 6 Hybrid Child OVA · 2014 · 4 episodes · Studio Deen · #2276 on MyAnimeList 74% would recommend
7. 7 Tetsujin 28-gou (2004) Tetsujin 28 TV · 2004 · 26 episodes · Palm Studio · #2337 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
8. 8 Steamboy Film · 2004 · Sunrise · #3111 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
9. 9 Oh! Edo Rocket TV · 2007 · 26 episodes · Madhouse · #3822 on MyAnimeList 70% would recommend
10. 10 Otaku no Video OVA · 1991 · 2 episodes · Gainax · #4128 on MyAnimeList 72% would recommend
11. 11 Hi no Tori Phoenix TV · 2004 · 13 episodes · Tezuka Productions · #4229 on MyAnimeList 68% would recommend
12. 12 T.P BON ONA · 2024 · 12 episodes · Bones · #5233 on MyAnimeList 66% would recommend
13. 13 Kurozuka TV · 2008 · 12 episodes · Madhouse · #5643 on MyAnimeList 63% would recommend
14. 14 Shisha no Teikoku The Empire of Corpses Film · 2015 · Wit Studio · #5759 on MyAnimeList 63% would recommend
15. 15 Leviathan ONA · 2025 · 12 episodes · Orange · #5874 on MyAnimeList 62% would recommend
16. 16 Schwarzesmarken Schwarzes Marken TV · 2016 · 12 episodes · lxtl · #6326 on MyAnimeList 58% would recommend
17. 17 Nobunaga the Fool TV · 2014 · 24 episodes · Satelight · #7080 on MyAnimeList 54% would recommend
18. 18 Gun Frontier TV · 2002 · 13 episodes · Vega Entertainment · #7527 on MyAnimeList 56% would recommend
19. 19 Sengoku Otome: Momoiro Paradox Battle Girls: Time Paradox TV · 2011 · 13 episodes · TMS Entertainment · #7618 on MyAnimeList 52% would recommend
20. 20 Big X TV · 1964 · 59 episodes · Tokyo Movie Shinsha · #7634 on MyAnimeList 47% would recommend
21. 21 Gene Diver TV · 1994 · 56 episodes · #7847 on MyAnimeList 50% would recommend
22. 22 Kishin Heidan Kishin Corps OVA · 1993 · 7 episodes · AIC · #7986 on MyAnimeList 52% would recommend
23. 23 Anime Oyako Gekijou Superbook TV · 1981 · 26 episodes · Tatsunoko Production · #9083 on MyAnimeList 47% would recommend
24. 24 Shin Kaitei Gunkan Super Atragon OVA · 1995 · 2 episodes · Phoenix Entertainment · #9148 on MyAnimeList 46% would recommend
25. 25 Tondera House no Daibouken The Flying House TV · 1982 · 52 episodes · Tatsunoko Production · #9159 on MyAnimeList 44% 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.