whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Sci-Fi

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

117 anime that are both sci-fi and military, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu, Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch, Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex.

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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 Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion TV · 2006 · 25 episodes · Sunrise · #61 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
3. 3 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
4. 4 86 86 Eighty-Six TV · 2021 · 11 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #281 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
5. 5 Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin OVA · 2015 · 6 episodes · Sunrise · #307 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
6. 6 Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 OVA · 2012 · 26 episodes · Xebec · #316 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
7. 7 Kaijuu 8-gou Kaiju No. 8 TV · 2024 · 12 episodes · Production I.G · #448 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
8. 8 Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin - Zenya Akai Suisei Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin - Advent of the Red Comet TV · 2019 · 13 episodes · Sunrise · #503 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
9. 9 Macross Super Dimension Fortress Macross TV · 1982 · 36 episodes · Tatsunoko Production · #955 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
10. 10 Terra e... (TV) Toward the Terra (TV) TV · 2007 · 24 episodes · Tokyo Kids · #1018 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
11. 11 Musekinin Kanchou Tylor The Irresponsible Captain Tylor TV · 1993 · 26 episodes · Tatsunoko Production · #1032 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
12. 12 Top wo Nerae! Gunbuster Gunbuster OVA · 1988 · 6 episodes · Gainax · #1055 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
13. 13 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
14. 14 Kidou Senshi Gundam Mobile Suit Gundam TV · 1979 · 43 episodes · Sunrise · #1220 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
15. 15 Memories Film · 1995 · Madhouse · #1371 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
16. 16 Soukou Kihei Votoms Armored Trooper Votoms TV · 1983 · 52 episodes · Sunrise · #1374 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
17. 17 Kidou Senshi Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 TV · 2016 · 22 episodes · Sunrise · #1489 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
18. 18 Seikai no Monshou Crest of the Stars TV · 1999 · 13 episodes · Sunrise · #1685 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
19. 19 Bounen no Xamdou Xam'd: Lost Memories ONA · 2008 · 26 episodes · Bones · #1697 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
20. 20 Uchuu Senkan Yamato Star Blazers: The Quest for Iscandar TV · 1974 · 26 episodes · Office Academy · #1834 on MyAnimeList 80% would recommend
21. 21 Ima, Soko ni Iru Boku Now and Then, Here and There TV · 1999 · 13 episodes · AIC · #1855 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
22. 22 Yuuki Bakuhatsu Bang Bravern Brave Bang Bravern! TV · 2024 · 12 episodes · CygamesPictures · #1958 on MyAnimeList 77% would recommend
23. 23 So Ra No Wo To Sound of the Sky TV · 2010 · 12 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #2041 on MyAnimeList 78% would recommend
24. 24 Zipang TV · 2004 · 26 episodes · Studio Deen · #2050 on MyAnimeList 80% would recommend
25. 25 Taiyou no Kiba Dougram TV · 1981 · 75 episodes · Sunrise · #2125 on MyAnimeList 77% 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.