whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Sci-Fi

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

152 anime that are both sci-fi 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, Cowboy Bebop, Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin.

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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 Cowboy Bebop TV · 1998 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #49 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
3. 3 Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin OVA · 2015 · 6 episodes · Sunrise · #307 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
4. 4 Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 OVA · 2012 · 26 episodes · Xebec · #316 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
5. 5 Planetes TV · 2003 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #409 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
6. 6 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
7. 7 Kanata no Astra Astra Lost in Space TV · 2019 · 12 episodes · Lerche · #647 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
8. 8 Ginga Sengoku Gunyuuden Rai Galaxy Warring State Chronicle Rai TV · 1994 · 52 episodes · E&G Films · #836 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
9. 9 I Byeol-e Pil-yohan Lost in Starlight ONA · 2025 · 1 episode · Climax Studio · #933 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
10. 10 Macross Super Dimension Fortress Macross TV · 1982 · 36 episodes · Tatsunoko Production · #955 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
11. 11 Space☆Dandy Space Dandy TV · 2014 · 13 episodes · Bones · #966 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
12. 12 Terra e... (TV) Toward the Terra (TV) TV · 2007 · 24 episodes · Tokyo Kids · #1018 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
13. 13 Musekinin Kanchou Tylor The Irresponsible Captain Tylor TV · 1993 · 26 episodes · Tatsunoko Production · #1032 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
14. 14 Top wo Nerae! Gunbuster Gunbuster OVA · 1988 · 6 episodes · Gainax · #1055 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
15. 15 Kidou Senshi Gundam: Suisei no Majo Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury TV · 2022 · 12 episodes · Sunrise · #1069 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
16. 16 Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star Outlaw Star TV · 1998 · 24 episodes · Sunrise · #1098 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
17. 17 Gnosia TV · 2025 · 21 episodes · domerica · #1121 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
18. 18 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
19. 19 Kidou Senshi Gundam Mobile Suit Gundam TV · 1979 · 43 episodes · Sunrise · #1220 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
20. 20 Memories Film · 1995 · Madhouse · #1371 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
21. 21 Soukou Kihei Votoms Armored Trooper Votoms TV · 1983 · 52 episodes · Sunrise · #1374 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
22. 22 Uchuu Kaizoku Captain Herlock Space Pirate Captain Harlock TV · 1978 · 42 episodes · Toei Animation · #1407 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
23. 23 Kidou Senshi Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 TV · 2016 · 22 episodes · Sunrise · #1489 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
24. 24 Space Cobra Space Adventure Cobra TV · 1982 · 31 episodes · Tokyo Movie Shinsha · #1526 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
25. 25 Seikai no Monshou Crest of the Stars TV · 1999 · 13 episodes · Sunrise · #1685 on MyAnimeList 81% 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.