whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Sci-Fi

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

27 anime that are both sci-fi and time travel, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Steins;Gate, Takopii no Genzai, Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song.

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The list

1. 1 Steins;Gate TV · 2011 · 24 episodes · White Fox · #6 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
2. 2 Takopii no Genzai Takopi's Original Sin ONA · 2025 · 6 episodes · Enishiya · #50 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
3. 3 Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song Vivy -Fluorite Eye's Song- TV · 2021 · 13 episodes · Wit Studio · #266 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
4. 4 Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Film · 2006 · Madhouse · #622 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
5. 5 Gnosia TV · 2025 · 21 episodes · domerica · #1121 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
6. 6 Orange TV · 2016 · 13 episodes · Telecom Animation Film · #1683 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
7. 7 Noein: Mou Hitori no Kimi e Noein: To Your Other Self TV · 2005 · 24 episodes · Satelight · #1945 on MyAnimeList 78% would recommend
8. 8 Zipang TV · 2004 · 26 episodes · Studio Deen · #2050 on MyAnimeList 80% would recommend
9. 9 Buddy Complex TV · 2014 · 13 episodes · Sunrise · #4215 on MyAnimeList 70% would recommend
10. 10 Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin Occult Academy TV · 2010 · 13 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #4689 on MyAnimeList 68% would recommend
11. 11 Terminator 0 Terminator Zero ONA · 2024 · 8 episodes · Production I.G · #4699 on MyAnimeList 71% would recommend
12. 12 T.P BON ONA · 2024 · 12 episodes · Bones · #5233 on MyAnimeList 66% would recommend
13. 13 Generator Gawl TV · 1998 · 12 episodes · Tatsunoko Production · #5253 on MyAnimeList 63% would recommend
14. 14 Punch Line TV · 2015 · 12 episodes · MAPPA · #5592 on MyAnimeList 62% would recommend
15. 15 Dushi Gu Xian Yi Urban Miracle Doctor ONA · 2024 · Xing Yi Kai Chen · #6358 on MyAnimeList 63% would recommend
16. 16 Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete In Search of the Lost Future TV · 2014 · 12 episodes · feel. · #6474 on MyAnimeList 58% would recommend
17. 17 All You Need Is Kill Film · 2026 · Studio 4°C · #6968 on MyAnimeList 59% would recommend
18. 18 DNA² TV · 1994 · 12 episodes · Madhouse · #7047 on MyAnimeList 56% would recommend
19. 19 Natsu-iro no Sunadokei Sandglass of Summer Colors OVA · 2004 · 2 episodes · Picture Magic · #7604 on MyAnimeList 53% would recommend
20. 20 Sengoku Otome: Momoiro Paradox Battle Girls: Time Paradox TV · 2011 · 13 episodes · TMS Entertainment · #7618 on MyAnimeList 52% would recommend
21. 21 Time Travel Shoujo: Mari Waka to 8-nin no Kagakusha-tachi Time Travel Girl TV · 2016 · 12 episodes · WAO World · #7889 on MyAnimeList 50% would recommend
22. 22 Fire Tripper OVA · 1985 · 1 episode · Studio Pierrot · #8298 on MyAnimeList 52% would recommend
23. 23 Jikuu Tantei Genshi-kun Flint the Time Detective TV · 1998 · 39 episodes · Group TAC · #8512 on MyAnimeList 48% would recommend
24. 24 Island TV · 2018 · 12 episodes · feel. · #9116 on MyAnimeList 47% 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.