Top Aviation Anime Recommendations

Darling in the Franxx

Also known as DARLING in the FRANXX.

Studio: Trigger , CloverWorks
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Psychological , Romance , Sci-Fi

The distant future: Humanity established the mobile fort city, Plantation, upon the ruined wasteland. Within the city were pilot quarters, Mistilteinn, otherwise known as the “Birdcage.” That is where the children live... Their only mission in life was the fight. Their enemies are the mysterious giant organisms known as Kyoryu. The children operate robots known as FRANXX in order to face these still unseen enemies. Among them was a boy who was once called a child prodigy: Code number 016, Hiro. One day, a mysterious girl called Zero Two appears in front of Hiro. “I’ve found you, my Darling.”



Tags: Orphan , Super Robot , Post-Apocalyptic , Dystopian , Coming of Age , Primarily Teen Cast , Robots , Tragedy , Heterosexual , Conspiracy , Found Family , Psychosexual , Femdom , Kaiju , Monster Girl , Lost Civilization , Memory Manipulation , Aliens , Male Protagonist , Female Protagonist , Politics , Demons , Environmental , Love Triangle , Military , Clone , Monster Boy , Travel , Family Life , Virginity , Unrequited Love , Space , Nudity , Body Horror , Netorare , Survival , Yandere , Time Skip , Marriage , Tsundere , Drawing , Medicine , Reincarnation , Aviation , Agriculture , Fishing , Gore , Pandemic

Howl no Ugoku Shiro

Also known as Howl‘s Moving Castle.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Romance

Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a spell on Sophie. In a life-changing adventure, Sophie climbs aboard Howl's magnificent flying castle and enters a magical world on a quest to break the spell.



Tags: Magic , Female Protagonist , Elderly Protagonist , Steampunk , Witch , War , Monster Boy , Shapeshifting , Heterosexual , Disability , Fairy Tale , Found Family , Travel , Philosophy , Rural , Time Manipulation , Politics , Maids , Demons , Aviation , CGI , Curses , Coming of Age

GREAT PRETENDER

Also known as Great Pretender.

Studio: Wit Studio
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Thriller

Self-styled “Japan's greatest swindler” Makoto Edamura is mainly targeting elder people and occasional foreign travelers. But when he tries to scam an apparently clueless French tourist in Tokyo, he can't possibly imagine that what looked like just another ordinary job is going to take him all the way to Los Angeles, tied upside-down on the famous Hollywood sign… And he is yet to find out what fate awaits him!



Tags: Crime , Anti-Hero , Foreign , Primarily Adult Cast , Male Protagonist , Urban , Work , Mafia , Language Barrier , Triads , Filmmaking , Drawing , Drugs , Gangs , Acting , Heterosexual , Aviation , Tragedy , Bisexual , Slavery , Tomboy , Detective , Nudity , LGBTQ+ Themes , War , Mahjong , Baseball , Tanned Skin , Guns , Terrorism , Football , Boys' Love

Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season - Kanketsu-hen Zenpen

Also known as Attack on Titan Final Season THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 1.

Studio: MAPPA
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Mystery , Psychological

The fate of the world hangs in the balance as Eren unleashes the ultimate power of the Titans. With a burning determination to eliminate all who threaten Eldia, he leads an unstoppable army of Colossal Titans towards Marley. Now a motley crew of his former comrades and enemies scramble to halt his deadly mission, the only question is, can they stop him?



Tags: Tragedy , Kaiju , Survival , Super Power , Terrorism , Military , Gore , Revenge , Shapeshifting , Anti-Hero , Foreign , Dystopian , Post-Apocalyptic , Primarily Adult Cast , Ensemble Cast , Time Skip , CGI , Shounen , Female Protagonist , Male Protagonist , Class Struggle , Suicide , Ships , Aviation , Tanned Skin , Kuudere , Matriarchy

Shinsekai yori

Also known as From the New World.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Sci-Fi , Supernatural

Following a sudden outbreak of psychokinesis in 0.1% of the population, a rapid transformation swept the world. The godlike ability to manipulate matter remotely turned many power wielders to violence, inciting a long period of upheaval. Finally, after a chaotic era shaped by the rise and fall of oppressive regimes, the psychic humans were able to achieve a fragile peace by isolating their society, creating a new world bound by complex rules.

In the town of Kamisu 66, 12-year-old Saki Watanabe has just awakened to her powers and is relieved to rejoin her friends—the mischievous Satoru Asahina, the shy Mamoru Itou, the cheerful Maria Akizuki, and Shun Aonuma, a mysterious boy whom Saki admires—at Sage Academy, a special school for psychics. However, unease looms as Saki begins to question the fate of those unable to awaken to their powers, and the children begin to get involved with secretive matters such as the rumored Tainted Cats said to abduct children.

Shinsekai yori tells the unique coming-of-age story of Saki and her friends as they journey to grow into their roles in the supposed utopia. Accepting these roles, however, might not come easy when faced with the dark and shocking truths of society, and the impending havoc born from the new world.



Tags: Class Struggle , Dystopian , Lost Civilization , Post-Apocalyptic , Philosophy , Coming of Age , Tragedy , Super Power , Anti-Hero , Time Skip , Female Protagonist , Slavery , Conspiracy , Memory Manipulation , Politics , Revenge , Bisexual , Survival , War , Animals , Cosmic Horror , Magic , Rural , Environmental , Amnesia , Cult , Gore , Body Horror , LGBTQ+ Themes , Fugitive , Chimera , Heterosexual , Religion , Love Triangle , Torture , Anthropomorphism , School , Boys' Love , Aviation

Majo no Takkyuubin

Also known as Kiki's Delivery Service.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Slice of Life

Kiki is an enterprising young girl who must follow tradition to become a full-fledged witch. Venturing out with only her chatty black cat, Jiji, Kiki flies off for the adventure of a lifetime. Landing in a far-off city, she sets up a high-flying delivery service and begins a wonderful experience of independence and responsibility as she finds her place in the world.



Tags: Coming of Age , Witch , Female Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Magic , Work , Primarily Female Cast , Urban , Primarily Adult Cast , Aviation , Travel , Drawing , Motorcycles

Zero no Tsukaima

Also known as The Familiar of Zero.

Studio: J.C. Staff
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Ecchi , Fantasy , Romance

Louise is a magician at the Tristein Academy, dubbed with the nickname "Zero Louise" due to her inability to effectively use her magic properly, resulting in zero successes. An upcoming test at her academy requires her to summon a familiar, a servant and partner to support her as a magician. Despite desiring a familiar that would be superior to her constantly mocking classmates, Louise ends up summoning Hiraga Saito, your average Japanese boy. Even with Louise and Saito both unwilling to accept each other, they have no choice. Louise cannot attempt another summoning and Saito cannot return to Japan, and so their life together begins. Based on the novel by Noboru Yamaguchi.

Tags: Isekai , Magic , Tsundere , Heterosexual , Swordplay , Male Protagonist , Female Harem , Slapstick , Slavery , School , Female Protagonist , Ojou-sama , Bullying , War , Maids , Dragons , Aviation , Language Barrier , Kuudere , Tanned Skin

Ergo Proxy

Also known as Ergo Proxy.

Studio: Manglobe
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Mystery , Psychological , Sci-Fi

Something is wrong in the perfect domed city of Romdo. Between the sudden rash of murders and a virus affecting all AutoReivs-cyborg companions and workers who assist the people of Romdo - all is not right in their dome home. Detective Re-l Meyer begins to investigate, seeking answers to the weird occurrences that are happening more and more around her. But when she begins to uncover the truth, her world is turned upside down.

First, the strange immigrant Vincent Law goes missing and then a monster appears before her, shaking her to her core. But this monster is something more, something dangerous and sinister. With each question and mystery, she is led back to the creature. But what is it really? What purpose does it serve? A sign of the end or a sign of a new beginning? Whatever it is, it repeatedly brings her back to Vincent and soon, alongside his journey back to another dome world called, Mosk. As they make their way across scarred and deserted Earth, Re-l and Vincent will learn more about the monster and the "awakening"-which could be more of an ending than a beginning.



Note: Episode 1 received an advanced broadcast on channel WOWOW on February 5, 2006. The start date reflects the start of the regular series broadcasting.

Tags: Post-Apocalyptic , Philosophy , Dissociative Identities , Clone , Dystopian , Cyberpunk , Primarily Adult Cast , Robots , Amnesia , Conspiracy , Noir , Artificial Intelligence , Fugitive , Lost Civilization , Memory Manipulation , Female Protagonist , Travel , Male Protagonist , Tragedy , Found Family , Denpa , Kuudere , Anti-Hero , Detective , Revenge , Pandemic , Angels , Heterosexual , Gods , Aviation , Survival , Police , Unrequited Love , Guns , Coming of Age , Meta

IS: Infinite Stratos

Also known as Infinite Stratos.

Studio: 8-bit
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Ecchi , Mecha , Romance , Sci-Fi

Japan engineered an armed powered exoskeleton "Infinite Stratos" (IS) and it became the mainstream of weapons. Since only women can operate IS, women dominate the society over men. Orimura Ichika is a 15 year old boy and accidentally touches an IS placed in the IS pilot training school. He is found to be the only man who can operate IS and forced to enter the training school. Ichika's busy school life surrounded by girls has begun.

Tags: Female Harem , Nudity , Robots , Real Robot , Tsundere , Male Protagonist , Primarily Female Cast , Heterosexual , School Club , Kuudere , Henshin , Aviation , Artificial Intelligence , Crossdressing , CGI

DRIFTERS

Also known as DRIFTERS.

Studio: Hoods Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

The story centers around Shimazu Toyohisa, the real-life samurai who fought in the pivotal Battle of Sekigahara. In his dying moments, Shimazu is transported to a world of magic with other famous warriors throughout history. These warriors are forced to fight each other in an endless battle.



Tags: Isekai , Historical , War , Male Protagonist , Samurai , Gore , Swordplay , Anachronism , Seinen , Anti-Hero , Primarily Adult Cast , Primarily Male Cast , Elf , Language Barrier , Guns , Magic , Archery , Aviation , CGI , Dragons

Tenkuu no Shiro Laputa

Also known as Castle in the Sky.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy , Sci-Fi

This high-flying adventure begins when Pazu, an engineer's apprentice, finds a young girl, Sheeta, floating down from the sky wearing a glowing pendant. Together they discover both are searching for a legendary floating castle, Laputa, and vow to unravel the mystery of the luminous crystal around Sheeta's neck. Their quest won't be easy, however. There are greedy air pirates, secret government agents and astounding obstacles to keep them from the truth, and from each other.



Tags: Lost Civilization , Environmental , Steampunk , Pirates , Aviation , Fugitive , Female Protagonist , Military , Travel , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Heterosexual , Robots , Guns , Primarily Male Cast , Trains , Elderly Protagonist

GATE: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri 2

Also known as Gate 2.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

The second season of the Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri anime which will cover the Fire Dragon Arc.

Several months have passed since the infamous Ginza Incident, with tensions between the Empire and JSDF escalating in the vast and mysterious "Special Region" over peace negotiations. The greed and curiosity of the global powers have also begun to grow, as reports about the technological limitations of the magical realm's archaic civilizations come to light.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Youji Itami and his merry band of female admirers struggle to navigate the complex political intrigue that plagues the Empire's court. Despite her best efforts, Princess Piña Co Lada faces difficulties attempting to convince her father that the JSDF has no intention of conquering their kingdom. Pressured from both sides of the Gate, Itami must consider even more drastic measures to fulfill his mission.

Tags: Military , Alternate Universe , Isekai , Politics , War , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Primarily Female Cast , Dragons , Elf , Tanks , Female Harem , Kemonomimi , Villainess , Slavery , Fairy , Aviation , Conspiracy , Kuudere

Kaze Tachinu

Also known as The Wind Rises.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance

Although Jirou Horikoshi's nearsightedness prevents him from ever becoming a pilot, he leaves his hometown to study aeronautical engineering at Tokyo Imperial University for one simple purpose: to design and build planes just like his hero, Italian aircraft pioneer Giovanni Battista Caproni. His arrival in the capital coincides with the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, during which he saves a maid serving the family of a young girl named Naoko Satomi; this disastrous event marks the beginning of over two decades of social unrest and malaise leading up to Japan's eventual surrender in World War II.

Tags: Aviation , Historical , Work , Biographical , Male Protagonist , Tragedy , Time Skip , War , Primarily Adult Cast , Heterosexual , Foreign , Drawing , Natural Disaster , Marriage , Trains

Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä

Also known as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

Studio: Topcraft
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Sci-Fi

A thousand years after a global war, a seaside kingdom known as the Valley Of The Wind remains one of only a few areas still populated. Led by the courageous Princess Nausicaä, the people of the Valley are engaged in a constant struggle with powerful insects called ohmu, who guard a poisonous jungle that is spreading across the Earth. Nausicaä and her brave companions, together with the people of the Valley, strive to restore the bond between humanity and the Earth.



Tags: Environmental , Post-Apocalyptic , Female Protagonist , Philosophy , Lost Civilization , War , Aviation , Military , Eco-Horror , Kaiju , Survival , Primarily Adult Cast , Cosmic Horror , Travel , Anachronism , Guns , Politics , Orphan , Tanks , Cult , Nudity , Elderly Protagonist

Dr. STONE: Ryuusui

Also known as Dr. STONE Special Episode – RYUSUI.

Studio: TMS Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Sci-Fi

A television special that is set after the second season and centers around Ryuusui Nanami.

Tags: Post-Apocalyptic , Educational , Travel , Outdoor , Primarily Teen Cast , Shounen , Male Protagonist , Lost Civilization , Economics , Environmental , Aviation , Surreal Comedy , Ships , Episodic , Cosplay , Astronomy , CGI

Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou

Also known as Demon King Daimao.

Studio: Artland
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Ecchi , Fantasy

After enrolling at the Constant Magic Academy, Akuto Sai discovers he's not just a gifted student with magical powers; he's destined to become the Demon King. And though he's not that crazy about the idea, it drives the girls wild! From the sexy school girls in his class to the skin-obsessed android who's programmed to seduce him, Akuto has no shortage of wacky girl trouble. How much temptation can a demon king take?



Tags: School , Magic , Female Harem , Tsundere , Nudity , Demons , Primarily Female Cast , Male Protagonist , Gods , Kuudere , Philosophy , Swordplay , Aviation

Kino no Tabi: the Beautiful World

Also known as Kino's Journey.

Studio: A.C.G.T.
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Psychological , Slice of Life

Based on a hit light novel series by Keiichi Sigsawa, the philosophical Kino's Journey employs the time-honored motif of the road trip as a vehicle for self-discovery and universal truth. Deeply meditative and cooler than zero, the series follows the existential adventures of the apt marksman Kino along with talking motorcycle Hermes as they travel the world and learn much about themselves in the process. Imaginative, thought-provoking, and sometimes disturbing, Kino's journey is documented in an episodic style with an emphasis on atmosphere rather than action or plot, though still prevalent.

Tags: Philosophy , Episodic , Travel , Female Protagonist , Foreign , Tragedy , Meta , Motorcycles , Achronological Order , Dystopian , Guns , Rural , Steampunk , Agender , Denpa , Snowscape , Seinen , Mopeds , Politics , Cannibalism , Robots , Kuudere , Battle Royale , Aviation , War , Tanks

Koukyoushihen Eureka Seven

Also known as Eureka Seven.

Studio: bones
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Mecha , Romance , Sci-Fi

Renton is a teenager trapped working as a mechanic in a backwater town. He dreams of joining up with a daredevil group of pilots known as Gekkostate and following in his father's heroic footsteps.

When a mysterious beauty named Eureka shows up asking for a tune-up, Renton soon finds himself drawn into a high-flying mecha dogfight that makes him a target of the military. When the dust settles on the spectacular battle, Renton is invited to join Gekkostate, but he soon discovers that even a dream come true has a dark side.



Tags: Environmental , Coming of Age , Heterosexual , Politics , Super Robot , Philosophy , Surfing , Found Family , Tragedy , Real Robot , War , Military , Ensemble Cast , Terrorism , Kuudere , Aviation , Anti-Hero , Female Protagonist , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Aliens , Guns , Bullying , Clone , Ships , Tanned Skin , Unrequited Love , Parenthood , Football , Nudity , Episodic , Suicide

SPY×FAMILY CODE: White

Also known as SPY x FAMILY CODE: White.

Studio: Wit Studio , CloverWorks
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Slice of Life , Supernatural

Survive family vacation, save the world.

He's a spy. She's an assassin. Together, Loid and Yor keep their double lives to themselves while pretending to be the perfect family. However, their adopted daughter Anya, a telepath, knows both of their exciting secrets unbeknownst to them. While under the guise of taking his family on a weekend winter getaway, Loid's attempt to make progress on his current mission Operation Strix proves difficult when Anya mistakenly gets involved and triggers events that threaten world peace!



Tags: Family Life , Urban , Espionage , Military , Snowscape , Assassins , Parody , Foreign , Fake Relationship , War , Found Family , Super Power , Female Protagonist , Shounen , Parenthood , Ensemble Cast , Animals , Guns , Primarily Adult Cast , Heterosexual , Male Protagonist , Aviation , Trains , Orphan , Martial Arts , Cyborg , Tsundere , Kuudere , Yandere , School

Sakasama no Patema

Also known as Patema Inverted.

Studio: Purple Cow Studio Japan , Studio Rikka
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Romance , Sci-Fi

In an underground world where tunnels extend everywhere, even though they live in dark and confined spaces, people wear protective clothes and lead quiet and enjoyable lives. Patema, a princess in her underground village, loves to explore the tunnels. Her favorite place is a "danger zone" that her village prohibits people from entering. Even though she's scolded, Patema's curiosity can't be held back. No one ever explained what the supposed danger was. On her usual trip to the "danger zone," Patema faces unexpected events. When hidden secrets come to light, the story begins to unfold.



Tags: Lost Civilization , Post-Apocalyptic , Dystopian , Heterosexual , Female Protagonist , Male Protagonist , Environmental , Steampunk , Tragedy , Primarily Male Cast , Survival , Aviation , Unrequited Love , School , Guns , Philosophy