Top Proxy Battle Anime Recommendations

86: Eighty Six

Also known as 86 EIGHTY-SIX.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Sci-Fi

Called “Juggernaut,” these are the unmanned combat drones developed by the Republic of San Magnolia in answer to the attacks by the autonomous unmanned drones of the neighboring Empire of Giad, the “Legion”. But they’re only unmanned in name. In reality, they are piloted by the Eighty-sixers—those considered to be less than human and treated as mere tools.

Determined to achieve his own mysterious ends, Shin, the captain of Spearhead Squadron, which is comprised of Eighty-sixers, continues to fight a hopeless war on a battlefield where only death awaits him.



Tags: War , Military , Class Struggle , Tragedy , Dystopian , Survival , Politics , Post-Apocalyptic , Female Protagonist , Proxy Battle , Memory Manipulation , Robots , Male Protagonist , Conspiracy , Real Robot , Guns , Primarily Teen Cast , Ghost , Necromancy , Achronological Order , Ensemble Cast , CGI , Artificial Intelligence , Lost Civilization , Kuudere , Travel , Unrequited Love , POV , Nudity , Gore , Seinen

Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei

Also known as The Tatami Galaxy.

Studio: MADHOUSE
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Mystery , Psychological , Romance

When a college dropout stops for a late night bite at a mysterious ramen stand, he crosses paths with a self-proclaimed deity of matrimony. This bizarre meeting sends the young man hurtling through a horrifying flashback to his not-so-glorious college days when the influence of a cruel new friend turned him from a hopeless romantic into a mischievous “black cupid.”



Tags: Coming of Age , Surreal Comedy , College , Time Loop , Philosophy , Primarily Adult Cast , Male Protagonist , Alternate Universe , Episodic , School Club , Time Manipulation , Achronological Order , Cult , Meta , Heterosexual , Satire , Ensemble Cast , Proxy Battle , LGBTQ+ Themes , Cowboys , Mythology , Cycling , Tennis , Gods

Pocket Monsters

Also known as Pokémon.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

A young boy named Satoshi embarks on a journey to become a "Pokémon Master" with his first Pokémon, Pikachu. Joining him on his travels are Takeshi, a girl-obsessed Rock Pokemon Trainer, and Kasumi, a tomboyish Water Pokémon Trainer who may have a crush on him. Satoshi and Co. end up traveling through various regions, including Kanto, the Orange Islands, and Johto, and then enter the Pokémon League competitions there. Along the way, they run into many confrontations with Musashi, Kojirou, and Nyarth, a trio of Pokémon thieves who are apart of an evil organization called "Team Rocket". But everytime Team Rocket try to do their evil deeds, they fail thanks to Satoshi and his Pokémon.



Tags: Travel , Animals , Primarily Child Cast , Kids , Episodic , Male Protagonist , Proxy Battle , Slapstick , Female Protagonist , Rural , Environmental , Urban Fantasy , Tsundere , Super Robot , Dragons , Tanned Skin , Crossdressing , Guns , Slavery , Photography

NieR:Automata Ver1.1a

Also known as NieR:Automata Ver1.1a.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Psychological , Sci-Fi

The distant future, 5012.
The sudden aerial invasion of Earth by ＜Aliens＞ and their creations ＜Machine Lifeforms＞led mankind to the brink of extinction. The surviving number of humans who took refuge on the moon to organize a counterattack using ＜android＞ soldiers to recapture Earth.

However, the war reaches a stalemate as the ＜Machine Lifeforms＞ continue to multiply infinitely. In turn, humanity deploys anew unit of android soldiers as an ultimate weapon: ＜YoRHa＞

Newly dispatched to Earth ＜2B＞ joins＜9S＞, the analyst currently stationed there, where amid their mission, they encounter a myriad of mysterious phenomena...

This is the story of these lifeless ＜androids＞ and their endless fight for the sake of mankind.



Note: Episodes 9, 10, 11, 12 aired back-to-back on July 23, 2023.

Tags: Artificial Intelligence , Robots , Tragedy , Lost Civilization , Post-Apocalyptic , Female Protagonist , Philosophy , Aliens , CGI , Swordplay , Dystopian , War , Real Robot , Memory Manipulation , Heterosexual , Male Protagonist , Amnesia , Body Swapping , Puppetry , Gods , Desert , Virtual World , Proxy Battle

Yu☆Gi☆Oh! Duel Monsters

Also known as Yu-Gi-Oh!.

Studio: Studio Gallop
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters centers around the journey of the spirit of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh who is trying to re-discover who he was many years ago, since he has lost his memories. With the help of a boy, Yugi Mutou, the one who awakened the spirit, and his friends, he battles many villains and adversaries. Many of the villains have been linked to the Nameless Pharaoh's past, due to the Millennium Puzzle he holds and many try to take the puzzle and his power away from him.

The series focuses on the card game aspect of it and the main theme represented throughout the series is friendship.

Tags: Card Battle , Shounen , Historical , Proxy Battle , Urban Fantasy , Reincarnation , Magic , Mythology , Male Protagonist , Dragons , Dissociative Identities , Death Game

PLUTO

Also known as PLUTO.

Studio: Studio M2
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Mecha , Mystery , Psychological , Sci-Fi

A murder occurs in an orderly world where robots are unable to kill humans. The robotic Europol investigator Gesicht takes the case, but the mystery deepens when he finds no trace of a human at the scene of the crime. As he pursues the truth, Gesicht uncovers the most evil manifestation of hate that history has ever seen, one that is bent on bringing destruction to the world ...



Tags: Robots , Artificial Intelligence , Revenge , Detective , Seinen , Police , Ensemble Cast , Crime , Conspiracy , Tragedy , Memory Manipulation , Politics , War , Philosophy , Urban , Foreign , Male Protagonist , Amnesia , Dystopian , Terrorism , Noir , Travel , Guns , Primarily Adult Cast , Primarily Male Cast , Adoption , Cyberpunk , Anachronism , Cult , Proxy Battle , Nudity

Pocket Monsters: THE ORIGIN

Also known as Pokémon Origins.

Studio: Production I.G , Xebec , OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

One day, Red, a boy filled with dreams of going on a Pokémon journey, is called to Professor Okido's lab. There, he and his rival Green are given a Pokédex in order to collect data on all of the Pokémon in the region. As Red works his way to become champion with his Charmander, he meets many people on his journey, including Old Man Fuji, a man who runs the home for abandoned Pokémon, and Reina, a girl who works there. As danger in Red's journey begins to peak, he and his partner Pokémon experience a transformation like never before...



Tags: Kids , Animals , Travel , Proxy Battle , Male Protagonist , Primarily Male Cast , Henshin , Dragons , Tokusatsu , Surfing , Fishing

Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation

Also known as Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

After participating in the Johto League, Ash decides to begin anew in yet another journey; this time by himself and Pikachu, in the land of Hoenn. Though he isn't alone for long, as 10-year-old May (whom dislikes Pokemon, but just wants to come along to see the world) travels with him after Pikachu destroys her bicycle. Ash also meets up with his old companion, Brock, and May's younger brother, Max. Together, they travel along in Hoenn, battling Gym Leaders, entering Contests, and other events on the way to the Hoenn League.



Tags: Primarily Child Cast , Animals , Kids , Outdoor , Episodic , Rural , Urban Fantasy , Environmental , Male Protagonist , Slapstick , Female Protagonist , Proxy Battle , Dragons , CGI , Super Robot

Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl

Also known as Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy

After defeating Brandon and declining the offer to be a Frontier Brain, Ash sets off to travel through the far away land of Sinnoh. Once he gets there, he meets up with Hikari, a local trainer from the region, and they decide to travel together.

Tags: Primarily Child Cast , Kids , Male Protagonist , Environmental , Animals , Slapstick , Episodic , Rural , Outdoor , Female Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Dragons , Super Robot , Proxy Battle

Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation: Rekkuu no Houmonsha Deoxys

Also known as Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy , Sci-Fi , Supernatural

Satoshi and his friends travel to LaRousse, where they meet a boy named Tooi who is afraid of Pokemon due to an incident that happened four years earlier. Meanwhile, Deoxys, a Pokemon from space, has reappeared, putting a barrier around the city and kidnapping people. Rayquaza, a Pokemon that lives in the atmosphere, comes to fight it.



Tags: Aliens , Dragons , Animals , Ensemble Cast , Kids , CGI , Primarily Child Cast , Proxy Battle

NieR:Automata Ver1.1a 2nd Season

Also known as NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Cour 2.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Psychological , Sci-Fi

The second season of NieR:Automata Ver1.1a.

The year 11954. YoRHa Soldiers 2B and 9S are newly dispatched to Earth to carry out and support the 243rd Descent Operation. There, they succeed in destroying the machine lifeform core units, Adam and Eve. With the annihilation of these enemies, the Army of Humanity takes this chance to end this long-lasting war and decides on an all-out attack against the machine lifeforms. This is a record of the battles and hopes of Androids and the fate which dictates them all…

As war rages on, Unit 2B and others like her question their role. Reclaiming the planet will take sacrifice, but how much more can they give and is humanity worth the cost?



Tags: Post-Apocalyptic , Philosophy , Lost Civilization , Revenge , Robots , Artificial Intelligence , Tragedy , War , Female Protagonist , Guns , Real Robot , Swordplay , Heterosexual , Puppetry , Aliens , Suicide , Male Protagonist , Space , Dystopian , Proxy Battle , Desert , Twins , CGI , Gods

Bakugan Battle Brawlers

Studio: TMS Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Fantasy

The Bakugan battle brawlers began when two young boys by the name of Dan and Shun made the rules to a mysterious game played with bakupearls, gate cards and ability cards. No one would ever have guessed what was going to happen next as Dan and his new internet friends battle their way to the bitter end.

Tags: Card Battle , Kids , Kaiju , Proxy Battle , Primarily Child Cast , Dragons , Dissociative Identities , Isekai , CGI

Pocket Monsters (2023)

Also known as Pokémon Horizons: The Series.

Studio: OLM
Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

A new dream and adventure set throughout the entire Pokémon world unfolds in a brand new Pokémon-series following a girl named Liko and a boy named Roy.

Tags: Animals , Travel , Proxy Battle , Female Protagonist , Found Family , Kids , Ensemble Cast , Male Protagonist , Aviation , VTuber , Adoption , Idol , Meta , School , Fishing , Musical Theater , Henshin

Bakugan Battle Brawlers: New Vestroia

Also known as Bakugan: New Vestroia.

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

The story follow Dan, Marucho and Drago as they join forces with the Bakugan Resistance in order to restore peace and freedom to their enslaved planet. The newly formed group of friends must battle the evil Vestal to free the captured Bakugan and destroy the Vestal’s plans for domination.



Tags: Card Battle , Kids , Isekai , Kaiju , Dragons , Proxy Battle , CGI

Bakuten Shoot Beyblade 2002

Also known as Beyblade V-Force.

Studio: Nippon Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Sci-Fi , Sports

The Bladebreakers have to join forces once again because a mysterious group under the lead of Oozuma has defeated them, but the real enemy is not Oozuma. The real threath is formed by a group of people who use cyber-BitBeasts to capture the original ones from the Bladebreakers.



Tags: Primarily Male Cast , CGI , Proxy Battle , Primarily Child Cast , Advertisement , Kids , Software Development , Cheerleading , Robots , School

Medarot

Also known as Medabots.

Studio: Bee Train
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Sci-Fi

In the near future, humans and robots coexist. “Robattles,” a competition in which Medarot are pitted against each other, is popular among kids. A Medarot’s consciousness, effectively its brains, is located in a Medal that can be inserted into and ejected from the robot body. By chance, nine-year-old Ikki finds a Rare Medal, and soon after has his own Medarot named Metabee. This is the story of their friendship and growth as they use wisdom and courage to fight countless opponents in robot battles.

Tags: Robots , Kids , Primarily Child Cast , Lost Civilization , Episodic , Urban , Aliens , Memory Manipulation , Conspiracy , Delinquents , Shapeshifting , Super Power , Photography , School , Male Protagonist , Cosplay , Super Robot , Proxy Battle , Advertisement

GOTCHA!

Studio: bones
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure

A Special Music Video in tribute to the Pokémon Series of Games, set to the song Acacia by Bump of Chicken.

Tags: Ensemble Cast , Animals , No Dialogue , Primarily Teen Cast , Coming of Age , Proxy Battle , Slapstick

Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Gundalian Invaders

Also known as Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders.

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

Dan, Marucho, and Shun get caught up in a war between two different alien factions in another universe, and teaming up with three new brawlers: the Neathian, Fabia, the new human, Jake, and the Gundalian, Ren, in order to stop the evil Gundalian Protectors, the Twelve Orders from destroying Neathia, and possibly, Earth. They meet these people by them entering through the virtual reality Bakugan Interspace. The stakes are high! Will the Battle Brawlers triumph, saving the Bakugan once more?



Tags: Card Battle , Kids , Dragons , Male Protagonist , War , Software Development , Aliens , Proxy Battle , CGI , Tanned Skin

Kidou Tenshi Angelic Layer

Also known as Angelic Layer.

Studio: bones
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Sci-Fi , Sports

From the moment twelve-year-old Misaki Suzuhara first arrives in Tokyo to live with her aunt, she finds herself swept away by the amazing world of Angelic Layer – a fast-paced high-tech game where dolls called “Angels” are controlled by the thoughts of their operator, or “Deus”. Discovering that her new friends are as interested in Angelic Layer as she is, Misaki builds her own Angel, Hikaru, and begins competing in battles where will and determination count far more than size and strength. The competitions are going to be fierce and, with the national championships looming on the horizon, you can bet that not everyone Misaki meets will be on her side. Can Misaki handle the pressure of non-stop competition while struggling to adapt to life in an unfamiliar city?



Tags: Robots , Female Protagonist , Real Robot , Shounen , Primarily Female Cast , Proxy Battle , Disability , Primarily Child Cast

Koutetsu Tenshi Kurumi

Also known as Steel Angel Kurumi.

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

During Japan's Taisho Era (1912-1926), a scientist named Ayanokoji developed the Steel Angel - an artificial humanoid with superhuman physical abilities. While the Imperial Army wanted to use the Steel Angel as a new means of modern warfare, Ayanokoji wanted his creation to be a new step in the future of mankind. Thus, he defied orders from the Army and secretly made the Steel Angel codenamed "Kurumi". Then one day, a young boy named Nakahito Kagura snuck into Ayanokoji's house as a dare by his friends and stumbled upon Kurumi's lifeless body. A sudden attack by the Imperial Army shook the house, causing Kurumi to fall on Nakahito. At that moment, their lips met, and Kurumi woke up from "the kiss that started a miracle".



Tags: Maids , Robots , Military , Female Harem , Heterosexual , Male Protagonist , Primarily Female Cast , Time Manipulation , Crossdressing , Historical , Nudity , Rural , Urban , Surreal Comedy , Trains , LGBTQ+ Themes , Guns , Shounen , Proxy Battle , Love Triangle , Demons