Top Space Opera Anime Recommendations

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Also known as Gurren Lagann.

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

In a far away future, mankind lives underground in huge caves, unknowing of a world above with a sky and stars.

In the small village of Jiha, Simon, a shy boy who works as a digger discovers a strange glowing object during excavation. The enterprising Kamina, a young man with a pair of rakish sunglasses and the passion of a firey sun, befriends Simon and forms a small band of brothers, the Gurren Brigade, to escape the village and break through the ceiling of the cave to reach the surface, which few believe exist.

The village elder won't hear of such foolishness and punishes the Brigade. However, when disaster strikes from the world above and the entire village is in jeopardy, it's up to Simon, Kamina, a girl with a big gun named Yoko, and the small yet sturdy robot, Lagann, to save the day.

The new friends journey to the world above and find that the surface is a harsh battlefield, and it's up to them to fight back against the rampaging Beastmen to turn the tide in the humans' favor! Pierce the heavens, Gurren Lagann!

Tags: Super Robot , Coming of Age , Found Family , Dystopian , Male Protagonist , Post-Apocalyptic , Primarily Adult Cast , Space Opera , Tragedy , Travel , Space , Class Struggle , War , Time Skip , Aliens , Politics , Desert , Anthropomorphism , Heterosexual , Outdoor , Henshin , Military , Animals , Alternate Universe , Guns , Cosmic Horror , Shounen , Urban , Nudity , CGI , Love Triangle , Suicide , Swordplay , Boys' Love

Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld Part 2

Also known as Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld Part 2.

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

The final load test... The war between the Human Empire and the Dark Territory has engulfed Underworld entirely. The battle has shifted course with the Dark Territory army led by Gabriel, who seeks to capture Alice, the Priestess of Light, against Asuna and the Human Empire forces fighting to save Underworld.

As Kirito's consciousness remains buried in a deep sleep, Gabriel, standing in as the Dark God Vecta, has recruited thousands of American players to log in to Underworld to annihilate the Human Empire forces. Meanwhile, Asuna, Sinon, and Leafa have joined the battle utilizing three super-accounts of the deities of the Underworld. As the Goddess of Creation Stacia Asuna fights alongside the Human Empire forces to take on the American players in a vicious combat. Sinon, who has gained the super-account for the Sun Goddess Solus, is in pursuit of Gabriel, who has abducted Alice, while Leafa arrives to Underworld with the super-account Earth Goddess Terraria.

But that is not all...

The impassioned speech by Lisbeth has convinced many ALO players to join the fight with the Human Empire despite the risks. With this great war, not only Underworld's continued existence, but the bottom-up artificial intelligence, the ultimate AI, and even the future of mankind is at stake.

Though he has yet to awaken, only one man holds the fate of this world: the Black Swordsman.



Tags: Virtual World , Female Protagonist , War , Artificial Intelligence , Video Games , Swordplay , Heterosexual , Primarily Female Cast , Isekai , Primarily Teen Cast , Military , Conspiracy , Female Harem , Male Protagonist , Time Skip , Amnesia , Memory Manipulation , Gore , Reincarnation , Gods , Cult , Space Opera , Space

Shin Evangelion Movie:||

Also known as Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time.

Studio: Studio Khara
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Psychological , Sci-Fi

In the aftermath of the Fourth Impact, stranded without their Evangelions, Shinji, Asuka, and Rei find refuge in one of the rare pockets of humanity that still exist on the ruined planet Earth. There, each of them live a life far different from their days as an Evangelion pilot. However, the danger to the world is far from over. A new impact is looming on the horizon—one that will prove to be the true end of Evangelion. Finally, the Human Instrumentality Project is set in motion, and WILLE makes one last grueling stand to prevent the Final Impact.

Note: Exists in multiple versions, as denoted by the version number:

- 3.0+1.0: March 8, 2021 - Original theatrical release
- 3.0+1.01: June 12, 2021 - A second theatrical release which features updated cuts of various scenes while not changing the overall story of the film.
- 3.0+1.11: March 8, 2023 - A home media release scheduled for the film's two-year anniversary.

Tags: Coming of Age , Rehabilitation , Post-Apocalyptic , Alternate Universe , Meta , Gods , Robots , Time Skip , Philosophy , Survival , Guns , Super Robot , Denpa , Cosmic Horror , Time Manipulation , Space , Tomboy , Male Protagonist , Kaiju , Spearplay , Agriculture , CGI , Tsundere , Kuudere , Ships , Gore , Primarily Teen Cast , Space Opera , Clone , Nudity , Video Games , Body Horror

Aldnoah.Zero

Also known as ALDNOAH.ZERO.

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

In 1972, the Apollo 17 mission found a hypergate to Mars on the surface of the moon. Upon landing, astronauts discovered a enchanted utility later referred to as 'Aldnoah', giving the astronauts a status of superiority. Soon, many humans have relocated to Mars, and have adapted to the name 'Martians'. After Princess Asseylum, a royal Martian princess, descends onto Earth in an attempt to create a treaty between both planets, a war breaks out between Earth and Mars, and Martian soldiers begin to descend from the sky, riding steel giants, intent on exterminating humanity.



Tags: Military , War , Conspiracy , Space Opera , Male Protagonist , Post-Apocalyptic , Real Robot , Guns , Lost Civilization , Politics , CGI , Revenge , Torture

Kami no Tou: Tower of God 2nd Season

Also known as Tower of God Season 2.

Studio: The Answer Studio
Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Mystery

The second season of Kami no Tou: Tower of God.

Ja Wangnan can’t seem to pass the 20th Floor. Even after failing time and time again, he refuses to give up. On his journey, he meets a mysterious and powerful character named Viole. Wangnan invites Viole to join his team of Regulars. Their journey continues with new challenges at every turn.



Tags: Male Protagonist , Time Skip , Ensemble Cast , Conspiracy , Anti-Hero , Criminal Organization , Battle Royale , Gangs , Super Power , Space Opera , Politics , Philosophy , Magic , Artificial Intelligence , Terrorism , Gods , Cultivation , Primarily Adult Cast

Space☆Dandy

Also known as Space Dandy.

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

The story of the anime revolves around Dandy, an alien-hunter. His job is to seek out new aliens never seen before, and receives a reward whenever he finds a new species. His mission is to find those new species faster than anyone else as he travels the galaxy. Together with the bucket-of-bolts robot QT and the dimwit alien Meow he picked up along the way, he comes into contact with new planets and their inhabitants..



Tags: Space , Surreal Comedy , Episodic , Aliens , Parody , Philosophy , Space Opera , Robots , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Meta , Achronological Order , Primarily Male Cast , Zombie , Surfing , Mixed Gender Harem , Kaiju , Yuri

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu

Also known as Legend of the Galactic Heroes.

Studio: Kitty Film , T.P.O , K-Factory
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Sci-Fi

For decades, the Galactic Empire has been locked in an interstellar war with the Free Planets Alliance, a conflict that involves thousands of spaceships and millions of soldiers on both sides. Two new commanders enter the conflict with great hopes: Imperial Admiral Reinhard von Lohengramm and the FPA's Yang Wen-Li. As they deal with superiors and subordinates, maneuver through complicated political arrangements, plot strategies, and win battles, each will be tested, and ultimately, changed, by the reality of war.



Tags: Space Opera , Politics , War , Military , Space , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Adult Cast , Tragedy , Philosophy , Economics , Terrorism , Primarily Male Cast , Male Protagonist , Cult , Gore , Revenge , Royal Affairs , Femboy , LGBTQ+ Themes , Coming of Age , Foreign , Tomboy , Post-Apocalyptic , Heterosexual

Aldnoah.Zero 2

Also known as ALDNOAH.ZERO Season 2.

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

Seeking for revenge, Count Saazbaum, a Martian, attacked the Earth. Later on, the war between the Terrans and Martians ended with Earth's Terrans gaining the victory. However, nineteen months later, the battle between them continues. Martians still continues to invade the Earth and the Terrans to protect it.



Tags: Military , Real Robot , Guns , Conspiracy , Space , War , Politics , Space Opera , Amnesia , CGI

Kidou Senshi Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphans

Also known as Mobile Suit GUNDAM Iron Blooded Orphans.

Studio: Sunrise
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Sci-Fi

300 years after a great conflict between Earth and Mars known as the "Calamity War," a woman named Kudelia sets out on a journey to Earth to speak for the independence of the Martian city of Chryse, which is under the control of the Earth government. Escorting her is the private security company CGS members Mikazuki Augus and Orga Itsuka. When a group named Gjallarhorn attacks CGS and Kudelia, Orga sees this as a chance to rebel against CGS and launch a coup. Mikazuki and Orga are thrust into a new conflict. To fend off Gjallarhorn, Mikazuki rides an old mobile suit from the Calamity War, powered by a nuclear reactor, the Gundam Barbatos.



Tags: Orphan , Military , Real Robot , Tragedy , War , Dystopian , Politics , Anti-Hero , Found Family , Space , Ensemble Cast , Kuudere , Coming of Age , Super Robot , Polyamorous , Yakuza , Space Opera , Conspiracy , Gangs , Fugitive , Tanned Skin , Revenge , Survival , Boys' Love , Travel , Love Triangle , Trains , Agriculture , Female Harem

Gankutsuou

Also known as Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo.

Studio: GONZO
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Sci-Fi , Supernatural , Thriller

Gankutsuou is an anime loosely based on the novel The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. It tells the story of Albert Morcerf, a young aristocrat who happens to befriend a wealthy nobleman, The Count of Monte Cristo, through a series of bizarre events. Fascinated by the Count's charm, Albert invites him to meet his friends and family, all of whom happen to be part of the upper class society of Paris, France. Unfortunately, little does Albert realize that the Count has ulterior motives in mind.



Tags: Revenge , Classic Literature , Urban , Urban Fantasy , Tragedy , Heterosexual , Male Protagonist , Anti-Hero , Foreign , Love Triangle , Space , Anachronism , Transgender , Space Opera , LGBTQ+ Themes , CGI , Military , Vampire , Boys' Love , Bisexual , Aliens , Tanned Skin , Dissociative Identities , Incest , Crossdressing

Top wo Nerae! GunBuster

Also known as Gunbuster.

Studio: Gainax
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Sci-Fi

In the very near future, a race of huge, insect like aliens is discovered traveling the galaxy. These aliens seem dedicated to the eradication of the human species as it takes its first steps away from the solar system, and they are getting closer and closer to Earth. Humanity has responded by developing spacegoing battleships and giant fighting robots. These robots are piloted by the best and brightest of Earth's youth, picked from training schools around the world.

The story begins in the year 2023, not long after the first battles with the aliens, and centers on young Noriko Takaya. Although Noriko's father was a famous Captain in the space fleet who was killed during one of the first battles of the war, her own talents as a pilot are questionable. Nonetheless, she has entered a training school. Through the series Noriko, joined by the beautiful and talented Kazumi Amano, will fight to overcome the trauma of war, the doubts of her peers, and her own lack of confidence.



Tags: Space , Female Protagonist , Coming of Age , Military , Space Opera , War , Super Robot , Time Manipulation , Primarily Female Cast , Aliens , Time Skip , Cosmic Horror , Tragedy , Kaiju , Tomboy , Travel , Nudity , Bullying , Philosophy , Heterosexual , Astronomy , Achromatic , School , Parody , Henshin , Love Triangle

Kidou Senshi Gundam

Also known as Mobile Suit Gundam.

Studio: Sunrise
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mecha , Sci-Fi

What would you do if you suddenly found yourself in the middle of a war? Teenager Amuro Ray sees his life shattered when war comes to his home. During the chaos, Amuro finds himself inside the mobile suit Gundam, the Earth Federation's new secret weapon, and he somehow gets it to work. Amuro and the other refugees flee their homeland on the warship White Base. This group of children and inexperienced soldiers will change the outcome of the war.



Tags: War , Military , Real Robot , Space , Space Opera , Politics , Conspiracy , Primarily Teen Cast , Travel , Tragedy , Coming of Age , Male Protagonist , Ensemble Cast , Revenge , Super Power , Guns , Anti-Hero , Love Triangle , Environmental , Desert , Time Manipulation

Star Wars: Visions

Also known as Star Wars: Visions.

Studio: Kinema Citrus , Trigger , Kamikaze Douga , Geno Studio , Studio Colorido , Production I.G , Science SARU
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Sci-Fi

An anthology of animated shorts celebrating Star Wars through the lens of the world's best anime creators and storytellers.

1) The Duel (Mizuno Takanobu, Kamikaze Douga)
2) Tatooine Rhapsody (Taku Kimura, Studio Colorido)
3) The Twins (Hiroyuki Imaishi, Trigger)
4) The Village Bride (Hitoshi Haga, Kinema Citrus)
5) The Ninth Jedi (Kenji Kamiyama, Production I.G.)
6) T0-B1 (Abel Gongora, Science SARU)
7) The Elder (Masahiko Ootsuka, Trigger)
8) Lop and Ochou (Yuuki Igarashi, Geno Studio)
9) Akakiri (Eun-Yeong Choi, Science SARU)

Note: A further batch of 9 episodes released on May 4, 2023 as Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 does not meet our eligibility requirements as only a single episode was animated by a studio meeting our Country of Origin criteria.

Tags: Space , Anthology , Swordplay , Space Opera , Aliens , Episodic , Artificial Intelligence , Robots , Tragedy , Fugitive , Cultivation , Military , Anti-Hero , Samurai , Archery , Ensemble Cast , Terrorism , Twins , Anthropomorphism , CGI , Adoption , Band , Parenthood , Marriage , Achromatic , Musical Theater

Kidou Senshi Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphans 2

Also known as Mobile Suit GUNDAM Iron Blooded Orphans 2.

Studio: Sunrise
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Sci-Fi

Second season of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans.

Learning about the world from her journey to Earth, Kudelia founded Admoss Company to strive for the financial independence of Mars. While inspecting a mining site of halfmetal, Orga Itsuka, leader of Tekkadan hired by Admoss as guards, senses an attack from a new enemy and heads out to confront them, along with Mikazuki in the mobile suit Gundam Barbatos Lupus.



Tags: Military , War , Tragedy , Real Robot , Anti-Hero , Orphan , Politics , Found Family , Ensemble Cast , Kuudere , Space , Dystopian , Crime , Disability , Yakuza , Space Opera , Desert , Bisexual , Agriculture , Tanned Skin , LGBTQ+ Themes , Boys' Love

Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Crystal

Also known as Sailor Moon Crystal.

Studio: Toei Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Fantasy , Mahou Shoujo , Romance

Tsukino Usagi is a clumsy crybaby, but otherwise very cheerful 8th grade student. One day she meets a cat named Luna with a crescent moon on her head, and is transformed into the sailor-suited guardian of love and justice, Sailor Moon! As a chosen guardian of justice, Usagi has a mission … to find her comrades; to find the Phantom Silver Crystal; and protect the Princess. However, Queen Beryl of the Dark Kingdom also seeks the terrible power of the Silver Crystal, and sends her agents into the city where Usagi lives; triggering the start of a fierce battle.

Will Sailor Moon be able to find the other Sailor Guardians, and if she does, together can they find the Phantom Silver Crystal and protect the Princess?!

Tags: Coming of Age , Magic , Female Protagonist , Henshin , Found Family , Shoujo , Urban Fantasy , Space , Lost Civilization , War , Mythology , Parenthood , Primarily Female Cast , Bullying , Aliens , Tragedy , Space Opera , Super Power , Fairy Tale , Demons , Time Manipulation , Superhero , Primarily Teen Cast , Suicide , Body Horror , Memory Manipulation , Reincarnation , CGI , Revenge , Tokusatsu , School , Rehabilitation , Shrine Maiden , Bisexual

Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star

Also known as Outlaw Star.

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

Gene Starwind is a jack-of-all-trades responsible for odd jobs and bounty hunting with his partner, Jim Hawking. Stuck on a rundown planet, he’s going nowhere fast. But when a bodyguard job goes sideways, he finds himself the proud owner of the Outlaw Star and on an adventure to find the mysterious Galactic Leyline. Facing pirates and dangers galore, can he survive the journey through space?



Tags: Space , Artificial Intelligence , Assassins , Male Protagonist , Aliens , Primarily Adult Cast , Pirates , Seinen , Guns , Lost Civilization , Nekomimi , Space Opera , Tomboy , Magic

Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199

Also known as Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199.

Studio: Xebec , AIC
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Sci-Fi

The year is 2199. The human race has been crushed in their war with the Gamilos, driven into underground cities by the invader's assault. Scientists estimate they have only a year left. The young officers Susumu Kodai and Daisuke Shima receive a mysterious capsule from a ship that made an emergency landing on Mars and return with it to Earth. It contains humanity's last hope: the planet Iscandar on the other side of the Magellan Galaxy has the technology to defeat the Gamilos and restore the planet. The space battleship Yamato is entrusted with this task, but they have only one year before humanity ends.



Tags: Space , Space Opera , Aliens , Military , Primarily Adult Cast , Ensemble Cast , Male Protagonist , Survival , Travel , War , Heterosexual , Aviation , Conspiracy , Amnesia , CGI , Post-Apocalyptic , Real Robot , Robots , Language Barrier , Love Triangle , Artificial Intelligence , Female Protagonist , Lost Civilization , Tomboy , Nudity

Kidou Senshi Gundam SEED

Also known as Mobile Suit Gundam Seed.

Studio: Sunrise
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Sci-Fi

C.E. 71: In the midst of war between the Naturals (OMNI) and Coordinators (ZAFT), a unit from ZAFT is dispatched to hijack the Earth Alliance's newly developed mobile suits on the neutral colony of Heliopolis. Orb Civilian Coordinator Kira Yamato attends the technical college on Heliopolis. After ZAFT hijacks 4 of the 5 mobile suits, Kira stumbles upon the last one, Strike, forced to pilot it to save his and his friend's lives. During this confusion, Kira also reunites with his childhood Coordinator friend, Athrun Zala, who ironically turns out to be a ZAFT soldier and one of the hijackers at Heliopolis. Having control of Strike, Kira joins the Earth Alliance boarding the ship known as Archangel, to protect his friends while despairing over becoming the enemy of his childhood friend and people.

Note: An HD remaster was broadcasting starting on December 23, 2011 with two recap episodes cut, including new and updated animation, conversion to 16:9, and updated music.

Tags: Military , War , Tragedy , Real Robot , Space , Love Triangle , Male Protagonist , Space Opera , Netorare , Primarily Teen Cast , Politics , CGI , Clone , Twins

Choujikuu Yousai Macross

Also known as Macross.

Studio: Tatsunoko Production , Studio Nue
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Music , Romance , Sci-Fi

In 1999, a giant alien spacecraft crash lands on South Ataria island. Humanity proceeds to attempt to rebuild this marvel, but political conflicts centered around the Macross result in a global war. After 10 years, the Unification Wars are finally over, the new Earth United Nations Government is in power, and work on the Macross is complete.

On the day of the launching ceremony, its main cannon fires on its own, destroying an alien spacecraft. This fateful day marks the beginning of the war between the humans on the Macross and the Zentradi, a race of humanoid aliens of giant proportions.



Tags: Space Opera , Space , Military , War , Aliens , Love Triangle , Heterosexual , Idol , Urban , Tragedy , Philosophy , Real Robot , Aviation , Lost Civilization , Male Protagonist , Musical Theater , Ensemble Cast , Female Protagonist , Age Gap , Politics , Primarily Adult Cast , Incest , Martial Arts , Marriage , Language Barrier , Time Skip , Crossdressing , Nudity , Achromatic

Macross Frontier

Studio: Satelight
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Mecha , Music , Romance , Sci-Fi

After being threatened by extinction at the hands of alien invaders called the Zentradi, humanity undertook the task of guaranteeing itself a future by launching fleets of colony ships into space. On Macross Frontier, one such fleet, high school student Saotome Alto's life is changed forever: the fleet is suddenly attacked by unidentified creatures while he is performing aerial stunts for a concert by the wildly popular idol Sheryl.

Alto quickly finds himself in the cockpit of a new-model fighter struggling to protect Ranka Lee, a young girl he met only hours earlier, from the invaders' swath of destruction. Noting his performance during this incident, the S.M.S. Skull Squadron private military company invites Alto to join their organization, where he continues protecting his friends and Macross Frontier.



Tags: Space Opera , Love Triangle , Idol , Military , Real Robot , Space , Aliens , Anti-Hero , Amnesia , Estranged Family , Heterosexual , Cosmic Horror , Male Protagonist , War , CGI , Cyborg , Body Horror , Female Protagonist