Best Sci-Fi Anime of 2005

In the sleepy town of Bellforest, 14-year-old Renton Thurston dreams of escaping his ordinary life to join the mercenary group Gekkostate. Caught between his grandfather's push for him to become a mechanic and the weight of his late father's reputation, Renton finds his only thrill in riding Trapar wave particles—a form of air surfing that fills the local skies. His world changes when a mysterious object crashes through his family's garage: a Light Finding Operation mecha called the Nirvash typeZERO, which can surf the Trapar waves. Its pilot is a young girl named Eureka, a member of Gekkostate, who asks Renton to tune up the machine. Their encounter sparks Renton's journey into the group as he takes off beside Eureka as the Nirvash's co-pilot.

Train Heartnet, a cold-blooded assassin known for his flawless execution of every mission, carries the alias "Black Cat" within the criminal underworld. He works for Chronos, a powerful secret organization. One dark night, this indifferent gunman meets Saya Minatsuki, a mysterious bounty hunter with a bright outlook on life. They form an unusual friendship, and her positive influence prompts Train to reconsider his existence. He decides to leave his role as the Black Cat behind and pursue a new path as an honest bounty hunter. But Chronos—especially Creed Diskenth, Train's possessive subordinate—is unhappy with this change of heart. Creed is determined to use extreme methods to bring back the agent of misfortune. The former assassin, now a stray cat, can only roam so far before the sound of gunfire erupts again.

After the apocalyptic war known as Armageddon, humanity encounters a new threat in vampires. Ongoing conflicts between the two species have divided the world into distinct factions. The vampire race, called Methuselah, aligns with the New Human Empire, while humans—referred to as Terrans by the vampires—form the Vatican Papal State. Additionally, extremist organizations such as the Rosenkreuz Order aim to reignite warfare, even as the factions try to avoid open hostilities. To counter terrorist groups, the Vatican establishes the AX unit. Under the leadership of Cardinal Caterina Sforza, AX agents investigate vampire-related incidents, hoping for eventual peaceful coexistence between Terrans and Methuselah. Among the unit is priest Abel Nightroad—a seemingly absent-minded yet kind-hearted man who becomes a formidable vampire slayer in battle. He is partnered with agent Sister Esther Blanchett, a courageous and gentle young nun burdened by a tragic past. As the pair grow closer, they begin to uncover hints of sinister plots and dark forces operating in secrecy. However, their journey is fraught with misfortune that may compel them to face the painful memories haunting their hearts.

Glide gently into Neo Venezia, a metropolis on the planet Aqua—once known as Mars. By the 24th century, humanity has succeeded in colonizing the once uninhabitable world. Despite its futuristic setting, Neo Venezia is filled with rustic charm; gondolas navigating broad canals and waterways serve as the primary means of transport. The city is a meticulous recreation of Venice on Manhome (the planet formerly called Earth). To ensure both residents and visitors fully experience Neo Venezia's countless attractions, companies have been established to offer guided gondola tours, one of which is the Aria Company. This is where Akari Mizunashi works, a free-spirited teenager from Manhome who is a novice Undine—the title given to tour guides. Follow Akari as she grows close to other Undine, tourists, the locals of Neo Venezia, and the city itself, gaining valuable life lessons along the way, including the wonderful realization that manmade miracles truly exist.

During their final elementary school summer, four friends attempt a courage test at a local graveyard. Haruka Kaminogi tries to rescue Yuu Gotou from his overbearing mother, only to experience a bizarre vision of blue snow and a mysterious silver-haired man. A similar apparition strikes Haruka and her companions at the graveyard just as they flee from what they believe are ghosts. Unaware to the children, these figures are Dragon Soldiers, an elite force from the dimension La'cryma, who have arrived to secure the Dragon Torque, their last hope for survival. Shockingly, both the soldiers and Haruka discover that she is the Torque. As she attempts to escape the soldiers, Haruka finds solace in the silver-haired man, who claims to be an alternate version of Yuu.

Van, a lean and indifferent swordsman, travels with a single goal: to kill the man who murdered his fiancée. His only clue is that the killer possesses a mechanical claw for an arm, leading others to call him The Claw Man. On his journey, Van passes through the town of Evergreen, which is under attack by bandits seeking to loot its treasury. There, he meets Wendy Garret, a shy young girl searching for her kidnapped brother. When the townspeople beg Van to help defend them, he refuses, insisting their troubles are none of his concern, and leaves the city to fend for itself. Shortly after, Van encounters the bandits himself, and they provoke him enough that he takes them on for his own personal reasons. To his surprise, he discovers that the bandits were connected to The Claw Man, and that they kidnapped Wendy's brother for reasons they never revealed. After easily dispatching the bandits, Van continues his search for The Claw Man, begrudgingly accompanied by Wendy. Neither of them realizes, however, that The Claw Man is entangled in something far more horrifying than they could imagine.

Long ago, a race called the Shadow Angels attacked Earth to drain the life force from everyone living there. Through an extraordinary miracle, the Shadow Angels fell into dormancy, allowing humanity to survive for another 12,000 years without fear of them. However, 11 years after a catastrophe known as the Holy Genesis devastated the planet, the Shadow Angels awakened and resumed their assaults. To give humanity a fighting chance, an organization named DEAVA was established, and a robotic weapon called Aquarion was deployed. To unlock Aquarion's full potential, three pilots must unite their hearts, bodies, and souls—a feat only a rare few can achieve. Consequently, the search for so-called 'Element Users' became a priority, in hopes of securing humanity's future. Sousei no Aquarion follows the story of Apollo, a nearly feral young man raised in poverty, believed to be the reincarnation of a legendary hero. After his best friend is taken by the Shadow Angels, Apollo decides to become an Aquarion pilot. Can he turn the tide of the war and free humanity from the Shadow Angels' threat once and for all?

In a future city plagued by disaster and a vast divide between rich and poor, it's impossible to tell who has cybernetic enhancements. This makes life hard for Roy Revant, a renegade bounty hunter and bodyguard-for-hire. When a young girl with incredible strength saves him from a dangerous criminal, Roy realizes help can come from the most unexpected places. Teaming up with a few others, they fight to uncover the truth behind the giant corporations that claim to serve humanity and improve life. Solty, an amnesiac android, has escaped and is being pursued by the RUC Security Bureau. She meets bounty hunter Roy, who takes her in as his daughter after being hired as Miranda's bodyguard.

Sho Fukamachi, an ordinary teenager, stumbled upon an alien object called the Unit, forever altering his existence. The Unit bonded with Sho, transforming him into an immensely powerful life-form known as Guyver. Armed with this extraordinary strength, Sho fights against the enigmatic Chronos organization and its Zoanoids, striving to safeguard his friends and his world. Unbeknownst to Sho, his struggle against Chronos will ultimately unveil the origins of humanity, humanity's fate, and the Creators.

Doraemon (2005) represents the latest anime adaptation of Fujiko Fujio’s manga bearing the same title. Serving as a remake of the 1979 series, this version boasts enhancements in production personnel, voice acting, character design, and audio quality. Doraemon, a feline robot hailing from the 22nd Century, travels to the present to guide Nobita, an inept and clumsy boy, toward a better future. Nobita’s romantic interest is Shizuka Minamoto, while his rivals include Takeshi Goda and Suneo. In each episode, Doraemon provides Nobita with a futuristic gadget to help him resolve the central conflict.

By the year 2048, a combat racing event known as the "Immortal Grand Prix," or IGPX, has captured public excitement, surpassing all previous motor sports in speed and thrill. This phenomenon grew so immense that an entire city was constructed for the racing industry, hosting competitions on a massive track. In the IGPX, two teams each field three IG machines—advanced humanoid mecha piloted by humans—that race at speeds exceeding 400 km/h over a 60 km course, completing three laps while intercepting opponents in a battle for first place. Victory hinges on the finest machine performance, the most skilled pilots, and flawless teamwork.

Often, individuals are most fragile when they are lonely and struggle to connect with those around them. This isolation can feel sharper within a crowd, driving some to seek comfort in bizarre locations where the unknown hides. Ayumu Aizawa, a former urban resident now living in the rural area of Tana, and Kisa Tanigawa, a young girl who finds it difficult to relate to people, are among these individuals. Both share a sense that their lives have veered off course. Zettai Shounen narrates the story of peculiar events impacting two distinct environments, without clarifying their origins or sudden emergence. It is only understood that these occurrences revolve around people harboring conflicting feelings toward themselves and others.

In the year T.C. 4767, humanity has fled Earth four millennia ago, now facing an existential crisis against the hostile alien Gnosis. To combat this danger, Vector engineer Shion Uzuki created KOS-MOS, a highly capable specialized android. However, after their vessel is obliterated by the Gnosis, Shion and her allies are plunged into a chaotic conflict with no discernible allies or enemies.

Tanaka Tetsuro is thrilled to receive a full scholarship to a new high school far from his family. Unbeknownst to him, he is about to become the sole male student in an all-girls school, and a certain girl has been impatiently waiting for his arrival, deeply in love with him. However, his close bond with the lively and charming Asuka lands him in constant trouble with the formidable student council, which is engaged in an open conflict with Asuka and her five companions—a group of super-powered warrior women known as the Koi Koi Seven.

For the 73rd class of cadets at the Defense University on the small planet Kibi, a trial run aboard the fleet's new starship "Amaterasu" serves as a fitting final exercise before graduation. But on their way back home, they receive startling news: the aggressive Kingdom has declared war on Kibi. After their planetary government capitulates without a fight, the cadets decide to wage their own war, using the "Amaterasu." To secure funds, they strike a deal with a galactic news network—and suddenly find themselves the "stars" of their very own "reality show." Unfortunately, this is the kind of reality show where the stakes are lethal.

In the near future, a homeless boy named Hideyoshi lives in New York and survives by hustling other kids at basketball. However, he is drafted into a professional team with a singular, ambitious goal. Once upon a time, humans ruled basketball, but now physically superior alien players have taken over, leaving almost no human competitors. Hideyoshi's team—the first all-human squad to enter the Space League—aims to change this and bring the championship back to Earth.

Aoba, a girl passionate about building robot models, resided with her grandmother until the grandmother's death. Soon after, she is abducted and taken to a hidden base, where she encounters a massive robot. These piloted machines battle the Ancient-Jinki within the Grand Savanna, yet the actual purpose of these conflicts remains concealed. Aoba dedicates herself to training at the base, aspiring to pilot a robot and uncover those secrets.

Cluster Edge Academy is no ordinary school—it is the premier institution where the children of the elite train for their future positions in a world where artificial soldiers and religious factions vie for ultimate dominance. This might explain why the new transfer student, Agate Fluorite, seems out of place. His exuberant personality stands in stark contrast to the dour, brooding atmosphere of the student body. Yet there is something about Agate that captures attention, even from cynical top students like Beryl Jasper. From the moment he arrives, he finds himself at the heart of a series of enigmas that even he cannot decipher. For Agate is not merely a student—he is part of something so monumental and perilous that the very world which created Cluster Edge may not endure its passing.

In a city where monster attacks are a frequent occurrence, Silk and her two friends try to approach the attacking monster for a closer look. Their ill-chosen viewing spot leads to UFO-man, the city's giant protector, landing on the girls and crushing them to death. Feeling guilty, UFO-man blames their demise on the monster and vows to revive Silk and her friends by sharing his power with them, but with the catch that they must now also serve as the city's protectors.

Trill, a mysterious navi believed to have come from the world of Beyondard, has been found. New beast-type enemies known as the Zoanoroids are after him for his unique power. Netto Hikari and Rockman must defend their new ally as they attempt to uncover Trill's true identity and his link to the two legendary cyber beasts, Grega and Faltzer.

Forced to flee their homeworld Cybertron because of an approaching black hole, Optimus Prime gets ready to guide his Autobot forces to Earth. Right as they are about to depart, Vector Prime appears and warns them about the danger to the entire galaxy if the four Cyber Planet Keys are not collected in time. But Megatron has his own ambitions for the universe. As they start their search, the Autobots journey to new worlds inhabited by various Transformer species, along with the Autobots who govern those planets.

While out at sea with his father in a small vessel, Tsuwabaki Daiya witnessed a black fire erupt from the ocean, releasing a colossal monster that caused his father and crew to vanish into the depths. As Daiya faced imminent death, a giant mechanical dragon intervened and rescued him. Five years later, now a junior high school student, Daiya encounters the creature again, this time meeting its sentient form, Daiku Maryu. The dragon’s head detaches from its body, transforming into the super robot Gaiking. Daiya pilots the machine, defeating the beast and uncovering a conspiracy by an enemy force aiming to conquer the world. To thwart their plans, he travels to another dimension known as Darius.

Centered on the 108th Guard Squad stationed in Aomori, this narrative follows a poorly equipped unit with low military prestige, often regarded as a 'reject camp' for pilots who failed to qualify for the elite Hokkaido-based forces. Despite their perceived weakness, this lack of strength offers little resistance against the encroaching enemy armies that are steadily closing in on the 108th and the rest of the empire. The young pilots of the 108th, who had hoped to return home, are forced unwillingly into a war.

After Gutsy Galaxy Guard defeats the Zonder Empire and the 31 Primevals, a new menace emerges on Earth. GGG—with Guy Shishio and the newly-built GaoFighGar—joins forces with their French counterpart, Chasseur, to fight the evil organization BioNet. Among Chasseur's members is Renais Cardiff Shishioh, a former BioNet cyborg who relentlessly pursues destroying those who stripped away her humanity. However, as GGG and Chasseur battle BioNet, GGG's global bases come under sudden attack, and the recently discovered Q-Parts along with the original Gao Machines are stolen by Mamoru Amami—who has been abducted and cloned by a greater threat called the Eleven Kings of Sol. Forced off Earth by the United Nations, GGG must travel to the far reaches of the galaxy to fight the Eleven Kings of Sol and rescue Mamoru before it is too late.