Best Sci-Fi Anime of 2009

Academy City, a metropolis teeming with students, stands at the cutting edge of scientific progress and houses the esper development program. The seven "Level 5" espers reign as the most formidable individuals within the city, with middle schooler Mikoto Misaka, an electricity manipulator known as "The Railgun," holding the third position. As strange incidents start cropping up across the city, she discovers each crime is linked to the mysterious "Level Upper," a legendary device said to boost an esper's level. As the situation intensifies, it becomes clear that the Level Upper hides more than meets the eye, and that Academy City may be a far more twisted place than the glamorous utopia it appears to be. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun centers on Mikoto and her friends—and the perilous situations they stumble into—as they become entangled in the Level Upper affair. As Mikoto puts it, "There's never a dull moment in this city."

On November 22, 2010, Japan endured missile strikes in an incident labeled "Careless Monday," which fortunately caused no casualties. Society soon returned to its routine, leaving the event largely forgotten. Three months later, during her graduation trip to the United States, cheerful college student Saki Morimi encounters Akira Takizawa, who rescues her from a precarious situation. Takizawa appears eccentric; he is completely naked, suffers from amnesia, and believes he is a terrorist. Furthermore, he carries a peculiar cell phone containing 8.2 billion yen in digital currency. Although his behavior is highly suspicious, Saki forms a bond with the mysterious young man. Unaware of the truth, she is drawn into a thrilling death game centered on money, mobile devices, and the fate of the world. Higashi no Eden follows Saki as she attempts to decipher the secrets behind her rescuer, while Takizawa competes against other contenders equipped with similar phones, recovering memories that hint at his involvement in the earlier missile attacks.

Thanks to the energetic president Haruhi Suzumiya and the SOS Brigade, Kyon has recently found himself dragged into a series of adventures. Though he had long ago rejected the idea of the supernatural, being forced to join the club has introduced him to events that defy logical explanation. These escapades are shared with the timid Mikuru Asahina, the reserved Yuki Nagato, and the perpetually optimistic Itsuki Koizumi. Regardless of the setting, whether it is summer vacation or a school festival, activities organized by the club and Haruhi always take a bizarre turn.

Tomoki Sakurai has been waking up in tears from dreams about an angel ever since he was a child. Worried about him, his childhood friend Sohara Mitsuki gets help from Eishirou Sugata, an eccentric sky enthusiast. Eishirou theorizes that the dreams are connected to the New World, a mysterious floating phenomenon that has scientists baffled. After forming the initial members of the New World Discovery Club, Eishirou organizes a meeting to watch the sky. But Tomoki's peaceful daily life is turned upside down when a strange girl falls from above and calls him her master. Heaven's Lost Property follows the everyday adventures of the New World Discovery Club as they gradually unravel the mysteries behind the Angeloids that have arrived on Earth.

Every five years, the galaxy's most anticipated race, Redline, takes place, and the only rule is that there are no rules. The competition pushes racers to their absolute limits—a sensation that the fearless driver JP knows intimately. After just qualifying for Redline, he is eager to compete against other highly skilled drivers, especially the beautiful rising star and the only other human to qualify, Sonoshee McLaren. However, this year's Redline may be far more perilous than usual, as it has been announced to take place on the planet Roboworld, home to a trigger-happy military and criminals who aim to exploit the race for their own gain. Yet, the potential danger does not deter the racers; instead, it only heightens the excitement. Relying solely on his vehicle's speed, JP prepares for the upcoming event, determined to claim first place in the biggest race of his life.

Oosawa Maria works as a Japanese photographer in Shanghai, China. Alongside her partner Mino, she looks for potential stories worth reporting around the city. When unusual incidents break out at a local festival, Maria and Mino rush to investigate. They quickly find themselves caught in a clash between unknown masked figures and a strange woman with white hair. Just as Maria is about to be hit by the fighting, an old acquaintance named Canaan arrives and helps her get away. However, a hidden conspiracy involving a deadly virus soon unfolds, and Canaan realizes she must face her past if she hopes to stop the culprit and protect her friends.

Seven years have passed since the Spiral King's defeat and the liberation of Earth, granting humanity a life of luxury, peace, and prosperity. Yet this comfortable existence leaves them vulnerable when a new, menacing enemy emerges, spurred by the swelling human population. That threat is the Anti-Spiral—a foe of unimaginable strength. As the Spiral King's dire warning about the ruin of "The Spiral's World" begins to manifest, everything is set. Team Dai-Gurren stands ready. Driven by his late brother's dream of a brighter future for humankind, Simon, together with Nia Teppelin and the rest of the team, resolves to defeat the mighty Anti-Spiral and restore the hope that humanity has lost.

In a world devastated by monstrous creatures known as Limbeekoon or Filth Monsters, humanity survives within enormous mobile cities called Regios, where they wield special weapons named Dite by channeling the energy known as Kei to protect themselves. Layfon Alseif arrives at the Academy City of Zuellni seeking a fresh start and to leave his troubled history behind. But his past draws the interest of Karian Loss, the manipulative Student Council President, and Nina Antalk, a Military Arts student who leads the 17th Military Arts Platoon. Nina quickly recognizes Layfon's skills and tries to recruit him into her group. However, burdened by a secret past that refuses to fade and possessing extraordinary powers beyond the norm, Layfon may not easily accept the role thrust upon him.

At the start of World War III, no one could have foreseen its impact on Japan. Though the war officially ended fifty years earlier in 2150, its conflicts still linger. Across the nation, vast, enigmatic zones called "Blackspots" emerged, littered with the contaminated remains of cities and rural areas. Those trapped inside were quarantined to prevent the spread of contamination, and their abilities began to transform—whether they became shapeshifters, pyromancers, or wielders of gravity itself—they all came to be known as the Needless. Adam Blade is one such Needless, endowed with extraordinary regenerative powers and immense strength. To bring peace to a devastated Japan, he and his allies must unite to fight against a sinister research organization named Simeon.

Natsume Tomoharu is an ordinary high school student, except for one unusual detail: he is constantly accompanied by the ghost of his best friend, Misao. After moving into his brother's former home, Tomoharu expects to carry on with his normal routine. But one day, he is left with a mysterious locked briefcase and no instructions. Initially, he plans to store it away, but soon his house is raided by multiple groups all seeking the briefcase. Still unaware of its purpose, Tomoharu and Misao try to flee with it. From that point on, Tomoharu sets out to uncover the secrets behind the briefcase, its connection to Misao, and why it holds the power to alter the world.

In a world ravaged by constant earthquakes, much of Japan has been reduced to ruin, allowing nature to reclaim the land with dense greenery. Governments globally control emissions, creating a stark divide between the wealthy and the poor. To address this, the Japanese government initiates "Project Atlas," a futuristic utopian city designed to replace Tokyo. However, the city can only accommodate a limited population, forcing many to live as refugees in the surrounding jungles. This flawed plan faces opposition from a diverse group of challengers: Kuniko Houjou, heir to a rebellious town; Mikuni, a mysterious and powerful child hidden in a secret temple; Kunihito Kusanagi, a soldier serving Atlas, the high-tech monopoly; Karin Ishida, a brilliant economist manipulating global markets; and the villainous Ryouko Naruse, who leads Atlas's domination of this future world. Together, these rebels form a movement called "Metal-Age." Can they unite to prove that inclusion and teamwork can triumph over cruel segregation?

After the events of the first season, Tomoharu confronts a difficult choice: failing to forge a contract with an akuma could cost him his beloved friend Takatsuki. Yet, agreeing would jeopardize his very existence, transforming him and his spirit companion Misao into an Asura Cryin', which the school presidents identify as humanity's greatest peril. The decision is further complicated by the fact that Tomoharu and Misao have regained fragments of their past, uncovering memories of a previously unknown world.

After the Ryunka incident, Tokyo falls into a state of social unrest. Worse still, the alien group directly responsible for that catastrophic event has escaped from the Space Federation and gone into hiding on Earth. Still sharing a single body, Space Federation officer Birdy Cephon Altera and high school student Tsutomu Senkawa are ordered to pursue the fugitives and bring them to justice. But an unforeseen crisis arises when the outlaws become the targets of an unknown assassin driven by a grudge. Now Birdy must cope with the daily turmoil while uncovering the assassin's identity before more escapees are killed.

In a future dominated by the global authority known as GGP, Rin Ogata’s promising ballet career ended abruptly after a severe injury forced her to retire. Years later, while in college, she discovers a transforming robotic vehicle called a Rideback. Her innate balance and grace, honed through dance, make her exceptionally skilled at controlling the machine. However, this newfound talent attracts the dangerous attention of the government.

Residents of the planet Earthdash look up in wonder at its moon and the highly developed lunar metropolis of Mooneyes. Meanwhile, Dan JD, a young man residing in the town of Rollingtown on the planet's surface, becomes entangled in the world of Bigfoot Basketball, an intense sport featuring combat between massive Bigfoot robots.

Plug is a peculiar girl who hails from another dimension. She is a "Juuden-chan," able to "recharge" those who are having a streak of bad luck, bringing joy and positivity everywhere she visits.

In the year 311 of the Orbital Calendar, with humanity spread across numerous colony clusters in space, a girl named Akiha Shishidou from a space colony comes across a hostile artificial intelligence called Leopard, which has been planted on a colony. Akiha is accompanied by Itsuki Kannagi, a member of the Inter-Colony Police; a quiet young girl named Honoka Kawai; and a robot identified as Imoko "Imo-chan" Shishidou.

A quarter-century after Éclair and Lumière saved the galaxy from imminent destruction, the GTO (Galactic Trade Organization)—established following the defeat of the GOTT (Galactic Organization of Trade and Tariffs)—works to maintain universal peace by fighting crime. Modeled after the GOTT's ES (Encounter of Shadow-work) force, the GTO's own special ES division now publicly acknowledges its candidate members. The story follows two trainees, Ascoeur and Q-feuille, as they strive to earn full ES membership.

In 2029, a major ground subsidence happened in the Mediterranean Sea. Chemical elements including oxygen, carbon, gold, molybdenum, and cobalt suddenly disappeared from the earth's crust. Over sixty years, the human population declined by 90%. Researchers discovered that the lost elements were being drained into a planet called Nega Earth, situated in another dimension. To rescue Earth, a special team named the Element Hunters was assembled. All members are under 13 years old, because young and flexible minds are necessary to access Nega Earth.

The narrative follows the members of a private military company (PMC) and the tense relationship they have with the regular military after a war that led to extensive environmental damage.

The Examurai Sengoku anime series portrays members of the EXILE group as futuristic samurai who are sent back to Japan’s Sengoku period. The character designs for the EXILE members were created by manga artist Hiroshi Takahashi, known for Crows and Worst.

The second season of Stitch!, episode numbers continue from 27.

This summer supernatural teen comedy centers on Takashi, an average high school student who finds himself sharing a home with the spirit of an alien (uchūjin no yūrei) following a bizarre event. After naming the entity "Uchurei" and intending to treat it like a pet, Takashi is unexpectedly possessed by the spirit.

A direct continuation of the second season. This time there are aliens and a robot friend that hangs out with the gang.

G.G. Bond now appears as an angel. He is on a three-month probationary period, tasked with guiding a monster to ensure it remains on the right path.

Many years ago, the ambitious Dark Emperor, who aimed to rule the entire universe, endangered the environment and shattered peace. To stop him, the universe's leader, Big Dipper King, sealed the Dark Emperor beneath polar ice rocks after a great battle. To prevent the Dark Emperor from breaking the seal, the Big Dipper King, guided by the Earth's monks, discovered the six God Beasts of the Earth. Combining technology with the energy of the Big Dipper, he created six God Beasts Mechas and left behind his son, the Qilin King. The six God Beast Mechas are Qilin, Qinglong, Baihu, Xuanwu, Zhuque, and Yinglong. Only six children with superpowers can pilot these Mechas.