Best Sci-Fi Anime of 2013

Thirty years ago, a massive "spatial quake," a phenomenon involving space vibrations of unknown origin, devastated the Eurasian continent and claimed over 150 million lives. Since then, these quakes have continued to occur worldwide, though on a smaller scale. Shidou Itsuka is an ordinary high school student living with his younger sister, Kotori. When an impending spatial quake threatens Tengu City, he rushes to save her but gets caught in the eruption. At the quake's epicenter, he finds a mysterious girl who is identified as a "Spirit," a supernatural being whose appearance triggers such quakes. Soon, he is caught in a battle between the girl and the Anti-Spirit Team, a ruthless task force dedicated to eliminating Spirits. Yet there is a third group that believes in saving the Spirits: "Ratatoskr," which, surprisingly, is commanded by Shidou's little sister! After the clash, Kotori forcibly enlists Shidou and offers him an alternative approach to handling the danger Spirits pose—make them fall in love with him. Now, the world's fate depends on his dating skills as he sets out to charm the Spirits.

After spending a year in America, Kurisu Makise returns to Akihabara and meets up with Rintarou Okabe again. But their time together is interrupted when Okabe starts having repeated visions of other timelines, as the repercussions of his time travel begin to surface. These effects eventually lead to Okabe suddenly disappearing from existence, with only the shocked Kurisu remembering him. Facing despair, Kurisu must make a difficult decision that challenges her scientific principles and her devotion as a friend: either heed Okabe's warning to avoid time travel and prevent harm to the world lines, or disregard it to save the person she values most. Whichever path she chooses, her decision will impact the past, the present, and the future.

Second season of Infinite Stratos.

Mikoto Misaka and her friends return to investigate strange rumors circulating through Academy City. Before long, Mikoto uncovers a horrifying truth: deadly experiments are being conducted across the city, involving the systematic murder of thousands of espers. Even more shocking, these espers are not ordinary individuals—they are clones of Mikoto herself. Overcome with guilt over their plight, she resolves to stop the experiments. But the enemies she faces are far more formidable than she expected, pitting her against some of the most powerful espers imaginable. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S follows the Railgun as she desperately battles to end the inhumane experiments she believes she inadvertently caused, plunging her life into deep despair. Academy City never lacks excitement, but not all of it is pleasant.

Long after most of humanity abandoned Earth, the Galactic Alliance of Humanity was established to lead exploration and secure mankind's future. A grave danger emerges in the form of mysterious creatures known as Hideauze, sparking an interstellar conflict to save humanity from annihilation. Armed with his autonomous robot Chamber, 16-year-old lieutenant Ledo of the Galactic Alliance joins the fight against these monsters. During the battle, Ledo loses control and is flung across space, crash-landing on a flooded Earth. On this blue world, Gargantia—a massive fleet of salvage ships—discovers Chamber and hauls it from the sea, believing they have found something valuable. Misinterpreting their actions as hostile, Ledo sneaks aboard and takes a young messenger girl named Amy hostage, only to realize the people of Gargantia are not the threat he imagined. Stranded and unable to contact his comrades in space, Ledo struggles to adapt and find his place in this unfamiliar lifestyle. Yet his peaceful days will not last, for this ocean-covered planet hides deeper secrets.

At a film premiere, Gintoki catches a movie pirate and examines the camera's footage, only to be thrown into a desolate, post-apocalyptic Edo where a deadly illness known as the "White Plague" has devastated humanity. The supposed pirate turns out to be an android time machine, sending Gintoki five years into the future. His Yorozuya partners, Shinpachi and Kagura, have split up and become hardened lone vigilantes, while Gintoki himself has been missing for years, vanishing after leaving a cryptic note in his journal. Donning a disguise from the android time machine, Gintoki clumsily reunites the Yorozuya crew to probe the White Plague, and soon realizes that the secret to rescuing the future lies in the shadows of his own past. Determined to face a powerful enemy, he makes a crucial realization—with a motley group of friends and allies beside him, he doesn't have to face the fight alone.

A young boy named Nai, searching for a dear friend, is captured by a beautiful woman whose appetite for human flesh is as striking as her appearance. Meanwhile, Gareki, a skilled thief, is robbing her lavish home. After creating a diversion, Gareki agrees to help Nai escape, but they are caught when the woman returns and transforms into a monstrous creature, forcing the boys to flee. While on the run, Nai and Gareki are discovered by "Circus," a government defense agency that handles crimes too severe for the police and protects civilians from "varuga"—terrifying monsters that feed on humans. Hoping it will lead Nai to his missing friend, the two decide to join Circus. As they embark on a perilous journey, they confront dangerous varuga and begin to unravel the secrets of a mysterious organization called Kafka.

Nyaruko continues her pursuit of Mahiro, and Hasuta is still in the race as well. Kūko has her eyes on Nyaruko, but she's convinced that both Nyaruko and Mahiro owe their "first time" to her. Yoriko endures all this chaos with a cheerful attitude while managing the household they all share. Mahiro simply craves a bit of normalcy. He has no desire to be the plaything of a Nyarlathotepan, a Cthughan, or a shots-like Hasturan. Whether he can hold out remains uncertain.

Hajime Ichinose's mundane existence takes a sudden turn when an extraordinary entity called J.J Robinson gives her a compact book known as NOTE, which allows her to transform into a member of the Gatchaman, the famed defenders of Tachikawa City. Emphasizing the need for secrecy, fellow Gatchaman Sugane Tachibana escorts Hajime to their headquarters, where Paiman, the panda-like alien commander of the team, outlines their mission: neutralizing extraterrestrial threats to humanity. These lethal entities, referred to as MESS, grow more perilous by the day, consuming everything in their path. The Gatchaman must rely on their newest member to halt them before chaos consumes the world.

In the 71st year of the True Era, humanity has expanded into space and established independent colonies across the galaxy. The world is divided by two major powers: the Atlantic Rim United States (ARUS) and the Dorssia Military Pact Federation (Dorssia), which wage war on Earth and in outer space. Amid this conflict, a neutral third faction made up of Japan and the Islands of the Oceanian Republic (JIOR) maintains peace and economic prosperity while staying out of the fighting. Kakumeiki Valvrave begins in a JIOR space colony, where 17-year-old Haruto Tokishima's quiet life is shattered when a Dorssian fleet suddenly invades the neutral colony. Their goal is to seize the Valvraves, rumored to be powerful mechanized weapons hidden beneath Haruto's school, Sakimori Academy. In the chaos, Haruto discovers one of the Valvraves. With his friends' lives at risk, he enters the mecha and makes a contract for its power, sacrificing his humanity. Alongside L-elf, a mysterious Dorssian agent and brilliant strategist, Haruto and the Valvrave begin a revolution to free the world.

After the 10th NOVA battle, the Chevalier determined that the NOVA are appearing more frequently and that they are losing Pandoras faster than they can create new ones. Their answer is the E-Pandora Project, which grants ordinary humans the ability to become Pandoras. Pandoras from across the globe are invited to the Alaskan base to witness the unveiling of this new initiative, with Satellizer, Kazuya, and Rana among those summoned. But as time passes, the E-Pandora Project begins to seem increasingly suspicious, and the Pandoras' worries continue to grow.

For years, the four realms of Gamindustri—Planeptune, Lastation, Lowee, and Leanbox—fought a pointless war over Share energy, the power that goddesses draw from their people's faith. At last, the four ruling CPUs signed a friendship treaty, banning any military attempts to claim Shares, in hopes of bringing peace and prosperity. However, one month after the treaty, Neptune, the CPU Goddess of Planeptune, spends her time slacking off and playing games instead of doing her duties, causing her realm's Shares to plummet. Choujigen Game Neptune The Animation follows Neptune and her friends as they try to raise Shares while confronting an external threat that could spell the end of both the Goddesses and Gamindustri itself.

In the year 2039, rising sea levels caused by global warming have led to significant land loss. To teach humanity a lesson, a fleet of powerful warships equipped with advanced weaponry appears, decisively defeating naval forces worldwide. Calling themselves the Fleet of Fog, each ship possesses a "Mental Model," a humanoid avatar representing the ship's core, its "Union Core." Each model has a distinct personality, but all follow an unknown authority called the Admiralty Code, which has enforced a blockade preventing humans from crossing the seas. Seventeen years after the blockade, Gunzou Chihaya, a graduate of the National Marine Academy, encounters the I-401 and its Mental Model, Iona, who sides with humanity for reasons unknown. Using this newfound hope for achieving peace, Gunzou and his friends form a group of privateers called Blue Steel, embarking on a dangerous journey.

Ibara Naruse and her friends Aoi Fukasaku and Taeko Nomura initially appear to be ordinary, carefree high school girls. However, the streets they walk, their destination, and the environment around them are far from normal. As they move forward, the trio ventures deeper into a version of Tokyo that has become uninhabitable, devastated by a nuclear disaster that occurred 20 years earlier. As members of the Dispatch 3rd Special Force Coppelion, specifically the Health Care team, Ibara, Aoi, and Taeko receive support from the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and Colonel Onihei Mishima while they search the eerily quiet streets for survivors. Locating the last remaining humans and arranging their evacuation via JGSDF helicopters is a routine task for the girls. Yet, as their mission continues, Ibara and her companions begin to question their own humanity—particularly how they are able to survive in Tokyo without any protective equipment.

As Haruto and his allies press on against the Dorssian forces, numerous questions linger amid the conflict. The backgrounds of L-Elf and his comrades, the fate of the enigmatic Liselotte, and the complex emotions shared by Haruto, Shouko, and Saki all remain unresolved. As the struggle between opposing ideologies and might reaches its peak, the bonds and allegiances of every soldier across both armies will face severe trials.

Gunpla—Gundam Plastic Models—first surged in popularity after the Mobile Suit Gundam anime, then waned before making a comeback with a new twist. Thanks to Plavsky particles, enthusiasts can now battle their custom Gunpla in a virtual reality-like arena, with the top contenders facing off at the yearly Gunpla World Tournament. Sei Iori, whose father once reached the finals, aspires to win the championship himself. But although Sei is a master builder, he cannot effectively pilot his own Gunpla in combat. Then Reiji appears, a strange boy clueless about everyday life yet astonishingly skilled at Gunpla battles. The two team up, combining Sei's building expertise with Reiji's fighting talent to dominate the Gunpla World Tournament and shake up the entire Gunpla scene.

For five years, the Manifestation Engine on Blue Island has solved the global energy crisis. Meanwhile, on nearby Izu Ooshima, cheerful Akane Isshiki, her reliable younger sister Momo, and her grandfather Kenjirou—a co-inventor of the engine—live in peace. This tranquil existence shatters when the "Alone," mysterious beings intent on destroying the engine, make their appearance. After the military proves ineffective against the threat, Kenjirou gives Akane a special key that activates the "Vivid System," granting her the power to combat the invaders. Teamed up with Aoi Futaba, Wakaba Saegusa, and Himawari Shinomiya, Akane and her friends become humanity's final line of defense against this unforeseen enemy.

Three months following the Lunar Attack that nearly annihilated Earth, Hibiki Tachibana, Tsubasa Kazanari, and Chris Yukine persist in their battle against the Noise, a mysterious alien menace, utilizing advanced armor called Symphogear. Following the defense of an American convoy from a Noise assault, Hibiki and Chris hurry to the Queens of Music concert hall to witness one of Tsubasa’s performances. Meanwhile, Tsubasa and the rising global superstar Maria Cadenzavna Eve deliver a spectacular show broadcast worldwide. As the concert nears its end, a group of Noise suddenly emerges, throwing the venue into chaos. During the ensuing panic, Maria declares war on the world as the successor of Finé—Chris’ former mistress—while her allies Kirika Akatsuki and Shirabe Tsukuyomi reveal their own Symphogear abilities. After engaging Tsubasa and her companions in a skirmish, they vanish mysteriously, leaving the trio confused about their true motives.

By the latter half of the 21st century, humanity has departed Earth to reside in space. To survive the space environment and combat hostile aliens near Jupiter, genetically engineered youths known as "Princes" are artificially raised and trained to pilot armed mecha called AHSMB (Advanced High Standard Multipurpose Battle Device). The narrative follows Hitachi O Izuru, one of these teenage Princes, who attends school in the academic city of Grandzehle.

Hozuki, Kazuki, and Hazuki, the granddaughter, great-granddaughter, and great-great-granddaughter of Galileo respectively, possess vastly different personalities and interests, leaving them perpetually at odds. Their conflict escalates when a clandestine group attacks them, seeking the "Galileo Tesoro" allegedly discovered by their ancestor. Following the assault, the trio flees aboard an airship they constructed themselves, though their mutual friction makes cooperation difficult during crises. As they navigate this dangerous situation, questions arise regarding the true nature of the Tesoro, the motives of their pursuers, and the evolving dynamics of their familial bond. This series blends action and mystery with the charm of three distinct sisters.

One year has passed since the 77th generation understudies joined AKB0048, yet the Deep Galactic Trade Organization [DGTO] and DES have intensified their assaults on entertainment. In response, the group reinstates the general elections and the coveted center nova position. The understudies are suddenly thrust into a fresh competition against the successors. However, as AKB0048 revives policies unseen since Acchan's disappearance, a more formidable enemy quietly advances from behind the scenes.

Uzume Uno, a young student and former champion of a trading card game competition, is entrusted with a special device that contains five powerful Fantasista Dolls. These dolls are sentient virtual beings who reside within cards, and they are now under the control of their new master, Uzume.

In a new and whimsical era of Battle Spirits, cards are scattered across a vibrant galaxy, drawing all "card questers" into fierce battles for the most powerful cards. Rei is a flashy wanderer driven by an obsession with being at the top. Accompanied by a small dragon named Mugen and a talking robot named Salt, this self-proclaimed "Number One Star" regularly stirs up mischief through dazzling card-game duels. One day, Rei crosses paths with Raira and Rikuto April, both of whom seem to have leads on the whereabouts of the "ultimate" Battle Spirits card. Together, they set off on a quest to find that card, encountering many colorful personalities along the way. Soon, their journey draws the attention of the Guild, cunning villains who also seek to secure the Ultimate Battle Spirits. As Rei contends with the Guild, the claim of being number one is put to the test—an endeavor that gradually unveils secrets concerning the fate of the universe.

The story of Beast Saga is set on a distant planet called Beast, located somewhere in our galaxy. On this world, three beast tribes—the Sea Tribe, the Land Tribe, and the Sky Tribe—constantly battle to defend their pride. Each tribe guards a limitless elemental energy source known as Godlot.