Best Sci-Fi Anime of 2014

Parasitic aliens suddenly descend upon Earth, infiltrating humanity by burrowing into the brains of vulnerable targets. These insatiable creatures seize complete control of their hosts and can morph into various forms to hunt unsuspecting prey. Sixteen-year-old high school student Shinichi Izumi is attacked by one of these parasites, but it fails to take over his brain, ending up in his right hand instead. Unable to move to its intended location, the parasite, named Migi, must rely on Shinichi to survive. This forces the duo into an uneasy coexistence as they defend themselves against hostile parasites determined to eliminate this new threat to their kind.

By the beginning of the 21st century, magic—once dismissed as myth and legend—has been transformed into a structured technology and taught as a technical discipline. At First High School, an institution for magicians, students are divided into two groups based on their entrance exam scores: "Blooms" are those who earn high marks and are placed in the First Course, while "Weeds" are reserve students assigned to the Second Course. Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei follows the siblings Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba, who enroll at First High School. After taking the exam, the gifted Miyuki is placed in the First Course, whereas Tatsuya ends up in the Second Course. Despite his low practical test scores and his status as a "Weed" suggesting magical incompetence, Tatsuya possesses remarkable technical knowledge, strong physical combat skills, and unique magical abilities—making him the irregular at a magical high school.

In 2021, a parasitic virus called "Gastrea" infects people and transforms them into monsters. The remnants of humanity now dwell within walls made of Varanium, the sole substance capable of harming Gastrea. To combat the Gastrea threat, "Cursed Children"—young girls whose bodies carry traces of the virus, granting them superhuman abilities—are officially designated Initiators by the Tendo Civil Security. They are paired with Promoters, individuals who guide and protect them. These two-person teams are dispatched on missions to fight the monsters spawned by the Gastrea virus and hold them back. Black Bullet centers on the duo of Enju Aihara, an Initiator, and Satomi Rentaro, a Promoter, as they undertake missions to confront the escalating Gastrea menace in their home city of Tokyo.

A year and a half after the events of the original sci-fi psychological thriller, Akane Tsunemori continues her work as an inspector—carrying out the Sibyl System's rulings. She is joined by new enforcers and junior inspector Mika Shimotsuki, a young woman fiercely and unbendingly loyal to Sibyl. As Akane reflects on both the essence of her role and the justness of Sibyl's decisions, a new and unsettling threat emerges. A shadowy figure has uncovered a method to manipulate the Crime Coefficient—a value derived from mental scans that enables Sibyl to evaluate psychological well-being and flag potential criminals. Using this technique, he murders an enforcer, leaving behind an enigmatic clue: the letters "WC?" daubed in blood on a wall. Akane and the rest of Division 01 soon find themselves caught in a deadly struggle against this new antagonist, confronting a conspiracy that challenges not only the Sibyl System's authority but also the very core of Akane's own principles.

Spirits are otherworldly entities of immense power whose appearances cause devastating spatial quakes. While certain factions seek their annihilation, others prefer to capture their affections and neutralize their powers. Having already sealed three Spirits, Shidou Itsuka continues his work with Ratatoskr, seeking out new targets and romancing them to safeguard the world. However, this time around, the pair confronts a growing menace that extends beyond the Spirits themselves, as a far more dangerous force begins to observe their activities.

The discovery of a hypergate on the Moon enabled humanity to teleport to Mars. Settlers there uncovered Aldnoah, technology far superior to that of Earth, leading to the establishment of the Vers Empire and a war against the Terrans who remained on Earth. The subsequent battle, known as Heaven's Fall, destroyed the Moon and forced both planets into a fragile ceasefire. Fifteen years later, high school student Inaho Kaizuka witnesses the assassination attempt on Princess Asseylum Vers Allusia, who had traveled to Earth to mend relations between the empire and her homeland. The attack shatters the peace, prompting the Martians to resume hostilities. Inaho and his friends must now oppose the Vers Empire to resolve the conflict once and for all.

A gate to another world suddenly opens on Earth, leading to the invasion of Mikado City by mysterious beings known as "Neighbors"—creatures that are immune to conventional weapons. In response, the Border Defense Agency is formed, using special weapons called "Triggers" to fight the Neighbor threat. Years after the gate first appeared, Neighbors continue to pose a danger, and Border members remain on constant alert to protect the planet. In this tense environment, trainee members like Osamu Mikumo are forbidden from using their Triggers outside headquarters. However, when a new transfer student in his class is dragged into a restricted area by bullies and attacked by Neighbors, Osamu feels compelled to act on his principles. To his astonishment, the transfer student, Yuuma Kuga, swiftly defeats the aliens, revealing himself to be a humanoid Neighbor in disguise.

On a scorching August 14th, Shintarou Kisaragi is forced to leave his room for the first time in two years. After a quarrel with Ene, a digital girl living in his computer, he accidentally spills soda on his keyboard. Since most shops are closed for the Obon holiday, they have no choice but to visit a local department store. Going outdoors triggers intense anxiety, but being without his computer is unthinkable. Unfortunately, his first trip out coincides with a terrifying hostage situation. Luckily, a group of teens with mysterious eye powers called the Mekakushi Dan helps Shintarou resolve the incident. As a result, he and Ene become involved with their group. Their abilities seem to fit together like pieces of a puzzle, and as each member's background is unveiled, the hidden link connecting them all steadily emerges.

Dandy is a cool, pompadour-sporting guy who travels across the galaxy hunting down rare aliens for cash, all so he can hit his favorite spot: BooBies, the greatest diner in the universe. Roaming the stars in his trusty vessel, the Aloha Oe, he's joined by two equally quirky pals: QT, a robot built from a vacuum cleaner, and Meow, a cat-like alien. Though his work is exciting, it's never straightforward, and each new day brings a totally different, wild adventure. Dandy and his crew find themselves caught up in dangerous missions, romantic mishaps, and out-of-this-world situations—all while trying to evade the evil scientist Dr. Gel of the Gogol Empire.

After his friend Kuroneko died in a tragic accident during an expedition to find evidence of aliens, Ryouta Murakami spent ten years in a coma. Now awake and back in high school, he keeps his promise to honor her memory by searching for proof of extraterrestrial life. His world shifts when transfer student Neko Kuroha appears, looking exactly like his lost friend and bearing a similar name. Neko reveals she has supernatural powers, drawing Ryouta into a struggle with dangerous scientists chasing witches who fled a secret laboratory. As one of these escapees, Neko and others like her are being hunted, and Ryouta must protect them from their pursuers.

Many years after the alien race Gauna destroyed Earth, the scattered remnants of humanity—who barely escaped by fleeing across the galaxy inside several colossal seed ships—are still being hunted. In the year 3394, Nagate Tanikaze emerges from a lifetime of isolation deep beneath the seed ship Sidonia, venturing to the upper levels in search of food. He soon finds himself unwittingly drawn into events unfolding above. When the Gauna launch an assault on Sidonia, Tanikaze must work alongside his fellow soldiers and friends Shizuka Hoshijiro, Izana Shinatose, and Yuhata Midorikawa to defend humanity's last hope for survival and defeat their alien enemies. Sidonia no Kishi follows Tanikaze as he discovers the world that has always existed above him and becomes the hero Sidonia needs.

In the 21st century, humanity dispatched algae and cockroaches to Mars with the intention of terraforming the planet, as these species could withstand its harsh conditions. What was not foreseen was their extraordinary capacity for adaptation. By the 26th century, a lethal illness called the Alien Engine Virus is devastating Earth, with its potential cure believed to exist only on Mars. The problem is that Mars is now overrun by the "Terraformars"—highly intelligent, powerful humanoid cockroaches that mutated from the original specimens sent there. The Annex I team, composed of one hundred men and women who have undergone genetic enhancement with traits from formidable Earth organisms, has been dispatched to Mars on a mission to uncover the source of the Alien Engine Virus and aid in humanity's salvation, marking the beginning of the crew's desperate struggle for survival.

Angelise Ikaruga Misurugi holds the title of first princess in the noble Misurugi Empire. The kingdom has flourished in power and prosperity thanks to the revolutionary technology called "Mana," an abstract manipulation of light that has brought an end to war and pollution, ushering in an era of timeless peace. Yet, not everyone is granted the ability to use Mana. Those who cannot are branded "Norma," societal outcasts seen as a danger to civilization and subjected to relentless persecution. Angelise herself is among those who advocate for the Norma's eradication. However, on her sixteenth birthday, a shocking revelation exposes Angelise as a Norma. Chaos erupts, the public turns furious, and the once beloved princess is exiled to Arzenal, a remote military base where Normas are forced into conscription. Now, the former royal must adapt to a harsh and drastically different life, piloting mechanical robots known as "Paramail" to fight off massive, devastating beasts called DRAGONs. But a dark truth about these savage creatures threatens to upend everything.

The second season of Space Dandy. Space Dandy is a dandy guy, in space! This stylish explorer with an incredible pompadour journeys across the galaxy searching for aliens that no one has ever seen. Every new species he finds nets him a nice payout, but this dandy has to move fast because it's a first-come, first-served game! Together with his partners—QT, a worn-out robot, and Meow, a cat-like space alien—Dandy fearlessly investigates unknown worlds filled with all kinds of alien life. Come along with the sharpest-dressed alien hunter in all of space and time on a quest that takes him to the very edge of the universe!

A while back, the massive corporation Toue Inc. acquired the Japanese island of Midorijima to construct Platinum Jail, an opulent utopian facility. Only the world's wealthiest individuals are fortunate enough to reside there. The island's original inhabitants were forced to move to the Old Residential District and were utterly forsaken once Platinum Jail was completed. "Rib" and "Rhyme" are the two most prevalent games on the island. Rib is a traditional pastime where gangs engage in territorial disputes, whereas Rhyme is a high-tech game where participants battle within a virtual reality. To take part in Rhyme, one must possess an "All-Mate" (an AI typically resembling a pet), and the match must be overseen by an "Usui." Aoba Seragaki has no desire to participate in either game; he simply wants to live quietly with his grandmother and his All-Mate, Ren. Yet after being forcibly dragged into a dangerous Rhyme match and catching wind of rumors about Rib players vanishing, all of Aoba's hopes for a normal life are completely shattered.

Rinka Urushiba works as a part-time waitress to support her unemployed father. For the most part, her life in Tokyo is fairly ordinary—but that normalcy starts to unravel when she spots a flying penguin one day. Chasing it to the top of a building, she finds more oddities, including flying goldfish and a classmate named Kyoutarou Azuma, who can also see these strange phenomena. After Rinka faints when a goldfish passes through her, she awakens as an esper with the ability to phase through solid objects. Yet her new power isn't the only peculiar thing about her: whenever she uses it, her hair turns white. Reluctantly deciding to use this ability to aid the city, she becomes Tokyo's new hero, known as the "White Girl." Together with Kyoutarou, who gained teleportation powers, Rinka starts correcting injustices in the city while battling other espers with far less noble intentions.

Twintails represent the ultimate beauty of humanity—or at least that's the firm belief of Souji Mitsuka, a first-year high school student. At school, Souji spends his days daydreaming about and rating girls' twintails, even going so far as to establish a club devoted to the hairstyle. His obsession does not go unnoticed; when extraterrestrial monsters attack Earth and seize all the world's twintails for themselves, a mysterious woman named Twoearle recruits Souji to fight back using twintails of his own. By transforming into the twin-tailed warrior Tail Red, Souji battles the vicious alien organization Ultimegil, whose objective is to colonize Earth and steal everyone's spiritual energy, or "attribute power." Alongside fellow twin-tailed fighters Aika Tsube and Erina Shindou, Souji must find a way to defeat the invading army and protect the twintails he cherishes so deeply.

Asuta Jimon is a runaway wandering the streets at night when he stumbles upon a young girl collapsed next to her tricycle. After he shares some food with her, she is touched by his kindness and invites him to join her group, handing him a face mask and a sweet bun. Needing a place to stay, Asuta goes along with it and takes on the codename "Dva." What Dva doesn't realize is that this cute girl is Kate Hoshimiya, the leader of Zvezda, a secret organization aiming to conquer the world. He soon grasps the seriousness of her claim as strange events pull him deeper into Zvezda and its eccentric members—the samurai-like vanguard Itsuka Shikabane, tech genius Natalia "Natasha" Vasylchenko, troublesome Yasubee "Yasu" Morozumi, ex-gangster Gorou Shikabane, and multi-purpose robot Roboko Tsujii. With "White Light," a powerful justice organization, and the entire Japanese government opposing them, can Zvezda truly dominate all of humanity and let their light shine across the world?

Following visions that point to the location of the King of Salvation, Jeanne Kaguya d'Arc escapes with the brilliant Leonardo da Vinci from the West Star to the East Star. There, she meets Nobunaga Oda, the son of a local feudal lord who, after a crushing defeat at the hands of a rival clan, has vowed to conquer the world alongside his comrades. Convinced that Nobunaga is indeed the King of Salvation, Jeanne swears loyalty to the Oda clan. Meanwhile, King Arthur, the ruler of the West Star, dispatches his ruthless general Gaius Julius Caesar and his army of combat machines to conquer Nobunaga's planet and seize the Holy Grail. Although Kaguya believes Arthur is the King of Destruction, the reckless antics of Nobunaga "The Fool"—who named his own combat suit after his nickname—on the battlefield raise doubts about his ability to lead. With the assistance of Himiko, the Queen of Yamato, Nobunaga and his clan must unite to overcome tragedies, recover from betrayals, and ultimately save the world.

Spring. Far removed from the city, time passes quietly in this countryside town. As cherry blossom petals drift on the breeze, a boy named Yu Narukami alights from the train at Yasoinaba Station. Yu has come to this town, where his uncle resides, due to family circumstances; he will be transferring to the local school, Yasogami High. And so his school life begins... The shopping district after class. A string of murders occurring in the town. The Midnight Channel, broadcasting late at night... What awaits Yu and his companions 'this time around'?

Kaori Sasaki, a member of Uchihama Academy's Astronomy Club, confesses her feelings to Sou Akiyama. Later that evening, she dies in a tragic road accident. Her friends and fellow club members mourn her at a local hospital. Yet the next day, Kaori shows up at school as if nothing happened, and no one notices anything unusual. The day passes without incident, and the group of friends begins planning for the upcoming cultural festival. Suddenly, an unnatural earthquake shakes the room. Everyone splits up to investigate—except for Nagisa Hanamiya, who remains behind. As the others leave, Nagisa notices that the strange relic-like cube she had been playing with begins emitting a mysterious blue light. Meanwhile, Sou stumbles upon an unconscious, naked girl lying in a pool of water. Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete follows the Astronomy Club's increasingly strange adventures—from dealing with ghosts to calming disputes between student clubs. All the while, they unravel the truth behind the sudden appearance of a new transfer student.

Ordinary high school student Aoba Watase is suddenly attacked by a giant robot called a "Valiancer," only to be rescued by his mysterious classmate Hina Yumihara. After revealing that both she and the enemy robot come from the future, Hina sends Aoba seventy years forward in time to save his life. Arriving in the future, Aoba finds himself inside the cockpit of a Valiancer named "Luxon," right in the middle of a battle between the military forces of the Free Pact Alliance (FPA) and the Zogilia Republic. When he demonstrates a strong compatibility with FPA pilot Dio Weinberg, the two successfully execute a "coupling," enabling them to share experiences and thereby boost their abilities and skills. Though Aoba manages to survive the unexpected fight, he is taken into custody by the FPA ship Cygnus for questioning. While the student's main worry is whether he can ever return home, he has no idea that he is about to become entangled in a war to save the world.

Battles rage on between the "Penguin Empire," a mysterious life form that suddenly appeared on Earth, and "Beauty Salon Prince," a secret organization opposing the Penguins. To combat the Penguin Empire's colossal "Penguin Robot," Beauty Salon Prince has developed their ultimate weapon, "Daimidaler," and is searching for a pilot. They select Koichi Madanbashi, a hot-blooded high school boy obsessed with big breasts, as he possesses the "Hi-ERo particles," the source of an unknown energy.

The night before summer break, high school sophomore Manatsu Daichi spots a strange circular rainbow hovering over Tanegashima and heads there by himself. He has seen that rainbow before. Haunted by memories of his father's mysterious death and a past encounter with an odd boy and girl, Daichi reaches the island just as an alarm blares from a facility marked Earth Engine. A voice asks him if he is a captain, right as robotic invaders from Uranus known as the Kill-T-Gang appear. The battle among the shining stars is about to start.

During a school trip to Taiwan, high school student Shio Ogura finds herself ambushed by monsters. Government operatives from DOGOO, known as E-Gene Holders who use weapons channeling historical spirits, also arrive on the scene. Shio proves to be an E-Gene Holder herself when the spirit of Oda Nobunaga awakens after she attempts to save a friend.

In a dark void called the Lightless Realm, a group of children meet and form bonds, only to be separated and sent back to their own dimension. Years later, these same children reunite to battle "Admonitions"—monsters that also originate from that void—using robots named "Vess." But their efforts merely delay the ever-spreading Lightless Realm from consuming their world. Their lives change drastically when a new enemy appears as a "Corpse," whose song is said to kill anyone who hears it within nine days. The group hears the "Corpse Song," and as a result, each member begins to withdraw and become consumed by their own personal issues—ultimately endangering the fate of humanity.

Seven years after the first series ended, Gundam Build Fighters Try begins. At Seiho Academy, the Gunpla Battle Club has just one member left: Hoshino Fumina, a third-year junior high student. As club president, she needs two more members to enter the upcoming All-Japan Gunpla Battle Championships. One day, she meets transfer student Kamiki Sekai, who has been traveling around for Kenpo training with his master. Joined by young Gunpla builder Kousaka Yuuma, their challenge in Gunpla Battle starts.

For years, the Kingdom of Arandas alliance and the Countries Unification of Ingelmia have been locked in conflict. Although the Great Wall fortress remained shut, its opening dramatically shifts the dynamics of the war. New recruit Susumu Tokimune prepares for his first battle, charging forward without considering the risk of entrapment. There, he meets engineer Jamie Hazaford and the Silver Trailkrieger, Argevollen. This meeting occurs in a region where combat is routine. This unexpected convergence alters the fate of Tokimune’s Independent 8th platoon and reshapes the course of the war itself.

In a near-future world, five Black Points appear across the globe, serving as gateways to parallel dimensions. Soon after, bizarre creatures invade through these portals. These beings hail from five different timelines of the same world. To guarantee their own timeline's continued existence, each of the five invading forces battles to annihilate the others. The key to everything lies in a single card-shaped device.

To mark the franchise's 20th anniversary, a fresh project has been launched. Please note that the recap episodes, which were previously excluded from the main series count, are now incorporated into this total.

In the Regild Century 1014, a full thousand years have elapsed since the conclusion of the legendary Universal Century, when iconic figures such as Amuro Ray and Char Aznable dominated battlefields as ace mobile suit pilots. The Earth's surface, once fiercely fought over, now lies largely deserted, as humanity has chosen to dwell in space colonies and on the lunar surface. Bellri Zenam, a student at the Capital Guard Academy, enjoys a tranquil academic life, but his ordinary days come to an end when pirate pilot Aida Surugan and her mobile suit, the G-Self, are captured. Bellri experiences a powerful mental link with the G-Self and learns that he is capable of piloting it. He soon becomes entangled with the "Capital Guard," a radical faction pursuing a secret agenda in defiance of the Amerian Army, which still holds authority on Earth. Joining the crew of the Amerian spaceship Megafauna, Bellri and Aida must use the G-Self to achieve victory over the Capital Guard and its leaders: the charismatic Colonel Kunpa Rushita and the enigmatic Captain Mask.

Second TV (flash animated) series of Keroro Gunsou.

Long ago, the peaceful, cube-shaped world of Quarton, home to shapeshifting living bricks known as Tenkai, was devastated by a conflict between the Corekai and the Corrupted, a faction commanded by the ruthless warlord Vilius, who sought to seize Tenkai Energy for his own ends. Only the Tenkai Knights—Bravenwolf, Tributon, Valorn, and Lydendor—were powerful enough to stand against him. In a final desperate move, Vilius summoned the immense Tenkai Dragon, which was ultimately vanquished by the four Knights, causing its remains to scatter across the planet. Although these champions vanished from sight, the Corrupted have resurfaced with renewed strength. In the year 2034 on Earth, four teenagers named Guren, Ceylan, Toxsa, and Chooki discover an interdimensional gateway to Quarton. There, they are selected by the Guardians to become the next generation of Tenkai Knights, tasked with stopping Vilius from seizing control of both worlds.

The daily adventures of Pac are followed as he works to save Pac-World. Alongside his friends Cyli and Spiral, Pac and his buddies deal with the challenges of being teenagers while also defending Pac-World from a ghostly army commanded by the wicked Betrayus. The citizens of Pac-World are determined to prevent Betrayus and his spectral minions from escaping the Netherworld and causing chaos. To that end, President Spheros educates Pac and his companions about a legend that foretells a round yellow Pac-Worlder rescuing the planet. Since Pac is the only round yellow inhabitant, he is the one for the job. Each adventure follows Pac and his friends as they strive to send the ghosts back to the Netherworld and save Pac-World.

This story takes place in the future and follows a chain of events triggered when troops manage to free a teenager who had been abducted by the mysterious Black Armors. After Marty first encounters the Black Armors and is rescued, it is discovered that he has strange prophetic powers—he sees the future in fragmented visions showing an avalanche, a tsunami, a storm, and other catastrophes. These disasters always come true after Marty experiences his prophetic glimpses, though he cannot accurately foresee when or where they will strike. When the authorities learn of this, they dispatch a unit to safeguard Marty, and the World Peacekeepers (abbreviated as WPK) is formed to combat the Black Armors. To take on the Black Armors, the government allows the World Peacekeepers to deploy Ammobots—mechanical suits of armor that have been in development for many years. Following multiple clashes with the Black Armors, the World Peacekeepers come to understand that these enemies are actually connected to the unusual natural disasters. They trace the source to a small planet named Mirzam, located beyond the solar system. The Black Armors' true aim is to seize Earth's abundant ecological resources. Once those resources are taken, the ecosystem will fall out of balance, triggering natural calamities.

A parody of Flanders no Inu that has Parasche being a key-activated mecha robot who fights the antagonists.

Hiyori lost her grandmother. To prevent her from crying all day, every day, Hiyori's father constructed a humanoid robot named Washimo that resembles her grandmother, complete with dentures. It travels faster than a snail but slower than a rhinoceros beetle; in truth, though, it can outrun a bullet train.

In the tranquil metropolis of Metroplis, the WP Center suddenly freezes before erupting in a massive explosion. As a crimson fog engulfs the city, alien invaders descend from space, plunging Metroplis into utter chaos. After discovering a peculiar feline, the protagonist Lynn transforms into a superhero. Joining forces with other gifted youths, Lynn unites with these super-powered kids to combat the malevolent extraterrestrial threat and restore order to their city.