Best Sci-Fi Anime of 2017

Deep within the earth lies a vast chasm known as the Abyss, teeming with strange creatures and ancient relics from ages long gone. Its origins and what exists at its deepest point remain unsolved mysteries that countless explorers, called Divers, have risked their lives to uncover by descending into its darkest reaches. The most skilled and courageous Divers—the White Whistles—are celebrated as legends among those who stay above. Riko, the daughter of the missing White Whistle Lyza the Annihilator, dreams of following in her mother's footsteps and exploring the Abyss's farthest depths. However, she is only a novice Red Whistle, permitted to venture no further than the uppermost layer. One day, she stumbles upon a mysterious robot who looks like an ordinary boy. She names him Reg, and he has no memory of what happened before his discovery. Convinced that the technology behind Reg must originate from deep within the Abyss, the two decide to journey into the chasm—Reg to recover his lost memories, and Riko to see the bottom of the great pit with her own eyes. Yet they remain unaware of the cruel truths awaiting them in the Abyss's true reality.

Ichirou Inuyashiki, a 58-year-old man, is struggling through a difficult phase in his life. While his chronic back pain is agonizing, it pales in comparison to the cold indifference and disdain shown by his wife and children. Despite this, Ichirou finds comfort in Hanako, an abandoned Shiba Inu he takes in. His situation worsens when a routine check-up reveals he has stomach cancer with only three months left to live; though he attempts to stay strong, his family's apathy drives him to an emotional collapse. Fleeing to a nearby field, he embraces his dog and cries—until he spots a strange figure standing before him. Then, a blinding flash of light engulfs Ichirou in smoke and debris. When he regains consciousness, he realizes something has changed—he has been transformed into a mechanized weapon concealed beneath his original appearance. Though initially startled, the kind-hearted Ichirou quickly uses his new abilities to rescue someone, an act that fills him with joy and renewed purpose. Yet, the source of these powers remains a mystery. Who was the enigmatic figure at the explosion site, and do they share Ichirou's benevolent intentions when wielding this dangerous force?

Willem Kmetsch risks everything, leaving his loved ones behind to fight a mysterious monster. Though he emerges victorious, he ends up frozen in ice. During his long slumber, terrifying creatures called "Beasts" appear on Earth, threatening humanity's existence. When Willem awakens 500 years later, he discovers he is the last surviving human—his entire race has been wiped out. Alongside the other remaining races, Willem seeks refuge on floating islands in the sky, living in constant fear of the Beasts below. He leads a solitary life, taking odd jobs just to get by. One day, he is assigned to serve as a caretaker for a weapon storehouse. Thinking nothing of it, Willem accepts—only to realize these weapons are actually a group of young Leprechauns. Though they look just like humans, they have no regard for their own lives, seeing themselves as mere tools of war. Among them is Chtholly Nota Seniorious, who is ready to sacrifice herself if it means defeating the Beasts and achieving peace. Willem becomes a father figure to the young Leprechauns, watching over them fondly and supporting them however he can. He, who once fought bravely on the front lines, can now only hope that those sent into battle return safely from the monsters that destroyed his kind.

In the desolate ruins of what was once a bustling city, the only sound breaking the frigid winter silence is the rumble of a motorbike. Its passengers, Chito and Yuuri, are the final survivors in this war-ravaged urban landscape. As they forage through old military installations for food and spare parts, the two girls traverse the barren wastelands and ponder the mysteries of the bygone era to fill their days. Occasionally, Chito and Yuuri each grapple with the encroaching sense of isolation, but having each other makes bearing the burden of being among the last humans a little more manageable. Between Yuuri's clumsy enthusiasm and Chito's calm demeanor, their bleak days are brightened by target practice, discovering new books, and engaging in snowball fights across the frozen battlefield. Set against a backdrop of empty landscapes and abandoned structures, Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou tells an uplifting story of two girls on a journey to uncover hope in a grim and fading world.

After joining the anti-bakufu resistance, Gintoki and his crew go into hiding alongside Katsura and his Joui rebels. The Yorozuya are soon contacted by Nobume Imai and two members of the Kiheitai, who inform them that the Harusame pirates have turned against 7th Division Captain Kamui and their former ally Takasugi. The Kiheitai hire Gintoki to locate Takasugi, who has been missing since his ship was ambushed during a Harusame attack. Nobume also reveals a shocking truth about the Tendoushuu, a secret organization manipulating many factions, and their leader Utsuro, a mysterious figure who bears a striking resemblance to Gintoki’s former teacher. Boarding Sakamoto’s spaceship, the Yorozuya and Katsura head to Rakuyou, Kagura’s home planet, where various factions have gathered and tensions are rising. Long-standing grudges, political conflicts, and the Tendoushuu’s sinister overarching plan all converge into a massive, decisive battle on Rakuyou.

On a world dominated by an endless desert of sand, an island called the Mud Whale sails across the expanse. Within it lies an ancient settlement, where most inhabitants are known as the "Marked"—a double-edged trait that gives them supernatural powers but also brings an early death. Chakuro, the village's archivist, is young and inquisitive, spending his days recording the discovery of new islands. Yet each one proves identical—deserted, save for traces of those who once lived there. For the first time in half a year, another island appears on the horizon, and Chakuro joins the scouting party with his friends. On their exploration, they uncover remnants of a bygone civilization. Inside one crumbling structure, Chakuro finds a girl who will alter his fate and the entire world within the Mud Whale as he knows it.

Touta Konoe lives an ordinary life in a quiet rural village. Everything changes when his teacher, Yukihime, reveals she is a vampire; after she rescues him from a life-threatening injury, she grants him immortality. Already eager to see the world, the young Touta sets out to achieve his goal of reaching the summit of Amanomihashira—a tower that extends into outer space. Along the way, he discovers a hidden organization of fellow immortals known as "UQ Holders." With new allies and guidance, Touta begins his own extraordinary magical journey.

After the harsh events of Iga, Kokujou Island, Rakuyou, and numerous failed clashes with the Tenshouin Naraku and Tendoshuu, Gintama. Porori-hen takes viewers back to the days when the Yorozuya mostly handled their usual odd jobs. Renowned space hunter Umibouzu returns to Edo and becomes furious upon learning that his daughter Kagura has a boyfriend. He holds Gintoki responsible for failing as a guardian, but could this finally be the moment for him to release his hold on her? Returning to shameless parodies, risque comedy, and lively bonds, Gintoki, Kagura, and Shinpachi face unforeseen situations that manage to be equally hilarious and emotionally touching.

According to legend, after the Earth was destroyed, the great clockmaker Y crafted a replacement world out of gears and cogs. Naoto Miura is a boy who dreams of becoming a master clockmaker, yet despite his extraordinary ability to understand clockwork mechanisms through sound alone, he has made little headway. That changes when a coffin crashes into his apartment, carrying RyuZU, a female automaton created by Y himself. The arrival of RyuZU draws Marie Bell Breguet, the talented heir to a renowned clockmaker lineage, and her cyborg bodyguard Vainney Halter into Naoto's orbit. As Naoto and Marie become caught up in a fierce battle for survival, they uncover a disturbing reality: the clockwork planet that has sustained humanity for over a thousand years is beginning to fail—a secret that certain individuals are willing to kill to keep hidden.

A wave of horrific killings known as the "New Generation Madness" once caused widespread panic throughout Shibuya. At the height of the chaos, as a violent riot raged, a sudden earthquake reduced the district to rubble while nearby areas remained oddly untouched. Half a dozen years later, in the newly reconstructed Shibuya, strange deaths begin resurfacing. It doesn't take long for third-year student Takuru Miyashiro to notice a pattern: the dates of these recent murders line up with those of the New Generation Madness incidents. Together with a few members of his school's newspaper club, he decides to probe the mystery further—only to end up trapped in the middle of a fresh crime scene.

Individuals who receive the Revelation of Babel are compelled to face numerous battles and challenges. When they clasp the hand of their destined partner, these Hand Shakers enter Ziggurat, a parallel dimension where time stands still. Every pair of Hand Shakers fights for the chance to meet God, who will fulfill one wish for them. Tazuna Takatsuki, a high schooler who likes fixing things, is one such Hand Shaker. After being asked by Professor Makihara from a local university to repair something, Tazuna discovers Koyori Akutagawa, a bedridden girl who reminds him of his late sister Musubu. Recalling Musubu's final wish for him to never release her hand, Tazuna takes Koyori's hand, awakening his own Hand Shaker ability. But Koyori's life is now bound to her role as a Hand Shaker; if Tazuna ever lets go, she will die. With their only chance to save her being an audience with God, the pair must learn to combine their unique abilities, defeat rival Hand Shakers, and have their wish granted.

Koujirou Shindou is a cool-headed, rational government official and a skilled negotiator known for his expertise. While traveling on a business trip, a giant cube suddenly appears, and his plane is absorbed intact into the mysterious, indestructible structure. As Japanese authorities work to determine the cube's properties and origin, Shindou meets an otherworldly being named Yaha-kui zaShunina, who manifests in the form of a human man. He reassures Shindou that the passengers are safe and asks for his help in negotiating with the human world. Originating from a higher-dimensional universe called Novo, Yaha-kui zaShunina can transfer information between Novo and Shindou's universe via a cube known as Kado. Despite his incomprehensible abilities, he shows no hostility. Instead, he declares that his sole purpose in coming to this world is to "advance" humanity—beginning with Japan.

The Duel Monsters universe undergoes a transformation with the advent of Link Vrains and the introduction of Link Summoning. This cyberspace allows duelists to manifest avatars and pursue victory within a virtual reality. Yet, mirroring reality, this digital realm is fraught with conflict and secrets. Decades prior, the hacker group Knights of Hanoi, spearheaded by the enigmatic Revolver, launched an assault aimed at eradicating the Cyberse AI. Following a botched operation, a target named Ignis fled, concealing the Cyberse within the network. Five years on, high schooler Yuusaku Fujiki meets a peculiar AI while dueling in Link Vrains. Adopting the avatar Playmaker, Yuusaku and his accomplice Shouichi Kusanagi ally with this entity. As Yuusaku investigates a past mystery, he clashes with the Knights of Hanoi and SOL Technologies in a struggle that could reshape the world's destiny.

Chuuta Kokonose, an orphan residing with his aunt, has heard a mysterious voice in his head for as long as he can recall, though he otherwise leads a typical life. His ordinary existence shifts dramatically when a peculiar entity trails him home and transports him to a realm teeming with extraordinary beings. He finds himself at a space police station, where Rein Brickke, Chief of the Solar System Department, reveals that a computer has selected Chuuta as a potential recruit. Misuzu Sonokata, a classmate with an angelic visage and a volatile temperament who serves under Rein Brickke, doubts his suitability for the force. Initially stunned, Chuuta ultimately decides to take the aptitude test, spurred by the urging of the voice in his mind and a desire to disprove Misuzu’s skepticism.

Hibiki Tachibana has vanquished formidable foes, rescued innumerable innocents, and survived countless perilous scenarios, yet she currently finds herself utterly trapped by her most daunting challenge: summer homework! While her daily existence as a high school student is quite ordinary, her role within the military entity S.O.N.G. is far from mundane. Wielding potent, ancient armor called Symphogear, Hibiki and her comrades collaborate with the United Nations to address global conflicts and catastrophes. At a briefing at headquarters, Hibiki learns of the Bavarian Illuminati, a shadowy group linked to past major disasters and currently active in the war-ravaged nation of Val Verde. Hibiki and her squad infiltrate one of the Illuminati’s production facilities, liberating hundreds of enslaved individuals. After their presence is discovered, alchemists Saint-Germain, Cagliostro, and Prelati emerge as the organization’s leaders. Leveraging their alchemical abilities, they proclaim a worldwide revolution, sacrificing thousands of lives in the process. Confronting another existential threat, Hibiki and her allies must engage in their most arduous and devastating battle against the Bavarian Illuminati.

Rito Sudou, Kotoko Watatsumugi, and Mari Shirako share a common goal: they want their creations to be cherished worldwide. Combining their unique talents, the trio operates a small boutique named Park in Harajuku. As their popularity begins to grow, their fortunes seem to be heading in a promising direction. However, their livelihood is threatened when aliens called Scoopers arrive on Earth. Lacking any creative spark, the Scoopers travel the cosmos harvesting innovations from other civilizations. As these creatures descend upon Harajuku, a young girl named Misa Maruno appears. Claiming to have fled from the aliens, she hands each of the girls a strange device known as Amatsumara, which enables its user to bring anything they imagine to life. With the future of global artistry hanging in the balance, Rito, Kotoko, and Mari must now confront the Scoopers using the full force of their imaginative powers.

Ao Gennai is an ordinary first-year high school student, until one day a mysterious package arrives at her home. Inside, she discovers Gourai, a tiny humanoid robot capable of movement and combat, known as a Frame Arms Girl. Gourai is the first of her kind, equipped with an incredibly advanced AI that allows her to develop a personality, learn, and grow, similar to a human mind. After Gourai is activated, Ao is thrown into the world of Frame Arms Girls as more and more of these intelligent robots are delivered straight to her doorstep. Driven by a substantial cash reward, Ao is determined to gather as much data as possible on the Frame Arms Girls and their battles, all while they explore what it means to be human.

In the near future, Japan is devastated by a mysterious catastrophe. Five years later, the nation is actively rebuilding. At a university, two young scientists place their faith in robotics research. Their story, which reimagines the origins of the legendary hero Astro Boy leading up to his creation, is about to begin.

An adaptation of COLOPL's school action RPG. The story takes place in 2045. The planet has become polluted by the Irousu, enigmatic invaders that emerged without warning, forcing humanity into a state of restriction and containment. Yet common girls everywhere stand up to these enemies, lacking any powerful military force or even weapons. Shinjugamine Girls Academy serves as the training ground for these "Hoshimori" (Star Guardians), who are fated to battle the Irousu. The player is sent to this academy to instruct the girls and reclaim the contaminated Earth. Once more, the school bell rings across the sunlit campus, signaling the start of another day of classes.

After being scouted by the prestigious Spanish team BC Sol for his performance in the Japanese Championship, Valt Aoi travels to Spain. Alongside his friends, Valt sets his sights on the global stage, launching their challenge for the World League. However, securing a spot requires them to first triumph in the European League. Can Valt lead BC Sol to qualify and defeat the world's most powerful Bladers?

The integration of human consciousness into robotic "I-Machines" has become feasible due to the discovery of a precious mineral known as "orichalt," though there is a risk that the mind may become permanently trapped within its metallic shell. This peril defines the existence of the Excavate Company, a reckless team of I-Machine miners under the command of the infamous Grayman, who seek orichalt for financial gain. After rescuing Maya Mikuri, a student left behind by her team and falsely accused of stealing orichalt secrets, she joins the group to prove her innocence. This event sets off a journey that alters the lives of the team, particularly Ido, a skilled member suffering from amnesia, who may finally have the opportunity to uncover his true identity.

Set in the near future, the newly founded private girls' school Goryoukan Academy harbors a secret identity. The institution houses Fifth Force, a specialized unit composed of students chosen from the academy to battle a threat known as O'bli. This narrative explores the bonds of love, courage, and friendship among the girls known as Strikers.

Emi, a seventeen-year-old girl residing in Shibuya, has grown apathetic as her father is perpetually absent due to work. Everything shifts when a twist of fate involving a certain magical object alters her life. An enigmatic pencil, of all things, becomes connected to the arrival of heroes from a different dimension! Is this the beginning of the thrill she's been yearning for, or is there a deeper secret at play?

Set in a far-off future, the story begins when a boy encounters a certain girl. The Pan Galaxy Republic has fallen into decline, along with many other empires, scattering the galaxy's inhabitants. Living peacefully on his side of the world, Banjou—who collects trash at the spherical wall—finds a girl frozen inside a broken spaceship. Villains are pursuing her, and suddenly the quiet galaxy stirs with activity. Unbeknownst to him, the frozen girl is Goza 168th, the key that will decide the fate of the entire universe. Overcoming hardships, the two embark on a journey to revive the Galaxy Republic. It may be a tough challenge, but that's fine—let's take it slow! A comedy of an irresponsible galaxy voyage begins!

On an ordinary planet in the distant future. Humans have long been at war with the mechanical aristocrats called "Hyperion." This is the story of Drossel, a Hyperion and the daughter of the Duke von Flügel, and her butler Gedächtnis in the Tower of Tempest, isolated from the outside world. Their daily tasks revolve around managing problems that occur in their high-rising castle-tower while awaiting the day the stars realign themselves.<br><br>

Yuuka meets Chii-chan, an earth dweller, and Ucchan, an extraterrestrial, leading to their chaotic yet heartwarming daily lives.

Inazma Delivery takes place in Babiden City, a town powered entirely by electricity. Hemingway is a dedicated young man employed by the delivery firm Inazma, which guarantees that every package reaches its intended destination. His life changes when an extraterrestrial child dressed in a shark costume named Bytheway arrives, requesting delivery back to their home planet. Consequently, Hemingway and Bytheway become entangled in a series of diverse adventures.

In the near future, the government creates a specialized unit known as the Mobile Emergency Police DRIVE HEAD to handle disasters, accidents, and crimes that surpass human understanding. This force merges firefighting, rescue, and police expertise. Its members pilot DRIVE HEAD, advanced devices that shift from vehicle form to humanoid walkers. Young, gifted grade school students like Go Kurumada team up with adult officers to rush to emergencies, ensuring public safety and maintaining peace.

An Ling Yu Shi Di Qi picks up after the events of Lilo & Stitch and its related films and TV sequels, including Leroy & Stitch, but takes place before the Stitch! anime. In this series, Stitch is abducted by space criminals who intend to use him to create their own destructive genetic experiment. He manages to escape and lands in China's Huangshan mountains, where he meets Ai, a lively local girl who is in danger of being separated from her older sister Jiejie. Stitch becomes Ai's "dog," and together they help each other with their respective problems: Ai aids Stitch in dealing with the space criminals, while Stitch helps her stay in the mountains with her family. Later, Jumba and Pleakley arrive, initially aiming to bring Stitch back to the United Galactic Federation, but Ai and Jiejie convince them to let Stitch remain. Jumba and Pleakley also stay to keep an eye on Stitch and assist him and his new family, though Jumba worries about a hidden function he secretly programmed into Stitch—one that causes the experiment to grow into a giant beast when his destructive programming is triggered in a large city—and fears that the space criminals might figure out how to subconsciously manipulate Stitch into activating it.

The planet of Akindo is the best planet in the universe at earning money. Prince Peso, the planet's ruler, lives a bum's life of playing smartphone games every day, always concentrated on paying micro-transactions. One day, the king demands that all the money in the universe be brought to him, and Peso and his lackeys are cast out. Now, Peso travels the universe, meeting aliens and fighting them in business battles. <br><br>

A boy named Gen travels through time from the year 2020 to a far-off future in which humanity has disappeared. He takes up residence at the Ganko family's home in the Rustling Forest, where he lacks all the modern comforts he is accustomed to—no electricity, gas, or running water, and no television, smartphones, convenience stores, snacks, or games.

A decade ago, a stone that looked exactly like an egg was discovered. This object turned out to be an ancient legendary Dragon Egg, and it later transformed into a dragon. People called this event the 'First Hatching' and realized they could harness a dragon's powerful energy only if they could speak the dragon language. Soon after this discovery, an international society selected talented children to communicate with dragons and trained them to carry out impossible missions. This group of children was named the Knights of Dragon. The Knights of Dragon succeeded in their impossible missions by finding dragons and their language hidden all around the world. Everything was going well until they were attacked by the Defectors.

Fifth season of the Washimo series.

To recruit GG Bond as a partner for Iron Fist, Mr. Mihoo assumed the guise of a schoolteacher, showcasing the wonders of interstellar travel to persuade him. GG Bond accepted the invitation and joined the agency. As GG Bond’s companion and pet, Iron Fist possesses the ability to absorb anything, harboring the secret that his stomach connects to the infinite fifth dimension. When Iron Fist consumes the stone of eternal energy, the universe faces imbalance. GG Bond must venture into the fifth dimension within Iron Fist to retrieve the stone. After overcoming numerous challenges, he succeeds in bringing it out and saving the world.

Ethan is a cocky and self-assured young boy whose inquisitive nature frequently lands him in hot water. After persuading his friends to investigate what seems to be an abandoned warehouse, they discover three dusty, retired Athlon units. Team Athlon advances to the Finals, surpassing all expectations and defeating Baron Bach along the way. Refusing to give up the crown, Baron Bach accuses Ethan of cheating. However, Agent A-1 provides ample evidence proving Baron Bach is the true culprit. A fierce battle follows, but Team Athlon wins, claiming the title of new Off-Road Racing Champions.