Best Sci-Fi Anime of 2018

In a far-off future, humanity has been pushed to the edge of extinction by enormous creatures called Klaxosaurs, forcing the survivors to dwell inside massive fortified cities known as Plantations. Children raised in these cities are trained to pilot giant mechas called FranXX—the only weapons capable of fighting the Klaxosaurs—in male-female pairs. Created solely for the purpose of operating these machines, these children have no knowledge of the outside world and can only justify their existence by protecting their species. Hiro, a would-be FranXX pilot, has lost his drive and self-assurance after failing an aptitude test. Skipping his class's graduation ceremony, he goes to a forest lake, where he meets a mysterious girl with two horns protruding from her head. She introduces herself by her codename Zero Two, known to belong to a notorious FranXX pilot called the "Partner Killer." Before Hiro can process the meeting, the Plantation is suddenly attacked by a Klaxosaur. Zero Two engages the creature in her FranXX, but the mecha sustains heavy damage and crashes near Hiro. Finding her partner dead, Zero Two asks Hiro to pilot the mecha with her, and together they easily defeat the Klaxosaur. With a new partner at his side, Hiro has been given a chance to redeem his past failures—but at what price?

Rintarou Okabe, the eccentric self-proclaimed mad scientist, has been reduced to a hollow shell following the trauma of failing to save Makise Kurisu. Overcome by depression, he abandons his scientist persona to live as an ordinary college student, attempting to bury the horrors of his time travel experiences while surrounded by friends who remain unaware of his past. While working as a receptionist at a technology forum, Okabe encounters Maho Hiyajo, a spirited young woman who later serves as the interpreter for a presentation by Professor Alexis Leskinen. During the event, Alexis and Maho unveil Amadeus, a groundbreaking AI capable of simulating a person’s memories, personality, and quirks with perfect fidelity. After the presentation, Okabe discovers that Maho and Alexis were Kurisu’s university colleagues and have created a digital simulation of her. Tasked by Alexis with researching the AI’s behavior, Okabe gains the opportunity to interact with the digital echo of his lost friend. Caught in a dangerous entanglement with the past, he must confront harsh realities and navigate the perilous consequences of altering the natural flow of time.

"To be quiet and do as you're told, that's the cowardly choice." So says Junk Dog, an underground fighter in Megalo Box—a sport where boxers use mechanical limbs called Gear to boost their speed and power. Though brimming with potential, his illegal fights force him to throw matches on the orders of his boss, Gansaku Nanbu. Everything changes when the Megalo Box champion, Yuuri, appears in Junk Dog's shabby ring disguised as an ordinary challenger. After being knocked out in a single round, Junk Dog receives a challenge: "If you're serious about fighting me again, then fight your way up to me and my ring." Overflowing with excitement and backed by the criminal syndicate that profited from his fixed matches, Junk Dog enters Megalonia—a global tournament meant to determine the strongest Megalo Boxer. Without a name of his own, he adopts the moniker "Joe" and begins his climb from the very bottom of the ranked fighters list. With only three months to qualify, Joe must face opponents like none he has ever fought before to meet the challenge of his rival.

Yuuta Hibiki regains consciousness in Rikka Takarada's room, realizing he has no memories and can hear an unknown voice calling his name from another room. Investigating, he discovers a robot inside an old computer monitor—it introduces itself as Hyper Agent Gridman. To Yuuta's shock, Rikka neither hears Gridman nor sees the eerie monsters that appear above a thick fog blanketing the town. When another giant monster materializes in the city, causing destruction, Yuuta is pulled back to the computer and fuses with Gridman. He suddenly finds himself in the midst of the battle, forced to fight the creature. Alongside Rikka and their classmate Shou Utsumi, Yuuta establishes the "Gridman Alliance" to defeat the monsters terrorizing the city and uncover who is behind their appearance.

Touma Kamijou just can't get a break. Following the attack on Academy City, political tensions keep escalating as the science and magic sides clash head-on. It looks like Academy City is getting ready to declare war on the Roman Catholic Church, which would throw the entire world into global conflict. Once again, Touma finds himself on the front lines, fighting to protect his friends and allies. Toaru Majutsu no Index III is the final installment of the original franchise, following Touma, Accelerator, and the true Level 0 Shiage Hamazura on their separate paths, building toward the conclusion of the original light novel series.

After the intense battle on Rakuyou, the hidden past and genuine objective of the immortal Naraku leader, Utsuro, come to light. By corrupting the Altana reserves of multiple planets, Utsuro has provoked the intervention of the Tendoshuu's foremost adversary: the Altana Liberation Army. With Earth serving as the primary battlefield in this interplanetary conflict, Utsuro's scheme to annihilate the planet—and himself—is nearly achieved. An assault on the O-Edo Central Terminal signals the start of the final battle to reclaim the land of the samurai. With the Yorozuya absent, the bakufu in near ruin, and the Shogun missing, the populace is left utterly defenseless as the Liberation Army begins looting Edo under the pretext of freeing them from the Tendoshuu's dominion. Stuck between two equally formidable factions, can Gintoki, Kagura, Shinpachi, and the former disciples of Shouyou Yoshida set aside their differences and rally their allies to safeguard what they cherish?

After the Altana Liberation Army temporarily pulled back from the Kabuki District, the war situation seemed to be improving. But while the Oniwaban, Shinsengumi, and local residents fight the remaining enemy forces, Edo's greatest inventor, Gengai Hiraga, is kidnapped. Since his nanomachine virus was responsible for forcing the enemy's retreat by disabling their weapons, there is now a risk that the virus will be shut down. Meanwhile, a planet-destroying laser is activated on the Liberation Army's mother ship in Earth's orbit. Shinsuke Takasugi and the Kiheitai arrive on the vessel to stop the weapon from firing, sparking another battle. Forced to fight on two fronts, the Yorozuya and their allies must win both battles to save Edo and the entire world.

College student Yuuya Nomoto gets swept into a kidnapping scheme without realizing it, only to witness his companions slain by Hitomi Uzaki—the very high school girl they meant to abduct. Pressured into driving her to a secret location, he discovers he has been placed as the stake in a lethal confrontation between two Therianthropes, genetically enhanced hybrids of humans and animals. One of these hybrids, Hitomi, exploits the speed and audacity bestowed by her ratel DNA to ruthlessly eliminate her opponent and spare Yuuya from death. Hours later, Yuuya awakens desperately wishing it was all a nightmare, but he soon grasps that he is now trapped in a covert proxy conflict among four major Japanese business groups, where the victor will seize economic dominance. As her lone—and reluctant—backer, his own existence hinges on Hitomi's participation in clandestine death matches referred to solely as Killing Bites.

As technology continues to advance rapidly, humanity develops hIEs—human-like robots serving as both public and personal assistants in society. The compassionate high school student Arato Endou treats these androids as equals, though his limited finances prevent him from ever owning one. His ordinary life is disrupted when a simple trip to the grocery store takes a terrible turn. Attacked violently by a rogue hIE, Arato finds himself near death, but he is rescued by an unusual hIE carrying a coffin-like weapon. Her name is Lacia, one of five exceptionally advanced hIEs that have recently escaped from the mysterious MemeFrame Corporation. When a hacked car threatens to run them over, Lacia proposes a deal to Arato: in return for saving his life, he must register as her new owner, assuming full responsibility for her actions. With no real alternative, he agrees to trust this artificial girl and lets her live in his home. As Lacia grows accustomed to her newfound peaceful life, she warns the fascinated Arato of one important fact—she does not possess a soul.

On a secluded island called Urashima, far removed from the mainland, a man drifts ashore with no memory of his name or birthplace. What he does remember is that he is a time traveler with a mission: to rescue a certain girl from danger. When night falls, he meets Rinne Ohara, a girl whose singing stirs a specific name in his mind—Setsuna—and he decides to adopt it as his own. Since Rinne knows another "Setsuna," she takes him into her home as a servant, hoping he is the same person she recalls. Meanwhile, Setsuna continues to learn about Urashima, seeking to uncover his lost past. He discovers the island's folklore, its three great families, and the endemic disease that prevents anyone afflicted from going outside during daylight. As the mysteries of his missing memories and Urashima itself unravel, Setsuna must remember his purpose and fulfill his mission quickly. Yet, witnessing the many troubles plaguing the island, he begins to wonder—is his journey through time merely an attempt to change the fate of a single girl?

For more than 150 years, two interstellar nations have been locked in a struggle for control of the Milky Way. The Galactic Empire, an absolute monarchy under Kaiser Friedrich IV and a entrenched aristocracy, aims to crush any who defy the sacred crown. The Free Planets Alliance, a representative democracy governed by a corrupt High Council, is in decline as its elected officials exploit war and conflict to gain popular approval. This long-standing deadlock between the Empire and the Alliance is broken by the emergence of two opposing military prodigies. Reinhard von Lohengramm, a low-ranking noble who became High Admiral of the Empire through his strategic genius and his sister's role as the Kaiser's favored concubine, aspires to conquer the galaxy and bring all of humanity under his iron rule. On the other side, Yang Wen-li of the Alliance, a passionate historian and reluctant commodore hailed as the Hero of El Facil, uses his tactical skill to work around his leaders' incompetence and forge a path toward lasting peace. As the war intensifies, Reinhard and Yang each pursue their ideals and strive to secure their place among the stars as the leaders of a new era of galactic heroes.

What defines happiness? As a psychology enthusiast, high school student Ritsu Shikishima often contemplates such questions while enjoying tranquil days alongside his companions. Yet his flawless world begins to crack when he detects a strange voice buried in static, urgently calling for aid. This voice belongs to μ, a cherished pop star whose songs start distorting reality. Before Ritsu's eyes, the faces of his friends and family warp with digital glitches as μ's melody turns them into Digiheads—raging monsters determined to eradicate anyone awakening to their true predicament. Realizing he is imprisoned within a simulated realm called Mobius, crafted by μ, Ritsu must assemble others who have also recognized the deception before they are wiped out. Uniting, they harness newfound abilities and weapons born from their emotions—the Catharsis Effect—to battle the enigmatic Ostinato Musicians while striving to break free.

Oneiromancy suggests that dreams of dragons symbolize the danger of being consumed by one’s own rage. True to this notion, Souya Kuroi awakens from a terrifying vision of a colossal dragon obliterating everything in a burst of rainbow-colored radiance. Following an inexplicable incident that claimed his parents and his memories, his reality feels like a living nightmare. With the dream as his sole recollection, he is left in the care of two unusual caretakers: the vibrant and spirited maid Ginko, and a massive feline referred to only as Sensei. His existence is upended when Saromisaka City is attacked by a UFO shaped like a teddy bear. Conventional military force fails to stop the threat, prompting seven enigmatic individuals to step forward and defeat the creature with the same rainbow hues Souya witnessed in his dream. After the extraterrestrial menace is vanquished, these seven individuals encounter a new enemy: Souya. Driven by a desire for retribution against those who ruined his past, he launches an assault on these so-called heroes, dragging the conflict into a battle of cosmic scale.

In a world filled with dragons and Jushiki sorcerers, Jushiki is an immensely powerful formula that can rewrite the laws of physics, generating massive TNT explosions or poisonous gas through plasma and nuclear fusion. A struggling sorcerer named Gayus teams up with the stunning yet ruthless Jushiki user Gigina, working together as bounty hunters who track and capture dragons. One day, they receive an unusual assignment: to act as security guards for a grand festival organized by Mouldeen, the ruler of their kingdom. Soon after, a mysterious series of murders targeting Jushiki sorcerers begins.

The story takes place in a near-future era where the line between humans and AI has become blurred. A single event triggers a sudden surge in biological evolution, reminiscent of the "Cambrian Explosion." This event becomes the starting point of a new power struggle, and the effects of the evolution extend beyond living organisms, spreading into various materials and technologies. An age of sweeping transformation involving humans, machines, biotechnology, and other diverse entities begins. In this world, characters must fight an existential war for survival.

In the year 2050, young engineer Derrida Yvain gains renown for his work on the "Autonomous Machine DZ" at Rebuild, the enterprise established by his father. When Derrida and his coworker Nathan uncover a critical defect in the DZ units and attempt to alert their superiors, their warnings are dismissed. Aware of the impending threat, they delay action and attend a birthday celebration for Nathan’s daughter, Mage. Following a tranquil day, the pair is ambushed by mysterious assailants. During their flight, Derrida is forced into a cryogenic pod and remains in suspended animation for a decade. He awakens to find the world ravaged by conflict. As he battles a swarm of rogue DZs and contemplates surrender, he remembers Nathan’s final request to "Take care of Mage." Resolute despite his dire circumstances, Derrida embarks on a journey to find her.

Arato Endou and his loyal hIE, Lacia, reunite to demonstrate that artificial intelligence can be safely neutralized, regardless of its brilliance. As they infiltrate the facility to face Higgins, Lacia’s creator, they must battle foes on multiple fronts. These include Snowdrop, an out-of-control hIE determined to consume Higgins, and Methode, a hIE seeking revenge against Lacia. Furthermore, the world’s super-intelligent AIs have unanimously agreed to eliminate Lacia, viewing her as a danger to humankind. With time running out and the odds heavily stacked against them, can Arato and Lacia achieve their goal of a peaceful coexistence between humans and hIEs?

The urban legend surrounding the 4:44 ritual involves using a radio to emit specific frequencies before the Akeyuki Sacred Tree at precisely 4:44, a process said to transport participants to another dimension. When Asuka Tsuchimiya and her friends—Nana Nanase, Mia Silverstone, Yuu Tounaka, and Chloe Morisu—attempt this ritual as part of the Crystal Radio Research Club's activities, they are stunned to find it actually works. The group ends up in a parallel world referred to as a fragment, where they encounter an eerily familiar girl: Asuka’s counterpart from that reality. This alternate Asuka is known as Seriouska, named for her grave demeanor and combat prowess. Seriouska explains the severe threat known as the Twilight, which is consuming all parallel worlds by erasing their possibilities. She is driven to kill the Twilight King, the man responsible for the Twilight’s expansion across the multiverse. Akanesasu Shoujo chronicles the five girls’ journey as they strive to embrace their authentic identities while hunting for the Twilight King. Yet, the answer to stopping the encroaching Twilight may lie nearer than they realize.

The once peaceful city of Lisvalletta now faces a dangerous new drug called Anthem. Its side effects enable users to enter an Overdrive state, transforming them into superpowered beasts with inhuman abilities. The police are powerless against this threat, so the Special Crime Investigation Unit SEVEN-O takes charge. To mitigate the dangers, investigators operate under the patented "Double Decker" system, working in "buddy cop" pairs. As a child, ordinary police officer Kirill Vrubel dreamed of becoming a hero by saving a school from a random terrorist attack. That chance arrives when the landlady blackmails Kirill into searching for her lost cat. After arriving at an abandoned warehouse and falling asleep, Kirill wakes up in the middle of a hostage crisis involving an Anthem user. By teaming up with SEVEN-O detective Douglas "Doug" Bilingam, Kirill secures a spot as the newest SEVEN-O member. Now, with help from this secret organization, Kirill may finally realize the dream of becoming a hero.

Gunpla Battle Nexus Online (GBN) is a new online game that allows players to take on a wide range of missions with Gunpla inside a virtual cyberspace. Middle schoolers Riku Mikami and Yukio Hidaka recruit their classmate Momoka Yashiro and dive together into this expansive world. Becoming "Divers"—the inhabitants of GBN—they encounter a mysterious girl named Sarah, who possesses an extraordinary sensitivity to Gunpla. They begin playing alongside her, but events take a turn... Many other famous Divers exist, most notably Kyoya Kujo, the champion Riku looks up to. Multiple Divers can unite to form a team called a "force." Meanwhile, the game faces disruption from Mass-Divers who employ unauthorized tools known as break decals. Through countless encounters and experiences, Riku and his friends will build not only Gunpla but also their own adventures.

A scientific project uncovered a mysterious substance capable of directly linking with the human brain. This material, known as Exotic Matter (XM), has been present throughout history, shaping human thoughts and civilization's advancement. Following this revelation, a conflict erupted among powerful countries and corporate entities. Organizations worldwide secretly compete to harness XM, which poses both a chance and a danger to humanity. Two factions vie for control over XM. The Enlightened view XM's power as a boon that enriches human perception and exploration. The Resistance see XM as an intrusive takeover of the human mind, advocating for technology as humanity's optimal route forward. XM and its hidden nature lie at the heart of this struggle for humanity's destiny. 2018—Now, a fresh confrontation is poised to unfold in Tokyo and across the world. Dangerous and formidable forces seeking to exploit XM's potential will clash. This groundbreaking initiative will herald the start of an epic augmented-reality experience that merges animation, location-based gaming, and the real world.

Subaru Ichinose regards his cockpit as a sanctuary, comparing it to being inside his mother's womb. He finds it difficult to communicate with his fellow pilots, so the cockpit is the only place he can truly be alone. As the ace pilot aboard the Tiramisu, the Earth Union's most crucial battleship, his duty is to protect Mother Earth from dangers arising from humanity's expanded reach across the universe. Piloting his personal mecha, Durandal, Subaru must repel encroaching foreign colonies while also safeguarding his private refuge from rogue fried pork skewers, suffocating backwards shirts, and unwelcome redesigns. In the year Space Age 0156, the fate of humanity rests solely in his hands.

In the future, the seas around Onomichi, Hiroshima, have lost all fish, leaving only whales in the ocean. To address this, the Ministry of Fishery builds massive experimental Universe Fish Tanks in space. The Onomichi Universe Fishery Union is formed to train space fishermen, and due to a strengthened equal employment law for men and women, female fishermen are in high demand. Six new female space fishermen are chosen, and the story follows their growth with support.

Evil forces are gaining strength. After Sister Jill turns one of her subordinates into the beastly Breast Claw and deploys her minions to execute a jewelry store robbery alongside the Panther Claw group, Honey Kisaragi leaves her Catholic girls' school to face the danger as Cutie Honey. This outcome is precisely what Sister Jill intends, since she covets Honey's Airborne Element Fixing Device, the artifact that enables her to shift into seven distinct forms. At the same time, Sister Jill appears in disguise as Inspector Genet, attempting to gain Honey's trust through a different approach.

Two years have passed since the God Blader’s Cup when Valt Aoi faces off against Aiga Akaba, a feral youth raised in the wild. Inspired by the encounter, Valt resolves to claim the title of the world’s top Blader with his Beyblade, Z Achilles, seeking out powerful rivals to fuel his own growth. Meanwhile, Aiga sets out on his own path with the goal of defeating Valt Aoi and seizing the World Champion crown.

Second season of Uchuu Senkan Tiramisù.

The story centers on Arashi and his Wild Liger. Their primary adversaries are the Death Metal Empire, ruled by Gallagher, who employ Zoids for domination and command numerous Zoids and fighters, among them the Four Heavenly Kings. Arashi aspires to follow his father's path as a Zoid Hunter and discover his ultimate partner. Early in his adventure, he forms a bond with the Wild Liger and encounters Bacon and Team Supreme, who inform him about the Great Ancient Treasure Z.

In this science-fiction comedy, professional sports bounty hunters face off against each other in athletic competitions. The storyline revolves around Arigetti, Korupi, and Sabina, three women on a team who engage in a variety of sports.

Hayato Hayasugi, whose surname serves as a pun for being too fast, along with other kids, take on the role of conductors to drive the Shinkalion. These transforming robots are based on actual Japanese Shinkansen bullet trains and change form to battle an unidentified malevolence in order to safeguard Japan’s peace and security. To overcome a foe resembling a jet-black bullet train, the young pilots must collaborate with the adult staff at the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute (SUEI).

The second season of Inazma Delivery.

Fifth-grade student Eiji Toomatsu and his dog Pochirou, his "inspiration" buddy, share adventures. One day, Eiji stumbles upon a mysterious tome called the Pikachin Research Book, which reveals the seven tools that comprise the Pikachin Kit. When he pushes a button inside the book, a delivery from "Future Amazon" arrives at his door with the kit. Eiji uses the provided blueprints to put it together, but one percent of the kit still seems to be missing. In this franchise, "Pikachin" signifies the flash of inspiration or insight one gets for a new project, akin to a lightbulb lighting up above one's head when an idea strikes. The franchise's core concept is that invention is 99% plastic models and 1% inspiration.

A surreal setting where "scary cute" monsters go on unending rampages. Though they appear and behave like toys, their towering height of several stories causes catastrophic damage across Japan.

To celebrate the 2018 World Cup, this season of GG Bond centers on athletic team competition, camaraderie, and personal development as they participate in the Meteor League.

Second season of the Gan Gan Ganko-chan anime series.

Sixth season of the Washimo series.

The second season of <i>Congming De Shunliu 2</i>.