Best Sci-Fi Anime of 1987

Kame-Sen'nin gives Goku and Kuririn the assignment of rescuing the sleeping princess from Lucifer, promising to take them on as his students if they succeed. However, the task turns out to be far more dangerous than they first expected.

In the year 2032, seven years after the Second Great Kanto Earthquake destroyed Tokyo, the city has been rebuilt as MegaTokyo. Mechanical laborers called Boomers handled the reconstruction. Originally created to assist humans, these units are now being turned into weapons by the secretive corporation Genom, becoming powerful human-like machines of destruction. To deal with the growing number of Boomer-related crimes, the AD Police were formed as a special task force. However, the official police struggle against the large numbers and superior power of their enemies. Because of this, the responsibility falls on the Knight Sabers, a mysterious group of vigilantes who use advanced powersuits that are even better than military technology. Led by Sylia Stingray, the team includes Priscilla "Priss" Asagiri, Nene Romanova, and Linna Yamazaki, working together to stop any Boomer that threatens the public.

Shirotsugh "Shiro" Lhadatt is a cadet in the Royal Space Force (RSF) of the Kingdom of Honneamise, despite never having left his home planet—something no one has ever achieved. The RSF is seen as a failure by its citizens and a government more focused on war with a neighboring nation than on advancing science. After attending a memorial for a fellow cadet, Shiro wanders the city at night and meets Riquinni Nonderaiko, a passionate young person enthusiastic about space exploration. Their interactions deepen, and Riquinni's motivation inspires Shiro to volunteer as a pilot for an upcoming rocket mission that could make him Honneamise's first astronaut. Soon after, Shiro and the RSF join forces with a dedicated group of experienced scientists and engineers eager to revive the nation's struggling space program. However, their efforts catch the government's attention, revealing possible hidden motives for the RSF. Despite major obstacles, this determined group persists, believing the cosmos may hold humanity's ultimate chance for redemption.

Neo Tokyo is an anthology film composed of three distinct short stories directed by Rintaro, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, and Katsuhiro Otomo. In "Labyrinth Labyrinthos," Sachi and her cat Cicerone fall through a mirror into a strange maze while searching for the feline, chased by a clown's shadow into the unknown. "Running Man" follows journalist Bob Stone as he investigates the life of Zack Hugh, the longtime champion of a deadly car race whose body and mind have deteriorated over ten years. As the next race begins, Bob witnesses the severe effects on both the racer and the vehicle. "The Order to Stop Construction" centers on office worker Tsutomo Sugioka, who ventures into a dangerous jungle to halt a construction project after the site supervisor goes missing. He finds himself in a chaotic domain run by self-operating construction robots. When the lead robot refuses to follow his orders, Tsutomo must find another way to stop operations before his company suffers major financial loss.

In the follow-up series, after Kenshiro defeated Raoh, a new adversary emerges: the warriors of the Gentou Kouken. Falco, the successor of the Gentou Kouken style, takes orders from an evil ruler named Jacko. Jacko claims to be the man chosen by the Tentei and commands his subordinates to capture all living people in order to build his Imperial Capital. Kenshiro once again rises from the shadows and puts an end to Jacko's tyrannical ways. Amidst the chaos, Lynn is captured and taken to the land of the Shura, a place inhabited only by ruthless fighters. Now Kenshiro must pursue her captor and defeat the three Rasho of that land in order to escape with his life and with Lynn.

Nine prominent Japanese animators each contributed a short piece centered on the theme of robots to Robot Carnival. Though the segments are independent, they are connected through their shared examination of human-robot relationships and the outcomes of creating artificial life. Each film delivers its own unique viewpoint on these topics. The individual shorts consist of "Opening," co-directed by Atsuko Fukushima and Katsuhiro Otomo; "Franken's Gears" by Koji Morimoto; "Deprive" by Hidetoshi Omori; "Presence" by Yasuomi Umetsu; "Star Light Angel" by Hiroyuki Kitazume; "Cloud" by Mao Lamdo; "A Tale of Two Robots" by Hiroyuki Kitakubo; "Nightmare" by Takashi Nakamura; and "Ending," again co-directed by Atsuko Fukushima and Katsuhiro Otomo.

Freelance journalist Sybel is overjoyed at scoring an exclusive story after stumbling across the wreckage of a military plane that crashed. She has no idea that the aircraft was transporting two prototype android killers, built to assassinate a specific target. With the military trying to cover up the accident, Sybel has to find and shield the person marked for death, all while exposing the military’s lies before time runs out.

In the story "Saint Seiya: Evil Goddess Eris," Eris, the goddess of chaos, possesses Elien—a close friend of Hyoga—to facilitate her own revival. She seeks the golden apple to drain Athena's life force, which is necessary for regaining full power and turning the world into a chaotic domain. To counter this threat, Seiya and his allies must first defeat the Ghost Knights.

During the initial trial of a cutting-edge combat exoskeleton dubbed the MADOX-01, accomplished test pilot Elle Kusomoto defeats an attacking tank battalion and simultaneously humiliates Lt. Kilgore, Japan's top tank commander. Determined to exact his revenge, Kilgore spots his opportunity when the MADOX prototype falls off a delivery truck in the middle of Tokyo. Meanwhile, after a chaotic series of events involving a tumble from one truck, a jump over a bridge, and landing in another truck, the MADOX winds up in the possession of college student Koji Sujimoto. Fascinated by the suit, Koji makes the mistake of tinkering with it without reading the manual, promptly getting trapped inside and sparking a frantic rampage through central Tokyo.

In the era of space colonization, rival corporations compete for dominance over newly discovered planets. Syncam, one such company, dispatches a mixed crew of experienced astronauts and new recruits into cryogenic sleep for a twenty-year voyage to a remote world. Upon awakening, a cryptic message discloses that two crew members are fugitives using false identities. This revelation breeds distrust among the group, triggering a string of bizarre deaths and disappearances. As the surviving members grow fewer, they must unravel the truth behind the malevolent forces operating aboard their ship.

The planet Agerna holds vast deposits of Vizorium, the sole mineral that makes space travel possible. When mysterious attacks against mining operations start a wave of mutual accusations among the world's governments, the World Welfare & Works Association dispatches its finest agents to get to the bottom of it. Can these lovely angels handle a mad scientist who intends to guide a long-dormant alien race toward its ultimate evolutionary stage? Add a thief on the hunt for a bottle of wine from the World War II era, and it's a sure thing that no one on the planet is safe. With chaos, mayhem, and destruction reaching new heights, the Dirty Pair face their most outrageous case yet.

In Super Dimension Fortress Macross Flash Back 2012, audiences witness Minmei's final concert, showcasing her most popular songs along with significant scenes from both the Macross television series and the film Macross: Do You Remember Love? Furthermore, this release includes a new animated segment illustrating the departure of Misa's colony ship, the Megaroad-01, as it sets off on its voyage into space.

After learning that malicious invaders destroyed their homeworlds, four psychic warriors are gathered by a mysterious doctor to merge into Dangaioh, the most powerful weapon in the universe. By unleashing their combined cyonic powers, they are the only ones who can put an end to the brutal tyranny of Captain Garimoth and his evil henchman, preventing the universe's destruction.

It has been three weeks since Captain Napolipolita's ship crash-landed on top of Graviton City, and A-Ko and her friends are now starting their summer vacation. A-Ko is focused on trying to lose weight, while B-Ko crafts another plan to outshine her redheaded rival and win C-Ko's favor. Napolipolita and Spy-D, however, are battling intense homesickness and desperately searching for a way to return to their world. At the same time, Hikari Daitokuji, B-Ko's father and the head of the Daitokuji Financial Group, equips the local military with new mecha in a bid to attack Napolipolita's ship and seize its advanced technology.

Following the cancellation of the original TV series, this OVA was released directly to video in Japan and actually consists of the last two episodes of that series.

In the year 2087 AD, the United Lunar Empire Giganos wages war on the Earth Federation Military with the goal of conquering the planet and ushering in a "rebirth" for humanity. During an attack on a colony by Giganos forces, three ordinary male civilians discover three top-secret Metal Armor units—the Dragonars—and take flight to confront the enemy.

The story is set on the planet Maris in the year 2387. During this period, the Nozas begin a genocidal campaign to kill all humans, intending to use the planet for their own egg-laying and reproduction. In response, three enigmatic guns known as the "Zillion Weapon System" emerge, and three teenagers—JJ, Champ, and Apple—are selected to wield them as the White Knights, fighting to resist the Nozas.

In the ongoing conflict for Cybertron, Galvatron reappears with his Destron Headmasters to initiate a new offensive. The Cybertrons receive unexpected reinforcement from the arriving Cybertron Headmasters, commanded by Fortress (the head component of Fortress Maximus). It is revealed that Fortress Maximus left Cybertron eons ago in search of energy sources and has now come back. He explains that the Headmasters originate from a planet called Master, where human-sized robots constructed bodies of Transformer proportions. These robots can merge their own forms into the heads of those larger bodies, and they have now entered the war between the Cybertrons and Destrons.

After being found drifting lifeless through space, Lufy is taken aboard a Solnoid cruiser and granted a second chance at life. The former hardened warrior is shown events that erode her beliefs—experiencing death tends to change one's outlook—and weaken her fighting prowess at the very moment that strength is most critical.

In the first half of the 21st century, the Space Administration is attempting to carry out the "Space Seeding Plan." As this plan is executed, two young couples are chosen. A couple named Adam and Hannah also voluntarily agree to participate in this plan, and after undergoing various tests of body and soul, they are selected as members. Their sperm and eggs are placed aboard the spacecraft Ozma, which travels to the distant universe.

In the vastness of space, a crew of astronauts finds that their fellow crew member, Makimura, has died in suspicious circumstances, leaving behind a cryptic note foretelling his own murder. Despite their shock, the damaged condition of their ship forces them to evacuate immediately using escape pods. Determined to find the murderer, the survivors begin to suspect Kizaki, given his conflicts with Makimura over the sole female crew member, Nana Ichinomiya. Much to their surprise, they notice Makimura's pod following them, yet it fails to respond to any communication attempts. As the astronauts try to make sense of this strange situation, they uncover even more incredible stories about their deceased colleague, including one involving the Phoenix—a mythical bird said to grant immortality. Only after crash-landing on what seems to be a barren planet does the crew finally reveal the dark truth behind Makimura and his enigmatic pod. Set in a distant future, Hi no Tori: Uchuu-hen portrays the harsh reality of humans driven by intense desires, often ignoring the consequences of their deeds.

Near the forbidden planet Inferno II, a spaceship goes missing without any trace. Several years之后，a second vessel carrying a crew of nine arrives and is attacked by a monster that rapidly eliminates most of them. The lone survivor, Kitazato Makurou, must eradicate this creature before the third incoming ship's occupants meet the same fate.

The narrative centers on Nikolai, who appears to be a part-cyborg; Galory, a young boy who seems to be part human and part Crest person; and Althea, who is a full Crest person. A war between Earth and the Crest people has raged for three centuries, leaving lingering animosity between the two sides. The ship carrying Galory, Nikolai, and others is ambushed by automated attack vessels originating from a massive Crest ship that has been seized by an automaton. Nearly everyone on board is killed. Galory, Nikolai, and Althea venture to the Crest ship to search for any survivors from an advance team sent from Galory's vessel, and to determine if they can destroy the Type 38 automaton located at the ship's core.

A journey aboard a chartered aircraft alongside various thrill-seekers, most of whom are anthropomorphic fruits and vegetables, as they travel from island to island, each offering its own distinctive visual wonders.

Having vanquished the Zorbados Empire, the Jyusenki-tai—commonly called the Cyber Beast Force—has grown and now focuses on training new members. However, when a monster, likely a leftover from the Zorbados Empire, attacks a city and the CBF fails to stop it, they are thrown into prison. Their next move is to break out of captivity and uncover the truth behind the beast they confronted.

Three stories from Konami's Gradius series take place against the background of the planet Latis, which is under assault by the Space Dragon Salamander and its colossal war planet, the Bacterian swarm, annihilating all in its path. As defensive lines fail and hopelessness grows, three brave warriors from Gradius join forces with Lord British to protect their beloved world. In a prequel, a young woman from a distant planet brings a crucial warning to Gradius about the approaching Bacterian threat, recounting the path of three individuals who later become legendary defenders of the galaxy. Finally, in a future where a peace treaty has been signed, one of those revered heroes is captured by the Bacterians. Can Gradius's military might, alongside the other heroes, rescue the prisoner from an even more terrible fate?

In a world where two-wheeled motorcycles known as FXs are equipped with mechanical arms and have skyrocketed in popularity thanks to the ever-growing violence of racing, Makoto rides for a struggling D-ranked FX team that is deep in debt but still hungry for victory. With the highly anticipated Open Cup approaching and a huge prize on the line, Makoto and his crew are determined to win. But their homemade FX is underpowered, making their chances slim. Everything changes when they meet Gou, a mysterious figure who gives them a state-of-the-art engine. Eager to take the opportunity, they accept without considering the possible cost.

In the 22nd century, Shambhala city reporter Youko works for the Private Eyes newspaper and, together with her android boyfriend, bodyguard, and cameraman Pete, pursues the elusive criminal Mr. X. Their investigation brings them to the Rainbow Tower at TechnoLand amusement park, where Youko is taken hostage. Pete must fight to save her by destroying the program of the tower's central computer, preventing Mr. X's escape.

While searching for the legendary Mapman—the last surviving member of the Nomad Star tribe—Lipumira locates him in Tokyo. His name is Gen Tokishima, and he is the only person capable of retrieving one piece of the starmap hidden within Earth. After obtaining that piece, Gen must choose whether to follow Lipumira on her reckless quest to find the remaining starmap fragments or stay on Earth. He makes his decision, only to discover that his girlfriend has already boarded the spaceship ahead of him, insisting on coming along. Unfortunately, as Gen learns the secret of the starmap, Lipumira's sisters devise plans to stop her—and they will do so at any cost. Note: Shown in theaters as a double bill with the anime feature TWD EXPRESS Rolling Takeoff.

Set as a side story that occurs before the latter episodes of the main series and prior to Daba obtaining the L-Gaim Mk-II, this tale finds his ally Leccee taken prisoner by Poseidal's army. Daba and his fellow rebels launch a bold mission to save her.

Following a crash landing on the planet Chronos, the crew from an Earth vessel thinks they are marooned. They choose to form an alliance with the Machine Robos and fight together.

Flying Dougram battles in space.

On Mercury, Earth has constructed a massive solar power station to provide the planet with abundant energy. Suddenly, the Saint Elmo facility experiences a critical malfunction, prompting Earth to dispatch a team of technicians to Mercury to examine and resolve the issue.

This work was entered into a special animation competition held as part of a public relations campaign for an electric power company, but it was ultimately not selected. The reason is quite obvious: the story is set on a depleted Earth. There could hardly be a more unsuitable premise for a power company that consumes vast amounts of the planet's resources. Furthermore, a female robot discovered by the protagonist is capable of storing sunlight and converting it into energy—meaning, in essence, that the robot eliminates the need for a power generation company. On top of that, the robot destroys herself in order to protect an established solar power generation system in space. The failure of the competition bid for Tezuka Osamu was only to be expected, and it is evident that he created this piece deliberately, as he handled everything from the original story to the screenplay, animation, narration, and more, all while fully aware that the competition was sponsored by a power company.

Based on a manga by Hijiri Yuki that originally ran in Comic Nora, this film was released in theaters as a double feature alongside the anime movie MAPS: Densetsu no Samayoeru Seijin-tachi.