Despite Star Wars’ reputation as one of the most influential and dearly beloved sci-fi franchises in history, the opinions on its countless iterations — even among lifelong fans — are anything but homogeneous. And if there’s one installment in the Skywalker Saga that sparks the most outrage and controversy, it’s the notorious sequel trilogy.

Disney’s Star Wars sequel trilogy has been rightfully critiqued for plenty of reasons, from its messy plot progression and character development to the blatant disrespect of the franchise’s legacy. However, those looking for science fiction narratives that don’t suffer the same pitfalls as the infamous new trilogy might benefit from looking outside the live-action film medium. These exemplary anime sci-fi adventures succeed everywhere the Star Wars sequel trilogy disappointingly failed.

10

Legend of the Galactic Heroes Is Anime’s Most Iconic Space Opera

Streaming on Internet Archive

Emerging onto the sci-fi scene around the same time as Star Wars, Legend of the Galactic Heroes stands as anime’s most acclaimed space opera, a multifaceted and riveting war of ideologies taking space among distant stars. At the heart of the anime series lies a perpetual conflict between the autocratic Galactic Empire and the democratic Free Planets Alliance – a tense dispute with much more nuance than is apparent at first glance.

The two opposing powers of Legend of the Galactic Heroes are much more complex than straightforward forces of good and evil, which is a subtlety the new trilogy tried to bring into Star Wars yet failed to flesh-out. A political drama that seamlessly weaves together ideological and personal conflicts on an intergalactic scale, Legend of the Galactic Heroes is a must-watch for all fans of realistic and refined military sci-fi.

9

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Perfectly Expanded a Pre-Existing Video Game Universe

Streaming on Netflix

While not directly tied to the plot of the Cyberpunk 2077 video game, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners acts as a prequel that both succeeds as a stellar standalone story and masterfully expands the gritty futuristic dystopia of Night City. A tragedy basked in neon lights, the anime series narrates the tale of David Martinez – an ordinary boy turned underworld mercenary after losing everything to the system’s cruelty.

Whereas the Star Wars sequel trilogy struggles with forming an identity of its own, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners revels in adopting the elements of its source material to tell its own unique story – one even those unfamiliar with the game could thoroughly enjoy. Filled to the brim with memorable characters, kinetic action, and soul-stirring narrative substance, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is anime dystopian sci-fi at its most poignant.

8

Gintama Explores all of Star Wars: The Last Jedi’s Themes in a Better Way

Streaming on Crunchyroll

At first glance, the gag comedy anime Gintama and Star Wars appear to share nothing in common aside from a space-themed setting, which, arguably, is only seldom relevant to Gintama’s mostly Earth-centered plotlines. However, Gintoki’s eclectic adventures have a unique thematic parallel to the sequel trilogy when concerning Gintama’s more weighty narrative through-line — the idea of the past and how chasing it can hinder one’s growth.

Whereas the sequel trilogy muddles its thematic depth both in terms of its in-universe character arcs and the films’ relationship with their legacy, Gintama is a masterclass of subtle thematic writing about the same motifs. With excellent comedy being only the cherry on top of Gintama’s exceptional narrative, there’s hardly a better series for those who want to see the ideas only toyed with in the Star Wars sequel trilogy take proper shape.

7

Neon Genesis Evangelion Meaningfully Redefines Itself with Every Anime Iteration

Streaming on Netflix

Despite its controversial reputation, Neon Genesis Evangelion remains one of mecha anime’s most popular franchises. Like Star Wars, the series’ relationship with itself and its own legacy is complex. Following the disputed finale of the original 1995 series, Neon Genesis Evangelion went through multiple reiterations until definitively concluding with the Rebuild of Evangelion movie series in 2021.

Unlike Star Wars, all versions of Evangelion ultimately tell the same story – the tale of Shinji’s coming of age through his apocalyptic encounter with the alien Angels. Yet, instead of superficial novelties, each Evangelion installment inspects the story from a meaningful new angle, resulting in every part of the franchise feeling distinct and worthwhile despite ultimately revolving around the same narrative elements.

6

Space Dandy Remembers to Keep Its Intergalactic Adventures Fun & Entertaining

Streaming on Crunchyroll

Whereas the new Star Wars trilogy loses many in its attempts to over-complicate the plot and superficially pull at the audience’s heartstrings, many fans find Star Wars the most enjoyable when the franchise lets loose and doesn’t take itself too seriously. This spirit of lighthearted and endlessly imaginative space adventures makes up the appeal of Space Dandy — a wacky cosmic voyage of eccentric alien bounty hunters.

Episodic and hardly concerned with the deeper implications of its world, politics, and character development, Space Dandy is an open celebration of the creativity a space opera setting provides. From intergalactic zombie viruses to goofy space races to myriads of dangerous and alluring aliens – all is possible in Space Dandy’s colorful world of cosmic indulgences.

5

Astra Lost in Space Is a Masterwork of Character-Driven Sci-Fi Anime

Streaming on Crunchyroll

While introducing many new characters, the Star Wars sequel trilogy struggles to develop much of its extensive cast in meaningful ways or make them memorable. The importance of each hero is the focal point of the survival space drama Astra Lost in Space. It’s a suspenseful tale of nine young cadets stranded on a spaceship far from home, traversing the dangerous cosmos to find their way back.

Despite completing its tale in just 12 episodes, Astra Lost in Space gives every character time to develop and emphasizes the significance of their interpersonal relationships. The series’ fast pace doesn’t force it to sacrifice consequential character writing, which shines as the anime’s biggest strength throughout its plot-twist-filled narration.

4

Unlike Star Wars, Every Part of Cowboy Bebop’s World Feels Alive & Distinct

Streaming on Crunchyroll

Set in a unique space Western ambiance, Cowboy Bebop has stood the test of time as anime’s most acclaimed sci-fi adventure – one that makes the distant space feel both novelly exciting and somberly relatable. Where the Star Wars sequel trilogy’s derivative storytelling and unwillingness to meaningfully expand its exciting universe breaks the franchise, Cowboy Bebop revels in showcasing many corners of its world and the diverse stories of people surviving within them.

No two episodes of Cowboy Bebop are the same, willing to experiment with genre, format, and narrative approach to always keep the viewers engaged. Yet, the through-line connecting all these episodic tales is the Bebop crew itself – a ragtag team of bounty hunters all running from their troubled pasts.

3

Gurren Lagann Sticks to Bold Narrative Choices & it Absolutely Pays Off

Streaming on Crunchyroll

A rare mecha anime to find astronomical success with mainstream anime audiences, Gurren Lagann takes the viewers on a truly unpredictable journey – from the depths of Earth, where Simon struggled under oppression, to the furthest stars he protected alongside his friends. Along the way, Gurren Lagann makes many plot decisions that could’ve stirred quite the controversy in any other show – including killing off a fan-favorite protagonist less than halfway through.

Yet, the series’ commitment to its long-term storytelling and willingness to full-heartedly deal with the consequences of its narrative choices makes all of its twists feel significant and worthwhile. Spirited and unapologetic, Gurren Lagann may seem like self-indulgent fun, yet could deeply impress any sci-fi lover looking for a narratively profound story.

2

Eureka Seven Is a Perfect Series for Fans of Exciting Sci-Fi Anime

Streaming on Apple TV

An indulgent mecha anime fantasy of a seemingly ordinary hero whisked away to the world of high-stakes battles, alluring romance, and cathartic revelations, Eureka Seven is a near-perfect space adventure story in the best traditions of early Star Wars entries. Despite not defying expectations, this classic series stood the test of time as an exceptional sci-fi slow burn – a picture-perfect hero’s journey that keeps the spirit of wonder and awe alive throughout.

Yet, just like Star Wars, Eureka Seven didn’t quit while it was ahead. While the main series concludes on a satisfying note that doesn’t require elaboration, Eureka Seven returned seven years after its debut with a less-than-stellar sequel, Eureka Seven AO, which most fans prefer to disregard just like the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

1

Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury is the Blueprint for Rebooting Classic Sci-Fi Franchises

Streaming on Crunchyroll

At the same time as Western sci-fi enthusiasts were getting hooked on Star Wars, Japan saw the rise of its own timeless science fiction goliath – Mobile Suit Gundam. The iconic mecha franchise has been around since the late ‘70s and, just like Star Wars, wasn’t successful in all its iterations. Released in 2022, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury was a risk very similar to the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

Yet, instead of a disappointment, The Witch from Mercury was a renowned success that attracted countless new fans to the declining franchise. A refreshing take on the formula with the first female lead in a mainline Gundam anime, The Witch from Mercury innovates without disregarding its legacy, which earns it the love of both lifelong Gundam fans and newcomers giving mecha a try for the first time.