Since the turn of the 21st century, numerous anime films have been released on both the big and small screens. While these anime films have covered the entire spectrum of genres, the most notable genre of the era has been sci-fi, as the genre has undergone a renaissance.

Fans shouldn’t be surprised, as the sci-fi genre is the perfect medium to discuss and spotlight many of the modern world’s most heated debates and ethical conundrums. From the nature of technology and what its rapid advancement means for humanity, sci-fi anime doesn’t shy away from hosting thought-provoking conversations with the audience. Among the best anime movies, the best are all but guaranteed to leave their mark on the medium to some degree or another.

10

Patema Inverted Literally Flips Yasuhiro’s World On Its Head

Written and directed by Yasuhiro Yoshiura and animated by Studio Rikka, Patema Inverted launched in 2013. The film follows Patema, a young girl who lives in an underground city that is surrounded by tunnels. Despite the city’s authority figures frequently telling her to remain in the safe zones, Patema loves to explore these tunnels.

Alas, one day, while exploring, Patema is scared by a monster and falls into a deep hole. After a fall, she finds herself on the surface and realizes that she’s constantly floating away from the ground. Thankfully, before she can float off totally, she is saved by Eiji, someone whose gravity goes in the opposite direction. This chance meeting sets the scene for an epic adventure, one that will reveal the hidden truths behind their two seemingly opposite worlds.

9

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a Thoughtful Coming-of-Age Anime

Released in 2006, The Girl Who Lept Through Time was directed by Mamoru Hosoda. A loose take on Yasutaka Tsutsui’s 1967 novel, the story follows 17-year-old Makoto Konno. One day, Makoto’s life suddenly changes when she finds a strange, walnut-shaped object.

Soon after this, Makoto learns she can now jump through time. At first, she uses this to make her life easier, but she soon discovers that changing time has massive unforeseen consequences. Thus, Makoto is forced to clean up the mess she has caused and think about what she truly wants from life and what she wants her future to look like.

8

Penguin Highway is a Trippy Anime Adventure

Based on Tomihiko Morimi’s 2010 novel, Penguin Highway was animated by Studio Colorido. The film follows Aoyama, a gifted and highly intelligent child. Alas, Aoyama’s intelligence is a curse, as it means he is socially isolated, spending most of his time alone.

However, Aoyama’s life is turned upside down when penguins start appearing around his hometown. Even stranger, Aoyama meets and befriends a woman with unusual, seemingly supernatural powers, and discovers a weird floating sphere in the forest. Penguin Highway is a resonant and emotional film that is sure to touch the heart of any anime fan.

7

Hello World Ties Together Past, Present & Future in One Beautiful Film

Directed by Tomohiko Ito and animated by Graphinica, Hello World is set in 2024 Kyoto. This version of the city has undergone a dramatic technological evolution. Due to this change, the government has decided to use drones to scan the city’s historic architecture and culture. This data is then stored in Alltale, an infinite-capacity quantum computer.

The story follows Naomi Katagaki, a young boy whose life changes forever when he encounters a three-legged crow and a mysterious hooded man. This man informs Naomi that he is a future version of the boy. He goes on to say he has accessed the Alltale to alter the past to save Ruri Ichigyo, Naomi’s classmate and future girlfriend. Naomi agrees to help his future self, but soon finds that there may be more to the plan than first seems.

6

Metropolis Explores a Strange Conspiracy in a Futuristic Society

Based on the 1949 manga by Osamu Tezuka and animated by Madhouse, Metropolis was released in 2001. The story is set in a futuristic Metropolis, where humans live alongside robots. However, due to the sheer amount of poverty in the city, many humans discriminate against robots, believing them to be the reason for their problems.

Detective Shunsaku Ban and his nephew Kenichi arrive in this city to investigate Dr. Laughton, a doctor suspected of trading human organs. However, when an incident happens, Shunsaku and Kenichi are separated. In the resulting chaos, Kenichi meets and befriends a mysterious girl called Tima. However, as Shunsaku and Kenichi attempt to reunite, they find themselves entangled in a massive conspiracy.

5

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time Ends With a Big Bang

Released in 2021 and directed by Hideaki Anno, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time is the final film in the Rebuild of Evangelion film series. Set after NERV’s failed attempt to gather the Spears of Longinus and start the Human Instrumentality Project, those left behind try to work out what happens next. Keen to find peace, Shinji Ikari, Asuka Langley Shikinami, and Rei Ayanami head to Village-3, a settlement of survivors who fled from the chaos.

While staying in this town, Shinji begins to appreciate his new quiet life, which allows him to come to terms with his time as an Evangelion pilot. However, things are not looking good as the remains of NERV lurk in the shadows, wanting to put their plans into motion once again. This leads to a clash between NERV and WILLE, dragging Shinji and his friends back into battle.

4

Summer Wars Showcases an Epic Race Against the Clock With a Sci-Fi Twist

Directed by Mamoru Hosoda and animated by Madhouse, Summer Wars hit screens in 2009. The film follows Kenji Koiso, a student at Kuonji High School, who has a part-time job as a moderator for the virtual reality world OZ. One day, Kenji’s friend Natsuki Shinohara invites Kenji to travel with her to attend her grandmother’s 90th birthday party.

Kenji agrees, but is shocked when he learns that Natsuki has told her family that Kenji is her fiancé. Even worse, Kenji receives a strange email that hijacks his OZ account, something that soon endangers the real and virtual worlds. Thus, Kenji is thrown into a race against time to solve the mystery and regain control of the system.

3

Cowboy Bebop: The Movie is A Glorious Space Western

Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie sees the Bebop crew get entangled in a whole new adventure. While chasing a bounty, Faye witnesses an oil truck suddenly explode, releasing a mysterious pathogen that sickens and kills hundreds of people in the surrounding area. Keen to restore public trust and stop this from happening again, the Martian government offers a 300 million Woolong bounty to anyone who can capture the mastermind behind the plan.

Naturally, the perpetually-broke Bebop crew vows to earn this bounty. However, they soon discover that tracking this criminal down will be tougher than it seems, especially since they have limited time before they strike again. Featuring a gripping story, excellent animation, and a soundtrack by the legendary Yoko Kanno, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie is a fitting capstone to the beloved Cowboy Bebop series.

2

Interstella5555: The 5tory of The 5ecret 5tar 5ystem Doubles as a Musical Masterpiece

Released in 2003, Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem was created by legendary band Daft Punk as a companion to their album Discovery. The movie was directed by Kazuhisa Takenouchi and supervised by anime legend Leiji Matsumoto, who was the driving force behind several pivotal series like Space Battleship Yamato, Captain Harlock, and Galaxy Express 999. The movie follows Octave, Arpegius, Baryl, and Stella, a group of alien musicians.

One day, the evil Earl de Darkwood kidnaps the band, erases their memories, and makes them think they’re his band, The Crescendolls. However, a space trucker with a crush on Stella realizes something is up and sets out to free the band from Darkwood’s control. Despite featuring no dialogue, Interstella5555: The 5tory of The 5ecret 5tar 5ystem is a moving and mesmerizing film that takes Daft Punk’s already excellent album to the next level.

1

Paprika Twists Dreams into Nightmares in Must-Watch Anime Film

Directed by the legendary Satoshi Kon and based on the novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui, Paprika is set in a world where a new device, called the DC Mini, allows psychologists to peer into people’s dreams. One of the researchers working on the project, Dr. Atsuko Chiba, adopts the pseudonym Paprika and begins treating people outside the research lab without the permission of the lab’s higher-ups. When three DC Mini prototypes are stolen, Atsuko has to get to the bottom of the situation before they can be used for evil.

However, this investigation quickly becomes tricky, as a surreal parade begins to invade people’s minds, causing the boundary between dreams and reality to blur. Featuring beautiful visuals, a gripping story, and a memorable soundtrack, Paprika is a true masterpiece that will have a lasting effect on anyone who watches it. Because of this, Paprika is the best sci-fi film of the 21st century.