Trigun was arguably the undisputed champion of “cool” in its heyday, but over time some new kids on the block have grown up to be even cooler than Trigun. There was a time when Vash the Stampede's billowing red dust and high-stakes pacifism were the hallmarks of the Space Western subgenre, combining the dusty atmosphere of an old-fashioned frontier with the metallic sharpness of futuristic sci-fi. It was an experimental era of storytelling when the lone gunslinger was not just a power fantasy but a container for the expression of a heavy burden of a violent past. But with changes in the anime medium, the technical flexibility of studios and the richness of writers' storytelling also improved.
The industry began to move beyond the rudimentary conventions of the wandering hero, creating worlds where the environment is a living world that breathes as much menace as the characters themselves. These series take the essence of the outlaw adventure: the huge rewards, the gray ethical zone and the weight of superhuman power, and take it to a level loved by critics and fans alike.
The best sci-fi anime ever, ranked
Mecha, cyberpunk and space operas, science fiction anime comes in many forms, and the genre's best shows represent Japanese animation at its best.
8
Cowboy Bebop (1998)
Although both stories cross a lawless border, this space-traveling noir replaces panicked idealism with a more existential beat that's much more down-to-earth. Cowboy Bebops the main cast isn't a random group that just stumbles into trouble. They're a messed-up team with a past they can't run from.
The story is a thoughtful masterpiece, with pacing that seems more natural and grounded. It adopts a carefree spirit, but pairs it with a kind of sophisticated “grown-up” sadness that lingers with you long beyond the last bullet fired.
7
Legend of the Galactic Heroes (1988)
The Legend of the Galactic Heroes takes the sweeping sci-fi ideas of planet-hopping rescue and stretches them out as a masterpiece of political and strategic genius. Instead of focusing on one super-powered character, the story is an equal measure between two genius commanders on opposite sides of a great interstellar war, making the war seem truly high-stakes and well-deserved.
The world-building itself is incredibly thorough, with a technical density that takes even the bare skirmishes and turns them into a grand philosophical argument about the very nature of power. It provides a larger, more panoramic view of humanity's future where the choices of individuals are reflected throughout history with a permanence that smaller, more episodic adventures cannot always achieve.
6
Vinland Saga (2019)
The journey of a warrior seeking peace is nothing new, but this Viking-inspired anime approaches the shift from revenge to the concept of pacifism with inhuman precision and ferocity. The fact that Thorfinn started as a cold-blooded killer, but turned into a man in search of a land without war, reflects the internal conflict of a legendary warrior, where the historical background has a much more tangible presence.
26 Best Next Generation Anime
With the start of a new decade, new shows emerge that strive to surpass those that previously captivated audiences. These animes do just that.
It has been animated by MAPPA, which is the studio behind one of the best-looking anime of recent years. So if you value good animation and a great story, look no further. It succeeds by making the quiet scenes of contemplation as stunning as the devastation of battle, providing a more subtle examination of what it really means to be a hero.
5
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022)
This futuristic cyberpunk tale offers a physical glimpse of the price of being an outlaw in a merciless corporate dystopian hell. While it has the same high-bounty vibrancy as the classic wasteland, the sheer speed and highly expressive nature of the animation from Studio Trigger kicks the experience up a notch.
The story here is more intimate and personal, stripping characters of plot armor to show the hopelessness of the world in which the series is set. It's a more aggressive, punk rock version of the revolt against an unconquerable system.
4
Samurai Champloo (2004)
Samurai Champloo embodies the aspect of the wandering trio, but adds a hip-hop aesthetic to the episode to make the Edo period setting seem new and alive. The animation style and sword fights are a technical marvel, mixing classic movements with breakdancing sprays to form a rhythm far more powerful than standard Western-style gunfights.
Who is that character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Start
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)
The relationship between the three leads is based on a chemistry of authentic friction, resulting in a journey where the destination is not as important as the experiences they have had throughout the journey. It provides a smoother and more unified combination of culture and action, where the dusty roads of Japan can be as interesting as a futuristic desert.
3
Dororo (2019)
The quest to restore humanity is treated here with a supernatural grit that turns a basic quest into a deep, psychological experience. Hyakkimaru is literally missing all his senses, and he must fight in a world filled with demons in a way that seems much more personal and pressing compared to the work of a stereotypical bounty hunter.
19 of The Most Twisted Dark Anime Series
Dark psychological anime vary in content, but they provide relatable and unforgettable stories. Here are some of the most twisted anime series.
The contrast between a fighter who fought his whole life to survive and a child who pretty much did the same creates an emotional underpinning that balances the series' horrors with a more mature and emotional story.
2
Psycho Pass (2012)
This psychological thriller reimagines justice through the lens of a “Dominator” gun that determines someone's potential to commit a crime. It addresses the ethical nature of law and order in a cold, clinical way that makes the philosophical confrontations even more frightening and thought-provoking than the usual struggle between hero and villain.
The series' antagonist is a master class in manipulation, forcing the heroes to doubt the system they defend. It takes the thematic foundation of a peace-loving lawman and gives it a sterile/dystopian future where the differences between criminal and citizen are frighteningly close.
1
Dorohedoro (2020)
And if you're a fan of the weird wasteland, you'll find that this series takes it to extreme absurdity and blood-soaked levels that are both horrifying to watch and hilarious to laugh at. The setting of “Hole” is a messy, dirty playground where magic users and lizard-headed fighters battle each other, and the plot doesn't follow any standard rules of storytelling.
The artificially added CGI fluidity of the animation presents the worn, industrial degradation of the environment. It provides a more imaginative and less predictable world where the villains are as likable as the heroes, and makes viewers experience a level of connection that is completely unique and enjoyable.
Trigun
- Release date
-
1998 – 1998
- Directors
-
Satoshi Nishimura
- Author
-
Yosuke Kuroda
- Franchise(s)
-
Trigun
