The anime universe is expansive and offers many different tales with compelling characters, engaging plots, and epic moments. While some anime come and go, many deliver outstanding and memorable experiences. Those types of anime typically contain well-written storylines, characters, and events that will get people excited for more.
For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best anime, we’d like to highlight the best anime that are set in post-apocalyptic settings. From sci-fi thrill rides to worlds inhabited by large humanoid monsters, you’ll find yourself itching to see what each series has in store for you.
Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll add them when we can!
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is an incredible sci-fi classic with great characters and an enticing world. It follows Shinji, a boy forced to pilot a massive robot called Evangelion Unit 01 to protect humanity from deadly aliens called Angels. Despite having bad blood with his father, Shinji must set aside his differences to save the world from a perilous fate.
This anime explores mature topics like loss, trauma, and the human psyche. Every character feels complex and deeply flawed. They all have internal struggles they’ll need to overcome if they hope to progress. Its emphasis on character development served as one of the series’s defining traits that set it apart from other robot-themed works at the time.
Neon Genesis Evangelion has some amazing action scenes. The battles between the Evangelions and the Angels look astonishing and will get viewers pumped. However, this is an anime many will appreciate for the deep questions it presents throughout the story. Therefore, it’s best to go into this one expecting a heavy focus on its psychological aspects.
Attack On Titan
Attack On Titan is a well-acclaimed anime series with a massive following. It’s set in a universe where humans live in towns surrounded by large walls. These walls protect them from the Titans, large humanoid monsters who view humans as food. The series follows Eren and his friends as they join their world’s Survey Corps to combat the Titans and uncover the secrets of their world.
This anime presents viewers with a likable cast who must confront the harsh realities of their universe. Whether it’s slaying a Titan or making a saddening sacrifice, many characters will undergo severe trauma and identity crises during their journeys. This anime has incredible world-building from its military’s hierarchal structures to its densely-packed landscapes.
Attack On Titan knows how to balance its action and drama segments well to create an immersive experience for its audience. The combat scenes are wonderfully animated and visually stunning. From soldiers zipping through the air to the Titans bashing through buildings, you’ll be bewildered by this anime’s action-packed content.
Ergo Proxy
Trigun
Trigun is a fun, gun-slinging adventure series many people will love. It follows the infamous bounty Vash, who is rumored to be a fierce destroyer. While Vash’s capable of putting up a solid fight, he’s more of a pacifist who likes visiting places with his buddies Meryl and Milly. However, when someone sends legendary assassins after him, Vash tosses his kindness aside and prepares for the battles ahead.
Trigun is known for having a great mix of humor and dark story elements. This anime contains a variety of settings that reflect Vash’s quest to protect those around him and battle the odds stacked against him. Vash is a compelling protagonist with an intricate background that unfolds over the course of the narrative. With some epic action segments and a killer soundtrack that’ll elevate fans’ excitement for Vash’s fights, you can’t go wrong with Trigun.
Eden of the East
Eden of the East is an interesting series with a strong first half and a slightly rushed second half. It follows Saki, a woman who finds a man named Akira, who suffers from amnesia. Despite discovering Akira’s terrorist roots, Saki’s determined to stay by his side regardless of the dangers that await her.
This is an anime with incredible mystery aspects and world-building. It presents viewers with a universe that feels unsettling and recognizable. From its rambling metropolis environment to its quiet coastal locations, you’ll be surprised by how much of an impact technology has on this anime’s society.
Akira and Saki are interesting characters to watch on screen. They have great personalities and grow a tight connection over the course of the show.
The animation is impressive. It’s bright visuals and elegant style give the world a nice futuristic aesthetic that’s attractive and nice to glare at. If you can overlook the faults that come up during the anime’s second section, then you’re in for an enjoyable time with it.
Yokohama’s Shopping Log
Yokohama’s Shopping Log offers a refreshing take on the slice-of-life genre. Instead of centering around a protagonist’s everyday life in a city or at school, this anime takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where a mind-numbing event has left only a few scattered communities. This allows the anime to explore various ideas regarding the meaning behind home and human connection.
In it, we follow Alpha, an android in charge of managing a cafe while the owner is away. However, Alpha has other plans in mind. While exploring her territory with her trademark scooter, we watch as Alpha befriends new folks and crafts new memories. Through her experiences, she grows and becomes more mature and empathetic toward life. If you’re okay with a tale with a lackluster side cast, I’d recommend giving this atmospheric show a shot.
Girls’ Last Tour
Girls’ Last Tour provides viewers with a relaxing story brimming with dark undertones. In it, we examine Chito and Yuuri’s journey through a post-apocalyptic environment where a war had taken place. They search for food, shelter, and the meaning of life. This anime gives viewers an interesting take on the end-of-the-world scenario and explores ideas such as survival, purpose, and philosophy.
This is a slow-burner series and relies heavily on its visual storytelling techniques to keep viewers engaged. Chito and Yuuri find many individuals, objects, and places during their journey. The audience is meant to infer each’s meaning through the girls’ actions and reactions, making matters feel more personal and intimate. Although the setting is bleak, the show’s visuals are gorgeous.
The characters have distinct and expressive designs that blend with their environments well. Although Yuuri and Chito find themselves in a spooky world, their heartwarming conversations and uplifting personalities will give viewers hope that they will make it out okay.
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 is an anime that’ll tug at your heartstrings. It follows Mirai, a girl who wishes for the destruction of her family and her city. Moments later, a magnitude 8.0 earthquake appears to grant Mirai’s wish. With her brother Yuuki, Mirai travels to Odaiba and witnesses the earthquake annihilate everything in sight.
After meeting a woman named Mari, Yuuki, and Mirai embark on an endeavor to find their folks. Many love this anime for its realistic portrayal of a natural disaster. It focuses on the aftermath caused by a menacing earthquake and bombards viewers with intense imagery that’ll make them feel terrible for the survivors and the ones who lost their lives.
Furthermore, Mirai and Yuuki’s reactions to the event feel authentic. The actors and actresses portraying these characters give it their best to sell you in on the tragedy taking place. If you’re looking for an anime that doesn’t shy away from depicting the struggles and sadness that stem from heartbreaking scenarios like earthquakes, watch Tokyo Magnitude 8.0.
Desert Punk
For those who don’t mind shows with lackluster animation, Desert Punk is worth looking into, especially for its humor and music. It takes place in post-apocalyptic Japan where everyone only desires to survive. However, those who can tolerate the landscapes treacherous landscape, like our protagonist Sunabozu, aim to make a name for themselves.
He’s a masked handyman known for completing missions and defeating notable adversaries. Junko (the Vixen of the Desert) knows he’s incapable of disregarding his lust for women. Therefore, we examine this unit’s wacky and action-packed adventures through this deadly wasteland.
Sunabozou is a charismatic person with multiple flaws. From his outrageous antics to his insistence on breaking the fourth wall, he’s a complex and ambiguous person.
While the animation isn’t the best at times, the fight scenes will get you pumped for the show’s future material. It also captures the harsh and brutal nature of the world Sunabozu and Junko inhabit. With its clever balance of action, drama, and comedy, you’re in for a fun time with this one.
Wolf’s Rain
If animal-themed stories are your thing, Wolf’s Rain should interest you. It has an immersive world that explores concepts revolving around nature, friendship, and mortality. Its story is centered around mythical wolves who reincarnate as humans to locate “paradise,” a place that’s said to be their true home. The plot is intense, well-detailed, and contains enough twists to keep you hooked.
The four protagonists Kiba, Tsume, Hige, and Toboe receive great development over the course of the story. The anime delves into each character’s emotions and relationships with each other, giving viewers reasons to care for them.
The show’s detailed backgrounds and the characters’ fluid movements contribute to the series’ immersive atmosphere. On top of having excellent fight scenes that capture the harsher aspects of our protagonists’ journey, Wolf’s Rain is a visually stunning action-adventure series you should watch.
So, there we have it, our picks for the best anime set in a post-apocalyptic setting!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!