The world of anime is expansive and offers many unique stories with compelling characters, engaging plots, and epic moments. While some anime come and go, many deliver unique and memorable experiences. Those types of anime typically contain well-written storylines and characters.
We want to highlight the best steampunk anime for our ongoing series of articles depicting the best anime. From iconic sci-fi classics to overlooked gems with depth, we have a variety of steampunk-themed anime here to whet your appetite.
Feel free to leave your comments about our choices below. If we happen to forget one of your favorites, let us know in the comments below and we’ll be sure to add it later!
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is an action-packed steampunk experience from the same folks who brought you Attack On Titan. This anime takes place during industrial times. In it, creatures called Kabane attack humans to restore their strength and convert them into Kabane. Our lead Ikoma develops a nifty device to ruin the Kabane’s reign but learns he’ll need to use it faster than he expected.
This anime features everything a steampunk fanatic would dream of from elaborate tech to a fabulously stunning industrialized society. Moreover, the characters have stellar attire and armor that capture the steampunk look and feel. In addition to having captivating action scenes that’ll get your heart soaring, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress delivers a delightful experience.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a shonen classic and an anime that’ll satisfy steampunk enthusiasts. The story follows Edward and Alphonse Elric who embark on a journey for the Philosopher’s Stone. By their quest’s end, the brothers hope to restore their bodies to normal. Steampunk fans will enjoy this anime’s industrialized world since it’s brimming with finely detailed machinery and tech.
Additionally, the characters’ machine-like aesthetics and the ways they wield alchemy in this tale will persuade audiences to continue examining the Elric brothers’ ventures. Coupled with its emotional dialogue, incredible action, and great takes on adventure and ‘brotherhood,’ Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’s a must-watch.
Steamboy
Steamboy is a fascinating anime that takes place in the Victorian era. It follows Ray, an inventor who receives a Steam Ball from his grandfather and must prevent the Steam Ball from falling into evil hands. This anime delivers wonderful action, sci-fi, and historical aspects that’ll appeal to steampunk fanatics.
It provides viewers with lovely details concerning its various steam-driven inventions, machinery, and locales. Additionally, it offers a stellar portrayal of the United Kingdom. From Big Ben clock towers to its cobblestone streets, fans will value the animation studio’s solid attention to detail in Ray’s world. With its thrilling action scenes, this anime will leave a lasting impression on you.
The Case Study of Vanitas
Set in 19th-century Paris, The Case Study of Vanitas offers folks a steampunk-like world where supernatural beings and humans coexist. This anime mixes Victorian-era fashion, rich architecture, and intriguing tech to give audiences a world that’ll appease the steampunk crowd. Some contraptions you can expect to appear in this anime include airships, clockwork inventions, and others.
Moreover, The Case Study of Vanitas explores integral themes that are associated with steampunk. From corrupt politics to social inequality, fans will find this tale’s handling of these concepts gripping.
Princess Principal
For fans who like anime with characters who are deceptive and athletic, Princess Principal is the anime for you. It features a fun female cast full of spies. These spies work for the Commonwealth of Albion and must use their special skills to help the Commonwealth achieve victory in a war. This anime offers a nice mix of drama and action.
The girls complete different tasks throughout the story, which keeps the plot fresh and exciting. Like the other steampunk-oriented anime listed here, this series features a variety of steam-oriented machinery and landscapes often connected to the subgenre. With its wonderful take on espionage, steampunk backdrop, and fun cast, Princess Principal is worth watching.
Last Exile
Last Exile is a 26-episode series with satisfying worldbuilding, stunning visuals, and interesting storytelling. It’s set in a world where floating airships and grandiose technology are the norm. The anime features wonderful airborne battles, rich Victorian-era designs, and enough intricate gadgets to whet any steampunk fan’s appetite.
Additionally, the anime features ounces of political drama and explores how its steam-powered gadgets, airship culture, and social class issues affect our cast’s world for better and for worse. Coupled with its enjoyable, well-rounded cast, Last Exile should leave viewers pleased.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind delivers an incredible tale full of adventure, action, and suspense. This work offers an exceptional environmentalist message and a fun, commendable cast. In its post-apocalyptic world, humanity must combat giant insects and grapple with issues relating to their forests.
This anime’s society relies on steam-powered machinery and aircraft to get by, giving it that distinct steampunk approach. Additionally, this tale tackles various steampunk themes from our cast’s struggles with harnessing nature to their overreliance on tech. Coupled with some intense action scenes and ounces of drama, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind will captivate steampunk enthusiasts.
Megalo Box
Megalo Box is a fascinating steampunk-rich boxing anime that’ll get your adrenaline going. The story follows an underground boxer named “Gearless Joe” who refuses to abide by his world’s style of machine-based boxing called Megalo Box. Upon meeting the Megalo Box champion, Yuuri, Joe enters Megalonia in hopes of dethroning Yuuri as champion.
Joe embodies the underdog stereotype and fans will enjoy viewing his rise to glory. He’ll encounter numerous boxers, each with their own story to tell and skillset. This anime delves heavily into themes of social inequality and personal growth and features a competition depicting society’s overreliance on machinery. If you’re after a tale with wonderful character development and great fights, check this out.
Metropolis
Metropolis is a fascinating sci-fi series with a dark and grandiose retro-futuristic setting. The story revolves around Ban and Kenichi, who must protect Tima (a powerful android) from an evildoer named Duke Red. This anime’s world features everything a steampunk fan would love from towering skyscrapers to multiple underground networks.
Additionally, this tale explores concepts like prejudice and power struggles among its human and AI lifeforms. The characters themselves are well-rounded and interesting to follow because of the characteristics they’re bestowed with. Through their experiences, fans will ponder the ups and downs of creating artificial beings.
On top of having spectacular visuals and introspective titbits, Metropolis will leave viewers satisfied with its offerings.
Castle In The Sky
Castle In The Sky is an anime classic. It follows Sheeta, a girl who gets captured by government agents because they seek her amulet. While Sheeta’s aboard an airship, a group of pirates raid it. This allows Sheeta to escape the ship. Eventually, she meets Pazu, a boy determined to find the flying castle Laputa.
Then, they learn the agents are after Laputa too. Therefore, our story revolves around Sheeta and Pazu’s quest to find Laputa before the government agents do. This anime’s filled with futuristic machinery and historical aesthetics that’ll appeal to the steampunk crowd. From rural villages to sky pirate vessels, this anime delivers enough immersive material to keep one entertained.
Furthermore, Sheeta and Pazu have excellent chemistry and you’ll get a laugh and smile out of the situations they get roped into. Although the anime’s comedic interactions provide a break from the story’s epic adventure, it doesn’t reduce Castle In The Sky’s quality. If you’re looking for an entertaining adventure anime with an enjoyable cast, check this out.
So, there we have it, our picks for the best steampunk anime of all time!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!