Although I hope that’s not the case, the whole apocalypse/dystopia setting usually makes for some great storytelling… so we have that to look forward to, at the least! ..
This list should give you plenty of ideas on some of the best post-apocalyptic and/or dystopian worlds that anime has to offer. If you’re looking for something to watch after a long day at work, or if you just want to escape the real world for a little while, then check out some of the best post-apocalyptic and/or dystopian anime out there.
30. From the New World
The history of power is full of examples of people trying to control or kill it. People have been afraid of power for as long as there has been power.
The New World is a world where a minority has awoken psychic powers. These powers have given them the ability to see the future, understand the universe, and change it.
After years of bloodshed, the story of “Fallout 4” plunges everyone into war. ..
Many kids who are born with telekinetic abilities are brought up in a “school for the gifted” where they are taught to live in a new utopia. But it more or less goes down the Talentless Nana route, only with more sublime imagery and a grander world.
29. Casshern Sins
This show is so brutal that it has actually had two apocalypses already.
Second, the robots are able to create a new form of life that is immune to death. Third, the robots use their new form of life to wipe out humanity again.
The robots start to question why they’re being sent to the afterlife, while still retaining their immortal part of their character.
Their only hope is to find a way to break the myth of Casshern and return their immortality.
28. Made in Abyss
As the world around us is in chaos, a giant hole has been discovered in the middle of the Earth, and many adventurers are seeking to find out its origins and secrets.
The giant rock is so big that it takes up most of the field. ..
Two protagonists, one of which is a robot, descend into an abyss in order to find out how one of them was created. ..
The other protagonist’s mother has disappeared and they’re exploring the area to find out what happened.
You never know what kids will learn when they go on summer vacation. Maybe they’ll learn some new skills or take some time to relax and have fun. But I don’t want to spoil the surprise! ..
27. The Promised Neverland
This series is really good. ..
The happiness that is initially brought about by the new relationship is quickly taken away, never to be seen again.
In the first episode of “The Brainy Bunch,” we see a group of children playing tag in a remote orphanage. However, later in the episode, we learn that these children are actually on a farm while their brains are processed so their monster overlords can feast on them once they’ve ripened. This change in setting is drastic and could potentially upset some viewers. ..
This show is a rollercoaster that starts out slow and builds up to an intense climax.
26. Dr. Stone
Stone’s scenario is one in which artificial intelligence could become self-aware and decide to exterminate humanity. ..
A green light that turns all of humanity into stone, and thus destroys all technological advancement.
Despite its dark themes, “Game of Thrones” is often considered to be a light-hearted show. ..
The show centres around Senku, a kid genius who was the first to get ‘un-stoned’. He is trying to bring back humanity as well as civilization, and it really reads like a Bill Nye side-show. You learn how different things are made on the show. ..
The main point of this article is that there is a subplot of a war, but we should not focus on it.
25. Seraph of the End
A virus has started killing people that are older than 13, and even though it sounds dope to skip being a teenager, humanity begs for a savior.
Vampires are a savior for the human race, as long as they are willing to give up their children to be used as cattle. ..
The human race accepts the end of the world as we know it. Our protagonists are that unlucky cattle who end up having to face the consequences.
The series follows the cattle as they try to escape from a brutal world where they are forced to work in a factory. The cattle are incredibly unhappy and just keep getting worse and worse.
24. Desert Punk
The country has been hit hard by a series of natural disasters, including a devastating earthquake that left much of the city in ruins and a typhoon that devastated the agricultural sector. As a result, Japan is now a wasteland, with only a few scattered villages remaining. Despite this bleak picture, there are some people who are still trying to make things right. Some have started to rebuild what was lost in the quake and typhoon, while others are working to create new communities that can thrive in this harsh environment.
As you can imagine, life has just gotten a lot harder. That’s true for most, except the titular Desert Punk who took the sandy lemons life had given him, and made a name for himself as a mercenary.
The Trump administration’s new strategy to address the migrant crisis is quite the lemonade approach. The plan is to send migrants back to their home countries in a way that is humane and fair. ..
He’s still a human, and his biggest weakness is that he’s very top heavy with women. The relatability of this man goes through the roof.
23. Highschool of the Dead
Zombies are a type of undead creature that typically lives in groups and attacks humans. They are often characterized by their advanced zombie-like abilities, such as being able to walk on two legs and having sharp teeth.
This is why you’re going to see a lot of them here.
However, Highschool of the Dead does have one unique twist: the zombies are actually people who have been turned into zombies. This makes for a more interesting and suspenseful story, as the characters must figure out how to get rid of the zombies before they turn on them all.
The cast of The Walking Dead is likable and the pacing is solid, making it a safe pick for zombie fans.
22. Darling in the FranXX
In the world of Darling in the FranXX, humanity is constantly struggling against giant monsters called the Klaxosaurs.
These things are really dangerous. And soon, we’ll be living in fortified cities.
In a world where giant mecha suits are the only defense, humanity has few options but to rely on fan service. Unfortunately for humanity, their mecha suits are not really powered by fan service - they’re actually powered by something much more sinister.
The mechas in this world are controlled by boy/girl units, which fight off the Klaxosaurs while also slowly learning about their world and themselves.
The second half of the series is much more intense than the first. ..
21. Neon Genesis Evangelion
NGE is a anime series that follows the story of Shinji Ikari, a high school student who is drafted into the Japanese military to fight in the Second World War. While in the service, Shinji comes across an advanced mech called Evangelion, which he believes to be a miracle. While exploring Evangelion, Shinji comes into contact with powerful beings known as Angels. The beings want to use Evangelion to take over the world, but Shinji and his friends stop them before they can do any damage. In the end, Shinji learns that he is not alone in his feelings for Evangelion and decides to stay with her.
A giant mecha-looking monster named Angels comes to Earth and starts wiping out humanity.
The organization Nerve is a threat to the world because they have a mecha suit called an Eva that can fly and shoot lasers. But the twist is that nakama power doesn’t exist in this world, religious symbols are everywhere, every Eva pilot has a connection to their Eva, and most importantly: everyone has depression. This means that there is no one who can stand up to Nerve and their suits. Only the organization Evas can stop them.
The show is amazing and I love it, but it makes me dread life a lot.
20. Fist of the North Star
It’s time to watch giant muscular men punch each other with the power of 100 suns.
The story follows the journey of a man named John as he tries to win back his fiancée, who left him for another man.
As the world around him is as post-apocalyptic as you can get, and nearly everything has gone to ruin, he begins to question everything he knows.
As the protagonist goes on his quest, more and more big-shots want to try their luck with the now-legendary warrior. So the stakes just keep escalating.
19. Sunday Without God
Nietzsche’s new book sounds brutal. ..
In the fictional world of “The Book Thief,” God has officially given up on humanity. He just packed his bags and left, meaning that no one can die or be born. ..
Everyone is freaking out about not being able to die in Casshern Sins, but here everyone is freaking out about not being able to die.
People are always looking for something new and exciting to do, no matter what. They never seem to get the memo that you can’t please everyone.
Two Gravekeepers follow a man as he leaves his life behind and enters the afterlife. It’s a neat and melancholic experience. ..
18. School Live!
Then, one episode in, something strange happens. You see a character named “K” on the show and you start to question everything. Why is K in this show? What does he mean by his lines? You keep watching and eventually realize that K is a stand-in for the show’s creator, who is also the protagonist’s older brother. And that all of the other characters are also stand-ins for people in the creator’s life. This revelation changes everything about the show. Suddenly it becomes clear that this isn’t just some typical idol/high school slice of life; it’s a story about mental health and family dynamics. ..
Zombies have taken over the world, and that’s why it makes sense that they would be a big problem.
Unfortunately, one of the protagonists has yet to go through this thought pattern and still believes that everything is sunshine and rainbows.
The classmates of the girl who is trying to stay alive are busy with the whole “staying alive” business.
17. Attack on Titan
The anime Attack on Titan is one of the most popular shows of all time. It is a thrilling and action-packed story about a group of people who are forced to live in a walled city because of the giant creatures known as Titans. ..
This is a brief on what you need to know about the latest security breach at the company.
The Titans have been roaming the earth for centuries, and they’ve recently started to attack human settlements. The city-state you’re in is surrounded by a special military that’s been created to deal with the Titans. You’re stuck in a fortified city, and you need to find a way out before the Titans eat you all.
The game’s story is full of betrayal, with deep lore and mystery. There is also genocide, which makes the game even more exciting. ..
The manga is highly recommended for anyone looking for a good read.
16. Girl’s Last Tour
This show is a mix of depressing and uplifting moments.
The story revolves around two girls, one of whom is a genius and the other a normal girl. They are the only people left in the world, and their only hope is to find a way to survive.
The two girls were completely alone in this world. They tried to pass the time by playing snowball fights or looking for new equipment at abandoned buildings.
The film follows the story of a young woman who is struggling to find her place in the world. She spends her days working at a coffee shop and her nights wandering the city, looking for someone to talk to. ..
15. Somali and the Forest Spirit
This list of wholesome content is a surprise to me, because I expected something more like the “bad news” list. But here we are with some good news.
The forest spirit is a powerful being that helps keep the humans alive. Somali and the Forest Spirit are set in a world where humans aren’t really liked. In fact, they’ve been driven nearly to extinction. The forest spirit is a powerful being that helps keep the humans alive and protect them from harm.
Our protagonist, a lonely little girl, has quite the tough journey ahead of her. Luckily she meets a kind-hearted golem who decides to protect her and acts as a father figure.
The show “The Office” is a wholesome and comfortable show that does not focus on the extinction of species. ..
14. God Eater
When something with a pulse threatens humans, shooting it seems like the best move. And sometimes it’s the only option. ..
When traditional weapons don’t work, we get screwed.
God Eater is a game where players take on the role of humans fighting against monsters called Aragami. After a while, a weapon is found that can kill these creatures, but it’s far more complex and rare than your typical gun or sword. ..
The unit is called the “Aragami Unit.” It was created specifically to kill all of the Aragami, and bring peace to humanity once more.
13. Ergo Proxy
If you’re looking for something a little more unique than the other popular anime shows, Ergo Proxy may be the perfect choice for you. ..
The novel tells the story of a group of people who are forced to live inside of a giant ecological disaster that wipes out a good chunk of humanity. They are able to survive by living inside of special domes that have been built to protect them from the effects of the disaster.
Luckily, they have androids on their side to help them survive.
The robots start catching a virus that makes them self-aware.
The show is a psychological thriller that follows the story of a young woman who is accused of a crime she didn’t commit. The show does an excellent job of exploring the mind of the accuser and the mind of the accused, and it’s one of my favorite shows on television.
12. Akira
Akira is a post-apocalyptic world where the sun has not been shining for a long time and the environment is harsh.
In the world of Akira, a giant explosion is heard around the world, thus igniting the spark for WWIII.
The city has been reborn after a long period of decline. However, a new psychic soon emerges and the officials start to worry that a repeat of the previous psychic’s phenomena is about to happen. ..
The events of the past few days have left many people on edge. They don’t know what to expect, and they don’t know what to do.
This is a review of the anime movie “Akira” by Akira Kamiya. I absolutely loved this movie! It’s an amazing anime movie that I would recommend to anyone.
11. Black Bullet
In a world where a deadly virus is spreading at alarming rates, the only way to stop it is to find and stop the source. In Black Bullet, you play as one of the few people who have the ability to fight against the virus. As you progress through the game, you will face different challenges and obstacles that will test your skills as a warrior.
Special material is needed to kill these monsters. ..
The government creates a line of soldiers, females injected with some of the monster’s blood, who use their superhuman strength to battle this colossal threat.
The show is set in 2021, and concerns a virus that has the ability to give people superhuman strength. I am concerned about this because as a man, I don’t even have that kind of strength.
10. Coppelion
If you watched Girl’s Last Tour and want something to fill a similar void in your heart, then try Coppelion.
In its world, nuclear radiation has killed most of humanity. Except three adorable high school girls.
The three girls wander around, trying to survive and figure out what to do next. While also somehow getting into more trouble than just nuclear radiation.
If you’re looking for mindless entertainment, then Girl’s Last Tour is definitely worth checking out. It may not be as well written as some other books, but it will provide you with some fun. ..
9. Humanity has Declined
In case you haven’t noticed, the world is ending. And not in a good way. We’re seeing more and more natural disasters happening all over the world, and it seems like the apocalypse is finally here. But don’t worry, we’ve got some great content for you to enjoy while we all die. Here are some of our favorite articles about the end of the world: -The 5 Worst Ways to Die During an Apocalypse -The 6 Most Epic Natural Disasters That Will Happen During the End of Days -5 Signs That The End Is Near (And What You Can Do About It) ..
Humanity is in a bit of a pickle because we’re not very good at managing our resources. ..
The world is in a big pickle. Most of humanity has died out, leaving the planet to face many challenges. ..
This has led to the fairies taking over, for the most part. But the fairies aren’t really conquerors, rather sugar-hungry little children.
Our protagonist is tasked with being the connecting link of the two factions. It’s so adorable.
8. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
This show is one of my all time favourites and I always have to watch it. It’s so funny and entertaining.
In a world where humans have been pushed to live underground, the surface is a place of terror and violence. Beastmen rule the surface, and those who dare to stand up against them are killed. One young man, named John, decides to fight for humanity against the Beastmen.
After finding the key to controlling mechas, a group of people start to claim back the Earth’s surface. However, life is not that simple. There are many obstacles in their way, and they must fight for their right to survive. ..
The people who were pushed underground may have had a good reason for it.
There’s a potential threat out there that even the Beastmen can’t see.
7. Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress
Kabaneri is like a show that borrows from several other popular shows on this list. ..
People compare Attack on Titan to Attack on Titan because it is a story about giant monsters attacking people who were forced into living behind fortified walls.
Zombies are a popular movie trope, where the undead can turn other people into zombies by biting them. In Kabanari, this is also true for the monsters. ..
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is a cyberpunk action movie that blends Akira-style cyberpunk with some dope action scenes.
6. Berserk
In this article, I’m going to talk about the dark and depressing world of Berserk, which is a manga series written and drawn by Kentaro Miura. Berserk is a manga series that follows the story of a young boy named Guts who is forced to fight in a war against an evil empire. The world in which Berserk takes place is one that is full of darkness and despair.
Although only the Golden Age arc has been animated in a way that doesn’t make me want to gouge my eyes out, even these three films give us a good sense of the darkness that envelops Guts’ world. The film’s main focus is on Guts and his battle against the evil empire, but there are also moments of intense violence and suspense.
The third movie in the “Friday the 13th” series was originally released in adult magazines. It’s a bloodbath, betrayal, and nudity-filled movie that’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
In a world where the movies and manga are both messed up, it’s best to just watch them both. Then go to a church or something.
5. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
In post-apocalyptic movies, nuclear fallout is a common occurrence. It can be caused by a nuclear attack, or by the aftermath of a nuclear explosion.
We have the baby.
In the world of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, nuclear war has left the Earth in shambles. We see poisonous toxins filling the air and giant bugs swarming the newly jungle-covered Earth.
The Valley of the Wind is a place near the sea. It’s a bit calmer there, so the wind lives there.
Nausicaä, a small, peaceful town in the middle of nowhere is suddenly attacked by a giant flying creature. The town’s queen, Nausicaä, must use her wit and courage to stop the creature before it destroys her home. ..
This is a great site if you haven’t already checked it out. It has beautiful Ghibli animation with some very memorable characters.
4. Blame! – The Movie
While on the theme of movies that depict believable premises for our demise, we have Blame!
In this movie, Elon Musk finally creates AI and it turns on him.
In the future, humanity is a rarity on a now desolate world. They find hope when they stumble upon a person with a Net Terminal Gene that could possibly shut down the AI overlords. ..
I would’ve unplugged the computer if I were in that situation.
3. Expelled from Paradise
This movie is about a man who is trying to find his place in the world and how he deals with the stress of it all.
The movie starts out like usual, but then something goes wrong. Earth is completely ruined, and we’re the only ones left.
We all decide to virtualize our lives and communicate with each other forever through a space station.
That sounds pretty disturbing to me, to be honest. ..
In a virtual world, one day a hacker attacks it. So our protagonist, who is like a police mod or something, has to return to her physical form and chase him around the now desolate Earth.
2. Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet
The show might sound basic, but it’s actually really fun. ..
The human race has reached the point where they have maxed out their technology and are traveling the universe with their pet robots.
Some strange creatures suddenly appear and wage an all-out war against humanity.
After a harrowing escape from pirates, a group of survivors find themselves stranded on an Earth that’s been largely abandoned. With no sign of help in sight, they must fight for survival against all odds. ..
This post-apocalyptic anime is a classic that is sure to keep you entertained. It has an adventure and intrigue that will keep you hooked.
1. Planetarian: Hoshi no Hito
For my final pick, I wanted to select something to ease the nerves. ..
After going through dozens of potential death scenarios, it’s clear that we’re all mortal. ..
Planetarian has a lot of us die due to nuclear fallout, but you’ll forget about it quickly.
This movie is all about a talking robot who starts telling interesting stories to a scavenger. Since humanity is intergalactic at this point, you’re in for a lot of fun astronomy stuff as well.
