After a decade’s worth of movies and television episodes, George Lucas’ iconic creation has firmly cemented itself as the pioneer of the sci-fi genre. Star Wars has delivered an abundance of adventures, transported the audience to galaxies far, far away, and influenced many screenwriters and filmmakers since its release.
Anime, in particular, has dared to craft equally compelling tales that mirror Star Wars’ winning formula. Made of ragtag rebels, spaceship battles, and the never-ending conflict between good and evil, these anime series have consistently added their own charm to the foundation laid by Star Wars. In this list, you will find underdog heroes facing impossible odds, their scrappy crew members offering comic relief, jaw-dropping action choreography, and futuristic technology.
But what truly makes these anime series worth checking out is the deft balance between creativity and paying homage to the classics. Not directly copying Lucas’ vision, but instead expanding upon his concepts and intrigue, these anime series fashion stories to satisfy your wide-eyed wonder. Here are 10 anime series inspired by Star Wars.
10 Code Geass (2006-2008)
Greatly admired for its realistic portrayal of society and world-building, Code Geass is set in the year 2010, where the Holy Empire of Britannia has defeated Japan, conquered it, and renamed it Area 11. While certain groups from Japan are plotting resistance, Lelouch Lamperouge, an unassuming student, encounters a mysterious girl who tells him that he might just bring peace in the world. Lelouch then establishes himself as the leader of the resistance and takes the identity of a masked vigilante known as Zero to fight back.
Landmark Tale of Intrigue and Rebellion
Code Geass is one of the greatest anime series of all time. It features genuinely awe-inspiring mecha action, deft use of politics, and a complex narrative. While the bigger elements may not share similarities, the anime pays tribute to Star Wars’ spirit of rebellion and resistance. Lelouch emerges as a brilliant and conflicted protagonist who must evolve in the most intriguing ways.
At one point, he battles a fellow brother, Suzaku, which is reminiscent of Star Wars’ Anakin vs. Obi-Wan. Moreover, by combining style with substance, Code Geass raised the bar for all the anime series in the genre. Stream on Crunchyroll.
9 Last Exile (2003)
Set against a mesmerizing platform of Prester, Last Exile introduces you to a world where the most popular and convenient mode of transportation is flight. “The Guild” is an organization that has control over the skies and is responsible for delivering packages between two hostile nations, Anatoray and Disith. Claus Valca and Lavie Head are young pilots who work for the organization as sky couriers. Their dream of becoming successful is met with a challenge when a great conflict arises.
Adventures on a Futuristic Planet
A sci-fi adventure of soaring heights, Last Exile definitely feels ahead of its time. It has a truly creative plot – one that envisions a future where humanity uses the sky as an everyday means of travel. When drawing parallels with Star Wars, the characters share a distinctive dynamic with each other; their growing bonds give the action-packed plot a much-needed heart.
Elements like the polished mechas and airship battles also add perfection. Overall, Last Exile is a stunning epic that fans of Star Wars will definitely enjoy watching. Stream on Crunchyroll.
8 Cobra the Animation (2008)
Based on the Cobra manga series written by Buichi Terasawa, Cobra the Animation is simply part of an elaborate universe centered around the titular character. In this particular anime series, Cobra, the famous charismatic space pirate with “psychogun” for a hand, lives a reckless life filled with danger. But instead of continuing with his usual thrill-seeking ways, he decides to renounce them. However, a mysterious past linked to him chases him.
Subverts the Space Opera Tropes
By taking very familiar space opera tropes and marrying them with a rogue protagonist and his freewheeling antics, Cobra the Animation delivers a story that is refreshing and comforting at the same time. It gives a nod to Star Wars’ heroes and the Empire’s scheming overlords in several places throughout the series. But in the meantime, the anime prioritizes a simplistic plot and takes the genre in new directions by celebrating action and attitude.
7 Outlaw Star (1998-2001)
The lawless outer reaches of the galaxy hold many mysteries within them. Gene Starwind and his partner Jim Hawking, who are desperate to unravel these mysteries, are stuck living amongst the junkers and hustlers on their small planet, Sentinel III. However, when a beautiful treasure-hunting outlaw named Rachel Sweet tasks them with protecting a girl known as Melfina, they embark on a startling journey filled with dangerous rivals and unexpected twists.
A Uniquely Action-Packed Anime
An enigmatic intergalactic adventure, Outlaw Star blends space western adventure with sci-fi spectacle. The anime carves its own niche by featuring a unique and idiosyncratic crew, whose bonds evolve as the epic chase narrative progresses. And yet, it finds its roots in Star Wars. With its dynamic action, stunning visuals, bounty hunters, space pirates, and even catgirls, the 26-episode anime proves how the genre can be a vehicle for fun and friendship. Stream on Hulu.
6 Crest of the Stars (1999)
Also set in a distant future, this anime sees humanity spreading its wings across a bunch of colony worlds. The mobile families lord over other planetary domains, with an authoritarian empire – the Abh Empire – seeking further expansion. Young Jinto’s father kneels before the Abh in exchange for a standing in court, and this Jinto becomes a part of the aristocratic family. As he grows into his leadership role and meets Lafiel, their bonds are tested by war.
Boasts an Elegant World-Building
By fashioning a hard sci-fi setting, Crest of the Stars makes certain far-fetched stories more accessible for a wider audience. The series is ripe with mecha sequences that showcase anime’s potential to deliver sophisticated thrills without ever losing sight of its character-driven storytelling.
Which is a plot device inspired by Star Wars. The complicated history between Jinto and Lafiel adds a touching grace to a story about warring empires and rebellion, about power dynamics across cultures. Stream on Crunchyroll.
5 Space Dandy (2014)
A rather comical and parody-like entry on the list, Space Dandy centers around the titular character, Dandy, an alien bounty hunter. Known as a “dandy guy in space,” he is just a bored individual who roams the galaxy in his ship searching for never-before-seen aliens. With him on board are his robot assistant QT and his feline-like friend named Meow. Across 13 episodes, Dandy explores planets and embarks on zany misadventures, seeking only money and beauty.
Borrows from a Bunch of Star Wars’ Elements
Subverting all sci-fi expectations by being completely bizarre and hilarious, Space Dandy redefines the genre for those who love it most. Paying loose homage to the swashbuckling spirit of Star Wars through playful adventures, it injects the narrative with a lot of pop culture, referential humor, and phenomenal animation.
The space battles, robot companions, sincere messages, and madcap action are all derived from Star Wars, and also the Buck Rogers serials. Stream on Crunchyroll.
4 Mobile Suit Gundam (1979-1980)
Mobile Suit Gundam was released two years after Star Wars. Back then, the latter wasn’t that big of a classic, but the former quickly gained popularity. The anime, set in the year 0079 of the Universal Century, centers around the political conflict that arises between colonies occupying space and Earth. Amuro Ray, a shy teenage colony resident, finds himself embroiled in the changing tides of war.
A Deep Space Anime That’s Still Relevant
On the surface, Mobile Suit Gundam does not seem anywhere close to the gripping saga that was Star Wars. However, the anime did a bunch of things right. For starters, it laid the blueprints for the entire sci-fi genre. Secondly, the technical marvel proved the anime’s potential to make serious anti-war statements.
When looking at more intricate visual elements, the series features lightsabers, rebels going up against empires using powerful weapons, and giant blasters taking up the screen during action sequences. Stream on Crunchyroll.
3 Legend of the Galactic Heroes (1988-1997)
The original series of award-winning science fiction novels written by Yoshiki Tanaka ran from 1982 to 1987, following which Legend of the Galactic Heroes was adapted into an anime series of the same name.
Set in a distant future, where mankind has begun to reside in the stars, this classic space opera documents the perpetual war between the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance. Caught in a crossfire is the third power, known as the Dominion of Phezzan. The story is told through the eyes of the leaders of each faction.
One of the Longest-Running Sci-Fi Anime
A masterful and cerebral space saga, Legend of the Galactic Heroes, simply put, takes sci-fi storytelling to its highest form. The anime draws many parallels from the original Star Wars trilogy, which premiered between 1977 and 1983. From the rebel factions to the intergalactic conflict, from the combat-laden narrative to the strategic nuance, there are many Star Wars elements sprinkled deftly into the anime. With 110 episodes worth of heavy politics, the series sure immerses its viewers into a sprawling story.
2 My Hero Academia (2016-Present)
In a world where 80% Of the population acquires certain degrees of superpowers called “Quirks,” a young boy named Izuku Midoriya is one of the few that was born without one. Despite idolizing the strongest superhero to ever exist and wanting to become one too, when Izuku enrolls in UA High School, the most prestigious hero Academy, he is ridiculed by the other students. But Midoriya trains relentlessly and tries to hone his skills to earn an official pro-hero license.
An Homage to Following One’s Dreams
Kohei Horikoshi, the creator of the anime, has time and again opened up about being utterly fascinated by Hollywood sci-fi movies. My Hero Academia Is known for delivering non-stop action and all the fields across its seven seasons.
While the escalating stakes, inclusion of formidable foes, and imaginative storytelling itself remind fans of Star Wars, what’s more interesting is the fact that it makes direct references to Star Wars. For instance, Gran Tarino serves Yoda’s role and All for One is a dead ringer for Emperor Palpatine. Stream on Hulu.
1 Cowboy Bebop (1998-1999)
A highly popular one on the list would be Cowboy Bebop. The premise, set in the year 2071, features a solar system that has been colonized by humanity. Much like Earth, space is now under the control of a government, and opposing forces like villains and outlaws plague the fringes of society. Spike Spiegel is a legendary bounty hunter who, along with his motley crew of the spaceship Bebop, Is in constant search of new gigs. Despite only wanting some thrilling adventure, Spike’s past with a Sinister crime syndicate catches up to him.
The Most Stylish Space Western
If there is one anime that draws clear inspiration from Star Wars (particularly Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace), it is Cowboy Bebop. The series brought effortless school to the medium of anime by combining jazz aesthetics with a western setting. The lush action, depiction of futuristic cities, and wounded souls as main characters alone make for an outstanding comparison.
But the fact that Cowboy Bebop creator Shinichirō Watanabe wanted an anime that commercializes toys like spaceships was enough to plant the seed of what would become a generation-defining classic. Stream on Hulu.
