The Best post-apocalyptic Anime are also some of the medium’s most intriguing ones, as they take place in captivated worlds completely different from reality. As a consequence of cataclysmic events that nearly destroy and redefine the world, societies end up either regressing, or developing in new and unique ways, adapting to their new conditions and needs.
These types of shows tend to have a few common strengths that make them as popular as they are. One would be their world-building, in the form of interesting ruined towns and relics of the past, and another would be the characters. and their travels. When they are faced with desperate situations in which survival is hardly guaranteed, the worst of humanity can be shown, as instincts take over reasoning.
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School life!
Production Studio: Leche
A fresh take on the classic zombie anime formula, the world of School life! Experiences a sudden infection outbreak, speculated to be caused by a biological weapon, which turns people all over the world into man-eating zombies. It follows the school survival club, a group of high school girls struggling to make sense of their new situation and survive against all odds. Meanwhile, one of the girls, Yuki Takiya, has seemingly lost her sanity as a result of the shocking events, refusing to see reality for what it is and leaving her unable to acknowledge the traumatic deaths she has witnessed.
School life! Sets itself apart from other post-apocalyptic anime with its shocking first episode twist. From there, the series builds the twist in fun and interesting ways. Any fan of zombie anime will want to give School life! A shot.
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Heavenly Delusion
Production Studio: Production Ig
Production ig s Heavenly Delusion Is set in a world that has collapsed in the year of 2024, when an unexpected disaster, which led to man-eating monsters lurking in the ruins of civilization, threatening the peace of the survivors. It is in this world that Maru and Kiruko search for a place known as Heaven, each trying to unravel the mysteries of their tragic lives and the fate of the world. At the same time, children are sheltered and nurtured in an isolated facility protected from the dangers of the outside world, but their curious nature will not let them stand idle.
One of the most underrated anime of 2023, Heavenly Delusion Stands out for its deep themes and likable characters. More than many other post-apocalyptic anime that just use the apocalypse as setting sauce, Heavenly Delusion Uses his setting to explore deeper themes.
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Girls’ last tour
Production Studio: White Fox
In a post-apocalyptic world, Girls’ Last Tour follows Chito and Yuri, two young survivors who explore a deserted city on their motorbike. As they search for resources, the series delves into themes of companionship and resilience amid the loneliness of their surroundings.
Girls’ last tour is set in a war-torn world where civilization is almost dead, except for two girls, Chito and Yuuri, who wander the desolate wasteland on their beloved Ketenkrad motorbikes and do their best to survive. It has never been made clear exactly how the world reached its current status, but it is evident that a lot of the damage was caused by unforgiving wars, possibly involving highly advanced technology. However, such details are unimportant to the protagonists, who are more concerned with finding their next meal, exploring their surroundings, and speculating about how the world used to be.
What sets the anime apart from other members of its genre is that Girls’ last tour Combines the post-apocalypse with slice-of-life. The combination between two very different genres works much better than it should, make Girls’ last tour Ranked among the best post-apocalyptic anime.
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world end
Production Studios: Satellite/C2C
WorldEnd: What do you do at the end of the world? Are you busy? Will you save us? is set in a world where humanity has been nearly wiped out, with William Kmech the only survivor. When humans died out, he was frozen in ice for 500 years and wakes up to a world unlike the one he remembers. The surviving races must coexist on floating islands in the sky, away from the beasts threatening to eliminate all life on earth. William is tasked with taking care of the leprechauns, a group of humanoid young girls who can wield ancient weapons.
Even with its strange premise, world end Stands out among post-apocalyptic anime for its unique world-building. Although most post-apocalypses are based on science fiction, world end Instead uses imagination as its base. Given how well it is executed, it’s no wonder that Weltend World-building makes it rank highly among the best post-apocalyptic anime.
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guilty crown
Production Studio: Production IG
In a post-apocalyptic Japan, high school student Shu Ouma creates a unique power that thrusts him into the conflict between a resistance group and a governing entity. As he navigates this turbulent world, Shu confronts the demands of his newfound abilities and the hidden truths of his past.
in guilty crownA day known as the “lost Christmas” is the time when Japan was almost brought to ruins by the deadly apocalypse virus, which plunged the entire country into chaos and anarchy. The source of the virus was a meteorite, which resulted in a widespread pandemic.
The stability of the country was only maintained thanks to the efforts of the United Nations, which successfully contained the outbreak and also removed all political autonomyA situation that has remained unchanged for decades. Dissatisfied with Japan’s circumstances, a resistance group known as Funeral Parlor sets out to reclaim their freedom.
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Train to the end of the world
Production Studio: EMT Squared
EMT Squared’s Train to the end of the world Set two years after the disastrous launch of the 7G cellular network completely warmed reality and turned every part of Japan into a completely strange landscape. Despite the danger it entails, Shizuru and her friends decide to take a train to Ikebukuro, now a seemingly impossible distance away from them, to try to find their lost friend, Yoka, who disappeared during the 7G incident.
Thanks to how well it balances its weird premise and strong character writing, Train to the end of the world Perfectly sells his absurdist take on a post-apocalyptic setting from start to finishWith each new element, it is always as ridiculous as the last. It may be a whole new series, but it’s still a lot to watch for what it does for such a tried and true genre of fiction.
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Dr. Stein
Production Studio: TMS Entertainment
Dr. Stone is an anime series set in a post-apocalyptic world where all of humanity has been petrified for thousands of years. The story follows high school student Senku Ishigami who awakens and seeks to rebuild civilization from scratch using his extensive knowledge of science.
- Figure
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Aaron Dismuke, Brandon McInnis, Felecia Angelle, Matt Shipman, Ricco Fajardo
- character(s)
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Senku Ishigami, Gen Asagiri, Kohaku, Chrome, Taiju Oki
- Release date
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July 5, 2019
- Main genre
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Sci Fi
The world of Dr. Stein is defined by a unique cataclysm known as the petrification. This global-scale event petrified civilization for thousands of years, almost reset all the progress of mankind. Everything man-made has disappeared, and nature has taken over the world once again, turning once thriving cities into unrecognizable jungles. However, even under such conditions, there are people, such as Senku Ishigami, who would not back down from the challenge of reviving civilization. Even as most remain petrified, Senku sets out to use his knowledge of science to save the world and restore it to its former glory.
Dr. Stein is one of the greatest post-apocalyptic anime ever for good reason. The series’ emphasis on rebuilding society using science is fun, and the mysteries behind how the world ended up being enough to keep fans watching episode after episode.
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Sabikoi Bisco
Production Studio: OZ
In the world of Sabikoi BiscoJapan is ravaged by a mysterious apocalyptic event, which completely changed its landscape, while still threatening the survival of the remaining civilization. The rust has not only turned most of the country into sandy wastelands full of dust, but it is also affecting peopleAfflicting them with what is known as the rusting disease.
The only one who can save the world is Bisco Akaboshi, a mushroom keeper who is looking for the legendary rust eater mushroom, but he is also often unfairly blamed for the state of the world, which only complicates his mission.
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Vivy – Fluorite Eye’s song – is Pop Idol meets the Terminator
Production Studio: Witt Studio
Although not post-apocalyptic in the traditional sense of the world, the events of Vivi – Fluorite Eye’s Song– Only unfolds after the beginning of an apocalyptic event during which highly evolved AI’s seek to eradicate humanity, burning down everything in their path.
In a desperate attempt to save the world by changing the past, a scientist pins all his hopes on the titular Vivi, The first autonomous humanoid AI, sends another AI to ask you to rewrite history. Without being given time to process the information, Vivi finds herself on a perilous journey that transcends her original purpose.
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Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign
Production Studio: Witt Studio
in Seraph of the End: Vampire ReignHumanity was nearly eliminated by a virus that killed most humans over the age of thirteen. As if one apocalyptic event wasn’t enough, the Four Horsemen then show up, looking to take out the few remaining survivors.
Fearing for their food supply, vampires emerge from the shadows, subjugating humans for use as livestock.. Under these dire circumstances, the Moon Demon Company emerges, fighting back with sentient weapons and seeking to regain their freedom. These factors come together to make Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign A truly satisfying series everyone should watch.
5
Fire Force
Production Studio: David Production
David Production Fire Force Takes place 250 years after the Great Cataclysm, an apocalyptic event that burned almost the entire world to ashes and saw the birth of Infernals, powerful demons born from spontaneous combustion. To combat the Infernals, the Pyrokinetics of the Tokyo Empire fight as part of the Fire Force, and their latest recruit is Shinra Kusakabe, a young boy who shoots fire from his feet and is slowly revealed to be connected to all the hidden workings of the world.
Fire Forces writing always does a good job of portraying how a society would be forced to change even after the apocalypse is well behind themWith much of the world-building dedicated to showing just how different the world is from real life. Add an engaging mystery plot and incredible action and visuals, and it’s a phenomenal series to watch from start to finish.
4
Land of the lustrous
Production Studio: Orange
Land of the Lustrous is an anime series set in a distant future where crystalline beings called gems fight against moon-dwellers who seek to capture and turn them into decorations. Foss, one of the Gems, is assigned the task of creating a natural history encyclopedia, leading them on an introspective journey to find their purpose and strength.
- Figure
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Tomoyo Kurosawa, Sarah Wiedenheft, Ai Kayano, Yumi Uchiyama, Ayahi Takagaki, Mamiko Noto, Shelley Calene-Black, Heidi Hinkel
- character(s)
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Phosphophyllite, Phos, Diamond, Rutile, Jade, Euclase
- Release date
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October 7, 2017
Orange Land of the lustrous Set in the distant future after humanity’s extinction, the only inhabitants now are the titular Lustras, a group of non-binary beings made of gemstones. The Lustras constantly fight the Lunarians, an alien race that wants to make decorations out of their bodies, and while the series’ protagonist Fos is deemed too weak for battle, they find value in their new assignment of creating a natural history encyclopedia along with fellow outcast. and poisonous lustrous cinnabar.
Land of the lustrous‘ Writing always strikes a perfect balance between the horrors of the apocalypse and the beauty of the natural worldAll of which is rendered in some of the most gorgeous animation and 3D visuals of any anime of the last decade. Land of the lustrous Showed how good CG anime can be, and luckily, his writing perfectly matched that.
3
Fist of the North Star
Production Studio: Toei Animation
Toy animation Fist of the North Star Takes place in a world ravaged by nuclear war where the power-hungry constantly prey on the innocent. The only hope of salvation lies in Kenshiro, the master of the Hokuto Shinken, the world’s greatest martial art, and his efforts to bring peace to the land slowly bring him and others into conflict with the various people from his assorted and mysterious past. .
Thanks to its stellar action and an over-the-top dystopian aesthetic, Fist of the North Star is a perfect mix of classic kung fu stories with the craziness of Mad MaxAll is further enhanced by a surprisingly thoughtful, character-driven narrative. No other anime gets to the heart of a post-apocalyptic story like Fist of the North StarAnd with these Fist of the North Star Reboot in development, even more people are bound to see it.
2
Gurn Lagan
Production Studio: Studio Trigger
Although the origins of Gurn LaganThe post-apocalyptic world is unclear, it’s easy to see why it falls under this category. In the distant future, most of humanity lives in underground villages, largely unaware of what the surface entails, but afraid of its possibilities. After a series of events, Kamina and Simon end up seeing the blue sky for the first time and join Yoko on an adventure to fight against the Beastmen terrorizing humans. The wastelands of the surface are even more dangerous than they could have imagined, however, making their mission impossible without insane levels of determination and willpower.
Although Gurn Lagan Appearing ridiculous on the surface, the anime is actually much deeper than it initially appears. Gurn Lagan Brave attitude and fascinating topics Make it stand out from other mech and post-apocalyptic anime.
1
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Production Studio: Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Takes place a millennium after the world has been turned into an ecological wasteland by a group of deadly living weapons called the Giant Warriors. As people struggle to survive in a toxic world overrun with giant insects, one kingdom seeks to revive a giant warrior to take back the world by force, and Nausicaä, princess of the Valley of the Wind, must stop them before they destroy everything.
Nausicaa From the valley of the windThe overt expression of its themes of environmentalism and war results in one of the strongest narratives of any Studio Ghibli film.And when combined with rich world-building and its visuals that are gorgeous and terrifying, it always does a great job of inviting people into its story. The film has only improved with age, so it’s an easy contender for these Best post-apocalyptic anime Ever.