The best steampunk anime proves what makes this genre so interesting. Blurring the lines between science fiction and fantasy, the steampunk genre allows for some amazingly creative possibilities in anime. Along with the creativity and imagination naturally present in the medium, the best steampunk anime of all time take full advantage of the genre’s creativity to create worlds that are startlingly unique and tell unforgettable stories.
Like other science fiction and fantasy genres, steampunk stories in popular culture can vary in the details of their world-building. However, the steampunk world has some things in common. In general, the worlds of steampunk stories resemble the real world of the late 19th to early 20th century. The technology in these worlds may be superior to that of the real world, although it will be in an analog form. not digital or electronic and powered by steam. Industrialization and its consequences for both individuals and society at large are popular steampunk themes.
11 drifting dragons
Steampunk technology confronts dragons
Year of release
2020
Episodes
12
Where to stream it
Netflix
Easily missed among the many popular anime series released in 2020, Drifting Dragons feels like a kinder, gentler Moby-Dick. The sky is the ocean and the dragon is the whale. For all intents and purposes, the crew of the Quin Zaza airship are steampunk whalers.
The exact English spelling of the ship’s name varies by source, but this is the spelling used by Netlfix, the international distributor of the series.
Given whaling’s real-life reputation, that concept may be controversial or offensive to some viewers. However, despite the potentially off-putting aspects of the premise, it is undeniably unique. Drifting Dragons’ blend of steampunk and fantasy makes it stand out, and there really aren’t many other anime series that can easily compare to it. The series’ art direction also features unique visual imagery that complements the novel premise.
10 Cabinet of the Iron Fortress
Steampunk and Zombie technology collide
Year of release
2016
Episodes
12
Where to stream it
Amazon Top Videos
The zombie apocalypse is being treated as a premise, so it’s becoming more and more necessary to bring a new plot twist to that premise to stand out as a zombie story. Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress does a great job of setting itself apart from other zombie anime thanks to its imaginative spin on the zombie story as well as its stylish art and direction. Set in an alternate history of Japan ravaged by zombies called kabane, human characters are placed in fortified train stations and travel between them in giant armored trains. The kabane itself is terrifying, the action is intense and brutal, the whole series has a really cool steam powered samurai aesthetic that creates a one of a kind atmosphere and allows for some beats Unique plot with premise.
9 D.Gray-man
A Steampunk take on the supernatural
Year of release
2006
Episodes
116
Where to stream it
Hulu, Funimation, Tubi
The opening scene of the first episode of D.Gray-man helped establish the series’ context in “The End of the Fictional 19th Century”. Technically, that makes D.Gra-man a historical anime. Overall, however, thanks in no small part to the presence of magic, the exact level of technology is extremely inconsistent, and the series focuses entirely on the more fantastical aspects of its premise.
Series lead Allen Walker is a professional exorcist, battling an enemy named the Millennium Earl, who creates minions from captured souls forced into bodies of living metal. Despite fully embracing the supernatural element of his story, D.Gray-man still draws on 19th-century aesthetics to establish his visual identity and the prominence of dark streets. Dark, gloomy London style has created much of the atmosphere throughout the series.
8 steam boys
The creator of Akira creates the most expensive Steampunk anime movie ever
Year of release
2004
Running time
126 minutes
Where to stream it
Roku, Tubi, Pluto TV
Before the release of Ghibli’s The Tale of Princess Kaguya, Steamboy was the most expensive anime film ever made. From Katsuhiro Otomo, creator and director of the legendary ’80s anime Akira, Steamboy is set in the alternate history of 1863, where the development of steam-powered technology has outpaced the real world. The central conflict of the plot is driven by different factions trying to gain control of three devices called Steam Balls, which are said to be able to provide an unlimited supply of steam power and promote the development of steam. outstanding technological development. Steamboy is making the most of its high budget. The character design and animation are fantastic, and the alternate history Victorian England setting allows for some beautiful sets and settings.
7 Samurai 7
Samurais Get Steampunk Redesign
Year of release
2004
Episodes
26
Where to stream it
cartoon
Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai is not only considered one of the best samurai films ever but is also a candidate for one of the best films ever. Given the popularity and influence of Kurosawa’s films over the years, it is not surprising that the general concept of “seven warriors hired to protect a village” has been borrowed so often in popular culture. One of the most interesting things about the premise is Samurai 7.
On one hand, this is a fairly direct adaptation of the original film in that all the samurai have the same names and general personalities as their respective characters in the original, and Akira Kurosawa is credited as one of the creators. created the series. On the other hand, it significantly expands the story to fit a 26-episode runtime and introduces steampunk elements such as airships, robots, and cybernetic samurai. Despite these unabashed stylistic flourishes, for the most part, Samurai 7 retains the charm and emotional weight of the original Kurosawa film.
6 Castles in the sky
Miyazaki’s best Steampunk movies
Year of release
1986
Running time
124 minutes
Where to stream it
Max
While some of Ghibli’s other films could be considered steampunk tales, and even Princess Mononoke grapples with many of the questions of industrialization prevalent in the genre, Castle in the Sky is perhaps Ghibli’s finest example of steampunk anime. Except for the advanced flying machines and airships, the world of Castle in the Sky is very similar to the industrialized world of the early 1900s and the plot is driven by the hunt for the game’s lost ancient city. . When Sheeta, the film’s heroine, accidentally awakens one of the androids protecting the lost city, the incredibly destructive power of the city’s lost technology becomes clear and Sheeta and Pazu set out to stop it. The power of that technology falls into the hands of the evil Colonel. Muska.
Like many of Miyazaki’s films, Castle in the Sky offers a strong message of peace and environmental themes. Muska’s ambition to harness the power of lost technology as a weapon is portrayed as explicitly evil, and the giant tree growing in the center of the lost city serves both a powerful symbolic role and becomes plot related at the end of the movie.
5 principal princesses
Steampunk with spies
4
Year of release
2017
Episodes
12
Where to stream it
Video Amazon Prime, HIDIVE
The Princess Principal’s opening doesn’t sound out of place compared to Persona 5’s soundtrack, and there are actually a lot of surprising similarities to be drawn between the two. It’s true that Princess Principal’s heroines are spies and not thieves, but at least they broadly engage in the same kind of stealthy escapes, and their spy costumes wouldn’t be that different from Phantom’s Thieves. Despite stylistic similarities, Princess Principal has carved out her own identity. Steampunk Victorian England is a novel setting for a spy story, and the fact that the main characters are all female helps set the series apart.
Based on the series, the English dub of Princess Principal, made by Sentai Filmworks, uses an all-British cast.
3 Case study of Vanitas
Steampunk vampires reign supreme
Year of release
2021
Episodes
24
Where to stream it
Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu
Vanitas’s Case Study quickly makes some stylistic choices that set it apart from other popular Vampire anime. The opening scene of the first episode recounts the history of Vanitas like a storybook or fairy tale with a unique paper and ink animation style that resembles the illustrations in the book. Fittingly, the actual Book of Vanitas, a powerful magical tome, plays a key role in the events of the plot.
Although the series’ version of late 1800s Paris features many steampunk flourishes, up to and including giant airships shaped like buildings, it is nevertheless a A recognizable recreation of the real Paris, with many of the city’s famous landmarks identifiable. While The Case Study of Vanitas has a very specific and established sense of humor, the series combines that with the emotional depth and horror aspects expected of a Vampire story.
2 The Last Exile
A Steampunk take on Space Opera
Year of release
2003
Episodes
26
Where to stream it
Crunchyroll, Funimation
Last Exile follows air couriers Claus and Lavie as they are tasked with delivering a girl named Alvis to the crew of the pirate ship Silvana. Although the military aspects of the series are reminiscent of live action historical films such as Sharpe and Master and Commander, but taking place in the skies rather than the seas, many of the plot details resemble a Steampunk version of the classic Space Opera anime. The crew of the Silvana, pirates rebelling against an oppressive government regime, owes a clear debt to classic sci-fi anime hero Captain Harlock and his crew.
Last Exile is a pretty CGI-heavy series and unfortunately, the 3D effects for the battleships and some of the environments are not done well. That’s not because they’re poorly done, but simply the result of CGI technology that has come a long way since Last Exile came out in 2003. The soundtrack is phenomenal, with a fun Celtic style that will wouldn’t be out of place in a pirate story. It’s fitting because Last Exile essentially treats the sky like the ocean.
The undisputed king of Steampunk anime
Year of release
2009
Episodes
64
Where to stream it
Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu
Thanks to its compelling cast of characters and engaging plot, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has become one of the most popular anime series of all time. In fact, Fullmetal Alchemist is a strong candidate in the hearts of fans for the title of best anime of all time. The world-building in the series is particularly impressive. Set in early 20th century Germany, Fullmetal Alchemist has an aesthetic design that really sets it apart from other Fantasy and steampunk series. The details of the fictional world are quite impressive. Creator Hiromu Arakawa put a lot of thought into his magic system and world-building. Notably, the way Alchemy works in the series is based on real historical understandings of alchemy, magic, and chemistry.
The steampunk genre is inherently creative and imaginative. Thanks to the broad definition of what steampunk is, creators can take their stories and worlds in unique new directions. Although steampunk stories are unified by a set of established narratives, the storytelling possibilities are virtually endless. This is demonstrated by the novel and intriguing approaches to the genre taken by Best steampunk anime of all time.
