5 anime series for Star Trek fans to boldly watch

As a long-time Trekkie who’s navigated the final frontier of space and time with Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and the rest of the Enterprise crew, I must say these anime series have certainly piqued my interest!

Moving from “Nausicaans” to the Akira-style starships, it’s clear that Star Trek has always held a soft spot for Japanese animated creations. Although the future of Star Trek animation may seem uncertain, fans can find comfort in anime that share similarities with Star Trek. Here are 5 anime series that feature themes or elements that would feel familiar to Star Trek enthusiasts.

(These series are listed in alphabetical order.)

Cowboy Bebop (1998)

In a style that would resonate with Captain Will Riker, Cowboy Bebop is a space-themed western series penned by Hajime Yatate. It chronicles the exploits of bounty hunter Spike Spiegel and his ship’s crew as they traverse different parts of the solar system, engaging in a variety of exciting adventures.

In my gaming world, the setting of Cowboy Bebop is grimy and thoughtful, yet it carries a touch of optimism. It paints space as a Wild West-like frontier, echoing Gene Roddenberry’s iconic pitch for Star Trek: “Wagon Train to the Stars.

Edens Zero (2021)

According to Hiro Mashima’s manga creation, Edens Zero, the story leans towards science fiction and fantasy genres. The narrative revolves around a human boy named Shiki Granbell, along with his team, sailing aboard the starship called Edens Zero. Their primary objective is to search for the celestial entity known as “Mother,” who is said to fulfill any desire.

Similar to “Star Trek,” the anime “Eden’s Zero” follows a crew as they journey from one planet to another, encountering diverse scenarios. Many of these encounters are resolved through combat, given its shonen battle genre. However, with an array of android and cyborg characters, “Eden’s Zero” also explores themes of identity and humanity, drawing comparisons to “Star Trek” characters like Data or Seven of Nine.

One Piece (1999)

Sure thing!

In essence, the narrative of One Piece revolves around the adventurous journeys of Monkey D. Luffy and his band of Straw Hat Pirates across numerous islands. On each island they visit, the crew encounters intricate puzzles or predicaments that can raise substantial ethical dilemmas. While a significant portion of the story arc involves action and combat, the crew must always strive to resolve the issues at hand on these islands, even if the solutions are not perfect.

One Piece and Star Trek: The Original Series share several similarities, notably their expansive sea voyages and sense of freedom experienced by Luffy and his crew, which echoes the space exploration of Star Trek. Moreover, the extensive collection of over 1,100 episodes in One Piece mirrors the vast amount of material available for Star Trek viewers.

If you find the length daunting, there’s a fresh take on the ongoing comic series being developed, making it potentially easier to follow. Also, a live-action adaptation of the initial storyline is available on Netflix now.

Space Battleship Yamato (1974)

Originating from the minds of Leiji Matsumoto, Yoshinobu Nishizaki, and Eiichi Yamamoto, Space Battleship Yamato chronicles the journey of the eponymous starship’s crew as they embark on a vital mission to retrieve technology capable of saving Earth amidst an intergalactic conflict.

As a gamer, I haven’t had the chance to watch Space Battleship Yamato yet, as it seems elusive in the US at this moment. However, from what I’ve gathered, it holds considerable esteem much like Star Trek does for American and Western sci-fi. It’s been a significant influence on Japanese sci-fi series, shaping their narrative and aesthetic in profound ways.

Urusei Yatsura (1981 and 2022)

Two different anime versions of Rumiko Takahashi’s sci-fi romantic comedy titled “Annoying Aliens,” more commonly known as Urusei Yatsura, exist. Each is entertaining and chronicles the hilarious escapades of a human lad named Ataru Moriboshi and an alien oni/ogre princess, Lum. Occasionally, Urusei Yatsura is mentioned in episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Apart from sharing quirky aspects similar to Star Trek: Lower Decks, Urusei Yatsura constructs a complex universe that combines space aliens and folklore creatures in a humorous manner. It doesn’t delve into heavy moral dilemmas, but it has the playful atmosphere reminiscent of lighter Star Trek episodes, such as “The Trouble with Tribbles.

2024-12-17 17:23