What is Dystopia anime?

A dystopia (from Ancient Greek: δυσ-, "bad, ill", and Ancient Greek: τόπος, "place, landscape"; alternatively cacotopia, or anti-utopia) is, in literature, an often futuristic society that has degraded into a repressive and controlled state, often under the guise of being utopian. Dystopian literature has underlying cautionary tones, warning society that if we continue to live how we do, this will be the consequence. A dystopia, thus, is regarded as a sort of negative utopia and is often characterized by an authoritarian or totalitarian form of government. Dystopias usually feature different kinds of repressive social control systems, a lack or total absence of individual freedoms and expressions and constant states of warfare or violence. Dystopias often explore the concept of humans abusing technology and how humans individually and collectively cope with technology that has evolved too quickly such as the car, the flamethrower or the microwave. A dystopian society is also often characterized by widespread poverty and brutal political controls such as a large military-like police.

Random Dystopia Anime You might like

Giniro no Kami no Agito

(Origin: Spirits of the Past)

7.01

Description:

Long ago, the Forest was awakened and the Moon unleashed a ravenous Beast upon the Earth. Centuries later, as humanity struggle to coexist with the Forest, Agito revives slumbering Toola, who calls forth ancient technology to reshape the future from the ashes of the past. With the blessing of the Forest, Agito must save Toola from herself in order to rescue them all. (Source: Crunchyroll)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

94 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2006-01-07

Sousei no Aquarion

(Aquarion)

6.91

Description:

Humanity is dominated by fear when the Shadow Angels invade after 12,000 years of slumber. There is hope, however—Mechanical Angel Aquarion, a fighting machine powered by the intertwined souls of pilots known as Elements. With prophecy being fulfilled, and the end of the world approaching, the last hope for the new century takes flight. For mankind to survive, one among the Elements must rise. (Source: Crunchyroll)
Type

TV

Episodes

26

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2005-04-05

Dogs: Bullets & Carnage

7.09

Description:

It is sometime in the future, where a certain European city extends far underground, even secret, dark levels that have the key to the past. Ex-assassin Mihai has returned and is living with Kiri, who now runs a resturaunt. Sword-wielding Naoto, Haine (white hair), a mysterious product of genetic engineering and his sometime partner Badou (eyepatch). (Source: ANN)
Type

OVA

Episodes

4

Ep.Length

15 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

2009-05-19

Gunnm

(Battle Angel Alita)

7.09

Description:

Doc Ido, a doctor and mechanic who lives and works in the hellish, postapocalyptic "Scrapyard", finds the—miraculously preserved—remains of a female cyborg in a junk heap. After he revives and rebuilds her, the preternaturally strong, amnesiac "Gally" begins to forge a life for herself in a world where every day can bring a fight for life. Adapts the first two volumes of the "Battle Angel Alita" manga.
Type

OVA

Episodes

2

Ep.Length

30 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

1993-06-21

Love, Death + Robots

(Love, Death + Robots)

8.04

Description:

Sentient dairy products, werewolf soldiers, robots gone wild, garbage monsters, cyborg bounty hunters, alien spiders and blood-thirsty demons from hell - all converge in eighteen NSFW animated stories. (Source: Netflix)
Type

ONA

Episodes

18

Ep.Length

12 Min

Status

finished

Aired

2019-03-15

Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam

(Last Exile: Fam)

7.05

Description:

"I've made up my mind! I'm going to steal that ship!" All source of life originates from the Grand Lake. At this very sacred lake, the battle between the Ades Federation and the Turan Kingdom has just begun. The Ades Federation, armed with massive battleships and its sights set on conquering the world, declares war on the Turan Kingdom. With the Federation's troops encroaching on their beloved country, Turan now lies on the brink of collapse. As this is happening, the princesses of Turan look on as a small vanship named Vespa cruises above their heads. "We shall now commandeer your flagship and take her from this battlefield. The choice is yours. Die here, or survive with us Sky Pirates!" The Vespa continues to weave through the barrage of bombs, while the fleets of the Federation close in on Turan. What are the motives of Luscinia, the man leading the Ades Federation into the war? And what is the secret behind "Exile"? (Source: Animax, edited)
Type

TV

Episodes

21

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2011-10-15

Ginga Tetsudou 999

(Galaxy Express 999)

7.7

Description:

In the distant future, humanity has found a way to live forever by purchasing mechanical bodies, but this way to immortality is extraordinarily expensive. An impoverished boy, Tetsurou Hoshino, desires to purchase a pass on the Galaxy Express 999—a train that travels throughout the universe—because it is said that at the end of the line, those aboard can obtain a mechanical body for free. When Tetsurou's mother is gunned down by the villainous machine-man hybrid Count Mecha, however, all seems lost. Tetsurou is then saved from certain death by the mysterious Maetel, a tall woman with blonde hair and a striking resemblance to his mother. She gives him a pass to the Galaxy Express under one condition: that they travel together. Thus, Tetsurou begins his journey across the universe to many unique planets and thrilling adventures, in hopes of being able to attain that which he most desires. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Type

TV

Episodes

113

Ep.Length

25 Min

Rating

All Ages

Status

finished

Aired

1978-09-14

No Guns Life 2nd Season

7.09

Description:

Juzo Inui’s next mission is to rescue Rosa McMahon, a girl who holds a valuable piece of data the Berühren Corporation is after. Still reeling from Colt’s death, Tetsuro swears to never hesitate again.And somewhere in the city, Pepper is determined to make Juzo her property along with her current Gun Slave Unit, Seven.(Source: Funimation)
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Violence & Profanity

Status

finished

Aired

2020-07-10

Ou Dorobou Jing

(Jing: King of Bandits)

7.05

Description:

Jing may appear to be a young boy, but his remarkable skills make him one of the most feared thieves on the planet. Along with his feathered partner Kir, Jing travels from town to town, stealing anything of value regardless of the amount of security. But when he's in a pinch, he has one more trick up his sleeve: Kir bonds with Jing's right arm to perform the effectively deadly "Kir Royale" attack. And because of all this, Jing is infamously known by many as the "King of Bandits."
Type

TV

Episodes

13

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2002-05-15

Gilgamesh

(Gilgamesh)

6.45

Description:

The half-divine King of Uruk, Gilgamesh, was considered but a paltry legend... until his majestic tomb was discovered in the Middle East. This imperial crypt drew scientists from across the globe to the land, and with that came recognition of their fame. In a joint effort, they built Heaven's Gate in pursuit of advancing human knowledge. One day, a group of terrorists driven by greed attack Heaven's Gate, causing an explosion within the facility for archaeological excavation. The resulting phenomenon had much more impact than anyone could have imagined. More specifically, it triggered the birth of supernatural beings. In the midst of this mess, two siblings by the names of Kiyoko and Tatsuya encounter mysterious men with supernatural powers who, despite the scientific crisis around them, claim the ability to restore good to the world. Nevertheless, these seemingly heroic and all-powerful creatures act under the rule of factions. Are they here to save the world, or destroy it?
Type

TV

Episodes

26

Ep.Length

23 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

2003-11-02

Attack on Titan: The Final Season - Final Chapters Part 2

(Attack on Titan: The Final Season - Final Chapters Part 2)

8.27

Description:

Eren, as the Founding Titan, advances on Fort Salta with countless other Titans. Appearing before the refugees, who stand on the brink of despair, are Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Conny, Reiner, Pieck, and Levi, who narrowly escaped from the rumbling. The battle between former comrades and childhood friends with Eren concludes here. (Source: Crunchyroll)
Type

special

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

85 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

2023-11-04

Wonderful Days

(Sky Blue)

6.96

Description:

Set in 2142, Wonderful Days depicts a world that has been nearly destroyed by environmental pollution. Human life as we know it is almost extinct, and only a few were able to pull through the collapse of Earth's ecosystem. In order to deal with the chaos, a city named Ecoban was created. The city uses the very pollution that caused the disaster as an energy source. However, although the initial plan was successful to an extent, it didn't just create a new source of energy, but also an elite group of people. This prestigious faction believes that they are above the system, and are not willing to accept survivors from outside the city unless they are put to work as laborers. Among the people living in the wasteland outside Ecoban is a young man named Shua. He leads a very difficult life, but tries to make the most of it through the love that he feels for his childhood friend Jay. Unfortunately, Jay may be more interested in her security commander Cade than in Shua, and thus a love triangle is formed. Not only does Shua have to deal with the heartbreak, but he must also find a new way to survive in the crumbles left from the once-beautiful planet Earth.
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

83 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2003-07-17

Freedom

(Freedom)

7.43

Description:

In the year 2041, mankind created their first space colony on the moon. But after a freak cataclysm devastated human civilisation on Earth, the republic of the moon built a domed megalopolis known as Eden. Now in the year 2267, a boy called Takeru spends his time engaging in hover-craft races against rival street gangs, unaware that he is about to embark in the journey of unearthing Eden's origin. (Source: ANN)
Type

OVA

Episodes

7

Ep.Length

27 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2006-11-24

Amon: Devilman Mokushiroku

6.43

Description:

Fear runs rampant throughout Tokyo with the revelation that demons in fact exist amongst us. Paranoia and the darker side of humanity boils onto the streets as people turn on one another, suspecting that anyone could in fact be a demon hiding in human clothing. Amidst the growing tensions, tragedy strikes Akira causing his mind to snap, retreating into his subconscious, allowing his Devilish alter-ego Amon to break free from Akira's cage of flesh and wreak havoc on both human and demons alike.
Type

OVA

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

45 Min

Rating

Mild Nudity

Status

finished

Aired

2000-05-24

Makai Toshi Shinjuku

(Demon City Shinjuku)

6.1

Description:

Kyoya's father was a great warrior, killed at the hands of the diabolical psychic, Rebi Ra, who has now opened a portal to hell in the city of Shinjuku. It falls to Kyoya to finish what his father started and battle his way through demons, while protecting a young woman from harm. The only problem is that he's not exactly your classic hero type, and his powers are still latent. (Source: ANN)
Type

OVA

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

79 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

1988-10-25

Dominion

6.85

Description:

Leona Ozaki joins Newport City's infamous Tank Police division. With aid of Al and her newly built mini-tank, Bonaparte, she wages war on Buaku and his cohorts, the Puma Sisters. (Source: ANN)
Type

OVA

Episodes

4

Ep.Length

36 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1988-05-27

Gunparade March: Arata Naru Kougunka

(Gunparade March: A New Song for the March)

6.81

Description:

It began in 1945, at the end of the Pacific War. Alien invaders filled the earth's Skies, and mankind was forced to confront an unprecedented threat. For the first time in human history, people of all cultures came together under one banner. This war has now been raging for over fifty years. Countless lives have been lost, and the Japanese military is now forced to rely on young people such as Atsushi Hayami and his high school class, also known as Unit 5121. This new generation fearlessly struggles on with the aid of the HWT humanoid combat machines and the devastating PBE bomb. (Source: Media Blasters)
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2003-02-06

Highlander: The Search for Vengeance

6.81

Description:

Colin MacLeod, the immortal Scottish Highlander, travels with the wise-cracking ghost Amergan in search of the immortal despot Marcus Octavius, who killed Colin's lover on the Celtic plains centuries earlier. The once great city of New York is now submerged under water, with only one dominant fortress towering over the sea, the fortress of Marcus Octavius. MacLeod is torn between saving the survivors of New York and hunting down his nemesis. (Source: ANN)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

86 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

2007-02-14

Terra e...

(Toward the Terra)

6.4

Description:

In the future, mankind's seemingly utopian society is strictly controlled by the government, and anything that threatens to disrupt the status quo is ruthlessly suppressed. When 14-year-old Jomy begins to question the way the society is run, he suddenly becomes a target for both the government and the Mu, an outcast race with extra-sensory abilities who have been fighting against the government for generations. Now, each is determined to hunt him down - one to kill him and the other to save him. (Source: RightStuf)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

111 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1980-04-26

Mahou Shoujo Magical Destroyers

(Magical Destroyers)

6.34

Description:

Set in a dystopian near future where otaku culture in Japan has been obliterated by a mysterious organization known as "SSC", Magical Girl Destroyers follows the misadventures of Otaku Hero—a young revolutionary who loves otaku culture—and Anarchy, Blue, and Pink, a trio of magical girls who admire him. Together they struggle to create "a world where you can say what you like about what you like as much as you like." (Source: Crunchyroll)
Type

TV

Episodes

12

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or Older

Status

finished

Aired

2023-04-08

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