What is Space Opera anime?

Space opera is a sub-genre of fiction that emphasizes romantic adventures in space. Space opera generally involves large-scale conflicts between opponents with powerful abilities and technology. The genre will often be melodramatic, sometimes playing music that can be nothing short of awesome. Warfare and a battle of wits are usually less emphasized, preferring romance (with exceptions, e.g. Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu). Some space operas tend to be formulaic and sometimes even prosaic, often employing very simple devices and somewhat obvious strategies. An example of this would be the infamous laws of physics in the Macross universe, in which the main male lead will hardly ever get hit in battle.

Random Space Opera Anime You might like

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Gaiden: Ougon no Tsubasa

(Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Golden Wings)

6.34

Description:

Reinhard von Müsel, a poor nobleman's son, one day discovers that his sister, Annerose, has been sold to the royal family. To get her back he sets out to rise quickly through the military along with his friend Siegfried Kircheis. (Source: ANN)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

59 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1992-12-12

Starship Operators

6.86

Description:

For the 73rd class of cadets of the Defense University of the small planet Kibi, a shakedown cruise on the fleet's new starship "Amaterasu" is a fitting lead-up to graduation. As they are returning to their home planet, however, they are shocked to hear news of a declaration of war by the aggressive Kingdom against Kibi. When their planetary government surrenders without a struggle, the cadets decide to launch their own war, aboard the "Amaterasu". To gain funding, they make a deal with a galactic news network - and find themselves the "stars" of their own "reality show". Unfortunately, this is the kind of reality show that can get you killed... (Source: ANN)
Type

TV

Episodes

13

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2005-01-05

Kidou Senkan Nadesico: The Prince of Darkness

(Martian Successor Nadesico: The Prince of Darkness)

6.6

Description:

Two years have passed since the end of the "Martian Successor Nadesico." Akito and Yurika have disappeared. The Jovians and the Earthlings have joined forces and Ruri is now captain of Nadesico B. As the popularity of Boson Jumping grows, a vast transportation network has been developed. Dubbed the Hisago Plan, this network of Chulip portals holds the answers to the mysteries behind Bose particles and their power. If those secrets should fall into the wrong hands, it could mean big trouble. And big trouble there is. A Martian splinter group has launched an offensive, leaving the United Forces befuddled and desperate. So much so, in fact, that the former crew of the Nadesico is called back to active duty for a special unsanctioned mission-to save us all. Does this menagerie of misfits have what it takes? Who will win the race for the Boson technology? And what the heck happened to Akito and Yurika?
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

79 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

1998-08-01

Macross Dynamite 7

6.9

Description:

Less than a year after the events that transpired in the Macross 7 TV series, Basara leaves Fire Bomber and travels to the planet Zola. There, he meets a girl named Elma, who is a big fan of Fire Bomber. It is also on this planet where he must once again use his Spiritia powers; this time, to stop an army of poachers and Elma's father Graham from killing a group of space whales travelling within the planetary system.
Type

OVA

Episodes

4

Ep.Length

30 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1997-12-18

Macross II: Lovers Again

6.18

Description:

A.D. 2089 - 80 years have passed since Space War I changed the lives of both human and Zentraedi races. Both races are at peace on Earth when a new alien race called the "Marduk" appear within the Solar System. While covering the first battle between the U.N. Spacy and the Marduk fleet, SNN rookie reporter Hibiki Kanzaki discovers Ishtar, an "Emulator" that enhances the Marduk's combat abilities through singing. Hibiki brings Ishtar to Earth to teach her the values of life and culture. Together with ace Valkyrie pilot Silvie Gena, Hibiki and Ishtar must find a way to save Earth from total destruction at the hands of the Marduk leader Ingues. (Source: ANN)
Type

OVA

Episodes

6

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1992-05-21

Terra e...

(Toward the Terra)

6.42

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

Geneshaft

6.33

Description:

In the 21st century mankind was on the brink of destruction. Through genetic engineering however they eradicated such feelings as love and the desire for power. Since women are naturally less agressive than men, women to man ratio was set to 9:1. Now people are engineered to have skills that others view as being necessary. There is a giant ring that now orbits the earth, that sits there and relays information back to an alien race that sent it. Now a team of five women will try to eradicate the alien threat. (Source: ANN)
Type

TV

Episodes

13

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2001-04-05

Macross Flash Back 2012

7.01

Description:

Flash Back 2012 is Minmei's farewell concert. Featuring some of her best songs, the music is performed over various scenes and events taken from Macross TV as well as Macross "Do You Remember Love". Also included is a newly animated closing sequence showing the launch of Misa's colony vessel, the Megaroad-01, into space. (Source: ANN)
Type

OVA

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

30 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1987-06-21

Waga Seishun no Arcadia

(Arcadia of My Youth)

7.72

Description:

Earth has been conquered by the evil Illumidus Empire, with parallels drawn to the U.S. post World War II occupation of Japan. Captain Harlock with a group that will become his life long friends begin their fight against this tyranny visited upon the planet Earth, with no regard to the costs the struggle will have on them, caring only for the ideal of restoring freedom to the people of Earth. (Source: ANN)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

130 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1982-07-28

Glass no Kantai: La Legende du Vent de l'Univers

(Glass Fleet: The Legend of the Wind of the Universe)

6.4

Description:

The People's Army led by Michel stands against Vetti's newly founded empire. Upon seeing how strong the Glass Battleship is, Michel tries to get Cleo, the captain of the Glass Battleship, to help People's Army overthrow Vetti's empire. And together they fight against Vetti's empire. (Source: ANN)
Type

TV

Episodes

24

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2006-04-04

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These Seiran 3

(The Legend of the Galactic Heroes The New Thesis Stellar War Part 3)

7.86

Description:

Part 3 of the second season of Legend of the Galactic Heroes Die Neue These.
Type

movie

Episodes

4

Ep.Length

25 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or Older

Status

finished

Aired

2019-11-29

Vandread: Taidou-hen

6.72

Description:

Vandread The First Stage (season one) was immediately followed up by this TV special. This TV special, also known as Vandread Taidouhen Stage (The Movement Stage) was a recap of the first 13 episodes with additional footage. So, Vandread Taidouhen is not really a bridge between Vandread The First Stage and Vandread The Second Stage (season two). It was made to bring new viewers up to date as to what happened during the first season (Source: AniDB)
Type

OVA

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

78 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2001-01-21

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation - Heir to the Stars

(Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation - Heir to the Stars)

6.98

Description:

Digitally remastered compilation movies for the Zeta Gundam TV series with some new footage. Part of Gundam's 25th Anniversary celebration. (Source: AniDB)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

94 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2005-05-28

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These Seiran 2

(The Legend of the Galactic Heroes The New Thesis Stellar War Part 2)

7.84

Description:

Part 2 of the second season of Legend of the Galactic Heroes Die Neue These.
Type

movie

Episodes

4

Ep.Length

25 Min

Status

finished

Aired

2019-10-25

Vandread: Gekitou-hen

7.24

Description:

Vandread Gekitouhen (Vandread Turbulence), similiar to Vandread Taidouhen, is an OVA summary of Vandread the Second Stage plus several extra scenes (Source: AniDB)
Type

OVA

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

86 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2002-10-25

Ginga Tetsudou Monogatari

(The Galaxy Railways)

7.13

Description:

The story begins on planet Destiny, which claimed to be where the center of the Universe is, where all the terminals of "The Galaxy Railways" are gathered. The main character, Yuuki Manabu (20 years old), carrying on his dead Father and Brother's will, joined SDF (Space Defense Force) to protect the safety of the Galaxy Railways. SDF, in order to uphold the reputation of maintaining the best transportation schedules within the Universe, deals with accidents, natural disasters, rescue operations, space pirates along all lines of the railway. Layla Destiny Shura is a mysterious beauty unifying SDF and all lines on The Galaxy Railways. She possesses the ability to see the destiny of planets, human beings and living things. Even though possessing such powers, she, being a "Guardian of Destiny", is unable to tell passengers leaving this station what difficulties lies ahead of them. However, appearances of those who uses evil powers to change the destinies of these travelers triggers another of her hidden ability. "Destiny is changed by the individual's oneself. Tomorrow's happiness is grabbed by the individual's own hands." In what manner will Yuuki's destiny be seen by Layla? And, how will Yuuki deal with his destiny amidst the greatest crisis approaching The Galaxy Railways? (Source: AniDB)
Type

TV

Episodes

26

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2003-10-04

Seikai no Danshou: Tanjou

(Crest of the Stars: Birth)

7.24

Description:

This is the story about how Dubus, Lafiel's father, and Plakia after an adventure on a mysterious, abandoned spaceship decided to have a daughter together and why Dubus gave her the name Lafiel. (Source: ANN)
Type

special

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

25 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2000-08-25

Musekinin Kanchou Tylor OVA

(Irresponsible Captain Tylor OVA)

7.25

Description:

Six long months have passed. The Raalgon Empire has developed a horrible new type of weapon, and Tylor has been charged with the duty of intercepting it as it is being transported. But when all that could go wrong does go wrong, the crew members of the Soyokaze find themselves at the mercy of their enemies. As the hours tick down toward their execution, the crew wonders: has their irresponsible captain misled them? Or is this all a part of some greater strategy? (Source: RightStuf)
Type

OVA

Episodes

10

Ep.Length

48 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1994-10-01

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation II - Lovers

(Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation II - Lovers)

6.87

Description:

Second out of three compilation movies for the Zeta Gundam series. (Source: AniDB)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

97 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2005-10-29

Macross 7 Movie: Ginga ga Ore wo Yondeiru!

(Macross 7: The Galaxy is Calling Me)

6.84

Description:

While investigating a sound anomaly across the galaxy, Basara crash-lands on a snowy planet and receives an unfriendly welcome from the local residents. On the planet, he befriends Pedro, a four-year-old boy who watches the Galaxy Network and idolizes Fire Bomber. Basara also discovers that the sound he's searching for is generated by Emilia, a lone Meltrandi struggling to make music of her own. (Source: ANN)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

33 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1995-09-30

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