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.

Trending Space Opera Anime You might like

Legend of the Galactic Heroes

(Legend of the Galactic Heroes)

8.16

Description:

For 150 years the galaxy has been locked in an interstellar war between the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance, fighting battles with thousands of spaceships and millions of soldiers on both sides. The crumbling Goldenbaum dynasty rules the Empire while the Alliance is in an increasingly dysfunctional democratic state. Two new commanders enter the stage: Imperial Admiral Reinhard von Lohengramm and the FPA's Yang Wen-Li. Reinhard is a talented minor aristocrat given a high station—and a powerful grudge—after the Kaiser took his older sister as a concubine. Wen-Li originally joined the military only to fund his university education, but has become a brilliant though reluctant leader. Each begins to attract a circle of similarly gifted soldiers, generals and thinkers around him, and in time the rivalry between these two very different men will shatter the existing stalemate. As they deal with superiors and subordinates, maneuver through personal and political problems, plot strategies and fight battles, both will bend the course of events to their will and, in turn, be tested and changed by the greatest war in human history! Legend of the Galactic Heroes is a vast, sentimental and thoughtful military space opera. This 110-episode OVA is the central part of the franchise, and the other connected titles are supplements to it.
Type

OVA

Episodes

110

Ep.Length

26 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

1988-01-08

Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199

(Space Battleship Yamato 2199)

8.02

Description:

In the year 2199, Earth faces its greatest crisis. Due to unrelenting bombings by the alien race known as "Gamilas," the planet can no longer sustain its inhabitants. In exactly one year, humanity is set to become extinct. In desperation, the people of Earth establish the Earth Defense Force, their last defense against the power-hungry Gamilas Empire. However, humanity finds a glimmer of hope after receiving a message from the mysterious planet Iscandar, which offers them a device that would restore Earth to its former glory. With salvation in sight, the Earth Defense Force calls on the prolific Space Battleship Yamato and swiftly assembles a crew to make the 148,000 light-year trek to Iscandar and receive their aid. Among the crew are young officers Susumu Kodai and Daisuke Shima, along with several other newly promoted leaders, all under the command of the distinguished Captain Juuzou Okita. Forced to learn how to handle the ship's innovative technology while dealing with the onslaught of Gamilas fleets, the inexperienced cast of Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 must summon every inch of their resolve to survive the many hardships aboard the Yamato and complete their mission: to save humanity before it's too late. (Source: MAL)
Type

OVA

Episodes

26

Ep.Length

25 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2012-05-25

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn

(Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn)

7.97

Description:

U.C. 0096... The manufacturing colony Industrial 7, which is still under construction, floats at Lagrange point 1. A youth named Banagher Links, who grew up without knowing his father, meets a mysterious girl who has stowed away on a ship bound for Industrial 7. As the white mobile suit Unicorn undergoes repeated tests and becomes the subject of diverse speculations, the hands of time begin to move. Banagher does not yet know that he has been caught up in the conflict surrounding Laplace's Box. What is Laplace's Box? What secret does it contain? The hundred-year curse of the Universal Century is about to be resolved. (Source: Official website)
Type

OVA

Episodes

7

Ep.Length

62 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2010-03-12

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Arata Naru Tatakai no Overture

(Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Overture to a New War)

7.87

Description:

Based on a series of sci-fi novels, this series tells the story of a massive conflict between the Prussia-like Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance. It describes all levels of the war, from the tactical to the strategic, but focuses most on the two opposing militaries' leaders: Reinhard Von Lohengramm and Yang Wen-Li. (Source: AniDB)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

90 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1993-12-18

Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star

(Outlaw Star)

7.87

Description:

Gene Starwind has always dreamed of piloting his own ship out into the vast sea of stars. Unfortunately, not all dreams come true, as he spends his days working odd jobs alongside his partner, James Hawking, on the small planet Sentinel III instead. However, this all takes a turn when the duo takes on a job from Rachel Sweet who, unbeknownst to them, is actually a treasure-hunting outlaw. Tasked with protecting a mysterious girl known as Melfina, the meeting irrevocably changes the pair's lives as they are sent out into the great unknown aboard the highly advanced ship, Outlaw Star.Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star follows Gene and his ragtag crew as they brave the final frontier, navigating the stars in search of answers to the mysteries surrounding Melfina. Encountering dangerous bounty hunters, space pirates, Taoist mages, and even catgirls, there is sure to be an exhilarating adventure around every corner. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Type

TV

Episodes

24

Ep.Length

25 Min

Rating

Mild Nudity

Status

finished

Aired

1998-01-09

Macross F

(Macross Frontier)

7.85

Description:

In a futuristic universe, humanity waged war against a race of giants known as Zentradi. Facing extinction at hands of their foes, humanity escaped to the stars. In 2059 A.D., the 25th Giant Immigration fleet, also known as the Macross Frontier, undergoes its journey towards the center of the galaxy. For the most part, life on the Macross Frontier proceeds as normal. But when famous singer Sheryl Nome visits, things go awry. Mysterious biomechanical aliens known as Vajra appear and attack, just as the citizens are busy clamoring over Sheryl. 17-year-old student mech pilot Alto Saotome joins the fray against the alien threat. While battling against a Varja, Alto rescues a young girl named Ranka Lee. Major Ozma Lee notes Alto's skill during his battle, and recruits him into the Strategic Military Services program. But his recruitment does not go smoothly, as the ghosts of Alto's past come up to haunt him.
Type

TV

Episodes

25

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2008-04-04

Terra e... (TV)

7.84

Description:

In the future, humans are living on colonized planets and are controlled in every aspect of their life by a system of computers. Evolution has resulted in the birth of people with extraordinary powers. This new race is called Mu. Hated and feared by the humans, the Mu dream of a place to live in peace: Earth—a mystical far away planet—for humanity had to leave their home long ago as pollution and destruction increased and made it impossible to stay there any longer. Jomy is a boy excitedly awaiting his birthday, the day he will enter the world of adults. Yet he knows nothing about the unknown powers sleeping in him and the shared dream of returning to Earth one day.
Type

TV

Episodes

24

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2007-04-07

Top wo Nerae! Gunbuster

(Gunbuster)

7.84

Description:

In the near future, humanity has taken its first steps towards journeying into the far reaches of the galaxy. Upon doing so they discover a huge race of insectoid aliens known as “Space Monsters.” These aliens seem dedicated to the eradication of mankind as they near closer and closer to discovering Earth. In response, humanity develops giant fighting robots piloted by hand-picked youth from around the world. Shortly after the discovery of the aliens, Noriko Takaya, the daughter of a famous deceased space captain, enters a training school despite her questionable talents as a pilot. There, she meets her polar opposite, the beautiful and talented Kazumi Amano, and is unexpectedly made to work together with her as they attempt to overcome the trauma of war as well as their own emotions. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Type

OVA

Episodes

6

Ep.Length

30 Min

Rating

Mild Nudity

Status

finished

Aired

1988-10-07

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These Seiran 3

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

7.85

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

Macross

(Macross)

7.82

Description:

After a mysterious spaceship crashes into Earth, humanity realizes that they are not alone. Fearing a potential threat from space, the world pushes aside their nationalism, conflicting interests, and cultural differences, unifying under the banner of the United Nations. The newly formed UN forces decide to repurpose the alien spacecraft, naming it SDF-1 Macross. Unfortunately, on the day of its maiden voyage, a fleet of spaceships belonging to a race of aliens known as Zentradi descend upon Earth, and the SDF-1 Macross, acting of its own accord, shoots down the incoming squadron, sparking an intergalactic war. In an attempt to escape, the Macross tries to launch itself into the Moon's orbit, but the ship—as well as the city was in—is teleported to the far reaches of space. Caught up in the mess are Hikaru Ichijou, a free-spirited acrobatic pilot, and Minmay Lynn, an aspiring idol. Together, alongside Macross's bridge officer Misa Hayase, they experience an epic journey rife with grief and drama as they begin their trek back to Earth, facing with the cruelties of war along the way. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Type

TV

Episodes

36

Ep.Length

26 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1982-10-03

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

(Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam)

7.81

Description:

It is Universal Century 0087, and the One Year War between the Earth Federation and Principality of Zeon is over. The Earth Federation has created an elite task force, known as the Titans, who are responsible for hunting the remaining Zeon forces. However, the power-hungry Titans have shown themselves to be no better than Zeon, spurring the creation of a rebellious faction called the Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG). 17-year-old Kamille Bidan lives in the colony Green Noa, home to a Titan base. Kamille gets in trouble after assaulting a Titan officer, an event that coincides with an attack led by former Zeon ace Char Aznable, now known as AEUG pilot Quattro Bajeena. When Kamille steals a Titan's prototype Gundam, he soon finds himself in the middle of the dangerous conflict. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Type

TV

Episodes

50

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1985-03-02

Macross: Do You Remember Love?

(Macross: Do You Remember Love?)

7.82

Description:

A.D. 2009. The human race is in the middle of a three-way war with a race of giant humanoid aliens called the Zentraedi (male) and Meltrandi (female). After executing a space fold that sent it and part of South Atalia Island to the edge of the Solar System, the space fortress Macross is on its way back to Earth. During a small skirmish with Zentraedi forces, young pilot Hikaru Ichijo rescues idol singer Lynn Minmay and their relationship develops as they're stranded somewhere within the ship. But shortly after returning to Macross City, Minmay is captured by the Zentraedi, and Hikaru and female officer Misa Hayase end up back on Earth—only to view the aftermath of the destruction of their civilization. Only a song discovered eons ago—along with Minmay's voice—can determine the outcome of the war. (Source: ANN)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

115 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

1984-07-07

Seikai no Senki II

(Banner of the Stars II)

7.81

Description:

Due to a lack of ambassadors for the recently-conquered worlds the rapidly advancing fleet of the Bebaus brothers leave behind, Lafiel is appointed Territorial Ambassador of the planet Lobnas II. Upon arriving to the planet Jinto and Lafiel discover that the planet was used by the United Mankind as a prison planet and now has a million prisoners on the only inhabited island. The prisoners are parted in three blocks. The western where women are housed, the eastern belongs to the men and the central is mixed under the restriction that all prisoners living there are sterilized. The women in the western sector want to emigrate from the planet of fear for the men and when they do the men in the east rebel, overthrowing the guards and capturing Jinto to try to stop the emigration of the women. At the same time an enemy fleet heads toward the system forcing Lafiel to abandon Jinto. (Source: ANN)
Type

TV

Episodes

10

Ep.Length

25 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2001-07-11

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These Seiran 2

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

7.83

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

Macross F Movie 2: Sayonara no Tsubasa

(Macross Frontier: The Wings of Farewell)

7.8

Description:

Second Macross Frontier movie.
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

114 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

2011-02-26

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Waga Yuku wa Hoshi no Taikai

(Legend of the Galactic Heroes: My Conquest Is the Sea of Stars)

7.8

Description:

This movie, based on an anecdote of "Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu" written by novelist Tanaka Yoshiki, preludes the 110-episodes TV series by describing the first encounter between the ambitious young man Reinhard von Müsel under the imperial flag and the passive Yang Wenli who serves a corrupting democracy. Set in an imaginative future, the story describes the first encounter between Yang and Reinhard and discusses how heroes are born. (Source: ANN)
Type

movie

Episodes

1

Ep.Length

59 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1988-02-06

Musekinin Kanchou Tylor

(The Irresponsible Captain Tylor)

7.77

Description:

Justy Ueki Tylor had his life all planned out: join the military, get a cushy desk job, and then retire with a big fat pension check. The perfect plan... until he wandered into a hostage situation and somehow managed to save an admiral! Now Tylor - a man who wouldn't know what discipline was if it bit him on the backside - has been made Captain of the space cruiser Soyokaze. The crew of this run-down ship is the craziest rag-tag team of misfits you're ever likely to see, and they're not too fond of their complacent new leader. But they'd better learn to work together, because they're about to go head to head with the mighty Raalgon Empire. For better or for worse, the Earth's fate has been placed in the hands of a man who's either a total idiot - or an absolute genius! (Source: RightStuf)
Type

TV

Episodes

26

Ep.Length

24 Min

Rating

Teens 13 or older

Status

finished

Aired

1993-01-25

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Gaiden (1999)

(Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden (1999))

7.79

Description:

A prequel to The Legend of the Galactic Heroes, focusing on the FPA's Yang Wen-li. A chronicle on how he earned the title "The Hero of El Facile" and his handling of assignments he received after the historic event. Spiral Labyrinth also continues with the background of Reinhard and Kircheis where the first Gaiden left off.
Type

OVA

Episodes

28

Ep.Length

26 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

1999-12-24

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Die Neue These Seiran 1

(The Legend of the Galactic Heroes The New Thesis Stellar War Part 1)

7.79

Description:

Part 1 of the second season of Legend of the Galactic Heroes Die Neue These.
Type

movie

Episodes

4

Ep.Length

25 Min

Status

finished

Aired

2019-09-27

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Gaiden

(Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden)

7.78

Description:

Prequel to the original series, focusing on Reinhard and his steps up the chain of command in the Galactic Empire.
Type

OVA

Episodes

24

Ep.Length

26 Min

Rating

17+ (violence & profanity)

Status

finished

Aired

1998-02-09

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