What is this genre all about? 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.
We present you the list of Space Opera anime you should watch right now.
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Top 20 Space Opera anime you should watch right now. [2026 List]
- 20. Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2
- 19. Star Wars: Visions - Kyuuninme no Jedi
- 18. Legend of the Galactic Heroes
- 17. Yamato yo Towa ni
- 16. Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199
- 15. Kidou Senshi Gundam GQuuuuuuX
- 14. Macross
- 13. Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
- 12. Uchuu Senkan Yamato
- 11. Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096
- 10. Uchuu Kaizoku Captain Harlock
- 9. Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Gaiden
- 8. Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star
- 7. Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2202: Ai no Senshi-tachi
- 6. Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz
- 5. Top wo Nerae! Gunbuster
- 4. Star Wars: Visions Volume 3
- 3. Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Gaiden: Ougon no Tsubasa
- 2. Vandread
- 1. Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Arata Naru Tatakai no Overture
20. Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2
A year has passed since the Star Force returned to save the Earth but another danger now approaches from deep space. A gigantic White Comet hurtles toward our galaxy, obliterating everything in its path. But it is no ordinary comet—it is the deadly Comet Empire, conqueror of worlds... and Earth is the next target! Against orders, the Star Force blasts off to investigate, but even if they can get past the flagship Andromeda, they don't yet know the true nature of their new enemy!
Star Blazers: The Comet Empire has finished airing and it has 26 Episodes. It is also Known as: 宇宙戦艦ヤマト2, Space Battleship Yamato 2, Star Blazers 2, Space Cruiser Yamato 2, Uchu Senkan Yamato 2
19. Star Wars: Visions - Kyuuninme no Jedi
Kara and her ragtag Jedi crew seek out to find worthy Jedi to fight against an increasingly powerful warlord.
Star Wars: Visions Presents - The Ninth Jedi has finished airing and it has 8 Episodes. It is also Known as: Star Wars：ビジョンズ 九人目のジェダイ, Star Wars: Visions - Kyuuninme no Jedi
18. Legend of the Galactic Heroes
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.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes has finished airing and it has 110 Episodes. It is also Known as: Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu, 銀河英雄伝説, LoGH, LotGH, Gin'eiden, GinEiDen, Heldensagen Vom Kosmosinsel
17. Yamato yo Towa ni
The Black Nebula Empire attacks Earth and threatens to blow up the planet with a bomb they placed on Earth if counter attacked. Earths hopes rest on the Yamato crew as they go to the Black Nebula Planet and try to find a way to difuse the bomb before it's too late.
Be Forever Yamato has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: ヤマトよ永遠に, Yamato to Eternity, Yamato yo Eien ni
16. Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199
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.
Space Battleship Yamato 2199 has finished airing and it has 26 Episodes. It is also Known as: 宇宙戦艦ヤマト2199, Star Blazers 2199, Space Battleship Yamato 2199
15. Kidou Senshi Gundam GQuuuuuuX
Amate Yuzuriha is a high-school student living peacefully in a space colony floating in outer space.
When she meets a war refugee named Nyaan, Amate is drawn into the illegal mobile suit dueling sport known as Clan Battle.
Under the entry name "Machu," she throws herself into fierce battle day after day, piloting the GQuuuuuuX. Then an unidentified Gundam mobile suit pursued by both the space force and the police appears before her, along with its pilot, a boy named Shuji.
Now their world is about to enter a new era.
Note: Prior to broadcasting, "Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-" — a theatrical version using re-edited episodes — is scheduled to debut in Japan on January 17, 2025.
Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 機動戦士Gundam GQuuuuuuX, Kidou Senshi Gundam GQuuuuuuX
14. Macross
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.
Macross has finished airing and it has 36 Episodes. It is also Known as: Choujikuu Yousai Macross, 超時空要塞マクロス, Choujikuu Yousai Macross, Cho Jiku Yosai Macross, Super Dimensional Fortress Macross, SDF Macross, Robotech (U.S.)
13. Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
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.
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam has finished airing and it has 50 Episodes. It is also Known as: Kidou Senshi Zeta Gundam, 機動戦士Ζガンダム, Mobile Suit Z Gundam
12. Uchuu Senkan Yamato
In the distant future, the war between the human race and the Gamilon has taken its toll on the planet Earth. Constant bombardment of radioactive asteroids has rendered the planet's atmosphere uninhabitable. As a means of relief aid, Queen Starsha of the planet Iscandar offers the Earth Forces a device that can completely neutralize the radiation off the planet. For this task, the space battleship Yamato is launched from the remains of its World War II ancestor on a 148,000 light-year journey. However, the crew of the Yamato has only one Earth year to travel to Iscandar and back, or the human race will come to an end.
Star Blazers: The Quest for Iscandar has finished airing and it has 26 Episodes. It is also Known as: 宇宙戦艦ヤマト, Space Battleship Yamato, Space Cruiser Yamato
11. Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096
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.
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 has finished airing and it has 22 Episodes. It is also Known as: 機動戦士ガンダムUC（ユニコーン）RE:0096, Mobile Suit Gundam UC RE:0096, Kidou Senshi Gundam UC RE:0096
10. Uchuu Kaizoku Captain Harlock
It is 2977 AD and mankind has become stagnant. Robots do all the work, the masses are kept tranquil by subliminal messages, and government officials are lazy, caring only about recreational activities like golf and horse racing. Captain Harlock has defied this insipid mentality, leading a group of like-minded rebels to a more adventurous life aboard the spaceship Arcadia.
A mysterious force known as the Mazone has invaded the Earth, taking the form of mysterious cloaked women that kill anyone who suspect their nefarious doings, such as Tadashi Daiba who is now on their hit-list. After his scientist father is ignored by the government and killed by the Mazone, he joins Captain Harlock and his ragtag group of pirates to assist them as they try to save humanity from the impending alien threat.
Space Pirate Captain Harlock has finished airing and it has 42 Episodes. It is also Known as: 宇宙海賊・キャプテンハーロック, Harlock TV, Albator 78
9. Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Gaiden
Prequel to the original series, focusing on Reinhard and his steps up the chain of command in the Galactic Empire.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden has finished airing and it has 24 Episodes. It is also Known as: 銀河英雄伝説外伝／千億の星、千億の光, Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden: A Hundred Billion Stars, A Hundred Billion Lights, LoGH Gaiden, Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Gaiden: Senoku no Hoshi, Senoku no Hikari
8. Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star
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.
Outlaw Star has finished airing and it has 24 Episodes. It is also Known as: 星方武侠アウトロースター, Future Hero Next Generation Outlaw Star, Starward Warrior Knight Outlaw Star
7. Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2202: Ai no Senshi-tachi
First of seven films for Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2202, which continues the story of Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199.
Three years after the Yamato's return from the planet Iscandar. The people of Earth restored their planet with the Cosmo Reverse System, and they signed a peace treaty with Garmillas. In addition to reconstruction, Earth developed a new defense fleet that includes the state-of-the-art battleship Andromeda. The Earth goes down a path of military expansion, despite Starsha Iscandar's wishes. The Yamato helps accomplish this so-called peace, but it comes at the price of many invaluable sacrifices. The goddess Teresa, who prays for tranquility in space, calls the Yamato to a new voyage. The threat of Gatlantis is sweeping over the universe and approaching Earth.
Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Warriors of Love - Beginning Chapter has finished airing and it has 2 Episodes. It is also Known as: 宇宙戦艦ヤマト2202 愛の戦士たち, Star Blazers 2202: Warriors of Love - Beginning Chapter
6. Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz
After Colony 196 - One year has passed since the war between Earth and its colonies ended. Heero, Duo, Trowa and Quatre bid farewell to their Gundams and jettison them to the sun. Relena Darlian is now the deputy minister of the Earth Sphere Unified Nation. But as the Gundam pilots are adjusting to the peace on Earth, Relena is kidnapped and a new threat appears, led by Marimeia Khushrenada - daughter of the late dictator Treize Khushrenada and heir to the Barton Foundation. To make matters more complicated, Gundam Nataku pilot Wufei has sided with this faction. The Gundam pilots must recover their mobile suits and once again engage in battle before Marimeia's forces succeed on their bid for global domination.
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz has finished airing and it has 3 Episodes. It is also Known as: Shin Kidou Senki Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz, 新機動戦記ガンダムW エンドレス・ワルツ, Gundam Wing Endless Waltz OVA
5. Top wo Nerae! Gunbuster
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.
Gunbuster has finished airing and it has 6 Episodes. It is also Known as: トップをねらえ！ GunBuster, Top wo Nerae!, Aim for the Top!
4. Star Wars: Visions Volume 3
The critically acclaimed series of animated shorts returns to Japan for a third installment in collaboration with nine anime studios.
1) The Duel: Payback (Mizuno Takanobu, Kamikaze Douga x Anima)
2) The Song of Four Wings (Hiroyasu Kobayashi, Project Studio Q)
3) The Ninth Jedi: Child of Hope (Naoyoshi Shiotani, Production I.G.)
4) The Bounty Hunters (Junichi Yamamoto, Wit Studio)
5) Yuko's Treasure (Masaki Tachibana, Kinema Citrus)
6) The Lost Ones (Hitoshi Haga, Kinema Citrus)
7) The Smuggler (Masahiko Ootsuka, Trigger)
8) Bird of Paradise (Tadahiro Yoshihira, Polygon Pictures)
9) Black (Shinya Oohira, David Production)
Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 has finished airing and it has 9 Episodes. It is also Known as: スター・ウォーズ：ビジョンズ Vol. 3, Star Wars ビジョンズ Vol. 3
3. Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu Gaiden: Ougon no Tsubasa
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.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Golden Wings has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 銀河英雄伝説外伝 黄金の翼, Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden: Golden Wings, LoGH Gaiden: Golden Wings, Legend of the Galactic Heroes MOVIE (1992), Legend of the Galactic Heroes Movie 3
2. Vandread
In Vandread, men are from Mars and women are from Venus! Well, not quite. Technology has allowed mankind to colonize the entire Milky Way galaxy, and in one star system, the men and women live on two different planets, Taraak and Mejere. A bitter and very literal gender war rages, to the point where they don't even see each other as the sames species anymore!
Hibiki Tokai, a male third-class laborer from Taraak, ends up stuck on a battleship after a botched attempt at stealing a robot. When female pirates capture the Taraakian Vanguard, things don't look like they could get any worse for Hibiki. Unfortunately, they do; when the male crew of the Vanguard fire on their captured vessel out of desperation, they created a giant wormhole, which sucks the Vanguard and the Mejeran pirate's ships into itself! Now, stuck far away from their home planets, these men and women must learn to work together if they ever wish to make it back home.
Vandread has finished airing and it has 13 Episodes. It is also Known as: ヴァンドレッド, Vandread Stage One, Vandread First Stage
1. Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: Arata Naru Tatakai no Overture
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.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Overture to a New War has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 銀河英雄伝説外伝 新たなる戦いの序曲[オーヴァチュア], Legend of Galactic Heroes Movie 2, LoGH: Overture to a New War, Ginga Eiyu Densetsu Aratanaru Tatakai no Jokyoku, Legend of the Galactic Heroes MOVIE (1993)
