Wordlbuilding involves the creation of characters and plausible details for fiction, including anime. Some shows are quite famous for this and we are going to list the best anime for worldbuilding.
There are a lot of series that handle it perfectly like Mobile Suit Gundam or even One Piece but there are also standalone shows that feature some of the best settings out there.
Table of Contents
20. Aria the Animation
Aria the Animation is a 2005 anime spanning 13 episodes that stands as an underrated gem that often goes unnoticed despite its blend of futuristic themes, slice of life, and good vibes.
This also goes for its setting and worldbuilding, merging futuristic elements with a vibrant and heartwarming world, contributing to the show’s great charm and appeal.
Set in an alternate version of Mars in 2031 which has been transformed and covered in water, the planet is now called Aqua, featuring a city known as Neo-Venice meticulously designed to enhance habitability and tourism.
The story revolves around Akari, the cheerful and optimistic protagonist, who moves to Neo-Venice with the aspiration of becoming an apprentice gondolier.
19. Log Horizon
Log Horizon is an anime based on the light novel series of the same name written by Mamare Touno and illustrated by Kazuhiro Hara.
The plot of the series is set in the world of Elder’s Tale, the world’s most popular MMORPG played by thousands of players.
Unfortunately for the protagonists of the series, Shiro, Naotsugu, and Akatsuki, this fantasy world will become their prison as they mysteriously cannot get out of it.
But what makes this anime truly unique is its more mature approach than the classic isekai where the hero must save the world. This is also due to its darker worldbuilding and more serious and adult-characterized characters.
18. Ghost in the Shell
Based on the manga of the same name by Masamune Shirow, Ghost in the Shell is a work by Mamoru Oshii. This movie is the apotheosis of the thriller genre, examining themes like existentialism and the breakdown of the self.
It is 2029 and the world is almost completely automated. Much of the population consists of individuals who have cybernetic grafts that can enhance their senses and faculties.
Coupled with this, it is possible to find completely artificial people, cyborgs. But In a world where entirely artificial people exist, can one find one’s own identity? What does “living” really mean?
An anime with a thriller atmosphere with purely cyberpunk-themed worldbuilding among the best in its category.
17. Made in Abyss
The Abyss is a very strange place, you can expect almost anything. There are even specific rules and a set of guidelines to ensure the safety of adventurers, called Delvers/Cave Raiders.
The main characters Riko and Reg will make a lot of unpleasant discoveries and encounters while roaming in this dark pit.
The entire system behind the adventurers is based on bells and whistles. Bells are the novices in training, yet to receive their first whistle. On the contrary, whistles represent Cave Raiders and can have different colors, based on skill level.
At the edge of the Abyss, you can find the city of Orth, where the story starts. With these premises, it’s clear that Made in Abyss is an interesting and dark anime on the adventures of these Delvers.
16. Mushoku Tensei
One of the most popular isekai in recent times, featuring an anonymous 34-year-old Japanese NEET as its protagonist.
The protagonist, after being evicted from his home and realizing the futility of his life, decides to save some high school students who were about to be hit by a truck, thus losing their lives and ending up in an alternate world.
However, what from the premise may seem like the most mundane of isekai is born much more underneath, with an outstanding and varied world populated by excellently characterized characters.
15. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures
With 8 finished (manga) arcs and one that is yet to start, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures is one of the most detailed series out there.
Following the story of the Joestar family, we will live in different historical periods with a wide cast of characters. Even though some of the arcs are not strongly connected, it’s still necessary to know them all to avoid losing important details.
Hirohito Araki managed to create one of the best manga ever and David Studio did an excellent job in adapting it and making justice to its worldbuilding.
14. Shinsekai Yori / From the New World
A 2012 anime released in 25 episodes based on a novel of the same name.
The anime is set in Japan a thousand years from now and features 5 main characters: Saki, Satoru, Maria, Mamoru, and Shun, born and raised in a quiet Japanese village.
Japan of this era is dominated by those who possess Juryoku, or telekinesis and telepathy, and those who possess this power are strictly controlled. But one day the protagonists will come to discover what is really behind all this.
A worldbuilding that will be gradually uncovered, becoming increasingly dark and grim.
The little paradise in which the protagonists live is nothing more than an illusion, and they will discover this in their skin.
13. Planetes
The year is 2075, and man has succeeded in colonizing the Moon. With these discoveries, he can proceed to the future colonization of Mars and the solar system.
The problem is that as space activities advance, a large amount of waste accumulates near Earth, potentially fatal to any operation. For this reason, the Space Debris Division is created, whose job is to prevent the damage the waste could cause.
Another plus point of this anime is that, unlike other science fiction productions, Planetes uses very realistic depictions of space and space travel, creating believable worldbuilding despite being pure science fiction themed.
12. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
This anime is a ray of hope for fantasy anime in a world full of isekai and this anime adaptation is doing quite well so far.
Frieren is an elf-sorceress who belongs to the team of heroes that vanquished the demon king.
As an elf, the 10 years she spent with her fellow heroes represent only a small portion of her long life, a fact that doesn’t apply to her companions who must endure the consequences of their actions.
This situation leads Frieren to contemplate the significance of her memories and the broader meaning of life.
The story begins at the end, with the main characters having already achieved the grand feat typically central to other series of this kind, and it centers on the aftermath, not the action itself.
One thing we love about it is the detailed combat system and incredible worldbuilding focused on magic that valorizes the prowess and expertise of the main character (and not only).
11. Naruto
No long introduction is needed for Naruto, one of the iconic Shonen Jump Big Three and one of the most important anime ever.
The events narrated are those of budding ninja Naruto Uzumaki, who carries the burden of being the vessel of the nine-tailed fox, which destroyed the village years earlier. His dream is to become Hokage, leader of the village, and be respected by all.
One of the reasons for the planetary success of this iconic anime is surely its memorable worldbuilding, a very distinctive ninja world accompanied by iconic magical arts and techniques.
10. Monogatari Series
Monogatari Series is one of the most distinctive anime you can find in general, and we’ll never get tired of saying it.
We recommend searching for a guide on the viewing order to fully appreciate it and immerse yourself in this series if you still have to watch it.
The story revolves around Koyomi Araragi, whose life takes a drastic turn after encountering Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade, a dying vampire.
With the assistance of Meme Oshino, Koyomi regains his humanity but finds himself drawn into a world of supernatural events.
All this while along the way he develops in the first episodes a romantic connection with Hitagi Senjogahara.
The Monogatari series spans an extensive array of genres across its seasons, encompassing action, comedy, slice of life, adventure, and romance.
The fantastic setting and worldbuilding based on a real Japanese world mixed with supernatural elements make Monogatari even more alive.
9. Code Geass
One of the most popular anime of “recent” times, created between 2006 and 2007 by the collaboration between Sunrise studio and the world-renowned female mangaka group CLAMP.
Japan has become a colony of the British Empire and is now known as Area 11, putting the country at war.
Lelouch gets caught in the crossfire and manages to escape after receiving the Geass from C.C., a mysterious girl. This power enables him to have absolute power over others simply by direct eye contact, allowing him to control their minds.
An anime with excellent restrained worldbuilding, creating a war situation fought between two factions many believable despite the science fiction elements.
8. Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop is set in a post-apocalyptic world where Earth is uninhabitable and follows the story of some bounty hunters aboard a spaceship called Bebop.
This show is deep and focused on psychological elements like regret and thinking about your past. What makes it even more enjoyable is its worldbuilding, which encompasses almost all of the Solar System.
The adventures of Spike Spiegel and his fellow bounty hunters will show us what we can only dream of.
7. The Gundam Universe
The Gundam series is immense, featuring 11 timelines and a lot of movies/OVAs. The majority of the stories are set in space and have political intrigues, as well as romance elements and our beloved mechs.
The legacy of Gundam is still alive, as new movies are released and the merchandise is stronger than ever.
The most important timeline is Universal Century (UC) which makes the entire universe alive and not focused on the main cast. T
he use of technology and the realistic scenarios are relatable and it’s not an unlikely possibility for humanity’s future.
All the OVAs add context to the events of the main series and fit perfectly into a bigger frame.
6. Hunter x Hunter
If you are a fan of fighting-focused anime, you cannot be unfamiliar with Hunter x Hunter, an early work by master Togashi, who you may have already heard of for YuYu Hakusho.
We are talking about an immortal work that revolutionized battle shonen upon its release and still sets the standard today.
Hunter x Hunter follows the story of Gon Freecs, a young boy living in the wilderness.
One day he will learn that his father, believed dead, is instead alive and well and is also one of the strongest Hunters in the world. He will not think twice before undertaking the examination to become a Hunter himself, to reunite with his father.
A legendary work that everyone should see for several reasons including the exceptional worldbuilding it offers accompanied by the excellent protagonists, breathtaking confrontations and a power system to be envied.
5. Berserk
A masterpiece of the dark fantasy and sword and sorcery genres by the notorious mangaka Kentaro Miura. Its 1997 anime adaptation is famous for its vintage style and its fitting setting.
Few other works can match this one due to the complexity of its characters and for starring two incredible personalities: Gatsu and Griffith in their infinite war.
The dark fantasy worldbuilding of the work is a true masterpiece and a feather in the cap for the entire anime and manga industry. It also inspired many other works such as the world-famous Dark Souls.
4. Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood
An absolute masterpiece of the battle shonen genre and one of the best fighting anime of all time.
Based on the manga written in 2001 by Hiromu Arakawa, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is the animated series that most faithfully deals with the plot told in the original work.
Edward and Alphonse Elric are two brothers who live in a world where alchemy reigns and is used for a variety of purposes, whether in war, medicine, or even related to everyday life. The two brothers have a very specific purpose, which is to regain their lost bodies.
When they were young they tried to bring their late mother back to life using alchemy, and it went wrong, since as powerful as this magic is, it cannot go against the laws of nature.
One of the absolute best examples of worldbuilding in Japanese animation, which stands on the concept of alchemy but goes on to develop in a thousand other ways, thanks in part to Homunculus, the main villains.
Subplots also play their part, with, for example, the story of the homeland of Scar, one of the main characters.
3. Legend of the Galactic Heroes
An OAV series about the devastating and interminable war that has raged now for 150 years between the Galactic Empire led by the Goldenbaum dynasty and the Alliance of Free Planets.
Set in the distant future when humanity has now colonized and made the entire cosmos its own, we see two protagonists pop up in the great turmoil of the war: Reinhard von Lohengramm and Yang Wen-li.
An anime that, thanks in part to its development over two parallel stories, manages to create by summing the two parts solid and multifaceted worldbuilding that is anything but trivial.
2. Attack on Titan
One of the most popular works in recent times, if not the most in the period when his manga was at the finish line. Isayama’s Attack on Titan does not need much of a premise.
In an alternate world, humanity is hunted by giants, huge humanoid life forms that feed on people, becoming natural predators of them. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin will have to live with this threat, training to kill these life forms to get revenge.
In this work, the world will gradually be discovered and deepened, starting with simple walls around cities and then revealing itself to be vast and increasingly dangerous space.
1. One Piece
One of the most influential anime ever with unbeatable worldbuilding. A big part of its success is probably due to its setting which adds value to the Straw Hat’s journey to find the One Piece.
This masterpiece is not even finished and we have already seen a lot of islands, sceneries, and unique places. The idea of the Devil Fruits has evolved throughout the years, as they were pretty rare during the first arcs.
With the introduction of Haki and Awakening, One Piece’s worldbuilding has never been more interesting. Some may complain about the power balance after the New World and we think it’s a legitimate criticism.
Nonetheless, the mystery surrounding the treasure and the Void Century plus the breathtaking setting are what entice us.
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