6 Anime Featuring Mathematics And Its Subfields

Mathematics is an interesting subject for some people and there are anime series featuring it in different and creative ways.

It’s extremely hard to find works fully dedicated to mathematics, so this list will also present anime where the subject plays a significant role, including subfields like Game Theory and Probability.

6. Monogatari Series

Even in the Monogatari Series there is a story that indirectly talks about mathematics.

In the part concerning Sodachi Oikura, Araragi’s childhood friend, a math test is a triggering reason for her dropping out of school and her mental breakdown.

Sodachi Riddle is one of the most underrated parts of the entire Monogatari universe.

In this tale, maths serves as another great narrative medium used by Nisio Isin to portray an important character in Araragi’s life.

5. Spice and Wolf

Spice and Wolf is a truly peculiar work, almost difficult to pigeonhole into a single category.

This is because the anime, based on Isuna Hasekura’s novels, despite its vague fantasy world-building features does not adhere to the canons of the genre.

This is given the absence of magic and the struggle between good and evil and relying more on economics and trade.

Indeed this significant emphasis on economics that makes it an ideal addition to this list.

The story revolves around the events of merchant Lawrence Kraft who agrees under request to help return to his native place a wolf-god called Holo, receiving in return her divine help and several privileges.

But feelings always blossom, and we will watch how they fall in love.

While it’s true that Spice & Wolf is focused on economics, don’t expect complex considerations or difficult theories because the level is quite basic.

4. The Perfect Insider

The Perfect Insider is an investigative thriller anime released in 2015, adapted from a novel.

While not solely focused on mathematics, the series incorporates mathematical concepts in several key moments.

Characters often use mathematics, formulas, and equations to solve the mysteries and puzzles presented to them, making this series a cool inclusion on this list.

The story follows Sohei Saikawa, a scientist who, during a vacation arranged by his research laboratory, meets Moe Nishinosono, the daughter of his mentor.

But when the two discover a dead body and become entangled in the investigation of a mysterious serial murder case, the plot takes an intriguing turn…

3. Summer Wars

Summer Wars is a 2009 sci-fi anime movie by Mamoru Hosoda and is filled with mathematics references. The main character Kenji is a part-time developer with a very solid background in Math.

The plot begins after Kenji receives an invite from Natsuki, the most popular girl in his school. She wants him to be her temporary boyfriend to please her grandmother.

This movie mentions modular arithmetic, a system used in other fields such as abstract algebra and group theory. The example we are talking about is seen at the beginning of the film, while Kenji and Natsuki are sitting on the plane.

Other mathematical concepts are mentioned too, like Schor’s algorithm and the concept behind breaking encryption keys.

2. Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It

This is a 2020 romance anime series featuring Shinya Yukimura and Ayame Himuro, two scientists who analyze the world’s systems. One day, Ayame confesses to Shinya that she may have fallen in love with him.

For this reason, both of them should find a scientific method to prove and measure love.

Mathematical analysis plays an important role in this anime, as the two main characters will try to explain love with numbers and formulas. The math is understandable for someone with a high school degree and a talking bear will explain to you the formulae.

It’s quite delightful to see some works like this one taking the effort to add these interesting details and showing them on screen.

1. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

A gambling anime about the story of Kaji, a poor young man facing an enormous debt. Anything related to chance has to do with probability, the branch of mathematics involved in explaining how likely an event is to happen.

Kaiji: Ultime Survivor is all about numbers and probabilities but that’s not all. Game Theory plays a crucial role as well because gambling is heavily influenced by decision-making and possible outcomes.

In plain English, Game Theory is about decisions and analyzing strategies. This anime is more of psychological warfare, where everything matters and decisions cannot be rushed.