CATDOLL: Is Madoka Mikoto’s sci-fi anime, which was praised by Japanese media for its worldview, also on the list?

Science fiction has always occupied a large proportion in animation works both in China and abroad. People's fantasies about the future have never stopped, and expressing them in the form of animation has fewer limitations. Among the large number of science fiction animation works, many have an unimaginable world view, which contains various things that people can associate with future technology, and at the same time, the thinking about human nature also enhances the depth of the animation itself. So which works will shock people and make them deeply fascinated? Recently, the Japanese website mynavi listed 20 "animation works with amazing world views". Let's take a look at what they are.

1. Space Battleship Yamato

This is a work about battleships fighting in outer space. It was very innovative in Japanese animation at that time (1970s) and captured many people. The spirit of that era was technology and romance. Some people even think that this work became an opportunity to change Japanese science fiction animation, and it still has countless fanatical fans.

In 2199 AD, the Earth was on the verge of extinction due to the attack of the mysterious planet Gamilas. The radioactive energy released by the planetary bomb contaminated the surface of the Earth, and humans had no choice but to escape underground to survive. However, Iskandar, 148,000 light-years away, brought hope to the Earth. The Yamato was slowly starting up, about to embark on a vast journey of 296,000 light-years.

2. Galaxy Express 999

The protagonist, Hoshino Tetsuro, was influenced by his mother and wanted to take the Galaxy Express 999 to the Andaro Nebula where he could obtain the right to transform into a mechanical body for free. Later, his mother was killed by the Mechanical Count, and Tetsuro met the Mechanical Count's adopted daughter, Metier, who gave him a ticket. So Tetsuro boarded the train and started his journey, passing through various stars in the universe and experiencing various things. This work describes people's understanding and pursuit of "life" after the priority of life is replaced by machines, and its connotation is very profound.

3. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

In the world of 2030, cyborgs, bionic people, robots, etc. have become very common. The protagonist, Motoko Kusanagi, is the product of the highest technology of mankind. Only her brain is human, and the rest of her body is mechanical. The "definition of human beings in a computerized and cyborg society" that appears in this work has become a hotly debated social issue. This work has many fans overseas and can be said to be one of the representative works of Japanese science fiction animation!

4. ZEGAPAIN

In the future world, many humans are killed by the unknown virus "Viper", and all humans are destroyed. Those who are not killed by the "Viper" are converted into quantum data, and all data and information are transferred to quantum servers scattered around the world, and live in the virtual world of quantum computers. The protagonist, Ji Dongjing, attends high school in the suburbs of Maihama, Chiba Prefecture, and is an ordinary high school student busy with love and friendship. However, one day, under the guidance of the mysterious transfer student Shizukuno, he was involved in a battle between giant robots in another world. This is a completely original animation work, but the plot and world view are very meticulous, and the humanity shown by the protagonists in a desperate state is a major attraction.

5. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Starting in 2015, according to the SEELE Human Completion Project script, an unknown giant creature called the "Angel" began to land in Japan and attack the NERV headquarters. NERV organized EVA to eliminate the Angel. Ikari Shinji was recalled by his father to drive EVA Unit-01 and met Rei Ayanami and others. While NERV was fighting the Angel, Ikari Gendō secretly carried out his own "Ikari Gendō's version of the Human Completion Project". The revolutionary and strong stream of consciousness technique in the animation, and the use of a large number of religious and philosophical images, set off a huge response and impact in Japanese society that was called a "social phenomenon", and became a milestone in the history of Japanese animation, and is recognized as one of the greatest animations in Japanese history.

6. Akira

This is a sci-fi superpower movie created by Katsuhiro Otomo. The excellent plot and superpower performance shots have influenced many people. Katsuhiro Otomo himself has won many fans and has become a Japanese animator famous both at home and abroad. This work has also sparked a lot of discussion. In the future Tokyo, Japan, the military has been secretly conducting a study called "Akira". The content of the study is to cultivate some children with extraordinary abilities, so that their willpower becomes extremely strong, and they can even fight against the army and destroy the entire city. In this way, a new generation of humans will be cultivated to lead mankind on the road to light.

7. Cowboy Bebop

This work incorporates many plot elements including science fiction, horror, action, comedy, super powers, etc., and the music also covers the essence of many fields, so it is still praised today. In addition, the setting of the characters clearly shows the racial characteristics, which also caused a topic at the time. Not only in Japan, the work was also well received in the United States.

8. Legend of the Galactic Heroes

The time of the work is set in the future when humans expand their living sphere to the entire Milky Way. Although technology is extremely advanced, due to the corruption brought by wealth and the loss of confidence in politics, the ambitious took the opportunity to seize power and return to the autocratic system, establishing the "Galactic Empire". The people who were dissatisfied with the imperial system immediately fled and established the "Free Planet Alliance". From then on, the two sides began a war that lasted for more than 150 years. The Battle of Asti took place in 796 UC/4871 ICC. The two main characters in the work, Reinhard von Lohengramm and Yang Wenli, faced off for the first time, and the story of "Legend of the Galactic Heroes" began from then on. This work has a huge world view and is a classic among "alternative history" works.

9. The Day the Earth Stood Still

In the foreseeable future, mankind will enter an unprecedented era of prosperity due to the invention of the third energy revolution, a completely pollution-free and recyclable energy source: the "Sizma Drive". But behind the prosperity, two forces are engaged in a fierce struggle. One is the "BF Group" that attempts to conquer the world, and the other is the "International Police Agency" that opposes the BF Group. At the beginning of the animation, the BF Group chased Dr. Sizma, who invented the Sizma Drive, in Nanjing in order to snatch the black briefcase in his hand. Later, Dr. Sizma was rescued by agents of the International Police Agency. So the story of the protagonist who operates the Iron Man: Daisaku Kusama, the BF Group and the International Police Agency began.

10. Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

The story is set seven years after the end of the One Year War. After the war, some of the military forces of the Principality of Zeon did not surrender and continued to engage in military conflicts with the Earth Federation Army in various places. Therefore, some elites within the Earth Federation Army formed a radical military organization, the Titans, which advocated the dominance of the Earth and the elimination of the remaining Zeon elements within the Earth Federation. Due to the Titans' tough and bloody suppression of the inhabitants of the universe, the opposition force AEUG was born. The Gundam series has always continued the themes of "human stories" and "robot wars", and this work is particularly outstanding in terms of plot development and world view performance!

11. Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Madoka Kaname is a second-year junior high school student who lives a peaceful life. However, she once saw a girl who was injured in a battle with a monster in her dream. And a mysterious white creature said to her, "Make a contract with me and become a magical girl." The next day, the girl who looked exactly like the one in the dream, Homura Akemi, transferred to Madoka's class and said a lot of meaningful things to her. From that day on, Madoka's daily life began to tilt towards the extraordinary. The story of this work is very serious and even a little dark. This work has now established an unshakable position in the history of Japanese animation, and the witch's setting and music make it a masterpiece worth recommending!

12. Library Wars series

The work is set in Japan in 2019, where the government can review books. It tells the story of the war of the "Book Corps", an armed autonomous organization organized to protect the freedom of creation, and the love story of the team members. The original novel has won many honors including the 39th Nebula Award for Japanese Long Works, and the cumulative circulation has exceeded 5.7 million copies. It is an undoubted classic!

13. Waiting in the Summer

To commemorate the summer that is gone forever, the photography-loving boy Kirishima Kaito decides to direct and act in a film with his friends. Just as the film is about to start, the figure of a strange girl, Kizuki Ichika, catches Kaito's attention. Kaito is deeply attracted by Ichika's appearance and personality, and this transfer student with a bit of weird behavior seems to be hiding some unspeakable secrets. No matter what the ending is, every day spent with friends in such a hot summer will become a precious memory that Kaito will never forget.

14. "Starry Sky Cleaner"

In 2075, human development is no longer limited to the earth but is heading into space. However, human activities have left a lot of garbage in space, endangering the safety of surrounding space stations and spacecraft. The garbage collection department of Technora Corporation is responsible for the removal and collection of space garbage, and performs garbage cleaning work in the orbit of the earth and the moon. This is an animation that cannot be ignored when talking about "space-themed" works. In addition, the original manga is also well received. The setting of the protagonist is very delicate, and it is easy to empathize with it.

15. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

It tells the story of how the world's industrial civilization reached its peak thousands of years ago, but was destroyed by a war called "Seven Days of Fire". The world is covered by a new ecosystem called the Sea of ​​Corruption, which is made of fungi. Only giant insects can adapt to it. Humans live on the small remaining land and actively survive under the threat of being surrounded by giant insects and the Sea of ​​Corruption forest that releases miasma. This is the second animated theatrical version directed by Hayao Miyazaki, and it is impeccable in terms of plot, performance, composition and music.

16. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

"I'm not interested in ordinary humans. If there are aliens, people from the future, people from another world, or people with super powers among you, just come to me! That's all." This is Haruhi Suzumiya, who made a shocking statement during her self-introduction at the beginning of the school year. Unable to tolerate the dull and boring daily life, she founded an incredible club, the SOS Brigade. Although her classmate Kyon, the three-no girl Nagato Yuki, the cute senior Asahina Mikuru, and the mysterious transfer student Koizumi Kazuki were all involved, the three people other than Kyon had a big secret that Haruhi Suzumiya didn't know.

17. A Certain Scientific Railgun

In the huge city "Gakuen City" that occupies one-third of the area in western Tokyo, there are 2.3 million people living there, 80% of whom are students. The city is isolated from the outside world and studies the most advanced technology. All students receive superpower development, and most of them obtain superpowers through drugs, hypnosis and electrical stimulation. There are various types of different abilities, which are divided into people with no ability, low ability, special ability, strong ability, great ability and super ability according to the range and power. The story begins with the strongest electric princess in the Academy City, "A Certain Scientific Railgun" Misaka Mikoto, who met Hatsuharu Shikiri, who is also a member of the Discipline Committee like Shirai Kuroko...

18. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Lelouch was originally a prince of the Empire. After his mother was killed, he and his blind sister were exiled to Area 11 (formerly Japan) as hostages. There they met the Japanese prince Suzaku, and the three of them spent a wonderful childhood together. The Empire eventually conquered Area 11, and Lelouch and his sister's peaceful life was once again deprived, and Suzaku and them were separated. Lelouch and his sister concealed their identities and lived a seemingly ordinary student life. However, Lelouch's hatred for the Empire did not stop. He hoped to destroy the Empire and create a world where his sister could live happily. All this is no longer out of reach with the appearance of the mysterious girl CC...

This work combines many elements such as politics, war, robot battles, and college stories. Its importance in entertainment is self-evident, and its portrayal of human nature is also very brilliant and worthy of our attention.

19. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

Makoto is very close to two boys in the same class, Chiaki Mamiya and Kosuke Tsuda. The three of them have always been good friends. Chiaki suddenly confessed her love to Makoto, which troubled her. Makoto used the method of traveling through time and space to go back to the past to erase this confession. She hopes to remain good friends with them forever. Unexpectedly, classmate Yuri confessed to Chiaki, and Kaho, who had a crush on Kosuke, came to Makoto to discuss it. In order to help her friends, Makoto kept using the ability to travel through time and space, but things became more and more chaotic.

20. Summer Wars

The film mainly describes a series of stories about a timid high school math genius, Kenji Koiso, who went to his grandmother's house in Ueda City to celebrate his great-grandmother's 90th birthday at the request of his senior sister Natsuki Shinohara. Kenji solved a strange number sequence problem by chance, and was then wrongly accused of being a hacker who invaded the virtual world "OZ" and caused serious chaos between the virtual and real worlds. However, this was actually a large-scale plan planned by a virtual artificial intelligence system. This forced Kenji to do his best to repair the damage to the virtual world, and work with everyone to try to prevent the artificial intelligence system from continuing to cause more serious damage to real life.

It seems that many of the animations on the list are really sci-fi masterpieces, but I am curious that the magical girl work "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" can also be on the list. Although there are sci-fi elements in it, it still feels a bit weird. There are also some soft sci-fi works on the list. If you have any works you haven't seen, you might as well take this opportunity to catch up. And if you think there are any good works