5 Best Anime About Aliens to Watch After 'Neon Genesis Evangelion', Ranked by IMDb

Neon Genesis Evangelion is more than just an anime about giant robots and an alien invasion, it's also a profound psychological drama about growing up, trauma, and the search for meaning in a crumbling world.

We've recalled five titles similar to Evangelion in that they feature complex characters, existential questions, and gripping plots.

5. 'Terra Formars', 2014-2016

IMDb Score: 6.4/10

It's the 26th century. An unknown disease has wiped out most of humanity, and the survivors have lost all hope of salvation. However, great scientists from the long-forgotten 21st century prepared a backup plan.

They populated Mars with algae and cockroaches, transforming the red planet into a potential refuge for Earth's inhabitants. Now, the first group of astronauts has landed on Mars. Their mission: find a mythical vaccine supposedly hidden in the planet's deserts.

However, the scientists and astronauts failed to consider one thing: over the past 400 years, Martian cockroaches have evolved into perfect predators willing to do whatever it takes to avenge their exile.

4. 'Gantz', 2004

IMDb Score: 7.1/10

Kei Kurono, a teenager, dies under the wheels of a Tokyo subway train and then awakens in a completely different world. In this new reality, he becomes one of the hunters – representatives of the human race – who pursue dangerous aliens.

This army of Earth's defenders is led by Gantz, a mysterious black orb capable of copying the souls of the dead and controlling their bodies.

The average lifespan of these warriors is one mission. However, Gantz senses that Kei will survive even the most pessimistic predictions.

3. 'Knights of Sidonia', 2014-2015

IMDb Score: 7.7/10

Centuries ago, the Gauna aliens destroyed Earth. The remnants of humanity now roam the cosmos in search of a new home while preparing for another battle with the deadly aliens.

The crew of the spaceship Sidonia are masters of zero-gravity combat. These heroes of the distant future have been trained since childhood to operate mechanical robots.

However, when the Sidonia crew finds itself at the forefront of a new alien attack, their perfect combat discipline begins to fray.

2. 'Space Dandy', 2014

IMDb Score: 8.0/10

Adventurer Dandy is the most enviable guy in outer space: he's a spendthrift, a warrior, a hunter, and a style icon all rolled into one. He travels the galaxies in search of new alien species, which he sells to influential spacefarers' menageries.

Unfortunately, his illustrious career is in jeopardy because humanity has advanced so far in space exploration that these exotic aliens are rapidly becoming extinct.

The space opera is built around the classic monster of the week concept – in each episode, Dandy and his companions hunt a new creature. In between battles, the characters drink, tell stories, and discuss the future of humanity.

1. 'Gintama', 2005-2021

IMDb Score: 8.7/10

In the Gintama universe, the Amanto aliens invaded Earth in the mid-19th century. They forbade humans from carrying swords, turning the once-proud samurai into obedient slaves.

However, Gintoki Sakata, a master swordsman, defied the invaders. He wanders across occupied Japan, freeing his fellow citizens from alien oppression.

Hideaki Sorachi's manga Gintama is a comedic epic about an adventurer plagued by a heightened sense of justice. Sakata finds himself in new trouble with each episode and gradually becomes the hope of all humanity.