While anime is primarily seen as a medium that provides entertainment, it can also be an educational tool. Certain anime can make learning fun, or have viewers so entertained that they don't realize they're learning. However, not all science-based anime intends to educate and enlighten.
There are plenty of series that take certain scientific principles and flip them on their head to see what will happen, which are no less valid than those that are primarily educational. Although, just because a series tries to provide information on a certain subject doesn't mean it can't be fun, dramatic, and filled with action.
10 Cells At Work Is All About What Happens Inside Your Body
Cells At Work is set inside a human body. Cells become characters that perform the functions of real cells inside every human being's body. The two protagonists, Hakkekkyuu U-1146 (a creepy-looking white blood cell) and Sekkekkyuu AE3803 (a rookie red blood cell), live and work amongst the 37 trillion cells inside the body.
While living inside the body, they explain to the viewer the role of the different kinds of cells. Cells At Work is educational but also enjoyable to watch and easy to understand.
9 Science Fell In Love, So I Tried To Prove It Blends Science With Romance
Science Fell In Love, So I Tried To Prove It blends the worlds of science and romance. It's a slice-of-life comedy-romance with plenty of fun but also some dramatic moments. Shinya Yukimura and Ayame Himuro are researchers at Saitama University.
When Ayame realizes she is in love with Shinya, the pragmatic scientists engage in several experiments to try to understand what love is and whether they are actually experiencing it.
8 Science Ninja Team Gatchaman Highlighted Environmentalism Back In The '70s
Science Ninja Team Gatchaman addressed issues around conservation and environmentalism in the '70s. A team of super ninjas known as the Science Ninja Team takes on a different villain each episode, hoping to put an end to their nefarious plans which aim to bring harm upon the planet.
It feels like the Japanese version of Captain Planet, combining action and superheroes with a wholesome message for viewers. The Gatchaman franchise went on to spawn numerous other iterations, from anime series to films.
7 Moyashimon Makes Characters Out Of Microbes
Moyashimon focuses on Tadayasu Sawaki, who can see microorganisms with the naked eye and communicate with them. The microbes appear to Tadayasu as cute little chibi characters of all different colors and shapes.
Each episode revolves around Tadayu's ability and the cast of characters at his college, where an illicit sake brewing operation is taking place. While there isn't a big overarching plot to get into, Moyashimon is a fun, lighthearted series with good character development and a unique take on microbiology.
6 A Certain Scientific Railgun Is About Students With Psychic Powers
A Certain Scientific Railgun is about an academy for students with ESP. "Espers," as they're known, possess unique psychic powers. One of the students, Mikoto Misaka, has a special railgun lightning ability that makes her the 3rd-ranked esper in the academy.
The story centers around Mikoto and her friends and is filled with action, humor, intrigue, and fan service. The series is a spin-off of A Certain Magical Index, with its focus being on science as opposed to magic.
5 Comical Psychosomatic Medicine Explains Aspects Of Mental Illness
Comical Psychosomatic Medicine is a series comprising 20 episodes, each just over 5 minutes long, that explain aspects of mental illness. As the title suggests, the series is comedic. A nurse and a psychologist act as hosts and make jokes, mostly at each other's expense.
The lighthearted tone is intended to put the viewer at ease while the hosts give information about mental health and other sensitive topics. Comical Psychosomatic Medicine is a fun series to watch and gives viewers advice about certain topics.
4 Fullmetal Alchemist Is A Dark Series About The Science Of Alchemy
The popular franchise Fullmetal Alchemist is all about the science of alchemy. Edward Elric is a brilliant alchemist and can create almost anything he desires, with the caveat that he must sacrifice something of equal value to do so.
To circumnavigate this, Edward and his brother Alphonse (whose soul Edward bound to a suit of armor after he died) set out in search of the Philosopher's Stone. The Philosopher's Stone would enable Edward to bypass the Law of Equivalent Exchange and bring his dead mother back to life.
3 Dr. Stone Is A Unique Anime About Science & Civilization
Dr. Stone is a fascinating and exhilarating anime series that takes human history back to the beginning. Dr. Stone centers on the aftermath of a blinding light that petrifies nearly all mankind.
3,700 years later, Senku Ishigami wakes up in a world that has been reclaimed by nature where nearly all humans have been turned to stone. Together with his high school friend Taiju Oki, the two set about reviving civilization using their combined brawn and science smarts.
2 Paprika Plunges Into The Surreal Science Of Dreams
The 2006 film Paprika, directed by Satoshi Kon and adapted from the novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui, delves into the science of dreams. A device called the DC Mini was originally intended to allow people to see the dreams of whoever is wearing it.
However, the technology is stolen and exploited. People's dreams are invaded and cause the wearers of the DC Mini to go insane. Paprika is a beautiful, surreal, and pulsating exploration of dreams, psychology, and chaos.
1 Steins;Gate Explores The Science Of Time Travel
Self-proclaimed mad scientist Rintaro Okabe is the eccentric protagonist of Steins;Gate. He frequently indulges in crazy experiments that he conducts with his friend Daru.
When he stumbles upon the ability to send messages to the past, he realizes he's onto something. Steins;Gate, adapted from a visual novel, explores theories of time travel and its implications. Steins;Gate's tone undulates between serious and lighthearted, with plenty of offbeat humor. While it is a slow burner, it's certainly worth watching.