Anime is a vast medium, covering many exciting and epic genres. Sci-fi is one of the oldest anime genres around, and it’s rich with many stories of adventure, aliens, and, of course, incredible spaceships. There have been many iconic spaceships in anime over the years.
With so many amazing ships, from classics like SDF-1 Macross from the Macross franchise to more recent additions like the Astra from Astra Lost in Space, it’s hard to choose the best of the bunch. However, some anime spaceships have left an irreplaceable mark on the genre, and fans can’t help but love them most of all.
10 Ryo-Ohki Is The Cutest Anime Spaceship Ever (Tenchi Muyo)
To those unfamiliar with Tenchi Muyo, Ryo-Ohki just looks like any typical cute animal mascot. However, she's far more than that. She's actually a powerful spacecraft, created by the genius inventor, Washu.
She was created by fusing together a strange creature called a Masu and a mineral substance that acts as the source of her powers. When not in ship mode, Ryo-Ohki takes the form of an adorable creature called a cabbit. She's one of the most adorable and unique spaceships in anime history, acting as both a spaceship and lovable mascot character.
9 Nadesico Is A Massive Force To Be Reckoned With (Martian Successor Nadesico)
Martian Successor Nadesico is the epic story of humanity's fight for survival, and this titular spaceship was made exactly for that reason. The ND-001 Nadesico began its journey after a devastating attack on Earth left the military at its wit's end. Piloted by a rag-tag team of heroes, it uses harvested energy to travel the galaxy and fight off alien invaders.
With its immense size and incredible power, the Nadesico is a force to be reckoned with, especially with its fearsome gravity blast cannon. It's an iconic spaceship in anime history, and it easily matches up to any others within the sci-fi genre.
8 Gekko Has A Sleek, Iconic Style (Eureka Seven)
The Gekko is the iconic spacecraft of Eureka Seven, and it's easily one of the most powerful military ships in the entire series. It was developed by Gekkostate and designed to resemble a bird in the sky, giving it one of the most unique styles of any anime spaceship.
Despite its delicate appearance, the Gekko has immeasurable power, with six cannons and more missiles than any crew could possibly ever need. It's sleek and beautiful, but a deadly force that few can win against.
7 Arcadia Is The Famed Space Pirate Ship Of Captain Harlock (Galaxy Express 999)
Galaxy Express 999 is an underrated classic among sci-fi anime, following the journey of a young boy named Tetsurou Hoshino as he seeks revenge for the death of his mother. He travels through the universe on the famous Galaxy Express 999 train and meets many colorful characters along the way, including a band of fearsome space pirates.
Manned by the notorious Captain Harlock, the spaceship Arcadia has gained a reputation throughout the galaxy, and many fear its name. Though it's not as well-known as other anime spaceships, Arcadia is an iconic part of sci-fi anime history, and Captain Harlock's harrowing adventures paved the way for many sci-fi favorites.
6 The SDF-1 Macross Is Both A Spaceship And A Mecha (Macross)
Macross is an iconic franchise within the mecha genre, and its titular spaceship is equally amazing. The SDF-1 Macross was born from alien technology that crash-landed onto Earth suddenly. From there, it became a vital weapon in the fight against alien invaders and humanity's one hope of survival.
While it normally takes the form of a huge spacecraft, complete with countless canons and enough room for an entire army, the Macross also has the ability to transform into a fierce mech. In this attack mode, the Macross takes on a humanoid mecha form and is capable of hand-to-hand combat on top of its powerful main guns.
5 Super Galaxy Dai-Gurren Is The Flagship For Team Dai-Gurren (Gurren Lagann)
Over the years, Gurren Lagann has become one of the most beloved mecha anime of all time, and it's still highly popular long after its conclusion. The series is filled with all sorts of epic battleships and mecha, but few can match up to the gargantuan might of Super Galaxy Dai-Gurren.
This colossal spaceship once belonged to the fearsome Lordgenome, but in the final act of the series, Simon claims it, and it becomes the flagship of Team Dai-Gurren on their mission to rescue Nia. Super Galaxy Dai-Gurren is one of the most powerful spaceships in the entire series, with abilities unlike any other ship or Gunmen around. Like the SDF-1, it can also transform into a humanoid mech.
4 Aloha Oe Is A Colorful Ship With A Hawaiian Theme (Space Dandy)
Space Dandy is a sci-fi parody series that pokes fun at the usual tropes of the genre. Taking inspiration from titles such as Cowboy Bebop, it follows cool guy Dandy on his many adventures in space. He and his crew traverse the galaxy in a bright yellow ship dubbed the Aloha Oe. With its striking color and unique features, there's no mistaking this spacecraft.
It comes with all the features any great ship needs, including boosters to reach high speed, lasers to fight aliens, and an escape pod named Little Aloha. Aloha Oe can also transform into a battle mech known as the Hawaiian Yankee, which Dandy uses to beat up bad guys. With so many features, the Aloha Oe is capable of just about anything.
3 The Outlaw Star's Unique Features Make It Stand Out Among Spaceships (Outlaw Star)
Outlaw Star's titular spaceship has a unique design that sets it apart from other ships in the sci-fi genre. During its creation, two Grappler Arms were added to the bottom of the ship. They allow the pilot to use hand-to-hand combat, pick up items, and even wield a variety of weapons.
Another very odd feature of the Outlaw Star is its navigation system that takes the form of a mysterious and beautiful android girl named Melfina. From its weaponry to strange technology, the Outlaw Star stands out among other anime spaceships.
2 The Bebop Is Home To Spike And His Crew (Cowboy Bebop)
Out of all the sci-fi anime out there, Cowboy Bebop is one of the most beloved and iconic. It's the story of Spike Spiegel, a cool and rugged bounty hunter who travels space with his crew in the Bebop.
It may not look as flashy as some anime spaceships, but the Bebop serves as residence and base of operations for Spike and the gang on their journey through the galaxy. Unlike most spaceships, it's not used for battle much and has little weaponry, but it's decked out from bow to stern with all the comforts of home.
1 White Base Is One Of The Most Iconic Ships Of The Franchise (Mobile Suit Gundam)
Out of all of the many iconic ships from the Gundam franchise, White Base is without a doubt one of the most iconic. It's the ship manned by the protagonists of the original Mobile Suit Gundam, making it legendary among fans.
While it may seem underwhelming compared to the flashy modern spaceships in anime today, White Base is a pioneer of the genre, and many of its features and functionalities still influence sci-fi anime today. It's an incredible spacecraft that helped solidify the Gundam series' iconic spot in sci-fi anime history.