Science fiction gives us some incredible starships, but when it comes to pure creativity and mind-blowing designs, nothing beats the coolest anime spaceships.
Animation has a unique freedom. It lets creators build vessels that defy physics and live-action budgets, from transforming fortresses to grungy, lived-in trawlers. These ships are more than just transport; they are characters in their own right.
So, let’s explore five of the most iconic anime spaceships to ever grace the screen. If you’re new to space opera anime, this list is the perfect launchpad for your next adventure.
Which are the best anime spaceships?
#5: XGP15A-II, The Outlaw Star from Outlaw Star
First airing in 1998, Outlaw Star introduced a ship that perfectly blends advanced tech with scrappy, close-quarters combat. The XGP15A-II, better known as the Outlaw Star, is a state-of-the-art vessel designed to find the universe’s greatest treasure, the Galactic Leyline.
Its most iconic feature is its grappler arms. These aren’t just for show; they turn the ship into a brawler, allowing it to physically grab other ships and attack with giant machine guns or knives in space-based melee combat. According to Fandom lore, these arms were a rare customization, typically found on pirate ships.
While it has plenty of firepower, including multiple cannons and missile launchers, its grappler system makes it a standout. After falling into the hands of Gene Starwind and his crew, this ship became a legend for treasure hunters and pirates alike.
#4: Sidonia from Knights of Sidonia
The Sidonia is less of a ship and more of a mobile sanctuary for what’s left of the human race. This massive interstellar seed ship is the last bastion of humanity after Earth’s destruction by a mysterious alien race, the Gauna.
To call it large is an understatement. The Sidonia is approximately 29 kilometers long and houses a population of around 500,000 people. It contains everything needed for survival, including a vast ocean layer filled with fish and an asteroid for harvesting raw materials.
- Heavy Mass Cannon: Its primary long-range weapon.
- Gardes: Carries a huge fleet of mechs, known as Gardes, which are humanity’s main defense against the Gauna.
- Anti-Planet Missiles: Primarily used for clearing asteroids, but their name tells you everything you need to know about their power.
Appearing in the 2014 series, the Sidonia is a powerful symbol of survival, a self-sustaining world designed to endure against impossible odds.
#3: Yamato from Space Battleship Yamato (Star Blazers)
The Yamato is a true classic and one of the most influential anime spaceships of all time. The original series, which aired in 1974, helped define the space opera genre. It tells the story of a sunken World War II battleship, the Yamato, secretly rebuilt as Earth’s last hope.
Its mission is to travel across the galaxy to retrieve a device that can save a dying Earth. The Yamato is armed with an array of shock cannons and missile turrets, but its signature weapon is the legendary Wave Motion Gun.
The Wave Motion Gun is a massive energy cannon at the ship’s bow capable of destroying entire fleets or continent-sized targets in a single blast. It’s the ultimate trump card in humanity’s war against the Gamilas Empire.
The series was remade as Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 in 2012, introducing this iconic vessel to a new generation. Its foreboding design and overwhelming power make it my personal favorite.
#2: SDF-1 Macross from Super Dimension Fortress Macross
Is it a ship or a giant robot? The SDF-1 Macross, which first appeared in 1982, is famously both. Constructed from a crashed alien vessel, this ship isn’t just a military fortress, it’s also a thriving city with a civilian population of over 70,000.
The Macross can transform from its starship “Cruiser” mode into a humanoid “Storm Attacker” mode. This allows it to unleash devastating attacks, like the famous “Daedalus Attack,” where it uses its carrier arms to punch through enemy flagships. The main armament includes massive laser cannons that can fire in either configuration.
Its defensive systems are just as unique. The “Pin-Point Barrier System” allows the crew to create small, nearly impenetrable shields anywhere on the ship, a critical feature since its energy reserves can’t cover the entire vessel at once.
#1: SCV-70 White Base from Mobile Suit Gundam
The White Base is arguably the most famous ship in the Gundam franchise’s Universal Century timeline. First seen in the original 1979 series, it’s a Pegasus-class mobile suit carrier developed by the Earth Federation.
More than just a warship, the White Base served as a home for a crew of young, inexperienced civilians and soldiers, including the legendary pilot Amuro Ray. Its nickname, the “Trojan Horse,” was given by its Zeon enemies due to its horse-like silhouette and the surprising threat it posed.
Armed with cannons and missile launchers, its true strength was its role as a carrier for the revolutionary new weapon, the Gundam. The White Base set the standard for countless ships in the Gundam universe and beyond, solidifying its place as the top anime spaceship.
Bonus: The Bebop from Cowboy Bebop
While the others are mighty warships, the Bebop is something far more relatable: a workplace and a home. First seen in 1998, the Bebop is a converted interplanetary fishing trawler owned by bounty hunters Spike Spiegel and Jet Black.
It’s not the most powerful ship on this list, but it’s full of character. It’s worn, cluttered, and constantly in need of repair. Its purpose isn’t to win wars but to help the crew chase their next bounty across the solar system, equipped with a hyperspace gateway drive for quick travel.
What Are Your Favorite Anime Spaceships?
The universe of Japanese animation is vast, with incredible sci-fi stories and ship designs that continue to inspire creators today.
From military carriers to humble fishing trawlers, these anime spaceships have earned their place in sci-fi history.
But this is just a short list. Do you have a favorite ship that we missed?
