We’ve all been there; if someone finds out we like anime, sometimes it’s possible to get comments such as “Isn’t that for kids?” and boy, they can’t be further away from the truth. From shows and movies like Attack on Titan to Akira, this world has a lot to offer when it comes to dystopian and apocalyptic anime. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best post-apocalyptic anime available on Crunchyroll, where viewers can immerse themselves in these hauntingly beautiful and thought-provoking worlds. All of the following titles have 4.5 out of 5 stars and over.
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The Best Post-Apocalyptic Anime on Crunchyroll
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Metallic Rouge
4.5/5 ⭐
Rouge, a youthful girl, embarks on a mission to eradicate nine androids that endanger humanity.
Dropkick on My Devil!!: Apocalypse Day
4.5/5 ⭐
A human witch and college student named Yurine Hanazono conjures the lamia Jashin (“Evil God”) from Hell. Stranded in the human world with no way to return to Hell, Jashin spends her days attempting to assassinate Yurine without success, all while interacting with her and various associates from both Heaven and Hell. Please note that there are no dubbed versions available.
Mr. Villain’s Day Off
4.7/5 ⭐
Throughout his professional career, a certain man takes on a significant leadership position within an extraterrestrial organization known as the Evil League, committed to the destruction of the world. Yet, even villains seek moments of relaxation. During his days off, he delights in trying out new ice cream flavors, displaying an unabashed enthusiasm for pandas, and navigating awkward interactions while helping human children and his primary adversary, the Ranger Dawn Red.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
4.9/5 ⭐
After the valiant party’s victorious vanquishing of the Demon King, tranquility blankets the land, prompting its members to seek solitude. As time passes and generations ebb and flow, the elven mage Frieren grapples with the inescapable reality of human mortality. Taking a fledgling apprentice under her wing, she pledges to honor the final wishes of dear departed friends. Now confronted with the profound mysteries of life and death, Frieren sets forth on a journey to unravel whether an elven consciousness can come to terms with the intrinsic essence of existence.
SPY x FAMILY
4.9/5 ⭐
The fate of world peace hangs in the balance, and clandestine operative Twilight faces his most formidable assignment to date: masquerading as a family man. Assuming the role of a devoted husband and doting father, he infiltrates an esteemed school to gain proximity to a prominent politician. With an impeccable cover story in place, there’s just one complication: his supposed wife is a lethal assassin, and neither is aware of the other’s true identity. Unbeknownst to them, their adopted daughter possesses telepathic abilities, and she’s privy to their secrets.
A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special
4.7/5 ⭐
In a realm overshadowed by the relentless forces of the Shadow Worlds, humanity teeters on the brink of extinction. Amidst this dire plight, six courageous heroes wage a valiant struggle against insurmountable odds… only to meet with defeat. Yet, a glimmer of hope emerges when Desir, one of the few remaining mages, is unexpectedly thrust back in time by thirteen years! Armed with foreknowledge of the impending catastrophe, he embarks on a desperate mission to rewrite history and avert the planet’s impending doom. Can he defy fate and alter the course of events to rescue humanity from its grim fate?
Dr. STONE
4.8/5 ⭐
Thousands of years have passed since a baffling event petrified all of humanity, leaving the world in a state of desolation. Suddenly roused from his stone imprisonment, Senku Ishigami emerges as a beacon of intellect and scientific prowess. Confronted with a planet frozen in time and the utter collapse of civilization, Senku resolves to harness the power of science to reconstruct society. Alongside his steadfast childhood companion Taiju Oki, who shares his awakening, they embark on the monumental task of rebuilding civilization from the ground up. Set against the backdrop of two million years of scientific evolution, this unprecedented tale of ingenuity and innovation is poised to unfold, tracing humanity’s journey from the Stone Age to the modern era.
Akira
4.8/5 ⭐
In the war-ravaged metropolis of Neo-Tokyo, covert military operations cast a shadow of fear over the populace. The precarious peace is shattered when an enigmatic entity possessing formidable psychic powers breaks free from captivity, unwittingly unleashing chaos and drawing a savage motorcycle gang into a sinister web of experimentation. In the wake of these events, a twisted biker consumed by vengeance sets forth on a path of destruction, fueled by a deep-seated desire to settle the score with a society that once deemed him feeble. As tensions escalate and the city teeters on the brink of collapse, a tale of revenge, betrayal, and redemption unfolds against the backdrop of a dystopian future.
Chainsaw Man
4.9/5 ⭐
Denji, a young lad, ekes out a living as a Devil Hunter alongside his faithful companion, the “Chainsaw Devil” Pochita. Trapped in a cycle of misery while laboring to repay the debts left behind by his parents, Denji’s life takes a dramatic turn when he is betrayed and murdered. As his consciousness fades and death looms near, Denji strikes a desperate bargain with Pochita, leading to his resurrection as the fearsome “Chainsaw Man,” wielding the heart of a devil. Thus begins Denji’s journey as he grapples with newfound powers and navigates a perilous world filled with demons and danger.
Ergo Proxy
4.6/5 ⭐
In a distant future, where Earth’s atmosphere has long been ravaged, unexpected adventure unfolds amidst the most unlikely of settings. Within the confines of the domed utopia known as Romdo, touted as a bastion of perfection, lies a darker truth known to Re-l Mayer, a spirited young inspector from the Civilian Intelligence Office. In this society where humans and robots coexist, Re-l receives a cryptic message that heralds the stirring of something long dormant. As the city’s veneer of tranquility begins to crack, Re-l finds herself embroiled in a mystery that threatens to unravel the delicate balance between man and machine.
God Eater
4.5/5 ⭐
In the early 2050s, a new and mysterious lifeform dubbed “Oracle cells” emerges, embarking on a relentless rampage, consuming all life in its path. As their insatiable hunger and remarkable adaptability inspire dread, then awe, humanity dubs them “aragami.” With conventional weapons proving futile against these formidable foes, urban civilization crumbles, and humanity finds itself teetering on the brink of extinction with each passing day.
Amidst the chaos, a glimmer of hope arises in the form of “God Arcs”—living weapons infused with Oracle cells. Those who wield these powerful weapons are gathered into an elite force, humanity’s last line of defense against the encroaching threat of annihilation.
Guilty Crown
4.6/5 ⭐
In the not-so-distant future, Japan is rocked by catastrophe when a meteorite carrying a deadly foreign virus crashes into the nation, triggering a catastrophic nationwide outbreak and plunging society into chaos. Several years after the initial devastation, a teenager named Shu discovers he possesses a unique ability awakened by the infamous Apocalypse Virus.
His life takes a dramatic turn when he encounters a mysterious girl who urges him to join the fight against both the robotic forces of a government organization and a clandestine society whose true intentions remain veiled in secrecy. As Shu is drawn deeper into this conflict, he grapples with his newfound powers and the complexities of a world teetering on the brink of collapse.
Knights of Sidonia
4.7/5 ⭐
A millennium has passed since the Earth was ravaged by the alien threat known as the Gauna, leaving only a small remnant of humanity struggling to endure. Their sole sanctuary is the colossal spaceship Sidonia, a behemoth constructed on an asteroid, where the last vestiges of human civilization cling to existence, constantly on the run in a desperate bid for survival.
Mobile Suit GUNDAM Iron Blooded Orphans
4.8/5 ⭐
Following the collapse of its former governing order, the Earth Sphere underwent a transformative period, birthing a new world governed by novel systems of authority. Though a fragile peace settled over the land, unseen tensions brewed in the distant Mars Sphere, poised to ignite a fresh conflict far removed from Earth’s domain.
NieR:Automata Ver1.1a
4.8/5 ⭐
The sudden aerial invasion of Earth by enigmatic Aliens and their relentless creations, the Machine Lifeforms, pushed humanity to the brink of annihilation. In a desperate bid for survival, the remaining humans sought refuge on the moon, organizing a counteroffensive using android soldiers to reclaim their home planet. However, despite their efforts, the war reaches a grim stalemate as the Machine Lifeforms continue to proliferate unabated.
In a last-ditch effort, humanity deploys a new unit of android soldiers known as YoRHa, intended as the ultimate weapon against the invading forces. Among them is 2B, newly dispatched to Earth, who joins forces with 9S, an analyst already stationed there. Amidst their mission, they are confronted with a plethora of enigmatic phenomena. Thus unfolds the saga of these artificial beings, devoid of life yet bound by an unyielding resolve to fight tirelessly for the future of mankind.
RWBY
4.7/5 ⭐
In a world plagued by nightmarish monsters driven by a thirst for chaos and destruction, humanity’s salvation rests in the hands of formidable Huntsmen and Huntresses. Among them are Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long, four determined young women whose destinies extend far beyond the confines of their training grounds at Beacon Academy.
While each possesses formidable strength and skill in their own right, the true test of their mettle lies in their ability to unite against the encroaching darkness and stand as a unified force. Only by overcoming formidable adversaries and learning to work together seamlessly can these four heroes hope to ascend as the vanguard of Remnant’s guardians, protecting their world from the encroaching shadows.
s-CRY-ed
4.6/5 ⭐
Twenty-two years ago, Tokyo was ravaged by a devastating earthquake, leaving in its wake a desolate wasteland known as the Lost Ground. In the aftermath of this catastrophe, a new breed of individuals emerged—Alter Users—endowed with extraordinary psychic abilities that enable them to manipulate matter and conjure Alters of immense power.
In an effort to restore order to the lawless expanse of the Lost Ground, the special police force known as HOLO was established. Utilizing their own Alter Users, they formed HOLY, a unit tasked with apprehending and subduing renegade Native Alters who posed a threat to society. Among these renegades is Kazuma, whose formidable Alter, Shell Bullet, is put to the ultimate test when HOLY comes knocking at his door. Now, Kazuma must fight not only for his own freedom but also for the safety of his friends, as he stands against the relentless forces of HOLY in a battle for survival and justice amidst the chaos of the Lost Ground.
Samurai Troopers
4.6/5 ⭐
In ancient times, an malevolent spirit known as Arago, the Emperor of Doom, waged a ruthless war to conquer the human realm. Though eventually driven back to the depths of darkness, he vowed to return and unleash his revenge upon the world.
Now, a millennium later, memories of Arago have faded into obscurity. But when ominous black clouds blot out the vibrant city lights of Shinjuku, and a sinister laughter echoes through the streets, terror grips the hearts of humanity once more. Unprepared for the resurgence of this ancient evil, the world braces itself for Arago’s malevolent return, as darkness descends and the battle for survival begins anew.
World Trigger
4.7/5 ⭐
One fateful day, a gateway to another realm materialized in Mikado City, unleashing a tide of dread upon its inhabitants as invaders from a distant dimension, dubbed Neighbors, surged forth from beyond. Yet, just as despair threatened to consume the city, a shadowy organization emerged, swiftly driving back the encroaching threat. This enigmatic group, known as the Border Defense Agency, took it upon themselves to study the advanced technology of the Neighbors and stand as humanity’s bulwark against their incursions. In a remarkably short span of time, they erected a vast stronghold and devised a formidable defense network to repel future attacks. Now, four years have passed since that pivotal moment, and the battle to safeguard the world from the Neighbors rages on unabated.
ZOMBIE LAND SAGA
4.6/5 ⭐
On an ordinary morning, amidst the familiar melodies of their daily lives, seven girls revel in the tranquility of their peaceful existence. Little do they know, their serene world is about to be shattered by an unforeseen calamity—the emergence of the living dead, zombies. Thrust into a reality they never wished for, these girls find themselves embroiled in an extraordinary and terrifying zombie-infested world. United by a singular desire—to survive—their journey becomes a relentless struggle against the odds, as they strive to achieve the seemingly impossible: to live.
In a groundbreaking collaboration, MAPPA, Avex Pictures, and Cygames unite to present a wholly original anime experience. A timeless tale that transcends genres, this fresh and innovative take on the zombie genre promises to captivate audiences with its unique narrative and bold stylistic approach. Get ready to witness the dawn of a new era in zombie anime.
Arpeggio of Blue Steel
4.5/5 ⭐
In the year 2039, the escalating effects of global warming trigger a catastrophic surge in sea levels, resulting in the loss of significant landmasses across the globe. Concurrently, a menacing armada of enigmatic warships cloaked in mist, dubbed the “Fleet of Fog,” emerges from the depths of the ocean. Armed with formidable superweapons, these mysterious vessels launch relentless assaults on humanity’s naval forces, plunging the world into chaos.
Desperate to stem the tide of destruction, humanity musters its entire military might for a decisive confrontation against the Fleet of Fog. However, despite their valiant efforts, they are swiftly overwhelmed by the sheer power and technological superiority of their ethereal adversaries, leading to a crushing defeat that leaves humanity reeling in the face of an unprecedented threat.
Attack on Titan
4.9/5 ⭐
It’s no wonder that Attack on Titan boasts an impressive 4.9 rating on Crunchyroll—it’s a must-watch masterpiece! If you haven’t delved into this gripping series yet, now’s the time to do so!
In Attack on Titan, humanity’s last bastion of safety lies within the towering walls of a fortified city, shielding them from the relentless onslaught of colossal, man-eating Titans that roam the land. Only the brave members of the Scouting Legion dare to venture beyond the safety of the walls, but even their exploits often end in tragedy.
For the city’s inhabitants, the illusion of a peaceful existence is shattered when they are confronted with the grim reality of their dwindling chances of survival—a chilling ultimatum between facing death at the jaws of Titans or resorting to desperate acts of violence to ensure their own survival. Brace yourself for an unforgettable journey filled with heart-pounding action, intricate mysteries, and profound moral dilemmas.
Blade Runner Black Out 2022
4.5/5 ⭐
In the year 2022, the world is plunged into chaos following a catastrophic EMP detonation, triggering a global blackout with devastating consequences. Helmed by renowned anime director Shinichiro Watanabe, known for his work on acclaimed series such as Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, Blade Runner Black Out 2022 emerges as a highly anticipated animated short film.
This series serves as a riveting prologue to the eagerly awaited feature film Blade Runner 2049. Set against the backdrop of a dystopian future, Blade Runner Black Out 2022 offers a tantalizing glimpse into the intricate web of intrigue and turmoil that shapes the world of Blade Runner, promising fans an immersive and unforgettable experience.
86 EIGHTY-SIX
4.9/5 ⭐
Dubbed “Juggernauts,” these are the autonomous combat drones engineered by the Republic of San Magnolia in response to relentless assaults from the Empire of Giad’s own autonomous drones, known as the “Legion.” However, despite their designation as unmanned, these Juggernauts are far from devoid of human presence. In truth, they are piloted by individuals known as the Eighty-sixers—individuals dehumanized and relegated to the status of expendable tools.
Amidst this bleak reality, Shin, the leader of Spearhead Squadron comprised entirely of Eighty-sixers, remains steadfast in his resolve to pursue his enigmatic objectives. Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds and the specter of death looming over every battlefield, Shin and his comrades continue to wage their futile struggle, driven by a determination that transcends the confines of their bleak existence.
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
4.8/5 ⭐
After enduring three grueling years at an exploitative company, Akira’s spirit is shattered, leaving him disillusioned and drained. However, his mundane existence is abruptly interrupted by the outbreak of a zombie pandemic, thrusting him into a harrowing battle for survival against hordes of the undead.
In a moment of sheer desperation, as he flees from the relentless pursuit of the zombies, life-altering words unexpectedly echo in Akira’s mind, igniting a spark of hope within him and propelling him towards a newfound sense of purpose.
Trigun Stampede
4.5/5 ⭐
Vash the Stampede is an enigmatic gunslinger known for his cheerful demeanor and unwavering commitment to pacifism. Yet, despite his aversion to violence, he finds himself saddled with an exorbitant $60 million bounty on his head, leaving rookie reporter Meryl Stryfe and her seasoned partner puzzled.
As they delve deeper into the mystery surrounding Vash, they uncover a shocking revelation: his existence is intertwined with that of his malevolent twin brother, Millions Knives. It soon becomes apparent that Vash’s peaceful nature belies a dark and tumultuous past, setting the stage for a gripping tale of sibling rivalry and moral ambiguity.
Kaina of the Great Snow Sea
4.5/5 ⭐
In a world ravaged by cataclysmic events, the remnants of humanity cling to survival atop towering orbital spire trees, seeking refuge from the inhospitable terrain below. The once-fertile Great Snow Sea has transformed into a desolate wasteland, rendering the surface uninhabitable and fraught with peril.
During a routine hunting expedition, young Kaina makes a startling discovery: an unconscious girl who has mysteriously drifted up from the surface. This unexpected encounter not only brings a glimmer of hope for the future of humanity but also unleashes a cascade of unforeseen dangers that threaten to upend their fragile existence. As they navigate the treacherous landscape of this unforgiving world, Kaina and his newfound companion must confront the challenges that lie ahead and unravel the mysteries that shroud their uncertain fate.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
4.9/5 ⭐
Set in the Taisho Period of Japan, the story follows Tanjiro, a compassionate young boy who earns a living by selling charcoal. His peaceful life is shattered when his entire family is brutally slaughtered by a demon, leaving his younger sister Nezuko as the sole survivor—albeit transformed into a demon herself.
Determined to restore Nezuko’s humanity and avenge his family, Tanjiro embarks on a perilous journey to become a “demon slayer.” With unwavering resolve, he vows to confront the demon responsible for the tragedy and eradicate the malevolent beings that threaten humanity’s safety. Despite the overwhelming challenges ahead, Tanjiro’s determination and compassion drive him forward as he faces the darkness that looms over his path.
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