Space – the final frontier! Sci-fi anime is also one of the best shows to ever grace television screens. From amazing space drama to intergalactic fights, these shows definitely have the right stuff for a good time!
And an integral piece to sci-fi anime is no other than the spectacular spaceships. In effect, these vessels not only play an important part in these shows – they may very well have their own unique personalities, given how crucial they are in space! Let us list down some of the best spaceships that have made an impact in anime below!
Related: Other Shonen (Manga & Anime) Topic Random Anime Stuff: Saddest Deaths in Anime!
Bebop (Cowboy Bebop)
Starting the list is no other than the amazing bounty hunter ship, the Bebop. Serving as the main base of operation for the popular anime Cowboy Bebop’s main characters, the Bebop is actually a great representation of the protagonists’ plights.
The once-fishing vessel may not be a sight to see, but it does deliver when the going gets tough. Given as well that the Bebop also holds impressive fighter ships in it (the Swordfish II, Red Tail, and the Hammer Head), and its very own armaments (well, fishing equipment, such as power hands and rocket anchors), this is one impressive bounty hunting ship!
More About Bebop (Cowboy Bebop) on cowboybebop.fandom.com
Blue Noah (Space Carrier Blue Noah)
Behold an amazing retro anime! The Blue Noah (also called Thundersub) is the Earth’s top-secret intergalactic vessel able to fight alien foes. What makes this battleship different from conventional space vessels is that it started off as a submarine first.
Considering that the planet had been overwhelmed by a preemptive alien attack, most of humanity’s resources have been dwindled. The Blue Noah, manned by a group of youngsters who accidentally stumbled on it, tried to maneuver the gigantic ship out of harm’s way. It was lucky enough that another impressive submarine, the Tempest Horizon was in the area – the smaller ship, docking onto the Blue Noah, formed an impressive attack that repelled alien forces.
The series then focused on the ship’s journey to research center N9 for an Aero Conversion engine upgrade. With the later episodes seeing the submarine outfitted with the engine, the naval warfare then transformed to a space war – a delight for fans!
In terms of weaponry, the Blue Noah is a beast. Coupled with impressive cannons, jet fighters, and an antiproton gun, this is one amazing vessel that showcased the best of humanity’s talents.
More About Blue Noah (Space Carrier Blue Noah) on yamato.fandom.com
Yamato (Star Blazers)
Perhaps the original gangster when it comes to anime spaceships, the Yamato showcases what makes anime sci-fi great. This warship, which makes use of the popular Wave Motion Energy gun, brings lots of iconic scenes that are still being replicated today!
Focusing on the ship itself, its main Wave Motion Energy gun is supported by tons of other armaments. Some awesome examples of these are shock cannons, missiles, lasers, and support from impressive fighter jets. Additionally, the Yamato’s defense system is more than capable of forcing back wave after wave of alien attacks – the shield and rotating asteroid defense of the ship are spectacular!
More About Yamato (Star Blazers) on Wikidpedia
SDF Macross (Macross)
There really is something with retro anime that makes spaceships from eras of the past still appealing today! One awesome example is the SDF Macross, which not only popularized the power of intergalactic warships – but also combined these vessels with great mecha battle scenes with a touch of impressive pop music as well!
The SDF (Super Dimensional Fortress) Macross is actually a retrofitted warship from a crash alien vessel. Addressing the possibility of a future alien invasion, mankind pooled its resources in making an ark out of the crashed vessel.
And what great timing indeed that humanity went this route. When aliens did invade, mankind was ready for the onslaught. The SDF Macross proved more than capable in both driving away foes and protecting survivors and safekeeping cultures. Its focus on the latter showed that man’s colorful history is actually aliens’ worst poison – protoculture saved the day!
For weaponry, the SDF Macross is best known for its different modes. Its carrier mode shows the conventional warship design. The battroid mode transforms the ship into a large mecha, making use of support ships as arms to ram alien vessels into pieces! Additionally, its use of the innovative Fold system is quite imaginative: used as defense, it can deflect back almost all sorts of attacks; as offense, as a powerful wave dun able to decimate entire alien fleets!
More About SDF Macross (Macross) on macross.fandom.com
This impressive anime showcases both intriguing political and moral fights, and of course, spectacular space warfare and tactics! And one of the most popular vessels that made a deep impact in this series is the legendary Hyperion.
Considered to be an old warship in the space war, the Hyperion actually held a very reputable record of not being damaged in almost all of its battles. This spaceship’s multiple victories is mainly because of the talented leadership of Rear Admiral Yang Wen-li, who also created various tactics to make use of fleets and the like in victory.
The Hyperion, although outfitted with cannons, missiles, and armor that are considered standard in The Legend of Galactic Heroes’ universe, is an excellent example that the best warships (and heroes) excel in battles mainly because of top tactics. As such, this ship proves to be an excellent vessel – when everything seems lost, it can still push through onwards to victory.
More About Hyperion (The Legend of Galactic Heroes) on legendofthegalacticheroes.fandom.com
Lastly, we have a spaceship that fuses together the best of two genders! Vandread, a shonen anime that tells a story of males and females battling against each other (and with each gender having their own unique technology) shows that through teamwork, even the biggest foes can be taken down.
Nirvana is a fusion of the two said culture’s best technology into one. Featuring faster than light enhancements, this ship has a smart and innovative way of engaging threats. Additionally, it houses some of the best mecha and fighter jets in the series! Truly, an impressive warship meant to move humanity towards the future!
More About Nirvana (Vandread) on vandread.fandom.com
What are your favorite anime spaceships? Let us know below!
