9 Underrated Sci-Fi Animated Shows You Need to Watch

2 min read

Introduction

Afrofuturism is more than just science fiction with Black leads — it’s a creative and cultural lens that reimagines the past, speculates on the future, and grounds it all in the richness of African and diasporic experiences. Whether it’s through cosmic journeys, rebellious tech, magical ancestry, or dystopian satire, these 12 titles are essential viewing if you're ready to expand your perception of what's possible.

1. Common Side Effects

From its understated visual style to its sharp, speculative storytelling, Common Side Effects blends grounded human drama with surreal biomedical sci-fi. It quietly asks big questions about grief, friendship, and the price of progress — all while pulling you into an increasingly bizarre world of experimental pharmaceuticals. It’s the kind of show that sneaks up on you with emotional depth beneath the weirdness.

2. Pantheon

Smart, chilling, and often deeply human, Pantheon delivers near-future tech horror with a philosophical punch. With themes of digital immortality and consciousness uploaded to the cloud, the show leans into complex ideas without sacrificing character. Its animation style might not be flashy, but the writing cuts deep, making this a cerebral gem more people should be talking about.

3. Primal

Primal strips sci-fi down to its bones, telling a brutal, wordless tale of survival and unlikely companionship between a caveman and a dinosaur. Created by Genndy Tartakovsky, this show is a masterclass in visual storytelling — violent, poetic, and unexpectedly emotional. It’s pure storytelling instinct, fueled by atmosphere and tension, and a must-watch for animation lovers.

4. Scavengers Reign

A hauntingly beautiful and hypnotic sci-fi odyssey, Scavengers Reign is like Annihilation in animated form. The alien planet is as much a character as the humans stranded on it, filled with eerie, mesmerizing flora and fauna. The show moves with the confidence of arthouse cinema — quietly profound, deeply immersive, and wholly original.

5. Pluto

Based on Naoki Urasawa’s masterful reimagining of an Astro Boy arc, Pluto is part noir mystery, part AI existentialism. Its mature themes, slow-burn pacing, and crisp animation set it apart as a rare example of emotional storytelling in sci-fi anime. The tension builds not through action but through ethical dilemmas and quiet, devastating realizations.

6. Odeon

Stylized and contemplative, Odeon is a slow-burn science fiction series that feels like a visual poem about memory, identity, and fractured timelines. Its animation leans toward the abstract, but that only enhances its dreamlike storytelling. This is the kind of show you sink into, not rush through — perfect for fans of emotionally rich, non-linear narratives.

7. Gen:LOCK

Though it had a quiet release, Gen:LOCK boasts impressive worldbuilding and voice talent (including Michael B. Jordan). With a dystopian backdrop and mecha-style warfare, it explores consciousness, sacrifice, and what it means to be human in the digital age. It’s not flawless, but its ambition and style make it worth discovering.

8. Secret Level

A smart, stylish love letter to retro gaming and digital nostalgia, Secret Level blends pixel aesthetics with sharp storytelling. It plays like a surreal fever dream, where emotional depth meets 8-bit chaos, tapping into themes of identity, memory, and the blurry line between virtual and real life. It's weird in the best way—quirky, profound, and unlike anything else in the genre.

9. Terminator Zero

Terminator Zero surprises with just how well it works as an animated expansion of a well-worn franchise. Visually striking and narratively tight, it captures the existential terror of the original films while exploring deeper themes of fate, rebellion, and survival. The anime-style animation allows for creative world-building and brutal action sequences that feel fresh and invigorating. A sleek, no-nonsense sci-fi thrill ride.