Top 20 Must-See Steampunk Anime of 2023 You Can't Miss

Delve into the vast world of Steampunk, a genre brimming with books, series, and cosplay ideas that has captured the imagination of many. Yet, finding the next outstanding Steampunk anime can be challenging. Let’s embark on a journey together as we explore 20 exceptional Steampunk anime, discussing their central themes, captivating characters, narrative summaries, and reasons you should give them a try. So, let’s put on our vests, fire up our steam-powered appliances, and dive in!

Unbreakable Machine-Doll

Similar to many other listings, the series Unbreakable Machine-Doll unfolds in a world distinctly different from ours, where a blend of magic and machinery referred to as Machinart holds sway.

Magic functions as an alternative to conventional transistors and circuitry, animating lifeless objects and endowing them with a form of intelligence.

Raishin Akabane is on a mission for vengeance, as he’s determined to find out who murdered his loved ones. In pursuit of justice, he travels to the United Kingdom, enrolling at an elite Machinart academy, with the hope that his journey there will ultimately lead him to the person responsible for his family’s tragic demise.

Fullmetal Alchemist

Without a doubt, one of the most cherished steampunk animes ever made is “Fullmetal Alchemist”. This series takes place in a world where the principles of alchemy, a form of magic, are intertwined with the technology of the Victorian era.

The story chronicles the journey of the Elric siblings. In a flawed bid to revive their mother, they unintentionally forfeit one brother and the other, in an effort to reclaim his soul, ends up losing both arms and legs.

This extremely popular series, recognized as one of the top sellers ever, boasts numerous spin-offs such as films and video games, and it is cherished around the globe.

Steam Detectives

In the metropolis where every operation relies on coal and steam engines, it’s unfortunate that the bustling town known as Steam City has found itself a magnet for criminal activity, largely driven by the extraordinary capabilities of the colossal, steam-operated robots called Megamatons.

Narutaki, our main character, continues the detective legacy left by his parents, being a brilliant kid who feels compelled to safeguard the city that holds a special place in his heart.

Utilizing an array of devices and instruments, he unravels enigmas, sometimes aided by Hsu Ling Ling, Goriki, and occasionally Kawakubo, who doubles as the family’s housekeeping staff and mechanical expert.

Castle in the Sky

Occasionally referred to as “Laputa: Castle in the Sky,” this masterpiece hails from the illustrious Studio Ghibli, under the guidance of Hayao Miyazaki. The story follows a young boy named Pazu and a girl called Sheeta, who are on a mission to protect a powerful crystal while also searching for the fabled floating city of Laputa.

Frequently lauded for its captivating narratives and exceptional animation, it stands out as a prime representation of Studio Ghibli’s signature style, often appearing on lists of the greatest anime in the top 100 rankings.

Steamboy

Originally, Steamboy was recognized as the priciest Japanese anime movie, boasting a budget of $26 million over a decade-long production period. The film centers around three generations of the Steam family: Lloyd, his son Edward, and grandson Ray, who are all inventors from the 19th century Europe.

After successfully finding a pristine mineral water capable of providing endless energy for steam engines, a tragic accident leaves Edward severely wounded. In an attempt to protect his innovations, Lloyd resorts to concealing them, due to the O’Hara Foundation’s apparent intention to appropriate the discoveries.

In the realm of cinema criticism, I’ve just found myself enthralled by a captivating tale where I, the viewer, am handed the keys to a mysterious, globe-like artifact. This seemingly innocuous invention, it turns out, harbors an immense power that has caught the covetous gaze of the O’Hara Foundation, who seek to harness it for their colossal Steam Castle. The sinister underbelly of the arms industry casts a long shadow over this intriguing series, as we delve into its dark corners and uncover the true motives behind the pursuit of such power.

Last Exile

In the imaginary realm of Prester, a persistent conflict rages between the countries of Anatoray and Disith.

Drawing from the technological advancements and designs of Germany’s interwar era, I find a striking resemblance to the fleet of aerial vessels, or ‘vanships’, that dominate the skies in the universe of Last Exile.

In my experience, the fusion of technology from the late Industrial Revolution, augmented by enchanting antigravity mechanisms, imbues it with a distinctly steampunk ambiance.

The narrative revolves around Claus Valca, a multi-tasking aviator and messenger, as they navigate through perilous encounters with adversarial factions, all the while striving to dismantle the elusive Cabal.

Samurai 7

In contrast to Akira Kurosawa’s classic film Seven Samurai, this series unfolds within a futuristic landscape where the emperor commands a force of robots resembling samurais, their mechanical nature outweighing their human traits.

Due to relentless assaults, the people of Kanna Village are compelled to seek out defenders, and they find solace in the only force capable of standing against the marauding bandits: fellow samurai.

It’s been discovered that the bandits are being orchestrated remotely, which means their future objective is to confront the despot directly.

Violet Evergarden

Violet Evergarden is a story that employs the theme of mechanical beings, focusing on its titular character, Violet, who is classified among the Auto Memory Dolls, though her background remains obscure and she may not strictly fit this categorization.

The Auto Memory Dolls primarily serve two key functions: aiding individuals who can’t physically write by doing so on their behalf, and providing writing assistance to authors facing creative hurdles.

Previously, Evergarden served as a soldier in a large-scale conflict, but with peace now established, she is exploring alternative professions.

Kino’s Journey

In their journey through the mystical landscape, Kino travels alongside her conversing motorbike companion, Hermes. They abide by a guideline to leave after three days from every location they visit.

In this series, intense topics like violence, solitude, absurdity, tyranny, and sorrow dominate, yet they’re frequently juxtaposed with elements of empathy and a magical backdrop.

In different locations, Kino’s Journey blends elements of magic and technology in unique ways, giving it a distinctly folkloric feel. However, its steam-powered aesthetics and narrative threads are unmistakable.

Trigun

On the imaginary world of No Man’s Land, situated on the cosmic planet Gunsmoke, the story of Trigun unfolds. It revolves around Vash the Stampede, a notorious fugitive who is persistently engaged in combat as bounty hunters relentlessly pursue him to claim the reward on his head.

Interestingly, although Vash’s extraordinary abilities inadvertently resulted in a bounty being placed on his head because he unintentionally destroyed a city, it’s important to note that he is fundamentally a peace-loving individual who strives to minimize harm to people.

A perplexing enigma within the family unfolds, stirring immense discord as it’s disclosed that Vash’s twin, Knives, is a ruthless and violent murderer. This disturbing truth incites followers of Knives to chase after Vash as well.

Baccano!

Baccano!, an exceptional series, frequently presents tales woven together from various viewpoints. This captivating narrative unfolds in America during the early 1900s.

Discussions about Prohibition and organized crime syndicates like the Mafia are juxtaposed with tales of alchemy and sorcery, as a contentious and violent power struggle ensues when a recipe for an elixir of everlasting life is unveiled.

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress

In a world inhabited by re-animated corpses known as “kabanes,” survivors must battle relentlessly against the vicious, undead hordes.

Here are some more options:
1) A world dominated by zombie-like beings called kabanes necessitates a constant struggle for survival against their hostile, deceased brethren.
2) In a realm overrun by the undead kabane creatures, life is a continuous fight for survival against these aggressive, reanimated corpses.
3) The world filled with resurrected cadavers called kabanes requires constant vigilance as survivors face off against the relentless, unrelenting undead horde.

To kill these luminous beings, it’s necessary to penetrate their radiant golden core, often achieved by destroying a vital organ, most commonly the head. However, this task becomes more challenging due to a protective layer of iron that surrounds their heart.

Regrettably, steam-pressure guns aren’t particularly efficient when it comes to tackling this virus threat.

As a result, individuals have opted to build colossal fortifications as a means of barricading these creatures away. However, an overtaken armored train later breaches these defenses, enabling the main character, Ikoma, to utilize his personal arsenal to vanquish the threat.

The Empire of Corpses

In a new take on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein tale, instead of souls, deceased bodies are resurrected using Necroware technology, rendering them incapable of speech, emotion, or thought. Consequently, this creates a vast workforce that many sectors of society rely heavily upon.

As a passionate movie buff, I find myself deeply engaged in John Watson’s quest. Overwhelmed by grief for his lost friend, he’s determined to refine the Necroware, aiming to bring life back in its truest form. This endeavor catches the eye of the British government, who, rather than offer help, coerce him into unearthing Dr. Frankenstein’s research instead.

In this show, they skillfully combine actual historical events and characters with their narrative, creating an authentic feel that’s usually lacking in many steampunk TV productions.

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

The 1984 animated movie unfolds in a world after an apocalypse, focusing on Nausicaa, a young royal from the Valley of the Wind.

A jungle teeming with colossal mutated insects, located not far off, falls under her protection. However, this sanctuary faces peril from Tolmekia, a neighboring realm, which employs old technology with the intent to annihilate all forms of life around them.

In a timeless battle of righteousness versus wickedness, Nausicaa strives to prevent annihilation and conflict, while Tolmekia is determined to deploy catastrophic weapons that had once brought the world close to extinction.

Code: Realize − Guardian of Rebirth

As a moviegoer, I find myself in the shoes of a character named Cardia, carrying a lethal toxin that wilts everything it comes into contact with. To prevent causing harm to others, I live a secluded life, keeping my distance from society.

Following a series of encounters with the legal system, I found myself embarking on an adventure alongside Arsene Lupinto. This journey was not just about tracking down my long-lost father, but also about seeking a means to purge the toxic substances plaguing my system.

Princess Principal

In a setting inspired by Britain during the early 1900s, known as Albion, a powerful material called cavorite is utilized for building an armada of robust airships, each equipped with formidable weaponry.

In this rephrased version, the government was autocratic, disregarding the less powerful, which ultimately sparked a violent uprising dividing central London into two distinct entities – the Commonwealth and the Monarchy.

The Commonwealth plans to undermine the Kingdom by swapping out the current ruler for a double, thereby securing a trustworthy figure within the Kingdom’s highest echelons.

Instead, the doppelganger proposes that they install her as the Queen so she can rule the Kingdom.

Acclaimed for its crisp narrative and captivating music, the abundance of deceitful actions and hidden agendas keeps viewers engaged in a fascinating watch.

Letter Bee

In this captivating tale of high fantasy, the story centers around the transport of correspondence and deliveries across AmberGround, a realm shrouded in darkness, brilliantly lit by an artificial sun.

Giant insects known as Gaichuu try to consume the contents within these packages, so it’s best to steer clear of them.

Ultimately, it is uncovered that the secretive group, Reverse, intends to sabotage the artificial sun and let loose a colossal flying creature called a gaichuu, which leads to the destruction of their central hub, known as the Bee Hive.

Renowned for its exhilarating action sequences, the construction of an enchanting steampunk realm, and an array of endearing characters, the Letter Bee series stands out as a fantastic choice.

Metropolis

In the realm of dieselpunk and inspired by the 1949 manga, Metropolis portrays a world where both humans and robots reside, yet it’s the robots who inhabit the lower social strata and suffer discrimination.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I found myself immersed in a gripping narrative where anti-robot militias take center stage. The tension within the city is palpable, stirring up whispers of an imminent revolution. Matters grew grimmer when the most affluent citizen embarked on a power grab, ordering his agents to assassinate the duly elected leaders, fueling fears that a coup was underway.

In my perspective as a movie enthusiast, this film masterfully delves into the profound questions of what defines humanity and artificial intelligence through one of its central characters, Tima – a robot meticulously crafted to resemble a human being.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water

In the realm of my cinematic musings, I find myself captivated by a series that spins around an ingenious young woman named Jean and her loyal companion, Nadia. Set in an alternate era reminiscent of Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, this world is as timeless as it is intriguing.

The allure of Nadia lies not only in her charm but also in a distinctive blue pendant she possesses, a treasure that has sparked desire in many.

Following their shared adversity with the Neo-Atlantean forces, Captain Nemo and his submarine, the Nautilus, extend a secure journey to the two individuals in question.

Admired for its lasting appeal and authentic emotional resonance, this work often employs a metaphor of the deep, mysterious ocean to suggest hidden, somber undertones that are consistently present yet concealed.

Desert Punk

In the wake of a worldwide nuclear catastrophe, an exhilarating odyssey unfolds across Japan. A lone warrior for hire, known as Kanta Mizuno, traverses this ravaged landscape, finding himself indispensable due to his skills and services.

Scarcity of water has led to intense conflicts, where acts of deceit and violence are alarmingly common.

Renowned for its comedic highlights and intricate action sequences, Desert Punk offers a unique take on a post-apocalyptic, dystopian world by infusing humor to soften some genuinely grim scenes.

2025-06-07 01:46

Top 20 Must-See Steampunk Anime of 2023 You Can’t Miss