Most Unmissable Post-Apocalyptic Anime

Summary

• Post-apocalyptic anime can prepare you for survival by exploring deep philosophical questions and fostering a sense of empathy for human struggles.
• From the thrilling hype of Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress to the heartwarming beauty of Nausicaa, anime offers unique perspectives on the end of the world.
• Heavenly Delusion and Planetarian are sleeper hits that blend post-apocalyptic settings with exciting twists and moving storytelling, perfect for fans of Fallout.

When the world ends, and the future has come and gone, leaving only a few precious survivors, there will only be one crucial question left to answer: did you watch enough anime to know what it takes to survive the apocalypse?

If you're a seasoned anime fan, you may have already seen Zombieland Saga and High School of the Dead, but what if those aren't enough to prepare you for the end of the world? Here's our picks for the best post-apocalyptic anime to check out now...just in case.

10 Zom 100: Bucket List Of The Dead

No Time Like The Apocalypse To Live Life To The Fullest

Have you ever thought maybe the only thing holding you back from doing anything you want is the drab office job you work, and the society that supports it? The thought had occurred to Zom 100's protagonist, Akira Tendou, but until the zombie outbreak began, there really wasn't much he could do about that.

The colorful animation and uplifting message about living life to the fullest can make Zom 100 feel a bit cheesy and lighthearted at times, but it's those very aspects which make this anime and its apocalyptic setting so special. Check it out if you slept on it back in 2023.

9 Girls' Last Tour

We All Live In A Kettenkrad

In an empty world oft called "dead" by its two main protagonists, rations and gas stops are the only good sights to see. An endless concrete labyrinth of human origin stretches out before two young girls, so among the rubble they travel in the hopes of one day unraveling the truth behind what happened to the world and its inhabitants.

Girls Last Tour uses its post-apocalypse to ask a lot of deep philosophical questions about war, religion, and the meaning of life, all from the comfort of a kettenkrad. If that sounds like just your type of slow burn anime goodness, we say give this one a watch.

8 Kabaneri Of The Iron Fortress

Attack On Titan With Metal Zombies And Armored Trains

If we could sum up Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress in one word, that word would be hype. Headed by the exact same team who made the first few seasons of Attack on Titan what they were, Kabaneri is a post-apocalyptic thrill ride that might not have the strongest plot, but more than makes up for that with its mind-blowing animation and bass-heavy soundtrack by AoT composer Hiroyuki Sawano.

We cannot stress this enough: this is basically a re-skin of Attack on Titan, complete with iron zombies, molten hearts, ODM gear, armored trains, and a jaw-dropping steampunk samurai aesthetic. Get some friends together and give Kabaneri a watch; it's a great time guaranteed.

7 School Live

More Like Slice Of Death

School Live starts out like any other slice of life show would, but the more you watch and the closer you pay attention, the more things start to feel out of place... like there's something deeply sinister going on that you can't quite explain.

Turns out, that feeling is completely warranted. We won't spoil exactly what's going on here, or how things got the way they are in School Live, but trust us, this is one of the more interesting post-apocalyptic stories in anime, and it really helps you empathize with the struggles of the human survivors left behind.

6 Train To The End Of The World

5G May Not Kill Us...But 7G Might

One of the stranger takes on the apocalypse, Train To The End Of The World's unique setup and quirky characters have already won over anime fans the world over, but if you haven't given this bizarre anime delight a try yet, now is the time to hop onboard.

In a world where the introduction of the 7G network caused mutations of every kind in the humans within its range, Shizuru Chikura is on a mission to find her best friend. The wacky animation style and unique approach to the end of society as we know it give Train To The End Of The World a feeling unlike anything else we've seen, so give it a try if you're looking for something truly new.

5 Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind

Miyazaki's Magnum Opus

While Nausicaa is a movie, not a series, nobody would argue that it isn't one of the best anime ever made, let alone one of the best post-apocalyptic ones, and watching the film today, it's easy to see why.

In a war-torn world where a toxic jungle threatens to consume the very earth, one brave princess must do all she can to protect the balance between people and nature. Though not technically a Studio Ghibli film as it predates the founding of the studio, Nausicaa still has the classic Ghibli touch, and is worth the watch if you have a Max subscription.

4 Heavenly Delusion

Or Tengoku Daimakyou, Whichever You Prefer

One of 2023's sleeper hits, Heavenly Delusion is a must-watch if you're a fan of post-apocalyptic settings like Fallout. This show especially feels like it came right out of the Fallout series in terms of monster design, and though it's ultimately a very different kind of story, the vibes here are still close enough that if you like one you'll probably also like the other.

Heavenly Delusion is packed to the brim with exciting twists and turns to keep its audience guessing, and though we won't spoil any of those twists here, we will say to pay close attention to everything you see and hear in this incredible anime series.

3 Planetarian

If Hatsune Miku Was A Space Nerd

As a rugged survivor stumbles through the forbidden ruins of a post-apocalyptic war-torn Japan, he is chased by a sentry bot into an abandoned department store, where he happens apon a robot not built to kill, but to educate: Hoshino Yumemi.

A short but moving ONA by David Productions of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure fame, Planetarian shows us all that even at the end of the world, the beauty of the night sky will never fade, and that as long as we look to the stars, there can always be hope for a better tomorrow. She may look like a vocaloid at first, but by the end, you'll find that, like the protagonist, this blue-haired robot girl has stolen your heart.

2 Darling In The Franxx

Studio Trigger's Mecha Madness

Darling in the Franxx drew community ire for its off the wall story and ending, but in recent years, most fans have come to appreciate the series for what it was, and with the infamous Zero Two a member of the show's cast, it's not hard to see why Darling in the Franxx has retained its popularity.

Maybe mecha shows aren't usually your thing, but this apocalyptic setting and Studio Trigger's designs fill an otherwise cliché concept with the kind of style that only anime can pull off, and though critical reception is mixed, we found Darling to be worth the watch.

1 Neon Genesis Evangelion

Get In The Robot, Shinji

Yep. This is it. The Neon Genesis Evangelion. For years, anime fans everywhere have considered Eva to be a rite of passage of sorts, and despite a few odd choices and some very adult content here and there, we can't help but agree.

If you haven't explored this post-apocalyptic mecha anime for yourself, now is the time to give it a watch on Netflix. When it comes to stories about the end of the world, it doesn't get much more "anime" than Neon Genesis Evangelion, and the opening is among the medium's best, too.