Anime That Blend Science Fiction With Ethical Dilemmas

As far back as the 1990s, anime relating to the roles of the internet and technology on the future of humanity, as well as other moral dilemmas that stem from technological advancement, have been an important topic of interest. Over the years, numerous sci-fi anime have come out, each with their own unique plots and themes, offering not just an interesting watch for fans, but also a creative medium in which to address these themes.

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Science fiction in anime offers viewers exciting stories filled with ideas and concepts that transcend the limitations of modern-day science. Although these topics can be adventurous and positive as the protagonists travel across space or fight with futuristic technology, some of these stories tackle broader ethical and moral concerns that add realism for fans who may knowingly or unknowingly ponder these issues after watching.

5 Psycho-Pass

A World Governed By The Sibyl System

Psycho-Pass is a thrilling cyberpunk anime set in a dystopian society governed by a complex biomechanical system called the Sibyl System. This biochemical system is a computer network built around the whole of Japan, responsible for assessing the biometrics and psyches of the citizens, resulting in an assessment index called a Psycho Pass. This index reveals an individual's criminal propensity and will alert authorities if the accepted amount is exceeded.

The story centers on Akane Tsunemori, a novice inspector assigned to the first division of the Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Investigation Division. They are responsible for solving crimes with latent criminals known as enforcers. These enforcers are handpicked and assigned to the unit for the sake of aiding the Bureau with their expertise in criminal affairs. The plot takes off when Division One discovers the crimes of Shogo Makishima, a criminally asymptomatic individual who registers as normal to the Sibly System, even though he is insane. The discoveries made during this investigation make Inspector Tsunemori question the integrity of the Sibyl System and nearly push her Psycho-Pass over the limit.

4 Akira

The Blueprint Of Modern Cyberpunk

Often considered one of the greatest anime ever made, Akira is a movie that set the standard for the cyberpunk genre in anime and propagated the popularity of anime and Japanese culture across the world. Its story takes place in a dystopian future set in 2019 Tokyo following the events of a terrible world war.

The plot is set in motion after two biker friends, Kaneda and Testsuo, get into an accident with an esper; afterward, Tetsuo gains immense psychic abilities. As Tetsuo’s abilities begin to spiral out of control, he becomes a threat to the government and everyone around him. The story shows complex themes, highlighting the struggles of a post-war society as they struggle to pick up the pieces of their culture, as well as how a reliance on technology by this changed society has affected its residents. Akira takes viewers on a journey of anguish and self-discovery, showing fans the blueprint of modern-day cyberpunk anime.

3 Pluto

The Emotions Of Robots

Pluto is an amazing reinterpretation of the Greatest Robot on Earth arc of Osamu Tekuza’s Astro Boy. It is a murder-mystery set in a futuristic society where robots and humans live together with equal rights. It follows Europol Robot Detective Gesicht, who begins an investigation after the deaths of key robots and human figures that were vital to the recently concluded 39th Central Asian War. The story takes a turn for the worse when Gesicht discovers that the string of murders was perpetrated by a robot, which would be the first time such an occurrence had occurred since eight years prior.

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The story follows Gesicht as he uncovers shocking revelations about these serial murders and meets some of his robot comrades who fought alongside him in the 39th Central Asian War. As Gesicht goes on to warn the robots of their possible danger from the serial killer, he and these advanced robots think about the horrors they witnessed during the war and the parts they played in it.

2 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Love, Crime, And Implants

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is an anime set in a dystopian society in 2076's California, a metropolis overrun by crime, corruption, and a heavy reliance on cybernetic implants by its citizens. The anime precedes the events of the game Cyberpunk 2077 and follows David Martinez, a young high-schooler living in Night City. His fate is ultimately changed after he loses everything in a drive-by shooting.

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After a string of unfortunate events, David meets a girl named Lucy, who changes his life's trajectory, causing him to join her and live around the edges of the law as a high-tech mercenary known as an edgerunner. David joins a group of these mercenaries, wielding an impressive cybernetic implant known as the Sandevistan, a powerful attachment that allows him to move at unbelievable speeds at the cost of taking a massive toll on his body. Afterward, David gains friendship, family, and love from these mercenaries as they join forces to fight against the megacorporations that rule their Night City.

1 Heavenly Delusion

Mysteries Of The Past And Present

The story of Heavenly Delusion takes place fifteen years after a devastating event that ended modern civilization. It follows two different storylines, one featuring two energetic kids, Maru and Kiruko, who, by a string of fate, are traveling the post-apocalyptic wasteland together, and the other a group of children living inside an enclosed facility. As Maru and Kiruko journey through this uncharted wasteland, they face a myriad of strange and violent monsters that they fend off with their trusty laser gun.

The stories may appear isolated from each other, but they hold a connection due to the glaring facial similarities between Tokio, a child resident of the facility, and Maru. Although the two storylines seem to be on different timelines, the order of their events is not known at first, but soon after the plot develops, the timeline and general picture begin to take shape. The film focuses on the interpersonal relationships of the characters, centered on themes of the inquisitiveness of youth, as well as the love and affection that these dynamic characters have for and share with each other.

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By  Mark Sammut