8 Best Fantasy Anime & Manga With Mecha

The combination of Fantasy and Mechas, a terrain that not many anime or manga have dared to tread, is the epitome of the sci-fantasy sub-genre. With incredible battle scenes, plot twists that catch fans off-guard.

This list contains a lot of great manga and anime series that are definitely worth a read or a watch if you love these genres. But be warned though, some of them are quite addictive, and those who find themselves suckered in will end up having to wait for years if you binge-read/watch all the chapters/episodes.

8 I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!

Like Eminence In Shadow, But In Space

• Authors: Yomu Mishima, Nadashima Kai
• No. of Volumes: 7

This is a harsh story about a reincarnated person who is sent by the devil (not god) into a ruthless universe where nobility is heavily taxed, people live for centuries, and the main character must learn the ropes of being a Galactic Lord. A Japanese fantasy geek is reincarnated as Lord Liam Banfield, into a near-destitute noble house. Abandoned by his parents at the tender age of 50, Liam decides to become an evil galactic ruler.

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The devil who summoned him had planned to feed on his misery, but Liam turns out to be quite a competent Lord. Soon, the Banfield house starts to flourish again. Aboard of his faithful classic Mecha Robot, Liam conquers his corner of the Galaxy. Then, he begins a life full of adventures, space pirates, strange women lying in ponds with swords, and ancient heroines trapped in stone.

7 Knights And Magic

A Wild Ride For Any Mecha And Isekai Fan

• Authors: Amazake No Hisago, Katou Takuji, Kurogin
• No. of Volumes: 17

A Mecha fan is reincarnated into a world of swords, sorcery, and combat robots. Knights and Magic is a series that mixes all that goodness in one powerful package. It has its ups and downs, like any Harem/School Life series, and some obnoxious characters, but the story is quite good.

The anime adaptation of the series (available on Crunchyroll) has only one season, with 13 episodes. It is a little bit different from the manga and the light novels, but still worth a watch. Its mecha fights are eye candy for fans of the genre, and it has some good Isekai elements too.

6 The Galactic Navy Officer Becomes An Adventurer

One Of The Most Interesting Finds Of The Science Fantasy Genre

• Author: Atsuhiko Ito
• No. of Volumes: 7

This manga is capable of hooking readers from chapter one. It combines a lot of the good things from Macross, as well as some Isekai elements. There are also some connections to the Space Trooper series, hinting that it happens in the same universe.

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It begins with a low-class Galactic Empire Officer becoming the sole survivor of his battleship in a sudden ambush by humanity’s most evil enemy: The Bugs. But when the on-board AI that manifests itself as the living image of a former War Heroine awakens him from the healing pod, he is promoted to Captain due to the law of designated survivor. Then, he uses the escape pod of the ship to land on the habitable planet that is orbiting and carries with him some advanced tech, which he uses to fight the monsters on the surface. The story also adds in a runaway princess, a mysterious figure that claims to be the god of that world, inexplicable magic phenomena, and, of course, Mechas.

5 Infinite Stratos

Underneath All That Fan Service Lies A Worthy Mecha Series

• Author: Yumizuru Izuru
• No. of Volumes: 5
• Nº Episodes Anime 26 (2 season + 1 OVA)

Before it got canceled, Infinite Stratos was becoming quite popular among fans of School Life, Fantasy, and Mecha anime. But the ruthlessness of the animation industry forced the hands of producers and writers to include an unhealthy amount of fan service, and this was its downfall.

Even though the story was polished, interesting, and even avant-garde at some point, it all came crashing down as the author and the publisher entered a conflict (probably related to the demands of the latter). However, the author decided to keep going with the light novels, though the manga is still far behind. The anime was never renewed for a third season, though it still remains one of the best Fantasy-Mecha productions for viewers willing to ignore all that fan service.

4 I Woke Up Piloting the Strongest Starship, So I Became a Space Mercenary

A Little Heavy On The Harem Element, But Still Entertaining

• Author: Lute
• No. of Volumes: 5

A fan of space games dies and is reincarnated into his favorite game, as the captain of Krishna, his personalized battleship from when he was alive. Needless to say, the ship is broken, and his combat skills are not too shabby, so he decides to go on a rampage and hunt down every pirate in the galaxy.

It’s a good combination of fantasy (since it has space elves, dwarven, and other fantasy races) mechas, and space piloting. The series is interesting due to its action elements, but it becomes a little bit dull with the harem/romance parts, ands it ends up becoming a little bit weird when an android joins the mix. It’s a constant reminder of the dangers of AI, especially if it’s dressed in a maid’s uniform.

3 Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion

A Powerful Story About A Succession War That Turned Into A Revulotion

A rebellious prince is exiled, trying to protect his sister from a mean-spirited suitor, and a conspiracy that seeks to erase his bloodline from the face of the Empire. He carries the power of the Geass, which allows him to control the minds of his followers. Soon, he sparks a rebellion that becomes a wildfire that will raze all his enemies to the ground.

Code Geass is a magnificent example of well-written science-fantasy anime, with deep worldbuilding and some amazing mecha battles. It is also one of the top-rated anime (according to IMDB and MyAnimeList) of the last few decades. It’s a must-watch for every fan of the mecha and fantasy genres.

2 The Vision Of Escaflowne

Deep Storytelling, Mecha Combat, And A Twist No One Saw Coming

The Vision of Escaflowne combines romance, fantasy, mystery, mechas, and the Isekai genre all in one. It has aged beautifully, but the truth is it that could use a remake. If any producers are willing to take the chance, this story will blow modern fans’ minds, guaranteed.

It is not only the combination of popular genres, but the design of its characters and world, that makes this series such an impressive anime. It features a villain whose motivation is both reasonable and hateful, and a twist that has been haunting everyone who saw it for nearly 17 years.

1 Magic Knight Rayearth

Who Says Fantasy And Mechas Don’t Mix?

What happens when one mixes magical girls, mechas, and a powerful story about betrayal, love, and a dying world? The result is one of the best fantasy anime/mangas of the 90s: Magic Knight Rayearth. The show features deep and detailed world building, beautiful designs, and some incredible fight scenes.

This series can also be enjoyed as a manga, but the story varies a little bit. One could say that the manga are a little bit more aligned, and the anime is some sort of “what if.” But the story remains more or less the same: The Evil Sorcerer kidnaps the princess of a world that will die if she doesn’t sacrifice herself. Three heroines from another world are summoned to drive the powerful Magic Knights (Mechas) and save Sephiro from certain destruction.

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