The best fantasy anime and manga with mecha

Key takeaways

• A galactic navy officer turned adventure offers a twist on magic and science-fiction elements in a fascinating universe.
• Knights and Magic mixes mecha and swordsmanship in one powerful package with incredible storytelling.
• Magic Knight Reearth flawlessly combines a powerful story about magical girls, mechas and betrayal into one of the best fantasy shows ever.

The combination of fantasy and mechas, a terrain not many anime or manga have dared to tread, is emblematic of the science-fiction subgenre. With incredible battle scenes, plot twists that catch fans off-guard.

This list contains many great manga and anime series that are definitely worth reading or watching if you love these genres. But be warned, some of them are quite addictive, and those who find themselves hooked will have to wait for years to double-read/watch all the chapters/episodes.

8 I am the evil lord of the intergalactic empire!

Like Prominence in the Shadows, but in space

• Author: Yomu Mishima, Nadashima Kai
• Section Number: 7

It's a gritty story about a reincarnated man who is sent by Satan (not God) to 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, in a nearby poorhouse. Abandoned by his parents at the tender age of 50, Liam decides to become an evil galactic ruler.

The devil who summoned him planned to feed on his misery, but Liam turned out to be a very capable lord. Soon, Banfield House begins to thrive again. Riding his loyal classic mecha robot, Liam conquers his corner of the galaxy. Then, he embarks on a life full of adventure, space pirates, strange women fighting in ponds with swords, and ancient heroines trapped in stone.

7 Knights and magic

A wild ride for any mecha and Isekai fan

• Authors: Amezke no Hisago, Kato Takuji, Kurogin
• Section Number: 17

A mecha fan has been reborn into a world of swords, magic, and fighting robots. Knights and magic A series that mixes all that goodness in one powerful package. Like any harem/school life series and some outrageous characters it has its ups and downs, but the story is pretty good.

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

6 A galactic naval officer becomes an adventurer

One of the most interesting discoveries of the science fiction genre

• Author: Atsuhiko Ito
• Section Number: 7

This manga is able to hook the readers from the first chapter. It combines many of the best things from Macross, as well as some Isekai elements. There are also some connections space soldier series, indicating that it takes place in the same universe.

It begins with a low-class Galactic Empire officer who is the sole survivor of his warship being suddenly attacked by humanity's most vicious enemy: The Bugs. But when an on-board AI that reveals itself to be a living image of a former war heroine wakes her up from a healing pod, she is promoted to captain due to specific survivor laws. Then, he uses the ship's escape pod to land on an orbiting habitable planet and takes with him some advanced technology, which he uses to fight monsters on the surface. The story also adds in a runaway princess, a mysterious figure who claims to be the god of that world, inexplicable magical phenomena, and of course, mechas.

5 Infinite Stratos

Underneath all that fan service is a worthy mecha series

• Author: Yumizuru Izuru
• Section Number: 5
• Nº Episodes Anime 26 (2 Seasons + 1 OVA)

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

Although the story was polished, interesting, and at some point even avant-garde, it all came crashing down when the author and publisher entered into a conflict (probably related to the demands of the latter). However, the author decided to continue the light novels, although the manga is still far behind. The anime was never renewed for a third season, though it's still one of the best fantasy-mecha creations for viewers willing to ignore all the fan service.

4 I woke up piloting the strongest starship, so I ended up a space mercenary

A little heavy on the harem element, but still entertaining

• Author: Lute
• Section Number: 5

A fan of space games dies and is reborn in his favorite game as the captain of Krishna, his personal battleship since he was alive. Needless to say, the ship is broken, and his fighting skills aren't 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 (it has space elves, dwarven and other fantasy races), mechas, and space piloting. The series is interesting because of its action elements, but it slows down a bit with the harem/romance parts, and it gets a bit weird when androids join the mix. It's a constant reminder of the dangers of AI, especially if it's dressed in a maid's uniform.

3 Code Gass: Lelouch of Rebellion

A powerful story about a succession war that turns into a revolution

A rebel prince is exiled, trying to protect his sister from a well-meaning suitor, and a conspiracy to wipe his bloodline from the face of the empire. He carries the power of Gas, 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 Guess With deep world building and some amazing mecha battles, this is a fantastic example of a well-written science fantasy anime. It is one of the top-rated anime (according to IMDB and MyAnimeList) of the last few decades. It's a must-see for every fan of the mecha and fantasy genres.

2 Visions of Escaflowne

Deep storytelling, mecha combat, and a twist like no other

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

It's not just the combination of popular genres, but the design of its characters and world that make this series such an impressive anime. It features a villain whose motivations are both practical and despicable, and a twist that has haunted everyone who's seen it for nearly 17 years.

1 Magical Night Rayarth

Who says fantasy and mechas don't mix?

What happens when one mixes magical girls, mechas, and powerful stories about a world of betrayal, love, and death? The result is one of the best fantasy anime/mangas of the 90s: Magical Night Rayarth. The show has deep and detailed world building, beautiful designs, and some incredible fight scenes.

The series can also be enjoyed as a manga, but the story is slightly different. One might say that the manga is a bit more linear, and the anime is more of a “what if.” But the story remains more or less the same: an 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 wield powerful magical knights (mekas) and save Sephiro from certain destruction.