Sci-fi comedy anime mix various elements and keep you glued to the screen thanks to a plot easy to understand, funny gags that make you laugh and make you feel relaxed, and, sometimes, even moments that can make you think deeper. Space Dandy is a good example of a sci-fi comedy anime, that maintains its comedy trait all along the line, but is filled with emotional moments here and there as well, just to maintain everything on the right balance and give you the right emotions at the right moment.
As the story goes on, Dandy meets a lot of characters and, episode by episode, the plot seems to adapt to different contexts: there's one episode with a scholastic setting, one with a race tournament, one that invokes mecha genre, and so on. Various elements are mixed together, giving birth to a little masterpiece! This list is meant to suggest to you anime that are similar to Space Dandy, the ones that touch the same themes and basically have the same atmosphere, in one way or another. So if you liked it so much that it wasn't enough, and crave for more, don't worry: this list will help you find release!
Similar Anime to Space Dandy
1. Cowboy Bebop
- Episodes: 26
- Aired: April 1998 – April 1999
The mature, carefree Spike Spiegel and his pragmatic partner Jet Black, are bounty-hunters.
On board of their spaceship – the Bebop – they jump from a planet to another seeking for criminals. During their journey, three other characters join them: an intelligent Welsh Corgi; the sexy swindler Faye Valentine; and the young hacker Radical Edward. While seeing their plans usually end up failing miserably, they all will face their pasts and their traumas.
Shinichiro Watanabe directed both Cowboy Bebop and Space Dandy, so it's not strange to see his touch in both anime. It's not a stretch to say that if you liked Space Dandy, you will like Cowboy Bebop for sure, although it has a more serious orientation. Both anime's backgrounds are the same: outer space. Plus, these two stories involve bounty-hunters: while in Cowboy Bebop they try to catch criminals, in Space Dandy they try to catch aliens. What's more, both of them have comedy, action and drama parts as well, all mixed magnificently together. We can guarantee these two anime are somehow siblings!
Cowboy Bebop English Trailer
2. Seihou Bunkyou Outlaw Star (Outlaw Star)
- Episodes: 26
- Aired: January 1998 – June 1998
The undisputed protagonist in Seihou Bunkyou Outlaw Star is Gene Starwind. He is a scared-of-the-space bounty-hunter that, together with his skilled partner Jim Hawking, is asked by Hilda – an Outlaw – to be a bodyguard. Sadly, that kind of job turns out to be a crazy escape from the Kei pirates, wanting to catch Hilda for having stolen Melfina, a bio-android girl thanks to whom they can pilot an amazing spaceship: the Outlaw Star.
Both Space Dandy and Outlaw Star involve bounty-hunters, and the setting is the space. Sci-fi themes bring both of them action, drama and an adventurous taste. In both series we find a multi-species crew working together to catch aliens in Space Dandy, and to defeat pirates in Outlaw Star. We cannot ignore the strongest point of both series: to entertain their audience with funny comedy moments, and provide some deeper tones when the right time comes. So if you liked Space Dandy, you'll like Outlaw Star without a doubt!
Outlaw Star English Trailer
3. Redline
- Episodes: 1
- Aired: August 2009
Every five years takes place the biggest and amazing racing tournament of the universe. The place where the tournament takes place, is revealed only few days before its beginning. Our protagonist, JP, wants to participate, but to do so, he has to obtain a good position in a qualification race: the Yellowline. He participates to the Yellowline race, with his yellow racing car, which seems almost out of place when confronted to the other participants' big cars. During the race, he seems to be one step away from the victory, but suddenly something goes wrong!
We could start saying that both protagonists, JP and Dandy, resemble each other a lot: they are both laid-back, seeking adventures and their style is eye-catching. Although the main difference is that in Space Dandy, Dandy seeks for aliens and in Redline, JP runs with his race car, the setting is in space. In both of these anime we find a lot of well-made characters, each with his own oddity. Both of them have a similar art style: vibrant colors dominate in a peculiar universe setting. Each seems to invoke the other, and we should not forget the purpose both have in common too: to entertain. They share the same atmosphere, so if you liked Space Dandy's mood, you will love Redline's too!
Redline UK Blu-ray & DVD trailer #5 - Trailer
Any Animes Like Space Dandy ?
4. Kekkai Sensen (Blood Blockade Battlefront)
- Episodes: 12
- Aired: April 2015 – October 2015
This story takes place in Jerusalem's Lot. This is a city risen up on New York's ruins, which was destroyed in one night by the collision of the Earth with Beyond, a place where a lot of strange creatures live. Jerusalem's Lot is now a place where supernatural creatures and humans coexist. The association trying to maintain peace between humans and monsters is called “Libra”, and the boss is Klaus von Reinherz, a lycanthrope. When Leonardo Watch, a kind and quiet boy who received “The Eyes of God” as a power, joins Libra's association, even stranger things start to happen!
We can easily see that Kekkai Sensen and Space Dandy share the same over-the-top action sequences, and a setting where human beings work alongside otherworldly creatures. Although Kekkai Sensen shows a deeper plot beneath it – the fact that Leonardo Watch is searching for a way to heal his sister – both anime shows the everyday lives of the characters facing strange creatures. Leonardo Watch, just as Dandy, is constantly broke and has to face the reality of the fact that his job will be constantly spoiled by his side job at Libra. Furthermore, in both these anime the atmosphere is generally lighthearted, but there will be some emotional parts that will warm your hearts up as well. So what are you waiting for? Kekkai Sensen won't disappoint you!
TVアニメ『血界戦線』 PV第3弾「Hello,world! ver.
5. Level E
- Episodes: 13
- Aired: January 2011 – April 2011
Tsutsui Yukitaka, after finishing school, manages to convince his parents to let him leave alone. When he enters his new apartment, though, a big surprise awaits him: a strange tenant, who asserts to be an alien who lost his memories. This strange tenant is indeed an alien, and his name is Baka Ki El Dogra. He is a prince from El Dogra planet, and is super-intelligent and a prankster with no interest. What Yukitaka and all human beings don't know yet, is that other aliens live hidden and undisturbed on the Earth!
Space Dandy and Level E are two amazing sci-fi comedy anime. They both feature aliens and space travel to some extent, although Level E revolves more around the Earth. In both of them we can find a lighthearted atmosphere, gags and jokes brought by the peculiar personalities Dandy and Baka, but on the other hand there are some episodes and some specific parts that hide deeper meanings, or will make you emotional. It's as easy as this: the next step after watching Space Dandy, could be Level E!
Level E Trailer
6. Gintama
- Episodes: 201
- Aired: April 2006 – March 2010
The story revolves around Gintoki Sataka. He is a proud samurai in his late twenties, represented as somehow mature and steady, and his way of acting demonstrates his rationality. The feudal Japan where he lives into, has been subjugated by the “Amanto” – aliens – who have prohibited the possession of swords. That's how Gintoki Sataka lost his place as a samurai and ended up constantly broke, trying to survive by doing every kind of job. His helpers are Kagura, a girl belonging to the Amanto race, and Shinpachi Shimura, a young and talented swordman.
Both Space Dandy and Gintama are sci-fi comedy anime. Both the main characters are alike: they are adults, but they indulge in their vices. In both anime, aliens are represented with a funny appearance, and of course this matter starts a lot of comedy moments. Both stories are similar as well, since they feature a protagonist who is almost constantly broke and leads a peculiar team: Gintoki tries to do every kind of odd job, while Dandy hunts aliens. Furthermore, the funny atmosphere is sometimes interrupted by emotional moments that, unexpectedly, will make you reconsider some characters. What's left to say? If you liked Space Dandy, you should definitely check Gintama out!
Gintama OP 2
This six anime, just as written up above, try to cover all the aspects that you liked about Space Dandy. All of these anime face the interaction between human beings and otherworldly creatures, in a setting that is usually outer space. All of them bring you as similar vibes as Space Dandy, so whether you liked it because you are a sci-fi comedy enthusiast, or because you simply like non-conventionally good anime, this list will satiate your hunger for sure!