Anime with Unique Worlds

Anime creators frequently construct elaborate settings that define the atmosphere and logic of their stories. These unique worlds range from post apocalyptic landscapes to intricate magical realms that challenge traditional storytelling conventions. Each environment offers a distinct set of rules and histories that help to immerse the audience in the narrative journey. The following entries showcase some of the most inventive and memorable worlds found in the medium.

‘One Piece’ (1999–Present)

The story follows Monkey D. Luffy and his crew as they navigate the Grand Line in search of the ultimate treasure. This world is composed of vast oceans and diverse islands that feature unique climates and cultures. Pirates and Marines clash over control of the seas while mystical Devil Fruits grant users supernatural abilities at the cost of their ability to swim. The lore of ‘One Piece’ extends back centuries through the mystery of the Void Century and the ancient weapons hidden across the globe.

‘Made in Abyss’ (2017–2022)

Riko and her robot friend Reg descend into a massive pit known as the Abyss to find her mother. This vertical ecosystem contains strange creatures and relics from a lost civilization that defy the laws of physics. Each layer presents a distinct environment with increasing physical dangers known as the Curse of the Abyss. The world building in ‘Made in Abyss’ focuses on the societal structure of Orth and the brutal biological realities of the descent.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

Humanity resides within three massive concentric walls to protect themselves from giant humanoid creatures known as Titans. The society is organized into a strict hierarchy based on proximity to the inner wall where the nobility lives. Soldiers use specialized gear to navigate the urban environment and fight the looming threat outside. As the story of ‘Attack on Titan’ progresses the secrets of the walls and the origin of the Titans reveal a much larger and more complex world.

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ (2009–2010)

In the country of Amestris alchemy is a widely practiced scientific craft governed by the law of Equivalent Exchange. Two brothers travel across the land to find the Philosophers Stone to restore their bodies after a failed alchemical ritual. The setting blends early twentieth century technology with magical elements that are integrated into the military and daily life. Political intrigue and ancient conspiracies define the history of this industrial world in ‘Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood’.

‘No Game No Life’ (2014)

The world of Disboard is governed by the Ten Pledges which mandate that all conflicts be settled through games. Siblings Sora and Shiro are summoned to this realm by the god Tet to help the human race reclaim its standing. Every dispute from border control to petty theft is decided by mental or physical competitions rather than violence. This vibrant world in ‘No Game No Life’ features sixteen different sentient races that all possess varying levels of magical affinity.

‘Land of the Lustrous’ (2017)

In the far future a new life form called the Lustrous inhabits a world where humans have long since disappeared. These beings are made of various gemstones and must defend themselves against the Lunarians who want to harvest them for jewelry. The story follows Phos as they struggle to find their place in a rigid society where hardness determines a person’s role in ‘Land of the Lustrous’. The environment is minimalist and haunting with an emphasis on the vast ocean and the celestial threats from the moon.

‘Dorohedoro’ (2020)

The setting is divided between the grim industrial sprawl of the Hole and the colorful chaotic realm of the Sorcerers. Magic users frequently travel to the Hole to practice their abilities on the human residents which often results in horrific mutations. The protagonist Caiman possesses a lizard head and immunity to magic while searching for the sorcerer who transformed him in ‘Dorohedoro’. This world is known for its gritty atmosphere and the strange logic that governs the use of smoke based magic.

‘Deca-Dence’ (2020)

Humanity lives aboard a massive mobile fortress called Deca Dence to escape the threat of lethal creatures known as Gadoll. The fortress serves as both a home for the remaining humans and a giant game world for cyborgs who control the planet from behind the scenes. Citizens are divided into Tankers who do the labor and Gears who fight the monsters in a simulated reality. The world of ‘Deca-Dence’ reveals a layer of corporate control that manages the ecosystem for entertainment purposes.

‘Kaiba’ (2008)

In a universe where memories can be stored as data and bodies are interchangeable the elite live in luxury while the poor suffer. The protagonist wakes up with no memories and a hole in his chest as he travels through various planets in ‘Kaiba’. Each world he visits features surreal landscapes and explores the ethical implications of memory manipulation. This setting uses an abstract art style to depict a society where the soul has become a commodity.

‘Girls’ Last Tour’ (2017)

Two girls travel through the ruins of a multi layered city long after the fall of human civilization. They scavenge for fuel and food while navigating a landscape of concrete and abandoned military machinery in ‘Girls’ Last Tour’. The world is quiet and desolate yet it contains remnants of past culture and technology that the girls struggle to understand. Their journey emphasizes the beauty in small moments of survival within a vast and empty environment.

‘Patema Inverted’ (2013)

This world features two groups of people who experience gravity in opposite directions. Patema comes from an underground society where gravity pulls her toward the sky while Age lives on the surface where gravity works normally. When they meet in ‘Patema Inverted’ they must hold onto each other to avoid falling into each other’s respective skies. The setting explores the social and physical consequences of a world literalized by its divided perspective on nature.

‘From the New World’ (2012–2013)

A group of children grows up in a seemingly idyllic village where everyone possesses psychic powers. They eventually learn that their society is built on a dark history and strict control to prevent human extinction. The world of ‘From the New World’ is filled with strange creatures like the Monster Rats who serve the psychic humans. This setting explores how a utopian facade can hide a brutal and necessary survival mechanism.

‘Log Horizon’ (2013–2021)

Thousands of players are suddenly trapped inside the world of the massive multiplayer online role playing game Elder Tale. Unlike other stories of this type the focus of ‘Log Horizon’ is on building a functional society and understanding the economic and political laws of the game. The world features complex mechanics regarding magic and crafting that players must adapt to for their survival. The environment changes as the players realize they are no longer just playing a game but living in a real world.

‘Tower of God’ (2020–Present)

Bam enters a mysterious structure known as the Tower to find his friend Rachel and faces various trials on each floor. The Tower is a massive world in itself where each level contains different environments and civilizations. Shinsu is the mystical substance that flows through the Tower and serves as the source of power for its inhabitants in ‘Tower of God’. Climbers must compete against one another to reach the top where they are promised any wish they desire.

‘Hell’s Paradise’ (2023)

A group of criminals and their executioners are sent to a mysterious island called Shinsenkyo to find the Elixir of Life. The island is filled with beautiful but deadly flora and fauna that represent a fusion of different religious and biological concepts. As they explore the group in ‘Hell’s Paradise’ discovers that the island is home to powerful beings who have achieved a form of immortality. The setting is a nightmare masquerading as a paradise where the rules of life and death are constantly challenged.

‘Psycho-Pass’ (2012–2019)

In a futuristic Japan the Sibyl System constantly monitors the mental state of every citizen to determine their likelihood of committing a crime. Those with a high Crime Coefficient are pursued by Enforcers and Inspectors before they can even act in ‘Psycho-Pass’. The world is characterized by its high tech urban sprawl and the omnipresent surveillance that maintains a precarious peace. This society raises questions about the cost of safety and the nature of justice in a calculated world.

‘Ranking of Kings’ (2021–2022)

Bojji is a deaf and powerless prince who aims to become the greatest king in a world filled with giants and magic. The setting of ‘Ranking of Kings’ features a diverse array of kingdoms that are ranked based on the strength and prosperity of their rulers. Dark mirrors and ancient demons influence the political landscape as Bojji travels across different lands. The world combines a fairytale aesthetic with complex moral characters and a deep sense of history.

‘Mushi-shi’ (2005–2014)

Ginko travels through rural Japan during a fictionalized version of the Edo period to study primitive life forms called Mushi. These creatures exist in a state between life and death and often cause strange phenomena for the humans they inhabit. The world of ‘Mushishi’ is depicted as a lush and mysterious natural landscape where the line between the physical and the spiritual is blurred. Each episode explores a different interaction with nature that reflects the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

‘Aria’ (2005)

On the terraformed planet of Aqua the city of Neo Venezia is modeled after the original Venice on Earth. Akari Mizunashi trains to become a professional gondolier in ‘Aria the Animation’ within a world that prioritizes a slow and peaceful pace of life. The setting is characterized by its beautiful canals and the unique Martian culture that has developed over time. This world emphasizes the beauty of the mundane and the connection between people and their environment.

‘Kino’s Journey’ (2003)

Kino travels through a world of diverse city states on a talking motorcycle named Hermes. Each country they visit in ‘Kino’s Journey’ has its own unique laws and social customs which often lead to philosophical dilemmas. The world is a patchwork of isolated civilizations that range from high tech societies to primitive villages. This setting serves as a mirror for human nature and the various ways people choose to live.

‘Dr. Stone’ (2019–2023)

Thousands of years after a mysterious light turns all of humanity into stone Senku Ishigami wakes up to a world reclaimed by nature. He uses his scientific knowledge to rebuild civilization from scratch in the Stone World of ‘Dr. Stone’. The environment is a mix of lush wilderness and the remnants of modern cities that have crumbled over the millennia. The setting focuses on the contrast between the primitive state of the world and the advanced concepts of modern science.

‘Tengoku Daimakyo’ (2023)

The story follows two children named Maru and Kiruko as they navigate the ruins of Japan after a mysterious disaster. Meanwhile a separate group of children in ‘Heavenly Delusion’ lives within a safe walled facility that hides many secrets about the outside world. The post apocalyptic landscape is inhabited by monstrous creatures known as Man eaters that the protagonists must hunt. This world is a puzzle of two different realities that slowly begin to overlap as the journey continues.

‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023–2024)

After the hero’s party defeats the Demon King the elf mage Frieren must navigate a world that is slowly moving on from their great adventure. The setting of ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ is a classic high fantasy world but it is viewed through the lens of time and the legacy of the heroes. Frieren travels across the continent to reach the land where souls rest while encountering the changes in magic and society. The world building emphasizes the passage of time and the long term effects of a finished quest.

‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’ (1984)

In a post apocalyptic future the Toxic Jungle spreads across the Earth and releases poisonous spores that threaten the remaining human settlements. Nausicaä works to understand the massive insects known as Ohmu and their connection to the survival of the planet in ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’. The world is a mix of medieval social structures and advanced technology salvaged from the Seven Days of Fire. This setting emphasizes the environmental consequences of industrial warfare and the resilience of nature.

‘Castle in the Sky’ (1986)

Sheeta and Pazu search for the legendary floating island of Laputa while being pursued by sky pirates and the military. The world of ‘Castle in the Sky’ is filled with airships and advanced steam technology that reflects an alternate late nineteenth century era. Laputa itself is a masterpiece of ancient engineering that contains both a lush garden and devastating weapons. This setting explores the lost history of a civilization that once ruled the skies through the power of flight stones.

‘Mononoke’ (2007)

The Medicine Seller travels across Japan during the Edo period to find and exorcise malevolent spirits known as Mononoke. Each arc takes place in a different location that is visually represented through a unique paper texture art style. To defeat a spirit in ‘Mononoke’ the protagonist must learn its Truth and its Reason which often reveals the dark human emotions that created it. The world is a surreal and vibrant interpretation of Japanese folklore and human psychology.

‘Promare’ (2019)

The world is reeling from the appearance of the Burnish who are humans capable of controlling fire. Galo Thymos and his firefighting team use high tech mecha to extinguish the flames and protect the city of Promepolis in ‘Promare’. The setting is characterized by its neon colors and geometric art style that highlights the intensity of the elemental conflict. This world explores the social tension between ordinary humans and those with destructive powers.

‘Ergo Proxy’ (2006)

In a bleak future humanity lives in dome cities like Romdo to survive the harsh environment of a dying Earth. Autoreivs are robots that serve human needs but they begin to gain consciousness through a mysterious virus in ‘Ergo Proxy’. Re l Mayer investigates a series of murders that lead her to discover the existence of powerful beings called Proxies. The world is a dark and philosophical landscape that questions the nature of identity and the purpose of creation.

‘Texhnolyze’ (2003)

The underground city of Lukuss is a decaying industrial metropolis where different factions fight for control. Many inhabitants use cybernetic limbs called Texhnolyze to survive or gain power in the violent environment of ‘Texhnolyze’. The world is nihilistic and claustrophobic with a stark contrast between the darkness of the city and the blinding light of the surface. This setting depicts a society on the brink of total collapse and the struggle of the individuals within it.

‘Children of the Whales’ (2017)

The Mud Whale is a massive ship that drifts across a sea of sand while carrying a small community of people. The inhabitants are divided into those who possess magical powers called Thymia and those who do not in ‘Children of the Whales’. Their isolation is shattered when they discover they are not the only people left in the world and face external threats. This setting relies on the concept of a shifting desert landscape where traditional ocean rules are applied to the sand.

Share which of these unique anime worlds you would want to visit in the comments.