15 Best Anime About Math, Chemistry, Biology & the World of Science
We have already talked about the various ideas and concepts embodied in various manga and anime titles. Whether it’s an actual (sub)genre or just a motif that is recurring in the series, you’ll find anything that comes to mind in anime. Some of these motifs might not be that common, and they might be quite rare, but we’re certain that you’ll find a couple of titles, at least, to satisfy your needs. One such anime topic is science, i.e., the world of mathematics, chemistry, biology, and all the other sciences that come to mind, and that is the world we are going to be writing about in this article.
1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Original Run: April 5, 2009 – July 4, 2010
Number of Episodes: 64 (+ 4 OVA)
What it’s about: The plot of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood happens in the country of Amestris, a country where alchemy is elevated to the rank of universal science, two brothers, (Fullmetal Alchemist) Edward and Alphonse Elric, travel the country in search of the legendary philosopher’s stone. Their father left them and their mother, Trisha Elric, died a few years later of an illness, leaving her two young children behind.
Sometime later, the two brothers try to bring her back thanks to alchemy, defying the law which formally prohibits human transmutation. They will pay a heavy price. Edward, the eldest, will lose his left leg, his little brother his whole body. Ed will sacrifice his right arm by sealing the soul of his little brother Alphonse in armor.
Edward decides to enlist in the army at the age of 12 as a State Alchemist, passes the exam with flying colors, and obtains his alchemist name: Fullmetal. Helped by Edward’s state alchemist status, the two brothers will seek, at the risk of their lives, the stone that will give them back what they have lost, but the secret of the philosopher’s stone is well kept.
Why you should watch it: Although alchemy is technically not a science, but a pseudoscience, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has an overall aura of science that aficionados will certainly love. On top of that, it is a truly great story with amazing characters and one of the best, and most popular anime in history, which is why we decided to start our list with this title.
2. Dr.STONE
Original Run: July 5, 2019 – present
Number of Episodes: 35
What it’s about: The story of Dr.STONE revolves around Taiju, a regular high school student, who tells his best friend Senku, a science genius, that he’s about to reveal his feelings to Yuzuriha, a girl he’s been secretly in love with for a few years. As the young man is about to declare his love for her, a brilliant light appears in the sky and transforms all of humanity into stone statues.
When Taiju finally manages to free himself, he finds himself facing a completely different world where nature has taken over. But he is not the only one to have woken up. His friend Senku, who preceded him in his awakening, tells him that 3,700 years have passed since the mysterious event. Together they will have to combine the exceptional scientific skills of one and the physical abilities of the other to save the 7 billion still petrified human beings and discover the origin of this disaster.
Why you should watch it: Dr.STONE is in many ways similar to the first title on our list, but only on the surface. The atmosphere is somewhat similar, and Dr.STONE does focus on chemistry, biochemistry, and the like, combined with a little alchemy and magic. It is also one of the most entertaining titles on our list and you’re certainly going to love it.
3. Steins;Gate
Original Run: April 6, 2011 – September 14, 2011
Number of Episodes: 24 + OVA
What it’s about: The story of Steins;Gate takes place in Akihabara and is about an experiment by the very strange scientist Rintarō Okabe, who has sometimes been described as insane. He manages to convert a microwave oven so that he can use it to send text messages into the past. However, what he only becomes aware of later is the fact that he is influencing his own present and this is exactly what makes him seem crazy.
However, he is not the only researcher in the field. He soon finds himself confronted with an organization called SERN, which is after both him and the other initiates of the experiment. After repeatedly changing the future through this news, Okabe gets caught in a worldline in which his childhood friend Mayuri dies. To avoid her death, he travels back in time and tries everything possible, but without success.
It is only when he consults with Kurisu that he receives the decisive clue from her. He needs to undo all the text messages he’s sent so far. But before Okabe is about to send the final message, he realizes that in the original worldline, his love Kurisu is dying. With that thought, Okabe falls into a reluctant and desperate state, because he doesn’t want Kurisu to die.
After someone from the future tells him that Kurisu can be saved, after all, Okabe’s final operation begins. In his first attempt, he fails and Makise Kurisu dies, however, in doing so he receives a message from himself from the future that gives him instructions for the plan. Ultimately, Okabe manages to rescue Kurisu and moves out of the original worldlines into the new Steins Gate line where Mayuri and Kurisu survive.
Why you should watch it: Steins;Gate probably has the most complex narrative of all the titles on this list, but that is what makes it so intriguing. It combines a great anime story with a lot of complex science, mostly physics, which is why fans of science and science fiction will grow to love it and laud it, like we do.
4. Cells at Work!
Original Run: July 8, 2018 – February 27, 2021
Number of Episodes: 21 + Special
What it’s about: The story of the manga series and the corresponding anime adaptation takes place in the human body, in which 37.2 trillion anthropomorphic cells work to keep the body healthy. The series focuses on two cells: the erythrocyte (red blood cell) in formation AE3803, which is constantly at work in the body, and the leukocyte (white blood cell) U-1146, which is constantly fighting foreign bodies that try to invade the body.
Why you should watch it: If you want to know how the human body works, especially the immune system, look no further, as Cells at Work! will provide you with absolutely everything you need. With a great plot and beautiful animation, Cells at Work! is a beloved classic that will make a science fan of you, if you’re already not one.
5. A Certain Scientific Railgun
Original Run: October 3, 2009 – September 25, 2020
Number of Episodes: 72 (+ 2 OVA)
What it’s about: The story takes place in Academy City where 80% of the inhabitants are students who participate in a particular program called Brain Development Program, but only 7 students have reached a high level in the program called level 5. Of course, all set in a world where supernatural powers are a reality thanks to a blend of magic, science, and religion. Will the city be able to remain in peace or will strange events happen? The anime follows the life of the protagonists, who will be repeatedly involved in somewhat bizarre and unimaginable events that will not leave the viewer with moments of boredom.
Why you should watch it: As the title itself suggests, A Certain Scientific Railgun is a very intriguing title focused on the world of science. A lot has been presented throughout this whole franchise, but A Certain Scientific Railgun is the best combination of science-fiction and fantasy you’ll find in it, and that is why we placed it on this list.
6. Science Fell In Love, So I Tried To Prove It
Original Run: October 3, 2009 – September 25, 2020
Number of Episodes: 72 (+ 2 OVA)
What it’s about: Two young scientists at Saitama University, Shinya Yukimura and Ayame Himuro, have similar faith in mathematics to describe and solve all the problems in the world. When one day Ayame admits to her colleague Shinya that she must have fallen in love with him, he demands that she also prove this love mathematically. Together with their colleagues, they are constantly developing new experiments and models to demonstrate their mutual affection.
Why you should watch it: Science Fell In Love, So I Tried To Prove It was included on this list because we wanted to add as much diversity as possible. It is focused on science, but the main plot is the romance between the two protagonists, which ends up evolving quite nicely as the series progresses. It is a more lighthearted approach, but certainly great.
7. Kaiba
Original Release: April 10, 2008 – July 24, 2008
Number of Episodes: 12
What it’s about: In this universe, memories can be stored as information via a memory chip; when individuals die, their spirit lives on. This digitalization of mental information allows the transfer of one’s mind to someone else’s body, the theft, and manipulation of other people’s memories has become the norm. Society is broadly divided into two classes.
In the sky, there are electrical storms, which one cannot cross without losing one’s memory. Above them is the realm of the rich and powerful, who trade the bodies and memories of others for their own pleasure and longevity. Beneath the clouds lies a troubled and dangerous world where good bodies are hard to come by and real money is scarce.
Why you should watch it: Kaiba is a very bizarre title with unique animation, which makes it a beautiful artistic masterpiece in itself. It also has a very provocative story and is intriguing in many other ways. How science, and computer science, are used in this anime is something truly interesting and we have no doubt that you are going to love it.
8. Digimon Tamers
Original Release: April 1, 2001 – March 31, 2002
Number of Episodes: 51
What it’s about: Takato Matasuki, the 12-year-old protagonist of Digimon Tamers, is a fan of the Digimon card game. One day, after a game of cards with his two friends Kazu and Kenta, he discovers a mysterious blue card in his storage box. His reflex is to analyze it in his plastic Digivice which starts to shine in a strange way. Takato eventually realizes that he has become a “Digimon Tamer”, and accidentally creates his own Digimon partner, Guilmon, from a drawing.
Takato then meets two other children, who later turn out to be tamers as well: Henry Wong and Rika Nonaka. He gets along very well with Henry right away, but the two boys take time to get to know and team up with Rika, who considers the Digimon to be “fighting machines”. As this group forms, Digimon invades Tokyo, Japan, specifically the Shinjuku district, appearing through multiple digital portals.
Why you should watch it: Digimon Tamers is not only one of the best installments in the franchise, but it is also a beautifully complex dark tale that expanded the lore in the best possible way. But, Digimon Tamers also focuses a lot on computer science and the digital networks created by humans, as well as its negative consequences, which is why science fans will certainly love it.
9. serial experiments lain
Release: July 6, 1998 – September 28, 1998
Number of Episodes: 13
What it’s about: After the suicide of the young Chisa Yomoda, some girls receive e-mails from the girl. The suspicion is that this is a bad joke, but one of them, Lain Iwakura is particularly intrigued. After asking her father for a new NAVI (Navigator, the evolution of the PC), she starts surfing the Wired (a computer network similar to the Internet) in search of answers.
From here on, a series of inexplicable events disrupt her life. She learns that another Lain, quite similar to her physically but temperamentally opposite, has made her an appearance of her both in the Wired and in the real world and that the Knights (knights – a group of hackers) are particularly interested in her.
Why you should watch it: Not only is serial experiments lain one of the best anime series in history, but it is also a deep and complex story about technology, (virtual) realities, and the very essence of human existence. There is a lot to enjoy for everyone here, including fans of computer sciences, philosophy, biology, psychology, and others, so lain is definitely a recommendation as it will blow your mind without a doubt.
10. Psycho-Pass
Original Run: October 12, 2012 – December 12, 2019
Number of Episodes: 41
What it’s about: In 2112, in Japan, Sibyl, a computer system, transformed society into a “perfect world”, thanks to the ubiquitous cameras, drones, and scanners, Sibyl is able to analyze and quantify the criminal intentions of a person (named “Psycho-Pass “) and determines who is likely to commit a crime. When a citizen exceeds the norm, the inspectors of the Bureau of Public Security accompanied by their executors (person having an abnormally high “Psycho-Pass”), pursue and apprehend these people to make them undergo therapy, lock them up or shoot them down. square.
This is the world that embarks Akane Tsunemori, a new inspector who has just joined Division 1 of the Public Security Bureau. She wishes to uphold justice truly and loyally, however she learns that Sibyl’s judgments are not as perfect as her colleagues think.
Why you should watch it: Psycho-Pass is focused more on the crime aspect of the series, as well as complex existential philosophy, but its futuristic and dystopian setting is more than enough to satisfy fans of science. It is a very hi-tech anime with a lot of intriguing technological novelties, and that is why you absolutely need to see it.
11. A.I.C.O. -Incarnation-
Original Run: March 9, 2018
Number of Episodes: 12
Why you should watch it: In 2035, a scientific project created an artificial life form that was given the name Matter. This begins to spiral out of control and spreads throughout the Kurobe Korge, a location in the Japanese Alps, popularly referred to as the Burst. Once upon a time, this city of science was the hope of mankind, but after the accident, all access to it is completely blocked by the government. Two years later, 15-year-old Aiko Tachibana, who has lost her family in the accident, learns from new classmate Yuya Kazaki that her body is fake and harbors a secret and that she must return to the place where the accident happened to prevent worse things from happening . She finds out everything she thought she knew was a lie and joins a diving team to get to the source and save her family.
Why you should watch it: This story is about biology and a future that might arrive one day, but also might not. A.I.C.O. -Incarnation- is definitely an intriguing tale that science fans will love, but also anime fans in general, as it offers a lot in terms of story and character development, which is why people like it so much.
12. Terror in Resonance
Original Run: July 10, 2014 – September 25, 2014
Number of Episodes: 11
What it’s about: The police are stumbling in the dark following the spectacular heist of plutonium from a processing facility in northern Japan. One of the offenders was able to enter undercover as a worker, and another used a snowmobile to smash through the barriers and leave once more with his accomplice and the stolen goods. They left a “VON” spray-painted on the floor.
The thieves, two young people who go by the names “Nine” and “Twelve,” go to the same summer school as Lisa Mishima. Her peers harass her, but the two new students appear to want to stand up for her. Soon after, the two take a field excursion to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to plant bombs and then start fires that bring down one of the two skyscrapers.
Why you should watch it: Well, Terror in Resonance is a really intriguing cult classic anime series that you will definitely love. It challenges you, as the viewer, to ponder its story and the psychological depth it has is also something you’ll love. As for science, Terror in Resonance focuses mainly on medicine.
13. Ergo Proxy
Original Run: February 25, 2006 – August 12, 2006
Number of Episodes: 23
Why you should watch it: The story takes place in Romdo, a futuristic city sheltered under a dome, built to protect the community of survivors from a virus raging outside. In this city, humans and robots coexist peacefully. But a series of murders caused by robots contaminated with the Cogito virus is starting to wreak havoc on the fragile balance that governs society.
Why you should watch it: Ergo Proxy is a thrilling story that people will definitely enjoy. It is a very popular cyberpunk title that gives us a specific insight into a futuristic world dominated by science and technology. It also has a very great protagonist that you will certainly grow to love. It might be a bit too gritty and too dark for some fans, but we guarantee that you’ll love it.
14. Moyasimon: Tales of Agriculture
Original Run: October 3, 2006 – June 26, 2007
Number of Episodes: 37
What it’s about: Moyashimon follows the life of a young man in his first year of university studies in an agricultural school, Tadayasu Sawaki. He can see and communicate with microorganisms and bacteria, which appear to him much larger than normal. This power makes him a minor celebrity in college. He learns that one of his teachers, Keizō Itsuki, already knew about Tadayasu’s power, having spoken to his grandfather about it. Professor Itsuki’s colleague Haruka Hasegawa does not believe in Tadayasu’s power but eventually comes to terms with it. Tadayasu enters university with his friend Kei Yûki, whose family runs a sake brewery.
Why you should watch it: Moyasimon is a pretty unique story and not something that everyone will love, but if you like science, is there anything better than a protagonist being able to talk to microorganisms? This is a blend of biology, botany, and agriculture that people will definitely enjoy, especially if they like a lighter approach to the plot.
15. Digimon Ghost Game
Original Release: October 3, 2021 – present
Number of Episodes: 55 (+ 1 special)
What it’s about: In recent years, an innovative technology, “holograms,” has emerged and unleashed a storm on social networks. Many claims to have had to deal with strange paranormal phenomena, which would be due to “hologram ghosts.” The father of schoolboy Hiro Amanokawa is missing. Rather helpful and serious, the young boy does his best to hold on in everyday life.
One fateful day, Hiro, very curious by nature, is carried on a mysterious artifact left by his father, a “Digivice,” a wristwatch that makes appear to his eyes unknown creatures that cannot be seen by ordinary mortals, the Digimon. A hologram of Hiro’s father appears alongside one of these creatures to tell him that he is alive and well. He meets Gammamon. A mischievous Digimon entrusted to him by his father. Hiro will then find himself confronted with various strange phenomena: like a man with a sewn mouth who steals the life expectancy of humans or even a mummy who wanders every night to sequester its prey.
These “holographic ghosts” are not far from the human beings whom they are targeting. Alongside their friends Kiyoshirō Higashimitarai and Jellymon, and later Ruli Tsukiyono and Angoramon, the protagonists Hiro and Gammamon face this other side of the world of which no Man is really aware.
Why you should watch it: Finally, we decided to close off this list with Digimon Ghost Game, an ongoing children’s anime series that is a continuation of the larger Digimon franchise. The science depicted here is mostly computer science, as modern technology, holograms, robots, and artificial intelligence play a very large role in the series, which is why science aficionados will certainly enjoy it.
