Time travel has captivated the human imagination for ages, offering the thrill of journeying through past and future events—an alluring concept indeed. Nonetheless, time travel narratives can sometimes become overly intricate and burdened with exposition. When crafted effectively, however, and paired with a compelling storyline and rich world-building, these tales can transform into extraordinary viewing experiences.
Anime is a genre that has thoroughly examined the concept of time travel, with entire series dedicated to the adventures of characters mysteriously transported to alternate realms, blending reality with fantasy. Some of these titles have quickly achieved classic status, garnering acclaim from discerning anime fans. To guide you through this fascinating theme, let’s explore the top time travel anime ever produced.
Updated October 19, 2024, by Mark Sammut: While time travel series in anime may not be the most prevalent, they certainly exist. Notably, Fall 2024 has introduced titles like The Do-Over Damsel Conquers The Dragon Emperor and a new season of Re:Zero, the latter already regarded as a masterpiece while the former has the potential to join the ranks. Earlier this year, the anime Terminator Zero also made its debut, receiving a fair amount of attention.
Among the newer offerings, two noteworthy series have emerged for discussion.
13 16bit Sensation: Another Layer
MyAnimeList: 6.90
The series 16bit Sensation: Another Layer is likely to provoke mixed reactions, largely due to its exuberant main character, Konoha. Those who find her endearing rather than irritating will appreciate this affectionate homage to ’90s video games and the bishoujo genre. Aspiring to emulate her gaming idols, Konoha finds herself in a contemporary industry that often churns out lackluster titles devoid of passion.
One day, she unexpectedly travels back to 1992 and quickly becomes involved with a gaming company specializing in nostalgic titles. In addition to participating in the development of her beloved games, Konoha navigates various key moments in gaming history, bouncing between the past and the present.
Though the plot has its flaws, 16bit Sensation: Another Layer effectively celebrates gaming’s legacy and the bishoujo genre. Its narrative may become perplexing towards the conclusion, yet it retains a lighthearted tone throughout.
12 Tokyo Revengers
MyAnimeList: 7.90 (Season 1)
Tokyo Revengers chronicles the life of Hanagaki Takemichi, a man who feels he has nothing to celebrate in life. His ordinary existence shifts dramatically after a bizarre accident sends him back in time. Initially disoriented, he soon realizes he’s been transported 12 years into the past. This narrative offers a refreshing departure from typical shonen tropes, with a protagonist who remains comparatively vulnerable throughout the series, which may divide opinions among viewers who expect character growth through physical prowess. Nonetheless, anyone eager for a “regular” character striving to alter the course of their future should give Tokyo Revengers a try.
Although it stands as one of the more recognized time travel anime, it may not rank among the absolute best. After its strong start, the series tends to falter, with subsequent arcs feeling repetitive. Moreover, the time travel mechanisms are not particularly innovative, mainly serving as a narrative device to facilitate the next story segment.
11 The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
MyAnimeList: 7.23 (Season 2, Endless Eight Arc)
Imagine a seemingly ordinary high school girl who possesses god-like abilities to shape reality! Meet Haruhi Suzumiya, a 15-year-old with the capacity to manipulate time and space, yet utterly unaware of her powers. The narrative revolves around Haruhi and Kyon, who belong to the school’s SOS Brigade, an after-school club dedicated to exploring supernatural phenomena while monitoring Haruhi’s potentially world-altering escapades. With every escapade, viewers gain deeper insights into Haruhi’s enigmatic nature.
It’s worth noting that The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya offers a rather ambiguous treatment of time travel, often referenced but seldom examined in depth. Although integral to the show’s lore, it barely qualifies as a time travel anime. The Endless Eight arc serves as a notable exception, wherein the protagonists find themselves trapped in a time loop that only Kyon seems to recognize. While this experimental segment is audacious, it tends to divide audiences and may detract from the overall pacing of the series.
10 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy!
MyAnimeList: 7.50
While not as plentiful as isekai-oriented stories, the past few years have seen the rise of time-traveling “villainess” narratives in anime, often featuring characters framed for wrongdoing, as seen in Tearmoon Empire. Among them, 7th Time Loop stands out for its well-crafted lead character, Rishe, who finds herself ensnared in a time loop that resets every time she dies, an event typically occurring within years.
After each reset, she wakes up on the day her shattered engagement is falsely annulled. Critically, each iteration allows her to gain new skills and knowledge, which cumulatively enhance her journey. This clever narrative setup substantiates her talents, allowing for rich character development.
In her seventh life cycle, Rishe unexpectedly finds herself betrothed to Arnold, a prince with a troubled destiny. Their relationship evolves intriguingly, growing from initial dislike into a partnership that allows both characters to flourish. Additionally, Rishe’s ability to apply lessons from previous loops adds another layer of intrigue to the series.
9 Inuyasha
MyAnimeList: 7.87
Inuyasha is a beloved anime based on Rumiko Takahashi’s illustrious work. The story centers on Kagome Higurashi, who tumbles into a well at her family’s shrine, unexpectedly finding herself in the turbulent Sengoku era. There, she encounters Inuyasha, and together, they embark on a quest across Japan to recover the shards of a fractured jewel.
Inuyasha distinguishes itself with a blend of adventure, action, and romance, making it an engaging experience for viewers. With a total of over 100 episodes, this series is perfect for fans seeking a long, compelling narrative.
8 The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
MyAnimeList: 8.10
Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, the 2006 animated film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time follows Makoto, a high school girl who discovers her ability to manipulate time. While initially thrilling, her misuse of such power leads to a series of intricate and challenging consequences. Although the plot might seem straightforward, this coming-of-age tale is rich with relatable moments and offers profound emotional depth.
Makoto is not just a captivating character; she embodies the relatable struggles of adolescents. Her time manipulation is utilized for typical teenage mischief, but the film takes a poignant turn with the introduction of a secondary character that alters the tone significantly.
7 Your Name
MyAnimeList: 8.83
Your Name explores the lives of Taki, a city boy, and Mitsuha, a rural girl, who swap bodies at sporadic intervals. This unique connection allows them to influence each other’s lives positively. However, as their bond deepens and they seek to unravel the mystery of their body-swapping, the phenomenon suddenly ceases, prompting Taki to uncover the reason behind it. The time travel narrative, though critical, remains subtly intertwined until significant revelations halfway through the movie.
Visually stunning and complemented by an incredible J-pop soundtrack from Radwimps, Your Name resonates deeply, ensuring viewers empathize with its characters. Since its release, it has firmly secured its place as one of the most cherished anime films in history, a status unlikely to diminish.
6 Re:Zero
MyAnimeList: 8.23 (Season 1)
Part of the isekai genre, Re:Zero tells the tale of Subaru Natsuki, who finds himself in a fantastical realm. His unique ability manifests when he dies, allowing him to respawn at the last checkpoint—similar to a video game mechanic—forcing him to navigate challenges until he reaches the next milestone. The psychological toll of witnessing his demise and the deaths of his friends significantly impacts his mental state, enhancing the overall narrative’s complexity.
Despite being somewhat ordinary and lacking physical prowess, Subaru must strategically wield his knowledge of events to survive encounters that supersede his capabilities. Re:Zero excels in character development, particularly exploring Subaru’s psyche under immense stress.
5 Erased
MyAnimeList: 8.30
Erased is a psychological thriller featuring elements of time travel, set in Tokyo and Hokkaido. The story follows Satoru, who experiences a phenomenon known as “revivals,” which sends him back to pivotal moments before catastrophes to thwart them from occurring. Following his mother’s murder, Satoru is sent back 18 years to safeguard not only her life but also that of his classmates whose fates tragically parallel her own.
A gripping narrative that ensures viewers remain on the edge of their seats, Erased is indispensable for fans of crime and mystery thrillers. While its conclusion is contentious, potentially affecting the series’ retrospective appeal, it remains an engaging watch.
4 Link Click
MyAnimeList: 8.73 (Season 1)
Remarkably, Link Click is a Chinese donghua rather than traditional Japanese anime, yet it deserves recognition for its excellence. The series revamps the time travel motif within a layered murder mystery, maintaining a consistent pace throughout. The central characters, Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, run a unique business that seeks to provide closure for clients. Utilizing a photograph, Cheng travels back to the time it was taken, immersing himself in the lives of those depicted to gather insights while aiming to avoid altering the timeline. Naturally, complications arise, leading to severe implications for the future.
From start to finish, Link Click captivates with its engaging plot and the dynamic chemistry between its lead characters. The early episodes initially resemble a case-of-the-week format, but as the plot progresses, all threads begin to intertwine, culminating in a compelling narrative.
3 The Tatami Galaxy
MyAnimeList: 8.56
A truly thought-provoking and artistic masterpiece, The Tatami Galaxy is a drama-comedy hybrid featuring a college student wrestling with regrets over his past two years. Upon meeting a girl, he finds himself reliving his college experience, traversing various timelines based on the clubs he chooses to join. Each episode reveals new paths filled with his struggles and lessons learned as he attempts to craft the life he envisions.
The Tatami Galaxy is an exhilarating journey enhanced by sharp writing, relatable characters, and a distinct visual style. This anime is a must-watch for anyone interested in the medium, irrespective of their fondness for time travel.
The Tatami Time Machine Blues is also highly recommended.
2 Summer Time Rendering
MyAnimeList: 8.48
Summer Time Rendering follows Shinpei Ajiro, a young man who loses both parents and grows up alongside his close friends Ushio and Mio. After years apart, he returns to his village to attend Ushio’s funeral, igniting a series of mysterious events.
This anime takes a fresh approach to time travel, melding elements of mystery and science fiction into a thrilling experience filled with unexpected twists in nearly every episode. As the narrative shifts towards battle shonen dynamics, it executes this transition seamlessly, ensuring viewers remain engaged.
1 Steins;Gate
MyAnimeList: 9.07
Regarded as one of anime’s masterpieces, Steins;Gate centers on Rintaro Okabe, a self-proclaimed mad scientist who invents a time machine. However, the nefarious organization SERN discovers his invention, leading to tragic consequences, including the death of one of Rintaro’s friends, prompting him to travel back in time to avert this tragedy and sparking an intricate chain of events.
Those who have experienced Steins;Gate commend its sophisticated handling of time travel concepts and the rules governing the narrative. This series is ideal for fans of romance, comedy, drama, and thought-provoking science fiction.
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