Introduction
The concept of traveling across time has always been one of the most interesting aspects of storytelling, and anime is not an exception to this rule. Anime that takes place in the past or the future can provide viewers with an experience that is both exciting and inventive. This is because the show’s characters are able to move across time. Anime about time travel can be interesting, thought-provoking, and even mind-bending at times. Some examples of these qualities include the exploration of different histories and the consideration of the ramifications of altering the past. This article will provide you with an overview of 24 of the most notable time travel anime series that you can watch in order to satiate your passion for the subgenre. Prepare yourselves to travel through both time and space by fastening your seatbelts and getting ready to take off!
Yumeiro Patissiere
Yumeiro Patissiere is a time travel anime that is both touching and hilarious. It tells the story of Ichigo Amano, a clumsy girl who adores sweets and is 14 years old. Yumeiro Patissiere takes place in the past. One day, she realizes that she possesses the capacity to see “spirit patissiers,” who are fantastical beings that provide inspiration to pastry chefs.
Ichigo journeys back in time to the Meiji era with the assistance of her newly made friends and spirit patissiers. There, she meets the great patissier Henri Lucas and learns the tricks of the trade for creating delectable desserts from him.
Ichigo must triumph over a number of obstacles along the way in order to realize her goal of becoming a pastry chef of world-class caliber. Yumeiro Patissiere is a joy for anime fans of all ages thanks to its wonderful characters, mouth-watering desserts, and time-traveling adventures.
Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL
Yuma Tsukumo, a young kid with dreams of becoming the best duelist in the world, is the protagonist of the popular time-travel anime Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL, tells the story of Yuma’s journey. One day, he comes upon a curious piece of equipment known as the “Numbers,” which grants him the ability to call forth strong monsters to assist him in battles.
Yuma goes across time with the assistance of his friends and allies who come from alternate versions of the past in order to retrieve all of the Numbers and keep them from falling into the wrong hands. Along the way, he will also have to engage in combat with a variety of adversaries, including his most sworn enemy, Kaito Tenjo.
lovers of the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, as well as lovers of time travel anime in general, should make it a point to watch Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL because of the intense dueling action, complicated plot, and memorable characters it features.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes
Legend of the Galactic Heroes is a famous time travel anime that is set in a far-off future in which humanity has colonized the galaxy and is locked in a battle between two superpowers, the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance, that has lasted for millennia. The story follows the adventures of a group of heroes who travel through time to stop the war.
The adventures of two extraordinary military commanders, Reinhard von Lohengramm of the Empire and Yang Wen-li of the Alliance are told throughout the series. These characters are tasked with navigating the intricate political and military terrain of their respective factions.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes is widely recognized as one of the best anime of all time and a masterpiece in the subgenre of time travel animation due to the epic scale of its story, the political intrigue it depicts, and the captivating characters it features.
El Hazard: The Wanderers
El Hazard: The Wanderers is a fun and exciting time travel anime that tells the narrative of Makoto Mizuhara, a high school student who, together with his classmates and their science instructor, is transferred to a fantastical world known as El Hazard. The plot follows their adventures in this new world as they try to return home.
In this strange realm, Makoto learns that he possesses magical talents and becomes embroiled in a fight between the reigning queen of El Hazard and her defiant sister. In addition, Makoto finds himself in the middle of the conflict. While Makoto and his friends are on their journey back to their own planet, they will encounter many different magical creatures and villains along the road.
They will need to overcome these obstacles in order to succeed. El Hazard: The Wanderers is a fun anime that will undoubtedly leave you with a smile on your face because of its endearing cast of characters, creative world-building, and hilarious adventures involving time travel.
Paprika
The line separating dreams and reality is explored in the time-traveling, artistically gorgeous anime Paprika. In the near future depicted in the film, “dream therapy” is a novel method of psychotherapy that enables therapists to enter patients’ dreams and aid in the resolution of their psychological issues.
The DC Mini is a potent dream-reading device, but when one of its prototypes ends up in the wrong hands, it unleashes a wave of turmoil as people’s dreams and realities start to converge. The only person who can halt the mayhem is Paprika, a brilliant but odd scientist who utilizes her knowledge of dream therapy to discover the truth about the DC Mini and prevent the end of the world.
Fans of time travel anime and psychological thrillers should not miss Paprika because of its strange imagery, complex plot, and thought-provoking concepts.
Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei
Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei, popularly known as The Tatami Galaxy, is a one-of-a-kind and experimental time travel anime that investigates the question “what if.” The protagonist of the series is an unnamed college student who is unhappy with his life at the moment and laments the decisions he has made, wishing that he could go back in time and change things.
He comes across a particular individual who presents him with the opportunity to recreate his time spent in college but with different options and results. After accepting the offer, the protagonist without a name finds himself trapped in a time loop that causes him to relive his college years but with a variety of new experiences and results in each time.
Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei is a one-of-a-kind anime that pushes viewers to reflect on the decisions they make in life and the outcomes of those decisions through the use of non-linear storytelling, vibrant animation, and philosophical concepts.
FLCL
FLCL, which is often referred to as Fooly Cooly, is a bizarre and surreal time-travel anime that resists straightforward classification. The narrative of the series focuses on Naota Nandaba, a little kid of twelve years old who resides in the made-up town of Mabase. When a mystery girl on a motorcycle going by the name Haruko Haruhara physically bursts into Naota’s life and hits him with her bass guitar, his life is flipped completely upside down.
Haruko reveals that she is an alien who is on a quest to find the “Pirate King,” and Naota finds entangled in a unique and surreal journey that involves robots, guitars, and time travel. Haruko is on a mission to find the “Pirate King.”
FLCL is a must-watch for lovers of time travel anime who are searching for something new and unorthodox because of the show’s hectic speed, strange characters, and offbeat humor.
Time Travel Shoujo: Mari Waka to 8-nin no Kagakusha-tachi
Time Travel Shoujo: Mari Waka to 8-nin no Kagakusha-tachi is a delightful and enlightening animation about time travel that takes viewers on an adventure through the history of Japan. The story of Mari Hayase, a high school student who discovers a mysterious book that grants her the ability to travel across time and change the past, is told in this series.
Mari has been given the mission of locating eight historical personalities who are in possession of the knowledge necessary to save the planet from an impending catastrophe. Along the way, Mari is exposed to the diverse history and culture of Japan, while simultaneously coping with the repercussions that would result from altering the past.
Time Travel Shoujo: Mari Waka to 8-nin no Kagakusha-tachi is an entertaining and enlightening anime that is ideal for anyone who is interested in Japanese history or time travel. The show features characters that are interesting to watch, material that is instructive, and exciting time travel adventures.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Based on Yasutaka Tsutsui’s book of the same name, “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” is a 2006 Japanese animated film directed by Mamoru Hosoda. The movie tells the tale of Makoto Konno, a high school student who discovers she has the power to time travel following an unusual meeting in her school’s science lab. As she experiments with her newly acquired abilities, she learns that changing the past might have unanticipated results.
Youth, friendship, and the effects of our acts are among the issues covered in the movie. Makoto is a likable lead character with genuine challenges, making her easy to support. The animation in the movie is breathtakingly gorgeous, with vivid colors and exquisitely detailed settings that vividly depict the world of the story.
The way “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time” strikes a balance between comical and serious subjects is one of its strongest points. The movie is frequently lighthearted and amusing, but it also explores more serious topics like regret, the passing of time, and the value of savoring the moments we have. The movie is a rich and emotionally evocative experience because of this balance of comedy and drama.
Orange: Mirai
Orange: Mirai is a time travel anime that is deeply moving and emotional. It addresses themes of regret, grief, and the strength of friendship. The narrative of the series focuses on Naho Takamiya, a high school student who discovers that she has been sent a letter from her adult self. The regret that she will feel in the future for not being able to prevent her friend Kakeru Naruse from ending her life by taking her own life is expressed in the letter.
In an effort to alter the course of events, Naho and her friends band together to offer Kakeru their support and try to spare him from a horrible conclusion. In spite of this, as they work to change the course of history, they are compelled to face the demons and insecurities that have plagued them throughout their lives.
Orange: Mirai is a must-watch for fans of time travel anime who are looking for an emotionally affecting examination of the human experience. The show’s poignant tale, characters that are easy to relate to, and beautiful animation make it a must-watch.
Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V
Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V is an action-packed anime about time travel that combines aspects of fantasy and science fiction to create a story that is both fascinating and engaging. The story of Yuya Sakaki, a young kid with aspirations of becoming a professional duelist, is told during the course of the series.
When Yuya learns that he has the capacity to travel between parallel universes, each of which has its own distinct history and cast of characters, his life takes a dramatic and unexpected turn for the worse. As Yuya travels across these parallel universes, he will face off against formidable adversaries and attempt to solve the enigma surrounding his own past.
Fans of the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise and anyone searching for an intriguing time travel anime should not pass up the opportunity to watch Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V because of the intense dueling sequences, dynamic characters, and deep plot it has.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Pokémon Magi Popular Japanese anime series Madoka Magica debuted in 2011 and is frequently shortened to Madoka Magica. Akiyuki Shinbo directed the show, which was produced by Studio Shaft. Gen Urobuchi oversaw the scripts.
A dark and perverse spin on the conventional magical girl genre is Madoka Magica. The narrative centers on a group of girls who, in exchange for having their desires granted, are offered the chance to transform into magical girls and battle witches. But being a magical girl comes with a high price, and the girls quickly learn the horrible reality of their abilities.
The distinctive and artistically gorgeous animation style of Madoka Magica is one of its most prominent features. Traditional animation and experimental creative forms, such as surrealism and avant-garde cinematography, are combined in the series.
Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle
The Tatami Galaxy is a time-traveling anime with stunning visuals that explores themes like self-discovery, regret, and the choices we make in life. The story of the show centers on the antics of an unknown college student who decides to repeatedly relive his college years after learning that he is trapped in a time loop. In each iteration, he joins a new club and pursues a new love interest in an effort to find the ideal existence that eludes him.
He does this with the intention of achieving contentment at last. However, as he continues his voyage across time and space, he gradually realizes the significance of staying in the present moment and the effects of his choices.
The Tatami Galaxy is the perfect choice for time travel anime fans looking for a unique and thought-provoking viewing experience because of its peculiar aesthetics, witty dialogue, and important themes that are tackled throughout the entire series.
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai
The anime series Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai is an exhilarating tale of time travel that blends elements of horror, mystery, and suspense to produce a story that is both riveting and tense. The series is a continuation of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and tells the story of a young kid called Keiichi Maebara who relocates to a rural community that has a history of unexplained deaths and disappearances.
During the course of Keiichi’s investigation into the sinister goings-on in Hamlet, he comes to the realization that he is able to go back in time and alter the way things turned out. However, as he explores deeper into the riddle, he comes to the realization that changing the past will have severe repercussions for the future.
Fans of time travel anime who also appreciate horror and suspense should not miss out on the opportunity to see Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai because of the show’s distinctive characters, dramatic and startling story twists, and unsettling atmosphere.
Re: Creators
The anime series Re: Creators is a one-of-a-kind and exciting adventure through time that blends aspects of science fiction and fantasy to produce a narrative that is intricate and thought-provoking. The narrative of the series follows the adventures of a cast of fictitious characters who find themselves thrust into the real world for no apparent reason.
While they are struggling to understand their new world and the nature of their existence, they must also face their creators and fight against the forces that wish to control their destinies. This must be done concurrently with their struggle to comprehend their new reality.
Re: Creators is a must-watch for fans of time travel anime who are searching for a new and original take on the genre due to the show’s dynamic characters, deep plot, and beautiful action sequences.
A Certain Scientific Railgun
A Certain Scientific Railgun is an action-packed time travel anime that takes set in a future where superpowers, often known as “esper abilities,” are a reality. The show follows the adventures of a group of teenagers who have the ability to travel through time. The plot of the series focuses on Mikoto Misaka, a formidable electro-master who studies at an academy in Academy City designed specifically for espers.
After Mikoto uncovers a hazardous plot that involves the manipulation of time and space, she is forced to use her abilities, along with the assistance of her friends, in order to put an end to the villains and save the city.
Fans of time travel anime who also appreciate science fiction and superhero stories should definitely check out A Certain Scientific Railgun because of the exciting action sequences, interesting characters, and detailed world-building that the show features.
Gunbuster
Gunbuster is a time travel anime classic that blends mecha, science fiction, and coming-of-age themes to produce a compelling and one-of-a-kind narrative. The story of Noriko Takaya, a young girl with ambitions of becoming a mecha pilot and defending the earth from extraterrestrial invaders, is told during the course of the series.
While she is in training to reach her objective, she must also contend with the mental and physical hurdles that come with becoming a pilot, as well as the prospect of traveling across time.
Gunbuster is an absolute must-watch for everyone who enjoys vintage animation and storytelling, as well as fans of time travel anime. It features breathtaking animation, dramatic action sequences, and a touching plot.
Mirai Nikki
The story of Yukiteru Amano, a high school student who is compelled to take part in a lethal survival game by a god-like entity, is told in the time travel anime Mirai Nikki, which is both exhilarating and dark. Mirai Nikki recounts Yukiteru’s journey.
Yukiteru finds out as the game goes on that he possesses a potent talent to anticipate the future, which he employs in an effort to outwit his opponents and stay alive. Along the way, he stumbles across Yuno Gasai, a mysterious girl who ends up being his ally as well as the object of his romantic interest.
Fans of time travel anime who are also fans of psychological thrillers and suspenseful stories should definitely check out Mirai Nikki because of the show’s strong action, complicated characters, and mind-bending plot twists.
Time Travel Tondekeman!
Time Travel Tondekeman! is an amusing and enjoyable anime about time travel that tells the story of three children who discover a time machine and travel back in time to the Edo period in Japan. The story centers on the adventures that the children have throughout their journey.
The events that occurred during their time there form the core of the story. As they look for a method to get back to the present, they encounter interesting characters from the past and become involved in exciting adventures along the way. All of this happens while they are trying to find their way back to the present.
Fans of time travel anime who also enjoy comedies and stories about exciting adventures will find that Time Travel Tondekeman! is an absolute must-watch owing to the show’s bright animation, humorous characters, and fascinating storyline. Time Travel Tondekeman!
Zipang
Zipang is an anime series with a historical and military focus that examines the idea of time travel through the perspective of conflict and the passage of time. The protagonists of the novel are the sailors serving aboard the Japanese Aegis destroyer Mirai, who discover that they have been transported back to the middle of World War II.
At the same time that they are debating the moral and ethical repercussions of their situation, they have to negotiate the intricate and perilous political terrain of the conflict and determine whether or not to intervene in the course of history or to allow it to unfold in the way that it did. Zipang is a must-watch for fans of time travel anime who enjoy war stories and alternate history situations.
The historical background of the show has been thoroughly studied, and it presents a realistic picture of military tactics and technology. In addition, the show’s examination of time travel topics provides food for thought.
yu-gi-oh! 5d’s
The iconic time travel anime Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s is set in the far future when dueling has developed into a high-speed sport that is performed on motorbikes. In this version of the game, the duelists ride around on their bikes. Yusei Fudo, a skilled duelist, is the protagonist of this narrative. He is falsely accused of committing a crime for which he was not responsible and sentenced to time in a harsh institution.
Yusei needs to break out of prison and discover the truth about the scheme that led to his being locked up, and he can do so with the assistance of his friends and his skill as a duelist. Along the way, he makes the startling discovery that he possesses the power of the fabled Crimson Dragon, a creature that has the ability to bend time and space.
Fans of the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, as well as fans of time travel anime in general, should not miss out on watching Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s because of the intense dueling action, interesting characters, and time travel components it has.
Fate/stay night
In the distant future, when dueling has evolved into a high-speed sport played on motorbikes, the renowned time-traveling anime Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s is set. The players in this version of the game pedal about on bicycles. The protagonist of this story is the talented duelist Yusei Fudo. He was wrongly accused of committing a crime for which he was not accountable and given a heavy prison sentence.
With the aid of his friends and his abilities as a duelist, Yusei can escape prison and learn the truth about the plot that resulted in his being imprisoned. Along the way, he startlingly learns that he possesses the strength of the legendary Crimson Dragon, a being with the power to change time and space. Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s, with its intense dueling action, intriguing characters, and time travel elements, is a must-watch for lovers of the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise and time travel anime in general.
High School DxD BorN
The popular anime series High School DxD BorN has elements of time travel as part of its spooky and action-packed tale. The series is also known as High School DxD BorN. Issei Hyodo, a perverse high school student, is the main character of this narrative. He is slain by a girl on his first date, and then he is reborn as a devil by a beautiful devil named Rias Gremory.
The story recounts their adventures together. Issei is inducted into the devil family of Rias and given the responsibility of assisting in the defense of their realm against a variety of dangers. In the third season of “Born,” Issei and the rest of BorN’s companions are given the mission of traveling back in time to stop a disastrous event from taking place in the present.
For viewers interested in the supernatural and time travel anime, High School DxD BorN is an absolute must-see due to the special way in which it combines comedy, action, and time travel.
Scrapped Princess
Japanese light novel series called Scrapped Princess was created by Yukinobu Azumi and Ichiro Sakaki. The plot takes place in a universe where a prophecy states that a strong princess by the name of Pacifica Casull will bring about the apocalypse on her sixteenth birthday. She is therefore sought by the Church and dubbed the “Scrapped Princess.”
Shannon and Raquel, Pacifica’s adoptive siblings and accomplished warriors, guard her. Together, they travel, attempting to elude the Church and learn the meaning of the prophecy. They run into both friends and foes along the road, including a young prince and a gang of ruthless assassins.
Additionally, the series has been turned into a manga and an anime, both of which stick to the same core plot. Strong character development and action-packed combat are hallmarks of the anime adaptation.
Conclusion
Over the years, time travel anime has grown in popularity, with many of them examining the advantages and drawbacks of time travel. The anime on this list offer a variety of various genres and styles, each having its own distinctive perspective on time travel, from action-packed adventures to heartwarming tales. There is an anime on this list for everyone, whether you enjoy romance or science fiction. These time travel anime are sure to enthrall and entertain you with their complex plotlines, engaging characters, and beautiful animation.
So make sure to check out the programs on this list if you’re looking to learn more about the potentialities of time travel while also enjoying some fantastic anime. Each one presents a distinctive viewpoint on time travel and is certain to provoke thought long after the final episode.
