Calling all retro-tech enthusiasts! Ever dreamt of cruising in a flying car, blasting aliens with a raygun in a world bathed in chrome? That’s the atompunk dream, a perfect blend of 1950s optimism, futuristic tech, and towering chrome cities. And guess what? Anime dove headfirst into this aesthetic, creating some truly incredible shows. If you’re ready to blast off on an adventure through this neon-lit wonderland, buckle up! We’re counting down the 7 atompunk anime that are guaranteed to crank your nostalgia levels to eleven.
Last Exile
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Airship aficionados, assemble! Get ready for “Last Exile,” a soaring adventure set in the skies of Prester, a world where airships rule the clouds.
Imagine a place where flight is everything, thanks to a special liquid crystal called Claudia Fluid. In Prester, two nations, Anatoray and Disith, are locked in a never-ending struggle. But there’s a mysterious force controlling the flow of the skies: the Guild. They hoard the tech for fluid-powered engines and act as the judge between the warring countries.
Our story follows Claus Valca, the son of a legendary vanship pilot, and his best friend Lavie, a whiz at navigating. They zoom around in their trusty two-seater, braving the treacherous Grand Stream that divides the nations as Sky Couriers. Things get interesting when they’re entrusted with a secret mission: delivering a mysterious young girl, Alvis Hamilton, to a battleship called the Silvana.
This seemingly simple delivery job throws them headfirst into a fight against the all-powerful Guild. Get ready for airships, dazzling crystals, political twists and turns – all with a cool Atompunk vibe. “Last Exile” blends classic and cutting-edge technology with breathtaking visuals, making it a must-watch for any Atompunk enthusiast!
Steamboy
Hey steampunk lovers! Get ready to blast off to Victorian England in the anime “Steamboy.”
This action-packed adventure stars Ray, a teenage genius inventor who stumbles upon a mysterious package from his grandpa – the Steam Ball. But this ain’t your average gift. The Steam Ball holds the key to unlimited steam power, and everyone from good guys to bad guys wants to get their hands on it.
Ray’s world gets flipped upside down as he becomes the target of the shady O’Hara Foundation, who will stop at nothing to steal the Steam Ball for their own wicked plans. Now, Ray has to use his brains and brawn to outsmart a never-ending stream of villains and protect this game-changing invention.
“Steamboy” throws you into a world where steam tech runs wild! It’s a perfect blend of classic steampunk style with mind-blowing inventions, all set against the backdrop of Victorian England. Think airships, wacky gadgets, and a thrilling fight for the future – all wrapped up in a visually stunning adventure. Get ready to be glued to your screen!
Deca-Dence
Deca-Dence throws you into a world where humanity huddles inside a giant moving fortress called Deca-Dence, facing off against monstrous creatures known as Gadoll.
Society’s divided: There are the Gears, the brave warriors who fight the Gadoll, and the Tankers, who keep things running behind the scenes. Our heroine, Natsume, is a spunky Tanker with a prosthetic arm who dreams of joining the fight. Despite rejections, her determination is unwavering.
Enter Kaburagi, a mysterious armor repairer with a hidden past. He sees something special in Natsume and takes her under his wing. Their unlikely partnership blossoms into a mentor-student bond that challenges the established order.
Deca-Dence isn’t just about fighting monsters. The anime explores themes of resilience, defying limitations, and the fight for a better future. Plus, it’s infused with a cool Atompunk aesthetic, a retro-futuristic style that adds a unique touch.
Pale Cocoon
“Pale Cocoon” is a captivating atompunk anime set in a post-apocalyptic future. In this world, history’s continuity has shattered, leaving behind vast, endless ruins. Oceans and continents are nothing but memories, preserved in ancient archives. The story follows Ura, who works in the Archive Excavation Department. His job involves restoring and analyzing the precious data from the past.
However, one day, Ura stumbles upon a deeply unsettling visual record. This discovery sets the stage for a gripping exploration of the atompunk theme, where technology and its consequences play a central role. “Pale Cocoon” delves into a world where the remnants of history are pieced together, revealing the stark contrast between the past and the bleak present. It’s a thought-provoking journey that invites viewers to ponder the implications of a broken, technologically driven society.
The Big O
“The Big O” is an Atom-punk anime set in Paradigm City, a place haunted by collective amnesia and the remnants of a mysterious disaster that occurred 40 years ago. The city is shrouded in an enigmatic fog of forgotten pasts and ruined ambitions.
The story revolves around Roger Smith, a professional negotiator and a suave agent who is a self-proclaimed ladies’ man with a penchant for wearing funeral black. He takes on seemingly straightforward negotiation tasks, but these often escalate into him becoming Paradigm City’s savior from crime and danger.
As Roger delves deeper into the city’s hidden layers, he discovers that nothing is as it initially appears. To navigate this gray world, he is aided by Norman, a skilled and loyal butler, and Dorothy, a human-like android with a dry sense of humor. They are also accompanied by the colossal black mecha known as the Big O, a relic from the past.
Together, they help Roger mete out justice in Paradigm City and uncover the long-buried truth about the calamity that struck 40 years ago. “The Big O” blends Atom-punk elements with a captivating storyline of mystery, action, and intrigue, making it a must-watch for those intrigued by this unique subgenre.
Gankutsuou
Love revenge stories and mind-blowing settings? “Gankutsuou” is an epic anime that whisks you away to the year 5053 – a future where high-tech wonders meet fancy balls like something out of a history book.
Imagine the moon, but instead of craters, there’s a giant city called Luna. That’s where our two French dudes, Albert and Franz, find themselves during a wild moon carnival. Franz is there to party, but Albert? He’s searching for more meaning in life.
Then, things get interesting. They meet the mysterious Count of Monte Cristo at a fancy opera. The Count is everything – charming, mysterious, and super rich (thanks to himself, not his family). Albert takes the Count under his wing, introducing him to Luna’s high society. But here’s the twist: the Count has a secret plan – revenge on those who messed him up in the past.
That’s where the Atom-punk part comes in. This anime isn’t just about revenge; it’s about a cool clash between super advanced technology and old-fashioned aristocracy. As Albert gets tangled up with the Count’s revenge quest, you’ll be wondering – how far will the Count go? What price do you pay for vengeance?
Memories
Magnetic Rose: Set in the far reaches of space, this story follows engineers Heintz Beckner and Miguel Costrela, who stumble upon a massive, abandoned space station. Inside, they discover a dilapidated mansion and a mysterious past tied to Eva Friedel, a tragic opera singer. As they explore further, hallucinations begin to haunt them, and they must battle to keep their sanity and escape the station’s mysteries. The tale combines the allure of space exploration with the eerie atmosphere of forgotten technology, a classic feature of Atompunk.
Stink Bomb: In a more humorous and absurd Atom-punk setting, we follow lab technician Nobuo Tanaka. After ingesting experimental pills meant to cure his cold, he unwittingly gains the power of deadly flatulence. With this unusual ability, he embarks on a journey to reach the company headquarters in Tokyo, all the while being pursued by various authorities and foreign adversaries. This story is a comical take on the dangers of unchecked scientific experimentation, set against a backdrop of corporate intrigue and technological mishaps.
Cannon Fodder: In a fortified city that exudes Atom-punk aesthetics, a young boy aspires to become an esteemed artillery officer, following in his father’s footsteps. The city is obsessed with its cannons and daily bombardment routines, even in the absence of any apparent enemy. The boy dreams of one day firing a cannon for the sake of his homeland, showcasing the blend of militarism and technological fervor that is characteristic of the Atompunk genre.