For our ongoing series of articles depicting the best anime, our attention this time turns to pirates. From earthly adventures to intergalactic missions, there’s a good choice to whet your appetite. Of course, if we’ve missed any of your favorites, feel free to comment below and we’ll get them added on!
One Piece
One Piece, Bleach, and Naruto are considered to be Shonen Jump’s star children in the anime and manga industry. The former is an incredible pirate-themed anime with likable characters, a well-written storyline, and a colorful world.
Luffy’s journey won’t be a simple walk in the park. This anime will place many obstacles in Luffy’s path, challenging him and his team’s morals and abilities. His world is a fantastical playground that continues dropping new mishaps for Luffy and his friends to solve. If you’re looking for a fun and enjoyable pirate-themed anime with multiple twists and reveals, check out One Piece.
Outlaw Star
This 26-episode series will leave you speechless and full of glee with its endless comedy. From its western aesthetic to the wonderful worlds its characters explore, fans are in for an exciting time with Outlaw Star. Our story follows Gene, a man who wants to pilot a spacecraft that will take him and his pal James on an incredible adventure through outer space. Suddenly, Gene and James meet a treasure hunter named Rachel who provides them with a life-changing opportunity. Rachel offers to take them onboard her spacecraft called the Outlaw Star if they can watch over a girl named Melfina. The two accept the offer and that is where our journey with these space pirates begins. While Gene can finally fulfill his lifelong dream, he must tackle numerous obstacles that will develop him into a formidable space warrior. If you’re in need of a pirate-themed anime that can provide epic battles and laughs, check out Outlaw Star.
Ellcia
While they’re off combatting Megaronia, the Megaronia princess is looking for a legendary mythic ship. This ship has weaponry capable of laying waste to everyone and everything in Megaronia. A battle of swords, sorcery, and technology awaits fans in this mesmerizing tale of good vs evil. As mentioned earlier, this anime doesn’t have the most complex narrative out there. What makes this a polarizing show for many pirate fans is its action scenes and characters. Both factors play a role in helping viewers stay invested in the show. With only four episodes, this is a great anime to binge.
Mars Daybreak
Mars Daybreak is another pirate anime that doesn’t offer the best storyline. While the ideas it presents feel more original and unique than anything Ellcia offers, the overarching plot doesn’t leave much to be desired. That said, this anime offers a mix of romance, drama, action, and comedy. Its characters feel well-rounded and authentic. Through their countless interactions and goofy antics they get involved in, these characters make the anime feel gratifying. Furthermore, the series’ animation is decent, but there are a few instances where the characters don’t look great. Therefore, if you’re looking for a pirate-themed show that offers a bit of everything and has fun characters, you should watch Mars Daybreak.
Sol Bianca
Sol Bianca takes place in a futuristic world where humans have colonized other planets and abandoned all memory of Earth. At the center of this vast world is a group of female space pirates who come across a young girl named Mayo who stows away on their ship. After Mayo joins the crew, the female pirate crew embarks on a journey to Earth to uncover the mystery surrounding Mayo’s parents and the Earth itself. This anime offers an atmosphere that feels original and visually appealing. The adventures the crew embarks on are amusing, but not anything to write home about. This anime features a great variety of music from soothing orchestral themes to rock n’ roll-type beats. If you’re looking for a pleasing anime to watch about a band of female pirates, Sol Bianca’s worth watching.
Space Pirate Captain Harlock
Space Pirate Captain Harlock takes place in the distant future where everyone from government officials to local citizens go about their daily lives. Everyone except for Captain Harlock. This guy leads a group of rebels and goes on multiple journeys while aboard his spaceship Arcadia. One day, a mysterious force called the Mazone invades Earth and takes the shape of a woman who can kill anybody. The Mazone targets a man named Tadashi after killing his father. Because of this, Tadashi joins Captain Harlock and his crew as they attempt to defeat the alien menace. From Captain Harlock to Tadashi, everyone has a decent story to tell. These characters receive enough screen time and development for fans to grow attached to them. Unfortunately, the anime’s storytelling, explanations, and its world’s origins don’t offer much complexity. It follows the trend of most shows with its “enemy of the week” story structure. On the other hand, it’s the series’ battles and characters that help the anime stand toe to toe with some greats. Visually, the anime holds up well despite being a show that was released in the late 70s. While its storytelling lacks depth, the psychological and biological warfare will keep you invested. If you’re looking for a retro anime with decent storytelling, marvelous space battles, and likable characters, check out Space Pirate Captain Harlock.
Coyote Ragtime Show
Are you searching for pirate anime that comes out the gates swinging with its first episode? Fear not, as Coyote Ragtime Show might be the anime for you. This series contains a great blend of comedy and action. Visually, its world offers spectacular scenery and characters you’ll grow fond of. The story portion takes some time to pick up though. This show likes to drip-feed viewers new information at a slow pace. Nevertheless, the show’s characters and adventurous atmosphere are two aspects that keep fans engaged. Each character the protagonist meets adds something flavorful to the story. The action in this series is impeccable and well-choreographed. Unfortunately, the series’ animation lacks in quality whenever characters participate in mundane activities from traveling to conversing. If you can look past these few shortcomings, you’re in for a treat with Coyote Ragtime Show.
Fena: Pirate Princess
Fena: Pirate Princess is one of those original works that can be hit or miss depending on your individual tastes in anime. It’s a show that won’t meet everyone’s expectations but offers incredible elements that’ll keep you hooked. This anime follows 23-year-old Fena, who gets trapped on an island and must sell herself to men to get by. One night, Fena flees from a deal thanks to two old acquaintances of hers. The three travel across the sea and arrive at Goblin Island. This is where Fena learns more about her father’s last voyage in search of a place called Eden. With a clear crystal as her guide, Fena embarks on a mission with her seven-person crew to find Eden. Like most pirate narratives, Fena stumbles upon many notorious pirates who are after her and Eden. The gunfights and action in this anime is unbelievable. It offers a sea-like atmosphere that’ll calm anyone’s nerves too. This anime utilizes visual storytelling and builds upon the world through character interaction and references to traditional eastern and western themed tales. The story itself doesn’t land at a solid conclusion as it feels rushed and presents solutions that lack coherence. While the visuals and animation that accompanied its ending were great, the conclusion fails to deliver a satisfying and well-written experience. If you can look past its ending and view the series’ most highlighted components, you’re in for a worthwhile time with Fena: Pirate Princess.
Space Adventure Cobra
Space Adventure Cobra is a series that shoves stories away for more fun action set pieces. It spends time fleshing out its characters in deeper layers and gives off an excellent feeling of adventure. While it lacks in many areas, it makes up for it with astonishing visuals and epic space warfare. That said, this show has its share of seriously dramatic moments. You’ll see characters reflect upon their past lives and judge themselves for whom they have become in the present. At the same time, these same characters indulge in humor that feels wittier in retrospect. Cobra comes off as this invincible hero during the anime. Fans hoping to see him lose will be disappointed. This is a show best enjoyed with your brain shut off.
Elemental Gelade
Elemental Gelade is about a sky pirate named Coud stumbling upon Ren, who airs from a race called Edel Reid. This race is worshipped by humans because they can grant them formidable combat power. Suddenly, the Edel Reid Complete Protection Agency stumbles on his ship, wishing to purchase Ren. Refusing their offer causes the ship to get assaulted by a weird force. Coud’s captain orders him to guard Ren, leading to an adventure of fun proportions. This story is rather simple but offers a nice blend of action and emotional segments to keep viewers entertained. Action-wise, this series offers some variety in the way the villains approach Coud and his friends. Each enemy offers a unique fighting style and most battles take place in different territories to make each bout refreshing. This show offers some degree of romance between Coud and Ren that is sweet and slightly unexpected. If you’re looking for a pirate anime with a steady flow, a decent story, and fun characters, check out Elemental Gelade. So, there we have it, our picks for the best anime through the years about pirates! What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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