Are artificial intelligence-powered apps, machines, and robots astounding you with their new developments? Is working with ChatGPT blowing away your mind? Or was it the ‘questionable actions’ of the Saudi AI company's humanoid robot that allegedly touched a female reporter during its ‘revealing interview’ that made you question the sentient feeling AI might develop? Or are you a science fiction movie buff, down to watch and read anything sci-fi, regardless of the sub-genre?
Although our world is just coming to terms with the use of artificial intelligence in everyday life, AI-themed anime has been providing thought-provoking entertainment to devoted Otakus for over five decades. For new fans, choosing where to start with the vast amount of anime series available can be overwhelming. However, there are some exceptional AI-themed anime series that are worth watching, no matter what your preferences are. So, if you are an anime fan, here is a guide to the top 5 best AI anime series you can start watching today!
Battle Angel Alita
The release of the 2019 American feature film based on the original 1990s Japanese manga more commonly known as Gunnm by YukitoKishiro reintroduced the whole world to the female cyborg Alita. But long before the movie, the 1993 anime OVA series “Battle Angel” had gained a cult following among anime and manga fans. The intense themes and human experiences expressed through the lens of this anime are thought-provoking and emotional. Filled with complex cyberpunk overtones, relatable, multifaceted characters, and an intricate futuristic world, this anime series follows the grim life of an AI-powered young female cyborg who retains her human emotions to some extent due to advanced cybernetic technology after being restored by a cyberphysician. In a futuristic society characterized by rigid class systems and a pervasive lack of emotions, Atila's journey unfolds as she explores her true identity while grappling with the complex human emotions surging within her.
Battle Angel Alita is a perfect anime for new fans of the AI genre. The intense narrative, coupled with beautiful visuals, immerses viewers in a world overtaken by mechanical coldness, creating a compelling exploration of a society where emotions have been stifled.
Time of Eve
The 2008 Yasuhiro Yoshiura anime production, Time of Eve, is a thought-provoking masterpiece that tells the tale of a young boy, RikuoSakisaka, and his family's android, Sammy. Rikuo lives in a society that has grown so used to using humanoid robots in their lives that these beings are only seen as household machines used for convenience and efficiency. Sammy is regarded by Rikuo as nothing more than a glorified computer, an inanimate tool whose purpose is to make him more productive and happy. But Rikuo's idea of Sammy and androids in general changes when he discovers that she has a life of her own at a cafe called the “Time of Eve,” and his perception of these ‘machines’ changes as he learns more about their nature of consciousness and identity.
Time of Eve raises the challenging question of the consequences of a society's over-reliance on artificial intelligence. As we rely more and more on AI technology for even the most basic tasks, it is important to consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of this reliance. Time of Eve forces us to keep in mind that although embracing new technologies often offers substantial benefits, it is only practical to acknowledge that there might be unintended repercussions as well.
Pluto
Astro Boy manga and anime fans were excited to hear about the release of a new reimagined anime version of the original Japanese classic by Osama Tezuka. However, they got more than just a retelling of the heroic stories of a superpowered robot boy. Naoki Urasawa's Pluto is a psychological murder mystery that explores the controversial aspects of modern AI development in depth.
The story that starts with the investigation of the murder of the first super robot spirals out to seek answers to pressing moral questions that we are facing in our society, which is gradually integrating AI more deeply into our everyday lives. The serial murderer proceeds to kill seven of the world’s most advanced robots along with their human allies, and Gesicht, a humanoid robot detective, is tasked with investigating these mysterious murders.
Pluto powerfully illustrates complex questions, such as how AI systems learn biases rooted in their creators' skewed perspectives. The anime explores the potential consequences if an AI system with inherent bias were created and given the power to injure and kill.
The Gene of AI
The 2023 anime The Gene of AI, based on a 2015 Japanese manga, is about a human doctor who treats humanoids. Set in a world where robots and cyborgs live right alongside humans and make up a significant portion of the population, the anime recounts the everyday struggles of a doctor who treats sentient AI-powered machines. In the Gene of AI world, while the humanoid population is substantial and faces numerous significant problems and diseases, they sadly lack the rights, treatment options, and access to facilities that could protect and cure them from their ailments.
"The Gene of AI" is an insightful anime that invites viewers to think about issues we will most likely be facing in the not-too-distant future. It asks pressing questions regarding how AI should be regulated, given that it is currently not subject to strict rules or policies. Especially as AI becomes more prevalent in society, The Gene of AI asks all the right questions regarding the rights of man-made machines that have learned sentience due to human interventions.
Ghost in the Shell
The Ghost in the Shell anime series gained numerous new fans, particularly in the US and UK, largely after they learned about the whitewashing controversy surrounding the casting of the Hollywood adaptation. Despite the controversy, the popularity of the original anime series based on the 1989 Japanese manga remains unaffected and continues its indisputable cult status among manga and anime fans.
MasamuneShirow’s Japanese cyberpunk series, Ghost in the Shell, is a true gem from the 90’s. In a dystopian world where humans have already mastered the technology to ‘upgrade’ themselves using cybernetic enhancements, "Ghost in the Shell" follows the enigmatic life of Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg officer, and his team, who are tasked with investigating cybercrime and terrorism. In this world, the distinction between humans and machines becomes increasingly indistinct, blurring the lines between the identity of humanity and artificial technology.
The beauty of this anime lies in the realistic portrayal of the consequences of omnipresent AI. Be it the relatable protagonist, the malevolent antagonists, or the constructs of society, every aspect of Ghost in the Shell is extremely relevant to present-day discussions of AI, making it even more engaging and quite terrifying at the same time.
