The Best Anime Shows With A Multiverse

Anime has always been a source of entertainment based on imagination and creativity. This imagination originated directly from the traditional Japanese art that was later translated into manga, which is what every anime is based on. These stories are peak fiction, and nothing reflects this better than stories having alternate worlds or multiverses.

From mind-altering timelines to parallel realities, multiverse anime jumps right into the limitless possibilities of what could happen or what could be in a different world. Such series often leave fans questioning reality while they munch on popcorn as they see the fantastical narratives stretched out in front of them.

10

Tenchi Muyo!

The Classic That Started The Multiverse Trend

Tenchi Muyo! is one of the pioneers of anime that explored multiverse elements when it wasn’t even a thing when released in the early ’90s. This classic anime series has everything in it, from the space opera theme to comedy to even parallel dimensions, as you see characters traveling from one universe to another.

The anime follows the life of Tenchi Masaki, a seemingly ordinary teenager who learns that he is part of an ancient intergalactic legacy when he finds himself stuck in between the conflicts of aliens. You follow his adventures and are instantly taken on a wild ride through space and alternate realities.

9

Gintama: 3rd Year Class Z Ginpachi-Sensei

A Hilarious Multiverse Spin-Off

Gintama fans already know how wild this series can get, but its spin-off, 3rd Year Class Z Ginpachi-Sensei, pushes this absurdity to new heights. In this alternate reality, the characters from the main series find themselves in a high school, with Ginpachi serving as their teacher.

Though primarily a parody, the series picks up on the same comedic tone of the original series. And, while it’s never confirmed, the series cleverly presents the multiverse theme by flipping the world of Gintama. The exaggerated high school hijinks were just a hilarious take on the familiar characters that show fans just love.

8

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Existentialism Across Multiple Realities

Neon Genesis Evangelion isn’t just about giant mechas and fighting evil, but it is also a beautiful commentary on existentialism and the human psyche. The franchise’s multiverse aspect comes alive through its retellings, such as The End of Evangelion and the Rebuild series, which reimagines the story differently.

Each adaptation of Evangelion offers a different perspective, all set in a different timeline that dissects its complex characters and plot even further. Such storytelling makes this show a timeless masterpiece, one that everyone wants to revisit to come up with different interpretations with every watch.

7

Naruto

The Infinite Tsukuyomi’s Dream Worlds

During the Infinite Tsukuyomi arc, we see Madara Uchiha activating a powerful genjutsu, trapping everyone in a dreamy state and creating alternate realities analogical to their deepest desires.

While these worlds exist as illusions, they show us what could’ve happened differently in Naruto’s universe. In these dream worlds, the sweet Hinata is in a good relationship with Naruto, while Gaara just had a childhood where his parents loved him. By trapping them all in their dreams, Madara wanted to create a world that was free of conflict and sorrow.

6

Fate Series

The Fate Series Has The Most Alternate Timelines

The Fate series is all about multiverses, where each iteration presents an alternate timeline with infinite scenarios and possibilities that could just happen. By doing so, the series cements itself as one of the best multiverse anime ever.

Whether it’s the visual novel adaptations or spin-offs like Fate/Grand Order, each story presents us with a reimagined story of our favorite characters, their relations, and, most importantly, their fate. All thanks to the stunning animation by Studio Ufotable, the show makes you scratch your head and ask, what if your life has a different version somewhere?

5

Bokurano

A Haunting Parallel World

First published in the Shogakukan’s Seinen magazine, Bokurano is a very interesting take on alternate realities. The story revolves around a group of children who are piloting a giant robot, thinking that they are saving the world, only to find out that they’re fighting counterparts from parallel universes.

The series is disturbing at times when you see the lives of these children getting wrecked as they have to face one another, and by using their life force, they have to win the battles. The moral dilemmas that the show presents make it a must-watch for people who prefer a serious sci-fi show.

4

Your Name

A Love Story Spanning Different Timelines

Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name is one such film that was even enjoyed by Western audiences due to its breathtaking visuals and emotionally charged story, making it an unforgettable romantic film.

The film is about two teenagers, Taki and Mitsuha, who mysteriously swap bodies across different timelines when Mitsuha wishes to be a handsome boy and has dreams that go outside her town. Just as they try to understand each other, the film explores themes of fate, love, and the impact that our small choices can have on someone else’s life.

3

Steins;Gate

Time-Travelling Can Cause A Multiverse Of Problems

The Japanese time-travel anime Steins;Gate has a genius plot, and the show creators actually adapted the series from a game with the same title released back in 2009.

Set in the town of Akihabara, which is very popular in Japanese pop culture, the show follows the story of Okabe Rintarou, whose accidental creation of a time machine makes him alter the laws of physics to send messages to the past. While he and his friends spiral through past timelines, they mess up everything with their choices. Unknowingly, they change the events of the future, creating a mess that is impossible to contain.

2

Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World

Subaru Can Come Back From Death And Create Alternate Timelines

Subaru Natsuki’s cycle of life and death makes Re:Zero one of the most intense multiverse-themed anime ever. Every time Subaru dies, he’s thrust back to a specific point in time, where he can again make changes and start a new life, but he gets to keep all his previous memories.

However, he’s not a typical Isekai protagonist but is a flawed human whose mistakes create a series of alternate outcomes that affect everyone around him. What makes this anime different is how each timeline develops Subaru’s character, making everyone wait for what to expect next.

1

Dragon Ball Franchise

The Classic That Just Introduced The Multiverse Concept

The Dragon Ball franchise is synonymous with multiverse action, especially when the show creators introduced the Tournament of Power arc in Dragon Ball Super. During this arc, while the main characters live in Universe 7, you can see Goku and his pals competing against fighters from multiple universes.

It may sound too much, but Toriyama could create interesting lore and characters to keep the story exciting even a decade later. Whether it’s Goku versus Jiren or the comedic moments with Beerus, Dragon Ball’s multiverse adventures will always make it a classic.