Cowboy Bebop, one of the best cyberpunk animes, is set in the not-so-distant future of 2071. By then, humanity has expanded its reach far beyond Earth, colonizing planets across the galaxy. But wherever humans go, trouble follows. These new frontiers are rife with murder, drugs, and theft, and the need for law and order has given rise to a growing army of rugged bounty hunters.

Among them are Spike Spiegel and Jet Black, a dynamic duo who navigate the vast expanse of space in pursuit of criminals, all in the hopes of making a modest living. Beneath Spike's laid-back and carefree exterior lies a haunted past, his troubled memories weighing heavily on him. Jet, on the other hand, wrestles with his own demons as he juggles his responsibilities of looking after Spike and keeping their trusty spaceship, the Bebop, in working order.

But their team isn't complete without the addition of Faye Valentine, a con artist with a knack for trouble, the eccentric child prodigy Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV, and Ein, a brilliant bioengineered Welsh Corgi who's more than meets the eye.

As these misfits forge bonds and chase down a motley crew of criminals throughout the plot of "Cowboy Bebop" their lives are suddenly upended by a menacing force from Spike's past. With each passing moment, a rival's twisted plot unravels, forcing Spike to confront his old wounds and make a fateful choice: embrace the newfound family he has found aboard the Bebop or seek revenge at any cost.

Release: 1998

My Anime List Score: 8.75

In "Psycho Pass", the concept of justice has taken a whole new form in the 22nd century. In Japan, they've implemented the Sibyl System - a fancy way of assessing people's mental states to determine if they're potential criminals. If there's even a hint of bad vibes, the Inspectors swoop in, ready to crack down on anyone with the slightest ill-will. And to get the job done, they've got a team of Enforcers, who are basically Inspectors gone rogue, toeing the line between criminal and law enforcer.

Enter Akane Tsunemori, a fresh-faced young woman who's got a burning passion for justice. She's determined to make things right and uphold the law. But as she teams up with the experienced Enforcer Shinya Kougami, she quickly realizes that the Sibyl System isn't as foolproof as everyone believes. The whole idea of perfect judgments starts to crumble before her eyes, leaving her questioning the very nature of justice.

As one of the best cyperbunk animes, "Psycho Pass" highlights Akane's mind-bending journey as she grapples with the true meaning of justice in this dystopian world. With each twist and turn, the series challenges the very foundations of law and order and have you wondering: Can you really trust a system that might already be rotten to the core?

Release: 2012

My Anime List Score: 8.3

It's the year 2029 in "Ghost in The Shell," and Niihama City has transformed into a high-tech haven. Thanks to mind-blowing advancements in cybernetics, people can swap out their limbs for cool robotic ones. The world has never been more interconnected, and that's where the team of Section 9 comes in: they're the ones keeping corruption, terrorism, and all sorts of dangerous stuff in check in this new era of globalization.

Leading the charge is Major Motoko Kusanagi, the protagonist of "Ghost in The Shell" - a fierce and determined member of Section 9. She's got her sights set on a mind-boggling case involving a mysterious hacker called the "Puppet Master." This sneaky cyber-criminal is messing with people's memories and leaving a trail of confusion behind.

As Motoko and her trusty crew start digging deeper into the Puppet Master's shenanigans, they realize they're not the only ones interested in this elusive figure. Section 6, another powerful organization, throws their hat into the ring, making things even more complicated. Motoko finds herself grappling with some serious questions, such as the meaning of life and what it all really boils down to. And it seems The Puppet Master might just have all the answers she's been seeking.

Release: 1995

My Anime List Score: 8.27

In the world of "Trigun" where danger lurks around every corner, one man stands out from the rest. They call him Vash the Stampede, and he's got a jaw-dropping bounty of $60,000,000,000 on his head. The rumors paint him as a ruthless, city-flattening villain known as "The Humanoid Typhoon," leaving destruction in his wake.

But in reality, Vash is anything but a heartless monster. He's got a soft spot the size of Texas and a strict no-kill policy. Violence is not his style; Vash is more into doughnuts and goofing around. He wanders the desolate planet Gunsmoke, trying his best to avoid trouble while spreading his own unique brand of chaos.

After a while, Vash's escapades attract the attention of two determined insurance agents, Meryl Stryfe and Milly Thompson. They're on a mission to keep tabs on our doughnut-loving protagonist and minimize the collateral damage he tends to leave behind. And as if things weren't complicated enough, a gang of legendary assassins enters the picture, hell-bent on bringing misery to Vash, Meryl, and Milly.

"Trigun" centers on the race against time as secrets from Vash's haunting past start to unravel: he's pushed to his limits, questioning his principles and making choices that will shape his destiny.

Release: 1998

My Anime List Score: 8.22

In the beginning of "Akira", in the year 1988, a powerful blast rocks the vibrant city of Tokyo, caused by a young boy with extraordinary psychic abilities. The aftermath of this cataclysmic event sets in motion the devastating World War III. Determined to prevent further destruction, the boy is captured and locked away, disappearing from the world's view.

Fast forward to the year 2019, and Neo-Tokyo emerges as a rebuilt city, plagued by gang violence and terrorism against the ruling government. In this turbulent landscape, we meet Shoutarou Kaneda, who leads a crew known as "the Capsules." They're a group of rebels, renowned for their fearless motorcycle riding and their ongoing rivalry with the infamous "Clowns."

As fate would have it, during one of their intense clashes, Shoutarou's best friend, Tetsuo Shima, gets entangled in a life-altering accident. This accident introduces him to an escaped esper, a psychic with incredible powers, who seeks refuge on the bustling streets of Tokyo.

What follows the rest of "Akira" is a riveting tale of self-discovery and the awakening of extraordinary abilities. Tetsuo finds himself grappling with newfound powers, while the government races to contain this potentially dangerous force. Neo-Tokyo hangs in the balance as tensions escalate and the city becomes a powder keg ready to explode once again.

Release: 1988

My Anime List Score: 8.16