Introduction

Without my brother convincing me to watch Steins;Gate, I might have maybe never really got into Anime. Since then, anime with time-travel and sci-fi related themes have always been something that I am super fascinated about and have a special place in my heart. There’s just something about the implications that time travel can bring that has my mind racing. As my second blog post in this series, I had to continue with this one.

I’ve watched over 1,000 anime, so you can trust these picks aren’t random. They are stories that stayed with me long after the ending!

You can check out my full watch history on my AniList profile

Before we jump in, here’s a quick note. This list is not in any particular order, because ranking them feels impossible when each one stands out for different reasons. These are simply my current top picks for Anime with Time Travel themes that have left a lasting impression on me, and each one is worth watching from start to finish. The only thing I can say is that Steins;Gate would have my number one spot, so let's start with that!

Warning: Some of these series are aimed at mature audiences and include intense themes, so they may be disturbing for some.

1 - Steins;Gate

A brilliant, emotional sci-fi masterpiece about time travel, sacrifice, and the cost of rewriting fate.

For the longest time, I avoided anime, thinking it was just Japanese cartoons and not something I’d be interested in. As someone fascinated by science, one day my family and I were watching a documentary about the particle accelerator at CERN, and I was blown away. My brother then said, “If you want to watch a good show about CERN, you should watch Steins;Gate.”

When I got home, I did a bit of research and realized my brother had actually recommended me an anime. I figured I might as well give it a try since I’ve always been into time travel and science, and there was an English dub. That was the moment I realized just how wrong I had been about anime.

I won’t spoil anything, but there’s one scene where you truly see the consequences of their experiments (so many emotions), and from that moment, I was hooked. I binged all 25 episodes in a single weekend because I just had to know how they would fix it. What really makes Steins;Gate unforgettable, though, are its characters. Each one feels real, flawed, and full of heart, and by the end, you can’t help but care deeply for them. Okabe’s chaotic genius, Kurisu’s sharp intellect and quiet vulnerability, Daru’s humor, and Mayuri’s warmth (and of course her iconic “Tuturu~”) make this story feel alive in a way few anime ever achieve.

What makes Steins;Gate so special to me is how perfectly it handles the concept of time travel. It doesn’t just use it as a cool plot device, it explores the emotional, psychological, and moral consequences of changing time. Every decision has weight, every ripple matters, and the way the story ties everything together is nothing short of brilliant.

Here’s a look at the key entries in the Steins;Gate universe:

If you finish Steins;Gate and find yourself craving more, you’re in luck. The Steins;Gate universe is vast, with multiple adaptations that explore different timelines, emotional outcomes, and character arcs beyond what the main series covers. The creators didn’t stop at just the anime, they also developed visual novel games that expand the story even further, exploring branching timelines and “what if” scenarios that dive deeper into the consequences of time travel. These games are absolutely worth experiencing if you want a fuller understanding of the Steins;Gate world, especially since they reveal details and moments that never made it to the screen.

Even after watching so many Anime, Steins;Gate still stands at the top for me. Since that first watch, anime has become a real passion of mine. Steins;Gate will always hold a special place in my heart, and it remains one of my top five favourite anime of all time, and easily my number one when it comes to time travel.

A beautifully crafted Chinese series that transcends time and memory, where two friends enter photographs to relive moments, uncovering the beauty, pain, and consequences of changing the past across every season.

Few series handle time manipulation as cleverly as Link Click. The story follows Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, two friends running a small photography studio with a supernatural twist, they can enter photos and relive the exact moment they were taken.

Every episode dives into someone’s memories, uncovering regret, heartbreak, and the complexity of human emotion. The ability to revisit the past is both a gift and a curse, because even the smallest actions can change everything. Mistakes, misunderstandings, and impossible choices make every moment tense and meaningful.

What makes Link Click so special is how grounded and emotionally rich it feels despite its sci-fi premise. It explores empathy and moral boundaries, showing that even with time on your side, you cannot always fix what is broken.

The opening and ending themes are phenomenal, instantly recognizable, and packed with emotion that amplifies each episode’s impact. As a masterpiece of animation from China, this series proves that world-class storytelling transcends borders.

The time travel mechanics had my mind racing, thinking about how they jumped through time, avoided major paradoxes, and what would happen if they failed. The characters are complex and beautifully written, their powers are unlike anything you will find in another anime. Simply put, Link Click is one of a kind.

This series now spans multiple seasons, each expanding its mysterious and emotional universe. You can explore all seasons here:

3 - Erased

A gripping and emotional mystery about time travel, childhood trauma, and redemption, where one man must confront his past to save the future.

Erased blends mystery, suspense, and heartfelt storytelling better than almost any anime I’ve seen. It follows Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling manga artist with a strange ability known as “Revival”, which lets him travel back in time moments before tragedy strikes. When his mother is murdered, that power suddenly activates on a massive scale, sending him all the way back to his childhood. To save her, Satoru must prevent a string of kidnappings that changed his life forever.

Going back in time to when you were a child, but with the mind and memories of your adult life, is such a fascinating thought experiment. This anime really had my mind racing about how I might live my life again knowing what I know now, while not wanting to change too much and risk losing the life I have today.

The story is dark, emotional, and beautifully crafted, balancing heavy themes with moments of hope and innocence. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, completely absorbed by the mystery and emotional tension. The way the story unfolds keeps you guessing while never losing sight of its heart.

The setting, the snow-covered town, and the haunting music all create a nostalgic yet suspenseful atmosphere that stays with you long after the credits roll.

If you want an anime that will make you think, keep you guessing, and hit you right in the heart, Erased is one you shouldn’t miss.

4 - Summer Time Rendering

An action-packed, sci-fi mystery filled with time loops, high stakes, and emotional storytelling that will keep you glued from start to finish.

Summer Time Rendering is one of those rare shows that grabs you from the very first episode and never lets go. It’s intense, emotional, and full of twists that make it almost impossible to stop watching. Easily one of my favourite anime that came out in the Spring 2022 season, this series is pure binge material.

The story follows Shinpei Ajiro, who returns to his quiet island hometown after the death of a close friend. What begins as a sad homecoming quickly turns into something far more mysterious as Shinpei becomes trapped in a time loop. Each time he dies, he wakes up at an earlier point in the timeline, trying to uncover the truth behind the strange events consuming the island.

The powers and time loop mechanics in this anime are fascinating. Every time Shinpei dies, he resets to a specific point, but each reset comes with consequences. The more he loops, the shorter his checkpoint becomes, adding real tension and urgency. It’s a clever system that gives the story incredible pacing while constantly raising the stakes.

What really makes Summer Time Rendering shine is how it blends sci-fi, supernatural horror, and emotional storytelling so seamlessly. The concept of “shadows,” mysterious beings that can perfectly mimic humans, adds an eerie and unpredictable element that keeps you guessing.

Beyond the time travel and supernatural twists, the storytelling is its strongest suit. Every character has depth, every episode feels essential, and the emotional weight only grows as the truth unfolds. It’s smart, thrilling, and full of hear

5 - The Tatami Galaxy

A fast-paced, visually stunning, and mind-bending journey through choices, regret, and the endless search for a better version of life.

The Tatami Galaxy is one of the most unique and artistic anime I’ve ever watched. The art style is trippy and full of life, with fast-paced dialogue and surreal storytelling that make it feel like you’re watching a moving painting. It’s the kind of anime where the visuals, music, and narrative all merge into something that feels deeply human yet totally abstract.

I absolutely love the energy of this show. It’s not for casual watching, the Japanese subtitles go by incredibly fast, so I wouldn’t recommend it while eating. But if you’re an experienced anime fan looking for something original and thought-provoking, this is a must-watch.

The story follows a nameless college student stuck in a time loop of sorts, reliving different versions of his university life as he searches for happiness and meaning. Each episode explores a new “what if” scenario, showing how his choices and regrets shape his path. The way the time mechanics work here is subtle, focusing less on science and more on the cyclical nature of life and the idea that sometimes, happiness is right where you started.

The combination of characters, story, art, and music makes it feel like a true work of art, something that lingers long after you finish it. It’s a highly rated anime and often considered a hidden gem for those who love unconventional storytelling.

If you enjoy The Tatami Galaxy, there’s also The Tatami Time Machine Blues, a short sequel that plays with time travel in the same quirky, thought-provoking style.

6 - Vivy -Fluorite Eye's Song-

A stunning, emotional, and action-packed sci-fi story about purpose, identity, and what it means to truly sing from the heart.

When Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song aired in the Spring 2021 season, it became one of the most talked-about anime of the year. The animation quality is on another level. Every fight scene feels like a visual symphony, filled with fluid choreography and beautifully composed shots. The eyes in Vivy deserve their own mention, they are some of the most detailed and expressive in all of anime. You can feel emotion, doubt, and determination through every subtle change in Vivy’s gaze.

The story follows Vivy, an AI designed to make people happy through her singing. Her mission takes a dramatic turn when she’s contacted by an AI from one hundred years in the future, who warns her of an inevitable war between humans and machines. Together, they embark on a mission to rewrite history and prevent that future from happening.

That’s where Vivy earns its place on this time travel list. The story isn’t just about AIs or music, it’s about rewriting the timeline to save humanity. Every mission sends Vivy to a different point in time, forcing her to face the consequences of her actions and question what it means to have purpose. Each jump adds layers of complexity, as you see how small changes can ripple across decades.

It’s rare to find an anime that combines science fiction, time travel, and emotional storytelling this seamlessly. The music is powerful, the animation is flawless, and the emotional stakes are sky-high. Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song is one of those series that leaves a lasting mark, both visually and emotionally.

7 - Re:Zero

A dark, emotional, and beautifully written fantasy that explores life, death, and the will to keep fighting no matter the cost.

Re:Zero is one of the best written anime series I’ve ever seen. Every season delivers moments that stick with you long after they end, and I always find myself counting down the days until the next one releases. What makes this show stand out is how it takes a familiar concept, a protagonist transported to another world, and turns it into something deep, emotional, and unforgettable.

The story follows Subaru Natsuki, an ordinary guy who suddenly finds himself in a fantasy world without any special powers. At first, it seems like a typical adventure setup, but that changes quickly. Subaru soon discovers that every time he dies, he is sent back to a specific point in time, forced to relive events again and again until he finds a way to survive. This ability, known as “Return by Death”, is both his greatest gift and his deepest curse.

The time mechanics in Re:Zero are brilliant. Each loop resets the world, but Subaru remembers everything, carrying the emotional trauma of every failure. The more he dies, the heavier that burden becomes, and watching him slowly piece together the right choices to save everyone he cares about is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The writing captures the mental toll of this power perfectly, showing the cost of resilience and the courage it takes to move forward.

The characters are where Re:Zero truly shines. Every person Subaru meets feels layered, flawed, and real. You watch relationships grow and break across timelines, and the depth of their emotions makes each victory or loss feel personal. I’ve shed my fair share of tears watching Subaru’s struggle and the kindness, love, and sacrifice of those around him. The cast is unforgettable, from Emilia’s compassion to Rem’s loyalty, each character adds something irreplaceable to the story.

Re:Zero excels in every way, from its writing to its animation, from the world-building to the powerful music that accompanies each moment. It’s a series that explores pain, failure, and hope in a way few anime dare to. If you want a story that will challenge you emotionally while keeping you on the edge of your seat, Re:Zero is one you’ll never forget.

This series now spans multiple seasons, each expanding and adapting the Light Novel. You can explore all seasons here:

8 - Tokyo Revengers

A gritty, emotional, and action-filled time travel story about second chances, loyalty, and rewriting the mistakes of youth.

Tokyo Revengers is an exciting and addictive time travel anime. It combines gang conflicts, emotional storytelling, and time manipulation in a way that keeps you hooked from the start. The time loop mechanicsare incredibly unique, focusing on how even the smallest change in the past can completely rewrite the future. Watching those ripple effects unfold, and seeing how drastically things shift after each return, is one of the best parts of the series.

The story follows Takemichi Hanagaki, a man who learns he can travel back to his middle school years. Determined to change the tragic fate of the people he cares about, he joins the Tokyo Manji Gang and works his way through brutal fights, betrayals, and brotherhood. The gang brawls are intense, filled with emotion and heart, and the clothing style of the characters adds an extra layer of attitude and personality to every scene. If you love anime with fighting, style, and grit, this one is definitely for you.

What really makes this anime special is Takemichi’s determination. He isn’t the strongest fighter, far from it, but his resolve never wavers. Even when the odds are stacked against him, he refuses to back down. Watching him push forward, learn from failure, and find strength through pain is what makes him such a compelling protagonist. His perseverance is inspiring and gives the story a real emotional core.

The characters are another major highlight. Each one feels distinct, both in personality and design, with incredible attention to detail that makes the Tokyo Manji Gang feel alive and believable. I’ve read the manga and have been watching the anime since it started airing, and it’s been a wild ride. Fingers crossed that the anime delivers a satisfying ending, because this story deserves one.

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If you enjoyed this list, check out My Top 10 Psychological Anime of All Time.

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Drop a comment below and let me know what’s in your own top picks, or if there’s a psychological anime you think I should check out. If you want more recommendations, just ask, I’ll be happy to reply.

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