The ocean is filled with plenty of mystery and wonder withanimebeing able to capture its majesty quite easily. In some shows, the ocean is something to be protected, while in others, it is an untamable element ventured only by those brave enough to set sail.
What will you find when you explore the ocean? Will it be an undiscovered island that keeps itself off the map? How about an abundance of sea life that almost feels alien when looked at up close? Every ocean is different in the world of anime. So here are the best anime to step foot in the tides.
10Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water
A ’90s Trip Across The Sea
Take a trip back tothe realm of 90s anime, and you’ll find Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water. When a French inventor, Jean, and a mysterious girl, Nadia, are pursued by jewel thieves, they end up traveling the seas in search of her home.
This leads them on a chase involving battleships, a mysterious monster, and the various islands that they happen to drop onto. While this anime can be known for its filler, it is worth the trip just to get to Atlantis.
9Pokemon: Sun And Moon
The Ocean In The Pokemon World
The Pokemon animeusually has Ash traveling from place to place on foot. With Pokemon: Sun and Moon, he found himself in the Alola region, which is best known for its tropical setting. This includes all the water-type Pokemon that call the region home.
While the ocean is not always the center of attention, it is always present, unlike other regions. The animation style introduced in Sun and Moon also helps capture the beauty of the underwater environment like no other season before it.
8Tropical Rouge Precure
Sea-Themed Magical Girls
Themagical girlsof the Precure series take on various themes from music to pastries. In Tropical Rouge Precure, the team is based on mermaids, and the villains emerge from the depths at the command of a sea witch.
Like the rest of the series, Tropical Rouge Precure is a lighthearted show that sprinkles its theme everywhere. From the transformation sequences to the settings, everything is going to revolve around the ocean or the sea life found within in some shape or form.
7Aria the Animation
A Slice-Of-Life On Mars
Aria the Anime explores the ocean, but not quite where you would expect. Instead of Earth, this body of water is on Mars. Here, humans have formed a new city, Neo Venecia, that resembles Venice with all the water canals and boats included.
This slice-of-life anime isn’t too heavy on the plot but rather focuses on the life of Ai as she tries to adapt to her new setting. It’s also interesting how Aria focuses on how humans have adapted to this kind of city with tiny moments that make it feel alive.
6Amanchu!
The Joys Of Scuba Diving
Now this is an anime that likes to dive headfirst into the ocean itself. You have the outsider Futaba Ooki moving to an oceanside town and Hikari Kohinata, a girl who loves scuba diving. Together, they join the diving club as they explore the depths of the sea.
Amanchu is all about treading new waters in a literal and metaphorical sense. You’re not just following Futaba as she tries scuba diving for the first time, but also seeing how she deals with the struggles of moving to an unfamiliar town.
5Tsuritama
Oceans And Aliens?
Tsuritama follows Yuki Sanada, a student who often finds himself getting relocated due to his mother’s work. He eventually comes into contact with Haru, another transfer student who claims to be an alien and drags Yuki into the world of fishing.
It’s through fishing that Yuki finally learns how to connect with others. This colorful anime adds plenty of charm to the aquatic elements by making the sea feel like a completely different world. From schools of fish swarming around bait to others swimming freely in an aquarium, Tsuritama is an excellent catch.
4The Aquatope On White Sand
Working At The Aquarium
You don’t always have to go to the ocean to explore the wonders of undersea life. One of the coolest places to do so is at an aquarium. This is the setting of The Aquatope On White Sand, which takes you behind the scenes of a failing aquarium, Gama Gama, and how it is kept afloat.
This anime captures the feeling of being in a dark room where the only light comes from the surrounding fish tanks. You also get to learn more about other aquatic animals being cared for at the aquarium, such as penguins.
3Ponyo
Magical Sea Life And Floods
Ponyo is the definitive film to watch if you like anime about the ocean. WithGhibli’s touch, the ocean becomes much more than what you’d expect as Ponyo’s trip to the surface results in an abundance of sea life exploding from the depths.
One element that Ponyo does well is blending the land with the sea once the flood hits. Both environments merge to form an entirely new setting. One particularly neat detail is when the film animates the water as crystal-clear, letting you see the creatures that swim beneath.
2Squid Girl
The Ocean Takes Revenge
Too much pollution has angered the sea and its inhabitants. This leads to Squid Girl emerging from the depths to take revenge. Unfortunately, she isn’t too tough, and no one believes that she’s actually from the sea. She’s also clueless about the scope of humanity.
Squid Girl eventually finds herself in debt to the Lemon Beach House, where she works as a waitress to pay off the damage she caused using her tentacles. This ocean comedy comes with a beachside view as Squid Girl gets up to her nautical antics.
1One Piece
A Dangerous Journey Through The Grand Line
One Piece is all about pirates searching for a legendary treasure. So, of course, it has to take place on the ocean. It may not be any ocean we’re familiar with, but that just adds to the wonder and sense of discovery that you feel as you sail through the grand line.
Gigantic fish and legendary creatures are lurking deep below, and islands that float in the sky. There is a train that runs along the surface of the water, and military basesare set up to combat pirates. Luffy’s adventure makes you want to get on a ship yourself, even without a great treasure at the end of the voyage.
