Lloyd in Space blends sci-fi satire with heartfelt coming-of-age lessons, chronicling the life of a teenage alien navigating adolescence aboard a futuristic space station.
The series explores universal themes—identity, peer pressure, family, self-worth—under the guise of alien worlds and robotic teachers.
For fans who appreciated Lloyd’s emotional struggles wrapped in an offbeat sci-fi setting, there are anime that offer similar humor, heart, and interstellar insight.
Here are 15 underrated anime series that share Lloyd in Space’s spirit—whether through sci-fi adolescence, found families, alien societies, or emotionally rich storytelling beyond the stars.
1. Stellvia of the Universe (2003)
Streaming: HIDIVE
Episodes: 26
Studio: Xebec
MAL Rating: 7.3
Shima Katase enrolls in a space academy to help defend Earth from a cosmic threat, but first must conquer self-doubt and pressure.
Similarities: Space-school setting, teen insecurities, emotional resilience, and coming-of-age under pressure—much like Lloyd’s internal conflicts.
2. Uchuu no Stellvia (Stellvia) (2003)
Streaming: HIDIVE
Episodes: 26
Studio: Xebec
MAL Rating: 7.3
A gifted but insecure girl trains at a futuristic academy in space to prepare for cosmic catastrophes.
Similarities: Sci-fi school, emotional self-growth, and relatable adolescent struggles in an outer-space context.
3. Bokurano (2007)
Streaming: HIDIVE
Episodes: 24
Studio: Gonzo
MAL Rating: 7.6
Fifteen kids unwittingly sign up to pilot a giant robot, unaware of the life-or-death consequences behind their mission.
Similarities: Young protagonists thrust into maturity, moral dilemmas, and a layered look at emotional complexity beyond surface-level heroism.
4. Planetes (2003)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 26
Studio: Sunrise
MAL Rating: 8.3
A team of orbital debris collectors wrestles with dreams, regrets, and relationships amid the unforgiving conditions of outer space.
Similarities: Blue-collar space setting, emotional realism, and character-driven development that reflects on humanity and growth.
5. Dai-Guard (1999)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 26
Studio: Xebec
MAL Rating: 7.1
An outdated robot built for PR becomes Earth’s last hope when real threats emerge, and a team of civil servants must adapt quickly.
Similarities: Humor-laced bureaucracy, underdog characters, and the fusion of sci-fi with heartwarming human stories.
6. Outlaw Star (1998)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 26
Studio: Sunrise
MAL Rating: 7.8
A ragtag crew aboard the spaceship Outlaw Star searches for the Galactic Leyline, encountering bounty hunters, pirates, and mysteries.
Similarities: Alien diversity, offbeat humor, teen protagonists, and a colorful yet emotional sci-fi universe.
7. Heroman (2010)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 26
Studio: Bones
MAL Rating: 6.9
A shy American boy becomes Earth’s unlikely defender when his broken toy robot turns into a powerful alien-fighting partner.
Similarities: Underdog protagonist, alien invasion meets high school life, and character-driven growth.
8. Space Patrol Luluco (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 13
Studio: Trigger
MAL Rating: 7.3
Luluco, a normal middle schooler in a city full of aliens, is forced to join the Space Patrol and enforce cosmic law.
Similarities: Absurdist sci-fi setting, quirky school life, teen romance, and energetic animation echoing Lloyd’s tone.
9. Tenchi Muyo! GXP (2002)
Streaming: Funimation
Episodes: 26
Studio: AIC
MAL Rating: 6.9
Seina Yamada, a chronically unlucky teen, joins the Galaxy Police and unexpectedly rises through misadventure and courage.
Similarities: Teen in space authority role, comedic alien encounters, awkward romance, and personal development in a cosmic landscape.
10. Birdy the Mighty: Decode (2008)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 13
Studio: A-1 Pictures
MAL Rating: 7.5
An alien cop named Birdy accidentally kills a human teen and merges with him to save his life, forcing them to share a body.
Similarities: Teen perspective, alien culture shock, emotional responsibility, and sci-fi setting tied to character growth.
11. Rocket Girls (2007)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 12
Studio: Mook Animation
MAL Rating: 6.8
A high school girl is recruited as a lightweight astronaut candidate, balancing school life and spaceflight challenges.
Similarities: Adolescence in space, unexpected heroism, and emotional tension beneath lighthearted storytelling.
12. The Irresponsible Captain Tylor (1993)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 26
Studio: Tatsunoko Production
MAL Rating: 7.8
A lazy, carefree man accidentally becomes captain of a warship, navigating space battles and politics with pure luck and odd wisdom.
Similarities: Quirky leadership, sci-fi satire, and unexpected emotional beats in an unconventional protagonist.
13. Majestic Prince (2013)
Streaming: HIDIVE
Episodes: 24
Studio: Doga Kobo
MAL Rating: 7.4
Genetically engineered teens pilot mechas to fight aliens while struggling with teamwork, purpose, and personal flaws.
Similarities: Young space cadets, found family, underdog narratives, and emotional development under pressure.
14. Oban Star-Racers (2006)
Streaming: YouTube (official)
Episodes: 26
Studio: Hal Film Maker / Sav! The World
MAL Rating: 7.7
Molly enters a mysterious intergalactic race to find her estranged father and uncover cosmic secrets.
Similarities: Teen girl in a vast alien world, emotional growth, unique animation, and hidden depths beneath action-packed plot.
15. Moonlight Mile (2007)
Streaming: Unofficial sources
Episodes: 12
Studio: Studio Hibari
MAL Rating: 7.2
Two climbers turn astronauts, confronting moral dilemmas and survival as they help expand humanity’s reach into space.
Similarities: Space realism, ambition, emotional arcs of discovery, and a thoughtful exploration of human purpose in the cosmos.
Why These Anime Work for Lloyd in Space Fans
What makes Lloyd in Space memorable isn’t just the aliens or gadgets—it’s the emotional honesty behind Lloyd’s adolescent experience.
These anime mirror that blend of coming-of-age storytelling with futuristic settings, often using sci-fi as a lens for identity, growth, and finding your place in the world.
Whether it’s a teenager stumbling through intergalactic politics or a robot-fueled identity crisis, each of these series captures the spirit of being young and curious in a universe that doesn’t come with easy answers.
