Halo Legends (2010) is an anthology anime series that expands the sci-fi universe of the Halo video game franchise through seven short films, each crafted by different Japanese studios to explore backstory, side stories, and diverse animation styles. It delves into themes of interstellar conflict, human-alien alliances, ancient mysteries, and the horrors of war, blending action-packed sequences with philosophical undertones.
The selected anime below deserve more attention for their innovative storytelling, underappreciated sci-fi elements, and ability to subvert expectations—much like Halo Legends—offering fresh takes on power dynamics, underdog heroes, and narrative twists that often fly under the radar despite their quality.
1. Space Dandy (2014)
- Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll and Funimation.
- Brief Plot Summary: Dandy, a flamboyant alien hunter, travels the galaxy with his robot and cat-like companion, registering new species while encountering bizarre adventures in episodic format.
- Similarities to Halo Legends: Like Halo Legends, it features episodic sci-fi tales with varying animation styles per episode, exploring cosmic mysteries and humorous subversions of space opera tropes, often flipping expectations on power and heroism.
- MAL Rating: 7.88/10; Episode Count: 26; Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop) at Studio Bones; no major awards but praised for its experimental animation.
2. Planetes (2003)
- Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll and HIDIVE.
- Brief Plot Summary: In a near-future where space debris threatens orbital safety, a team of salvage workers navigates personal struggles and ethical dilemmas while cleaning up humanity’s mess in space.
- Similarities to Halo Legends: Shares hard sci-fi realism and themes of human resilience in space, with underdog characters subverting corporate power structures, akin to Halo’s exploration of interstellar survival and ancient threats.
- MAL Rating: 8.26/10; Episode Count: 26; Notable Staff/Studio: Produced by Sunrise; won the Seiun Award for Best Dramatic Presentation in 2005.
3. Time of Eve (2008)
- Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll.
- Brief Plot Summary: In a future where androids are commonplace, a café enforces equality between humans and robots, leading patrons to question societal norms and their own prejudices.
- Similarities to Halo Legends: Mirrors the anthology feel through interconnected vignettes, subverting expectations around AI and human coexistence, much like Halo’s human-alien alliances and philosophical undertones.
- MAL Rating: 8.00/10; Episode Count: 6 (ONA); Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Yasuhiro Yoshiura at Studio Rikka; received the Tokyo Anime Award for Original Video Animation in 2010.
4. Secret of Cerulean Sand (2002)
- Streaming Availability: Limited; available on select platforms like Tubi or via DVD.
- Brief Plot Summary: A young girl embarks on a steampunk adventure across deserts to find her missing brother and uncover a mysterious flying substance in a world of political intrigue.
- Similarities to Halo Legends: Features episodic quests with sci-fi adventure elements, underdog protagonists challenging powerful empires, and subversions of exploration narratives similar to Halo’s universe-expanding tales.
- MAL Rating: 7.50/10; Episode Count: 26; Notable Staff/Studio: Co-produced by Telecom Animation Film and TMS Entertainment; inspired by Jules Verne, with no major awards but cult following for its world-building.
5. Den-noh Coil (2007)
- Streaming Availability: Available on HIDIVE.
- Brief Plot Summary: Children in a near-future city use augmented reality glasses to navigate a digital world filled with mysteries, viruses, and hidden dangers.
- Similarities to Halo Legends: Explores sci-fi tech and ancient digital “spirits” through youthful underdogs, subverting reality expectations like Halo’s Forerunner lore and tech-driven conflicts.
- MAL Rating: 8.06/10; Episode Count: 26; Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Mitsuo Iso at Madhouse; won the Excellence Award at the Japan Media Arts Festival in 2007.
6. Texhnolyze (2003)
- Streaming Availability: Available on Funimation.
- Brief Plot Summary: In a dystopian underground city, a fighter augmented with cybernetic limbs uncovers conspiracies involving rival factions and human evolution.
- Similarities to Halo Legends: Delves into dark sci-fi themes of augmentation and power struggles, with underdog survival stories that subvert heroism, echoing Halo’s cybernetic warriors and grim universe.
- MAL Rating: 7.76/10; Episode Count: 22; Notable Staff/Studio: Produced by Madhouse; no awards but noted for its experimental narrative by Yoshitoshi ABe (Serial Experiments Lain).
7. Heavenly Delusion (2023)
- Streaming Availability: Available on Disney+ and Hulu.
- Brief Plot Summary: In a post-apocalyptic world, two teens search for “heaven” while unraveling mysteries in a parallel sheltered society.
- Similarities to Halo Legends: Features dual narratives with sci-fi twists on survival and ancient secrets, subverting underdog journeys like Halo’s Flood and Forerunner revelations.
- MAL Rating: 8.20/10; Episode Count: 13; Notable Staff/Studio: Produced by Production I.G.; no awards yet but critically acclaimed for its mystery elements.
8. Odd Taxi (2021)
- Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll.
- Brief Plot Summary: A walrus taxi driver gets entangled in a web of mysteries through conversations with eccentric passengers in an anthropomorphic animal world.
- Similarities to Halo Legends: Anthology-like episodes build a larger conspiracy, subverting everyday scenarios into sci-fi intrigue, similar to Halo’s side stories and unexpected alliances.
- MAL Rating: 8.69/10; Episode Count: 13; Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Baku Kinoshita at OLM; won Best Screenplay at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival in 2022.
9. Kyousougiga (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll.
- Brief Plot Summary: A girl with a magical hammer enters a mirror world to find her family, uncovering familial bonds and cosmic powers.
- Similarities to Halo Legends: Blends episodic fantasy with sci-fi elements, subverting family dynamics and power inheritance like Halo’s ancient civilizations and heroic legacies.
- MAL Rating: 7.70/10; Episode Count: 10; Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Rie Matsumoto at Toei Animation; no major awards but praised for vibrant animation.
10. Flip Flappers (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Available on HIDIVE.
- Brief Plot Summary: Two girls enter surreal dimensions to collect wish-granting fragments, transforming into magical forms amid psychological challenges.
- Similarities to Halo Legends: Episodic dimension-hopping adventures subvert reality and power systems, akin to Halo’s ring worlds and transformative battles.
- MAL Rating: 7.50/10; Episode Count: 13; Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama at Studio 3Hz; no awards but noted for psychedelic visuals.
11. Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (2004)
- Streaming Availability: Available on Funimation.
- Brief Plot Summary: A futuristic retelling of the classic novel, where a mysterious count seeks revenge in a sci-fi society.
- Similarities to Halo Legends: Explores vengeance and interstellar intrigue with stylistic animation, subverting classic tales like Halo’s narrative expansions.
- MAL Rating: 8.14/10; Episode Count: 24; Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Mahiro Maeda at Gonzo; won Best TV Series at the Tokyo Anime Awards in 2005.
12. Pluto (2023)
- Streaming Availability: Available on Netflix.
- Brief Plot Summary: A detective robot investigates murders of advanced AI, uncovering a conspiracy threatening human-robot peace.
- Similarities to Halo Legends: Anthology-inspired mystery with sci-fi ethics, subverting robot underdogs and power balances like Halo’s AI narratives.
- MAL Rating: 8.50/10; Episode Count: 8; Notable Staff/Studio: Based on Naoki Urasawa’s manga, produced by Studio M2; critically acclaimed but no formal awards yet.
13. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007)
- Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll.
- Brief Plot Summary: A spear-wielding bodyguard protects a prince possessed by a spirit from assassins and supernatural forces.
- Similarities to Halo Legends: Features underdog protection quests with ancient myths, subverting power through guardianship like Halo’s elite warriors.
- MAL Rating: 8.12/10; Episode Count: 26; Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Kenji Kamiyama at Production I.G.; won the Batchelder Award for its source novel.
14. Katanagatari (2010)
- Streaming Availability: Available on HIDIVE.
- Brief Plot Summary: A swordless fighter and a strategist collect 12 legendary blades across feudal Japan, facing formidable wielders.
- Similarities to Halo Legends: Episodic artifact hunts subvert combat expectations and power dynamics, echoing Halo’s weapon lore and battles.
- MAL Rating: 7.90/10; Episode Count: 12; Notable Staff/Studio: Written by Nisio Isin at White Fox; no major awards but lauded for dialogue.
15. Baby Steps (2014)
- Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll.
- Brief Plot Summary: A studious teen takes up tennis, using analytical skills to overcome physical limitations and rise in competitive ranks.
- Similarities to Halo Legends: Underdog story subverts athletic power through strategy, similar to Halo’s tactical underdogs in sci-fi warfare.
- MAL Rating: 7.80/10; Episode Count: 50 (two seasons); Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Masahiko Murata at Pierrot; won the Kodansha Manga Award in 2014 for its source material.
Why These Anime Work for Halo Legends Fans
These series capture the essence of Halo Legends’ anthology spirit, sci-fi depth, and subversive storytelling, often through episodic structures, underdog arcs, and innovative animation that challenge viewer expectations. While not as mainstream as titles like Cowboy Bebop, they offer rich universes and themes of power, alliance, and mystery that reward dedicated viewers, making them perfect hidden gems for fans seeking more cerebral, action-infused anime.
