10 best flying anime about pilots and aviation

Flying anime featuring aviation themes have captured viewers' imaginations for decades. The thrill of flight and aerial combat continues to fascinate fans. This list covers 10 of the most notable flying anime focusing on pilots and airplanes.

The anime genre offers a unique perspective into the world of aviation. Series set during historical conflicts provide insight into the evolution of aerial warfare. Futuristic titles feature next-generation aircraft and cutting-edge dogfighting action.

Some anime follow students' journeys to earn their wings, while others center on elite flying aces expanding their reputations in these flying anime.

10 flying anime soaring through skies and aerial battles

1. The Magnificent Kotobuki

The Magnificent Kotobuki (Image via GEMBA)

The Magnificent Kotobuki takes place in a fantasy world featuring ace female fighter pilots battling for supremacy over the skies. The anime follows a group of "airgirls" from the Kotobuki Squadron who pilot advanced fighters in intense aerial battles.

Visuals in The Magnificent Kotobuki impress with highly detailed plane models and dynamic aerial action sequences. The storyline also emphasizes camaraderie and character development in between intense dogfights.

Overall, aviation and anime fans will appreciate this flying anime’s excellent blend of riveting flight scenes and engaging interpersonal relationships.

2. Princess Principal

Princess Principal (Image via Studio 3Hz, Actas)

In an alternate steampunk version of early 20th-century Europe, the Kingdom of Albion is split into the Commonwealth and the Kingdom after a revolution. Princess Principal’s plot unfolds around spies attending a prestigious girls’ academy that teaches covert ops.

One “student” moonlights as a test pilot for experimental equipment, including advanced gadgets and aircraft. Princess Principal’s themes focus more on espionage, but the anime still delivers spectacular flight sequences.

The creative setting, intricate plotting, multifaceted characters, and social commentary further elevate this flying anime. The unexpected blend of genres coupled with the unique retro-futuristic aircraft designs make Princess Principal a one-of-a-kind viewing experience.

3. The Sky Crawlers

The Sky Crawlers (Image via Production I.G)

This anime film takes place in an alternate reality focused on the activities of rival corporate air forces. Pilots, known as "Kildren," are assigned as young adults who do not age to fly endless sorties in perfectly symmetrical fighter planes against similarly matched enemies.

With no prospect of peace nor eventual retirement, the only escape comes from death in the cockpit. Despite the fatalistic setting, The Sky Crawlers emphasizes contemplative philosophy over action.

Viewers witness the routines, rituals, and camaraderie amongst the crew members between missions instead of visceral dogfights. Aviation technology gets highlighted through the sleek fighter plane profiles, but the spectacular aerial cinematography steals the show in this flying anime.

4. Porco Rosso

Legendary director Hayao Miyazaki put his personal passion for aviation into this anime feature film. The story follows the adventures of Porco Rosso, an Italian ex-fighter ace from World War I who now flies as a freelance bounty hunter chasing air pirates over the Adriatic Sea during the interwar period.

After being transformed to have the head of a pig, Porco is quite self-conscious about his appearance but still deeply loves piloting seaplanes. Gorgeous aerial scenes show off various interwar aircraft designs in action.

Underlying themes emphasize Porco’s honor in keeping his craft independent from alignment with fascists and nationalists on the rise. It stands out with a touching story highlighting personal redemption against the backdrop of early aviation in period-perfect settings. This flying anime showcases Miyazaki’s love for aviation.

5. Area 88

Area 88 (Image via Studio Pierrot, Group TAC)

Several adaptations of this franchise exist, spanning manga, anime TV series, and OVAs (original video animations). All follow Shin, a Japanese pilot who is forced to work for Area 88, a private military force operating in the North African desert, after being tricked into joining the mercenary group.

Shin and his fellow pilots fly an assortment of modern jet fighters and helicopters into all sorts of combat missions. A major theme throughout this flying anime involves exploring how the ravages of war erode Shin’s humanity with each successive battle.

Stylized 80’s animation, adrenaline-pumping dogfighting action, and an eclectic soundtrack magnify the emotional trauma. The varied European-designed aircraft are impressively detailed as well.

6. Stratos 4

Set in a future where Earth is threatened by meteors, humanity escapes to stratified tower cities and airships. Mikaze Honjo, the main character, gets the chance to fulfill her lifelong dream to join an elite squad of female military pilots protecting this new civilization.

Stratos 4 plays out like “Top Gun” in the anime realm with its focus on flight school trials and burgeoning romance. Pretty character designs, complete with short skirts, prevail over technical accuracy.

However, the optimistic tone with positive themes about pursuing ambitions makes this series a motivating coming-of-age story. Fans of flying anime will enjoy the journey of Mikaze.

7. Macross Plus

This 1994 four-episode OVA fits into the long-running science fiction Macross franchise, focusing on transforming fighter jets battling alien invaders. In Macross Plus, two test pilots compete using experimental aircraft to win a contract for the next generation of United Nations space fighters.

Noted for its realistic and fluid dogfighting animation that still holds up decades later, Macross Plus also has a top-notch soundtrack by Yoko Kanno featuring haunting vocals by Sharon Apple.

The OVA explores ambition and creativity through aviation excellence with thought-provoking themes on human relationships affected by AI and technology. This flying anime is a must-watch for aviation enthusiasts.

8. The Cockpit

This original video animation anthology from 1993 takes an uncompromising look at World War II air combat from the perspectives of German, British, and American pilots.

Episode one follows a talented new Luftwaffe recruit showing promise until witnessing the horrific realities of war which ultimately challenge his considerations on bravery and honor. Other vignettes profile a Japanese kamikaze pilot and a cynical Japanese bomber crew at the end of the war.

The Cockpit stands apart for its gritty vignettes showcasing the psychological trauma of aerial warfare. Realistic animation, especially the painstakingly detailed cockpit mechanics and g-force effects, further amplifies the anti-war sentiments in this flying anime.

9. Toward the Terra

In this 2007 science fiction anime series, humanity escapes a dying Earth to colonize the stars living under strict controls. The story follows a young boy named Jomy and the conflict between humans and the Mu, a race of psychic humans, exploring themes of oppression and persecution.

Futuristic fighter designs dominating epic space battles against a backdrop of an engaging plot exploring oppression and persecution give Toward the Terra wide appeal. The psychic abilities translating into innovative aerial tactics also keep the combat sequences inventive and exciting to watch.

However, the anime’s thought-provoking social commentary lingers longest after the battles conclude. This flying anime is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

10. Mobile Suit Gundam

The long-running Mobile Suit Gundam franchise helped pioneer "mecha" anime featuring giant humanoid robots called Mobile Suits battling in futuristic conflicts. While the series focuses on ground warfare, they also highlight aerial combat with transforming mobile suits and fighter aircraft.

Series like Mobile Suit Gundam SEED showcase thrilling dogfights between highly maneuverable fighter planes equipped with advanced propulsion systems for extreme speeds. The pilots must master the advanced avionics via neural interfaces to push performance envelopes resembling aerobatic flight.

Whether facing off against swarms of automated attackers or equally matched rivals, the aerial fight scenes throughout the enduring Gundam meta series always impress with fast-paced action highlighting daring tactics and tenacious skills. This flying anime series captivates audiences with innovative aerial combat.

Conclusion

Flying anime has proven highly effective at portraying aerial combat throughout diverse eras while delving into relevant cultural issues. Sounds of roaring engines and raging battles grab attention, but the incredible visuals and imaginative storylines explore so much more within the animation medium.

The titles above showcase flying anime’s ability to uniquely capture aviation’s allure from multiple angles, whether for high-flying action, mechanical intricacies, or thoughtful commentary on humanity’s obsession with flight. So strap in to experience adventures in the sky unlimited only by creators’ imaginations.