10. Sol Bianca: The Legacy (1999)
Running at only six episodes,Sol Bianca: The Legacyis the shortest series on this list. And yet, it packs tons of action into its short runtime.
The crew of the Sol Bianca, led by the cool and calculated Feb and the headstrong April, are on a mission to steal one of the most valuable artifacts from Old Earth.
This anime series features stunning space battles and intense moments between characters. You’ll fall in love with these characters almost as soon as the show starts! That’s how good it is.
9. Mars Daybreak (2004)
Mars Daybreakis a 26-episode series centering on Gram River, who’s pushed into joining the most notorious pirates on Mars due to a terrible economy and a tyrannical government.
While the pirates inMars Daybreakpartake in the usual theft and pillaging of the profession, it’s easy to root for them because they have just cause. The fun characters are the star of the show, making this one of the best pirate anime series of all time.
Related:The Best Space Anime Series of All Time, Ranked
8. Outlaw Star (1998)
Outlaw Staris one of the greatest classic animes to ever grace our screens. Head into deep space with the crew of the Outlaw Star and their captain, Gene Starwind.
Fans of 90s anime will love the aesthetic on display here. This pirate anime focuses on the crew’s quest to obtain the Galactic Leyline, a legendary treasure trove that’s said to grant untold riches.
On top of the brilliant animation and huge space battles,Outlaw Starstrikes a delicate balance between mature themes and outright silliness.
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7. Space Pirate Captain Harlock (1978)
Pirates are, by nature, individualistic heroes. They value personal freedom over the comforts and securities of world governments.
Space Pirate Captain Harlocktakes that philosophy to its extreme, with Captain Harlock seeking to stir up a rebellion among the oppressed people of Earth.
Maybe you’ve heard of this anime, maybe you haven’t. Either way, you should know thatSpace Pirate Captain Harlockwas highly influential and spawned several films, series, and remakes since its 1978 debut.
Related:The Best Classic Old-School Animes Still Worth Watching Now
6. Fena: Pirate Princess (2021)
Set in an alternate version of the 1700s,Fena: Pirate Princessfollows the titular Fena as she seeks to escape her confinement on an island out in the middle of the ocean.
Together with a crew consisting of misfits, samurai, and a loyal pooch, Fena tries to escape her forced marriage to a brutish British officer and find freedom in a place only known as Eden.
The setting ofFena: Pirate Princessis dark and brutal, but Fena’s overwhelming positivity makes this show shine among the countless other anime about pirates worth watching.
5. Bodacious Space Pirates (2012)
Don’t let the title fool you!Bodacious Space Pirates(also known asMiniskirt Space Pirates) might seem like a pure fan service anime, but it’s actually quite restrained despite a cast full of girl characters.
Bodacious Space Piratesis about a group of spacefaring pirates who fight in proxy wars for larger colonies. Marika discovers that her father was the captain of the Bentenmaru before his death, making her the new captain as his only heir.
The show follows Marika’s adventures across the stars as she settles into her new role, but what really elevates this series are the supporting cast of well-written strong female characters.
Related:The Best Anime Series With Adventurers, Ranked
4. Elemental Gelade (2005)
InElemental Gelade, Coud Van Giruet is on a mission to escort Reverie Metherlence across the seas, but there’s a twist: Reverie is a living weapon that can join with humans to unleash devastating power.
The relationship between Coud and Reverie is sweet and their adventures are incredibly fun to watch. Plus,Elemental Geladeis only 13 episodes long, making it an easy one to binge in a single session.
3. Queen Emeraldas (1998)
Queen Emeraldas is a space pirate who fights against an invading armada set on conquering Earth. She first appeared inSpace Pirate Captain Harlockbefore she got her own updated series in 1998.
While the main character might have originated in another anime, she got a modern update when this spin-off anime series came about. Its story is one about fighting for freedom against impossible odds, and it has become a hallmark of pirate fiction over the years.
2. Black Lagoon (2006)
Modern pirates aren’t a glorious lot. They’re gritty, dangerous, and lack the romanticized elements of other eras—and that’s part of what makesBlack Lagoonso fun.
This anime series follows a simple salary man who falls in with a band of pirates and ends up joining them to crunch their numbers for them.
Black Lagoonhas plenty of tension and danger along with all the over-the-top action, showing what happens when the modern world pushes a normal guy just a little too far.
Related:The Best Anime Anti-Heroes of All Time, Ranked
1. One Piece (1999)
You knew it was coming, didn’t you? ObviouslyOne Piecewas going to top our list of the best pirate animes of all time.
With over 1,000 episodes and counting, Monkey D. Luffy has grown into one of the most recognizable characters on the planet. There simply isn’t a bigger or better anime about pirates out there.
One Piecehas tons of action, plenty of shonen tropes, and one of the most celebrated casts in anime. The plot focuses on Luffy’s adventures as he pursues the title of King of the Pirates. It might be daunting to dive in now, but there’s a reason this series is so popular worldwide!
Read next:The Best One Piece Arcs, Ranked
