The pirate genre has been captivating audiences for decades with its exciting tales of high seas adventures, featuring intriguing stories of pirates, treasure hunts, and beyond. This fascination with pirates dates back to the real-life buccaneers such as Blackbeard and Calico Jack, whose legends and exploits have spread across the seas.
The daring and defiant attitude of pirates lends itself seamlessly to pirate-themed anime, featuring vibrant personalities and fantastical settings that fully embrace the excitement of the open sea. Whether they center on rival pirate leaders searching for riches or the dramatic relationships among crew members, pirate anime effectively utilize pirate ships and enchanting ports as vehicles for captivating plotlines.
For anime enthusiasts who crave thrilling adventures and epic tales on the high seas, pirate anime is the perfect escape. With dynamic pirate protagonists and their loyal crews, embarking on their exciting voyages is effortless. Whether you prefer classic tales or newer releases, here are 10 of the top pirate anime that will captivate you.
Must-Watch Pirate Anime for Adventure Lovers
1. One Piece
One Piece, considered one of the top three hit anime franchises, is a highly acclaimed ongoing pirate series. The show centers around Monkey D. Luffy and his motley crew of Straw Hat Pirates as they journey through the expansive Grand Line Sea in search of the coveted treasure, “One Piece,”in order to claim the title of Pirate King.
One Piece continues to provide boundless adventures with its ever-growing number of episodes, featuring eccentric personalities, formidable antagonists, mysteries of the treacherous oceans, and the distinct unusual abilities acquired through consuming “Devil Fruits.”
The masterful world-building and storytelling of Luffy’s boundless high seas escapades make it easy to immerse oneself in.
TV Show: Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon presents a raw viewpoint and a more mature interpretation of contemporary piracy. Taking place in the lawless refuge of Roanapur, Thailand, this anime about pirates follows a group of hired mercenaries on their vessel, the Black Lagoon.
Under the guidance of their strategic leader Dutch, impulsive gunslinger Revy, and ex-businessman Rock, this unforgiving group of pirates engages in the illegal transport of goods as they become entangled with criminal organizations and dishonest authorities.
Black Lagoon showcases the violent and action-packed criminal world of pirate anime.
Fena: Pirate Princess
An original series produced by Production I.G is causing excitement in the pirate anime community in 2021. The show is set in a fantastical world, drawing inspiration from 18th-century European history, and it centers on the journey of Fena Houtman. Fena, known as the Pirate Princess, has no recollection of her past life as a noble pirate during her childhood.
As Fena sets out on a journey to return to her native land, she becomes a member of a diverse yet devoted pirate crew and faces off against menacing European navies. Featuring a captivating protagonist, complex characters, poignant revelations, and exquisitely executed battle sequences, Fena: Pirate Princess presents a unique interpretation of pirate-themed anime.
4. Granblue Fantasy: The Animation
This fantasy pirate anime takes inspiration from a popular mobile and browser RPG game, featuring a dynamic cast of characters on a treasure-seeking adventure in a vividly envisioned magical realm filled with floating islands.
The story follows a determined young man named Gran, who becomes a member of the airship team led by the enigmatic Captain Rackam, as they embark on a quest to locate the legendary island of Estalucia. Along the way, they encounter both friends and foes and discover hidden truths about a powerful creature connected to the fate of their world.
“Featuring thrilling aerial battles and a strong bond among the Grandcypher crew, Granblue Fantasy The Animation portrays a captivating friendship, solidifying its spot as an exceptional pirate anime.”
Those Who Hunt Elves
Ritsuko, a gun enthusiast, Junpei, a former gangster, and Airi, a famous actress, team up to search for spell fragments tattooed on the skin of elves by stripping them. Their chaotic actions mimic a bumbling hunt for treasure as they invade elf villages, stripping the inhabitants and brandishing modern weapons.
Despite the destructive chaos they leave in their wake, Those Who Hunt Elves amplifies the madcap humor. With unabashed audacity, the show embraces slapstick comedy and relentless wacky energy, resulting in non-stop hilarity for those who appreciate anime at its most absurd and ridiculous.
Space Pirate Captain Harlock
The sci-fi pirate anime franchise centered on the brooding rogue Captain Harlock offers a futuristic twist to classic pirate tales in space.
In a future where humanity has expanded to other planets, Captain Harlock commands a unique band of pirates on his state-of-the-art ship, the Arcadia. Together, they defy the oppressive leaders of Earth by engaging in daring space battles and completing dangerous missions.
Harlock, the quintessential noble thief, conceals his noble motives behind a pirate facade as he navigates his way through confrontations with formidable space rulers and aggressive extraterrestrial beings. The stunning depictions of space and spacecraft in Space Pirate Captain Harlock bring the romanticized concept of cosmic piracy to life through vibrant animation.
Mouretsu Pirates (Bodacious Space Pirates)
This sci-fi pirate anime, also referred to as Bodacious Space Pirates, offers an enjoyable blend of space piracy and school life.
After discovering that her father, who had passed away, was a captain of a space pirate ship, Marika Kato, a typical high school student, is recruited to lead his former ship, the Bentenmaru, with the help of a skilled crew.
Marika must juggle her typical school routine with mastering the leadership of a space pirate vessel, facing challenges and confrontations with those in power. Mouretsu Pirates injects a sense of youthful appeal and comical elements into its spacefaring exploits.
Queen’s Blade: Beautiful Warriors
In a medieval fantasy world, this anime is centered around a royal tournament where highly skilled female warriors compete to determine a queen. Among the participants is Liliana, a swashbuckling pirate captain, and her rowdy all-female crew, who have joined to claim the tournament’s prize of glory and riches.
Although she longs for both wine and treasure, Liliana forms strong connections with other warriors in their fight against dangers such as demons, conspiracies, and a notorious pirate guild that preys on skilled female fighters. Through the camaraderie shared among these competing swordswomen, this series weaves a tale of incredible warrior pirates.
9. Outlaw Star
Despite the abundance of strong spaceship-centered sci-fi pirate anime, the 1998 series Outlaw Star is definitely worth mentioning for its captivating interstellar storyline. The show follows protagonist Gene Starwind, a skilled outlaw bounty hunter who obtains a highly advanced pirate ship through a series of exciting escapades.
Partnering with the bio-android Melfina, who possesses the ability to navigate and directly interface with the ship, Gene gathers a motley crew of outcasts. Dubbing themselves the Outlaw Star pirates, they embark on a series of illicit assignments involving thievery, sabotage, and espionage in order to earn a profit throughout the universe.
However, their adventures take a dangerous turn as they find themselves embroiled in fierce conflicts with the notorious “Pirate Guild”syndicate and the underworld’s organized crime network. Outlaw Star seamlessly combines elements of space piracy and comedy as the crew navigates through clashes with both law enforcement and rival pirates.
Pirates of Dark Water
The production from the early 1990s received critical acclaim for its intricate world-building and incorporation of high fantasy elements. Set on an alien planet surrounded by islands, the inhabitants are constantly threatened by the ominous Dark Water, a supernatural force that devours everything in its path. In this perilous environment, a young boy named Ren leads a diverse group on a quest to locate the fabled Thirteen Treasures of Rule, which are said to possess extraordinary abilities.
Ren must collect all the scattered treasures across the treacherous seas and protect them from rival pirates in order to prevent the Dark Water darkness from completely destroying the world. Along the way, as he gathers treasures, Ren also discovers his royal lineage amidst the increasing danger.
Despite the creative talents of Hanna-Barbera Studios, Pirates of Dark Water was unable to finish its epic narrative due to low ratings and insufficient toy sales. However, the 21 episodes that were completed still display the series’ impressive ambition, solidifying its position as a noteworthy pirate anime.
Summary
Pirate anime remains a popular genre, offering thrilling adventures with memorable and mischievous crews, whether set on the high seas or in outer space. With a range of options, from long-standing favorites like One Piece to newer successes like Fena: Pirate Princess, there are plenty of quality shows showcasing the imaginative and captivating storytelling of animated pirate fiction.
Embark on an adventure through these titles and uncover your preferred pirate anime, brimming with alluring characters on unforgettable journeys.
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