Pirate stories have long captured our imagination, embodying a spirit of adventure and the thrill of the unknown. Whether sailing across vast oceans or journeying through the stars, these tales are packed with romance, treasure, and high-stakes intrigue. From epic battles against formidable foes to heartwarming bonds forged among crewmates, pirate narratives offer endless excitement and emotional depth.
Anime, in particular, delivers a treasure trove of these captivating stories, blending rich world-building with unforgettable characters and daring escapades. So hoist your flag, ready your crew, and set sail into a sea of incredible adventures!
8Bodacious Space Pirates
Bodacious Space Pirates (also known as Miniskirt Space Pirates) is set in a distant future and focuses on Marika Kato, an ordinary high school girl whose world is turned upside down when she discovers that her late father was secretly the captain of the pirate ship Bentenmaru. By inheritance and pirate law, the captaincy is now hers.
Space Pirates were offered legitimacy when they were hired by the colony of Sea of the Morningstar to rise against the Alliance Colony Federation in a bid for independence a century before the events of the show. n the war’s aftermath, a Galactic Empire emerged, absorbing the Federation while leaving the once-rebellious colonies to govern themselves.
Space Pirates have remained a respected, though unconventional, part of society. They still carry the pirate title, their roles are far from lawless, and they often take on legal operations like entertainment gigs, elaborate mock raids for tourists, and cargo deliveries.
7Fena: Pirate Princess
When Fena Houtman was just a young girl, her life was forever changed. After her ship was attacked by pirates, she escaped with the help of the crew during the chaos, carrying only a final, mysterious message from her father: Find Eden. Orphaned and adrift, Fena eventually washed ashore on a foreign island, where she was taken in and raised as a servant in a brothel, her past little more than a distant memory.
Years later, her quiet life is shattered when figures from her past arrive to rescue her, revealing a hidden truth… Fena’s family holds a legacy intertwined with secrets and destiny. Brought to a secluded island inhabited by a band of pirates and skilled samurai, she learns that her father’s dying wish holds the key to unraveling a mystery that could change the course of history.
6Granblue Fantasy: The Animation
Granblue Fantasy: The Animation brings the beloved video game series to life, following the epic journey of Gran and his plucky winged companion, Vyrn. They live on the peaceful floating island of Zinkenstill, where life is quiet, until they cross paths with Lyria, a mysterious girl who has escaped from the clutches of the sinister Erste Empire, and who is following her father’s message to make her way to Estalucia, the Island of the Astrals.
Their adventure truly takes flight when they meet Rackam, a skilled but quirky helmsman who dreams of soaring through the skies aboard his beloved but broken airship. Together, they repair the vessel, the magnificent Grandcypher, transforming it into a symbol of their quest and a home for their growing crew. As their journey unfolds, Gran and his companions encounter a vibrant cast of allies and adversaries across countless floating islands.
5Captain Harlock
In 2977 AD, Earth is a shadow of its former self. Its oceans have long dried up, and its people are lost in a haze of complacency and despair. Though humanity has achieved the incredible feat of exploring the stars, this progress has come at a cost. Crippled by boredom and apathy, civilization has fallen into stagnation, making it easy prey for a mysterious and ancient enemy that now holds the planet in its grip.
Captain Harlock takes place in a larger universe, called the Leijiverse, which includes the popular 1978 series, Queen Emeraldas.
Amid the darkness, one man refuses to surrender: Captain Harlock, a rebellious space pirate who sails the cosmos aboard his fearsome ship, the Arcadia. With a heart full of defiance and a crew of misfits at his side, Harlock stands as the last beacon of hope against tyranny. With enemies closing in and humanity hanging in the balance, Harlock and his ragtag crew embark on a daring quest to reclaim freedom and reignite the human spirit.
4Coyote Ragtime Show
The legendary Pirate King, Bruce Dochley, pulled off the heist of the century, stealing a staggering ten billion space dollars from the Central Bank and hiding it somewhere on the planet Graceland. But before he could reclaim his prize, Bruce was killed by the ruthless Madame Marciano, leaving behind a legacy shrouded in mystery… and a daughter, Franca Dochley.
Under the guardianship of Bruce’s old friend, the smooth-talking rogue known only as Mister, Franca joins the ragtag crew of Coyotes in a high-stakes race to uncover her father’s hidden fortune. The path to riches is anything but smooth. Hot on their trail are Marciano’s deadly Twelve Sisters, a squad of lethal lolita assassin robots, and the relentless Detective Angelica Burns, determined to bring Mister and his crew to justice. With danger around every corner and the clock ticking, the Coyotes will need all their cunning, firepower, and luck to outwit their enemies and claim the legendary treasure.
3Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon is a gripping modern adventure that plunges you into the gritty world of high-stakes smuggling and mercenary work in Southeast Asia. The story centers around Lagoon Company, a team of four pirate mercenaries who operate out of the crime-ridden city of Roanapur, taking on dangerous jobs for the region’s criminal underworld.
At the heart of the story is Rokuro “Rock” Okajima, a Japanese ex-salaryman whose life takes a dramatic turn when a business trip goes horribly wrong. After being kidnapped by Lagoon Company during a hostage negotiation gone south, Rock finds himself abandoned by his former employer and faced with a choice: return to a mundane corporate existence or embrace the chaotic and exciting criminal underworld. Opting for the latter, he joins the crew as a negotiator and the team’s professional front, navigating morally gray situations with sharp intellect and a newfound sense of purpose.
2One Piece
One Piece is one of the most iconic and long-running anime series, boasting over 1,000 episodes.The story follows Monkey D. Luffy, an energetic and passionate captain leading his crew of colorful characters in search of the world’s ultimate treasure - the legendary One Piece. It’s said that whoever claims the treasure will become the next King of the Pirates.
The series is renowned for its wacky hijinks, unforgettable characters, and masterful world-building. Its length can be intimidating for new adventurers, but fear not: One Piece does a great job of recapping key information, making it easy to jump in at thestart of any story arcthat catches your interest.
1Porco Rosso
Porco Rosso is a 1992 Miyazaki filmabout a war-weary pilot cursed with the face of a pig. Once a celebrated ace, Porco now works as a seaplane mercenary, defending the Adriatic skies against air pirates. However, his unmatched skill has made him a target, and the pirates enlist the help of brash American pilot Donald Curtiss to take Porco down.
Porco Rosso was originally developed as a short in-flight film for Japan Airlines.
Curtiss shoots Porco’s beloved plane out of the sky, forcing Porco to travel to Milan for repairs. There, not only must he evade the authorities, who have put out a warrant for his arrest, but also confront the ghosts of his past. As Porco prepares for a rematch with Curtiss, his journey becomes more than just about reclaiming his place in the sky. It’s a story of redemption, love, and rediscovering one’s humanity.
