World-building has always been a hallmark of successful anime. By adding texture through cultural lore, unique locations, and interesting characters, many of the most popular anime, from Dragon Ball Z to My Hero Academia, have gained huge global audiences and appreciation.
While some of these anime worlds may be less than desirable to live in, a number of them are very alluring, with many characteristics making them even better than our world. From a lack of global conflict to fantastical flora and fauna and advanced technology, these anime worlds offer an escape from the trials and tribulations of our reality. Over at Ranker, thousands of anime experts have taken it upon themselves to rate the best ones to live in.
Planet Aqua (Aria)
Formally known as Mars, the dusty red planet has been given a terraforming makeover which has covered the surface with water. Planet Aqua, as it is now known, is the setting for the ARIA manga and later anime, which follows a young woman named Akari Mizunashi as she aspires to be a gondolier in one of Aqua’s settlements of Neo Venezia.
Neo Venezia itself is a complete replica of the historic canal city of Venice back on Earth. Neo Venezia is a place that many tourists now flock to, enjoying its quaint narrow canals, tranquil atmosphere, and elegant architecture.
19th-Century Japan (Mushishi)
One of the best-selling manga in Japan, Mushishi tells the story of Ginko who wanders around 19th century Japan investigating supernatural beings known as Mushi. The setting takes place in an alternate version of Japan, between the Edo and Meiji periods, that has 19th-century technology but is still closed off to the outside world.
The mysterious world of Mushishi is inhabited by the supernatural Mushi who are neither good nor evil, they take on many forms and few can detect and interact with them.
The World of Competitive Figure Skating (Yuri!!! on ICE)
While one would think the fierce nature of competitive Figure Skating leaves no room for romantic relationships, Yuri!!! on ICE puts that notion on its head. The series, one of the best anime directed by women, follows Japanese figure skater Yuri Katsuki and his romantic relationship with his idol, Russian world champion Victor Nikiforov.
The lighthearted world of Yuri accepts love no matter how it manifests, with no judgment or hate. The world of Yuri has also resonated with many professional figure skaters as well, with a number of them using music from the show during their routines in the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Dragon World (Dragon Ball Z)
Dragon Ball Z’s Dragon World, as it is sometimes known, is a near-future Sci-Fi version of Planet Earth, with flying vehicles, robots, and futuristic architecture. Dragon World is a place where both humans and various extraterrestrial species, as well as magic and advanced technology, coexist.
In the world of Dragon Ball Z, Earth is now ruled by a planet-wide constitutional monarchy. The best part about Dragon World is that no one perishes, with 12 different universes, many characters who “die” in the series are eventually reborn in some way or another.
Earth with Demi-Humans (Interviews with Monster Girls)
The world of Interviews with Monster Girls takes place on a fictionalized version of Earth where various supernatural “demi-humans,” like Vampires and succubi, live openly among humans. The story of Interviews with Monster Girls follows three demi-human girls as they go through the trials and tribulations of High School.
The show explores the world of demi-humans through insightful questions such as “how much does the fact differ from the fiction?”, “How do they deal with their conditions?” and “How do they socialize with humans?”
Domino City (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
One of the main settings for Yu-Gi-Oh!, Domino City is a fictional Japanese city and the home of the titular Yugi Muto, Joey Wheeler, and Téa Gardner. The universe of Yu-Gi-Oh! Is one where most problems can be solved with dramatic flair and the Duel Monsters card game. Much of the city is connected with the Battle City Tournament, through the Kaiba Corporation.
The Kaiba Corporation also built the premier amusement park in Domino City, Kaiba Land, using advanced 3-d technology for its rides, but secretly constructed by Kaiba to get revenge on Yugi.
The Digital World (Digimon)
First created in the early 20th century, The Digital World is the parallel world where the titular cute creatures called Digimon live and bond with humans. There have since become a multiverse of Digital Worlds, but each follows the same basic structure mostly copying Earth’s geography with forests, mountains, oceans, etc. but with the mailability to be changed as any computer program.
Technology in the Digital World is made up of both primitive and advanced tech. The Digital World, however, remains largely a mystery to most humans in Digimon.
Hidden Leaf Village (Naruto)
Located deep within the Land of Fire, the Hidden Leaf Village is one of the great Shinobi villages and the setting for both the Naruto and Boruto series. The Hidden Leaf Village is surrounded by forests and overshadowed by the great Hokage Rock mountain.
When not ninja running around town, food is a big part of the culture of the Hidden Leaf Village, one can chow down on Ichiraku Ramen or pick up some Japanese dumplings at the local Dango Shop. The Hidden Leaf Village has become so iconic that Fortnite has added it as a location to their Creative mode. One can even visit a Hidden Leaf Village theme park in Japan.
U.A. High School (My Hero Academia)
U.A. High School is the premier high school for aspiring Heroes in Japan and the center of the action for the hit show and ideal anime for beginners, My Hero Academia. In this world, 80% of people have some form of superpower called “quirks.” Many have aspired to become professional superheroes, using their quirks to fight crime, and the best way is through an education in Heroics.
U.A. only accepts the best of the best and its teaching structure is very unorthodox, giving teachers supreme control over their classes and how they are taught. U.A. also hosts an annual hero festival for prospective heroes to face off and get scouted. Unfortunately, it’s mostly all work and little play as U.A. uses a strict six-day school week.
The Pokémon Universe (Pokémon)
Nearly identical to Earth, the world of Pokémon is inhabited by a race of collectible creatures with their own special abilities and powers. Humans strive to capture these Pokémon and then battle each other with them to become a “Pokémon Master.” In this world, the culture is predominantly Japanese based, with other cultural aspects included. Here, humans try to bond with nature instead of harnessing it for power.
In the Pokémon world, there are several regions, including Kanto, Johto, and Unova, with unique geographies and climates. Technology is seemingly more advanced than the real world in some areas, like cloning and anti-gravity. Junichi Masuda, the game director for Pokémon, said that in the Pokémon world, “there wouldn’t be global warming, water shortages, or anything like that. It’s a world where the people in it really want to work together with each other.”
