10 Weird Alien Races in Anime and Manga

Anime and manga have a long history of introducing us to strange and fascinating alien races. From humanoid creatures with unusual abilities to bizarre robotic beings, these extraterrestrial beings often play a pivotal role in the stories they inhabit. Some of them are friendly and eager to make new friends, while others are hostile and seek to conquer or destroy the human race. In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 Weird Alien Races in Anime and Manga.

Canti (FLCL)

Canti, also known as “Kanchi,” is a pivotal character in the anime series FLCL. As the first robot to emerge from Naota Nandaba’s head, he quickly becomes a central figure in the story. Canti was created by Medical Mechanica and was originally intended to capture Atomsk, a powerful alien being. However, it is later revealed that Atomsk can manifest through Canti, with Naota serving as the catalyst.

Canti has a distinctive appearance, with a TV set for a head and a lanky, robot-like body. Despite his odd appearance, he quickly befriends Naota and his friends and becomes a loyal ally in their adventures. Canti has a variety of abilities, including the ability to transform into a powerful weapon and fly through the air. He is also capable of repairing himself, making him a tough opponent in battle.

In the sequel series, FLCL Progressive, Canti appears again, this time residing with Hidomi Hibajiri and Hinae Hibajiri and working with them at their café. Despite not being as heavily involved in the story, Canti remains a beloved character for his quirky personality and unique abilities.

Mimics (All You Need Is Kill)

The Mimics are alien race that feature prominently in the science fiction light novel, manga, and anime series “All You Need Is Kill.” These aliens are actually alien-engineered machines that travel to planets to terraform them in preparation for the arrival of their extraterrestrial colonizers. In the case of Earth, however, they arrive with a more sinister purpose: to wipe out all human life.

One of the most notable characteristics of the Mimics is their ability to create time loops, which allows them to “reset” the day and try again if they are defeated in battle. This ability makes them extremely difficult to defeat and puts the humans at a significant disadvantage. Additionally, Mimics can replicate human beings, making it challenging to distinguish between friend and foe.

Martians (Aldnoah.Zero)

In the anime series Aldnoah.Zero, the Martians are depicted as a technologically advanced race of humans who have colonized Mars and established an independent government known as the Vers Empire. The Martians possess an array of advanced technology that gives them a significant advantage over Earthlings in battle. Their weaponry is powerful, and they have access to advanced mecha known as “Kataphrakts” that can transform into various forms.

The Martians’ sense of superiority is a key aspect of their characterization in the series. They view themselves as a more advanced and evolved race, and they look down on Earthlings as inferior beings. This sense of superiority has led to conflicts between the Martians and Earthlings, with the former often seeking to dominate the latter.

Abh (Crest of the Stars)

The Abh are a fictional race of humanoids that feature prominently in the science fiction novel series “Seikai no Monshou” (Crest of the Stars) by Hiroyuki Morioka, which was later adapted into a manga and anime series. They are characterized by their distinctive appearance, with long, pointed ears and blue hair that is often styled in elaborate braids.

The Abh possess advanced technology, particularly in the area of space warfare. They are a highly organized and disciplined race, with a strict hierarchical society that is based on their magical abilities. The Abh have a unique genetic trait that enables them to access a form of telepathy, which they refer to as “thought communication.” This allows them to communicate with one another instantly, even over vast distances, and to share thoughts and emotions.

Incubators (Madoka Magica)

The Incubators are a mysterious alien race that feature prominently in the anime series “Puella Magi Madoka Magica.” These beings appear as small, white, androgynous creatures with sharp teeth and piercing red eyes. They possess advanced technology and the ability to manipulate and control the laws of physics.

The Incubators’ primary goal is to harvest the emotional energy generated by human beings, which they refer to as “entropy.” To do this, they offer young girls the opportunity to become magical girls, granting them magical powers in exchange for fighting witches, which are monstrous creatures that prey on humans and generate emotional energy. In exchange for this service, the Incubators collect the magical girls’ emotional energy, which they use to fuel their own powers.

Dark Matter Thieves (One Punch- man)

One-Punch Man was a wildly popular anime series that drew audiences in with its humorous take on the superhero genre. However, an anime is only as good as its villain, and in this case, the Dark Matter Thieves provided a formidable challenge for the show’s hero, Saitama.

The Dark Matter Thieves are a group of alien invaders who are set on attacking various planets, and their race is known for their strong regenerative abilities. Amongst their race, their leader, Boros, stands out as a super alien with incredible power. He possesses immense speed, strength, and durability, along with the ability to project energy and regenerate his body. Even Saitama, the famously overpowered protagonist, acknowledges that Boros is one of the strongest enemies he has ever faced.

Saiyan (Dragon Ball)

The Saiyans are a fictional alien race that are prominent in the Dragon Ball manga and anime series. They are a warrior race of humanoid beings who possess immense physical strength, exceptional fighting abilities, and a natural aptitude for combat. Saiyans are identified by their distinctive black hair that often has a spiky appearance and their tail, which they can use to transform into a giant, powerful Great Ape form.

In the Dragon Ball universe, the Saiyans were originally from the planet Vegeta, which was destroyed by the evil Frieza. The Saiyans were employed by Frieza as mercenaries and were sent to conquer other planets in exchange for payment. However, after the destruction of their home planet, a small group of Saiyans, including Goku and Vegeta, rebelled against Frieza and fought against him in the series.

Life Fibers (Kill La Kill)

Life Fibers, parasitic organisms of extraterrestrial origin, are responsible for the evolution of humanity and the creation of all clothing on Earth. They are multi-cellular, long strands that feed off the bio-energy of a human host. The Life Fibers are not invaders, but they have changed the lives of humans on Earth. Humans began to cover themselves with clothing made from the fibers, which eventually became stitched into the very fabric of clothes. The anime series Kill La Kill features the creation of sentient clothes like Senketsu to fight against the Life Fibers. While seemingly insignificant, the Life Fibers are actually one of the most powerful entities on this list.

Parasite (Parasyte)

Parasyte, also known as Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu, is a science fiction horror manga and anime series created by Hitoshi Iwaaki. The series focuses on a high school student named Shinichi Izumi, who is suddenly invaded by an alien parasite that takes over his right arm. The parasite, named Migi, is one of many that have come to Earth and are taking over human bodies in an effort to take over the planet.

Unlike other parasites, however, Migi fails to take over Shinichi’s entire body, and instead ends up sharing his body with him. Together, they must learn to coexist and work together in order to survive the dangers posed by other parasites who seek to harm them.

Spiral/Antispiral (Gurren Lagann)

The Spiral is a symbol of evolution and progress, represented by spiral-shaped energy that can be harnessed by humans to power their machines and technology. The Spiral is also associated with the concept of “Spiral Power,” a force that can be used to overcome seemingly impossible challenges and push beyond limitations.

On the other hand, the Antispiral is a symbol of entropy and stagnation, represented by a black, featureless humanoid form that seeks to prevent the spread of Spiral Power and keep the universe in a state of stasis. The Antispiral’s ultimate goal is to prevent the universe from being destroyed by a cataclysmic event known as the “Spiral Nemesis,” which it believes is inevitable if Spiral Power is left unchecked.

The conflict between the Spiral and Antispiral serves as the central conflict of the series, with the protagonists of Gurren Lagann fighting to protect their right to use Spiral Power and advance as a species, while also striving to avoid the catastrophic consequences of the Spiral Nemesis.

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