Miniature models are displayed in the head coach of the popular animation series 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' themed Shinkansen bullet train '500 Type Eva' at JR West Hakata Train Depot on October 19, 2015 in Nakagawa, Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo : The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)
"Star Wars Episode VIII" and "Episode IX" are slated for release in 2017 and 2019, respectively, which could be torture to "Star Wars" fanatics because they have to wait for a long time before seeing their favorite franchise on the big screen once again. While waiting for the next movie, though, fans can watch several anime series that have some similarity with their sci-fi favorite film, mainly, space and a lot of action.
Cowboy Bepop
"Cowboy Bepop" is an adult-themed anime that was released in 1998 and centers around a group of bounty hunters who were contracted by the Inter Solar System Police to help eradicate crime within the Solar System. They are called cowboys, and their space ship is called Bepop.
The series includes so much action that it was even pulled out from its initial airing in Japan because of too much violence. When the series was ran the second time around, and in its whole entirety, fans poured in. It even gained a loyal following among Western audiences when it aired in Adult Swim in 2001, according to My Anime List.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
"Neon Genesis Evangelion" is another classic anime series. It depicts Tokyo 15 years after disaster struck the Earth. It is about a group of teenagers who pilot a giant mech called an Evangelion. They are members of a para-military organization called NERV and are tasked to prevent another catastrophe from happening.
The series is considered artistic, technical and filled heavily with action. It was considered as the most popular anime of all time during the 2006 Japan Media Arts Festival.
Super Dimensional Fortress Macross
Another action-centric anime series is "Super Dimensional Fortress Macross" that was aired back in 1982. It is about transformable mecha fighting in an apocalyptic battle, but the crew members still have time to have a love triangle.
The main ship is called the SDF-1 Macross, hence the title of the series, which is also a city that contains civilians. The ship's fighters, called the VF-1 Valkyrie, are similar to the looks of the famous F-15 Eagle and F-14 Tomcat jet fighters. It can then transform into a mech robot, Comicbook reported.
These are some anime series that sci-fi action fans can be busy with while waiting for the next "Star Wars" movie. They can also continue watching other anime series like "Planetes," "Outlaw Star," and "Space Battleship Yamato."
The stand-alone "Star Wars Rouge One" film will hit the big screen on Dec. 16.
