So, you’ve heard of Steins;Gate, huh? Maybe someone whispered, “It’s about time travel!” or “The plot twist will break your brain.”
Well, grab your lab coat and a banana because you’re about to dive into one of anime’s most epic what-is-going-on rollercoasters.
Set in Akihabara, this slow burn follows a ragtag group of “scientists” (and by that, I mean one self-proclaimed mad scientist and his nerdy pals) who accidentally stumble upon the holy grail of sci-fi: time travel.
But wait—it’s not all fun and games. Things get dark. Time paradoxes start unraveling lives, friendships, and everything you thought you understood about causality.
Why watch it? Because by the time that twist drops, you’ll be questioning your own reality!
1. Steins;Gate (2011)
| Title | Steins;Gate |
| Episodes | 24 |
| Aired | Spring 2011 |
Self-proclaimed mad scientist Okabe Rintarou lives in a small room in Akihabara, where he invents “future gadgets” with fellow lab members Shiina Mayuri, his air-headed childhood friend, and Hashida Itaru, an otaku hacker.
The three pass the time by tinkering with their latest creation, a “Phone Microwave” that can be controlled through text messages.
The lab members soon face a string of mysterious incidents that lead to a game-changing discovery: the Phone Microwave can send emails to the past and thus alter history.
Adapted from the critically acclaimed visual novel by 5pb. and Nitroplus, Steins;Gate takes Okabe to the depths of scientific theory and human despair as he faces the dire consequences of changing the past.
2. Steins;Gate: Egoistic Poriomania (2012)
| Title | Steins;Gate: Oukoubakko no Poriomania |
| Episodes | 1 |
| Aired | Winter 2012 |
The story is set a few months after the last scene of the television series.
On a calm day in Akihabara, Okabe and the other laboratory members are invited by Feyris to go to America. Mayuri and the rest are planning to reunite with Kurisu, who had come back to an American laboratory.
A few days later, Okabe’s mad scientist persona Hououin Kyouma arrives alone at the airport in Los Angeles, where he may be taking the first step to leading the world into chaos.
3. Steins;Gate The Movie – Load Region of Déjà Vu (2013)
| Title | Steins;Gate: Fuka Ryouiki no Déjà vu |
| Episodes | 1 |
| Aired | Spring 2013 |
After a year in America, Kurisu Makise returns to Akihabara and reunites with Rintarou Okabe.
However, their reunion is cut short when Okabe begins to experience recurring flashes of other timelines as the consequences of his time traveling start to manifest.
These side effects eventually culminate in Okabe suddenly vanishing from the world, and only the startled Kurisu has any memory of his existence.
In the midst of despair, Kurisu is faced with a truly arduous choice that will test both her duty as a scientist and her loyalty as a friend.
Follow Okabe’s advice and stay away from traveling through time to avoid the potential consequences it may have on the world lines, or ignore it to rescue the person that she cherishes most.
Regardless of her decision, the path she chooses is one that will affect the past, the present, and the future.
4. Steins;Gate 0: 23β -Divide by Zero- (2015)
| Title | Steins;Gate: Kyoukaimenjou no Missing Link – Divide By Zero |
| Episodes | 1 |
| Aired | Fall 2015 |
Alternate 23rd episode of Steins;Gate, which leads into the story of Steins;Gate 0.
The main difference between this episode and the original episode 23 is that Okabe does not receive the Movie Mail from his future self, due to Mayuri begging Suzuha to stop relying on Okabe to prevent World War Three.
By not opening the Movie Mail Okabe does not find out about Operation Skuld and is unsuccessful in averting both Kurisu’s death and World War Three, thereby leading into the story of Steins;Gate 0.
5. Steins;Gate 0 (2018)
| Title | Steins;Gate 0 |
| Episodes | 23 |
| Aired | Spring 2018 |
The eccentric, self-proclaimed mad scientist Rintarou Okabe has become a shell of his former self.
Depressed and traumatized after failing to rescue his friend, he has decided to forsake his mad scientist alter ego and live as an ordinary college student.
Surrounded by friends who know little of his time travel experiences, Okabe spends his days trying to forget the horrors of his adventures alone.
While working as a receptionist at a college technology forum, Okabe meets the short, spunky Maho Hiyajo, who later turns out to be the interpreter at the forum’s presentation, conducted by Professor Alexis Leskinen.
In front of a stunned crowd, Alexis and Maho unveil Amadeus—a revolutionary AI capable of storing a person’s memories and creating a perfect simulation of that person complete with their personality and quirks.
Meeting with Maho and Alexis after the presentation, Okabe learns that the two were Kurisu’s colleagues in university, and that they have simulated her in Amadeus.
Hired by Alexis to research the simulation’s behavior, Okabe is given the chance to interact with the shadow of a long-lost dear friend.
Dangerously tangled in the past, Okabe must face the harsh reality and carefully maneuver around the disastrous consequences that come with disturbing the natural flow of time.
6. Steins;Gate 0: Valentine’s of Crystal Polymorphism -Bittersweet Intermedio- (2019)
| Title | Steins;Gate 0: Kesshou Takei no Valentine – Bittersweet Day |
| Episodes | 1 |
| Aired | Winter 2019 |
Unaired episode included with the volume 6 BD/DVD release of Steins;Gate 0.
A special day approaches during a lull in the chaos. It’s that time of year to give chocolate to the ones you love, but not everyone finds that an easy task.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the girls of the Future Gadget Lab discover that Kagari has never celebrated the occasion before! Determined to make this year’s holiday the best one yet, they all set out to make delicious homemade chocolates together.
However, with many of their quirks causing kitchen disasters, this may prove to be too hard a task. Will their feelings ever reach those of their heart’s desire?
In conclusion, Steins;Gate is more than just your typical sci-fi anime—it’s a mind-bending, emotional rollercoaster wrapped in a cozy slow burn.
With every time paradox and unexpected dark twist, it pulls you deeper into a story that feels both thrilling and heartbreakingly human.
Whether you’re a fan of clever plotlines, complex characters, or just enjoy watching someone send bananas into oblivion, Steins;Gate is the perfect binge.
