What is Terraformars?#
Terraformars is a high-stakes science fiction series that explores a terrifying vision of the future. To combat Earth’s overpopulation, humans attempt to terraform Mars by introducing cockroaches to the planet’s surface. Five hundred years later, a team of astronauts arrives to exterminate the roaches and prepare the planet for colonization.
However, the mission takes a dark turn when they discover the cockroaches have evolved into powerful, humanoid creatures. To fight back, the astronauts have been granted special insect-like abilities, leading to a violent and desperate struggle for control of the Red Planet.
If you’re interested in diving into this world, you can watch the anime on Prime Video.
Is the anime really finished?#
If you are looking for a definitive, closed-ended conclusion, watching only the anime may not be enough. While the anime has several entries, the source material—the Terraformars manga—is still ongoing.
The manga has a complex publication history with several breaks. After a significant five-year hiatus, it resumed on April 4, 2024. Despite further short-term hiatuses, the series is continuing, with the most recent updates indicating a resumption date of December 18, 2025.
Because the manga is still being written, those who want the full, final resolution to the story will need to buy the Terraformars manga to stay updated with the original creator’s vision.
Appeal and Audience#
Terraformars is best suited for viewers who enjoy gritty science fiction, biological horror, and intense action. The central appeal lies in the creative use of insect-like abilities to combat mutated threats, blending speculative evolution with violent combat. It is a story of survival and evolution that will appeal to fans of the “man vs. nature” trope pushed to a futuristic extreme.
If you enjoy the aesthetic and world-building of the series, you might also want to browse Terraformars merchandise to celebrate your favorite characters.
Recommended Watch Order#
Navigating the Terraformars anime can be slightly confusing due to its release structure. For the best experience, we recommend referring to the relationship tree on this page. Here are the primary paths:
Release Order (and General Watch Order)#
For most viewers, following the release date is the most logical way to experience the story:
- Terraformars (August 2014)
- Terraformars Sequel (September 2014)
- Terraformars Revenge (April 2016)
- Terraformars: Chikyū-hen (May 2017)
For Completionists#
If you want every piece of the puzzle, follow the release order above, but also dive into the written materials. This includes the main manga and the spinoff manga, Terra Formars Gaiden: Asimov. For a complete understanding of the lore, starting with the original 2011 manga is highly recommended.
For Source Material Enthusiasts#
If you don’t mind switching formats, you can watch the anime adaptations to get a feel for the action and then transition to the manga to get the full story and the most recent developments beyond the anime’s scope.
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Quick Summary for Newcomers#
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Main Conflict: Humans with insect abilities vs. mutated humanoid cockroaches on Mars.
- Status: Anime has multiple parts; Manga is ongoing (resuming December 2025).
- Key Recommendation: Start with the 2014 anime series and move into the manga for the full story.
Terraformars • manga • 2011-01-13 (serialized in Miracle Jump)
└─(adaptation)→ Terraformars • anime • 2014-08-19
└─(sequel)→ Terraformars • anime • 2014-09-26
└─(sequel)→ Terraformars Revenge • anime • 2016-04-01
└─(sequel)→ Terraformars: Chikyū-hen • anime • 2017-05-19
└─(spinoff)→ Terra Formars Gaiden: Asimov • manga • 2015-11-04 to 2016-06-15 (Grand Jump, 2015 #23 - 2016 #14)
