What would you think or do if you heard a rumor about a murder in your new Middle School? When Tetsuko “Alice” Arisugawa hears it for the first time, she decides to investigate it, discovering that Hana, a girl from her class, might have the clue to solving the mystery. However, she lives in the Flower House everyone is scared to go inside. With a combination of cinematographic animation and watercolor based backgrounds, this movie will capture your attention from the very first scene. Omoide no Marnie and Hana to Alice put the girls in charge. There is a mystery in both films and they spiral towards drama, although this is not evident at the beginning. However, these two movies know how to balance the blues with lighthearted scenes and appreciation for the daily life. The pace is also slow but comfortable, and the music helps make the movement fluid. If you enjoyed Omoide no Marnie but would like a little bit more grown up version of it, look no more! Watch Hana to Alice.

Momo Miyaura is an 11 year girl who leaves Tokyo after the death of her father. She moves to a remote island in Seto Inland Sea with her mother, accompanied by the last unfinished letter her father left for her. As a former city resident, Momo has trouble fitting in on the island, but what happens when she finds an old book about youkai in the attic of her new home? Perhaps the magic that Momo so desperately needs in her life will become real… Omoide no Marnie and Momo e no Tegami start in a pretty similar way, with the protagonists moving to a more tranquil neighborhood. They also encounter old houses and objects, followed by a bit of… could we call it magic? Momo and Anna are also well rounded, realistic girls, with natural reactions. Their adventures are full of sentiment and are relatable. And did we mention the scenic scenes in both movies? If you were looking for quality in animation and storytelling, Momo e no Tegami might be the option for you.

We invite you to enter Coquelicot manor, a boarding house on the top of a hill, ran by the Matsuzaki family. Umi is on charge in this place, but when she is not there, you can find her in the local high school. This is the time before the Olympic Games of the sixties, and in order to prevent the demolition of an old building, the students are gathering together. This is how Umi meets Shun Kazama and falls in love with him. There is a little problem though, and that is that there are mysteries related to Shun’s origins. Therefore, the couple teams up to find out about his past. Omoide no Marnie and Coquelicot zaka kara are marked with nostalgia. Also, we see young people involved in mysteries that they try to solve by themselves. The struggles of growing up are also present. However, we should warn you that the drama in Coquelicot gets heavy. The ends of both films are also similar, but we can not tell you exactly how because we would ruin the surprises. Better watch them and find out yourselves ;)

Warning: this movie has references to suicide. Proceed with caution. What would you do if you had another opportunity to fix your mistakes once you have died? A guy who falls out of the cycle of reincarnation gets such a chance due to a lottery (he, he). His spirit possesses a 14 year old boy called Makoto Kobayashi and starts on a journey to understand humanity better. While he collects the memories of Makoto, he realizes how reality sometimes gets in the way to create real connections with others. Did someone say drama? Omoide no Marnie and Colorful have an atmosphere that invite you to observe, absorb and reflect about real issues in life. They are uplifting, hopeful and sad at the same time. They also play with a dreamlike state, and their art fits masterfully with their stories. If you like more mature themed anime that draw you into their plots without losing the freshness of innocence and youth, these two movies are up to the game.

This is the story behind the great star behind the Ginei Studio, which is soon to be demolished. An ex employee finds the famous Chiyoko Fujiwara and asks her to tell her life story for a documentary. Inspired by the real actresses of the Showa Period, this movie narrates the story of Japanese cinema through Chiyoko, and how it highlighted the joys, sorrows and aspirations of a nation devastated by the Second World War. Thousands of years are condensed into a moving story of impossible love the actress lived. Omoide no Marnie is not a conventional movie, as it tells the story of one of the characters in a unique way, in a somewhat similar fashion to Sennen Joyuu. These characters are so charismatic and important to the plot, that the others gravitate around them, pretty much like the viewers themselves. The point of view is mostly feminine in both films. Did we mention that the atmosphere is also full of drama? The main difference is that Sennen Joyuu talks about love birds, while Omoide no Marnie is more about friendship between two girls.

Warning: this movie also has references to suicide. Proceed with caution. Bullies can be found everywhere, and they tend to pick on the most different among us. That is why it was not surprising when a deaf girl named Shouko Nishimiya is bullied by Shouya Ishida and others as soon as she transfers to their school. However, Shouya is blamed for the bullying and pays the price, becoming isolated throughout elementary and middle school. As our protagonist grows up, he feels so conflicted that he attempts suicide. Fortunately, he decides to find Shouko to fix his wrong doings instead. And that is only the beginning of this wonderful movie! Memories can be as harmful as poison or a window to the future in Omoide no Marnie and in Koe no Katachi. Some characters actively seek them, while others hide them or forget them. Regrets are also present, but Marnie and Shouya leave us with a sensation of hope. Both movies show us how the bonds between youngsters can be magical, building up to great codas.

With the similar themes and thematic choices made in his films, it's nearly impossible to make a list of movies similar to Satoshi Kon's works without another of his films making an appearance. In the case of Perfect Blue, it is Kon's last feature film, Paprika, that has the most striking similarities. While the details differ, Paprika also weaves a tale of mystery that deals with voyeurism, identity, and reality. Paprika tells the story of Dr. Atsuko Chiba and her alter ego, Paprika. The head of a revolutionary treatment, which allows doctors to view a patient's dreams with the use of a device called the DC Mini, Dr. Chiba is aware of the dangers that could arise were the DC Mini to fall into the wrong hands. Atsuko's fears become a reality when the DC Mini is stolen and her colleagues start acting strangely and dangerously. Dr. Chiba and one of her patients must find the culprit before too much damage is caused by the improper use of the DC Mini. Perfect Blue saw a recurring theme regarding the ability for illusions to become reality. In a very similar manner, Paprika explores the way that our dreams and reality affect one another. Satoshi Kon manages to create two films that, while vastly different in execution, are able to feel similar to each other thanks to the themes and questions they raise about self and reality.

When Marnie Was There follows the story of Anna Sasaki, a twelve-year-old sent to spend the summer with her relatives in a quiet seaside town. Here she meets a young girl, Marnie who lives in the mansion next door. Marnie and Anna's friendship is anything but ordinary. While Marnie lives in the mansion next door, for most of Anna's stay it is nothing but an abandoned mansion. When the two girls play, however, the mansion and other since abandoned parts of the town come alive. As Anna's time in the town draws to a close, she must discover who her new friend truly is: is she a ghost, a figment of her imagination, or something more? When Marnie Was There is not a serious thriller, but it does a great job of creating intrigue and mystery that will keep the viewer engaged. When Marnie Was There, while not being a dark thriller in the same vein as Perfect Blue, has its fair share of moments that has the viewer and characters questioning what is and isn't real. A tale of friendship and identity, When Marnie Was There is sure to please those looking for a thriller with a feel-good message.

After experiencing the worst day of his life, a middle schooler, Makoto Kobayashi committed suicide by overdosing on pills. Miraculously, Makoto makes a recovery and awakens in the hospital bed, despite being pronounced dead minutes earlier. What is unknown to Makoto's relieved family is that while it may seem that Makoto has come back to life, his body is actually in possession of an unidentified soul. In order to enter the cycle of reincarnation, this soul must find out what the greatest sin of its past life was, as well as, what led Makoto to commit suicide in the first place. Colorful isn't nearly as dark and gripping a tale as Perfect Blue, but it does deal with the theme of identity. Although the soul is not that of Makoto Kobayashi, he begins to identify as Kobayashi and caring for the people in his life. In fact, Colorful ends with the same type of self-assertion as Perfect Blue, an ending which helped to assert Colorful's place on the list.

After transferring to a new middle school, Tetsuko "Alice" Arisugawa is immediately ostracized and bullied by the other kids in her class. She soon learns that her bullying has something to do with a strange rumor regarding her class. A year prior, in Class 1, "Judas was killed by four other Judases." Intrigued by the rumor, Alice begins investigating the Judas murder. With the help of her classmate, Hana, who may be the only person that knows the truth about the murder, she sets off on an adventure to solve the mystery. The Case of Hana & Alice is a fun murder mystery that, like Perfect Blue, does a great job of creating an atmosphere that will allow the viewer to become completely immersed in its story. The mystery in The Case of Hana & Alice is a bit simpler than Perfect Blue, but it is the fact that the movie is grounded in reality, that makes the mystery that much more special. The adventure turns out to be bigger than the mystery, but The Case of Hana & Alice manages to create a tale that will keep the viewer engaged throughout.

Ghost in the Shell is a classic anime thriller. In the year 2029, mankind has made significant technological in the field of cybernetics. These advancements in technology have allowed for the human body to be augmented with cybernetic parts. The technology is so advanced that some people are just the consciousness – the ghost – inhabiting a cybernetic body –the shell. One of these ghosts in a shell is Motoko Kusanagi, a member of Public Security Section 9, a government agency entrusted with the national security of Japan. Motoko Kusanagi, and the Public Security Section 9 must find a terrorist known as "The Puppet Master." With very little to go off of, Section 9 must track down the Puppet Master, who hacks ghosts and replace them with false memories. Using this technique, the Puppet Master is able to compel people to do his bidding, such as carrying out assassinations. In addition to the thriller aspect of Ghost in the Shell, regarding the Puppet Master, and what he wants, the movie also deals with the identity of self, most importantly what it is to be human. With her entire being made of cybernetic parts, Kusanagi throughout the film questions her humanity. In a sense, Ghost in the Shell plays on some of the same ideas as Perfect Blue, but on a grander scale: Perfect Blue looks at how a person's identity is determined, Ghost in the Shell explores how humanity is determined. In both film's the very person that causes the crisis for the Kusanagi and Mima turn out to be the one that helps them find answers to their questions regarding self.

Tired of being haunted by dreams in which his mother kills him, Tomoe Enjou takes matters into his own hands and kills his parents. Unable to return home, Tomoe takes shelter with Shiki Ryougi, a mysterious woman who herself claims to have killed as well. Garden of Sinners: Paradox Paradigm doesn’t become much of a thriller until the end of the first act when Tomoe sees his mother walking the streets. Now questioning his own memories, Tomoe and Shiki return to the scene of the crime and Tomoe's home, where even more questions about the murder and exactly who Tomoe is being raised. While Perfect Blue explains its mystery with the use of psychology, Garden of Sinners looks towards the world of the occult. While they look to different devices to tell their story, both are excellent thrillers about murder and identity.

Campione: they who slay gods even though they wear the flesh of humans. Those who are crowned with the title of Campione are humans who through some insane feat of skill and luck have slayed a heretic god that descended upon Earth. In exchange, they are granted with superhuman bodies and increased parameters in all areas. They also obtain "Authorities" special powers that are related to the gods they slay. Kusanagi Godou has become one such Campione purely by chance. He has no want for the power or authority granted to him by his newly gained title, but he keeps getting challenged anyway. As the youngest Campione he is also the weakest, but he is able to survive through his own determination and the powers of the strange harem he seems to be gathering for some reason. Like Date A Live, much of Campione revolves around Godou building up his harem of superpowered females whether he's willing to or not. It is only through working together with his females that he has any chance of surviving against the many forces that are out to get him now that he has become a god slayer. Much of the anime itself is light hearted, but it does know when to get emotional.

Hyoudou Issei never wanted much in his life. All he ever wanted was to be able to live the pervert life in peace by peeking on girls and watching the most erotic porn he can get his hands on. But everything changed when a fallen angel attacked. Under the guise of asking him out on a date, his date soon reveals herself to be a mythical and biblical creature that spears him through with a light projectile. However, his dreams of perversion don't end with his death, for he is soon resurrected by Rias Gremory, a top class devil. With the promise of being able to one day obtain his very own harem, Issei is spurred to train hard to battle the dangers of the supernatural alongside his new master! Unlike many of the harem animes out there, this protagonist wants a harem for once. Issei is extremely unrepentant about his dreams and does everything in his power to obtain them. Unfortunately Issei does face the typical denseness of harem protagonists. Like Date A Live, there are many dangers that threaten the harem and Issei must do all that he can to protect them from it. While Issei is able to defend himself unlike Shidou, he is still a male and therefore at the whims of the many females that populate his harem. Jealousy, angst and female problems in general are still a real thing that the two protagonists could possibly chat about in a bar should they ever meet.

On his way home from the convenience store, Ayumu Aikawa is killed in a horrible gruesome way by a serial killer. Fortunately, or unfortunately, he is brought back to life by the necromancer Eucliwood Hellscythe. As part of her powers, he is not brought back as a human but as a zombie, allowing him to take crippling injuries with ease and to exceed the limits of the human body. While he remains beholden to her, they come across the greatest weirdos of the supernatural world like a chainsaw wielding magical girl, a vampire leaf blade kunoichi and a girl who uses food to fight. Can Ayumu survive the abuse from so many superpowered freaks? He probably could, but he probably wouldn't like it either. This type of harem anime isn't seen very often. While there is some general humor and even imouto style humor, much of the humor centers on the masochism of the main character. As he is now unable to die, he is able to take an unbridled amount of abuse while still staying alive. Just for the sake of his sanity, he must try to tame all the weird girls he comes across. But he'll probably fail. While most harem animes focus on corralling super powered women for the sake of comedy, Kore Wa Zombie Desu Ka? does it for humor as well as actual real life combat. That’s right you heard us right; like Date A Live, there is actual conflict that actually has consequences for our heroes if they fail.

Ryuu Yamada entered High school hoping to distance himself from his delinquent past. He wants to become a brand new person and a good student. Unfortunately, like all of us, Yamada is an ordinary shitty human being and he soon becomes a failing student who gets into trouble all the time. By a twist of fate, he runs into the honors student, Urara Shiraishi, ending in an accidental kiss. This kiss causes them to switch bodies, leading to hilarious situations. Upon learning of their power, the pair are invited the Supernatural Studies Club. Together with the club, they soon discover the legend of Seven Witches of Suzaku High, seven female students who have obtained different powers activated by a kiss. Unlike Date A Live, kissing the girls doesn't seal the powers but causes a strange body swapping to occur. This leads to a gluttony of fan-service, so do turn away if that's not your thing. As you probably guessed from the title, Yamada has to deal with a whole harem of powerful females that could snap him in half purely with the powers of a harem protagonist. This bears a strange resemblance to Date A Live, in which the protagonist has a strange kissing power and must withstand the hormonal discharges of a whole harem of women that can cause nation wide disasters from a tantrum.

Whilst Minato Sahashi contemplates the utter failure of his life from failing the college entrance exams twice in a row, he encounters an incredibly beautiful and busty babe named Musubi. Turns out, she is a being known as a Sekirei, a human like alien with extraordinary power. When they bond their powers with that of a human male, they unlocked the untapped potential within them. And how else does this occur but through a kiss. However, Minato soon discovers that the bond comes with a price. He is now dragged into a game of survival where he and his Sekirei must survive against other partnerships in a blood sport. At the same time, something sinister lurks in the background… Minato Sahashi doesn't seal their powers with a kiss, but instead gains their allegiance or love, all the while unlocking their full power to battle the other contestants. This can sound a lot like a dark anime full of slavery themes, but it really is mostly light hearted and humorous, with flashy fight scenes sprinkled between. Minato must do all he can to survive the sordid game, as well as his harem! While the kiss aspect is still present, Minato has an easier time managing his harem in comparison to Shidou because he gains their loyalty. But this doesn’t mean the harem conflict isn’t as real as ever. Like Shidou, he has to juggle half a dozen girls who have fallen in love with him due to his efforts to gain their love and loyalty. And it's a thousand times worse when they possess super powers.

Keima Katsuragi is known online as the legendary "God of Conquest". He is able to capture the heart of any girl effortlessly as long as they reside in a dating sim game. Over the years, he has built his reputation through his obsession with galge games and finishing them as fast as he can, even going so far as to discard the real world. One day, Keima receives a challenge to prove his power at dating sim games and he accepts, not knowing that it is a trap. He is soon trapped into a contract with Elsie, a demon from hell tasked with capturing runaway spirits that hide within the crevices of young girls' hearts. The only way to force the spirits out of their hearts is to fill them; by making them fall in love. Keima must make use of his 2D powers to conquer 3D women, or face decapitation by deadly collar. This anime is literally the closest thing to Date A Live there is. They must both make the girls that have super powers fall in love with them and seal the deal with the kiss, or mass disaster will happen. There are small differences, like the gaming mechanic being far more prominent in TWGOK and Date A Live having a smaller more concentrated cast of a girls. But at the end of the day, if you need something super similar, this is probably your best bet.

Our first recommendation is a returning entry, Kamisama Hajimemashita, an anime about a high school girl named Nanami Momozono. She wants a normal life but becomes homeless due to her father’s gambling problem. One fateful day, she saves a man from a vicious attack and in return he offers her to stay in his house. Without any other choice, Nanami accepts but soon finds out that the man she saved was actually a god, and by accepting to live there she has to take on the duties of the shrine. Nanami meets a powerful fox demon named Tomoe whose job is to help her become a deity, however their relationship isn’t as easy going as you’d expect, as they hate each other. Hoping to gain his trust and learn the ways of becoming a deity, Nanami soon begins to fall for Tomoe as they spend more time together. Kamisama Hajimemashita has a lot of similar qualities to Fruits Basket, which is why we had to include it back into the new list. The main quality of which is that they both center around a girl who has nothing and ends up finding a new home with special beings. It has a similar art style and light-hearted atmosphere; Nanami also looks similar to and has a personality that resembles Tooru’s. Both series have similar romance and involve the male characters looking after the protagonist, who develops feelings for them after initially not caring at all about them.

Our second choice on this list goes to Kobato., an anime series based on the manga by CLAMP. It is about a clumsy but sweet girl named Hanato Kobato who has a wish to go to a certain place, but in order to do so she must fulfill a mission. She has to fill a bottle with ‘healed hearts’ from people who have had their suffering hearts healed in-exchange for her wish. Kobato has no memories of her past and she is forbidden to fall in love with anyone she heals. A spirit named Ioryogi, a dog plushie that is tasked with helping Kobato, is being forced to help her in order to save his own friends held captive in the spiritual world and to return to his true form. Kobato sincerely tries to help everyone she meets to gain their love and admiration, and ultimately their ‘heart’. Kobato is quite similar to Tooru’s character because of their optimistic personalities and naivety. Both series have similar elements, touching upon fantasy, romance and drama. There is also an element of a curse in both series, which both protagonists have a strong desire to help the other characters relieve. Kobato. has a similar feeling to Fruits Basket that you just have to watch to understand, this is definitely a must watch if you enjoyed Fruits Basket.

The next similar anime on our list is Ouran Koukou Host Club, following the story of a high school student called Haruhi Fujioka, who enters a prestigious academy known as Ouran High School after receiving a scholarship. Upon entering the school, one day she finds herself accidentally encountering the Ouran host club in music room #3 whilst trying to find somewhere quiet to study. Haruhi gets mistaken for a boy because of her short hair and appearance, and when Haruhi tries to leave, she accidentally stumbles into an antique vase worth eight million yen. She becomes forced to do the duties of an errand boy to pay off the huge debt. The club has six male students that participates in club activities that include entertaining female ‘clients’. In time, Haruhi’s androgynous appearance lands her a promotion in becoming a full time male host. This way Haruhi can pay off her debt faster, though the deeper she dives into the glamorous life of a host, the more she is in danger of others finding out about her true identity. Ouran Koukou Host Club is similar to Fruits Basket in the way that it is a story about a normal girl protagonist surrounded by handsome guys. It also touches on very similar themes of comedy and love, and has the same kind of light-hearted feel. Both series have a similar art style and have many heartwarming moments. They both also feature many male side characters, each with their own problems that the protagonist tries to help with. If you enjoyed Fruits Basket, then you will most likely like Ouran Koukou Host Club.

Coming next is an anime called Starry Sky; this anime follows the story of a heroine named Tsukiko who enrolls at Seigetsu Academy where she is the only female in the entire school. This is because the school was formerly a boys-only school with an exclusive curriculum catered only for boys. Tsukiko happens to be the first and only girl to have joined the school. During her time at the academy she meets twelve boys who are actually the twelve zodiac animals personified into young men. During her time there, she learns about each of their stories and their unique personalities. This is represented through episodic arcs, where each couple of episodes focuses on Tsukiko’s interaction with a single character. Starry Sky also has a relaxed slice of life kind of atmosphere as with Fruits Basket. They both have a strong zodiac-related theme, and both feature protagonists that have a pure and innocent personality. With many sweet moments, Starry Sky is a unique kind of anime that is different from most; it has its own style in portraying the story that may not appeal to everyone’s taste.

Our second to last recommendation is Special A, which is an anime about a girl named Hikari Hanazono, who since a young age has been competing against a boy named Kei Takishima. When they were 6-years old, Hikari challenged Kei to a wrestling match, but lost. Ever since then she has sworn to beat Kei in everything they do, from school grades to sport competitions. In order to stay in the same league as Kei, Hikari follows him and enrolls into an elite school known as Hakusenkan. Kei holds the top place in the school rankings followed shortly by Hikari at second place. Though Hikari thinks of Kei as just a childhood rival and friend, she doesn't realise that Kei actually loves her and wants to have a different type of relationship with her. Whilst Hikari is constantly trying to defeat Kei in everything they do, Kei tries to find love within the madness of the relationship they have. Special A has a similar style to Fruits Basket in terms of romance and comedy. Hikari's personality is also quite similar to Tooru's in the sense that they are both hard working people who never give up and would wish for others’ happiness before their own. Both series are also quite alike in terms of the similar feeling that the story emits and the many sweet moments they show. They both center around a female protagonist that is oblivious but is essential to everyone else’s happiness and brings everyone together.

Our final recommendation is the anime Gakuen Alice, which is about a 10-year-old girl named Mikan Sakura who transfers to a prestigious school called Alice Academy, after following her best friend, Hotaru Imai, who transferred there. Mikan discovers that the school is actually an elite academy that specializes in training ‘Alices’, gifted people who have supernatural abilities. The school was built to train and protect individuals with powers, and only people who have the abilities may enroll. Mikan discovers that she too has an ability that allows her to enroll into the academy to see her friend once again. Mikan makes new friends with other ‘Alices’ and together with Hotaru, they uncover the secrets and mysteries behind some of the students, and within the academy. Gakuen Alice is unique in its story but has many elements that can be found in Fruits Basket, such as involving magic and romance. The protagonists in both series are the optimistic type but have a naïve side to their personality. Gakuen Alice is a sweet and heartwarming anime that also has a mixture of drama and emotional situations that will make you want to watch more.

The Demon Lord Satan is close to conquering the human race with his demon army. Just as victory is within reach, Satan, his highest general, and their enemy, the Hero Emilia, are flung through a portal and wind up in modern-day Japan, with their power so low that they cannot use it. After a run-in with the local authorities, Satan takes on the name of Sadao Maou and gets a small apartment with his general. Though Satan's means are meager, from his part-time job at MgRonald's, Maou has a plan of conquering the world once more! Similar to what the dragons in Dragon Maid go through, Maou and his companions have to figure out how to live on Earth. Most similar to Elma, the devils and hero, who have been transported to Earth have to find a place to live, pay rent, and oblige the new world's laws about not being violent in public. Like how Tooru hates humans and comes to like them, Maou's armies fought against humans, but he really warms up to them and even blends in as the series progresses. If you are looking for a lot of laughs, watch The Devil is a Part-Timer!

One day, the "Immoral Dragon," Tatsu, vanished from the ranks of the yakuza. He was not abducted or murdered. Quite the opposite: Tatsu is a full-time househusband who protects his turf (family). From mending clothes to creating impeccable bentos, Tatsu believes there's nothing more gangster than a househusband, and by that standard, he is a real gangster. Bumping into one of his "coworkers" from the yakuza, they find it hard to believe, but they too become interested in the gangster-househusband lifestyle! If you already love Dragon Maid, The Way of the Househusband is another instance of somebody with a very aggressive personality completing domestic tasks with INTENSITY. Just as Tooru is a fire-breathing dragon who takes on the life of a live-in maid, Tatsu goes from being a yakuza to running his household and making it to the market to get items while they are on sale. They both get the job done with great ability, but they do not bow to the conventional means of getting there. For someone who loves Tooru and laughing at slice-of-life moments, check out The Way of the Househusband!

Mr. Tetsuo Takahashi is the high school biology teacher now, but he was most interested in demi-humans in college. As the name suggests, these humans have some supernatural makeup in them that sets them apart. As Mr. Takahashi learns that the high school he teaches at has not only three demi-humans (called demis) and a demi colleague, their paths start to cross. As the demis learn more about themselves and each other, they begin to understand each other. The demis have a great high school experience in Interviews with Monster Girls! A perspective that this show offers similarly to Dragon Maid is that it focuses on the kids as well as the adults. Additionally, in the same way, that Kobayashi is always learning a new perspective based on how dragons view the world, Mr. Takahashi keeps his eyes and ears open for what accommodations are needed to help these monster girls get along a little easier in the world. For a story with plenty of comedy, awkward moments, and teachers who actively support their students, watch Interviews with Monster Girls! And look out for season two, upcoming!

Heaven sends angels to Earth as part of their training. Gabriel White Tenma is a young angel who wants to bring happiness to all humankind, and the mission is no different for her. When Gabriel gets to Earth, instead of studying humans as she was supposed to, she falls into a life of gaming and becomes a full-on NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). Gabriel goes from being the top of her class to being a self-called "Fallen Angel." With several friends trying to steer Gabriel out of this pattern, Gabriel gives them a run for their money! Just like how Fafnir falls into a love of gaming in Dragon Maid, Gabriel is a total hikikomori (social recluse/shut-in) and is not easily deterred. If you enjoy the comedic adaptation to life in the real world, this is a perfect pick for you. Instead of dragons, Gabriel DropOut features angels and demons who live out days on Earth and learn what goes into being an angel or a demon. For more cute-monster-girls-doing-cute-things, check out Gabriel DropOut!

After the Demon Realm is destroyed, the terrifying Jahy no longer rules at the Demon King's side. Instead, Jahy is stuck in the human world, looking like a child. Though she has an idea of how to restore the Demon Realm, she has to deal with much more pressing issues first. Like how to buy food and how to pay for rent. Though Jahy has a truly demonic inside, that's not enough to cut it on Earth. Jahy has to get a job and learn to survive, but as the title suggests, The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated! Just as Tooru has an initial love for destruction and all things evil, Jahy is a real wild girl! Though she is stuck in a child's body, Jahy is still a firecracker, but she must conform to social norms. Just like how Kobayashi shuts down Tooru when she gets a little too exuberant, Jahy learns quickly that her landlady is nobody to try and outfox! For another fun story of adapting to the human world, even though you're evil inside, check out The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated! This title is also the newest produced one on this list!

Nakano is a too-stressed salaryman who works to live and lives to work. Always on the point of exhaustion, living like this causes darkness to fill oneself and can ruin a person's life. Senko-san can see the stress in Nakano, and before the darkness takes over, she inserts herself into his life to relieve some of that pressure that is always present. With household duties taken care of and emotional support, enjoy our favorite helpful fox. This title gets extra points for being one of the few that shows a vulnerable side of men. Senko uses her abilities for fire to complete household tasks, like cooking. It is adorably reminiscent of how that did not work with Tooru's fire-breathing ability. Both Kobayashi and Nakano are strung out adults who live lives where they are perpetually exhausted from work and not at all living life to the fullest. With the addition of a very earnest fox (or dragon), our hero's life changes are pretty significant, but it makes for a much healthier life in many areas. For all the feels you love about season one of Kobayashi, check out The Helpful Fox, Senko-san!

Primarily based on the days of school girls Mio, Yuuko and Mai, Nichijou is a slice-of-life series, filled with shorts that feature a host of rather peculiar characters. Everything from bizarre daydreams of castles in the sky, to a principal wrestling a llama, or a child professor tormenting her helpless robot carer, Nichijou is a wild ride where you're never quite sure what might happen next. Nichijou and Kobayashi-san Chi No Maid Dragon are both based on telling short but amusing stories about their unusual cast. While Nichijou is a fair bit more off-the-walls with its comedy, both shows have a light hearted and silly feel to them such that they can be enjoyed in the same way. Both series are also produced by KyoAni, and while the art style may be very different, the high standard of animation we've come to expect from KyoAni is present in both, as well as their fabled ability to produce cute things. So if you want something, cute, funny, warm, and not too plot heavy, we recommend picking up Nichijou as a side to your dragons.

If opposites really do attract, then Kaoru and Hajime are the perfect examples of that. While Kaoru is an ordinary office lady with a penchant for beer, Hajime is a full blown otaku, with his constantly up-to-date blog being his main source of income. While Kaoru can't quite understand her husband's obsession with cute girls and figures, she chooses to leave him be most of the time. However things are never going to be quite normal in such a household, and so continue the days of Kaoru dealing with odd friends and family, and a husband she can't understand. A series of shorts, Danna ga Nani wo Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken is unfortunately only 3 minutes per episode, but still has no trouble drawing you into the semi-functional household, much like Kobayashi-san Chi No Maid Dragon. Both series have a warm, family feel, with characters who are all supportive and helpful to each other, if sometimes in their own strange way. This lack of conflict and chain of heartwarming moments makes both series a joy to watch and are what we expect from the best of slice-of-life shows. So if you have a few minutes of downtime this week, why not give Danna ga Nani wo Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken a shot.

Planning to invade our dry surface world filled with weak humans, Ika Musume has decided to venture out of her familiar ocean home. Only she's not quite as strong as she thought, or smart, and taking over the world is starting to seem like a somewhat out of reach goal. Fortunately, she's been taken in by a kindly human family who runs a beach restaurant, and they're happy to give her lodgings, providing she works for it! Another story about a funny non-human who's come to our world without understanding a single thing about it, like Kobayashi-san Chi No Maid Dragon, Shinryaku Ika Musume is a slice-of-life filled with silly stories of discovery, misunderstandings, and occasionally attempts to destroy humanity. Although slightly more childish than Tooru, you'll find similarities between her and Ika Musume, including their occasional violent inclinations towards humans, and their different ways of doings things, like cooking or exacting revenge. As the series goes on the family in Ika Musume grow closer, becoming more like the one we see in Maid Dragon, with the same warmth and trivial, everyday problems. With two seasons, Shinryaku Ika Musume is a wonderful comedy series to invest your time in.

I've not been fishing much, but my understanding of it is that mermaids have a reasonably rare drop chance. So Mukoujima Takurou must be pretty lucky to have caught himself one without even trying, although he does spend an awful lot of time fishing to be fair. Now whenever he goes fishing, Mukoujima finds his new scaly companion Muromi-san at the pier, generally being an idiot or possibly drinking. And so it is that his days become significantly more lively than they were before, and it looks like they're going to get even livelier as some more of the half-human, half-fish cuties start turning up. Namiuchigiwa no Muromi-san captures the crazy, energetic side of Kobayashi-san Chi No Maid Dragon, being filled with mermaids who are slightly off their rocker as well as having a bright and fun art style. We have a main character again who is being bothered by a dopey semi-human who they choose to put up with, in part because they just make life more enjoyable. Replace Kobayashi's apartment with a pier and her dragons with mermaids and you're starting to get the idea. Comedy focused, if you want some extra laughs this winter, we recommend giving Namiuchigiwa no Muromi-san a try.

The small village of Asahigaoka, if you can even call it a village, is a far cry from the bright lights of Tokyo, though that doesn't seem to bother the newest resident Hotaru too much. Recently moved into the area, Hotaru is about to enter 5th grade at the local, and only, school, which consists of a grand total of five students and one teacher. Fortunately, her new classmates are a lovely bunch; the perfect companions to be stranded in the middle of rural Japan with. We have new beginnings again, but this time with one young girl joining the class, rather than a bunch of dragons harassing an office lady. Another slice-of-life series, Non Non Biyori is a bunch of stories about rural life, connected by a vague sense of time passing, similar to how Kobayashi-san Chi No Maid Dragon slowly goes about its tales of daily life. Although the settings are fairly different, both still feature a pretty varied cast of characters that both help and irritate each other like how close friends or family might, making them very pleasant to watch. Also if you like Kanna-chan you're sure to find Non Non Biyori's Renge cute too! So if you're somehow missing it from your slice-of-life library, be sure to check out Non Non Biyori.

Aoba Suzukaze is one lucky girl, getting to join the games company she adores as a junior game designer straight out of high school. We're not too jealous, though because it looks like a lot of work! The new girl at Eagle Jump, Aoba is quickly learning the ropes of 3D modeling with the help of her idol and senpai at the company Kou, as well as her cute and friendly co-workers. Thankfully despite the mountain of work that awaits her, Aoba's unrelenting positivity is a force to be reckoned with, and it looks like one of her high school friends might even be joining her for moral support! Buzzing with energy, New Game's Aoba has an enthusiasm for her new job that reminds us of Tooru's enthusiasm for her's. Although unlike Tooru, Aoba does appear to be getting paid. Both New Game and Kobayashi-san Chi No Maid Dragon are bouncy and fun series, centered around cute girls. Whereas Maid Dragon has Tooru and the ever adorable Kanna, New Game has Aoba, her friend Nene, hedgehog owner Hifumi, and the list goes on. What we're trying to say is, if you like Maid Dragon for the cute girls, then New Game should be right up your street. There are plenty of slice-of-life series that are worth watching if you like Kobayashi-san Chi No Maid Dragon, but New Game is for sure one of the prettiest, cutest, and most fun new entries to the list.

Asta and Yuno were abandoned at the same church on the same day and raised by the priests and nuns there. In this time, they learn about the Wizard King, a title bestowed upon the most powerful mage in the land. Asta and Yuno make a childhood promise that the next Wizard King will be one of them; however, Yuno was born with incredible magical potential while Asta was born with no power to speak of. To make up for the magical power he lacks, Asta trains his body in hopes that his powers will awaken someday. When children in this world turn 15, they receive a special book called a grimoire, which is the manifestation of their magical power. Yuno receives a grimoire with a four-leaf clover, indicating spectacular magical power, while Asta gets nothing. Yuno’s four-leaf grimoire becomes the talk of the town, causing him to be targeted by thugs who want to steal it. Asta jumps into the fray to protect his best friend, but he’s easily outmatched, but the feelings of rage and desire to overcome enable the manifestation of his special five-leaf grimoire–the Black Clover. Like Shaman King (2021), Black Clover is a battle shounen series, so the main aspects of the story involve themes like friendship, fights and adventure! The shows find their similarity in that they’re both themed around supernatural power of some kind, be it magic, or furyoku as they call it in Shaman King (2021). While Shaman King leans more into the paranormal side of things with its story about ghosts and the like, the series have certain subtextual similarities, such as the contrast between the protagonist and another character. In Black Clover, Asta and Yuno are the pair who are like night and day; however, their friendship makes it more obvious that they’re intended to be two sides of the same coin like the protagonist and antagonist of Shaman King. Their being abandoned at the same church on the same day makes them something like twins, which more closely mirrors the contrast between Shaman King’s Asakura Yoh and his twin brother, the series antagonist, Hao.

Ushio grew up with his father telling him stories of the weird and wonderful world of youkai, but he never believed any of it, until he found an ancient youkai trapped in the basement of the temple managed by his father. The youkai in question is Tora, a dangerous demon kept imprisoned by an ancient magical weapon called the Beast Spear, impaled in his shoulder. Tora tries to convince Ushio to release him from his imprisonment, but the 15-year-old is too wise for that. However; when countless youkai lay siege to Ushio’s hometown, he’s forced to yank the spear from Tora’s shoulder and rely on the demon for his help! Together they journey into the spiritual world that had once been hidden from Ushio’s view and, with the Beast Spear in his possession, Ushio is introduced to a world more dangerous than he ever thought it could be. Ushio to Tora has multiple similarities to Shaman King (2021), both within the context of the shows themselves, as well as things related to but not part of the story. Both titles are actually reboots of much older works, with Shaman King coming this year to commemorate 20 years of the Shaman King anime which aired in 2000. Ushio to Tora is a reboot of the Original Video Animation which came out sometime in 1990. Both stories are about the supernatural, with Shaman King focusing on ghosts and spirits of varying kinds, while Ushio to Tora follows Japanese folklore more closely by focusing on youkai. The main characters in both series find incredibly old and powerful spiritual companions and even wield weapons that enable them to face their foes.

Now that we’re in the modern age, people have forgotten about the existence of supernatural entities known as youkai, even though they are consistently plagued with the consequences of supernatural influence. Aware of the things happening around her, 13-year-old Mana writes a letter to the Youkai Post looking for answers to the strange phenomena she has seen happening. Their response is to send Gegege no Kitarou, a young boy with lots of experience concerning youkai. This title has been rebooted the most on this list, with the 2018 version being the latest in a series that has been on and off the air since the late 60s! So just like Shaman King (2021), Gegege no Kitarou (2018) is a reboot of an older work that features supernatural phenomena and characters. While Shaman King is about ghosts and spirits in general, Gegege no Kitarou has a more traditional Japanese approach to folklore and the supernatural. The other similarity is the fact that both series feature child characters, most of whom are barely even 13 years old!

Throughout the ages, there have been several wars over the Holy Grail, a mystical artifact that can grant its wielder any wish. Emiya Kiritsugu’s relationship with the Einzbern family renders him a participant of the Fourth Holy Grail War, a cutthroat battle royale consisting of seven participants and their ancient familiars. Within this great battle, Kiritsugu’s greatest ally is his familiar Saber, and his greatest threat is Kotomine Kirei, a priest seeking to fill the void within himself. The famous Fate franchise’s story begins here, in this story set a decade before the events of Fate/Stay Night which aired four years prior. The main similarities between Fate/Zero and Shaman King lie in both series’ featuring familiars or a similar concept. The Shamans of Shaman King have guardian spirits with whom they combine hearts and minds to achieve great power, while the familiars of Fate are more corporeal companions who do the fighting on behalf of their masters.

Kiba follows the adventures of two friends, Zed and Noah, as they navigate a dystopian future while avoiding the authorities. Zed is transported to an alternate magical world where magical users called “Shard Casters” fight each other using marble-like spells called “Shards”. Zed wants to become a Shard Caster, but he’s actually the host of one of the six Guardian Spirits of the world, an entity known as Amir Gaul! Together, Zed and Amir embark on a quest for ultimate power! Much like in Shaman King (2021), the main character of Kiba has incredible power thanks to a spirit they have under their control or influence somehow. While Zed isn’t born into the world of magic and so-called Shards, his abilities in that realm are a very big deal and place him in a similar position as Asakura Hao, not Yoh. In both Kiba and Shaman King, the superpowered protagonist is accompanied by a deuteragonist without any special power.

Yoh Keika is extremely broke and extremely down on his luck. After he meets a strange white-haired man in a junkyard, Keika is shocked to discover that he was killed in an accident and now wanders the earth as a spirit. The man, Ki Tanmoki, reveals himself to be a member of the highest-ranking exorcist family in China. In return for promising to keep Yoh from harm, Tanmoki takes up Keika as his spirit shadow who will, in turn, protect him. The two go on a wild journey that shows them various dangers in the spirit world, but also develop a profound relationship beyond anything they ever expected. The name is a huge clue with this one—it gives away the main similarity it has with Shaman King (2021) lies in the fact that both shows are about a character well-versed in things that are occult or spiritual who also happens to be able to communicate with spirits and even channel their abilities in combat. In both series, there needs to be a particularly profound relationship between the spirit and their human “master”; in both series, the pairing features someone of the Yoh family and an individual with white hair, which seems superficial but could have been a nod to the older of the two series.

On a list recommending idol anime, it’s only fitting that we kick off with another idol anime! IDOLiSH 7 is an idol anime in name and subject but its story transcends into drama, comedy, slice-of-life, and iyashikei. Similarly, Zombieland Saga also transcends the genre into other categories like drama, comedy, slice-of-life… and horror? Yep, you read that right, Zombieland Saga, as its name suggests is about zombie idols. And yet, it manages to hit that same sweet spot as i7. When Sakura Minamoto wakes up in a strange house in Saga Prefecture with a weirdo, Koutarou Tatsumi, she learns that she’s quite literally dead. And apparently has been for the last decade. Koutarou reanimated her along with six other zombie girls from different eras to—wait for it—form an idol group. You know how the creepy unhinged dude when given an army of the undead tends to go for world domination? Well, our guy also has plans for world domination except, the world in question is the idol world. Meanwhile, the girls are surprisingly okay with this (since their memories are all a blur), and thus begins our absurd saga of idol group Franchouchou which needs to deal with hardcore stans and haters, their undead secret, and an unhinged manager hellbent on reviving the Saga Prefecture through his zombie girl group. Campy and comedic, one can question how this fits in with i7, however, if you like cute, plucky characters overcoming insecurities and defying expectations to kill it (literally) on stage and some truly wholesome moments of character bonding, then Zombieland Saga should definitely be next on your list!

IDOLiSH 7 is a unicorn. While its subject matter itself comes from a fairly saturated genre, the nuances of its story and characters make it quite unlike anything out there. Therefore, it’s no surprise that i7 often attracts a non-idol stan fanbase as well. For those of you out there who enjoyed the quality story and heartwarming moments, surprisingly compelling drama, and enjoyable music, topped off with extremely aesthetically pleasing character design, Given should be a given on your watchlist. When Mafuyu Satou runs into Ritsuka Uenoyama, Ritsu is appalled by the condition of the strings on Mafuyu’s precious Gibson guitar. Meanwhile, Mafuyu is pleasantly surprised by his knowledge of guitars, which he himself lacks. One thing leads to another and Ritsu finds himself grudgingly restringing Mafuyu’s guitar and somehow (tbh Mafuyu pleaded) introduces him to his bandmates—drummer Akihiko and bassist Haruki. This impromptu jam session and his subsequent guitar lessons with Ritsu reveal Mafuyu’s impressive vocals, and Ritsu—awed by Mafuyu’s singing—is determined to have him join the band. And so begins a journey of self-discovery, healing, and dealing with the ghosts of the past, all with an indie rock soundtrack. Beautiful character development, a layered narrative that’s all about the journey—from personal growth to learning guitar—and characters with deepening connections as their stories unfold, Given is a moving, heartfelt anime about growing up, coming into your own, and healing with music. So if the more serious and compelling aspects of i7 caught your attention and drew you in, Given is the perfect watch for you!

The iDOLM@STER series is one of the quintessential series of the genre out there. Centred around idols, the series highlights the ins and outs of the entertainment industry, specifically, the lifestyle and demands associated with being an idol. Set across multiple universes, the franchise illustrates a multitude of agencies and their talents. From the OG’s 765 Productions’ management of 13 unique idols and their demanding lives in the industry to 346 Productions from Cinderella Group scouting non-typical young ladies to be idols or the futuristic mecha setting of Xenoglossia which is still somehow an idol anime to SideM and 315 Productions’ male idol project unique in its mission to only scout talents that have been working in other fields—there’s an endless number of alternative iDOLM@STER universes to explore, each with its own unique twist! While we’d like to rec the entire series, we’ve chosen The iDOLM@STER SideM for this list, as we felt it only appropriate to suggest at least one all-male idol group if we’re giving out recommendations for i7! All of these young men have come together to fulfil a dream: to be an idol. For some it’s the very first foray, for others it’s a fantasy they’ve returned to, however, regardless of whichever anime you watch you’ll find the same wholesome vibe, the same personal struggles, and the same bonds building. So if the heartwarming relationships between the men of i7 are what drew you in, check out SideM! Honestly, besides SideM, The iDOLM@STER universe is overflowing with stories that’ll fill you with warm fuzzies just like i7, so you’re guaranteed to enjoy pretty much anything from this multiverse! And with the range of options out there, you’re sure to find a niche within the idol niche!

The entertainment industry is rough. The boys from IDOLiSH 7, Re:Vale, and most recently TRIGGER can attest to that. And so can Kyouko Mogami. When her no-good boyfriend has the audacity to dump her after mooching off her while he makes it as a singer, Kyouko Mogami doesn’t tuck tail and run. Rather, she embraces the idea of revenge (she was Yamato before Yamato was Yamato). Kyouko is convinced that becoming famous and surpassing ex-bf Sho is the only way to make him regret casting her aside, so she decides to become an actress. Easier said than done. However, we at Honey’s Anime love revenge stories, and this one is gold. Believe it or not, Kyouko actually manages to make something of herself through support from a worn-out manager, a healthy rivalry with a fellow new talent, and the spartan guidance of an established senpai. It’s all about that hustle and just like with the boys of i7, it all pays off. While music may not be as central in this anime, the core elements that we loved from i7 are all present. The light-hearted hilarity, the OTT showbiz shenanigans, the professional rivalries, the struggle to make it in such a competitive environment, the frustration and heart-wrenching setbacks, the guidance from established seniors, and finally the satisfaction when unwavering efforts begin to bear fruit—i7 and Skip Beat! literally, echo each even though they’re years apart. So if you loved i7, but could do without all the music, Skip Beat! will be the perfect fit for you!

Every idol journey begins with a dream. A dream dreamt by an ordinary someone whose talent, determination, and efforts make them extraordinary. That and a penchant for music and dance. The Love Live! series is about such individuals. Across the Love Live! franchise, you’ll find spirited young ladies trying to make a name for themselves through the Love Live competition—a competition held between school idol groups. All of our lovable idol groups in the making are school students who form idol clubs as extracurricular activities. The whole shebang of becoming an idol from writing songs, performing, choreography, costume-making, and promotion… All the challenges of being both an idol and an idol’s managerial team are taken on by these girls for a chance to compete in Love Live. And since participation is contingent on popularity, the stakes are just as high as they would be in the actual entertainment industry. Especially since winning Love Live means being afforded legendary status. Whether it’s Honoka from School Idol Project who wants to save her school from shutting down by creating a school idol group, or Chika from Sunshine!! who aspires to shine just like the former Love Live winners, or Kanon from Superstar who starts a school idol group after her stage fright forces her to enter the general curriculum instead of the music program; the Love Live! world is filled to the brim with endearing characters each aspiring to make a mark in the idol world. If you truly enjoyed the friendship and camaraderie amongst the idols of IDOLiSH 7, and enjoy the balance between the showbiz and lighter slice-of-life moments highlighted in the anime, then the Love Live! series is definitely worth checking out! After all, with the musical performances, cute dance moves, and happy-go-lucky vibes there’s no doubt that you’d find something to enjoy across the four unique stories within the series!

Hot dudes and a spunky score. If that’s what hooked you into IDOLiSH 7, then Free! should be your next binge. While not even remotely related to the idol world (it’s not even set in Tokyo), Free! surprisingly shares a lot in common with i7. First and foremost being the splendid cast of ridiculously attractive bishounen. One could argue that Free! ups the game with all the shirtlessness involved since we are talking about a swimming sports anime. That and the spunky score are just the tips of the iceberg. Male bonding, fiery (yet friendly-ish) rivalries, lofty ambitions, and some downright hilarious comedy, Free! is literally i7 if the i7 boys started a swim club (and with how Momo’s athletics club is going, who knows?). After winning a medley relay in elementary school, Haruka Nanase, Makoto Tachibana, Nagisa Hazuki, and Rin Matsuoka all went their separate ways, until they happened to cross paths again in high school. With our boys’ love for water (especially the practically amphibious Haru), the Iwatobi Swim Club was established minus one key factor: Rin, no longer the idealistic kid, has no interest in associating with his former teammates beyond beating Haru in competition. After their bitter reunion, rivalries ignite as does teenage angst, and things seem to be coming to a head for the Iwatobi boys and Rin. Rivalries? Check. Hard work? Check. Undying ambitions? Check. Unbreakable bonds and connections among teammates? Check. A great score you’ll be humming along to? Check. A+ comedy? Check. The similarities are endless! If you like everything about i7 and are okay with subbing out musical performances for intense competitive swimming montages then check out Free! It even has a cute and spunky female manager, just like Tsumugi!

Starting with the newest and freshest series, the popular iDOLM@STER franchise comes out with an all-male group that’ll blow your idol socks off! 315 Production is a new agency that gathers would-be idols that are actually in other professions such as lawyers and surgeons. Aside from the fact these guys spent years in school to acquire their highly skilled professions, they find they love being idols instead. And boy, do we do, too! You’ll definitely find your husbando here, but more than likely you’ll find multiple! The iDOLM@STER franchise isn’t long-running for no reason. There is substance to this series that you won’t find in other idol anime. Its characters have depth despite the fact that this series has the largest idol group in our pickings. Like IDOLiSH7, you fall head over heels for these male idol characters that woo you with their pop-centric singing! If you like IDOLiSH7’s character designs, definitely check this series out because they have a very similar vibe going on.

Kodou*Ambitious is the anime adaptation of the game B-Project and it brings to life the male idol otome game that is its origin game! Tsubasa is thrown headfirst into managing the idol unit B-PROJECT, which is made up of three idol groups Kitakore, Thrive, and MooNs. If you’re looking for a clear-cut reverse harem idol series where the main purpose is to show you stellar performances, clashing personalities, and the relationship between female manager and many beautiful men, this is a must watch. Tsubasa tackles the obstacles that come with managing multiple idols groups and reaps the rewards of seeing them perform. This series really shines a light on what we love about the genre and that may be in part due to IDOLiSH7’s and B-Project’s initial beginnings starting in game form. The male idol genre really makes for amazing visual novels and rhythm games, but the fact these were special enough to be brought to anime form makes us all giddy! If you enjoyed IDOLiSH7, you’ll equally love B-Project because it delivers a similar package in a beautiful new box, possibly with upgraded hairstyles!

If you’re more of a fan of the character aspect and not reverse harem romance, you’ll enjoy this relaxed series. It has a galaxy theme, with the two idol groups called Six Gravity and Procellarum, dressed in constellation themed wear. All members live in the same dorm and each episode focuses on a specific person, relating to their personal struggles as well as keeping things light and humorous. It’s an easy going, light-hearted series that focuses on character relationships and interactions, with everyone’s hearts connecting on the stage and off. The character interpersonal relationships are similar to IDOLiSH7, but if you wanted to forgo the female manager reverse harem scenario, then you’ll enjoy this series! The songs in both series are lively and upbeat, but if you wanted a slight edge of visual kei Tsukiuta is your show! A really good series to unwind after a long day!

Starmyu is just as much in the school genre as it is the music genre. It’s about the road to becoming an idol, with five students trying to enter an elite music class called Star Frame Class in Ayanagi Academy’s musical department. The class is taught by the top group within the school, Kaou-kai, and is incredibly hard to get into. Only the best may enter and one day one of the members sees their earnest efforts. This series is a more mature take on the genre, with serious goals and a toned down art style. Which is not to say it doesn’t deliver good laughs frequently! The students are determined to work hard and be the best idols they can be, finding out through the series what that actually means, much like IDOLiSH7. There’s a lot of personal growth and unique music that gives you something new to look forward to.

Now if you do like the romance in male idol anime, you’ll enjoy Magic-Kyun! Renaissance. Only this series adds something that no other series in this list has; magic! Yes, that’s right, magic, idols, and romance! In a high school where the Magical Arts are taught, there’s a new student named Kohana who joins the planning committee for their school’s famous cultural festival. Six boys join her and everyone plans on making Hoshinomori Summer Festa a huge success, as well as vying to be named her prince during the festival. Immediately you’ll see this series is bright, colorful, and extremely bishoujo influenced just like IDOLiSH7, except this series has magic to boot! Both have the reverse harem element as well and both series take the cake for exceptionally dramatic male characters. It’s as if someone upped the saturation in IDOLiSH7 and threw them in a magical world where there are golden ballrooms and schools for magic! What more could you ask for?? This is a great series whether you’re partial to the male idol genre or not!

Uta no Prince-sama is like the Naruto of the male idol genre world. Everyone knows about it even if they’ve never seen it! And for good reason too, it’s has a good blend of comedy, reverse harem, school life, and the basics of the passion that drives idols! Haruka Nanami is an aspiring composer who enrolls in Saotome Academy, a performing arts school. There she meets six boys who could not be any different, but end up forming a group because they want Haruka to be their composer. Haruka herself is driven by the desire to write for a certain idol, one who happens to be closer than she knows. This series and IDOLiSH7 are prime examples of the male idol genre and are well-received. They have memorable scenes, well-composed songs, characters who have a depth that not every series will offer, and a storyline that just makes you go, “Aww!” sometimes. Of course, the very handsome, colorful boys that we love cannot be overlooked. Uta no Prince-sama also has more seasons, if you can’t get enough!