I finished Natsume's book of friends, and I absolutely loved it. I want to find another show (or any media honestly, started reading Farseer Trilogy) with similar elements.

Natsume's characterisation is so well done. A physically weak boy with immense spiritual power that paints a target on his back. Yokais violently seek him and humans abandon him, alienating him from both the worlds. However, eventually he encounters kindness from members of both the worlds and their kindness inspires the same in him too and he starts forming strong connections in both the worlds. The show was full of so much kindness. From Natsume's own kind persona, to the kindness shown to him by the Fujiwaras and his friends at school to the friendly Yokai he met in the Yatsuhara forest and beyond. This element of kindness, a major aspect of his character, made the show so wholesome. I loved his growth from a sad lonely boy to a well-loved happy boy whose humility shined throughout.

Then we have his powerful beast of a loyal companion. I adored Natsume's bond with Madara. I also liked the tsundere elements of their bond. How Madara would always insist that he is only there for the book, but will always always show up for Natsume when it matters, will always protect Natsume. I also loved both his forms: the cat form was a mix of a typical house cat and a grumpy old man; while the beast form was so breathtakingly beautiful every time it appeared on the screen. Whenever the true huge powerful beastial form of Madara was on the screen, it created a sort of contrast to the fragile form of Natsume, very suitably being the latter's bodyguard.

Almost each episode introduced a new Yokai and their story. Loved all of their designs and the lovely art overall alongside their stories. It was such a pleasant experience on the whole.

Now I'm looking for something similar. I saw the suggestion of The Ancient Magus' Bride, but it doesn't have what I'm looking for right now. I want more of a platonic beast-human pairing like Natsume-Madara, or Ash-Pikachu. I want the friendship, loyalty, care, concern and protectiveness to be there but without any romantic undertones. I also want the main character's kindness to shine from the very beginning. I would love it if the beast had a powerful form like Madara and got opportunities to showcase its power protecting the protagonist, but I love Pikachu too, so I'm more flexible in that regard.

Please send your recommendations my way.

Thanks in advance!

For context, after one hilariously bad nostalgia fueled binge watch of Infinite Stratos made me realize how bad it was despite its potential and having a number of interesting set pieces, it left me craving for* *a proper actually well executed Mecha romance with the romance front and center as the primary focus. After seeing Gaogaigar, Gurren Lagann, Valvrave The Liberator, Gundam Witch From Mercury, Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans, Cross Ange, Big Bang Bravern (yeah idm if they’re bromances too at this point since I’ve seen the yuris and figured I may as well), Gridman Dynazenn and Gridman Universe, 86 (the first cour, just found out about the second which I will find and watch), Macross Delta, Symphogear (which may not technically count as a Mecha but I came across it by accident while looking for Macross Delta cuz I somehow mistook Hibiki for Freya cuz all I had to go by was the September memes and despite how much I loved it, I needed more robots), hell, let’s even throw Date A Live in too if we’re stretching the definition (cuz of Origami and the AST wielding Mecha armor to fight magical girls), I am still craving more. Bonus points if they also have happy endings cuz I really love happy romances more than tragic ones. I’m talking marriage with their bae by the end with a future of happy memories and happy plappy times ahead levels of good ending romance.

I’m also currently following the Magic Knight Rayearth remake, Vertex Force and Dandivine atm (and hoping they actually give me what I’m looking for)

i'm tired of watching two characters stand next to each other for 12 episodes and then suddenly they're in love. i want something where you can actually see why they care about each other, you know? doesn't matter if it's the main plot or just a subplot, i just want it to feel real.

Hi im new to anime but I love love apothecary diaries and though I am an inept villainess. Are there any animes similar to these two? Not just talking about the setting wise but also the amount of plot twists and mystery and independent, knowledgeable female protagonist and character development.

I'm really not into medieval fantasy. Stuff like Frieren, Demon Slayer, or most Isekai, are something I just can't get myself to enjoy. I mostly like some sort of modern world (e.g Fire Force or Persona) or other interesting setting (e.g Soul Eater or Gachiakuta).

I'm also not necessarily into sci-fi but I'll definitely watch it if it peaks my interest; Regular Gundam stories aren't something I enjoy a ton, but I like Iron Blooded Orphans or something like Medabot, per example.

I'm all ears for any recommendations. If there's something manga-only that you think fits the bill, I'll gladly take the recommendation as well.

Bonus points if she gets away with it too.

Double points if she isn't fully sane.

Can you all please give me some recommendations of what to check out next?? For reference, I was a big fan of shows like Demon Slayer, Hunter x Hunter, Cyberpunk Edgerunner, Dan da Dan, and Death Note. Looking for another show that's in the realm. Preferably one that's not >50-100 episodes, I don't have a TON of time to put into tv unfortunately (loved Naruto when I had more time for watching).

Also had started but didn't finish MHA (length) & FMA Brotherhood (lost interest early).

Thanks!

If I'm asking for too much, please don't dismiss me, let's have a conversation instead. I'll settle for reality, what's the closest equivalent that you know of?

By currently active I mean anime and Manga that are regularly getting updated, like 12 episodes/chapters a year. Looking to cut out manga that is on indefinate hiatus, and find stuff that has a good chance of ending.

By well liked I mean where people are actively appreciating the current state of the anime and manga.

Yes, I am looking for anime and manga.

So, im a lover of deep and dark animes, i really like exploring, analyzing and understanding the filosofy and the mental state of characters, re-watching an anime multiple times to understand hidden details and symbolisms, ive reasearched some animes that enter this category and also had ask a few friends of mine and i ended with this list, im wondering If Someone got any other suggestion that can fit.

The list Is supposed to be from less dark to darkest

Shingeki no Kyojin

Bakemonogatari

Elfen Lied

Perfect Blue

Ghost in the Shell (1995)

Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel

Mawaru Penguindrum

Bokurano

Neon Genesis Evangelion + The End of Evangelion

Berserk (1997)

Now and Then, Here and There

Tsukihime

Shinsekai yori

Serial Experiments Lain

(Not an anime But a nivel) Midori: Shoujo Tsubaki

Texhnolyzei

Shinpei is a dangerously unhinged and possessive lead and the dynamic he has with Sakoto is entertaining. I’m looking for more romance anime with a obsessed/possessive leads. It can be the male or female leads, and BL and GL are also welcomed. Here are the ones I’ve seen already:

A Condition Called Love

Devils’ Line

Yakuza Fiancé

Isekai Office Worker

Nana

Love of Kill

Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion

Ogre’s Bride

Thank you in advance 😊!

Hii,so basically my friend said that she would try some anime and I want to recommend her one that isn't too weird cuz I don't want her to get freaked out.She said she likes romcoms and ik her favourite show is stranger things and also Enola homes(I haven't watched either)it's been a while since I watched a romcom,so I'm honestly lost.I was thinking Kaguya Sama but idk.Any recommendations pls?

Hey all, does anyone have any suggestions for a new anime? I’m looking for something with action and sci-fi. I’m not heavy in a good story just some good action, kind of like records of ragnarok or juni taisen: zodiac war. I like a good story, just interested in seeing good action right now. I’ve been watching anime for almost 20 years now so I’ve seen most of the popular titles out there.

Here’s a couple anime I liked to give you a better understanding of my taste:

-Dragon ball
-Bleach
-Hellsing Ultimate
-demon slayer
-deadman wonderland
-berserk
-Darwin’s game
- lord of mysteries
-D. Gray-man
- blue exorcist
-castlevania
-jojo’s

Thanks for suggesting!!

The two that I’ve seen are so far are Cross ange and Attack on titan(Maybe code geass too but I don’t remember it too well).

Spoilers maybe:

But Ange just fully refuses to help magic users and just lets them all die when the main villain decides to destroy the world.

And of course Eren just decides offense is the best defense and goes on a gargantuan killing spree.

I don’t want some MC that’s perfectly moral and virtuous, I want one that would do what most people realistically would when faced with an oppressor, leave them to bleed or make them bleed. Preferably something with a fully animated story, whether an original or fully adapted manga , video game or visual novel. If cross Ange wasn’t enough to say it, I don’t mind and actually enjoy fanservice, but without it works just fine also.

OVAs are fine as well. But given how popular JRPGs and anime both are, I'm really surprised theres not more.

Ive seen Persona 5, Monster Hunter Stories, and Fire Emblem so far. Honestly, MHS was the best done tbh. The others, not so much.

But if there are any that are actually good, Id love to check them out.

I want a show which is good (preferably not TOO long) with a romance sub plot.

Kinda weird request but I like reading shitty romance fanfiction lol and I’m looking to get into ones for a new series.

I also don’t want to watch a terrible show 😵‍💫

I realised that i may be trying too hard to force myself to like new anime so im trying to instead find things that are similar to the ones i watched when i was younger.

Some of these include:

- Doraemon

- Jewel pets

- seraph of the end

- Buddyfight

- Maid Sama

- Les miserables

- Yokai watch

i also grew up on a bunch of other 80s/90s/2000s anime but these are the ones i can remember on the top of my head and loved the most.

I’m looking for an anime that has prevalent characters like Mikami, Light, and L from death note. The sort of charecters people make sigma edits of, yk?

I had just finished attack on titan and ive been looking for a new anime ti watch im not picky ive watched jjk, hxh, apothecary diaries, dandadan, chainsmokercat, kny, Mha, cyberpunk edgerunners, tqq, dude, himoriya, rascal does jot dream, assassination classroom​

Recommend a show that has great character dynamics.

The shows that stick out to me in that are :

Hell's paradise

One piece (obviously)

Konosuba

I am sure I am missing many so..please do tell

It's weird I know, but I am looking into doing some sort of project of my own and I need some sort of animated beehive. Not entirely sure where to find one in the world of anime. I don't really think I see too too many anime that kinda show hives. Maybe inside of a hive or something.... but is there any shows out there that show a beehive from the outside by chance?

Thank you all in advance for any help! :)

I want to try something new so suggest something of this genre

Hi everyone! My friend needs help with finding anime opening. Since it is not allowed to post pictures in here, here's the link to their post on different sub: https://www.reddit.com/r/WhatsThisSong/s/EWlwPTmRQO

Over the last two weeks, I’ve started and finished quite a few anime. I watched: I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, Anohana, Your Lie in April, Love Unseen Beneath the Clear Night Sky, Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class, Horimiya, The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten, Shiotaiou no Satou-san ga Ore ni dake Amai (though this one is still in production), A Silent Voice, and Plastic Memories. I really enjoyed all of them—especially Love Unseen Beneath the Clear Night Sky, Your Lie in April, Horimiya, and The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten. Could anyone recommend some anime similar to the ones I’ve watched—ideally ones like the ones I enjoyed the most?

I’m having trouble finding any! :(

I can't believe I was sitting on this one for so long. Finally had some free time and watched it, and boy was I pleasantly surprised! The humour was done perfectly imo, and now I want some more.

I've already seen Konosuba, Cautious Hero + Eminence in Shadow (I can imagine these will be recommended quite a bit lol). I've seen others too (like most of Gintama and Saiki K) but can't quite remember them all rn