Anime like H2O: FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND

ef: a tale of memories.

Also known as ef ~ A Tale of Memories.

Studio: Shaft , Rondo Robe , Sentai Filmworks , NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Romance

On Christmas Eve, Hiro Hirono's bike is stolen by a girl chasing a thief who stole her purse. He gives chase and finds her unconscious and his bike ruined. The girl, Miyako Miyamura, soon awakes and the two begin to talk. After making sure she is okay, they end up spending Christmas Eve together. Later, Hiro finds out Miyako attends the same school as him and they begin to spend more and more time together, Miyako developing affections for Hiro. Kei Shindou -- Hiro's childhood friend who has long held a crush on him -- begins to become jealous and a love triangle follows.

The series also tells the story of Renji Asou. One day, he meets Chihiro Shindou, the twin sister of Kei Shindou, at an abandoned train station. Even though she's very shy, they get along pretty well and begin meeting at the same spot everyday. However, Renji finds out that Chihiro was in a car accident years ago and as a consequence she suffers from a disability: her memory lasts only 13 hours. Nevertheless, after learning that Chihiro's dream is to write a novel, Renji finally decides to help her fulfill her dream while also trying to make her overcome the difficulties imposed by her condition.

Tags: Amnesia , Writing , Love Triangle , Heterosexual , Twins , Denpa , Rehabilitation , Photography , Philosophy , Ghost , Primarily Female Cast , Drawing , Basketball , Snowscape , Female Harem

Myself ; Yourself

Also known as Myself; Yourself.

Studio: Doga Kobo , Pony Canyon Enterprise , Happinet Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance

For the sake of parents' business plans, Hidaka Sana moved to Tokyo. Five years later, he has become a high school student, and returned to his hometown, Sakuranomori. He feels uneasy because the streets of his hometown and his old friend he meets again have changed a lot since five years ago. The most changed thing is his childhood friend, Yatsushiro Nanaka. She used to smile sweetly with innocent eyes, but now she has withdrawn herself and is gloomy.



Tags: School , Tragedy , Twins , Amnesia , Love Triangle , Shrine Maiden , Heterosexual , Suicide

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

Also known as When They Cry.

Studio: Studio DEEN , Frontier Works , Sotsu , DAX Production , Sentai Filmworks
Status: Finished
Genres: Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural , Thriller

After moving into the quiet town of Hinamizawa, Maebara Keiichi spends his days blissfully in school often playing games with his local friends. However, appearances can be deceiving. One fateful day, Keiichi stumbles upon news of a murder that had occurred in Hinamizawa. From this point on, horrific events unfold in front of Keiichi, as he soon learns his close friends may not be all that they seem. Based on the amateur mystery game by 07th Expansion, the story is told in a series of different scenarios.

Tags: Denpa , Alternate Universe , Time Manipulation , Ensemble Cast , Tragedy , Rural , Conspiracy , Achronological Order , Gore , Time Loop , Chibi , Body Horror , Bullying , Torture , Male Protagonist , Yandere , Twins , Urban Fantasy , Mythology , Pandemic , Primarily Female Cast , Cosmic Horror , School Club , Primarily Teen Cast , Shrine Maiden , Police , Female Protagonist , Historical , Board Game , Crossdressing

AIR

Also known as Air.

Studio: Kyoto Animation , Pony Canyon , TBS , Key
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance , Slice of Life , Supernatural

Yukito Kunisaki is on a journey in search of the Winged Maiden who was bound to the sky centuries ago, after hearing an old childhood tale from his mother. As Yukito shows his puppet show to people in an attempt to make some money, he finds himself in a small town in which he did not expect to stay very long. However, when he meets an unusual girl named Misuzu, things take a drastic turn as he is invited to stay with her.

By staying in the quaint town, Yukito soon becomes friends with the locals. As he gets to know them better, he learns of their problems and decides to help, putting his search for the Winged Maiden on hold. With his search on hold, and his growing attachment to Misuzu and the small town, will Yukito ever find the Winged Maiden, or is she closer than he thought?

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Note: Includes episode 13, Soushuuhen (Summary).

Tags: Tragedy , Magic , Reincarnation , Historical , Homeless , Family Life , Amnesia , Male Protagonist , Achronological Order , Kuudere , Samurai , Primarily Female Cast , Heterosexual , Ensemble Cast , Tsundere , Female Harem , Time Skip , Dinosaurs , Slapstick , Work

Nisekoi

Also known as Nisekoi.

Studio: Aniplex , Shaft , Mainichi Broadcasting System
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Romance , Slice of Life

As a child, Raku Ichijo made a secret promise with his childhood sweetheart, keeping a pendant as a memento while his love took the key. He dreams of one day meeting his past love, but years later, reality smashes his hopes when Chitoge Kirisaki accidentally knees him in the face...

Though Raku's a normal high schooler, his family heads the notorious yakuza gang the Shuei-Gumi faction! And he's dragged into family affairs when he's forced into a relationship with Chitoge, the daughter of a rival gang's boss!

Despite their constant spats, the two somehow fool everyone with their false relationship. Raku then discovers that Chitoge has a mysterious key from her past, which she can't remember... Plus, two other girls appear with keys as well—Kosaki Onodera and Marika Tachibana!

Caught in the midst of this love maelstrom, even more complications arise for Raku when his class decides on Romeo and Juliet as the class's play for the school festival. Can the two false lovebirds pull off the impossible and make the play a success?



Tags: Love Triangle , Female Harem , Primarily Female Cast , Male Protagonist , Tsundere , School , Slapstick , Heterosexual , Female Protagonist , Yakuza , Mafia , Kuudere , Coming of Age , Fake Relationship , Shounen , Arranged Marriage , Tomboy , Gangs , Crossdressing

Ookami Kakushi

Also known as Okamikakushi ~ Masque of the Wolf.

Studio: AIC , Sentai Filmworks , flying DOG
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Horror , Mystery , Supernatural

The story follows Hiroshi Kuzumi, a 16-year-old student who has just moved to the seemingly serene village of Jogamachi. Nestled in the mountains far away from the city, the village is divided by a river that separates old Jogamachi from new Jogamachi. Young Hiroshi soon discovers that the village is ancient as well as mysterious traditions and customs have been kept alive over the ages. Although a bit bewildered by the new environment, Hiroshi begins to settle into his new life. While he has never been the type to win any popularity contests, he quickly earns the affection of his classmates. That is with the exception of aloof class president, Nemuru Kushinada, whose only words to Hiroshi are a warning to stay away from old part of town. It is there that terror and mystery await him.

Tags: Rural , Male Protagonist , Werewolf , CGI , School , Kuudere , Crossdressing

Kakyuusei 2: Hitomi no Naka no Shoujo-tachi

Studio: Arms , Soft Garage
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Romance

Many people have fond memories of meeting a certain teenage boy in their younger years. However, their ages vary widely, and each remembers him as a teen. This story follows the intricate intertwining of their various stories and how this young man, who apparently lives outside of time, has affected each of them.


Tags: Female Harem , Love Triangle , School

Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu

Studio: Toei Animation , Happinet Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance , Sci-Fi

Asaba Naoyuki is an ordinary high school student. As a member of his school's press club, he's just spent the summer camping outside the local military base, in hopes of seeing the UFOs that are secretly kept there, according to local legend. Returning to school, he meets a strange girl, Iriya Kana, and gradually comes to realize that she is more than merely strange - and that a dark secret lies beneath the world that he knows.



Tags: War , Amnesia , Military , Love Triangle , School , Denpa , Tragedy , Memory Manipulation , Dissociative Identities , CGI

Mawaru Penguindrum

Also known as Penguindrum.

Studio: Brain's Base , Mainichi Broadcasting System , Sentai Filmworks
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural

Once you make a decision, does the universe conspire to make it happen? Is destiny a matter of chance, a matter of choice or the complex outcome of thousands of warring strands of fate? All twins Kanba and Shoma know is that when their terminally ill sister Himari collapses at the aquarium, her death is somehow temporarily reversed by the penguin hat that she had asked for. It's a provisional resurrection, however, and it comes at a price: to keep Himari alive they need to find the mysterious Penguin Drum. In order to do that, they must first find the links to a complex interlocking chain of riddles that has wrapped around their entire existence, and unravel the knots that tie them to mystifying diary and a baffling string of strangers and semi-acquaintances who all have their own secrets, agendas and "survival strategies." And in order for Himari to live, someone else's chosen destiny will have to change. It's a story of love, fate, life, death... and Penguins!



Tags: Philosophy , Found Family , Family Life , Tragedy , Coming of Age , Ensemble Cast , Meta , Terrorism , Parody , Denpa , Inseki , Henshin , Trains , Surreal Comedy , Heterosexual , Crime , Memory Manipulation , Magic , Satire , Cult , Ghost , Psychosexual , Twins , Primarily Teen Cast , Achronological Order , Fairy Tale , Love Triangle , Incest , LGBTQ+ Themes , Age Gap

Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi

Also known as A Bridge to the Starry Skies.

Studio: Dentsu , Marvelous Entertainment , Doga Kobo , Pony Canyon , feng , PRA , Jumondou
Status: Finished
Genres: Ecchi , Romance

Kazuma has moved to a small town in the country. On his first day at school, he meets Ui when he is lost his way. They go to school together, but Kazuma accidentally slips and kisses Ui.... To make matters worse, Ibuki, Ui's close friend, sees it.... Well, what will happen to his new school life...?



Tags: Rural , Heterosexual , Male Protagonist , School , Female Harem , Primarily Female Cast , Love Triangle , Tsundere , Nudity , Kuudere , Crossdressing , Cute Boys Doing Cute Things