Anime like Hyouge Mono

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu

Also known as Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju.

Studio: Studio DEEN
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama

The story revolves around a mature prisoner who was released on good behavior during Japan's Shouwa Genroku era (1960s to early 1970s). He is called Yotarou by others, a term that means an "anti-hero" or a "dim-witted man." When he returns to society, he starts a new life in rakugo (comic storytelling). Touched by Yakumo's role as the "grim reaper," he asks the master to take him in as an apprentice. Most of the season delves into Yakumo's own past during World War II and the years afterward.



Note: The first episode aired with a runtime of 48 minutes as opposed to the standard 24 minute long episode.

Tags: Rakugo , Tragedy , Acting , Historical , Primarily Adult Cast , Time Skip , Love Triangle , Josei , Male Protagonist , Disability , Meta , Primarily Male Cast , War , Suicide , Elderly Protagonist , LGBTQ+ Themes , Boys' Love

Saraiya Goyou

Also known as House of Five Leaves.

Studio: Manglobe , NIS America Inc. , Doga Kobo , Xebec
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery

Masterless samurai Akitsu Masanosuke is a skilled and loyal swordsman, but his naïve, diffident nature has more than once caused him to be let go by the lords who employ him. Hungry and desperate, he agrees to become a bodyguard for Yaichi, the charismatic leader of a group calling itself “Five Leaves.” Although disturbed by the gang’s sinister activities, Masa begins to suspect that Yaichi’s motivations are not what they seem. And despite his misgivings, the deeper he’s drawn into the world of the Five Leaves, the more he finds himself fascinated by these devious, mysterious outlaws.



Tags: Seinen , Samurai , Male Protagonist , Historical , Primarily Adult Cast , Crime , Primarily Male Cast , Oiran , Swordplay , LGBTQ+ Themes

Heike Monogatari

Also known as The Heike Story.

Studio: Science SARU , Asmik Ace , Dentsu , Fuji TV , bilibili , Pony Canyon , BS Fuji
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Supernatural

A young orphan named Biwa is taken in by the powerful Taira Clan—also known as the Heike—after their leader witnesses her extraordinary psychic abilities. Unfortunately, what she predicts is a future of bloodshed, violence, and civil war. Inspired by the 12th-century epic tale Heike Monogatari.



Tags: Tragedy , Politics , Classic Literature , Historical , War , Philosophy , Military , Religion , Samurai , Suicide , Ghost , Female Protagonist , Orphan , Conspiracy , Archery , Time Skip , Tomboy , Adoption , Ships , Transgender

Hidamari no Ki

Studio: MADHOUSE , VAP
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama

A story set in the mid-1800's about a young doctor who has been trained in Western-style medicine and a young samurai who is trying to live up to the old traditions of his class and culture. The story is actually based upon real people - the doctor, Ryo-an, was Tezuka's great grandfather.

During the Second Year of Ansei (1855) in Edo's Koishigawa are two young men, Manjiro Ibutani and Ryoan Tezuka. Ibutani is a low-ranking samurai who is a gifted swordsman and has a straightforward and strong sense of justice. Tezuka has a more carefree attitude. He has an eye for the ladies, but he is passionate about becoming a doctor. The two opposite characters come of age during the backdrop of the turbulent end of the Tokugawa Period (1600-1868 CE).



Tags: Historical , Medicine , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Conspiracy , Pandemic , Seinen , Samurai , Coming of Age , Swordplay , Work , Time Skip , Biographical , Family Life , Nudity ,

Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu

Also known as Legend of the Galactic Heroes.

Studio: Kitty Film , T.P.O , K-Factory , Sentai Filmworks
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Sci-Fi

For decades, the Galactic Empire has been locked in an interstellar war with the Free Planets Alliance, a conflict that involves thousands of spaceships and millions of soldiers on both sides. Two new commanders enter the conflict with great hopes: Imperial Admiral Reinhard von Lohengramm and the FPA's Yang Wen-Li. As they deal with superiors and subordinates, maneuver through complicated political arrangements, plot strategies, and win battles, each will be tested, and ultimately, changed, by the reality of war.



Tags: Space Opera , Politics , War , Military , Space , Ensemble Cast , Orphan , Primarily Adult Cast , Tragedy , Philosophy , Royal Affairs , Suicide , Primarily Male Cast , Economics , Drugs , Terrorism , Male Protagonist , Cult , Revenge , Gore , Heterosexual , Coming of Age , Foreign , Tomboy , Post-Apocalyptic ,

Mononoke

Also known as Mononoke.

Studio: Toei Animation , Asmik Ace , Sony Music Entertainment , Dentsu , SKY Perfect Well Think , Fuji TV , Discotek
Status: Finished
Genres: Fantasy , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural

In feudal Japan, evil spirits known as mononoke plague both households and the countryside, leaving a trail of fear in their wake. One mysterious person has the power to slay the mononoke where they stand; he is known only as the Medicine Seller, and he vanquishes the spirits using the power of his Exorcism Sword. However, in order to draw his sword he must first understand the Form, Truth and Reason of the mononoke. Armed with a sharp wit and keen intellect, the Medicine Seller wanders from place to place, striking down the evil spirits in his wake.



Tags: Youkai , Demons , Ghost , Historical , Detective , Exorcism , Ensemble Cast , Anthology , Philosophy , Body Horror , Male Protagonist , Gore , Ships , Pregnancy , Inn , Primarily Adult Cast , Cult , Mixed Media , Orphan , Samurai , Crime , Cosmic Horror , Travel , Incest , Trains , Time Skip , Oiran , Rakugo , LGBTQ+ Themes

Nippon Sangoku

Also known as NIPPON SANGOKU: The Three Nations of the Crimson Sun.

Studio: Studio Kafka , Twin Engine
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Sci-Fi

A revolution sparked by nuclear war, natural disaster, and misrule leads to the collapse of Japanese society. The country splits into three nations vying for hegemony, and the Sangoku era begins. Aoteru Misumi, a former agricultural officer, vows to reunify Japan. He rises through the ranks with only his knowledge and eloquence. Witness the legend of the man later hailed as a genius strategist.



Tags: Politics , War , Dystopian , Military , Philosophy , Post-Apocalyptic , Revenge , Class Struggle , Male Protagonist , Tragedy , Seinen , Gore , Ensemble Cast , Satire , Primarily Adult Cast , Time Skip , Primarily Male Cast , Rural , Agriculture , Anachronism , Guns , Archery , Swordplay , Nudity

Oishinbo

Studio: Shin-Ei Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

Oishinbo is a drama about newspaper reporters. The main character is a cynical food critic named Yamaoka. Oishinbo is a popular mainstream comic for adults in Japan. It is even mentioned in an episode of "Iron Chef".



Tags: Food , Educational , Episodic , Work , Primarily Adult Cast , Seinen , Politics , Female Protagonist , Office , Office Lady , Class Struggle , Heterosexual

Nobunaga Concerto

Also known as Nobunaga Concerto.

Studio: Fuji TV
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Romance

The story centers around Saburou, a high school boy who time-travels to Japan's Sengoku Era. He must become Nobunaga Oda, the famed warlord who helps unite Japan.



Tags: Historical , War , Time Manipulation , Full CGI , Male Protagonist , Anachronism , Parody , Shounen , Tanned Skin

Sarusuberi: Miss HOKUSAI

Also known as Miss Hokusai.

Studio: Production I.G
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Supernatural

The time: 1814. The place: Edo, now known as Tokyo.

One of the highest populated cities in the world, teeming with peasants, samurai, townsmen, merchants, nobles, artists, courtesans, and perhaps even supernatural things.

A much accomplished artist of his time and now in his mid-fifties, Tetsuzo can boast clients from all over Japan, and tirelessly works in the garbage-loaded chaos of his house-atelier. He spends his days creating astounding pieces of art, from a giant-size Bodhidharma portrayed on a 180 square meter-wide sheet of paper, to a pair of sparrows painted on a tiny rice grain. Short-tempered, utterly sarcastic, with no passion for sake or money, he would charge a fortune for any job he is not really interested in.

Third of Tetsuzo's four daughters and born out of his second marriage, outspoken 23-year-old O-Ei has inherited her father's talent and stubbornness, and very often she would paint instead of him, though uncredited. Her art is so powerful that sometimes leads to trouble. "We're father and daughter; with two brushes and four chopsticks, I guess we can always manage, in a way or another."

Decades later, Europe was going to discover the immense talent of Tetsuzo. He was to become best known by one of his many names: Katsushika Hokusai. He would mesmerize Renoir and van Gogh, Monet and Klimt.

However, very few today are even aware of the woman who assisted him all his life, and greatly contributed to his art while remaining uncredited. This is the untold story of O-Ei, Master Hokusai's daughter: a lively portrayal of a free-spirited woman overshadowed by her larger-than-life father, unfolding through the changing seasons.

Tags: Historical , Drawing , Primarily Adult Cast , Female Protagonist , Family Life , Seinen , Biographical , Disability , Heterosexual , Iyashikei , Time Skip , Oiran , CGI , Firefighters