Anime like Sarusuberi: Miss HOKUSAI

also known as Miss Hokusai

What is Miss Hokusai about?

Studio: Production I.G
Status: Finished

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 , Seinen , Primarily Adult Cast , Female Protagonist , Family Life , Biographical , Disability , Heterosexual , Iyashikei , Time Skip , Oiran , CGI , Firefighters
Where to watch?

Here is a list of Anime similar to Sarusuberi: Miss HOKUSAI

Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju

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 , Love Triangle , Josei , Time Skip , Male Protagonist , Disability , Meta , War , Primarily Male Cast , Suicide , Elderly Protagonist , LGBTQ+ Themes
The Heike Story

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 , War , Historical , Philosophy , Military , Religion , Samurai , Suicide , Ghost , Female Protagonist , Orphan , Conspiracy , Archery , Time Skip , Tomboy , Adoption , Ships , Transgender
NITABOH: Tsugaru Shamisen Shiso Gaibun

NITABOH: Tsugaru Shamisen Shiso Gaibun

Studio: WAO World
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Music

At a young age, Nitaroh is stricken with an illness that leaves him blind. He inherits the shamisen guitar once used by his mother and is taught its basics by a blind travelling shamisen player. In time with the help of friends old and new, he walks the paths that leads to his ultimate fate - that of founder of the Tsugaru style of shamisen play.



Tags: Historical , Disability , Primarily Adult Cast , Rural , Biographical , Male Protagonist , Orphan , Bullying , Ships , Travel , Tragedy
Where to watch?
FUSE - Memoirs of the Hunter Girl

Fuse Teppou Musume no Torimonochou

Also known as FUSE - Memoirs of the Hunter Girl.

Studio: TMS Entertainment , Asmik Ace , Q-Tec , Graphinica
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Supernatural

Hamaji, a young huntress from the mountains, stumbles into the middle of a shogun's vendetta against a group of human and dog hybrids - the Fuse. Rumors of Fuse murdering innocent people in the bustling city of Edo have sparked a bounty for their heads. Hamaji joins the hunt for this dangerous quarry along with her brother, but after accidentally befriending one of them, Hamaji is torn between two worlds: her life as a self-reliant huntress, and the young woman her new friend has helped her to uncover.



Tags: Historical , Female Protagonist , Classic Literature , Tomboy , Monster Boy , Urban Fantasy , Samurai , Swordplay , Guns , Crossdressing , Gore
Summer Days with Coo

Kappa no Coo to Natsuyasumi

Also known as Summer Days with Coo.

Studio: Aniplex , Shin-Ei Animation , Sony Music Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Comedy , Drama , Supernatural

Kouichi Uehara is a fourth grade student living in the suburb of Tokyo. One day, he picks up a large stone which turns out to be a fossil of a baby "Kappa" sleeping underground for the past 300 years, and names it "Coo". Koichi and Coo become good friends and starts living with his family. However, Coo could not adjust to the life style in Tokyo and starts to miss his family. On a hot summer day, Koichi and Coo decide to go on an adventurous road trip to find his peers.



Tags: Youkai , Environmental , Coming of Age , Male Protagonist , Family Life , Bullying , Rural , School , Kaiju , Historical , Natural Disaster
Where to watch?
House of Five Leaves

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
Hyouge Mono

Hyouge Mono

Studio: Bee Train , NHK , Sogo Vision
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama

The story is set during Japan's Sengoku Jidai (Era of the Warring States) and centers on Furuta Sasuke, a vassal of the great warlord Oda Nobunaga and a man obsessed with tea ceremony and material desires in his pursuit of a fortuitous life. Having learned from Oda and the legendary tea master Sen no Soueki, Furuta walks the way of the Hyouge Mono.





Tags: Historical , Philosophy , Seinen , Biographical , Primarily Adult Cast , Politics , Primarily Male Cast , Male Protagonist , War , Samurai , Religion , Swordplay , Elderly Protagonist
Where to watch?
Ōoku: The Inner Chambers

Oooku

Also known as Ōoku: The Inner Chambers.

Studio: Studio DEEN , Netflix
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance , Slice of Life

In Edo period Japan (1603 to 1868), a strange new disease called the Redface Pox has begun to prey on the country's men. Within eighty years of the first outbreak, the male population has fallen to a quarter of the total female population. Women have taken on all the roles traditionally granted to men, even that of the Shogun. The men, precious providers of life, are carefully protected and the most beautiful of the men are sent to serve in the Shogun's Inner Chambers.



Note: The first episode has a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes.

Tags: Matriarchy , Historical , Pandemic , Politics , Tragedy , Royal Affairs , Gender Bending , Samurai , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Shoujo , Crossdressing , Acting , Heterosexual , Female Protagonist , Achronological Order , Swordplay , LGBTQ+ Themes , Parenthood , Suicide , Tsundere , Religion , Matchmaking , Disability
Inu-Oh

Inu-ou

Also known as Inu-Oh.

Studio: Science SARU , Asmik Ace , Aniplex
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Music , Supernatural

Musical fantasy film based on Hideo Furukawa's Heike Monogatari: Inu-Ou no Maki (Tales of the Heike: Inu-Ou) novel.

Inu-Oh is born with unique physical characteristics. His parents cover every inch of his body with garments, including a mask on his face. One day, Inu-Oh meets a blind boy named Tomona, a biwa player. As Tomona starts to sing and play, Inu-Oh is amazed to discover he has an incredible ability to dance. The two become inseparable. Tomona and Inu-Oh start sharing their talent with audiences. Their performances quickly gain acclaim and draw crowds. But why is Tomona blind? Why was Inu-Oh born looking like he does? A story about a legendary artist from 14th-century Japan, who defied fate to forge his own destiny. An anime in the form of a rock operetta with spectacular music and dance sequences.



Note: The film received an early premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 9, 2021.

Tags: Band , Musical Theater , Anachronism , Male Protagonist , Primarily Male Cast , Dancing , Historical , Tragedy , Disability , Rock Music , Acting , Time Skip , Samurai , Demons , Gender Bending
Colorful ~ The Motion Picture

Colorful

Also known as Colorful ~ The Motion Picture.

Studio: Sunrise , Aniplex , Sentai Filmworks , Ascension , Sony Music Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life , Supernatural

"I" died and was kicked out of the cycle of reincarnation because of the sin "I" committed. An angel told me that "I" won a lottery and he gave me a chance to remember the sin. My spirit possessed the body of the 14-year-old boy Makoto, who committed suicide and "I" tried to recollect my memory. "I" felt distressed by the terrible circumstances of Makoto and the fact that "I" was borrowing his body. "I" have started to realize that people are hurting each other because the world is too colorful to distinguish the true color of themselves from others.

Based on an award-winning first person narrative novel by Mori Eto. The movie won several awards in Japan.

Tags: Male Protagonist , Suicide , Philosophy , Reincarnation , Rehabilitation , Family Life , Primarily Teen Cast , Urban , School , Afterlife , Bullying , Drawing
Where to watch?

Comments

User Icon
User Icon