Anime like Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica

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Wonder Egg Priority

Also known as WONDER EGG PRIORITY.

Studio: CloverWorks , Aniplex , D.N. Dream Partners , NTV Music , Nippon Television Network
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Mystery , Psychological , Sci-Fi , Thriller

This is the story of Ai, an introverted girl whose fate is forever changed when she acquires a mysterious “Wonder Egg” from a deserted arcade. That night, her dreams blend into reality, and as other girls obtain their own Wonder Eggs, Ai discovers new friends—and the magic within herself.

Tags: Tragedy , Female Protagonist , Primarily Female Cast , Urban Fantasy , Suicide , Bullying , Coming of Age , Alternate Universe , Primarily Teen Cast , Denpa , Philosophy , Ensemble Cast , Hikikomori , Afterlife , Transgender , LGBTQ+ Themes , Artificial Intelligence , Body Horror , School , CGI , Episodic , Tomboy , Age Gap , Kuudere , Isekai , Guns , Idol , Gore

Where to watch?

Shin Seiki Evangelion

Also known as Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Studio: Gainax , TV Tokyo , ADV Films , Kadokawa Shoten , NAS , Tatsunoko Production , GKids , Madman Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Mystery , Psychological , Sci-Fi

In the year 2015, the Angels, huge, tremendously powerful, alien war machines, appear in Tokyo for the second time. The only hope for Mankind's survival lies in the Evangelion, a humanoid fighting machine developed by NERV, a special United Nations agency. Capable of withstanding anything the Angels can dish out, the Evangelion's one drawback lies in the limited number of people able to pilot them. Only a handful of teenagers, all born fourteen years ago, nine months after the Angels first appeared, are able to interface with the Evangelion. One such teenager is Shinji Ikari, whose father heads the NERV team that developed and maintains the Evangelion. Thrust into a maelstrom of battle and events that he does not understand, Shinji is forced to plumb the depths of his own inner resources for the courage and strength to not only fight, but to survive, or risk losing everything.

Note: Later releases include edited versions of Episodes 21-24 called the "Director's Cut" with some visual editing and adding extra scenes that appeared in the theatrical recap 'Death'.

Tags: Philosophy , Psychosexual , Coming of Age , Tragedy , Denpa , Super Robot , Dystopian , Post-Apocalyptic , Angels , Primarily Teen Cast , Suicide , Kaiju , Conspiracy , Male Protagonist , Aliens , Body Horror , Religion , Mythology , Military , Clone , Tokusatsu , Kuudere , Tsundere , Politics , Bisexual , Gore , Trains , Boys' Love , Espionage , Nudity , LGBTQ+ Themes , Episodic

Where to watch?

Netflix

Steins;Gate

Also known as Steins;Gate.

Studio: Frontier Works , Funimation , Media Factory , Movic , AT-X , White Fox , Kadokawa Pictures Japan , Nitroplus
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Psychological , Sci-Fi , Thriller

Self-proclaimed mad scientist Okabe Rintarou lives in a small room in Akihabara, where he invents "future gadgets" with fellow lab members Shiina Mayuri, his air-headed childhood friend, and Hashida Itaru, an otaku hacker. The three pass the time by tinkering with their latest creation, a "Phone Microwave" that can be controlled through text messages.

The lab members soon face a string of mysterious incidents that lead to a game-changing discovery: the Phone Microwave can send emails to the past and thus alter history. Adapted from the critically acclaimed visual novel by 5pb. and Nitroplus, Steins;Gate takes Okabe to the depths of scientific theory and human despair as he faces the dire consequences of changing the past.

Tags: Time Manipulation , Alternate Universe , Conspiracy , Time Loop , Tragedy , Memory Manipulation , Denpa , Male Protagonist , Dystopian , Urban , Primarily Adult Cast , Dissociative Identities , Philosophy , Chuunibyou , Tsundere , Otaku Culture , Heterosexual , Kuudere , Suicide , Amnesia , Ensemble Cast , Transgender , War , Gender Bending , Post-Apocalyptic , Maids , Shrine Maiden , Trains

Where to watch?

Hulu

Made in Abyss

Also known as Made in Abyss.

Studio: Kinema Citrus , Media Factory , AT-X , Sony Music Communications , Sentai Filmworks , Cygames
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Horror , Mystery , Sci-Fi

The "Abyss" is the last unexplored place in the world. Strange and wonderful creatures roam within, and it is full of precious relics that present humans can't recreate. Those that dare to explore the depths are known as "Cave Raiders." An orphan girl named Riko lives on the rim. Her dream is to become a Cave Raider like her mother and solve the mysteries of the cave system. One day, Riko starts exploring the caves and discovers a robot who resembles a human boy.

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

Tags: Survival , Primarily Child Cast , Environmental , Travel , Chibi , Body Horror , Philosophy , Tragedy , Lost Civilization , Dungeon , Seinen , Female Protagonist , Gore , Amnesia , Cosmic Horror , Robots , Male Protagonist , Steampunk , Outdoor , Anthropomorphism , Femboy , Food , Orphan , Tanned Skin , Agender , Religion , Rehabilitation , Crossdressing , Maids , Dissociative Identities , School , Time Manipulation , Curses , Conspiracy

Where to watch?

Amazon Prime Video

Netflix

YouTube

Gakkou Gurashi!

Also known as SCHOOL-LIVE!.

Studio: Lerche , Nitroplus , Sotsu , NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan
Status: Finished
Genres: Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Slice of Life , Supernatural

Why would anyone form a School Living Club? Could four girls, their advisor, and a puppy really love their school so much that they’d want to live in it? Or is there another reason, something that lurks behind the façade of their comfortable existence? Something that waits outside their school’s doors. Something that has already robbed one girl of her sanity? While the others try to come to grips with a dark new reality, the rest of the world falls to ruin at the hands of a ravenous force, and insanity may be the last hope for survival. Shocks, heartbreak and stunning revelations await as the twisted tale unfolds.

Tags: Survival , School , Post-Apocalyptic , School Club , Tragedy , Zombie , Primarily Female Cast , Female Protagonist , Coming of Age , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Memory Manipulation , Achronological Order , Ensemble Cast , Gore , Seinen , Teacher , Animals , CGI , Nudity

Where to watch?

HIDIVE

Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight

Also known as Revue Starlight.

Studio: Kinema Citrus , Pony Canyon , OVERLAP , APDREAM , TBS , Sound Team Don Juan , Nelke Planning , Bushiroad , Sentai Filmworks
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Music , Psychological

The franchise centers on "Starlight" — the song and dance revue troupe loved throughout the world. Karen and Hikari make a promise with each other when they're young that one day they'll stand on that stage together. Time passes, and now the girls are 16 years old. Karen is very enthusiastic about the lessons she takes every day, holding her promise close to her heart. Hikari has transferred schools and is now away from Karen. But the cogs of fate turn, and the two are destined to meet again. The girls and other "Stage Girls" will compete in a mysterious audition process to gain acceptance into the revue.

Tags: Musical Theater , Primarily Female Cast , Ensemble Cast , Acting , Primarily Teen Cast , Female Protagonist , Meta , Fairy Tale , Battle Royale , Yuri , School , Coming of Age , Henshin , Time Loop , Swordplay , Dancing , Time Manipulation , Boarding School , LGBTQ+ Themes , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Revenge , Tomboy , Archery , Writing , Motorcycles , Baseball

Where to watch?

HIDIVE

Hoopla

Flip Flappers

Also known as FLIP FLAPPERS.

Studio: Studio 3Hz , Infinite , Happinet , Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures , GAGA , Lantis , Medicos Entertainment , AT-X , Sotsu , BS Fuji , TOKYO MX , Ray
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy , Mahou Shoujo , Psychological , Sci-Fi

As a middle school student, Cocona has been trying to decide what to do with her life. Magical Girl, however, wasn’t a career path that she’d ever considered. When suddenly a strange girl named Papika thrusts her into a secret organization called Flip Flap, Cocona’s outlook does a radical flip-flop. Her views start to change when she is dragged into an alternate dimension called Pure Illusion where she’s charged with gathering crystal shards and fighting strange creatures. Now, between running missions and facing off against a rival organization, Cocona doesn’t have much time to consider alternate career choices. What are these shards, and why is gathering them so important? There’s a mystery to be solved and multiple worlds to be saved in FLIP FLAPPERS!

Tags: Coming of Age , Female Protagonist , Henshin , LGBTQ+ Themes , Meta , Yuri , Magic , Primarily Female Cast , Surreal Comedy , Memory Manipulation , Super Power , Cult , Dissociative Identities , Time Manipulation , Isekai , Episodic , Tragedy , Age Regression , Twins , School , Love Triangle , Tsundere , Surfing , Parody , Yandere , Super Robot , Heterosexual

Where to watch?

No streaming links available

Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru

Also known as Yuki Yuna is a Hero.

Studio: Studio Gokumi , Pony Canyon
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Mahou Shoujo , Psychological , Slice of Life

Yuuna Yuuki is an ordinary second-year middle school student. She gets up in the morning, gets ready for school, goes to classes, participates in club activities, and has fun with her friends. But there is one extraordinary thing about Yuuki — she belongs to the “Brave Hero Club.” What does the Brave Hero Club do? Who is the mysterious being called “Vertex?” Yuuki Yuuna and her friends’ story takes place in Year 300, Era of the Gods.

Tags: Super Power , Primarily Teen Cast , Female Protagonist , Cosmic Horror , Magic , Henshin , Primarily Female Cast , Gods , Tragedy , Philosophy , School Club , Cult , Ensemble Cast , Disability , Post-Apocalyptic , Amnesia , Memory Manipulation , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Fairy , Swordplay , Guns , Urban , Primarily Child Cast , School , Suicide , Tsundere , CGI , Language Barrier , Conspiracy

Where to watch?

Amazon Prime Video

HIDIVE

Bakemonogatari

Also known as Bakemonogatari.

Studio: Aniplex , Shaft , Kodansha , Aniplex of America , Hanabee Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Romance , Supernatural

First season of the Monogatari Series, part 1/6. Contains the arcs Hitagi Crab, Mayoi Snail, Suruga Monkey, Nadeko Snake, and Tsubasa Cat from the Bakemonogatari light novels.

Thanks to Meme Oshino, Koyomi Araragi, a high school student, is able to remain a human after coming across a female vampire... However, since the incident, Koyomi seems to meet girls who have an apparition-related issue. Hitagi Senjougahara doesn’t weigh anything, Suruga Kanbaru’s right arm becomes like that of a monkey’s, and a young girl, Mayoi, cannot find her way home no matter how many times she tries. Koyomi, a Mr. Nice Guy, ends up helping each and every girl solve her problem with the help of Meme Oshino.

Tags: Ensemble Cast , Youkai , Urban Fantasy , Surreal Comedy , Male Protagonist , Kuudere , Philosophy , Primarily Female Cast , Denpa , Vampire , Coming of Age , Psychosexual , Satire , Meta , Heterosexual , Primarily Teen Cast , Dissociative Identities , Monster Girl , Yandere , Love Triangle , Tomboy , Parody , Gore , Nekomimi , Female Harem , LGBTQ+ Themes , Tsundere , CGI , School , Amnesia , Rehabilitation , Aliens

Where to watch?

Netflix

Princess Tutu

Also known as Princess Tutu.

Studio: Hal Film Maker , ADV Films , Memory-Tech , GANSIS , Marvelous , Sentai Filmworks
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Mahou Shoujo , Mystery , Psychological , Romance

In a fairy tale come to life, the clumsy, sweet, and gentle Ahiru (Japanese for 'duck') seems like an unlikely protagonist. In reality, Ahiru is just as magical as the talking cats and crocodiles that inhabit her town - for Ahiru really is a duck! Transformed by the mysterious Drosselmeyer into a human girl, Ahiru soon learns the reason for her existence. Using her magical egg-shaped pendant, Ahiru can transform into Princess Tutu - a beautiful and talented ballet dancer whose dances relieve people of the turmoil in their hearts. With her newfound ability, Ahiru accepts the challenge of collecting the lost shards of her prince's heart, for long ago he had shattered it in order to seal an evil raven away for all eternity.

Princess Tutu is a tale of heroes and their struggle against fate. Their beliefs, their feelings, and ultimately their actions will determine whether this fairy tale can reach its "happily ever after."

Princess Tutu aired in two parts. The first part included 13 25-minute-long episodes, while the second part consisted of 24 12-minute-long episodes with a 25-minute-long final episode for a total of 38 episodes.

Tags: Fairy Tale , Dancing , Meta , Henshin , Writing , Female Protagonist , Surreal Comedy , Tragedy , Magic , Anthropomorphism , Love Triangle , Heterosexual , Animals , Tsundere , Episodic , Boarding School , Unrequited Love , Shounen , Shapeshifting , Foreign , Reincarnation , School , Dissociative Identities , Ghost

Where to watch?

HIDIVE

Amazon Prime Video