Anime like The Imaginary | Anime Like List

What is The Imaginary about?

Studio: Studio Ponoc
Status: Finished

Born from a young girl’s imagination, Rudger is a boy no one can see who lives in a world where imaginations can live and be eaten by others. The Imaginary is an extraordinarily touching and beautiful hand-drawn fantasy film in which Rudger and his new friends in “The Imaginaries Town” embark on an adventure no one can see at the risk of the futures and fates of those they love.

Tags: Foreign , Male Protagonist , Kids , Primarily Child Cast , Urban Fantasy , Tragedy , Amnesia , Memory Manipulation , Snowscape , Found Family

Where to watch?

Netflix

Tonari no Totoro

Also known as My Neighbor Totoro.

Studio: Studio Ghibli , Studio Fantasia , Walt Disney Studios , GKids
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy , Slice of Life , Supernatural

Follow the adventures of Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei when they move into a new home in the countryside. To their delight they discover that their new neighbor is a mysterious forest spirit called Totoro who can be seen only through the eyes of a child. Totoro introduces them to extraordinary characters, including a cat that doubles as a bus, takes them on a journey through the wonders of nature.

Tags: Family Life , Primarily Child Cast , Rural , Youkai , Wilderness , Female Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Kids , Gods , Primarily Female Cast

Where to watch?

Netflix

Max

More About This Anime

Mary to Majo no Hana

Also known as Mary and The Witch's Flower.

Studio: Studio Ponoc
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy

Young Mary follows a mysterious cat into the nearby forest and discovers an old broomstick and a strange flower, a rare plant that blossoms once every seven years. Together, the flower and the broomstick whisk Mary above the clouds, and far away to Endor College – a school of magic run by headmistress Madam Mumblechook and the brilliant Doctor Dee. But there are terrible things happening at the school, and when Mary tells a lie, she must risk her life to try and set things right.

Tags: Witch , Magic , Female Protagonist , Kids , Foreign , Coming of Age , Primarily Child Cast , Animals , Isekai , School

Where to watch?

Netflix

More About This Anime

Paprika

Also known as Paprika.

Studio: MADHOUSE , Sony Pictures Entertainment , Techno Sound , Chaos Union , Manga Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Fantasy , Mystery , Psychological , Sci-Fi , Thriller

Prepare to enter the realm of fantasy and imagination where reality and dreams collide in a kaleidoscopic mindscape of sheer visual genius. The magical tale centers on a revolutionary machine that allows scientists to enter and record a subject's dream. After being stolen, a fearless detective and brilliant therapist join forces to recover the device before it falls into the hands of a dream terrorist.

Note: The film received an early premiere at the 63rd Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2006.

Tags: Dissociative Identities , Primarily Adult Cast , Body Horror , Female Protagonist , Terrorism , Meta , Crime , Denpa , Software Development , Conspiracy , Philosophy , Detective , Mythology , Heterosexual , Police , Circus , Cyberpunk , LGBTQ+ Themes , Unrequited Love , Nudity

Where to watch?