Anime like Nils no Fushigi na Tabi

Flanders no Inu

Studio: Nippon Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

Nello Tarth is a poor but happy orphan who lives with his grandfather Jehan in a little village nearby Antwerp. Nello has a talent for drawing pictures and has been fascinated by it since he saw one of Rubens (a famous artist) pictures as a little boy. Helping Jehan with the daily milk delivery to Antwerp, Nello one day discovers Patrash, a working dog who has been mistreated and abandoned by his former owner. He treats the exhausted animal and after a little while a close and dependable friendship develops. Alois Cojez, the daughter of the richest and hence most influential man in Blacken Village, is Nellos best friend. When Nello decides to become an artist he has to experience firsthand the ignorance and cruelty of the villagers. Especially Alois father thinks of him as a slacker who cannot earn his living by drawing pictures. Nontheless Nello perseveres and never gives up to achieve his dream and to win their appreciation and respect while strenuously struggling with his poverty.



Tags: Class Struggle , Philosophy , Primarily Child Cast , Male Protagonist , Tragedy , Historical , Classic Literature , Animals , Foreign

Haha wo Tazunete Sanzenri

Also known as 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother.

Studio: Nippon Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama

Based on a short section of the novel Cuore by the Italian Edmondo de Amicis, Marco is a young boy living in Genoa, Italy, together with his father Pietro. But the family is not complete, for Marcos mother left for Argentina around a year earlier in order to find work. Letters from her arrive regularly until one day they suddenly stop. Worry for his mother and what might have happened to her overcomes the young boy. Marco thus decides to embark upon a journey to Argentina in the hope of being reunited with his mother. At first, Pietro is opposed to Marcos plan, but moved by his sons enthusiasm, he eventually allows the boy to go. So begins Marcos long journey of the heart. Marco encounters many people throughout his travels, and finds maturity and self-acceptance as a result of his experiences.



Tags: Classic Literature , Historical , Foreign , Travel , Kids , Male Protagonist , Coming of Age , Tragedy

Meiken Jolie

Also known as Belle and Sebastian.

Studio: NHK , Toho
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure

After befriending a white Pyrenees dog he names Belle, Sebastian sets out on a journey to find the mother he knows is still alive.



Tags: Travel , Adoption , Classic Literature , Male Protagonist , Foreign , Animals , Rural , Historical

Popolocrois Monogatari

Also known as Popolocrois Monogatari.

Studio: Bee Train , TV Tokyo , Aniplex
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy

Prince Pietro is the half-human, half-dragon prince of the kingdom of Popolocrois. After the evil GamiGami tries (unsuccessfuly, as ever) to take over the Kingdom, a mysterious girl named Hyuu appears in the forest near Popolocrois Castle, which is the beginning of an adventure for Pietro, his witch friend Narcia, and all their friends. Set following the events of the first Popolocrois game.

Tags: Robots , Witch , Magic , Dragons , Fairy Tale , Henshin , Super Robot , Time Manipulation

Marco: Haha wo Tazunete Sanzenri

Studio: Nippon Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama

In the 19th century, Genoa (Italy), 9-year-old Marco must face separation from his mother Anna, who leaves for work in Argentina to escape heavy taxes and a deep economic depression. Remaining at home with his father-a doctor at the hospital for the poor-Marco cannot help but miss his mother. When Anna suddenly stops writing to them, Marco becomes anxious about her and decides to travel all the way to Argentina by himself. Marco sets out a long and arduous adventure of over 10,000 miles. All he carries with him is love, courage, friendship and a longing to see his mother again. The story will take you on an exciting journey across the Atlantic, the Andes, and the spiritual border as we watch Marco come of age.



Tags: Foreign , Male Protagonist , Coming of Age , Animals , Travel

Spoon Oba-san

Also known as Mrs. Pepperpot.

Studio: Studio Pierrot , Gakken
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Slice of Life

An older women wears a small spoon around her neck but every now and then, she shrinks to the size of a mouse because of the spoon. She sees the world then from a completely different perspective and has all kind of strange adventures together with Wendy, the mouse and many others.



Tags: Magic , Classic Literature , Female Protagonist , Episodic , Rural , Elderly Protagonist , Kids

THE DOG OF FLANDERS

Also known as Dog of Flanders.

Studio: Nippon Animation , Shouchiku , Fuji TV , Pioneer LDC
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

Set in 19th-century Belgium, this classic tale, based on the Flemish novel by Oui'da, celebrates the affectionate bond between an innocent boy and his faithful dog. The stunning animation, a masterful combination of traditional and computer-aided animation, captures the natural splendor of the Flanders countryside and recreates the spirit of this classic story that has captivated audiences world wide for more than 130 years. In fact, the popularity of The Dog Of Flanders led the local Belgian government of Flanders to dedicate a statue to Nello and Patrash in 1985, immortalizing their devotion to each other.



Tags: Tragedy , Classic Literature , Foreign , Animals , Philosophy , Class Struggle , Historical , Male Protagonist , Primarily Child Cast , Urban

Karigurashi no Arrietty

Also known as The Secret World of Arrietty.

Studio: Studio Ghibli , Walt Disney Studios
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy

Arrietty, a tiny but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper. Like all little people, Arrietty remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to "borrow" scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts. But when 12-year-old Shou, a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty's family from the home and straight into danger.



Tags: Rural , Classic Literature , Family Life , Female Protagonist , Coming of Age , Work

Hoshi no Ouji-sama: Petit Prince

Also known as The Adventures of the Little Prince.

Studio: TV Asahi , Knack Productions , Discotek
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure

The Little Prince lives on Asteroid B612, a tiny rock floating in space. He spends his days cleaning out the three small volcanos on the asteroid (which he also uses to cook his breakfast), weeding out the baobob trees that threaten to take over, and caring for his friend the Rose Girl. When he gets lonely for company he catches a comet in his butterfly net and flies off to Earth for all sorts of adventures.



Tags: Kids , Episodic , Male Protagonist , Travel , Classic Literature , Aliens , Astronomy

Nanatsu no Umi no Tico

Also known as Tico and Friends.

Studio: Nippon Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Slice of Life

Nanami Simpson is a young girl. Her mother dies when she is young, and she goes to live with her Father, Scott Simpson, on board a Marine Research Vessel , the Peperonchino. Her Father is a Marine Biologist, and he is in search of a creature known as the Glowing Whale. When He finds the bones of one of these, he is saddened, and resolves to change his mission towards preserving and caring for the creatures. Nanami befriends an Orca which she names Tico, and She goes swimming with it every day. Eventually, she learns to breathe Underwater which astounds her Father. Nanami nearly drowns one day, and one of the glowing whales saves her from certain death and returns her to the vessel, where her Father finally gets to see it.



Tags: Outdoor , Animals , Environmental , Ships , Travel , Foreign , Kids , Tragedy , Ojou-sama , Female Protagonist , Educational