Anime like Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru

Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica

Also known as Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

Studio: Aniplex , Shaft , Mainichi Broadcasting System , Movic , Nitroplus , Aniplex of America , Madoka Partners , Houbunsha , Manga Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Mahou Shoujo , Psychological , Thriller

One night, 14-year-old Madoka Kaname has a terrible nightmare - against the backdrop of a devastated city, she witnesses a girl fight a losing battle against a dreadful being lingering above, while a cat-like magical creature tells Madoka the only way to change such tragic outcome is for her to make a contract with him and become a magical girl.

The next day, the teen's dream seemingly becomes reality as the girl she saw in her dream - Homura - arrives at Mitakihara Middle School as a transfer student, mysteriously warning Madoka to stay just the way she is; but when later on she and her best friend Sayaka encounter the same cat-like magical creature from her dream - who introduces himself as Kyubey - the pair discovers that magical girls are real, and what's more, they can choose to become one. All they must do is sign a contract with Kyubey and agree to take on the duty to fight abstract beings called 'witches' that spread despair to the human world, and in return, each one of them will be granted any single wish they desire. However, as Homura's omen suggests, there might be far more to becoming a magical girl than Madoka and Sayaka realize...

Notes:
Due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, the broadcasts of episodes 11 and 12 were delayed and were later aired as a double feature on April 21, 2011.

Tags: Magic , Tragedy , Female Protagonist , Witch , Primarily Female Cast , Time Manipulation , Urban Fantasy , Philosophy , Alternate Universe , Time Loop , Primarily Teen Cast , Kuudere , Coming of Age , Henshin , Survival , Aliens , Urban , Primarily Child Cast , Ensemble Cast , Gods , Anti-Hero , Spearplay , Suicide , Heterosexual , Mixed Media , Achronological Order , Guns , Yuri , LGBTQ+ Themes , School , Tomboy , Love Triangle , Anthropomorphism , Archery

Senki Zesshou Symphogear

Also known as Symphogear.

Studio: Satelight , Encourage Films , Memory-Tech , Dwango , Bushiroad , Studio Pastoral
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mahou Shoujo , Music , Sci-Fi

With the coming of spring, Hibiki Tachibana and Miku Kohinata start their first year in high school school at the prestigious Lydian Music Academy. That their idol, the singer Tsubasa Kazanari, also attends Lydian is just an added bonus. Neither of them know that their lives are about to change forever. Neither of them know that the first, awakening beat is almost upon them.



Tags: Henshin , Primarily Female Cast , Female Protagonist , Super Power , Primarily Teen Cast , Conspiracy , Guns , Urban , Tsundere , Tragedy , Idol , Mythology , Dancing , School , Swordplay , Superhero , Spearplay , Gore , Military , Drugs , Orphan , Motorcycles , Nudity

Black★Rock Shooter (TV)

Also known as Black Rock Shooter.

Studio: Aniplex , Dentsu , Funimation , Ordet , SANZIGEN , Ultra Super Pictures , Sony Music Entertainment , Fujipacific Music
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Psychological , Slice of Life

It isn't the world you know. There wanders a girl with jet-black hair, ebony clothes, and a strikingly blue, glowing eye. Her name is Black★Rock Shooter. With a huge cannon in hand, she throws herself into a fierce battle...

Meanwhile, in another world, middle-school student Mato Kuroi is drawn to Yomi Takanashi, her classmate with an unusual family name. Mato does her best to talk to Yomi, who just won't open up. Yu Koutari mocks her best friend Mato's efforts but at the same time, supports her. Mato also finds herself surrounded by other colorful characters at school, like the eccentric school counselor, Saya Irino, and the hot-blooded captain of her club club, Arata Kohata.

Then, one day, the window of opportunity opens. After Mato sees that Yomi has her favorite picture book, "Li'l Birds At Play", they strike up a conversation and Mato is invited to come over to Yomi's house. There, they gradually break the ice, until a girl in a wheelchair appears. This is Yomi's best friend, Kagari Izuriha...

Two worlds. Mato and Black★Rock Shooter. This is the story of their "pain".



Tags: Primarily Female Cast , Alternate Universe , Female Protagonist , Body Swapping , Coming of Age , School , Tragedy , Urban Fantasy , Urban , Disability , Yandere , Swordplay , Bullying , Vocal Synth , Dissociative Identities , CGI , Rehabilitation , Reincarnation , Guns , Primarily Teen Cast , Spearplay , Tanned Skin , LGBTQ+ Themes , Crossover , Drawing , Skeleton , Isekai , Gore , Basketball , Nudity

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha

Also known as Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha.

Studio: Seven Arcs , Funimation , Omnibus Japan
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Fantasy , Mahou Shoujo

3rd grader Takamachi Nanoha stumbled upon an injured talking ferret after hearing his telepathic cries for help. The ferret turned out to be Yuuno, an archeologist and mage from another world who had accidentally scattered the dangerous Jewel Seeds throughout Earth. Without the strength to collect the Jewel Seeds, Yuuno had resumed a ferret form and needed someone else to take on the task for him. He gave a red jewel to Nanoha explaining to her with this she could transform and use magic to combat the monsters that threatened them due to the Jewel Seeds. But the monsters are the least of their worries, as Yuuno and Nanoha are not the only ones out to collect the Jewel Seeds.

Tags: Magic , Super Power , Female Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Henshin , Primarily Female Cast , Primarily Child Cast , Animals , Urban , Coastal , Spearplay , Kemonomimi , Robots , Military , Artificial Intelligence , Memory Manipulation , Space , Shapeshifting , Clone , Lost Civilization , Kuudere , Nudity

Granbelm

Also known as GRANBELM.

Studio: Nexus , Infinite , Sentai Filmworks , ONE MUSIC
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Mahou Shoujo , Mecha

Was going back to school at night to retrieve a forgotten lunch box a really bad mistake? That's how it seems when Mangetsu Kohinata suddenly finds herself pulled into a strange world where girls in giant magical armor are engaged in a ferocious battle. While the timing was unfortunate, it turns out that Mangetsu's arrival in this strange realm was anything but a mistake, because Mangetsu appears to be a mage herself! Now, with the help of her mysterious new friend Shingetsu, Mangetsu must learn how to summon and control her own giant armor as they fight against other mages in a competition with an unbelievable prize - control of the lost magic that once ruled our planet!



Tags: Battle Royale , Magic , Primarily Female Cast , Female Protagonist , Super Robot , Revenge , Tragedy , Memory Manipulation , Henshin , Isekai , LGBTQ+ Themes , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things

Shinsekai yori

Also known as From the New World.

Studio: Aniplex , TV Asahi , A-1 Pictures , Pony Canyon , Sentai Filmworks
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Sci-Fi , Supernatural

Following a sudden outbreak of psychokinesis in 0.1% of the population, a rapid transformation swept the world. The godlike ability to manipulate matter remotely turned many power wielders to violence, inciting a long period of upheaval. Finally, after a chaotic era shaped by the rise and fall of oppressive regimes, the psychic humans were able to achieve a fragile peace by isolating their society, creating a new world bound by complex rules.

In the town of Kamisu 66, 12-year-old Saki Watanabe has just awakened to her powers and is relieved to rejoin her friends—the mischievous Satoru Asahina, the shy Mamoru Itou, the cheerful Maria Akizuki, and Shun Aonuma, a mysterious boy whom Saki admires—at Sage Academy, a special school for psychics. However, unease looms as Saki begins to question the fate of those unable to awaken to their powers, and the children begin to get involved with secretive matters such as the rumored Tainted Cats said to abduct children.

Shinsekai yori tells the unique coming-of-age story of Saki and her friends as they journey to grow into their roles in the supposed utopia. Accepting these roles, however, might not come easy when faced with the dark and shocking truths of society, and the impending havoc born from the new world.



Tags: Class Struggle , Dystopian , Lost Civilization , Post-Apocalyptic , Philosophy , Coming of Age , Tragedy , Super Power , Anti-Hero , Time Skip , Female Protagonist , Slavery , Conspiracy , Memory Manipulation , Politics , Revenge , Bisexual , Survival , War , Animals , Cosmic Horror , Magic , Rural , Environmental , Amnesia , Cult , Gore , Body Horror , Fugitive , Chimera , Heterosexual , Religion , Love Triangle , Torture , Anthropomorphism , School , Boys' Love , Aviation ,

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 , Tragedy , Lost Civilization , Outdoor Activities , Dungeon , Philosophy , Seinen , Cosmic Horror , Female Protagonist , Curses , Gore , Amnesia , Wilderness , Robots , Male Protagonist , Steampunk , Anthropomorphism , Orphan , Food , Tanned Skin , School , Agender , Crossdressing , Religion , Rehabilitation , Dissociative Identities , Maids , Femboy , Time Manipulation , Amputation , Nudity

Mahou Shoujo Ikusei Keikaku

Also known as Magical Girl Raising Project.

Studio: Lerche , flying DOG
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Fantasy , Horror , Mahou Shoujo , Psychological , Thriller

A social game called The Magical Girl Raising Project allows one in tens of thousands of people to be a "magical girl" — possessing extraordinary physical capabilities and looks, as well as special magical powers that set them apart from the rest of the human race. But one day, in a district containing 16 magical girls, the administration announces that it must halve the number of magical girls to solve the problem of magical energy.



Tags: Magic , Battle Royale , Death Game , Tragedy , Primarily Female Cast , Urban Fantasy , Kuudere , Witch , Robots , Swordplay , Urban , Video Games , Spearplay , Elf , Tsundere , Revenge , Super Power , Superhero , Chibi , Henshin , Female Protagonist , Gore , Angels , Primarily Teen Cast , Suicide , Guns , Nun , Twins , LGBTQ+ Themes , Yuri , Crime , Gender Bending , Transgender , Isekai , Ensemble Cast , Bullying , Tomboy

Senki Zesshou Symphogear XV

Also known as Symphogear XV.

Studio: Satelight
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mahou Shoujo , Music , Sci-Fi

The fifth season of Senki Zesshou Symphogear.

Humanity is finally confronted with the threat of the Custodians—the ancient, sentient species held responsible for cursing humanity to speak different languages thousands of years ago. The Symphogear wielders—Hibiki Tachibana, Tsubasa Kazanari, Chris Yukine, Maria Cadenzavna Eve, Kirika Akatsuki, and Shirabe Tsukuyomi—are sent to the Antarctic in order to retrieve an ancient relic. After securing it and rescuing the scientific staff present there from a Coffin, the automated defense mechanism protecting it, the relic is given to American researchers due to international agreements.

The criminal organization Noble Red, a remnant of the previously fought Bavarian Illuminati, starts targeting the relic. Will the Symphogear wielders and their supporting organization S.O.N.G. be able to foil the plans of the organizations conspiring against them?



Tags: Henshin , Primarily Female Cast , Female Protagonist , Gods , Lost Civilization , LGBTQ+ Themes , Ensemble Cast , Mythology , Guns , Philosophy , Urban , Swordplay , Idol , Aliens , Tragedy , Ninja , Tanned Skin , Orphan , Monster Girl , Drugs , Kemonomimi , Gore , Cyborg , Motorcycles , Dissociative Identities

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 , Primarily Teen Cast , Acting , Female Protagonist , Meta , Fairy Tale , Battle Royale , Boarding School , Unrequited Love , Philosophy , Animals , Spearplay , Yuri , School , Time Loop , Coming of Age , Henshin , Swordplay , Dancing , LGBTQ+ Themes , Love Triangle , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Archery , Tomboy , Urban , Motorcycles