Top Rural Anime Recommendations

Shingeki no Kyojin

Also known as Attack on Titan.

Studio: Wit Studio
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Mystery

Several hundred years ago, humans were nearly exterminated by titans. Titans are typically several stories tall, seem to have no intelligence, devour human beings and, worst of all, seem to do it for the pleasure rather than as a food source. A small percentage of humanity survived by walling themselves in a city protected by extremely high walls, even taller than the biggest of titans.

Flash forward to the present and the city has not seen a titan in over 100 years. Teenage boy Eren and his foster sister Mikasa witness something horrific as the city walls are destroyed by a colossal titan that appears out of thin air. As the smaller titans flood the city, the two kids watch in horror as their mother is eaten alive. Eren vows that he will murder every single titan and take revenge for all of mankind.



Tags: Male Protagonist , Kaiju , Tragedy , Shapeshifting , Military , Monster Boy , Post-Apocalyptic , Primarily Teen Cast , Super Power , Revenge , Philosophy , Anti-Hero , Swordplay , Gore , Memory Manipulation , Ensemble Cast , Dystopian , Politics , Religion , Espionage , Monster Girl , Cannibalism , Shounen , Coming of Age , Class Struggle , Orphan , Steampunk , Mythology , Time Skip , Amnesia , Yandere , Rural , CGI , Primarily Male Cast , Unrequited Love , Kuudere , Adoption , Suicide

Kimetsu no Yaiba

Also known as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.

Studio: ufotable
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Supernatural

It is the Taisho Period in Japan. Tanjiro, a kindhearted boy who sells charcoal for a living, finds his family slaughtered by a demon. To make matters worse, his younger sister Nezuko, the sole survivor, has been transformed into a demon herself. Though devastated by this grim reality, Tanjiro resolves to become a “demon slayer” so that he can turn his sister back into a human, and kill the demon that massacred his family.



Tags: Demons , Shounen , Swordplay , Male Protagonist , Tragedy , Primarily Teen Cast , Monster Girl , Revenge , Travel , CGI , Gore , Primarily Male Cast , Orphan , Mythology , Slapstick , Rural , Historical , Rotoscoping , Super Power , Body Horror , Coming of Age , Chibi , Time Skip , Snowscape

Shingeki no Kyojin 2

Also known as Attack on Titan Season 2.

Studio: Wit Studio
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Mystery

Eren Jaeger swore to wipe out every last Titan, but in a battle for his life he wound up becoming the thing he hates most. With his new powers, he fights for humanity's freedom facing the monsters that threaten his home. After a bittersweet victory against the Female Titan, Eren finds no time to rest—a horde of Titans is approaching Wall Rose and the battle for humanity continues!



Tags: Survival , Espionage , Post-Apocalyptic , Shapeshifting , Tragedy , Military , Kaiju , Dystopian , Primarily Teen Cast , Gore , Monster Boy , Monster Girl , Revenge , Philosophy , Politics , Anti-Hero , Ensemble Cast , Super Power , Class Struggle , Shounen , Male Protagonist , Cult , Incest , Kuudere , Dissociative Identities , Coming of Age , Orphan , LGBTQ+ Themes , Matriarchy , Steampunk , Mythology , Cannibalism , Primarily Male Cast , CGI , Female Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Swordplay , Unrequited Love , Rural , Tanned Skin

Kimi no Na wa.

Also known as Your Name..

Studio: CoMix Wave
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance , Supernatural

Mitsuha Miyamizu, a high school girl, yearns to live the life of a boy in the bustling city of Tokyo—a dream that stands in stark contrast to her present life in the countryside. Meanwhile in the city, Taki Tachibana lives a busy life as a high school student while juggling his part-time job and hopes for a future in architecture.

One day, Mitsuha awakens in a room that is not her own and suddenly finds herself living the dream life in Tokyo—but in Taki's body! Elsewhere, Taki finds himself living Mitsuha's life in the humble countryside. In pursuit of an answer to this strange phenomenon, they begin to search for one another.

Kimi no Na wa. revolves around Mitsuha and Taki's actions, which begin to have a dramatic impact on each other's lives, weaving them into a fabric held together by fate and circumstance.



Tags: Body Swapping , Time Manipulation , Urban Fantasy , Memory Manipulation , Coming of Age , Female Protagonist , Philosophy , Tragedy , Urban , Gender Bending , Time Skip , Rural , Heterosexual , Primarily Teen Cast , Environmental , Mythology , Alternate Universe , Trains , Shrine Maiden , School

Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season

Also known as Attack on Titan Final Season.

Studio: MAPPA
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Mystery

It’s been four years since the Scout Regiment reached the shoreline, and the world looks different now. Things are heating up as the fate of the Scout Regiment—and the people of Paradis—are determined at last. However, Eren is missing. Will he reappear before age-old tensions between Marleyans and Eldians result in the war of all wars?



Tags: War , Tragedy , Military , Kaiju , Anti-Hero , Revenge , Politics , Philosophy , Dystopian , Survival , Time Skip , Ensemble Cast , Shapeshifting , Male Protagonist , Super Power , Monster Boy , Primarily Male Cast , Primarily Adult Cast , Conspiracy , Terrorism , Espionage , Gore , CGI , Body Horror , Foreign , Guns , Memory Manipulation , Coming of Age , Class Struggle , Shounen , Steampunk , Rotoscoping , Dissociative Identities , Tanned Skin , Rural , Kuudere , Matriarchy , Mythology , Baseball

Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Ressha-hen

Also known as Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train.

Studio: ufotable
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Mystery , Supernatural

This Demon Slayer movie sees Tanjiro Kamado and friends from the Demon Slayer corps board the Infinity Train on a new mission to investigate a mysterious series of disappearances, perpetrated by a demon who has been tormenting people and killing the demon slayers who oppose it.

Tags: Demons , Swordplay , Shounen , Tragedy , Trains , Male Protagonist , Body Horror , Super Power , Monster Girl , Primarily Teen Cast , Gore , CGI , Primarily Male Cast , Orphan , Travel , Suicide , Shapeshifting , Historical , Crime , Family Life , Rural , Martial Arts

Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai.

Also known as Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance , Slice of Life , Supernatural

Jinta Yadomi and his group of childhood friends have become estranged after a tragic accident split them apart. Now in their high school years, a sudden surprise forces each of them to confront their guilt over what happened that day and come to terms with the ghosts of their past.



Tags: Coming of Age , Tragedy , Ghost , Rehabilitation , Hikikomori , Love Triangle , Found Family , Rural , Male Protagonist , Heterosexual , Primarily Teen Cast , Female Protagonist , Kuudere , Tsundere , Crossdressing , Bullying

Another

Also known as Another.

Studio: P.A. Works
Status: Finished
Genres: Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural , Thriller

When Kouichi Sakakibara transfers to a new school, he senses a frightening atmosphere in his new class, a secret none of them will talk about. At the center is the beautiful Mei Misaki. Kouichi is immediately drawn to her mysterious aura, but he begins to realize that no one else in the class is aware of her presence. Soon after his arrival, what is known as the Calamity begins, and it claims the lives of many students.



Tags: Tragedy , Gore , School , Primarily Teen Cast , Memory Manipulation , Survival , Rural , Ghost , Kuudere , Urban Fantasy , Female Protagonist , Twins , Denpa , Male Protagonist , Philosophy , Seinen , Suicide , Teacher , Death Game , Asexual

Ansatsu Kyoushitsu 2

Also known as Assassination Classroom 2.

Studio: Lerche
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Supernatural

The second season of Ansatsu Kyoushitsu.

The students return as school is back in session for the second semester. Following their exploits on the island during summer vacation, Class 3-E continues to sharpen their blades with their sights set on their teacher, the slippery Koro-sensei. They have more to worry about than just their teacher, however, as enemy assassins, both old and new, are out for the increased bounty on the octopus' head.

Moreover, their rivals in Class A, as well as Kunugigaoka Junior High's fearsome principal, stand to block Class E from achieving academic excellence. With all of these obstacles opposing them, the group must continue to work together in order to overcome their foes and accomplish their goal of successfully assassinating their teacher.

Tags: Assassins , School , Teacher , Coming of Age , Primarily Teen Cast , Ensemble Cast , Super Power , Tragedy , Shounen , Anti-Hero , Time Skip , Male Protagonist , Military , Urban Fantasy , Episodic , Rural , Crossdressing , Heterosexual , Yandere , Suicide , Aliens

Dororo

Also known as Dororo.

Studio: MAPPA , Tezuka Productions
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Supernatural

Dororo, a young orphan thief, meets Hyakkimaru, a powerful ronin. Hyakkimaru's father, a greedy feudal lord, had made a pact with 12 demons, offering his yet-unborn son's body parts in exchange for great power. Thus, Hyakkimaru - who was born without arms, legs, eyes, ears, a nose or a mouth - was abandoned in a river as a baby. Rescued and raised by Dr. Honma, who equips him with artificial limbs and teaches him sword-fighting techniques, Hyakkimaru discovers that each time he slays a demon, a piece of his body is restored. Now, he roams the war-torn countryside in search of demons.

Tags: Demons , Revenge , Disability , Swordplay , Tragedy , Samurai , Estranged Family , Youkai , Anti-Hero , Orphan , War , Male Protagonist , Historical , Crossdressing , Rural , Travel , Urban Fantasy , Gore , Philosophy , Female Protagonist , Episodic , Body Horror , Tomboy , Kuudere , Shounen , Primarily Male Cast , Primarily Adult Cast , Ghost , Cannibalism , Heterosexual , Prostitution

Hyouka

Also known as Hyouka.

Studio: Kyoto Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Mystery , Romance , Slice of Life

Energy-conservative high school student Houtarou Oreki ends up with more than he bargained for when he signs up for the Classic Literature Club at his sister's behest—especially when he realizes how deep-rooted the club's history really is. Begrudgingly, Oreki is dragged into an investigation concerning the 45-year-old mystery that surrounds the club room.

Accompanied by his fellow club members, the knowledgeable Satoshi Fukube, the stern but benign Mayaka Ibara, and the ever-curious Eru Chitanda, Oreki must combat deadlines and lack of information with resourcefulness and hidden talent, in order to not only find the truth buried beneath the dust of works created years before them, but of other side cases as well.

Based on the award-winning Koten-bu light novel series, and directed by Yasuhiro Takemoto of Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu, Hyouka shows that normal life can be full of small mysteries, be it family history, a student film, or even the withered flowers that make up a ghost story.



Tags: School Club , Detective , School , Male Protagonist , Primarily Teen Cast , Coming of Age , Philosophy , Episodic , Classic Literature , Heterosexual , Filmmaking , Rural , Tsundere , Otaku Culture , Politics , Cosplay , Shrine Maiden , Bullying

Howl no Ugoku Shiro

Also known as Howl‘s Moving Castle.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Romance

Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a spell on Sophie. In a life-changing adventure, Sophie climbs aboard Howl's magnificent flying castle and enters a magical world on a quest to break the spell.



Tags: Magic , Female Protagonist , Elderly Protagonist , Steampunk , Witch , War , Monster Boy , Shapeshifting , Heterosexual , Disability , Fairy Tale , Found Family , Travel , Philosophy , Rural , Politics , Time Manipulation , Maids , Demons , Aviation , CGI , Coming of Age

Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Ressha-hen (TV)

Also known as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugen Train Arc.

Studio: ufotable
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Mystery , Supernatural

In Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugen Train Arc, Tanjiro Kamado and his fellow Demon Slayer members embark on a mission aboard the Infinity Train. Their new mission is to investigate a series of mysterious disappearances, carried out by a demon that has been terrorizing passengers and killing the demon slayers who oppose it.

Note: The first episode is entirely anime original. Episodes 2-7 are a re-edited version of the movie featuring new scenes and music.

Tags: Demons , Swordplay , Shounen , Tragedy , Male Protagonist , Gore , Trains , Primarily Teen Cast , Body Horror , Monster Girl , Historical , Orphan , Suicide , Rural , Cannibalism , Travel

Kimetsu no Yaiba: Katanakaji no Sato-hen

Also known as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc.

Studio: ufotable
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Supernatural

Adaptation of the Swordsmith Village Arc.

Tanjiro’s journey leads him to the Swordsmith Village, where he reunites with two Hashira, members of the Demon Slayer Corps’ highest-ranking swordsmen - Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito and Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji. With the shadows of demons lurking near, a new battle begins for Tanjiro and his comrades.

Notes:
• The first episode has a runtime of ~49 minutes, and received an early premiere in cinemas worldwide as part of a special screening alongside the final two episodes of Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen.
• The final episode has a runtime of ~52 minutes.

Tags: Demons , Shounen , Swordplay , Male Protagonist , Super Power , Gore , Monster Girl , Body Horror , Clone , Historical , CGI , Tragedy , Female Protagonist , Guns , Rural , Orphan , Amnesia , Twins

Fumetsu no Anata e

Also known as To Your Eternity.

Studio: Brain's Base
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Psychological , Supernatural

In the beginning, an "orb" is cast unto Earth. "It" can do two things: change into the form of the thing that stimulates "it"; and come back to life after death. "It" morphs from orb to rock, then to wolf, and finally to boy, but roams about like a newborn who knows nothing. As a boy, "it" becomes Fushi.

Through encounters with human kindness, Fushi not only gains survival skills but grows as a "person". But his journey is darkened by the inexplicable and destructive enemy Nokker and cruel partings with the people he loves.



Tags: Shapeshifting , Tragedy , Coming of Age , Philosophy , Rural , Travel , Survival , Ensemble Cast , Body Horror , Agender , Foreign , Gore , Shounen , Animals , Time Skip , Afterlife , Prison , Language Barrier , Historical , Primarily Female Cast , Memory Manipulation , CGI , Snowscape , Orphan , Zombie , Adoption , Demons , Battle Royale , Yandere

Sousou no Frieren

Also known as Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.

Studio: MADHOUSE
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy

The adventure is over but life goes on for an elf mage just beginning to learn what living is all about. Elf mage Frieren and her courageous fellow adventurers have defeated the Demon King and brought peace to the land. But Frieren will long outlive the rest of her former party. How will she come to understand what life means to the people around her? Decades after their victory, the funeral of one her friends confronts Frieren with her own near immortality. Frieren sets out to fulfill the last wishes of her comrades and finds herself beginning a new adventure…



Tags: Travel , Magic , Elf , Philosophy , Time Skip , Found Family , Foreign , Shounen , Female Protagonist , Kuudere , Iyashikei , Demons , Snowscape , Adoption , Tragedy , Heterosexual , Dungeon , Episodic , Rural , Aromantic , Asexual , Religion , Dragons , Rotoscoping , Isekai

Goblin Slayer

Also known as GOBLIN SLAYER.

Studio: White Fox
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

A young priestess has formed her first adventuring party, but almost immediately they find themselves in distress. It's the Goblin Slayer who comes to their rescue--a man who's dedicated his life to the extermination of all goblins, by any means necessary. And when rumors of his feats begin to circulate, there's no telling who might come calling next...



Tags: Goblin , Revenge , Gore , Tragedy , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Dungeon , Magic , Anti-Hero , Nudity , CGI , Survival , Elf , Gods , Rural , Swordplay

Mononoke-hime

Also known as Princess Mononoke.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy

A calm village residing in the mountains comes under attack from a demon-possessed boar one day.

Ashitaka, a young man and prince of the tribe, engages the creature in an attempt to save his village. During the battle, the boar bites him on the arm, leaving it blackened and cursed. Following his village's traditions, Ashitaka is exiled and becomes a wanderer, looking for a solution to the curse before it engulfs him.

Iron Town is a fortress under the leadership of Lady Eboshi. Through the clearing of the surrounding forests, Iron Town produces large amounts of Ironsand, used for gunpowder and other machinery. However, because of the forests destruction, nearby animal clans seek revenge led by a human girl of the Wolf clan called San.

When Ashitaka comes to Iron Town, he discovers the area consumed in battle. Horrified, he attempts to create peace and befriend the Wolf Clan. However, after the forest's eradication and the ongoing war between Human and Beast, will the Spirit of the Forest be forgiving and accept Ashitaka's request to expel his curse?

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Tags: Environmental , Mythology , Animals , Philosophy , War , Gods , Eco-Horror , Rural , Youkai , Demons , Female Protagonist , Revenge , Historical , Male Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Guns , Disability , Travel , Archery , Primarily Adult Cast , Tomboy , Outdoor , Body Horror , Gore , Kaiju

Tonari no Totoro

Also known as My Neighbor Totoro.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
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 , Female Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Kids , Gods , Primarily Female Cast

Samurai Champloo

Also known as Samurai Champloo.

Studio: Manglobe
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy

Let's break it down. Mugen's a reckless sword-slinger with a style that's more b-boy than Shaolin. He's got a nasty streak that makes people want to stick a knife in his throat. Then there's Jin, a deadbeat ronin who speaks softly but carries a big blade. He runs game old-school style, but he can make your blood spray with the quickness. When these roughnecks bring the ruckus, it ain't good for anybody, especially them. Enter Fuu, the ditzy waitress who springs her new friends from a deadly jam. All she wants in return is help solving a riddle from her past. She and the boys are tracking the scent, but there's 99 ways to die between them and the sunflower samurai.



Tags: Travel , Swordplay , Samurai , Rural , Historical , Orphan , Martial Arts , Anachronism , Episodic , Assassins , Primarily Adult Cast , Male Protagonist , Female Protagonist , Anti-Hero , Prostitution , Kuudere , Tanned Skin , Politics , Drugs , Yakuza , Ninja , Religion , Heterosexual , Crossdressing , Nudity , Language Barrier , Zombie , Noir , Baseball , LGBTQ+ Themes