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

Colorful (Movie) addpermalink

Another heart-wrenching anime that deals with death and receiving a chance to redeem or complete something that you once were unable to. Colorful is much more slow paced than Ano Hana at the beginning and the character designs are fairly plain and "normal", taking the realistic approach. As the you continue to watch, the movie really draws you in like Ano Hana and sets up to be a real masterpiece in animation.  

report Recommended by animaxx

Though they don't have much in common as a story, I really want to point out 2 things:
Both anime show the true feelings of the characters, no emotion is forced.
Also, both Menma and Makoto have died. But Menma returns(but is not brought back to life) to grant a last wish and Makoto comes back because he has to prove that he can make something of his life.

That first point is the most important one. There are not much anime where I see so many emotions as these.

And I cried when AnoHana ended. With Colorful I probably did too, but I'm not sure anymore. They both touched me:') read more 

report Recommended by Ajalea

In terms of expression, Anohana and Colorful expresses the idea of the afterlife in which a character ventures on the surface world upon their death. For this reason, there's a multitude of feelings that surrounds the character including fear, regret, anger, and also joy.

Both series are very dramatic and at times realistic in terms of its presentation. At the same time, character relationship plays a pivotal factor that crafts the stories of these two anime. These relationships range from friendship, to romance, and to memories created by both their past/present times.

report Recommended by Stark700

- Explores life after death, and reincarnation
- Very emotionally manipulative and are both very adept at it
- Parts where great attention have been paid to small details
- Themes revolve around seeking closure 

report Recommended by Lemon

- Both feature heavy themes of death, spirits, reincarnation, and everything in between
- Both feature a teenage male lead who is at least somewhat of a hikkikomori
- Both have themes of finally accepting friendship, as well as milder romance tones scattered in between
- Both will probably make you cry towards the end (especially AnoHana) 

report Recommended by Atsunome

Air addpermalink

Both deal with death, and how much it effects people. Both are also tragically depressing, yet beautiful. 

report Recommended by PrincessKenny

Anime: Seishun Buta Yarou wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo Minai

Seishun Buta Yarou wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo Minai addpermalink

Same kinda vibe with the forgotten unseable girl trying to overcome personal issues to move forward. 

report Recommended by MangekyoMinato

Hanasaku Iroha addpermalink

Hanasaku Iroha and Ano Hana has both tear jerking drama and splendid animation. Both are also original works. 

report Recommended by underMebius

Both are wonderful slice of life animes about friendship and dreams with some comedy and drama.  

report Recommended by Orulyon

While seemingly different at first, both series focuses around the theme of life revolving around the main characters of the story.

For instance, Ohana from Hansaku Iroha has to deal with the confession of a friend while Jinta deals with the death of someone he cares about.

Both series contain character development along with comedy, drama, an emotional like feeling as the episodes progresses as the story becomes somewhat like a journey from its pilot episode towards its end when the main characters says goodbye to what they've learned.

report Recommended by Stark700

Both are practically the epitome of the genre called slice of life. If you can check any of the following bullet points you may have fun watching either of these anime.

- You get entertained if the plot revolves around everyday life and it's miseries/fortune
- You enjoy characters who don't act solely in a stereotypical manner
- You don't get distracted if it is episodic (at least hanasaku iroha)
- You like stories that contain interpersonal relationships and comedy

report Recommended by cartoonartist

Dramas about life and finding resolve and a purpose. While not too similar at first, as both anime progress, one can see how the characters develop and grow as people as they come to terms with their past and present. They're both also beautifully animated and have some pretty stunning visuals of nature. 

report Recommended by ImNotAnOtaku1

Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai addpermalink

Both make you sad and have a similar premise

 

report Recommended by JamalzA23

Glasslip addpermalink

Ano Hana & Glasslip have very similar features including art, genres, and location. Although Ano Hana is the repairing of characters' friendships while Glasslip is involved in causing drama between friends, both stories gives a very similar feel involving friendship. 

report Recommended by Aleron

Byousoku 5 Centimeter addpermalink

Although they have very different plotlines they both have magnificent animation, as well as that melodrama slice of life feeling.

They both deal with sadness, seperation, and moving on. If you like one you will definitely like the other. 

report Recommended by Jimbo_X

Violet Evergarden addpermalink

I find both shows very sad. They both easily get people to cry. They are both sad but in a good way. When watching Violet Evergarden I constantly got Anohana vibes! 

report Recommended by NowiFate

Kimi ga Nozomu Eien addpermalink

Both are drama/slice of life anime that revolve around a group of friends growing up,  an accident involving one of these friends and how this accident affects the relationship between all of them.
Love triangles appear in both shows and result in the friends driffting apart, though while Kimi ga Nozomu Eien focuses on the love like relationships and "drifting apart", AnoHana is more about those friends finding back to each other. 
AnoHana has slight "supernatural" parts while KNE tries to be a more realistic show.
Both shows have a very sad and kind of melancholic last episode and the girl involved in the accident is a little similar in both shows as well. read more 

report Recommended by PokeL

In Kima ga Nozomu Eien, the male protagonist has to give up something very important to him in order to move on with his life. The situation actually happened in the past, but after a series of events occured he has to deal with the situation in the present. In Ano Hana, a whole group of people have to give up something in order to move on with their lives, and just like Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, the event happened in the past, and an event occurred that resurrected the conflict. Ano Hana is a depressing and sad anime, but it starts out pretty normal, and the depresison factor escalates near the end, whereas in Kimi ga Nozomu Eien it is pretty depressing throughout the whole series with a little comic relief near the end. So, all in all, if you liked Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, then I highly recommend watching Ano Hana, and vice-versa. read more 

report Recommended by airisom

Both series are about a group of friends whose lives are changing because of a tragic accident with one of the friends. The others try to move on, but suddenly are being pulled back to the past they all want to forget. 

report Recommended by MyuuMyuu

Both series deals with friendship, loyalty, love and loss. In my biased opinion, the plot and character development are more drawn out than Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. In addition, Anohana offers softer and supernatural elements in the series. Kimi ga Nozumu Eien deals more with adult-like situations and consequences, so I would advise those whom are 16...maybe 18 and older to watch it. I have watched Kimi ga Nozumu Eien twice. I did not understand  the series too well nine years ago as opposed to now. Kimi ga Nozumu Eien will not disappoint drama/romance fans though, so try it out! 

report Recommended by NonkiLauren

Kanon (2006) addpermalink

It has great story, the art is lovely, its also unique, characters are great *but a few in kanon* , but it has great emotional stories. For all characters, and they are both not overly overrated. Unique characters and music.
There are also similar things in the story, like disappearing main girls. Secrets that you dont discover till the end. etc. 

report Recommended by kiryustiddies

Kyoukai no Kanata addpermalink

-Both are very touching story with little bit of romance.
-Both story surely make you feel like wanna cry.
-Both has a very nice and touching song that surely make you fall for it.
-Both are about teamwork and friendship.
-Both story shows that everyone has their own past.
-Both story shows the sadness and the difficulty when departing with your friends or someone you treasure the most.
-Both has a peaceful ending and all the character continue to live their own normal usual life. 

report Recommended by Yumii1606

Sakura-sou no Pet na Kanojo addpermalink

Similar main love triangle - "Special" female lead that has lots of people attracted to her unique personality, a secondary female lead that is really talented and more down to earth but has her own issues and the male lead who is in love with the special female lead. 

Both shows have a similar setting - a normal town, a group of friends, partially school setting. Also, the script writer is the same and both are the type to induce feels. 

report Recommended by Mayuka

Sora yori mo Tooi Basho addpermalink

Both are slice of life shows with well developed, realistic characters, and both involve friendship helping to deal with the loss of a loved one. 

report Recommended by Niiniel

Re Boot addpermalink

A group of children who breaks the friendship after the death of one element. Then the dead one reappears in the form of spirit or ghost. Finally, after some years the friendship is fixed. 

report Recommended by Disillusion

Fumetsu no Anata e addpermalink

both are emotionally driven downbeat sad stories that also have a white hair lead in it as well too and also a focus on supernatural storytelling as well too. 

report Recommended by Disapeared_Ghost

Hachimitsu to Clover addpermalink

Both series have the same atmosphere to them, and both of them deal with groups of friends and life changes. Both are quite serious or have serious undertones. 

report Recommended by aliliyah

Sakamichi no Apollon addpermalink

They both revolve around love and friendship..both are based around multiple friends who love each other. Both will make you cry, laugh and experience tons of emotions and feelings at once. Both are amazing. Both are masterpieces. 

report Recommended by AidanTheGreat

Usagi Drop addpermalink

After Anohana ended for Spring, I was heartbroken. I really missed this show. Then, the Summer animes started and Usagi Drop is a really good replacement for Anohana. Anohana is more about friendship, and Usagi Drop is more about family, but they are both shows with amazing relationships. They are both such cute shows with such beautiful meanings! If you loved Anohana, you will love Usagi drop! (or the other way around) They both are such amazing shows! *o* 

report Recommended by ImNotLulexiaa

Kobato. addpermalink

Both series are tearjerkers with a plot revolving around all the hard work put in so that a girl can have her wish granted. There are other similarities as well that I will not mention due to spoilers. 

report Recommended by Numi

Ame wo Tsugeru Hyouryuu Danchi addpermalink

Two stories about grief, growing up, and friendship. (With two beautiful soundtracks, too.) 

report Recommended by Duckielover151

Natsume Yuujinchou addpermalink

Both lead characters (Natsume and Jinta) are able to see spirits, in Jinta's case its only Menma. Both are slice of life/dramas, but AnoHana is much more of a tear-jerker.  

report Recommended by apolloisfine

Summer Ghost addpermalink

A ghost story filled with melancholy, teaching us about the meaning of life. A beautiful tale of a group of friends, met either by coincidence or fate, longing of a way to move on and express themselves. While their character relations are quite different, friendships and bonds are what it all ties down to. If you're down for some dramatic tearjerkers, this is for you. 

report Recommended by BlackRose_1210

ef: A Tale of Memories. addpermalink

Both are series that rely on cheap drama and emotional twists hinged around shallow unconvincing characters who are based around these twists. They both construct their emotional drama recipes similarly, and contain elements of romance, so I assume appeal to a similar audience 

report Recommended by Claptrap

3-gatsu no Lion addpermalink

Both anime are of the slice of life genre and revolve around a personal past being overcome. 

report Recommended by Enigmation

Shelter (Music) addpermalink

Both are deeply emotional and focus a lot on memories and how painful they can be, but how they also make us stronger and are necessary to let us move on.
They are both animated by A1 pictures. 

report Recommended by TaliaMatsuo

Hotaru no Haka addpermalink

"The ghosts of ones past..."

For anyone whose seen one of the series, I am hoping that clues them into why these two series are similar without providing spoilers for those who haven't seen either series, yet also draw in those looking for that particular element the moment they see that line and realize what I'm talking about.

For those who don't, both series handle the above theme I mentioned quite well, but I found them both memorable for that above reason. Neither is a series one can easily forget as they're sure to have an impact on the viewer. 

report Recommended by Yemi_Hikari

Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora addpermalink

What if you could fulfill the last wish of someone you love? To what lengths would someone go to grant this last wish. Both series explore these concepts and slowly the viewer finds out more about the characters as the series progress. There is also a persuasive melancholy through the entire piece. 

report Recommended by Yemi_Hikari

Darling in the FranXX addpermalink

- Love troubles
- Teenagers 
- Similar art style around the face
- Lots of crying (by the characters mostly, but idk I guess if you cried at one maybe you'll also cry at the other???)

Most importantly, the MC has very similar backstories: popular smart kid who fell behind somehow but is back because of the sudden appearance/reappearance of a magic manic pixie girl. MC's more chill in FranXX though.

AnoHana is easier to take seriously because there aren't overt in-your-face sexual overtones every shot, but the voice acting is smoother in FranXX. 

report Recommended by Lemon

Ginban Kaleidoscope addpermalink

Even though Ginban Kaleidoscope is about figure skating and has more comedy, the story is similar to AnoHana, both deal with death and can make you cry. 

report Recommended by NyanIina

Kimi to, Nami ni Noretara addpermalink

With a mix of romance, supernatural elements, and character growth through overcoming grief, these shows walk very similar thematic ground. 

report Recommended by TheKillerAngel

Rozen Maiden addpermalink

Both the main male characters are hikokomori boys that refuse to go to school due to a traumatic event. They both encounter a supernatural phenomenon that changes their way of life and gaining the courage to venture the outside world and work at fixing their prior relationships. Both series focus on overcoming social isolation all the while realizing that they aren't the only people in the world. 

report Recommended by moezy-chan

Dennou Coil addpermalink

Both have a bunch of children. The theme is basically also about getting over the loss of a loved one. Light-hearted. Slice-of-life. Somewhat cute and funny. 

report Recommended by BasicallyTNG

Steins;Gate addpermalink

It's a surprise this isn't within the top recommendations. The art style is similar, creating an environment of surreal and  realism at the same time. Main characters are similar, with both main lead male roles fighting desperately against fate for the person they care about. Menma= Mayuri
Daru= Hasida
Anju= Kurisu 

report Recommended by celephaise

Hai to Gensou no Grimgar addpermalink

- A group of friends dealing with the death key member of their friendship group.
- Emotion heavy
- Slow pace
- Similar character personalities
- Unexpectedly good and understated voice acting (Japanese ver.)

AnoHana is slice of life and Grimgar is set up with a suddenly-dropped-into-a-fantasy-RPGesque-world premise, but the overall themes are actually surprisingly similar. AnoHana has a more heavy-handed approach to the drama though. 

report Recommended by Lemon

Little Busters! Refrain addpermalink

"Childhood Memories..." something that we all treasure for and remember it as we grow older. But, is your childhood a happy one, or a difficult one? Both of these shows are know to have a lot of childhood scenes where the main characters had fun when they were kids. However things go bad, as when they get older, conflicts issues about their past. They must, however, complete a certain task to help them achieve their goal.

The difference is that Anohana is somewhat adventuring through the city areas, and much more a normal show. Little Busters Refrain takes place in one school area, and a fantasy like show. read more 

report Recommended by omega_d94

H2O: Footprints in the Sand addpermalink

Similarities:

Both lead muchachos can see ...........DEEEEEAD PEEEEOPLE!!..!!!....WHUUUUU,HU,HU!

Both ghosts can eat, play and physically interact with the lead muchachos.

Both lead muchachos suffered a terrible loss.

Dissimilarities:

In AnoHana only one muchacho (male lead) among the 5 former amigos (friends) can see their dead amiga (friend feminine). 

In H2O, the ghost has special ability to grant what the muchacho wishes, It can also leave whenever it wishes. In AnoHana, the ghost don't have a slightest idea as to why  she can't cross-over and why she can only manifest herself to only one muchacho (the lead male character).

In AnoHana the ghost has the body of a 15 year old but thinks and acts like an 8 year old, it has habit of pestering the muchacho everyday, while in H2O the ghost is at the same age as the muchacho and also act like a teenager, but it also has a habit of leaving the muchacho behind when they find themselves in awkward situations.  

   read more

report Recommended by Nasty001

Mushishi addpermalink

They both involve people who can see spirits. 

report Recommended by NavyCherub

Sora no Aosa wo Shiru Hito yo addpermalink

Both are based on lingering regrets of a friend group from the past involving a spirit which helps those in the friend group. 

report Recommended by Learyan

Tari Tari addpermalink

In both series characters are slowly becoming friends (or reviving their old friendship, as is the case with Ano Hi...) being bound together by circumstances. Both series are filled with touching emotions and make the audience cry with good heartwarming tears. 

report Recommended by happyoyster

Chihayafuru addpermalink

The current life of the characters are strongly linked to the past. Both are enjoyable, simple and sweet. You will see many similarities between these two if you check them out.  

report Recommended by Tshuki

Mawaru Penguindrum addpermalink

A girl who dies gets a second chance at life in some respect. In AnoHana, Menma reappears from the beginning of the series - several years after her death - as an older version of herself, only visible to her friend Jinta, and asks him to help grant her wish. In MP, Himari dies of a terminal condition, but has her life extended by a mysterious being, and several chubby penguins appear that are only visible to Himari and her brothers. The brothers have a special condition to fulfill as the price of having their sister's life extended. 

report Recommended by Numi

Ryuugajou Nanana no Maizoukin addpermalink

Both anime feature the ghost of a girl who has died, but cannot move on to the afterlife.

She haunts the male MC, with the hopes of solving her regrets. 

report Recommended by quercifolia

Kimi to Boku. addpermalink

The twins look/feel very similar to Yukiatsu in Anohana. Yuuta is the one that resembles him the most. 

report Recommended by Sammi4ever

Irozuku Sekai no Ashita kara addpermalink

Both Ano-Hana and Irozuku Sekai are similar in the following:
- both have a bittersweet feeling throughout the anime
- both protagonists do not belong in the time/place they are in
    - Menma being a ghost and Hitomi (Irozuku) being from the future
- about friendship with a hint of romance
- both animes ended similarly (no further spoilers!)
- the main pairs had a special connection between them that no one else had
- in Irozuku the protagonist is lacking something that makes her different (her lack of emotions and her inability to see colours) while in Ano-Hana the protagonst, Menma, is a ghost hence nobody except one person can see her
    - these situations set the stage for the sad yet happy situations

If you liked the bittersweet feeling in one, you will definitely find it the other read more 

report Recommended by KajiAoi19

Kimi no Na wa. addpermalink

Ano Hana isn't about body-swapping like Kimi no Na wa. But what significantly makes them similar is the way the shows are extremely emotional. They both shock us with sad twists. The two shows also have similar background musics that trigger your sense of sympathy. They both also deal with superstitions involved around the main female characters. If you want to cry again, I'd strongly recommend this anime.

(Plus, they have the same character designer). 

report Recommended by Rythme

Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko addpermalink

Both Anime use bright colors and have a similar fluid style for their characters. The stories focal point is around a rather innocent girl who has a wish that is unsaid. It is also about friendship and strengthening relationships which draws the viewer in. 

report Recommended by Yemi_Hikari

Summertime Render addpermalink

Deals with similar themes of depression, grief and trauma surrounding the loss of a loved one. At its core it is the same story (a group of friends dealing with the loss of a childhood friend and reconnecting) but less graphic with the violence and a different sort of paranormal twist.  

report Recommended by zerofox75