Back to Forion's Profile Forion's Profile

If you liked The Animatrix add

...then you might like Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica add

MSMM follows The Matrix series in the way it deals with matters of hope and faith. There are some more outright similarities, but no spoilers here.

If you liked Shinseiki Evangelion add

...then you might like Top wo Nerae! Gunbuster add

Both are mecha-themed series created by Hideaki Anno. Though Gunbuster is seven years older, it already covers the concepts that formed the basis for NGE. Gunbuster does not delve in psychology as much as NGE, yet it tells the same coming-of-age story in which kids have to fight in real battles.

If you liked Boukyaku no Senritsu add

...then you might like Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica add

Surrealism. Whether you've encountered a MM Witch or a MoO Monster, say good-bye to laws of physics and logic.

If you liked Cossette no Shouzou add

...then you might like Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica add

Both abound in surreal and frightening dreamscapes, Art Noveau aesthetics, references to European literary classics, and both feature music by Yuki Kajiura.

If you liked Shoujo Kakumei Utena add

...then you might like Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica add

Surrealism, genre deconstruction, plot made of «double floors» and «rabbit holes», great music solidly integrated with the action, shadow play aesthetics — that's what both series have in plenty. And the similarity between the storylines, though not apparent at first, increases dramatically towards the finale.

If you liked Shinseiki Evangelion add

...then you might like Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica add

Similarities between these two are simply innumerable. Symbolism, violence, growing tension, aim for the utter genre deconstruction — that's just the top of an iceberg. A close look at the storyline and character personalities suggests that Madoka creators were deliberately (and more than successfully) making a «mahou shoujo Evangelion». UPD. Well, looks like they didn't content themselves with just yet another NGE. There's MUCH more to MSMM than that…

If you liked Gate Keepers 21 add

...then you might like Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica add

Gate Keepers 21 was among the first attempts to deconstruct the mahou shoujo genre, while Madoka Magica is the ultimate «genre evisceration». In both series, doing magic appears not so cool and safe as it may seem, the enemies being far from what you'd like them to be. Also, some of the characters are similar.

If you liked Cossette no Shouzou add

...then you might like Kara no Kyoukai Movie 7: Satsujin Kousatsu (Go) add

(Of course I mean the whole KnK series, not just the final movie.) These titles are similar in many ways. First, they share a gloomy atmosphere, occult themes, rivers of blood & lots of other horrors. Second, both are truly stunning artworks featuring all modern achievements in the field of animation. Third, the plot: the two stories are equally unpredictable, with unexpected sharp turns and mind-blowing endings, and also connected by themes of love, sacrifice and redemption. And last — but definitely not least — the brilliant music by Yuki Kaiura.

If you liked Elfen Lied add

...then you might like Dennou Sentai Voogie's★Angel add

A girl endowed with a deadly superpower escapes from a protected facility... Can't tell which version of this scene - from EL or from VA - is more impressive.

If you liked Gate Keepers 21 add

...then you might like Dennou Sentai Voogie's★Angel add

Both OVAs are extreme mixtures of comedy/parody, action and drama. Also, both share the "film noir" stylistics.

If you liked R.O.D: The TV add

...then you might like Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch add

In both series, British Empire is restored to its full might and seeks for dominance over the whole world. Both series feature alternative history, supernatural abilities, school stories, drama, lots of action, loads of cliffhangers and the constant feeling of the impending "end of the world as we know it".

If you liked Shoujo Kakumei Utena add

...then you might like Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch add

I wonder why no one mentioned the Anthy/C.C. parallel. IMO, C.C. is second to The Rose Bride in rose-briding (and there are even outright visual quotes from Utena lampshading this role of hers). Also, character designs in Utena and CG bear some similarity.

If you liked Tenkuu no Escaflowne add

...then you might like Shoujo Kakumei Utena add

Both series deconstruct the shoujo genre heavily (though Utena is unmatched in this field, Escaflowne also gives it a try).

If you liked Shinseiki Evangelion Movie: Air/Magokoro wo, Kimi ni add

...then you might like Shoujo Kakumei Utena add

Personally I don't think that the NGE series could stand comparison with Utena. However, here's an ending that nearly matches Utena's finale in ideas and emotions.

If you liked Boukyaku no Senritsu add

...then you might like FLCL add

Same writer. Same Gainax. Same madness. :) Only MoO is longer and more slow-paced.

If you liked Boukyaku no Senritsu add

...then you might like Shoujo Kakumei Utena add

Half the staff list, that's the similarity. Hence the same aestheticism, surrealism, mixture of reality and fairy-tale... Main characters are also pretty similar, and some images and devices from Utena have been reused in MoO. Only MoO has much more parody and fanservice elements, but still it's a must-see for Utena fans.

If you liked Noir add

...then you might like Shoujo Kakumei Utena add

Enjoyed girls-with-swords? On to girls-with-guns (and vice versa)! The stories of Utena/Anthy and Mireille/Kirika have quite a number of similar moments. Also, both series are overflowing with aestheticism, and it's hard to decide which one has more splendid music.

If you liked Haibane Renmei add

...then you might like Air Movie add

Both are beautifully drawn, slow-paced, soft and dramatic at the same time, and both have the main character "take the Day of Flight".

If you liked Gate Keepers 21 add

...then you might like R.O.D: Read or Die add

Both OVAs feature lots of humour, grotesque fighting (Yomiko's pavement-breaking papers vs Ayane's pavement-breaking cellphones), somewhat crazy characters, dramatic endings, some blood, a bit of shoujo-ai... The difference is that Gate Keepers 21 is dark and serious at its core, while R.O.D. is just a good piece of entertainment.

If you liked Last Exile add

...then you might like Howl no Ugoku Shiro add

One is a steampunk adventure, the other is a steampunk fairy-tale, both making emphasis on splendid surroundings and fantastic devices.

If you liked Gate Keepers 21 add

...then you might like Shoujo Kakumei Utena add

Definitely, Utena has been a source of inspiration for the GK21 production team. The main character, Ayane, is similar to Himemiya in appearance and in some character traits. Both series feature shoujo-ai lines, in both works dark and funny scenes are mixed and melted together... And yes, those rocks flying apart all around the main characters in the opening of Utena are back in GK21.

If you liked Haibane Renmei add

...then you might like Shoujo Kakumei Utena add

These two series have different look and feel, yet they take you to the same depths and heights. If you believe that Utena is just about sword-fighting or weird relationships or runaway kangaroos, just skip this recommendation. However, if you're into the spiritual/mystery layer of Utena, then welcome to the town of Glie for another bunch of shockingly right questions and answers. Likewise, if you're a Haibane fan in search of another mind-blowing story of true Friendship and Forgiveness, then Ohtori Gakuen is waiting for you (if only you don't mind some sword-fighting / weird relationships / runaway kangaroos).