If you liked
Mawaru Penguindrum
|
...then you might like
3-gatsu no Lion
|
Family, in it's various forms, is at the heart of these shows. Dark, complex themes (like isolation, death and societal issues) are woven with bright, heart warming ones. Humor is also used to sharply contrast serious moments (in ways that some viewers may even find jarring). The direction is creative and beautiful in both; the music, the art, just everything about these shows elevates them and will pull at the perceptive viewer's heart strings. Still, with such distinctive directors both shows have their own voices and despite feeling related in many ways, they also feel very different upon viewing.
If you liked
Glass no Kamen (2005)
|
...then you might like
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
|
These are shows that revolve around theater and really capture moments of what it's like to act. Both protagonists have rivals as well as mentors, and touch on the theme of passing down an art form to live on through forthcoming generations. There's also some unusual romantic elements in both.
If you liked
Mawaru Penguindrum
|
...then you might like
Noragami
|
Both share a similar premise: a girl is on the verge of death, two boys try to help her. The three main characters in each show create a family of sorts. Supernatural elements and godly figures also play a role in both shows.
If you liked
Versailles no Bara
|
...then you might like
Shinsekai yori
|
The major plot point for both shows is that there's something amiss in their respective societies; they explore morality and those who have power over everyone else. Characters' relationships with each other are important and both somewhat explore sexuality/gender identity in the context of their societies. Despite having very different settings (Versailles being a show from the 70s about historical events while Shinsekai is newer and takes place in the future), care went into the world building of both.
If you liked
Bokura ga Ita
|
...then you might like
Ao Haru Ride
|
Both have a high school romance theme and drama related to darker pasts (the bulk of which is explored in the manga after anime ends). Both are about growing up and young love not always being perfect.
If you liked
Tenkuu no Escaflowne
|
...then you might like
Mawaru Penguindrum
|
These shows heavily involve a lot of the same concepts: fate, destruction, sacrifice, love and family. Both have elements of fantasy and there are quite a few character similarities. Their styles are completely different and I think one is a better show than the other, but of course that's subjective.
If you liked
Skip Beat!
|
...then you might like
Hanasaku Iroha
|
The plots revolve around the leads trying their best at something new and growing as people in the process. If what you enjoyed in one series was the tenacious main character, give the other a try. Kyouko went from working at an inn to living in the city while for Ohana it was the other way around. Still, they both had unconventional circumstances in their upbringings that made them driven characters. Moko and Minko also share similarities. Skip Beat! focuses more on romance while Hanasaku Iroha focuses more on friendship among girls, but both elements are present in each series.
If you liked
Puchi Pri*Yucie
|
...then you might like
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon
|
These magical girl shows share a heavy focus on friendship and sisterhood along with some romance. Finding the princess (who must also be a warrior) and protecting her are important in both; instances of time travel/alteration can be found in both.
If you liked
Eikoku Koi Monogatari Emma
|
...then you might like
Kimi ni Todoke
|
The male leads in both have boyish/optimistic personalities while the female leads have the timid/sweet thing going on. The way Emma and Jones’ feelings for each other play out sometimes reminded me of Sawako and Kazehaya’s relationship. The setting differs a lot between these two series, but if you liked the innocence and pacing of romance in one, I’d say you’re likely to enjoy that aspect in the other.