Rokudenashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Records, Maou Gakuin no Futekigousha: Shijou Saikyou no Maou no Shiso, Tensei shite Shison-tachi no Gakkou e Kayou Recommendations
-Both have MC that is overpowered
-Both MC are cocky and arrogant
-Both have multiple girls all over them
-Both use tropes in a funny way
Overall get the same vibe from the series
Magic-wielding confident guys in magic schools putting enemies and doubters in their place is a big draw for both Rokudenashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Records (Rokuaka) and Maou Gakuin no Futekigousha: Shijou Saikyou no Maou no Shiso, Tensei shite Shison-tachi no Gakkou e (that's a mouthful... we'll go with Maou Gakuin).
Tonally they're pretty different (just look at the color difference and the dialogue between their first episodes!). I'd say Rokuaka has a comedic atmosphere with a (mostly) lighthearted main cast facing a mix of comedic and serious stakes while Maou Gakuin has a serious atmosphere with a (mostly) serious main cast facing serious stakes,
so you'll probably get a much different mood from the onset. But you'll also find plenty of similarities between the two, and they're carried by our main characters kicking butt and bringing their swagger into battle pretty often, which you might find circumstantially humorous. Both fit the mold for a fun watch that doesn't dive a whole lot deeper, though there's a little more to keep track of in Maou Gakuin.
They both...
- Involve a magic school and feature plenty of spells, exploration of their series' magic systems, and worldbuilding, though the world of Rokuaka is more local in time and space compared to Maou Gakuin's broader world and more robust mythology. Despite the presence of school competitions in both series, those primarily serve to develop the impression the MC has on others; neither series focuses on the psychological scholarly pressures that one might assume from the competetive school setting.
- The aesthetics of the settings of the two series are both antiquated, with Maou Gakuin taking on a Gothic styling and Rokudenashi looking more Edwardian. However, this doesn't have much of a material influence on the two stories or interactions between characters so it's more of a strictly aesthetic choice.
- Both series structure their plots in similar ways: individual events throughout the series hint at broader, nefarious, and possibly conspiratorial shenanigans that provide occasional plot obstacles.
- The MCs have immense capabilities and are often sardonic in their commentary, though the power gap between Rokudenashi's Glenn and Rokudenashi's other characters is smaller than Maou Gakuin's Anos and Maou Gakuin's other characters. However, the two approach their powers oppositely. Glenn plays the fool and would rather not be highly visible while Anos projects maximal conviction is his powers and is open to demonstrating how much of an insignificant tick everyone else is. Glenn is powerful because of his wit and wisdom. Anos is strong because his power levels are astronomical and off-the-charts. Neither are the "plucky overachieving underdog" archetype, and the only ones giving them short odds are their naive doubters.
- The MC involves themselves in both school-sanctioned battles/competitions/duels and battles/competitions/duels beyond the school setting. With Glenn, you'll probably be wondering what clever tricks he has up his sleeve. With Anos, you'll probably be wondering what superpower he'll just casually introduce. With both, you might be wondering what sorts of snarky punchlines and smalltalk they'll be dropping in.
- Despite the MC's powers, others remain skeptical about their abilities. Because of that, both series feature the MC adapting and experimenting with a school setting that's much smaller than their backstories. At the same time, the MC's also end up attracting their own crew of feverent supporters, so they aren't universally hated.
- The MC takes a liking for some of the secondary characters and protects/helps them for reasons that gradually become clearer as the series progress. The MCs are more than willing to pound the living daylights out of their enemies but show a much more tender side to those close to them.
- Speaking of those secondary characters, their backstories pose issues that end up roping in the MC. Those backstories also add to the worldbuilding, too. Rokuaka's Sistine has a comparable personality and MC interactions as Maou Gakuin's Sasha. You might also find that one of Rokuaka's secondary characters has in principle a very similar backstory to one of Maou Gakuin's.
- I wouldn't say thematic or moral messages are front in center in either of these series, but they do explore ethics. Rokuaka touches upon the ethics of magic, while Maou Gakuin more directly probes the ethics of the society within the series, as well as the animosity between demons and humans. In some ways, the Glenn's arc is about escaping the past, while Anos's arc is about revealing the past. There's also the idea of an elitist class in both, but in Rokudenashi that idea is very limited to shaping a few character interactions while in Maou Gakuin it's an issue that causes conflict (it's a central plot idea, too).
- There's a scent of romance in both (more openly portrayed in Rokuaka) but it's not a main idea and isn't really driving or influencing the plot, so don't hang your hat on that being front and center for either series. So I guess you can say there's not really romance but there's a tiny bit of romantic tension that you might find peppering the side characters' interactions with the MC.
TLDR: This recommendation is based primarily on similarities in setting and plot structure.
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Both series carry a likeable cast and give the option to either take seriously or not. Both are packed with laugh (you could say that) moments and have good character designs. I go back and look at them sometimes, though the series' ended a while ago.
they are two animes alike in the part of magic and protagonists where both are "lazy" people who in this case are unstoppable legends who try to defeat evil with their hidden powers for society
