 If you liked
Natsume Yuujinchou
|
 ...then you might like
Hotarubi no Mori e
|
Hotarubi no Morie e is like a longer Natsume Yuujinchou episode without Nyanko-sensei.
Hotarubi no Mori e brings some of the best things about Natsume Yuujinchou in one neat 40 minute package. It is pretty much a Natsume Yuujinchou episode, sans Natsume and Nyanko-Sensei, plus the benefit of extra 20 minutes and a higher budget. That makes for a incredibly well done story with one of the sweetest (and saddest) romances I've seen in anime.
This should be a must watch for Natsume fans. If you loved the movie but never watched Natsume... well, what on earth are you waiting for?
Of course watching Hotarubi is like watching Natsume Yuujinchou.
Not only they are from the same manga-ka, therefor sharing the same gorgeous art and a similar story telling as well the taste for the same genre:
those are two titles who, if you liked one of them, you can't absolutly miss to wach the another as well!
Both are sweet, delicate stories, with splendid colors and wonderful characters who'll bring you into those supernatural and fascinating worlds.
Both give you the same calm feeling while watching them.
Indeed, very highly recommended both ♥
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Recommended by EtnaEraclea
Not only do Natsume Yuujinchou and Hotarubi no Mori e have the same original creator and similar setting, they are animated by the same studio, with the same director and even the composer is the same. Without any doubt there is more than one that these two would both be liked by the same people.
The girl, Hotaru, in Hotarubi no More e and the boy, Takashi (mostly referred to by his family name Natsume), both see demon and spirits and they both befriend them. Both the film and the series play with a melancholic feeling and the relationship between humans and spirits.
Hotarubi no Mori e is like the 2 episode version of Natsume Yuujinhou. Even the main characters Natsume and Jin are similiar. Also, musics, the athmosphere and animation styles are alike. I loved Hotarui no Mori e more than Natsume because there was a romantic story in it. I wish it could become longer.
Not only do they share the same creator, their art style, the music, the setting and themes are similar as well. They are both touching and will probably leave you with tears.
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Recommended by Christina706
Both are about Youkai. Both have that bittersweet feeling to it.
Hotarubi is about love while Natsume is about friendship with Youkai. If you enjoyed one of them, you will enjoy the other.
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Recommended by Sky-Guitar
Both anime are written by the same author, Yuki Midorikawa hence contains similar themes, mood, and settings.
Both series has a mystical feeling which is smooth, slow paced, serene, and natural. The music in both series are also collected and calm. Both series also involves a main protagonist dealing with supernatural beings, specifically spirits.
These two anime are both relaxing to watch that are considered rare gems.
Gin gives an extremely similar feeling to Natsume. They are both extremely soothing and relaxing to watch, although one offers a more dramatic experience.
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Recommended by AZNXREVEAL
Same voice actor for main male lead and similar plot about ghost spirits wandering around. The main story of Hotarubi is limited by the fact that it's movie, and so it doesn't have as much touching stories as Natusme, yet it is still very moving. Both emphasizes the importance of relationships, especially that of a close friend.
Hoturabi no Mori e is almost exactly like an episode of Natsume Yuujinchou without natsume in it. About a Girl who meets a youkai it is also extremely touching.
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Recommended by omegashadows
Similar Artwork, similar soundtrack, similar storyline. Both stories are about interaction between yōkai (supernatural monsters) and humans. Protagonists in both stories are complex and evolve in beautiful ways.
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Recommended by AngelShiva
They're both really calm and lovely shows. Hotarubi no Mori e is a movie, while Natsume Yuujinchou has four seasons. They both follow a human who sees spirits and occasionally hangs out with them.
A dip in the simplicity and tranquility in a rural landscape
through appearances in folklore,
the charm, the beauty and magic of the forest and,
the "poetry" of a wonderful Yuki Midorikawa.
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Recommended by disincanto
Both were originally written by the same author so they have very similar tones and have stories that revolve around human/yokai interactions. Both capture a peaceful and beautiful tone, however the movie Hotarubi no Mori e does have a heartbreaking sad part as opposed to Natsume Yuujinchou which tends to be bittersweet.
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Recommended by belarathien
It's like Natsume Yuujinchou, but shorter and with some romance mixed in. Even if you don't like romance, watch it!
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Recommended by cookieslayer
Two animes that show us several points of view about the feelings of the Yokai, mainly the solitude, where although some hate humans, others wish to approach them. Where the protagonist is relates to the world of the Yokai, knowing more what they feel in their eternal loneliness.
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Recommended by JuanShot87
They both share the same director, and both share the same setting of the story - a real world, but with spirits living together with humans.
Beautiful and touching stories, amazing animation and art, you will enjoy every minute of it.
Both focus on youkai, the spiritual world, and the connection of people to it. Both take a softer and slower pace, and focus on character above action.
Produced by the same studio, so if you enjoy the style of Natsume Yuujinchou then you'll love Hotarubi no Mori e.
Both explore the relationship between people and spirituality, with Hotarubi no Mori e focusing more on romance. Can't recommend these works enough, 10/10 for both.
Both works are from the author Yuki Midorikawa.
Natsume Yuujinhou and Hotarubi no Mori e both tell stories about the various ways the line separating humans and youkai is crossed. Hotarubi no Mori e tries to bridge the gap between its main characters through a more interpersonal relationship while Natsume Yuujinchou has the main character try to reconnect with humans while struggling with his tight connections to the world of youkai for an intrapersonal mode of story telling.
Atmosphere and setting has clear similarities between each accompanied by a similar OST as well. Both highly enjoyable watches for those looking for some Iyashikei-esque anime.
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Recommended by Fresh_Mint
The movie seems like a Natsume Yuujinchou movie with different characters and romance (the two anime have the same producer and sound director). To sum it up, the setting is the same: there are youkai and the story mostly takes place in a forest, both anime are calming and lovely. If you liked the latter aspects, you may most likely enjoy Natsume Yuujinchou a lot.
Both explore the same themes like relationship between humans and Yokai
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Recommended by voltameter
Both are written by the same author. Hotarubi is basically an extra special episode from Natsume with different characters and no Nyanko-Sensei to kill the mood.
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Recommended by pikachiu24
Both shows deal with human interactions involving spirits. Hotaru although, is much shorter and focuses more on romance whereas Natsume focuses on relationship building
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Recommended by Short_Circut
Both has a similar feel to the setting and simplistic yet calming art with Japanese folklore elements. Both main characters have the ability to see youkai(spirits) and befriends them. The stories of both shows are moving and touching that will most likely bring tears to your eyes.
The movie Hotarubi no Mori e was created by the same director/studio as Natsume Yuujinchou. Has a similar low-key supernatural magic, but unlike the TV show is a romance. Good method to check if one likes the narrative and visual style, safe bet that if one likes one of them they'll like the other.
- Same studio.
- Shoujo.
- Boys with supernatural powers.
Honestly, these two anime just give you all the feels.
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Recommended by TheRiseofAnime