 If you liked
Shoujo Kakumei Utena
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 ...then you might like
Mawaru Penguindrum
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Basically if you've seen Utena and loved it, then Penguindrum is a must watch. Both shows are directed by Ikuhara Kunihiko, which means you'll expect to see similar themes and artistic flare.
Both have the same director, are heavily symbolic to the point that almost everything is directed in a very specific way to enhance the symbolism , have a fun vibe on the surface while being psychologically darker and have similar basic and underlying philosophical themes while some of their characters share the same traits.
They are similar in a way that the more twisted and complicated everything gets, the better it becomes, first episodes start off slow but by the end - every episode is like a piece of a puzzle that adds up to make a complete picture. Both are unusual, visually beautiful and artistic.
Similar topics are explored in both shows (they also share the same director). Mawaru Penguin Drum has multiple references to Utena.
Leading characters go to great lengths to save the ill fated, moe, fellow lead whilst venturing into a high level conspiracy plot.
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Recommended by Gleam_Queen
same director, same unique style........must experience his world. Utterly different than all the rest :)
Both directed by the genius Ikuhara. Lots of symbolism, motifs, random screen shots and dialogue. Beautiful characters and bishounens :) and cute animals hehe
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Recommended by ItsmeAshtray
Both have the same director and I get Utena vibes everywhere from Penguindrum. They have a similar style and use of repeated scenes and phrases. Although I don't know yet, Akio seems really similar to Sanetoshi, and the whole library thing seemed really similar to the Black Rose arc. Penguindrum has a Fate Bride and Utena has a Rose Bride.
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Recommended by supersloth
If you liked Utena, then you will love this anime. They were directed by the same director and Penguindrum is just as exciting and just as mind screwy as Utena was.
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Recommended by misspinkredroses
If you are an Utena fan do yourself a favor and just give it a watch.
You'll be feeling the Utena vibes.
While Utena uses symbolism to explore love, self, friendship and other themes, Mawaru Penguindrum uses it to tell a tragic tale of three brothes written by destiny. Both have the same director, same style.
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Recommended by EdenBaggins
Well what dou you expect from two animes from one director ?
You will get similar many similar feelings, mainly from storytelling, when watch them.. Need not for many explanations, if you like one, you will like the other..
Simply amazing, you have to watch it!!!fun and sad!!a surprising story, for me is the best anime of 2011, a masterpiece of Ikuhara ;_;
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Recommended by xUntouchedHopex
Both are surreal, highly symbolic coming of age stories where the young protagonists deal with the after effects of trauma, an incomprehensible world, and accepting loss as a rite of passage to adulthood. Both shows rely on absurdist humor and parodying shojo tropes before growing steadily darker in tone. And both are directed by Ikuhara.
Well, first of all they both have the same director, and it shows :) They're both very surreal and they both play around alot with contrasts when it comes to design and story telling, switching from light and cheerful at times to dark and gruesome and back again. They also both have a huge fairy tale element to them!
Both works by Ikuhara surround somewhat confused protagonists in an abstract quest for an unusual goal. In each anime, just about every protagonist, supporting character and antagonist have much more to them than meets the eye. I also consider many characters in one series to have an uncannily similar character in the other.
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Recommended by Asbestos_In_Cans
Since Ikuhara directed both, it's no surprise that Penguindrum should be similar to Utena. There is a similar focus on sibling relationships, with tastefully ambiguous hints of incest. Utena's focus on the incestuous nature of such relationships is certainly stronger (although I expected it to be the opposite from the first episode of Penguindrum). Both shows have a similar surreal feel, and both keep you hooked with elements of mysteriousness until the end. Although Penguindrum is a show about relationships, the focus is less deep and systematic than in Utena. Both have strong elements of symbolism, although Utena's symbolism appears to have more meaning. Both
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Recommended by utenapenguin
Both shows are from Kunihiko Ikuhara, each of them are extremely artistic with lots of symbolism that you won't understand unless you take the time to watch reviews and do a bit of research (especially with Mawaru Penguindrum). Both shows become alot more enjoyable once you understand the references and symbolism behind them and I definitely reccomend Mawaru Penguindrum to any Utena lovers out there.
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Recommended by SanetoshiX
Same creator. Both use symbolism that you don't have to overthink. Sometimes if one person didn't like one of these, then they'll like the other.
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Recommended by KonaKoffee
Both series were created by Kunihiko Ikuhara. Utena and Penguindrum are similar in their psychological themes presented and both build on their immense symbolism within their story.
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Recommended by AnimeXHunter
If you like Mawaru Penguindrum, you'll like Utena. Directed by the same person with the same aesthetics.
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Recommended by itsDespera
I see I was definitely not the only one to notice the Utena vibes in Mawaru Penguindrum. Besides some direct references, Mawaru Penguindrum simply has an Utena feel to it. These two shows place the idea of changing the world at the forefront. We see our hero fight to save the one they love, and a pink-haired, powerful man that manipulates them and others throughout the story.
If you watched and enjoyed Utena, then you should definetly check out Mawaru Penguindrum. If you watched and enjoyed Mawaru Penguindrum, then check out Utena, the anime that inspired it.
Both are deconstructions of fairy tales, told in a fairy-tale like way. A lot of metaphors and symbolism is employed in both, which feels more like reading a novel than watching an anime, also, they involve a good amount of absurd comedy.
Similar themes of grief, abuse and resilence are also explored.
Yes, they are directed by the same guy: Kunihiko Ikuhara. But all in all their resemblances are related to shoujo and avant-garde tropes. These stories start in a rather peaceful way, growing up to psychological dark twists; they carry heavy symbolism and if I could compare both to a musical genre I would choose Psychedelic Rock. If color related, a shocking pink. They are colorful, dazing and well directed. Also, these shows carry similar key points throughout the plot.
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Recommended by KitsuFrost