10 Must-Watch Shows Like Haigakura (2024)

Description: A unique blend of folklore and environmental commentary, following tanuki as they use their shape-shifting abilities to fight against urban development. The film balances humor with serious themes of cultural erosion and nature's resilience.

Fact: The film is notable for its use of traditional Japanese folklore and its depiction of tanuki, which are often portrayed in a comical yet respectful manner.

Description: An epic tale of conflict between humans and nature, featuring a young warrior caught in the middle. The film delves into themes of environmentalism, redemption, and the balance between progress and preservation.

Fact: This was one of the highest-grossing films in Japan until 'Titanic' surpassed it, and it remains a landmark in animation for its complex characters and stunning visuals.

Description: A fantastical journey through a spirit world, where a young girl must navigate strange and often dangerous creatures to save her parents. The film explores themes of growth, resilience, and the unknown.

Fact: It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, making it the first and only hand-drawn and non-English film to achieve this honor.

Description: A stylish and action-packed series that mixes historical Japan with modern hip-hop culture, following three unlikely companions on a journey filled with sword fights, humor, and existential musings.

Fact: The series was directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, who also created 'Cowboy Bebop,' and is known for its eclectic soundtrack and dynamic animation.

Description: A poignant exploration of life, death, and what it means to be human, following an immortal being as it learns about emotions and connections through its encounters with various people.

Fact: The series is created by Yoshitoki Ōima, the same author behind 'A Silent Voice,' and is celebrated for its emotional storytelling and beautiful animation.

Description: A heartwarming yet melancholic series that delves into the interactions between humans and spirits, emphasizing themes of loneliness, connection, and the unseen world around us. The protagonist's ability to see spirits drives the narrative.

Fact: The series has been praised for its episodic storytelling and its ability to balance light-hearted moments with profound emotional beats.

Description: A whimsical and philosophical anime that blends urban fantasy with family drama, focusing on shape-shifting tanuki and their struggles with identity, loss, and tradition in a modern world.

Fact: The show is based on a novel by Tomihiko Morimi, who also wrote 'The Tatami Galaxy,' and is known for its unique narrative style and vibrant animation.

Description: A dark fantasy anime that explores themes of survival, humanity, and supernatural elements through the journey of a protagonist seeking to reclaim what was stolen from him. The blend of historical setting with mythical creatures creates a rich, immersive world.

Fact: The series is a modern adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's 1960s manga, known for its deep philosophical undertones and emotional depth.

Description: A unique blend of medieval economics and fantasy, focusing on the relationship between a traveling merchant and a wolf deity. The series explores themes of trust, companionship, and the human condition.

Fact: The anime is notable for its intelligent dialogue and intricate plot, which revolves around trade and economics rather than traditional action or romance.

Description: A supernatural comedy-drama that follows a high school student who becomes involved in helping spirits pass on to the afterlife, blending humor with deeper themes of acceptance and closure.

Fact: The anime is based on a manga series that combines slice-of-life elements with supernatural folklore, creating a unique tone that balances light and dark moments.