10 Anime to Watch If You Loved These Popular Movies and TV Shows
Have you ever finished a movie or series and found yourself craving something with a similar vibe? Dude, me too! Whether it’s the emotional intensity, unique world-building, or compelling characters that hooked you, finding your next favourite watch can sometimes feel like a challenge- characterised by the endless Netlflix browsing before checking the time and thinking “well, it’s too late to start something new now anyway.”
That dear reader is precisely why we’ve put together this list of anime recommendations inspired by popular films and series across various genres! Even if you’ve never thought of yourself as somebody who watches anime, you should give these a go because I promise you that exaggerated drawings from Japan can in fact carry just as much impact as an episode of Game of Thrones.
Gripping tales of revenge, post-apocalyptic survival, mind-bending sci-fi and heartwarming journeys can all be found here with these pairings of recent, upcoming and classic anime with what we reckon are at least in part their live-action counterparts- of course with their own unique flair. So, whether you’re a longtime anime fan or just dipping your toes into the medium, these picks are here to help you explore new stories that resonate with the movies and shows you love!
Game of Thrones – Anime: Ranking of Kings
I don’t think you need an introduction on what Game of Thrones is, but the epic political intrigue and heartfelt character growth are present in Ranking of Kings. Both tales of kingdoms and power struggles, although the anime is a little less brutal and offers a more whimsical, heartfelt take that balances darkness with moments of genuine warmth and hope.
The Long Walk – Anime: Girls Last Tour
The quiet, contemplative journey of Girls Last Tour through a desolate post-apocalyptic landscape mirrors the bleak endurance test at the heart of Stephen King's The Long Walk. Both focus less on action and more on companionship, resilience, and finding meaning amid despair (although The Long Walk certainly does not deviate from graphic brutality).
Wicked – Anime: Witch Hat Atelier
Wicked is a dark fantasy musical exploring themes of magic, friendship, and self-discovery, much like Witch Hat Atelier, which follows a young girl’s journey into a world of enchanting spells and craftsmanship. Both stories celebrate the wonder of magic while also showing the importance of learning its rules and responsibilities.
Creed – Anime: Hajime no Ippo
Creed follows Adonis Creed, the son of boxing legend Apollo Creed, as he fights to step out of his father’s shadow and forge his own path. It shares similar themes of the gritty, emotional journey of fighting and self-discovery with Hajime no Ippo, an anime about a meek teenager becoming a world champion.
The Matrix – Anime: Ghost in the Shell
I hardly think you need an explanation for this pairing but I’m gonna give you one anyway because I’m a man of the people: These two iconic cyberpunk tales delve deep into questions of identity, consciousness, and reality within futuristic, technology-saturated worlds (which at this point is pretty close to our current state). While The Matrix thrills with its action-packed rebellion against control, Ghost in the Shell offers a more philosophical and intricate exploration of what it means to be human in a digital age.
Blade Runner – Anime: Cowboy Bebop
Blade Runner’s moody, neon-lit dystopia and its themes of existential angst find a spiritual sibling in Cowboy Bebop, an anime blending jazz, bounty hunting, and existential exploration in a visually rich and layered sci-fi universe.
Everything Everywhere All at Once - Anime: Dandadan
What could possibly match the wildly imaginative and genre-bending chaos of Everything Everywhere All at Once? Dan…dan…daaaaan…. It’s Dandadan, an anime packed with multiverse madness, supernatural battles, and heartfelt humour. Both push the boundaries of storytelling while keeping their emotional core front and centre.
Boardwalk Empire – Anime: 91 Days
Set during Prohibition, Boardwalk Empire is a rich, layered crime saga that mirrors 91 Days’ themes of vengeance, power, and personal loss within a world of organized crime. Another show worth mentioning in the same vein is Peaky Blinders- all explore the emotional weight of betrayal and the moral decay that comes with ambition.
A Ghost Story – Anime: Frieren
A24’s A Ghost Story by David Lowery meditates on the passage of time, loss, and the traces we leave behind, themes that are echoed in Frieren, an anime following an elf mage’s journey through decades after her friends’ deaths. Both explore grief and memory through a quiet, reflective lens.
The Northman – Anime: Berserk
Robert Eggers’ brutal, dark Viking saga of The Northman shares much with Berserk, a manga and anime known for its intense violence, complex characters, and mythic storytelling. Both explore themes of revenge, destiny, and the savage beauty of medieval worlds where survival is a constant battle.
So whether you’re drawn to political dramas, soul-searching journeys, or multiverse chaos, anime has something that you’re looking for! These stories may be animated, but no less real.
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