Check Out These Other Love-Centric Shows!
Your Name is a popular anime that won the hearts of many theater goers. This film features a genuine romance between two characters from different walks of life. Both characters get wrapped up in a supernatural phenomenon that has them being inserted into the others’ bodies. Not only must they contend with the struggles in their new lives but they must work together to resolve a matter that’s more catastrophic than their current dilemma. Fear not if you’re having trouble finding anime similar to Your Name! We’ve discovered 10 alternate shows that’ll give you a similar experience as Your Name. Additionally, for each anime we’ve reviewed, we’ve included a link that allows you to view our full thoughts about the series to see if it’s worth your time. So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet your appetite when you’ve finished streaming Your Name!
A Silent Voice
Similarities – Romance
A Silent Voice is an astonishing film. It has beautiful animation, incredible characters, and engrossing romantic elements. There are scenes that will make you cry and others that will take your breath away. It offers a wonderful commentary on bullying and showcases the struggles one must overcome when trying to redeem themselves. It follows Shouya, an elementary school bully who picks on his deaf classmate Shouko. His cruel-hearted antics lead to Shouko transferring out of school. He receives constant ridicule for his actions all the way up to his teenage years in high school. Filled with regret, Shouya’s determined to make amends for his mistakes by finding Shouko and apologizing for his actions. A Silent Voice builds upon our protagonist’s relationship flawlessly. They’ll encounter numerous obstacles that will get in their way and fans will enjoy seeing how they traverse through them. If you’re looking for stunning work that’s sure to get you in your feelings, check out A Silent Voice.
Weathering With You
Similarities – Characters & Supernatural
Weathering With You is another phenomenal anime directed by Makoto Shinkai. It features an excellent soundtrack, stunning animation and scenery, and well-rounded characters. It delves into some supernatural aspects like Your Name and these elements bring our characters together in unique ways. In it, we follow a meeting between Hodaka Morishima and Hina Amano. The former is a small-time publisher worker while the latter is an orphan. The two decide to run away together after Hodaka saves Hina from shady people. Hodaka discovers that Hina can call out the sun, leading him to ask her about becoming a sunshine girl. Unfortunately, they’ll learn that tampering with nature has its consequences. If you’re looking for another boy meets girl storyline with an intriguing supernatural twist, give this one a shot.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Similarities – Characters, Romance, Time Travel
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a well-written film with an engaging time travel premise and a well-developed cast. Your Name and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time touch upon time travel, but the latter leans into it more. Nonetheless, these stories offer an astonishing romance that naturally blossoms between their main protagonists. Our story follows Makoto, a girl who struggles to find a purpose in life. She doesn’t know what to pursue when she completes high school. During her inner quarrels, Makoto finds herself in a life-changing scenario after she collides with an oncoming vehicle. This instance results in Makoto realizing she can time travel. Although Makoto will enjoy tampering with time, she’ll learn of the consequences that come with the power. This series starts off feeling slightly comedic but delves into more dramatic territory mid-way through. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time never evokes a sense of despair but you’ll see Makoto undergo pressure with her newfound abilities. If you’re looking for a fun and atmospheric anime with time travel aspects, give this one a shot.
Kokoro Connect
Similarities – Body-Swapping Storylines & Characters
Kokoro Connect and Your Name both make excellent use of the body-swapping formula. The former contains an engrossing narrative, an enjoyable cast, and a mysterious world. Our tale follows five friends who form a culture club. Each member has a unique personality and skillset that helps them stand out. One day, all five members find themselves trapped inside the other’s body. Not wanting to stay this way, the group plans to find a way out of their situation. While trapped in their friends’ bodies, our protagonists will uncover hidden scars and tragedies that lie deep within each of their minds. Therefore, our cast must protect their friendship while searching for a solution. This anime delves into the complexities of the human mind flawlessly. It offers excellent tension and hard-hitting scenery that’ll make some viewers tear up. While it can get dark, Kokoro Connect inserts some hilarious scenery and heartwarming bits to prevent the show from feeling overly depressing. If you’re looking for an anime with an emotionally similar narrative, give this one a shot.
Garden of Words
Similarities – Romance & Stunning Animation
Atmospheric is one-word fans love to use when describing Garden of Words. This anime has jaw-dropping animation that looks immaculate and absolutely groundbreaking. It holds up well compared to shows airing today and will shock many people who’ve never watched an anime before. From its subtle rain droplets to its cast facial expressions, everything looks photo-realistic and beautiful. This is a tale about forbidden love and will surely pull at many folks’ heartstrings. In it, we follow a middle-aged boy and a mysterious woman who meet in a garden. During their encounters, they discuss their passions, problems, and stances in life itself. What starts as a platonic relationship develops into something beautifully entrancing. The casual chatter will immerse many viewers and will remind some of the casual chatter they endure with others. If you’re looking for another immaculate anime to watch with gorgeous visuals and a soothing soundtrack, give Garden of Words a shot.
5 Centimeters Per Second
Similarities – Long-Distance Relationships
5 Centimeters Per Second is a down-to-earth romance anime. It focuses on the struggling bond between two friends named Takaki and Akari. Specific instances in their life prevent them from meeting each other. As the years go by, the two realize that their friendship isn’t going down a wonderful path. This anime showcases the problems with maintaining relationships. You’ll see our protagonists struggle to maintain a connection with each other and will be left teary-eyed by the anime’s final results. It includes sharp and beautiful animation that’ll appeal to many viewers, regardless of their fascination with the medium. While its story isn’t as well-crafted as Your Name, it should provide viewers with a satisfying experience nonetheless. Give this one a shot if you’re in need of another beautiful spectacle.
Your Lie In April
Similarities – Characters & Romance
Your Lie In April is a wonderful anime with touches of music and romance. It tackles loss well and shows how much of an impact the feeling can have on anyone. In it, we follow an incredible pianist named Kousei. He’s given up on his music playing after losing his mother due to tragic events. However, Kousei’s passion reignites when he meets an excellent violinist named Kaori. Viewers will examine Kousei and Kaori’s bond as it gradually grows throughout the narrative. Its storyline is well-written and provides satisfying and heartbreaking twists. Rewatching both can lead viewers to discover something new. The music in both anime elevates the drama and tension in specific scenes that need it most. If you’re looking for an emotional work that tackles mature themes well, give this one a shot.
Wolf Children
Similarities – Themes
Wolf Children is an incredible family film. It features mature subjects and will resonate with many folks. Those who are thinking about starting a family or have started one will be hit the hardest by this one. It highlights the problems that stem from single-parent households but adds a supernatural twist to spice things up. In it, we follow Hana, a college student who gets intimate with a werewolf named Ookami. They have two kids named Ame and Yuki and live happy lives until Ookami tragically perishes. This results in Hana moving to the countryside with their children in hopes of starting a safer life. Little does she know that she’ll be dealing with more internal issues than she’d first anticipated. This film contains some solid drama, wonderful animation, and likable characters. Its animation quality may not be on par with Your Name’s but it gets the job done. If you’re looking for a well-written family film that touches upon serious topics, give this a shot.
Orange
Similarities – Romance, Characters, Drama
Orange offers well-rounded characters, an engaging premise, and heartbreaking imagery. It mixes its time travel and romantic elements well, allowing it to stand apart from other romantic narratives. The show leans into darker subjects more than Your Name but spreads out some lighthearted comedy to avoid feeling too gloomy. This story revolves around Naho, a high school sophomore begging for a fresh start. One day, she receives a letter from her future self. Although Naho questions the situation, she notices strange events starting to occur around her that were depicted in the letter. She returns to it and learns of a new transfer student named Kakeru’s horrible demise. With this newfound knowledge, Naho plans to rewrite history to prevent these horrible outcomes from arising. This anime will remind fans of some sacrifices they made to maintain relationships. Naho will undergo severe stress and contemplation. Her decisions won’t reside with everyone. Even choices that seem like the right idea can lead to drastic consequences. If you’re looking for a romance anime with great drama and a fun cast, give this one a shot.
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
Similarities – Characters
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya is a fabulous continuation of the original series. Like Your Name, this anime plays into the original show’s time and space-altering elements well–providing viewers with a more intense experience. It explores similar themes of loss and gives viewers better psychoanalysis into Haruhi’s mind and emotions. In it, we follow the show’s male protagonist Kyon as he helps Haruhi and the others prepare for their Christmas-themed outing. The next day, Kyon awakens in a world where Haruhi is nowhere to be found. Not only that everyone in their club has altered personalities and doesn’t remember who he is. Kyon’s always wanted to be free from Haruhi’s grasp. However, this film will have him make the ultimate choice. Either remain in a world where he lives a mundane life or uncovers a way to return to the fun-filled lifestyle he once inhabited. If you weren’t a fan of the silly adventures Haruhi and her friends endured in the original show, this one will surely get you excited. So there we have it, our 10 anime/TV show alternatives to watch when you’ve caught up with Your Name! What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!