Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa combines chaotic adventures, themes of identity, and humor-driven camaraderie as its zoo crew navigates ancestral roots and newfound bonds. For fans seeking anime with similar energy, these 15 underrated series deliver quirky ensembles, survivalist humor, and heartfelt growth in unexpected settings.
1. Golden Kamuy (2018)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 36 | MAL Score: 7.88
A soldier and an Ainu girl hunt treasure in post-war Hokkaido, forming alliances across cultural divides.
Similarities: Survival-driven teamwork and dark humor in harsh environments, mirroring the zoo crew’s chaotic synergy.
Studio: Geno Studio | Awards: Manga Taishō (2016).
2. Full Metal Panic! (2002)
Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll | Episodes: 24 | MAL Score: 7.59
A soldier protects a girl while balancing military missions and high school chaos.
Similarities: Fish-out-of-water humor and odd-couple dynamics akin to Alex’s clash with wild lion traditions.
Studio: Gonzo | Notable Staff: Directed by Kōichi Chigira.
3. Mushishi (2005)
Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll | Episodes: 26 | MAL Score: 8.65
A wanderer studies ethereal creatures disrupting human lives in Edo-era Japan.
Similarities: Serene exploration of nature’s unpredictability, reflecting the crew’s adaptation to the African wild.
Awards: Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Prize.
4. Last Exile (2003)
Streaming: Funimation | Episodes: 26 | MAL Score: 7.78
Sky couriers join a rebellion in a steampunk world ruled by aerial combat.
Similarities: Ragtag crew dynamics and inventive problem-solving, akin to the penguins’ engineering antics.
Studio: Gonzo | Style: Blend of 2D and 3D aerial animation.
5. Symphogear (2012)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 65 | MAL Score: 7.50
Warriors use song-powered armor to battle monsters.
Similarities: Absurd premise balanced with heartfelt team bonds, channeling Madagascar’s whimsical charm.
Studio: Satelight | Unique Trait: Musical action sequences.
6. Ghost Hunt (2006)
Streaming: Funimation | Episodes: 25 | MAL Score: 7.74
A team investigates supernatural cases with humor and suspense.
Similarities: Ensemble growth through chaotic problem-solving, akin to the crew’s misadventures.
Studio: J.C.Staff | Genre: Supernatural mystery-comedy.
7. Gunslinger Girl (2003)
Streaming: HiDive | Episodes: 13 | MAL Score: 7.42
Cyborg girls bond with handlers in a morally gray agency.
Similarities: Explores found family and identity, mirroring Alex’s struggle with his zoo vs. wild persona.
Studio: Madhouse | Tone: Dark yet introspective.
8. Flying Witch (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 12 | MAL Score: 7.73
A witch-in-training navigates rural life with whimsy.
Similarities: Low-stakes charm and curiosity-driven storytelling, akin to the film’s lighter moments.
Studio: J.C.Staff | Style: Slice-of-life with magical realism.
9. .Hack//Sign (2002)
Streaming: Funimation | Episodes: 26 | MAL Score: 7.08
A player trapped in an MMO questions his reality.
Similarities: Themes of virtual identity and isolation, echoing Marty’s existential musings.
Studio: Bee Train | Soundtrack: Composed by Yuki Kajiura.
10. One Outs (2008)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 25 | MAL Score: 8.27
A gambler reinvents baseball through psychological warfare.
Similarities: Underdog triumph via clever strategies, mirroring the penguins’ tactical mischief.
Studio: Madhouse | Genre: Sports psychological thriller.
11. Aria the Animation (2005)
Streaming: Hidive | Episodes: 13 | MAL Score: 7.87
Trainees navigate life on a terraformed Mars, fostering community bonds.
Similarities: Focus on belonging and self-discovery in a new environment.
Studio: Hal Film Maker | Tone: Utopian slice-of-life.
12. Barakamon (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 12 | MAL Score: 8.15
A calligrapher rediscovers his passion in a rural village.
Similarities: Humorous culture-clash and personal growth, akin to Alex’s African homecoming.
Awards: Comic Natalie Top Manga Award.
13. Natsume’s Book of Friends (2008)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 75 | MAL Score: 8.35
A boy interacts with spirits while confronting his lonely past.
Similarities: Themes of acceptance and bridging two worlds, echoing the crew’s dual identities.
Studio: Brain’s Base | Awards: Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize nominee.
14. Silver Spoon (2013)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 22 | MAL Score: 8.18
A city student adapts to agricultural life, learning resilience.
Similarities: Humorous yet heartfelt exploration of unfamiliar environments.
Studio: A-1 Pictures | Manga Source: Hiromu Arakawa (Fullmetal Alchemist).
15. Somali and the Forest Spirit (2020)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 12 | MAL Score: 7.89
A golem protects a human girl in a mystical forest.
Similarities: Found family dynamics and survival in a whimsical yet dangerous world.
Studio: Satelight | Style: Fantasy with lush, ethereal visuals.
Why These Anime Work for Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Fans
These series capture the essence of adaptation, camaraderie, and humor in adversity.
Whether through survivalist teamwork (Golden Kamuy), rural self-discovery (Barakamon), or absurd strategizing (One Outs), each title mirrors the zoo crew’s journey of embracing new identities while retaining their quirks.
Their underrated status offers fresh narratives for fans craving stories where chaos and heart collide.
