Bluey has captivated audiences with its heartwarming portrayal of family dynamics, playful humor, and emotional depth—qualities that resonate across age groups. While not an anime itself, its themes of everyday adventures, character growth, and anthropomorphic charm find echoes in underrated anime gems.
These 15 series, often overshadowed by mainstream hits, share Bluey’s emphasis on relatable storytelling, character-driven narratives, and unique animation styles. Below, each entry highlights lesser-known titles that blend slice-of-life warmth with distinct creative approaches, offering fresh experiences for Bluey enthusiasts.
1. Aggretsuko (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Netflix
- Plot: Retsuko, a red panda office worker, vents her daily frustrations through death metal karaoke while navigating workplace challenges and personal relationships.
- Similarities to Bluey: Both use anthropomorphic characters to explore everyday struggles with humor and emotional authenticity, balancing lighthearted moments with deeper themes like stress management and self-expression.
- MAL Rating: 7.62 (#1,517)
- Episodes: 100
- Studio: Fanworks
- Notable: Sanrio’s unexpected hit, praised for its relatable take on adult life.
2. Azumanga Daioh (2002)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, HiDive
- Plot: Follows six high school girls through their quirky, surreal school days, blending absurd humor with heartfelt friendships.
- Similarities to Bluey: Captures childhood innocence and playful antics through episodic, character-focused stories, emphasizing humor derived from everyday interactions.
- MAL Rating: 8.06 (#582)
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: J.C.Staff
- Awards: Cult classic status for pioneering the “cute girls doing cute things” genre.
3. Polar Bear Café (2012)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A laid-back café run by a polar bear hosts animal and human patrons, weaving gentle comedy around mundane adventures and friendships.
- Similarities to Bluey: Anthropomorphic cast, low-stakes humor, and emphasis on community and small joys mirror Bluey’s focus on family and playful exploration.
- MAL Rating: 7.89 (#849)
- Episodes: 50
- Studio: Pierrot
- Demographic: Josei (targets adult women), rare for its genre.
4. BNA: Brand New Animal (2020)
- Streaming Availability: Netflix
- Plot: In a world where beast-people face discrimination, a human-turned-tanuki teams up with a wolf to uncover conspiracies in a segregated city.
- Similarities to Bluey: Combines animal protagonists with themes of belonging and identity, using vibrant animation to balance action and heartfelt character bonds.
- MAL Rating: 7.34 (#2,651)
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Trigger
- Notable: Studio Trigger’s signature psychedelic action sequences.
5. Ranking of Kings (2021)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Plot: Bojji, a deaf prince deemed weak, embarks on a journey with his shadow companion to prove his worthiness as a future king.
- Similarities to Bluey: Celebrates resilience and kindness in the face of adversity, using a childlike art style to deliver profound emotional depth and underdog triumph.
- MAL Rating: 8.49 (#149)
- Episodes: 23
- Studio: Wit Studio
- Awards: Critically acclaimed for subverting fantasy tropes.
6. Barakamon (2014)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A calligrapher moves to a rural island after a professional setback, bonding with energetic locals who help him rediscover creativity.
- Similarities to Bluey: Focuses on intergenerational relationships and personal growth through playful, slice-of-life interactions.
- MAL Rating: 8.39
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Kinema Citrus
7. Usagi Drop (2011)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A 30-year-old man adopts his grandfather’s illegitimate child, learning parenting through tender, everyday challenges.
- Similarities to Bluey: Heartwarming portrayal of unconventional family dynamics and the small joys of caregiving.
- MAL Rating: 8.43
- Episodes: 11
- Studio: Production I.G
8. Sweetness and Lightning (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A widowed teacher and his daughter learn to cook with a student, using meals to navigate grief and connection.
- Similarities to Bluey: Food-centered bonding and gentle exploration of parental love.
- MAL Rating: 7.75
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: TMS Entertainment
9. Poco’s Udon World (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A web designer returns to his hometown, discovering a shapeshifting tanuki boy who helps him reconnect with family roots.
- Similarities to Bluey: Magical realism enhancing themes of heritage and childlike wonder.
- MAL Rating: 7.66
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Liden Films
10. Flying Witch (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A teenage witch moves in with relatives, blending mundane rural life with whimsical magic in low-key adventures.
- Similarities to Bluey: Soothing, episodic structure celebrating curiosity and nature.
- MAL Rating: 7.79
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: J.C.Staff
11. Natsume’s Book of Friends (2008)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A boy who sees spirits inherits a book binding yokai to him, forging friendships while returning their names.
- Similarities to Bluey: Quiet empathy and supernatural twists on human connection.
- MAL Rating: 8.37
- Episodes: 77 (6 seasons)
- Studio: Brain’s Base
12. Hinamatsuri (2018)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A yakuza member shelters a telekinetic girl, leading to chaotic yet heartfelt cohabitation.
- Similarities to Bluey: Absurd humor tied to found-family dynamics and growth.
- MAL Rating: 8.10
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Feel
13. Non Non Biyori (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Children in a remote village find joy in simple adventures, from bug-catching to makeshift festivals.
- Similarities to Bluey: Idyllic childhood exploration and community-focused charm.
- MAL Rating: 7.96
- Episodes: 36 (3 seasons)
- Studio: Silver Link
14. Yuru Camp (2018)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Plot: High schoolers bond through solo and group camping trips, finding peace in nature and friendship.
- Similarities to Bluey: Soothing pacing and emphasis on small, joyful discoveries.
- MAL Rating: 8.21
- Episodes: 25
- Studio: C-Station
15. Tonari no Seki-kun (2014)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A girl is perpetually distracted by her desk-mate’s elaborate, silent games during class.
- Similarities to Bluey: Celebrates imaginative play and minimalist storytelling.
- MAL Rating: 7.56
- Episodes: 21 (short format)
- Studio: Shin-Ei Animation
Why These Anime Work for Bluey Fans
These series prioritize character-driven narratives over plot-heavy drama, echoing Bluey’s focus on growth through everyday moments. Like Bluey, they use anthropomorphism or child protagonists to explore universal themes—family, resilience, and joy in simplicity—making them accessible across ages. Their underrated status often stems from niche genres or unconventional animation styles, yet each offers heartfelt storytelling that resonates with Bluey’s ethos: kindness and curiosity transform ordinary life into adventure. For fans seeking depth beyond mainstream hits, these titles provide a rich tapestry of emotion and creativity.
