15 Animes Similar to Date A Live

Date A Live masterfully blends harem romance, supernatural conflict, and underdog heroism, centering on Shido Itsuka’s quest to save spirits through emotional bonds.

These 15 underrated series echo its themes of power systems, character growth, and subverted tropes, offering hidden gems that deserve wider recognition.

1. Trinity Seven (2014)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
• Plot: After his town’s destruction, Arata Kasuga enrolls in a magic academy to master seven deadly sins-based powers alongside seven female mages. He must uncover a global conspiracy while navigating supernatural threats.
• Similarities: Features a harem with distinct magical abilities tied to personalities, high-stakes action, and a witty protagonist who defies expectations.
• Details: 12 episodes, MAL: 7.04. Studio: Seven Arcs. Notable for fast-paced battles and strategic magic systems.

2. Yona of the Dawn (2014)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
• Plot: Princess Yona flees her kingdom after a coup, seeking four dragon warriors to reclaim her throne and unravel ancient prophecies in a war-torn realm.
• Similarities: Reverse-harem dynamics, character-driven growth from vulnerability to leadership, and fantasy politics mirroring Date A Live’s spirit conflicts.
• Details: 24 episodes + OVAs, MAL: 8.31. Studio: Pierrot. Praised for historical depth and strong female lead.

3. The Rising of the Shield Hero (2019)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Betrayed and ostracized, Naofumi Iwatani rises from disgrace as the “Shield Hero” to protect his world using unconventional strategies and loyal companions.
• Similarities: Underdog narrative, harem elements with emotionally complex allies, and power systems tied to trauma and resilience.
• Details: 38+ episodes (ongoing), MAL: 7.93. Studio: Kinema Citrus. Critically acclaimed for subverting isekai tropes.

4. Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches (2015)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Delinquent Ryu Yamada discovers kissing activates witches’ powers at his school, leading him to solve supernatural mysteries while managing romantic entanglements.
• Similarities: School-based harem, power mechanics linked to intimacy, and comedic yet strategic conflict resolution.
• Details: 12 episodes, MAL: 7.52. Studio: LIDENFILMS. Adapted from a hit manga.

5. Rosario + Vampire (2008)

• Streaming: Hulu, Tubi
• Plot: Human Tsukune Aono attends a monster academy, accidentally bonding with vampire Moka Akashiya while hiding his identity from deadly peers.
• Similarities: Human protagonist in a supernatural world, ecchi-harem comedy, and action centered on protecting loved ones.
• Details: 26 episodes, MAL: 6.98. Studio: Gonzo. Cult classic for balancing humor and horror.

6. Grisaia no Kajitsu (2014)

• Streaming: HiDive
• Plot: Yuuji Kazami transfers to a secluded academy for traumatized girls, using his dark past to help them heal while confronting shared secrets.
• Similarities: Harem with psychological depth, protagonist as an emotional anchor, and themes of redemption.
• Details: 13 episodes, MAL: 7.46. Studio: 8bit. Based on a visual novel lauded for mature storytelling.

7. So, I Can’t Play H! (2012)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: After losing his “sex energy” in a deal with a death goddess, Ryousuke Kaga navigates a harem of supernatural women to regain his humanity.
• Similarities: Ecchi-comedy with heartfelt character bonds, protagonist-driven harem, and action-fantasy stakes.
• Details: 12 episodes, MAL: 6.38. Studio: TNK. Notable for character-focused humor.

8. Full Metal Panic! (2002)

• Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
• Plot: Mercenary Sousuke Sagara protects Kaname Chidori, a girl with latent technological prowess, from mecha-enhanced terrorists while posing as her classmate.
• Similarities: Blend of school life and high-stakes action, underdog heroism, and slow-burn romance amid chaos.
• Details: 24 episodes, MAL: 7.59. Studio: Gonzo. Award-winning for mecha design and narrative depth.

9. Amagami-san Chi no Enmusubi (2024)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Orphan Uryuu Kamihate must marry one of three shrine maiden sisters to stay at their temple, unraveling family secrets and supernatural bonds.
• Similarities: Harem with magical lore, protagonist as an emotional catalyst, and balance of comedy and drama.
• Details: 24 episodes, MAL: 7.53. Studio: Drive. Fresh take on shrine-based mysticism.

10. Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend (2015)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Otaku Tomoya recruits three girls to create a visual novel, navigating creative clashes and romantic tension as their project evolves.
• Similarities: Protagonist unifying a “harem” for a greater goal, meta-commentary on tropes, and witty dialogue.
• Details: 24 episodes, MAL: 7.50. Studio: A-1 Pictures. Praised for deconstructing romance genres.

11. Urusei Yatsura (2022)

• Streaming: HiDive
• Plot: Ataru Moroboshi’s engagement to alien princess Lum sparks intergalactic chaos, forcing him to balance Earthly life with cosmic misadventures.
• Similarities: Romantic-comedy harem, supernatural conflicts, and a flawed protagonist driving episodic chaos.
• Details: 46 episodes, MAL: 7.92. Studio: David Production. Reboot of a classic with modern animation.

12. Hayate the Combat Butler (2007)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Debt-ridden Hayate becomes a butler to heiress Nagi Sanzenin, thwarting eccentric suitors and supernatural threats through ingenuity and loyalty.
• Similarities: Underdog hero in absurd scenarios, harem-esque support cast, and action-comedy pacing.
• Details: 52 episodes, MAL: 7.74. Studio: SynergySP. Loved for meta-humor and character chemistry.

13. Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister (2024)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Uryuu Kamihate must marry one of three shrine maiden sisters to inherit temple guardianship, blending romance with mystical duties.
• Similarities: Supernatural harem, emotional growth through shared goals, and shrine-based power lore.
• Details: 24 episodes, MAL: 7.53. Studio: Drive. Highlights familial bonds in romance.

14. The Fruit of Grisaia (2014)

• Streaming: HiDive
• Plot: Yuuji Kazami enrolls in a school for troubled girls, using his assassin background to heal their traumas amid escalating dangers.
• Similarities: Harem with psychological depth, protagonist as a stabilizer, and dark fantasy undertones.
• Details: 13 episodes, MAL: 7.46. Studio: 8bit. Adapted from a visual novel renowned for mature themes.

15. Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero (2012)

• Streaming: Funimation
• Plot: Hero Akatsuki returns from a fantasy world with a dragon-girl companion, battling rogue magic users while adjusting to high school life.
• Similarities: Action-harem fusion, protagonist mentoring powerful allies, and subversive take on hero tropes.
• Details: 12 episodes, MAL: 6.70. Studio: Arms. Notable for fluid combat and moral ambiguity.

Why These Anime Work for Date A Live Fans

These series resonate by expanding on Date A Live’s core appeal: underdog protagonists who transform vulnerability into strength (e.g., Naofumi in Shield Hero), innovative power systems tied to emotional bonds (e.g., Trinity Seven’s sin-based magic), and harem dynamics that prioritize character growth over fan service. They also subvert expectations—Grisaia no Kajitsu tackles trauma with nuance, while Full Metal Panic! merges mecha action with romantic tension. By spotlighting lesser-known titles like Amagami-san Chi no Enmusubi (2024) and Yamada-kun, this list offers fresh narratives that mirror Date A Live’s balance of heart, humor, and high stakes.