The Boy and the Beast (2015), directed by Mamoru Hosoda, is a captivating anime film that follows a young orphan boy who enters a parallel beast world, forms a mentorship with a gruff bear-like warrior, and confronts his inner darkness while discovering true strength and family bonds. At its core, it explores themes of power systems through martial training and spiritual growth, underdog stories of personal triumph, and subversion of expectations by blending human vulnerability with fantastical beast societies.
The following 15 underrated anime series share these elements—focusing on mentorship, identity crises, alternate worlds, and emotional growth—yet remain overlooked compared to mainstream hits, deserving more attention for their innovative storytelling, deep character arcs, and unique animation styles that reward patient viewers.
1. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
- Brief Plot Summary: Balsa, a skilled spear-wielding bodyguard, vows to protect a young prince cursed by a water spirit, embarking on a journey through a fantastical world filled with political intrigue and supernatural threats.
- Similarities to The Boy and the Beast: Like Ren’s mentorship under Kumatetsu, Balsa’s protective relationship with the prince emphasizes underdog growth and subverting societal expectations through themes of inner strength and found family in a beast-infused fantasy realm.
- MAL Rating: 8.12
- Episode Count: 26
- Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Kenji Kamiyama (Production I.G); known for fluid action animation.
- Awards/Recognition: Won the Japan Media Arts Festival Animation Division Excellence Award in 2007.
2. Kemono no Souja Erin (2009)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: Erin, a young girl in a war-torn world, bonds with beast-like creatures called Touda and uncovers her destiny as a beast handler while navigating personal loss and societal conflicts.
- Similarities to The Boy and the Beast: Mirrors the film’s exploration of human-beast relationships and underdog narratives, with Erin’s emotional growth subverting traditional power structures through empathy and mentorship from unlikely allies.
- MAL Rating: 8.04
- Episode Count: 50
- Notable Staff/Studio: Produced by Production I.G and NHK; directed by Taku Yajima with detailed creature designs.
- Awards/Recognition: Received praise at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival for its educational themes.
3. Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Brief Plot Summary: A group of amnesiac youths is transported to a harsh fantasy world where they must survive as adventurers, grinding through low-level quests and personal traumas to build strength.
- Similarities to The Boy and the Beast: Shares underdog stories of gradual power development in an alternate world, subverting isekai tropes by focusing on realistic emotional struggles and mentorship dynamics akin to Ren’s training arc.
- MAL Rating: 7.64
- Episode Count: 12
- Notable Staff/Studio: A-1 Pictures; directed by Ryousuke Nakamura with grounded, survival-focused animation.
- Awards/Recognition: Nominated for Best Fantasy at the Newtype Anime Awards.
4. Sonny Boy (2021)
- Streaming Availability: Funimation, Hulu
- Brief Plot Summary: A group of high school students is mysteriously transported to surreal, rule-bending dimensions where they must navigate chaos, evolving powers, and existential questions to survive.
- Similarities to The Boy and the Beast: Echoes the subversion of expectations in alternate worlds, with underdog protagonists discovering inner power systems through identity crises and unconventional mentorship, much like Ren’s beast realm journey.
- MAL Rating: 7.79
- Episode Count: 12
- Notable Staff/Studio: Madhouse; directed by Shingo Natsume with experimental, abstract animation styles.
- Awards/Recognition: Praised at international festivals for innovative narrative; featured in Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
5. Now and Then, Here and There (1999)
- Streaming Availability: Not widely available (check HIDIVE or DVD)
- Brief Plot Summary: A boy named Shu is pulled into a dystopian future world ravaged by war, where he becomes a child soldier and fights for survival while clinging to his optimism.
- Similarities to The Boy and the Beast: Features underdog resilience and subversion of isekai escapism through dark themes of inner darkness and mentorship in a harsh, beast-like society, paralleling Ren’s existential growth.
- MAL Rating: 7.60
- Episode Count: 13
- Notable Staff/Studio: AIC; directed by Akitarou Daichi with raw, unflinching animation.
- Awards/Recognition: Cult classic; discussed in academic circles for its anti-war themes.
6. Failure Frame (2024)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: Touka Mimori, deemed useless by a goddess, is banished to a deadly dungeon but discovers his “failure” powers are overwhelmingly strong, plotting revenge in a fantasy world.
- Similarities to The Boy and the Beast: Underdog protagonist subverts expectations by turning perceived weakness into a unique power system, with themes of mentorship and self-discovery echoing Ren’s training and identity struggles.
- MAL Rating: 7.25 (early rating)
- Episode Count: 12
- Notable Staff/Studio: Seven Arcs; based on a light novel with tactical battle animation.
- Awards/Recognition: Gaining buzz in 2024 for fresh isekai twists.
7. World Trigger (2014)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Netflix
- Brief Plot Summary: In a world invaded by alien “Neighbors,” young Mikumo Osamu joins a defense organization, mastering a trigger-based power system through teamwork and strategy.
- Similarities to The Boy and the Beast: Focuses on underdog growth via intricate power systems and mentorship, subverting shonen norms with strategic battles and alternate-world invasions like the beast kingdom conflicts.
- MAL Rating: 7.58
- Episode Count: 73 (Season 1)
- Notable Staff/Studio: Toei Animation; created by Daisuke Ashihara with innovative trigger visuals.
- Awards/Recognition: Won Best Sci-Fi at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2022 for later seasons.
8. Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song (2021)
- Streaming Availability: Funimation
- Brief Plot Summary: An AI songstress named Vivy is tasked with preventing a future AI uprising, traveling through time to alter events with evolving abilities and human-like emotions.
- Similarities to The Boy and the Beast: Explores identity and inner darkness through a non-human protagonist’s growth, subverting sci-fi expectations with mentorship arcs and power development akin to Ren’s beastly transformation.
- MAL Rating: 8.40
- Episode Count: 13
- Notable Staff/Studio: Wit Studio; written by Tappei Nagatsuki (Re:Zero) with stunning action choreography.
- Awards/Recognition: Won Best Original Anime at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2022.
9. Ranking of Kings (2021)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Brief Plot Summary: Deaf and frail Prince Bojji embarks on a quest to become a worthy king, forming bonds and unlocking hidden strengths in a world of giants and beasts.
- Similarities to The Boy and the Beast: Ultimate underdog story with subversion of royal expectations, emphasizing mentorship, family ties, and inner power much like Ren’s journey from weakness to strength.
- MAL Rating: 8.51
- Episode Count: 23
- Notable Staff/Studio: Wit Studio; directed by Yousuke Hatta with fairy-tale animation.
- Awards/Recognition: Multiple wins at Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2022, including Anime of the Year.
10. The Witch and the Beast (2024)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: Guideau, a cursed girl in a beastly form, teams up with mage Ashaf to hunt witches in a dark fantasy world, seeking revenge and unraveling mysteries.
- Similarities to The Boy and the Beast: Shares beast-human hybrid themes and underdog vengeance, subverting fantasy norms through emotional mentorship and power dynamics in alternate realms.
- MAL Rating: 7.35 (early rating)
- Episode Count: 12
- Notable Staff/Studio: Yokohama Animation Lab; based on Kousuke Satake’s manga with gothic visuals.
- Awards/Recognition: Emerging as a 2024 dark horse for its atmospheric storytelling.
11. Haibane Renmei (2002)
- Streaming Availability: Funimation
- Brief Plot Summary: Rakka awakens as a winged “Haibane” in a mysterious walled town, grappling with her identity and purpose while forming bonds with others.
- Similarities to The Boy and the Beast: Subverts afterlife expectations with underdog self-discovery and mentorship in an alternate world, mirroring Ren’s existential crisis and growth.
- MAL Rating: 7.97
- Episode Count: 13
- Notable Staff/Studio: Radix; created by Yoshitoshi ABe with ethereal, minimalist animation.
- Awards/Recognition: Influential in slice-of-life fantasy; praised at Tokyo Anime Awards.
12. Dennou Coil (2007)
- Streaming Availability: HIDIVE
- Brief Plot Summary: Children in a near-future city explore a virtual reality overlay, uncovering dangers and personal truths through augmented adventures.
- Similarities to The Boy and the Beast: Blends real and digital worlds like beast-human realms, with underdog kids subverting tech expectations via mentorship and inner strength discovery.
- MAL Rating: 8.05
- Episode Count: 26
- Notable Staff/Studio: Madhouse; directed by Mitsuo Iso with pioneering AR animation.
- Awards/Recognition: Won Excellence Prize at Japan Media Arts Festival 2007.
13. Kaiba (2008)
- Streaming Availability: Not widely available (check Tubi or DVD)
- Brief Plot Summary: In a world where memories can be transferred between bodies, amnesiac Kaiba searches for his identity across bizarre planets and forms.
- Similarities to The Boy and the Beast: Subverts identity and power through body-swapping mechanics, echoing Ren’s human-beast duality and underdog quest for self.
- MAL Rating: 8.13
- Episode Count: 12
- Notable Staff/Studio: Madhouse; directed by Masaaki Yuasa with abstract, psychedelic art.
- Awards/Recognition: Excellence Award at Japan Media Arts Festival 2008.
14. Outlaw Star (1998)
- Streaming Availability: Funimation, Hulu
- Brief Plot Summary: Space outlaw Gene Starwind and his crew protect a mysterious girl with bio-android powers, navigating galactic adventures and personal demons.
- Similarities to The Boy and the Beast: Features underdog mentorship in an alternate sci-fi world, subverting space opera tropes with themes of found family and inner darkness.
- MAL Rating: 7.84
- Episode Count: 26
- Notable Staff/Studio: Sunrise; directed by Hiroyuki Nishimori with dynamic space battles.
- Awards/Recognition: Cult favorite; influenced later space operas.
15. Master Keaton (1998)
- Streaming Availability: Not widely available (check Crunchyroll archives or DVD)
- Brief Plot Summary: Insurance investigator Taichi Keaton solves global mysteries using his archaeology and survival skills, balancing family life and hidden strengths.
- Similarities to The Boy and the Beast: Underdog protagonist subverts detective norms through intellectual power systems and mentorship, exploring identity and growth in worldly adventures.
- MAL Rating: 7.59
- Episode Count: 39 (including OVAs)
- Notable Staff/Studio: Madhouse; created by Naoki Urasawa (Monster) with realistic animation.
- Awards/Recognition: Praised for episodic depth; Urasawa’s early masterpiece.
Why These Anime Work for The Boy and the Beast Fans
These series capture the essence of The Boy and the Beast by delving into underdog protagonists who navigate alternate worlds, form transformative mentorships, and subvert expectations through innovative power systems and emotional depth. Often overlooked due to their niche appeal or age, they offer rich character development and unique animation that reward fans seeking heartfelt stories beyond the mainstream, much like Hosoda’s blend of fantasy and personal growth. If you loved the film’s themes of identity and resilience, these hidden gems provide fresh yet familiar journeys worth exploring.
