Komi Can’t Communicate—a celebrated slice-of-life anime—centers on Komi Shouko, a high school girl with a debilitating communication disorder who aspires to make 100 friends. The series beautifully explores social anxiety, underdog stories, and the gradual transformation of its heroine through genuine connection, highlighting strengths in humor, heartfelt character growth, and the subversion of social expectations.
While Komi’s struggles and achievements have earned the series widespread acclaim, many equally compelling (and often overlooked) anime address similar themes: finding one’s voice, navigating friendship, and embracing personal quirks. Here is a selection of 15 underrated anime—both old and new—that deserve attention from fans seeking kindred spirits and unique narrative styles.
1. Senryu Girl (2019)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Score: 7.42
- Studio: Connect
- Awards: None notable
- Plot: Nanako expresses herself only through senryu poetry, befriending a misunderstood delinquent.
- Similarity: A quiet protagonist learning connection via unconventional communication, paralleled by slow, warm character growth.
2. Aharen-san wa Hakarenai (2022)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Score: 7.44
- Studio: Felix Film
- Awards: None notable
- Plot: Reina’s unpredictable sense of personal space leads to offbeat daily interactions with Raidou.
- Similarity: Focus on social misunderstandings and cute, understated humor reinforcing themes of acceptance.
3. Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible (2023)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Score: 7.40
- Studio: Pine Jam
- Awards: None notable
- Plot: Junta is nearly unnoticed by everyone except the playful, persistent Kubo who draws him out.
- Similarity: Protagonist’s journey to social visibility through gentle romantic comedy and earnest friendship mirrors Komi’s narrative beats.
4. Otaku Elf (2023)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Score: 7.26
- Studio: C2C
- Awards: None notable
- Plot: Shrine maiden Koito supports Elda, a reclusive elf goddess longing for comfort amid Tokyo’s bustle.
- Similarity: Emphasizes mutual support and gradual growth for a withdrawn character, blending soft comedy with mature life lessons.
5. My Senpai is Annoying (2021)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Score: 7.61
- Studio: Doga Kobo
- Awards: None notable
- Plot: Futaba, a petite young office worker, navigates work and relationships while her boisterous senpai helps her grow.
- Similarity: Uses comedic interaction to foster confidence, mirroring Komi’s relationship-driven progression.
6. Handa-kun (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Score: 7.38
- Studio: Diomedéa
- Awards: None notable
- Plot: Handa is convinced his peers hate him, while in reality he’s admired and misunderstood.
- Similarity: Features exaggerated social anxiety and comedic misunderstandings, highlighting outsider perspectives.
7. Life Lessons with Uramichi Oniisan (2021)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Score: 7.68
- Studio: Studio Blanc
- Awards: None notable
- Plot: Uramichi, a kids’ show host, exposes the bitter realities of adulthood with dry humor.
- Similarity: Deftly blends comedy and the struggles of connecting with others, albeit from an adult viewpoint.
8. Saint Young Men (2012, OVA)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HiDive
- Episodes: 2 OVAs, 10+ specials
- MAL Score: 8.25
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Awards: Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize
- Plot: Jesus and Buddha live together in Tokyo, dealing with modern life quirks in peaceful, hilarious ways.
- Similarity: Gentle, dialogue-driven slice-of-life that finds meaning in everyday interactions and subtle comedy.
9. Hozuki’s Coolheadedness (2014)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Score: 7.85
- Studio: Wit Studio
- Awards: Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Award
- Plot: Hozuki, the pragmatic aide to the King of Hell, manages odd supernatural crises with sardonic wit.
- Similarity: Relies on deadpan humor, quirky side characters, and subverting expectations; character-driven rather than action-focused.
10. Aggretsuko (2018)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Episodes: 50+ (short format)
- MAL Score: 7.66
- Studio: Fanworks
- Awards: None notable
- Plot: Retsuko, a mild-mannered office red panda, releases her frustrations via heavy metal karaoke.
- Similarity: Showcases relatable anxieties, workplace hurdles, and the importance of authentic friendships, elevating everyday strife into poignant comedy.
11. Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Score: 7.53
- Studio: Studio Hibari
- Awards: None notable
- Plot: Aoyama is a superstar soccer player with OCD who navigates school through strict cleanliness.
- Similarity: Explores social awkwardness and the ways in which unique quirks are incorporated and celebrated—much like Komi’s silence.
12. Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle (2020)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Score: 7.55
- Studio: Doga Kobo
- Awards: None notable
- Plot: Princess Syalis is less interested in escape than in figuring out how to nap comfortably in a dungeon.
- Similarity: Subverts expectations of its genre, with offbeat humor and a “quirky protagonist against the world” motif.
13. March Comes in Like a Lion (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 44
- MAL Score: 8.98
- Studio: Shaft
- Awards: Japan Media Arts Festival Grand Prize
- Plot: Rei, a troubled teenage shogi player, slowly rebuilds his life through encounters with a loving family and nuanced friendships.
- Similarity: Deep, empathetic focus on social isolation, self-acceptance, and transformative relationships makes this a mature sister-series for Komi fans.
14. Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie (2022)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Score: 7.23
- Studio: Doga Kobo
- Awards: None notable
- Plot: Izumi, plagued by constant misfortune, is protected by his effortlessly cool girlfriend, Shikimori.
- Similarity: Combines wholesome romance, quirky personalities, and comedic subversions—ideal for those who enjoy Komi’s tone.
15. Tonikawa: Over the Moon for You (2020)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12 (S1), 12 (S2)
- MAL Score: 7.92
- Studio: Seven Arcs
- Awards: None notable
- Plot: Nasa and Tsukasa marry on a whim, exploring an unconventional but sweet relationship with gentle humor.
- Similarity: Emphasis on awkward but sincere communication, gradual romantic development, and slice-of-life storytelling.
Why These Anime Work for Komi Can’t Communicate Fans
These fifteen titles all share honest character journeys, humor in vulnerability, and a knack for turning quiet struggles into heartfelt narratives. They celebrate social anxiety and introversion not as obstacles to be mocked, but as stages for growth and connection—making them ideal for anyone moved by Komi’s quest and eager for stories where compassion, creativity, and individuality shine.
