The 1989 Jungle Book: Shōnen Mowgli anime adaptation remains a hidden gem in the world of classic adventure anime. Much like Kipling’s original tale, the series explores survival, identity, and personal growth as Mowgli navigates a dangerous world alongside animal companions and foes. Its charm lies in the mix of underdog triumphs, moral lessons, and deep bonds formed against harsh odds.
For fans who loved its themes of friendship, rivalry, survival, and unexpected twists, here are 15 underrated anime series—both classic and modern—that capture the same spirit while deserving far more attention.
1. Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin (1986)
- Streaming Availability: Rare official streams; DVD releases in select regions
- Episodes: 21
- Studio: Toei Animation
- MAL Rating: 7.9/10
- Plot Summary: A young hunting dog, Gin, leaves his home to join a pack of wild dogs battling against a monstrous bear terrorizing the mountains.
- Similarities: Like The Jungle Book, it blends survival, animal-centered storytelling, and the journey of a young hero growing into his role within a wild, untamed world.
2. 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother (1976)
- Streaming Availability: Some episodes available via retro anime archives
- Episodes: 52
- Studio: Nippon Animation (World Masterpiece Theater)
- MAL Rating: 7.7/10
- Plot Summary: A young Italian boy, Marco, travels across continents to find his missing mother, facing both hardship and kindness along the way.
- Similarities: Shares the emotional resilience of Mowgli’s journey, showcasing determination against overwhelming odds and the power of family-like bonds.
3. Kemono no Souja Erin (2009)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 50
- Studio: Trans Arts / NHK
- MAL Rating: 8.3/10
- Plot Summary: Erin, a young girl with a gift for understanding beasts, becomes embroiled in the political and ecological struggles of her kingdom.
- Similarities: Like Mowgli, Erin bridges the gap between humans and animals, exploring the balance of nature and the dangers of human greed.
4. Aoi Bungaku Series (2009)
- Streaming Availability: Funimation (in some regions)
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Madhouse
- MAL Rating: 8.0/10
- Plot Summary: Anthology adaptation of classic Japanese literature, including stories of survival, morality, and identity.
- Similarities: Like The Jungle Book, it uses allegory and character-driven narratives to question human instincts, survival, and morality.
5. Shinzo (Mushrambo) (2000)
- Streaming Availability: Limited streaming; DVD imports
- Episodes: 32
- Studio: Toei Animation
- MAL Rating: 6.9/10
- Plot Summary: A young girl awakens in a post-apocalyptic world dominated by beast-like mutants and sets out to find other humans.
- Similarities: Similar survivalist tone, with an underdog protagonist navigating a hostile environment filled with creatures reminiscent of jungle predators.
6. Blue Blink (1990)
- Streaming Availability: Rare, mostly Japan-only
- Episodes: 39
- Studio: Tezuka Productions
- MAL Rating: 6.8/10
- Plot Summary: A boy befriends a mystical blue horse and embarks on adventures filled with danger and wonder.
- Similarities: Echoes Jungle Book’s magical bond between child and animal companion, with morality-driven storytelling.
7. Legend of Basara (1998)
- Streaming Availability: Retro anime libraries; DVDs
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: Production I.G
- MAL Rating: 7.3/10
- Plot Summary: After her brother is killed, Sarasa disguises herself as him and leads a rebellion against a tyrannical regime.
- Similarities: The underdog rising to power mirrors Mowgli’s growth, with strong themes of destiny, identity, and survival against overwhelming odds.
8. Wolf’s Rain (2003)
- Streaming Availability: Hulu, Funimation
- Episodes: 26 + 4 OVA
- Studio: Bones
- MAL Rating: 7.9/10
- Plot Summary: In a dying world, wolves disguised as humans search for Paradise, guided by prophecy and instinct.
- Similarities: Animal-driven perspective, survival in harsh landscapes, and exploration of identity resonate strongly with The Jungle Book’s themes.
9. Unico (1981, 1983 films)
- Streaming Availability: Discotek Blu-ray release
- Episodes/Films: 2 feature films
- Studio: Tezuka Productions
- MAL Rating: 7.2/10
- Plot Summary: A small unicorn with magical powers is cursed to wander the world, helping those in need while pursued by dark forces.
- Similarities: Both feature young protagonists forming bonds with animals and humans, highlighting kindness and resilience in the face of cruelty.
10. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1980)
- Streaming Availability: Nippon Animation archive titles
- Episodes: 49
- Studio: Nippon Animation (World Masterpiece Theater)
- MAL Rating: 7.4/10
- Plot Summary: Adaptation of Twain’s novel, following Tom’s adventures with Huck Finn and others along the Mississippi River.
- Similarities: Childhood exploration, moral lessons, and episodic adventures parallel Mowgli’s coming-of-age story.
11. Future Boy Conan (1978)
- Streaming Availability: Discotek Blu-ray, NHK
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: Nippon Animation (directed by Hayao Miyazaki)
- MAL Rating: 8.6/10
- Plot Summary: Conan, a boy born after a cataclysmic war, uses his resourcefulness to survive and protect his friends in a post-apocalyptic island world.
- Similarities: Combines survival, environmental allegory, and childlike resilience against overwhelming natural and human dangers.
12. Romeo’s Blue Skies (1995)
- Streaming Availability: Nippon Animation library
- Episodes: 33
- Studio: Nippon Animation
- MAL Rating: 7.9/10
- Plot Summary: Young Romeo is sold into servitude as a chimney sweep, enduring hardship but also finding brotherhood with fellow workers.
- Similarities: Explores underdog perseverance and the strength of chosen families, much like Mowgli’s wolf pack bonds.
13. Shounen Ashibe (1991)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll (revival seasons available)
- Episodes: 37
- Studio: Studio Comet
- MAL Rating: 6.8/10
- Plot Summary: Ashibe, a cheerful boy, befriends a baby seal named Goma-chan, leading to lighthearted adventures.
- Similarities: Reflects the boy-animal friendship core of The Jungle Book, though in a more comedic, slice-of-life format.
14. Fantastic Children (2004)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: Nippon Animation
- MAL Rating: 7.7/10
- Plot Summary: A group of mysterious children wander across time and countries, entangled in a story of reincarnation and destiny.
- Similarities: Like The Jungle Book, it blends childlike innocence with deeper, darker explorations of survival, morality, and purpose.
15. Jungle Emperor Leo (1965, 1989 remake)
- Streaming Availability: DVD / Blu-ray releases
- Episodes: 52 (1965) / 50 (1989 remake)
- Studio: Mushi Production (1965), Tezuka Productions (1989)
- MAL Rating: 7.3/10
- Plot Summary: Leo, a white lion, inherits the jungle after his father’s death, balancing leadership with encounters against humanity.
- Similarities: Almost a sibling series to The Jungle Book, with animal-centered narrative, jungle settings, and themes of leadership and responsibility.
Why These Anime Work for The Jungle Book Fans
Each of these series captures a piece of what makes The Jungle Book so enduring: survival in unfamiliar worlds, bonds between humans and animals, and the growth of an underdog into someone extraordinary. From animal-centered adventures like Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin and Wolf’s Rain to emotionally rich human dramas like Romeo’s Blue Skies, these anime remind us of the timeless appeal of perseverance, nature, and the power of chosen families.
