Land of the Lustrous (Houseki no Kuni) captured attention in 2017 with its striking 3D animation, deep existential themes, and an evolving protagonist navigating a mysterious world. Blending meditative storytelling with unique worldbuilding, it offered a bold take on identity, transformation, and resilience. Fans were drawn not only to the fluid fight scenes and stylized aesthetics but also to its emotional depth and philosophical undertones.
If you’re craving anime with similarly complex character development, thematic depth, inventive world design, or unconventional narratives, these 15 underrated gems deserve your attention. They might not dominate mainstream conversations, but they offer profound and stylistically bold experiences akin to Land of the Lustrous.
1. Kaiba (2008)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- MAL Rating: 7.98
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Madhouse | Director: Masaaki Yuasa
In a world where memories can be stored and bodies swapped, a young amnesiac named Kaiba searches for his identity and truth.
Similarities: Surreal, stylized animation; identity exploration; abstract worldbuilding; philosophical questions about self and memory.
2. The Executioner and Her Way of Life (2022)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- MAL Rating: 7.22
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: J.C.Staff
When ordinary Japanese people are summoned to a fantasy world, they’re seen as threats—leading protagonist Menou to carry out secret executions.
Similarities: Subversion of isekai tropes; complex female protagonist; moral ambiguity; stylized visual direction.
3. Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight (2018)
- Streaming: HIDIVE, Amazon Prime
- MAL Rating: 7.89
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Kinema Citrus
A theatrical combat-based school tests girls vying for the top performance role, but metaphysical battles mirror personal growth.
Similarities: Symbolic storytelling; unique animation; transformation via conflict; identity and purpose themes.
4. Ergo Proxy (2006)
- Streaming: Hulu, Funimation
- MAL Rating: 7.88
- Episodes: 23
- Studio: Manglobe
In a dystopian future, inspector Re-l Mayer investigates murders linked to self-aware androids and uncovers disturbing truths.
Similarities: Existential dread; philosophical undertones; strong female lead; visual abstraction.
5. Wonder Egg Priority (2021)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- MAL Rating: 7.53
- Episodes: 12 + Special
- Studio: CloverWorks
After a friend’s suicide, Ai Ohto is thrust into a surreal world where she battles monsters to rescue others from trauma.
Similarities: Emotional trauma as narrative core; symbolic combat; stunning visual metaphors; evolving protagonist.
6. Haibane Renmei (2002)
- Streaming: Funimation
- MAL Rating: 8.02
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: Radix
Winged beings known as Haibane live in a mysterious walled town and slowly uncover their purpose and past.
Similarities: Melancholic tone; slow-burn character introspection; afterlife allegories; stylized, minimalist storytelling.
7. Texhnolyze (2003)
- Streaming: Funimation, HIDIVE
- MAL Rating: 7.72
- Episodes: 22
- Studio: Madhouse
Set in a crumbling underground city, a silent protagonist becomes a key player in a war over cybernetic control.
Similarities: Stark, bleak atmosphere; body transformation; philosophical nihilism; slow-paced, intense worldbuilding.
8. Mawaru Penguindrum (2011)
Two brothers must find the mysterious “Penguin Drum” to save their sister, unlocking surreal encounters and dark secrets.
Similarities: Symbolism-rich narrative; eccentric direction; themes of fate and identity; experimental storytelling.
9. Children of the Whales (2017)
- Streaming: Netflix
- MAL Rating: 7.16
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: J.C.Staff
On a drifting island, a group with magical abilities face a harsh truth about their powers and their isolation.
Similarities: Isolated society; emotional coming-of-age arc; striking visuals; exploration of power systems and discrimination.
10. ID: INVADED (2020)
- Streaming: Funimation
- MAL Rating: 7.88
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: NAZ
Detectives enter fractured mindscapes of serial killers using tech that visualizes cognition.
Similarities: Sci-fi abstraction; unique visual identity; fractured identities; surreal environments; investigative narrative.
11. No.6 (2011
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
- MAL Rating: 7.29
- Episodes: 11
- Studio: Bones
A privileged boy shelters a fugitive, uncovering dark truths about his utopian city.
Similarities: Dystopian setting; character evolution through hardship; subtle LGBTQ+ themes; emotional worldbuilding.
12. Casshern Sins (2008)
- Streaming: Funimation
- MAL Rating: 7.51
- Episodes: 24
- Studio: Madhouse
Casshern wanders a dying world haunted by the role he played in its collapse, seeking redemption.
Similarities: Post-apocalyptic tone; identity crisis; minimalistic, painterly visuals; poetic narrative style.
13. The Eccentric Family (2013)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- MAL Rating: 7.89
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: P.A. Works
In Kyoto, tanuki, tengu, and humans coexist in a modern fable about family, legacy, and transformation.
Similarities: Lush worldbuilding; themes of change and acceptance; offbeat tone; identity and societal roles.
14. Kino’s Journey -the Beautiful World- (2003 & 2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
- MAL Rating (2003): 8.38
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: A.C.G.T / Lerche (2017 reboot)
Kino travels to strange lands, observing the quirks and ethics of each society without interfering.
Similarities: Episodic philosophical storytelling; subdued tone; moral ambiguity; non-traditional protagonist arc.
15. Shinsekai Yori (From the New World) (2012)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- MAL Rating: 8.34
- Episodes: 25
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
In a future ruled by psychics, children discover society’s hidden horrors and their own destinies.
Similarities: Slow-burning mystery; emotional character arcs; power systems; mature, unsettling themes.
Why These Anime Work for Land of the Lustrous Fans
Each of these series echoes Land of the Lustrous in meaningful ways—whether through their stylistic boldness, existential themes, or emotionally charged transformations. From surreal sci-fi worlds to poetic dystopias, these anime dive deep into identity, memory, and the burden of purpose. They’re rich in symbolism, emotional depth, and often feature protagonists wrestling with transformation—either physically, psychologically, or both.
