To Your Eternity follows Fushi, an immortal being sent to Earth to observe and evolve, transforming from a simple orb into various forms as it learns about humanity through profound loss and connection. At its core, the series delves into power systems through Fushi’s adaptive abilities, underdog stories of growth against overwhelming odds, and subversion of expectations by blending episodic adventures with deep emotional stakes.
These 15 underrated anime deserve more attention for their thoughtful exploration of similar themes, offering fresh perspectives on life, mortality, and personal evolution that often fly under the radar compared to mainstream hits.
1. Mushishi (2005)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
- Brief Plot Summary: Ginko, a wandering mushi master, travels through rural Japan investigating mysterious life forms called mushi that affect humans in subtle, often supernatural ways, helping those afflicted while uncovering the delicate balance between nature and humanity.
- Specific Similarities: Like To Your Eternity, it features episodic tales of personal growth and emotional discovery, subverting expectations with quiet, philosophical narratives rather than action, and explores underdog characters adapting to otherworldly forces.
- MAL Rating: 8.66
- Episode Count: 26
- Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Hiroshi Nagahama, produced by Artland; known for its serene animation style blending folklore with ethereal visuals.
- Awards/Recognition: Won the Tokyo Anime Award for Television in 2006.
2. Kino’s Journey (2003)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: Kino, a stoic traveler with a talking motorcycle named Hermes, visits various countries for exactly three days each, observing diverse societies and their unique customs while grappling with moral dilemmas.
- Specific Similarities: Mirrors To Your Eternity’s wandering protagonist and subversion of expectations through anthology-style stories that probe human nature, with underdog elements in Kino’s impartial yet evolving worldview.
- MAL Rating: 8.30
- Episode Count: 13
- Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Ryutaro Nakamura, produced by A.C.G.T.; highlights minimalist animation and thought-provoking storytelling.
- Awards/Recognition: Nominated for Best TV Series at the Tokyo International Anime Fair.
3. Girls’ Last Tour (2017)
- Streaming Availability: HIDIVE
- Brief Plot Summary: In a post-apocalyptic world, two girls named Chito and Yuuri traverse ruined cities on their motorcycle, scavenging for food and pondering life’s meaning amid desolation.
- Specific Similarities: Shares To Your Eternity’s focus on emotional growth in a harsh world, subverting expectations with philosophical musings over survival, and underdog protagonists finding humanity in isolation.
- MAL Rating: 8.21
- Episode Count: 12
- Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Takaharu Ozaki, produced by White Fox; features stark, atmospheric animation emphasizing ruins and subtle expressions.
- Awards/Recognition: Praised for its thematic depth at anime festivals, though largely underrecognized.
4. Haibane Renmei (2002)
- Streaming Availability: Funimation
- Brief Plot Summary: Rakka awakens as a Haibane, a winged being in a walled town, and must navigate her new existence while uncovering the mysteries of her past life and purpose.
- Specific Similarities: Echoes To Your Eternity’s themes of rebirth and emotional evolution, with underdog stories of self-discovery and subversion through allegorical, introspective narratives.
- MAL Rating: 7.97
- Episode Count: 13
- Notable Staff/Studio: Created by Yoshitoshi ABe, produced by Radix; renowned for its soft, dreamlike animation style.
- Awards/Recognition: Influential in indie anime circles, often cited as a cult classic.
5. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: Balsa, a skilled spear-wielder, becomes the bodyguard of a young prince possessed by a water spirit, embarking on a perilous journey to protect him from assassins and supernatural threats.
- Specific Similarities: Similar to To Your Eternity’s protective bonds and power systems tied to spirits, it subverts expectations with mature character arcs and underdog resilience in a fantasy world.
- MAL Rating: 8.13
- Episode Count: 26
- Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, produced by Production I.G; features fluid action animation and detailed world-building.
- Awards/Recognition: Won the Japan Media Arts Festival Award in 2007.
6. Scrapped Princess (2003)
- Streaming Availability: Funimation
- Brief Plot Summary: Pacifica, a princess prophesied to destroy the world, flees with her adoptive siblings, evading pursuers while questioning her fate in a medieval fantasy setting.
- Specific Similarities: Parallels To Your Eternity’s underdog protagonist defying destiny, with subversion through twists on prophecy and emotional growth via relationships.
- MAL Rating: 7.38
- Episode Count: 24
- Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Soichi Masui, produced by Bones; blends comedy with dramatic animation shifts.
- Awards/Recognition: Noted for its genre-blending narrative in early 2000s anime.
7. Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina (2020)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: Elaina, a young witch, travels the world encountering bizarre societies and magical oddities, documenting her adventures in a diary.
- Specific Similarities: Like To Your Eternity, it uses episodic journeys for character development, subverting expectations with tonal shifts from whimsical to dark, emphasizing adaptive growth.
- MAL Rating: 7.55
- Episode Count: 12
- Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Toshiyuki Kubooka, produced by C2C; vibrant animation with diverse fantasy aesthetics.
- Awards/Recognition: Gained niche acclaim for its anthology format.
8. Dororo (2019)
- Streaming Availability: Amazon Prime Video
- Brief Plot Summary: Hyakkimaru, born without limbs or senses due to a demonic pact, teams up with orphan Dororo to reclaim his body parts by slaying demons in feudal Japan.
- Specific Similarities: Matches To Your Eternity’s physical and emotional evolution, underdog battles against fate, and subversion through gritty, moral ambiguity.
- MAL Rating: 8.24
- Episode Count: 24
- Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi, produced by MAPPA; dynamic action animation with historical flair.
- Awards/Recognition: Nominated for Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2020.
9. Made in Abyss (2017)
- Streaming Availability: HIDIVE
- Brief Plot Summary: Riko and her robot companion Reg descend into a massive, layered abyss filled with wonders and horrors, seeking her lost mother.
- Specific Similarities: Echoes To Your Eternity’s exploration of loss and growth in a dangerous world, subverting cute visuals with dark themes and underdog perseverance.
- MAL Rating: 8.65
- Episode Count: 13
- Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Masayuki Kojima, produced by Kinema Citrus; stunning layered animation depicting the abyss.
- Awards/Recognition: Won Crunchyroll Anime of the Year in 2017.
10. Ranking of Kings (2021)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: Bojji, a deaf and mute prince deemed unfit to rule, embarks on a quest to prove his worth with the help of a shadowy companion.
- Specific Similarities: Shares underdog stories of personal triumph and subversion of fairy-tale tropes, much like Fushi’s humane growth.
- MAL Rating: 8.51
- Episode Count: 23
- Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Yosuke Hatta, produced by Wit Studio; whimsical yet detailed animation.
- Awards/Recognition: Won multiple categories at Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2022.
11. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (2023)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: Immortal elf Frieren reflects on her past adventures after her hero party’s victory, traveling with new companions to understand human emotions.
- Specific Similarities: Directly akin to To Your Eternity’s immortality and retrospective growth, subverting post-victory narratives with emotional depth.
- MAL Rating: 9.36
- Episode Count: 28
- Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Keiichiro Saito, produced by Madhouse; elegant, time-spanning animation.
- Awards/Recognition: Highly praised for innovation at anime expos.
12. Odd Taxi (2021)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: A walrus taxi driver gets entangled in a web of mysteries involving yakuza, idols, and disappearances in an anthropomorphic city.
- Specific Similarities: Subverts expectations with interconnected stories and character-driven revelations, similar to Fushi’s evolving connections.
- MAL Rating: 8.66
- Episode Count: 13
- Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Baku Kinoshita, produced by OLM and P.I.C.S.; unique animal character designs.
- Awards/Recognition: Won Best Script at Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2022.
13. Violet Evergarden (2018)
- Streaming Availability: Netflix
- Brief Plot Summary: Violet, a former child soldier, works as a letter writer to understand emotions, uncovering her past through clients’ stories.
- Specific Similarities: Focuses on emotional awakening and subversion through episodic healing, akin to Fushi’s humanization.
- MAL Rating: 8.67
- Episode Count: 13
- Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Taichi Ishidate, produced by Kyoto Animation; breathtaking emotional animation.
- Awards/Recognition: Won Crunchyroll Anime Awards for Best Animation in 2019.
14. Shinsekai Yori (2012)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: In a dystopian future, children with psychic powers uncover dark secrets about their seemingly utopian society.
- Specific Similarities: Explores power systems and societal subversion, with underdog growth mirroring Fushi’s discoveries.
- MAL Rating: 8.26
- Episode Count: 25
- Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Masashi Ishihama, produced by A-1 Pictures; atmospheric, evolving visuals.
- Awards/Recognition: Praised for psychological depth in sci-fi anime.
15. March Comes in Like a Lion (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Brief Plot Summary: Rei, a young professional shogi player, battles depression and isolation while finding solace in a supportive family.
- Specific Similarities: Emphasizes internal growth and subversion of success narratives, like Fushi’s emotional underdog journey.
- MAL Rating: 8.36
- Episode Count: 22 (Season 1)
- Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Akiyuki Shinbo, produced by Shaft; innovative abstract animation for mental states.
- Awards/Recognition: Won the Manga Taisho Award for its source material.
Why These Anime Work for To Your Eternity Fans
These series capture the essence of To Your Eternity by prioritizing introspective journeys over spectacle, blending wonder with melancholy to challenge viewers’ expectations. They offer underdogs evolving through profound experiences, much like Fushi, and deserve wider recognition for their innovative storytelling that lingers long after the credits roll.
