Selector Infected WIXOSS delivers an emotionally charged and psychologically gripping experience through its unique twist on the card battle genre. Combining dark themes, unexpected narrative turns, and deeply flawed characters, it’s far more than your average “magical girl meets trading card game” story. Beneath its surreal battles lies a tale about desire, trauma, and the cost of power.
If you’re drawn to WIXOSS for its haunting atmosphere, subversive storytelling, or emotional character arcs, then you’re in luck. We’ve gathered 15 underrated anime series that channel similar vibes — exploring inner struggles, high-stakes games, and twisted takes on familiar genres. These hidden gems deserve far more attention than they get.
1. Magical Girl Raising Project (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
- MAL Rating: 7.09
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Lerche
- Plot: A social game turns fatal when 16 magical girls are forced into a deadly survival competition.
- Similarities: Dark subversion of the magical girl genre, psychological tension, and themes of manipulated wishes echo WIXOSS‘s tone and structure.
2. Kakegurui Twin (2022)
- Streaming: Netflix
- MAL Rating: 7.23
- Episodes: 6
- Studio: MAPPA
- Plot: A prequel to Kakegurui, this series follows Mary Saotome’s descent into the high-stakes world of gambling at Hyakkaou Academy.
- Similarities: Strategic game mechanics, morally grey characters, and psychological duels reflect WIXOSS‘s battle system and manipulative undertones.
3. Yuki Yuna is a Hero (2014)
- Streaming: HIDIVE, Crunchyroll
- MAL Rating: 7.39
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Studio Gokumi
- Plot: A group of girls are chosen to fight mysterious entities, only to uncover horrific truths about their powers.
- Similarities: Similar magical girl aesthetics with dark consequences, hidden agendas, and emotional depth akin to WIXOSS.
4. C: The Money of Soul and Possibility Control (2011)
- Streaming: Funimation
- MAL Rating: 7.17
- Episodes: 11
- Studio: Tatsunoko Production
- Plot: A college student enters a parallel world where his future is gambled in battles tied to the economy.
- Similarities: Alternate reality combat, high-stakes moral dilemmas, and surreal visuals connect it to WIXOSS‘s themes of desire and loss.
5. Dorei-ku: The Animation (2018)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- MAL Rating: 6.03
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Zero-G
- Plot: Individuals use a device that lets them enslave others through battles of will and strategy.
- Similarities: Psychological manipulation, moral ambiguity, and control dynamics echo WIXOSS‘s twisted human interactions.
6. The Price of Smiles (2019)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- MAL Rating: 6.47
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Tatsunoko Production
- Plot: On a distant planet, a war unfolds through the eyes of two young girls on opposing sides.
- Similarities: Dual perspectives, emotional weight, and a surprising shift in tone from innocent to tragic reflect WIXOSS’s narrative layering.
7. Boogiepop and Others (2019)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- MAL Rating: 7.08
- Episodes: 18
- Studio: Madhouse
- Plot: A mysterious entity known as Boogiepop awakens to confront supernatural threats hidden in society.
- Similarities: Non-linear storytelling, psychological elements, and existential dread mirror WIXOSS‘s narrative experimentation.
8. Selector Spread WIXOSS (2014)
- Streaming: Funimation
- MAL Rating: 7.26
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: J.C.Staff
- Plot: The direct sequel to Selector Infected WIXOSS, diving deeper into the twisted world of LRIGs and wishes.
- Similarities: Continuation of the original’s themes, with even more intense emotional and psychological developments.
9. Un-Go (2011)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- MAL Rating: 7.39
- Episodes: 11
- Studio: Bones
- Plot: A detective duo investigates mysterious crimes in a post-war dystopia.
- Similarities: Philosophical musings, mysterious world-building, and characters with hidden motivations connect strongly to WIXOSS’s structure.
10. Wonder Egg Priority (2021)
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
- MAL Rating: 7.59
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: CloverWorks
- Plot: A girl is drawn into a dreamscape where she fights to save others from suicide and trauma.
- Similarities: Emotionally intense, dream-like battles rooted in psychological scars; aligns closely with WIXOSS‘s surreal narrative and core emotional stakes.
11. Takt Op. Destiny (2021)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- MAL Rating: 7.15
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: MAPPA x Madhouse
- Plot: In a world where music is forbidden, warriors called Musicarts battle using classical compositions.
- Similarities: Stylish battles, tragic undertones, and a partnership-based combat system similar to LRIGs and Selectors.
12. Girls’ Last Tour (2017)
- Streaming: HIDIVE, Crunchyroll
- MAL Rating: 8.15
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: White Fox
- Plot: Two girls wander a desolate post-apocalyptic world, pondering life, death, and what it means to live.
- Similarities: Melancholic atmosphere, minimalism, and a slow-burn philosophical narrative — perfect for fans of WIXOSS’s quieter, introspective moments.
13. Akanesasu Shoujo (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- MAL Rating: 6.34
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Dandelion Animation Studio
- Plot: A group of girls stumble into alternate dimensions while performing a ritual for fun.
- Similarities: Parallel worlds, evolving friendships, and emotional stakes blended with a deceptively cheerful start mirror WIXOSS’s tonal shift.
14. Flip Flappers (2016)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- MAL Rating: 7.60
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: Studio 3Hz
- Plot: Two girls travel through surreal worlds reflecting personal trauma and emotion.
- Similarities: Vivid animation, psychological symbolism, and cryptic storytelling match WIXOSS‘s experimental nature.
15. Red Garden (2006)
- Streaming: Funimation
- MAL Rating: 7.11
- Episodes: 22
- Studio: Gonzo
- Plot: Four girls uncover their deaths and must fight to reclaim their lives.
- Similarities: Slow psychological buildup, trauma-focused storytelling, and realistic character reactions align with WIXOSS’s emotional beats.
Why These Anime Work for Selector Infected WIXOSS Fans
Each of these underrated series shares the emotional complexity, narrative depth, and thematic resonance that make Selector Infected WIXOSS stand out. Whether it’s the psychological tension, subverted genres, or the haunting consequences of choices made in pursuit of desire, these shows carry the torch forward in distinct and unforgettable ways.
