Voices of a Distant Star (Hoshi no Koe) is a hauntingly beautiful, emotionally devastating short film that explores the ache of separation and the power of love to transcend vast distances. Created almost entirely by Makoto Shinkai, the story follows Mikako Nagamine, a young woman who is chosen to be a mecha pilot in a war against an alien race, and Noboru Terao, her close friend who remains on Earth. As Mikako travels further into space, their text messages take longer and longer to reach each other, stretching their bond across light-years.
The series is defined by its core themes: the power of connection to bridge vast distances, the ache of separation and loneliness, and the bittersweet nature of time and memory. The protagonists are profound underdogs—ordinary young people caught in the gears of a conflict far larger than themselves, whose greatest battle is not against aliens but against the distance that separates them. Voices of a Distant Star masterfully subverts expectations by rejecting the typical sci-fi action narrative, instead delivering a quiet, introspective meditation on love, loss, and the enduring power of a single message. It is a series that understands the weight of a word.
For fans of Voices of a Distant Star, finding similar anime can be a challenge. The series occupies a unique space—part sci-fi, part romance, part meditation on distance and time. Yet, many underrated series share its core DNA: a focus on the emotional weight of separation, an exploration of the relationship between technology and human connection, and a willingness to use science fiction to explore deeply personal, emotional themes. These shows deserve far more attention for their emotional depth, their atmospheric storytelling, and their refusal to provide easy answers.
Here are 15 underrated anime that capture the spirit of Voices of a Distant Star.
1. 5 Centimeters per Second (2007)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.7
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Notable Staff: Directed by Makoto Shinkai.
Plot Summary: The film follows Takaki Tono and Akari Shinohara, two close friends who are separated by distance. It explores their relationship over the years, focusing on the ache of separation, the passage of time, and the fading of first love.
Similarities to Voices of a Distant Star: Both are directed by Makoto Shinkai and share his signature themes of distance, separation, and the bittersweet nature of love. The focus is on the emotional weight of being apart and the difficulty of maintaining a connection across vast distances. The tone is melancholic and deeply moving.
2. The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 7.6
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Notable Staff: Directed by Makoto Shinkai.
Plot Summary: In an alternate post-war Japan divided into two zones, three friends—Hiroki, Takuya, and Sayuri—make a promise to fly to a mysterious tower. Years later, Sayuri has fallen into a coma, and the tower holds the key to waking her.
Similarities to Voices of a Distant Star: Both are directed by Makoto Shinkai and explore themes of separation, longing, and the power of promises across time and distance. The focus is on the emotional bonds between characters and the ache of being apart. The tone is melancholic and deeply atmospheric.
3. The Garden of Words (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 7.9
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Notable Staff: Directed by Makoto Shinkai.
Plot Summary: Takao Akizuki, a 15-year-old aspiring shoemaker, skips school on rainy days to sketch in a garden. He meets Yukari Yukino, a mysterious older woman, and they form a quiet bond.
Similarities to Voices of a Distant Star: Both are directed by Makoto Shinkai and share his focus on quiet, emotional moments of connection between two lonely individuals. The focus is on the healing power of connection and the difficulty of expressing one’s feelings. The tone is melancholic and deeply moving.
4. She and Her Cat: Everything Flows (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.6
- Episodes: 4
- Studio: Liden Films
- Notable Staff: Based on the original short by Makoto Shinkai.
Plot Summary: The story is told from the perspective of a cat named Daru, who lives with a young woman struggling with loneliness and the challenges of adulthood. The series follows their quiet, everyday life together.
Similarities to Voices of a Distant Star: Both are based on works by Makoto Shinkai and share his focus on loneliness, connection, and the quiet beauty of everyday moments. The focus is on the emotional lives of the characters and the comfort of companionship. The tone is warm, melancholic, and deeply moving.
5. Your Name (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 8.9
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Notable Staff: Directed by Makoto Shinkai.
Plot Summary: Taki and Mitsuha, two strangers who have never met, begin to swap bodies. They must navigate the complexities of their connection and uncover the truth behind their mysterious link.
Similarities to Voices of a Distant Star: Both are directed by Makoto Shinkai and explore themes of connection, distance, and the power of love to transcend time and space. The focus is on the emotional bonds between the characters and the ache of separation. The tone is a blend of melancholy and hope.
6. Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu (2005)
- Streaming Availability: Not currently available on major platforms.
- Rating: MAL: 7.1
- Episodes: 6 (OVA)
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Notable Staff: Based on the light novel by Mizuhito Akiyama.
Plot Summary: Naoyuki Asaba, a high school student, meets Kana Iriya, a mysterious girl who is secretly a fighter pilot in a war against aliens. Their relationship develops against the backdrop of her secret missions.
Similarities to Voices of a Distant Star: Both are about a young couple separated by an interstellar war, where the girl is the one fighting on the front lines. The focus is on the ache of separation and the power of simple messages to bridge vast distances. The tone is melancholic and deeply moving.
7. Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 7.7
- Episodes: 5 (ONA)
- Studio: David Production
- Notable Staff: Based on the visual novel by Key.
Plot Summary: In a post-apocalyptic world, a lone scavenger stumbles upon a functioning planetarium. Inside, he meets Yumemi, a cheerful robot who has been waiting for customers for thirty years.
Similarities to Voices of a Distant Star: Both are short, emotionally devastating stories about a connection formed in the midst of a larger tragedy. The focus is on the relationship between two lonely individuals and the search for beauty and hope in a broken world. The tone is melancholic and deeply moving.
8. Voices of a Distant Star (2002)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.6
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Notable Staff: Created, directed, and animated almost entirely by Makoto Shinkai.
Plot Summary: Mikako Nagamine is chosen to be a mecha pilot in a war against an alien race, while her friend Noboru remains on Earth. As she travels further into space, their messages take longer to reach each other.
Similarities to Voices of a Distant Star: This is the subject of comparison itself. The film is a landmark of independent animation and a testament to the power of a single, emotionally resonant story. It is underrated because it is often overshadowed by Shinkai’s later, more polished works, but it remains a masterpiece of emotional storytelling.
9. The Anthem of the Heart (2015)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.7
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Notable Staff: Written by Mari Okada.
Plot Summary: Jun Naruse, a girl who was cursed by a fairy to never speak, is forced to participate in a musical. Through the experience, she learns to express her feelings and confront her past.
Similarities to Voices of a Distant Star: Both are about the power of words and the difficulty of expressing one’s feelings. The focus is on the emotional journey of the protagonist and the healing power of connection. The tone is melancholic but ultimately hopeful.
10. A Silent Voice (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Netflix
- Rating: MAL: 8.9
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Yoshitoki Oima.
Plot Summary: Shoya Ishida, a young man haunted by his past as a bully, seeks redemption by reconnecting with Shoko Nishimiya, the deaf girl he tormented. Their journey is one of forgiveness and self-acceptance.
Similarities to Voices of a Distant Star: Both are about the power of communication and the difficulty of expressing one’s feelings. The focus is on the emotional journey of the characters and the healing power of connection. The tone is quiet, introspective, and deeply moving.
11. Time of Eve (2008)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.9
- Episodes: 6 (ONA)
- Studio: Studio Rikka
- Notable Staff: Directed by Yasuhiro Yoshiura.
Plot Summary: In a future where androids are commonplace, Rikuo Sakisaka discovers that his family’s android has been visiting a mysterious café where humans and androids are treated as equals.
Similarities to Voices of a Distant Star: Both are thoughtful, introspective sci-fi stories that explore the nature of connection and what it means to be human. The focus is on the quiet, emotional moments and the philosophical questions about empathy and understanding.
12. Kino’s Journey (2003)
- Streaming Availability: Amazon Prime Video, HiDive
- Rating: MAL: 8.3
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: A.C.G.T.
- Notable Staff: Based on the light novel series by Keiichi Sigsawa.
Plot Summary: Kino, a young traveler, journeys with a talking motorcycle through a variety of strange and unique countries. Kino’s rule is to stay in each country for only three days.
Similarities to Voices of a Distant Star: Both are philosophical journeys that explore the complexities of human nature and the search for meaning. The tone is quiet, observational, and often melancholic. The focus is on understanding rather than judging.
13. Mushishi (2005)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Rating: MAL: 8.7
- Episodes: 26 (Season 1)
- Studio: Artland
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Yuki Urushibara.
Plot Summary: Ginko, a “Mushi-shi,” travels the countryside investigating “Mushi”—primordial, ethereal lifeforms that exist alongside humanity.
Similarities to Voices of a Distant Star: Both are atmospheric, contemplative series that explore the unseen forces that shape human lives. The focus is on understanding rather than fighting, and the tone is quiet, meditative, and deeply philosophical.
14. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 8.2
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: Madhouse
- Notable Staff: Directed by Mamoru Hosoda.
Plot Summary: Makoto Konno discovers she has the ability to leap through time. She uses this power to fix small problems, but learns that her actions have unintended consequences.
Similarities to Voices of a Distant Star: Both are about the consequences of choices and the importance of cherishing the present moment. The focus is on the emotional weight of decisions and the fleeting nature of happiness. The tone is melancholic and deeply moving.
15. Wolf Children (2012)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 8.6
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: Studio Chizu
- Notable Staff: Directed by Mamoru Hosoda.
Plot Summary: Hana falls in love with a wolf man and has two children who inherit his ability to transform into wolves. After his death, she must raise them alone.
Similarities to Voices of a Distant Star: Both are about the bonds of love and the sacrifices required to maintain them across time and distance. The focus is on the emotional weight of separation and the enduring power of love. The film is a masterpiece of emotional storytelling.
Why These Anime Work for Voices of a Distant Star Fans
Fans of Voices of a Distant Star are drawn to stories that are emotionally devastating, atmospherically rich, and deeply invested in the power of connection. They appreciate a narrative that explores the ache of separation and the bittersweet nature of time and memory, and they are not looking for simple action or escapism, but for stories that make them feel the weight of a single moment.
The anime listed above all share this fundamental DNA:
- The Ache of Separation: Whether it is the light-years between Mikako and Noboru, the distance between Takaki and Akari, or the years between promises, these series understand that the most painful experiences are often the quietest ones. The focus is on the emotional toll of being apart.
- The Power of Connection: These series celebrate the power of love, friendship, and communication to bridge even the vastest distances. The focus is on the bonds that endure despite the odds.
- Subversion of the Sci-Fi Genre: These series reject the typical action-packed sci-fi formula, instead focusing on quiet, introspective stories that explore deep emotional and philosophical themes. They understand that the most compelling stories are those that touch the heart.
These 15 anime, like Voices of a Distant Star, are not afraid to be emotional. They are underrated gems that offer a deeply moving, thought-provoking, and beautifully crafted experience for viewers who are willing to open their hearts to the ache of separation and the enduring power of love.
