Sola is a melancholic, atmospheric supernatural drama that explores themes of loneliness, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love. The story follows Yorito Morimiya, a young man who loves to photograph the sky. He meets Aono, a mysterious girl who is connected to a supernatural secret involving the night sky and a creature known as a “Yaka”—a being who cannot survive in sunlight. Their meeting sets off a chain of events that reveals hidden truths about their pasts and the tragic nature of Aono’s existence.
The series is defined by its core themes: a power system rooted in the supernatural and the tragic consequences of immortality, where the ability to live forever is a curse rather than a gift. The protagonists are profound underdogs—individuals who are trapped by their circumstances and must find meaning in a world that is often cruel and unforgiving. Sola masterfully subverts expectations by presenting what appears to be a simple romance and gradually revealing a deeper, more emotionally devastating narrative about sacrifice, identity, and the true cost of love. It is a series that understands the weight of a secret.
For fans of Sola, finding similar anime can be a challenge. The series occupies a unique space—part supernatural drama, part tragic romance, part meditation on the nature of existence. Yet, many underrated series share its core DNA: a focus on a male protagonist who encounters a mysterious girl with a hidden burden, an exploration of supernatural elements tied to emotional states, and a willingness to deliver deeply emotional, often heartbreaking narratives. 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 Sola.
1. Air (2005)
- Streaming Availability: Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 7.3
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
- Notable Staff: Based on the visual novel by Key.
Plot Summary: Yukito Kunisaki, a traveling performer, arrives in a quiet seaside town searching for the “girl in the sky.” He meets Misuzu Kamio, a lonely and eccentric girl with a mysterious illness.
Similarities to Sola: Both are Key visual novel adaptations that share a deep focus on memory, loss, and the bittersweet nature of destiny. The relationship between the leads is built on a shared sense of isolation and a search for connection. The focus on finding beauty and hope in the face of despair is a direct thematic parallel.
2. Kanon (2006)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 7.9
- Episodes: 24
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
- Notable Staff: Based on the visual novel by Key.
Plot Summary: Yuuichi Aizawa returns to a town he lived in seven years ago, but has lost all memories of his time there. He reconnects with several girls, each connected to his forgotten past.
Similarities to Sola: Both are visual novel adaptations that share a deep focus on memory, loss, and the enduring power of love. The structure of a male protagonist encountering a mysterious girl with a hidden burden is identical. The series is a masterclass in using a supernatural premise to explore themes of loss and healing.
3. True Tears (2008)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 7.5
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: P.A. Works
- Notable Staff: Directed by Junji Nishimura.
Plot Summary: Shinichiro Nakagami is a high school student who lives with his family and a girl named Hiromi, who was taken in after her parents died. He becomes entangled in a love triangle.
Similarities to Sola: Both are melancholic, atmospheric dramas set in a small town, with a focus on the complex emotions of young love and the pain of unspoken feelings. The protagonist is caught between his feelings and his obligations. The series explores themes of family, identity, and the difficulty of expressing one’s true emotions.
4. Myself; Yourself (2007)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.1
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: Dogakobo
- Notable Staff: Based on the visual novel by Regista.
Plot Summary: Sana Hidaka returns to his hometown after five years away and reconnects with his childhood friends. He discovers that each of them has changed and is dealing with personal traumas.
Similarities to Sola: Both are about a protagonist returning to a familiar place and reconnecting with people from his past. The focus is on the hidden traumas and emotional wounds that the characters carry. The series is a quiet, character-driven drama that explores themes of friendship, memory, and healing.
5. H2O: Footprints in the Sand (2008)
- Streaming Availability: Not currently available on major platforms.
- Rating: MAL: 6.9
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Zexcs
- Notable Staff: Based on the visual novel by Makura.
Plot Summary: Takuma Hirose, a blind boy, moves to a rural village and attends a new school. He meets several girls, each with their own secrets and struggles.
Similarities to Sola: Both are visual novel adaptations set in a small town, with a focus on a male protagonist who encounters multiple girls with hidden traumas. The supernatural elements are tied to the emotional states of the characters. The series explores themes of isolation, prejudice, and the search for acceptance.
6. Ef: A Tale of Memories (2007)
- Streaming Availability: HiDive
- Rating: MAL: 7.9
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Shaft
- Notable Staff: Based on the visual novel by minori.
Plot Summary: The story is told through two interconnected narratives, exploring the fragility of memory and the power of love. One arc follows a boy who meets a girl with a thirteen-hour memory.
Similarities to Sola: Both are visual novel adaptations that share a deep focus on memory, loss, and the search for connection. The Shaft animation style is unique and visually striking, adding to the dreamlike, melancholic atmosphere. The themes of loneliness and the struggle to hold onto precious moments are a direct parallel.
7. Kimi ga Nozomu Eien (2003)
- Streaming Availability: Not currently available on major platforms.
- Rating: MAL: 7.4
- Episodes: 14
- Studio: Studio Fantasia
- Notable Staff: Based on the visual novel by âge.
Plot Summary: Takayuki Narumi’s life is shattered when his girlfriend Haruka falls into a coma. Years later, he has built a new life with her best friend Mitsuki, but his world is thrown into chaos when Haruka wakes up.
Similarities to Sola: Both are emotionally devastating dramas about the weight of guilt, obligation, and the consequences of difficult choices. The focus is on the emotional fallout of tragedy and the struggle to move on. The tone is raw, unflinching, and deeply human.
8. White Album 2 (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.8
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: Satelight
- Notable Staff: Based on the visual novel by Leaf.
Plot Summary: Haruki Kitahara forms a band with two girls—Setsuna Ogiso and Kazusa Touma—for the school festival. Their shared experience creates a deep bond, but romantic feelings lead to a heartbreaking love triangle.
Similarities to Sola: Both are visual novel adaptations that explore the devastating consequences of a love triangle and the emotional weight of difficult choices. The focus is on the guilt, betrayal, and heartbreak that result. The series is a raw, unflinching portrayal of love and pain.
9. Golden Time (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, HiDive
- Rating: MAL: 7.7
- Episodes: 24
- Studio: J.C. Staff
- Notable Staff: Based on the light novel series by Yuyuko Takemiya.
Plot Summary: Banri Tada, a college student, has lost all memories of his past due to an accident. He meets and falls in love with Kouko Kaga, but his forgotten past begins to resurface.
Similarities to Sola: Both explore the impact of memory loss on identity and relationships. The focus is on the emotional consequences of a tragic accident and the difficulty of rebuilding a life. The series is a mature, nuanced exploration of identity and love.
10. A Lull in the Sea (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 8.0
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: P.A. Works
- Notable Staff: Directed by Toshiya Shinohara, written by Mari Okada.
Plot Summary: Four childhood friends from a school under the sea are forced to attend a school on the surface. A catastrophic event separates the group.
Similarities to Sola: Both are ensemble dramas that focus on the complex web of relationships within a group of friends. The supernatural elements serve as catalysts for emotional revelation and character growth. The series is a masterclass in exploring unrequited love and the pain of change.
11. Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora (2006)
- Streaming Availability: Not currently available on major platforms.
- Rating: MAL: 7.4
- Episodes: 6
- Studio: Group TAC
- Notable Staff: Based on the light novel series by Tsumugu Hashimoto.
Plot Summary: Yuuichi Ezaki, a young man hospitalized with a serious illness, meets Rika Akiba, a girl with a terminal heart condition. Their relationship develops in the hospital.
Similarities to Sola: Both are about characters who are confronting the reality of loss and the importance of cherishing every moment. The focus is on the emotional weight of mortality and the search for meaning in the face of tragedy. The tone is quiet, melancholic, and deeply moving.
12. 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.
Similarities to Sola: Both are visually stunning works that use their artistic style to create a dreamlike, emotionally resonant atmosphere. The focus is on the quiet, intimate moments between two lonely individuals and the healing power of connection. The themes of isolation and longing are a direct parallel.
13. 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, three friends make a promise to fly to a mysterious tower. Years later, one of them has fallen into a coma.
Similarities to Sola: 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.
14. 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 the fading of first love.
Similarities to Sola: Both are directed by Makoto Shinkai and share a focus on the ache of separation, the passage of time, and the bittersweet nature of love. The focus is on the emotional weight of being apart. The tone is melancholic and deeply moving.
15. Voices of a Distant Star (2002)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.6
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Notable Staff: Created 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. Their messages take longer to reach each other.
Similarities to Sola: Both are directed by Makoto Shinkai and explore the ache of separation and the power of love to transcend vast distances. The focus is on the emotional weight of being apart. The tone is melancholic and deeply moving.
Why These Anime Work for Sola Fans
Fans of Sola are drawn to stories that are melancholic, atmospheric, and deeply emotional. They appreciate a narrative that explores the tragic consequences of supernatural elements, and they are invested in characters who are searching for connection and meaning in a world that is often cruel. 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 Tragic Burden: Whether it is Aono’s inability to survive in sunlight, Misuzu’s mysterious illness, or the memory loss of Golden Time, these series understand that the most compelling characters are those who carry a tragic burden. Their struggle is to find meaning and connection despite their circumstances.
- The Power of Connection: These series celebrate the healing power of love and connection, even in the face of overwhelming tragedy. The focus is on the bonds that endure despite the odds.
- Subversion of the Romance Genre: These series reject the typical romantic happy ending, instead delivering a more realistic, nuanced portrayal of love and loss. They understand that the most compelling stories are those that touch the heart.
These 15 anime, like Sola, are not afraid to be melancholic. 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 beauty and tragedy of love.
