15 Compelling Animes Like Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is a poignant anime about childhood friends brought back together by the ghost of their lost companion, Menma.

The series explores themes of grief, guilt, friendship, and the struggle to move on, all while subverting expectations with its supernatural twist and emotional storytelling.

Many anime share Anohana’s heartfelt approach to character development and the complexities of healing, yet remain hidden gems. Here are 15 underrated series that deserve more attention from fans of Anohana’s powerful narrative style.

1. Kokoro Connect (2012)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
• Episodes: 13 + 4 OVA
• MAL Rating: 7.79
• Studio: Silver Link
• Summary: Five high school friends begin swapping bodies and experiencing other supernatural phenomena, forcing them to confront buried secrets and emotional scars.
• Similarities: Focus on group dynamics, emotional trauma, and the supernatural as a catalyst for personal growth and reconciliation.

2. Orange (2016)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
• Episodes: 13
• MAL Rating: 7.63
• Studio: Telecom Animation Film
• Summary: Naho receives letters from her future self urging her to save a classmate from tragedy, leading her and her friends to face regret and change fate.
• Similarities: Regret, friendship, and the impact of past trauma on present relationships.

3. Tsuki ga Kirei (2017)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Episodes: 12
• MAL Rating: 8.18
• Studio: feel.
• Summary: Two middle schoolers navigate first love and personal insecurities, supported and challenged by their friends.
• Similarities: Realistic, understated drama and coming-of-age struggles, with a focus on emotional honesty.

4. Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea (2013)

• Streaming: HIDIVE, Crunchyroll
• Episodes: 26
• MAL Rating: 8.13
• Studio: P.A. Works
• Summary: Childhood friends from the sea and surface worlds face prejudice, change, and heartbreak as they grow up.
• Similarities: Childhood bonds, emotional turbulence, and the pain of growing apart and coming back together.

5. The Anthem of the Heart (2015)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
• Episodes: 1 (Movie)
• MAL Rating: 7.81
• Studio: A-1 Pictures
• Summary: After a childhood trauma, Jun loses her voice, but a school project helps her and her friends confront their pain and heal.
• Similarities: Trauma, redemption, and the power of friendship to overcome emotional barriers.

6. ReLIFE (2016)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Episodes: 13 + 4 OVA
• MAL Rating: 7.97
• Studio: TMS Entertainment
• Summary: A 27-year-old gets a chance to relive high school and fix his regrets, forming new friendships along the way.
• Similarities: Second chances, emotional baggage, and the importance of honest connections.

7. Just Because! (2017)

• Streaming: HIDIVE
• Episodes: 12
• MAL Rating: 7.25
• Studio: Pine Jam
• Summary: As graduation approaches, a small group of students reconnect and confront unresolved feelings from their past.
• Similarities: Nostalgia, bittersweet reunions, and understated emotional storytelling.

8. Colorful (2010)

• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
• Episodes: 1 (Movie)
• MAL Rating: 8.01
• Studio: Sunrise
• Awards: Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year
• Summary: A soul gets a second chance at life in the body of a troubled boy, learning about forgiveness and self-worth.
• Similarities: Redemption, confronting the past, and the journey toward emotional healing.

9. Waiting in the Summer (2012)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
• Episodes: 12
• MAL Rating: 7.55
• Studio: J.C.Staff
• Summary: A group of friends’ summer is changed forever by the arrival of a mysterious girl and the secrets they all keep.
• Similarities: Youthful bonds, hidden feelings, and the bittersweetness of fleeting moments.

10. Hanasaku Iroha (2011)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
• Episodes: 26
• MAL Rating: 8.01
• Studio: P.A. Works
• Summary: Ohana is sent to work at her grandmother’s inn, where she and her new friends learn about family, hardship, and growing up.
• Similarities: Coming-of-age, friendship, and overcoming emotional obstacles together.

11. Glasslip (2014)

• Streaming: HIDIVE
• Episodes: 13
• MAL Rating: 5.41
• Studio: P.A. Works
• Summary: A group of friends’ relationships are tested over a summer when one of them starts seeing glimpses of the future.
• Similarities: Supernatural elements, group dynamics, and emotional introspection.

12. Sora yori mo Tooi Basho (A Place Further Than the Universe) (2018)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Episodes: 13
• MAL Rating: 8.54
• Studio: Madhouse
• Awards: Crunchyroll Anime Awards, IGN Summer Movie Awards
• Summary: Four girls set out on an Antarctic adventure, each seeking closure and self-discovery.
• Similarities: Emotional journeys, friendship, and overcoming personal limitations.

13. Tari Tari (2012)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Episodes: 13
• MAL Rating: 7.29
• Studio: P.A. Works
• Summary: Five high schoolers form a choir club, confronting personal struggles and supporting each other through music.
• Similarities: Group healing, coming-of-age, and heartfelt drama.

14. Little Busters! (2012)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
• Episodes: 26 + sequel
• MAL Rating: 7.51
• Studio: J.C.Staff
• Summary: Riki and his friends form a baseball team, uncovering each other’s hidden pain and secrets.
• Similarities: Childhood bonds, facing trauma, and the strength of friendship.

15. Tsukigakirei (2017)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Episodes: 12
• MAL Rating: 8.18
• Studio: feel.
• Summary: Two shy students experience first love, navigating adolescence and emotional uncertainty with support from their friends.
• Similarities: Emotional realism, gentle pacing, and the importance of honest communication.

Why These Anime Work for Anohana Fans

These series echo Anohana’s emotional depth, focusing on the lingering effects of loss, the power of friendship, and the struggle for closure and self-acceptance.

Through nuanced character development, supernatural twists, and heartfelt storytelling, they offer the same cathartic experience and meaningful introspection that make Anohana unforgettable.

For anyone moved by Anohana’s themes, these underrated gems provide new stories that will resonate long after the credits roll.