Orange is a poignant tale of friendship, regret, and second chances, following Naho Takamiya as she uses letters from her future self to prevent a classmate’s suicide.
The series masterfully blends emotional depth with themes of guilt, healing, and the ripple effects of choices.
For fans drawn to its heartfelt storytelling, these 15 underrated anime offer similar explorations of trauma, redemption, and the power of human connection.
1. Kokoro Connect (2012)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
- Episodes: 17
- MAL Rating: 7.79
- Studio: Silver Link
- Summary: A supernatural force forces high school friends to swap bodies and confront hidden insecurities, testing their bonds.
- Similarities: Focus on friendship dynamics, psychological exploration, and overcoming emotional barriers.
2. ef: A Tale of Memories (2007)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 7.98
- Studio: Shaft
- Summary: Intertwined love stories explore memory loss and longing, told through nonlinear, artistic storytelling.
- Similarities: Themes of impermanence, emotional weight, and experimental narrative structure.
3. Plastic Memories (2015)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Rating: 7.92
- Studio: Doga Kobo
- Summary: Tsukasa bonds with an android nearing her lifespan limit, confronting love and loss in a bittersweet journey.
- Similarities: Emphasis on cherishing fleeting moments and coping with inevitable separation.
4. Just Because! (2017)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 7.25
- Studio: Pine Jam
- Summary: Seniors facing graduation reconnect, confronting unresolved feelings and uncertain futures.
- Similarities: Realistic portrayal of adolescence, regret, and quiet emotional growth.
5. Tsuki ga Kirei (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 8.18
- Studio: feel.
- Summary: Two introverted teens navigate first love, capturing the awkwardness and beauty of young romance.
- Similarities: Authentic character development and understated storytelling about vulnerability.
6. Scum’s Wish (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 7.47
- Studio: Lerche
- Summary: Teens entangled in a web of unrequited love and toxic relationships seek validation.
- Similarities: Raw exploration of emotional pain and flawed humanity.
7. The Anthem of the Heart (2015)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 1 (Movie)
- MAL Rating: 7.81
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Awards: Japan Academy Prize nominee
- Summary: A traumatized girl rediscovers her voice through a school musical, confronting past guilt.
- Similarities: Healing through empathy and creative expression.
8. ReLIFE (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 13 + 4 OVAs
- MAL Rating: 7.97
- Studio: TMS Entertainment
- Summary: A 27-year-old relives high school to fix his regrets, forming bonds that challenge his cynicism.
- Similarities: Second chances, redemption, and the impact of small acts of kindness.
9. Colorful (2010)
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
- Episodes: 1 (Movie)
- MAL Rating: 7.75
- Studio: Sunrise
- Awards: Japan Academy Prize for Animation
- Summary: A soul reincarnates into a suicidal boy’s body, learning to value life through his fractured family.
- Similarities: Themes of self-forgiveness and finding beauty in imperfection.
10. Hanasaku Iroha (2011)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 8.01
- Studio: P.A. Works
- Summary: A city girl moves to her grandmother’s rural inn, navigating family strife and self-discovery.
- Similarities: Growth through adversity and intergenerational healing.
11. White Album 2 (2013)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Rating: 7.64
- Studio: Satelight
- Summary: A love triangle forms through a music club, unraveling guilt and unspoken emotions.
- Similarities: Bittersweet romance and the consequences of unresolved feelings.
12. A Lull in the Sea (2013)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 8.13
- Studio: P.A. Works
- Summary: Sea-dwelling teens confront prejudice and love in a divided world, grappling with identity.
- Similarities: Coming-of-age struggles and the pain of societal divides.
13. 3-Gatsu no Lion (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix
- Episodes: 44 (2 seasons)
- MAL Rating: 8.39
- Studio: Shaft
- Awards: Tokyo Anime Award Winner
- Summary: A depressed shogi player finds solace in a kind family, healing through community.
- Similarities: Depression, found family, and gradual emotional recovery.
14. Nana (2006)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Episodes: 47
- MAL Rating: 8.50
- Studio: Madhouse
- Summary: Two women named Nana navigate love, ambition, and heartbreak in Tokyo’s music scene.
- Similarities: Complex relationships and the scars of past choices.
15. Your Lie in April (2014)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix
- Episodes: 22
- MAL Rating: 8.65
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Summary: A piano prodigy rediscovers music through a vibrant violinist, confronting grief and love.
- Similarities: Healing through art and the urgency of fleeting time.
Why These Anime Work for Orange Fans
These series mirror Orange’s focus on emotional authenticity, the weight of regret, and the redemptive power of connection.
Whether through time manipulation, raw character studies, or quiet moments of healing, each anime offers cathartic journeys that resonate with viewers who cherish stories where vulnerability and hope coexist.
For fans seeking underrated narratives about overcoming the past, these picks are essential.
