Inside Out explores the complexities of emotions through the journey of an 11-year-old girl navigating change, blending psychological depth with heartfelt storytelling.
These 15 underrated anime series mirror its themes of internal conflict, emotional growth, and innovative narrative techniques, offering fresh perspectives for fans seeking similar depth in lesser-known titles.
1. Symphogear (2012)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 65
Plot: A group of girls use powered armor to battle threats through song, balancing personal trauma with teamwork.
Similarities: Explores emotional bonds and resilience amid adversity, much like Riley’s reliance on her core memories.
2. Ghost Hound (2007)
Streaming: Funimation
Episodes: 22
Plot: Three boys confront psychological scars linked to a childhood trauma, venturing into a surreal subconscious realm.
Similarities: Delves into repressed memories and the impact of past events on identity, paralleling Inside Out’s focus on internal struggles.
3. Gunslinger Girl (2003)
Streaming: HiDive
Episodes: 13
Plot: Orphaned girls are cybernetically enhanced as assassins, grappling with morality and emotional conditioning.
Similarities: Examines the conflict between programmed duty and personal agency, mirroring Joy and Sadness’s tug-of-war1.
4. Flying Witch (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 12
Plot: A young witch moves to rural Japan, discovering magic in everyday life while navigating self-doubt.
Similarities: Subtle character growth and a focus on finding wonder in transition, akin to Riley’s adjustment to San Francisco.
5. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007)
Streaming: Amazon Prime
Episodes: 26
Plot: A warrior protects a prince harboring a water spirit, balancing duty with the boy’s emotional turmoil.
Similarities: Blends external conflict with internal growth, echoing Riley’s struggle to reconcile old and new selves.
6. Katanagatari (2010)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 12
Plot: A swordsman and strategist collect legendary blades, subverting traditional samurai tropes through dialogue-driven storytelling.
Similarities: Prioritizes emotional and intellectual battles over action, much like Inside Out’s cerebral approach.
7. Erased (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll/Hulu
Episodes: 12
Plot: A man time-travels to childhood to prevent a murder, confronting bullying and neglect.
Similarities: Addresses guilt and redemption, mirroring Shoya’s arc in A Silent Voice (a thematically similar work).
8. Senryu Girl (2019)
Streaming: HiDive
Episodes: 12
Plot: A mute girl communicates through poetry, bonding with a reformed delinquent.
Similarities: Focuses on non-verbal emotional expression, akin to Riley’s struggle to articulate her feelings.
9. A Sign of Affection (2024)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 12
Plot: A deaf college student navigates love and friendship through sign language.
Similarities: Highlights communication barriers and empathy, paralleling Inside Out’s emphasis on understanding emotion.
10. Welcome to the NHK (2006)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 24
Plot: A recluse confronts paranoia and social anxiety with help from a mysterious girl.
Similarities: Explores mental health through surreal metaphors, akin to personified emotions.
11. Serial Experiments Lain (1998)
Streaming: Funimation
Episodes: 13
Plot: A girl unravels her identity in a digitally fragmented reality.
Similarities: Abstract exploration of consciousness and memory, mirroring Inside Out’s psychological landscape.
12. AnoHana: The Flower We Saw That Day (2011)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 11
Plot: Friends reunite to lay a ghost’s spirit to rest, confronting grief and guilt.
Similarities: Balances supernatural elements with raw emotional healing, much like Riley’s acceptance of Sadness.
13. Haibane Renmei (2002)
Streaming: Funimation
Episodes: 13
Plot: Angel-like beings in a walled town confront past sins to earn their wings.
Similarities: Uses allegory to explore repentance and self-forgiveness, reflecting Inside Out’s symbolic storytelling.
14. Mushishi (2005)
Streaming: Hulu
Episodes: 46
Plot: A wanderer solves supernatural phenomena caused by primordial spirits.
Similarities: Episodic, contemplative tales about human nature, akin to Joy and Sadness’s episodic struggles.
15. One Outs (2008)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 25
Plot: A gambler joins a baseball team, using psychological tactics to outwit opponents.
Similarities: Focuses on strategic emotional control, mirroring the mind’s internal negotiations.
Why These Anime Work for Inside Out Fans
These series prioritize emotional authenticity and character-driven narratives, using inventive storytelling to externalize internal struggles.
From Ghost Hound’s trauma allegories to Senryu Girl’s poetic communication, each title reframes personal growth through unique lenses, much like Inside Out’s personified emotions.
Their underrated status ensures fresh perspectives, free from mainstream tropes, making them ideal for viewers craving depth and innovation.
