How to Become Ordinary (2024) follows Jōgorō Kobato and Yuki Osanai, two high school students who strive for normalcy while inadvertently solving mysteries.
The series thrives on low-stakes detective work, hidden identities, and the tension between ordinary life and extraordinary intellect.
These 15 underrated anime capture similar themes of quiet rebellion, understated character growth, and everyday enigmas.
1. Odd Taxi (2021)
- Streaming: Anime Times Amazon Channel
- Episodes: 13 | MAL: 8.38
- Studio: OLM, P.I.C.S.
- Plot: A walrus taxi driver navigates Tokyo’s criminal underworld, uncovering connections between passengers and a missing girl.
- Similarities: It blends mundane interactions with layered mysteries, mirroring How to Become Ordinary’s focus on hidden connections[6][3].
2. Beautiful Bones -Sakurako’s Investigation- (2015)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12 | MAL: 7.20
- Studio: TROYCA
- Plot: Osteologist Sakurako solves crimes through bone analysis, revealing dark truths beneath ordinary surfaces.
- Similarities: Intellectual protagonists dissecting secrets, akin to Kobato’s deductive prowess.
3. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 13 | MAL: 8.08
- Studio: CloverWorks
- Plot: A boy encounters girls affected by supernatural “puberty syndrome,” blending sci-fi with emotional depth.
- Similarities: Balances everyday school life with existential puzzles, echoing How To Become Ordinary’s mix of normalcy and intrigue[3].
4. Hyouka (2012)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 22 | MAL: 7.94
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
- Plot: A lethargic student joins a classics club, solving trivial mysteries that unravel deeper truths.
- Similarities: Mundane investigations driving character bonds, much like Kobato and Osanai’s dynamic.
5. Sonny Boy (2021)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12 | MAL: 7.70
- Studio: Madhouse
- Plot: Students stranded in a void develop powers while grappling with identity and purpose.
- Similarities: Abstract storytelling and existential themes parallel How To Become Ordinary’s exploration of self.
6. Eden of the East (2009)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 11 | MAL: 7.80
- Studio: Production I.G
- Plot: An amnesiac and a college student untangle a conspiracy involving 10 billion yen.
- Similarities: Ordinary characters thrust into extraordinary plots, blending mystery with societal critique.
7. Mushi-Shi (2005)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 46 | MAL: 8.54
- Studio: Artland
- Plot: A wanderer studies supernatural “Mushi,” offering poetic resolutions to rural folklore.
- Similarities: Episodic, introspective storytelling with a focus on quiet revelations.
8. Daily Lives of High School Boys (2012)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12 | MAL: 8.02
- Studio: Sunrise
- Plot: Absurdist comedy following boys navigating school life’s trivialities.
- Similarities: Celebrates ordinary moments with sharp humor, akin to How To Become Ordinary’s charm.
9. Tanaka-kun is Always Listless (2016)
- Streaming: Not available
- Episodes: 12 | MAL: 7.60
- Studio: SILVER LINK.
- Plot: A lethargic teen strives for maximum laziness, thwarted by friends’ antics.
- Similarities: Subverts expectations of ambition, focusing on understated goals.
10. Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible (2023)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12 | MAL: 7.40
- Studio: Pine Jam
- Plot: An “invisible” boy’s life changes when a girl drags him into the spotlight.
- Similarities: Explores visibility and identity, mirroring Kobato’s quest for normalcy.
11. 3D Kanojo: Real Girl (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 24 | MAL: 6.80
- Studio: Hoods Entertainment
- Plot: An otaku navigates his first relationship, challenging his 2D ideals.
- Similarities: Clash between fantasy and reality, akin to How To Become Ordinary’s hidden personas.
12. O Maidens in Your Savage Season (2019)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Episodes: 12 | MAL: 7.50
- Studio: Lay-duce
- Plot: A literature club confronts teenage sexuality and societal expectations.
- Similarities: Raw exploration of hidden desires and self-discovery.
13. Gamers! (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12 | MAL: 7.00
- Studio: Pine Jam
- Plot: Misunderstandings spiral as gamers bond over niche hobbies.
- Similarities: Relies on comedic miscommunication and hobby-driven camaraderie.
14. The Dangers in My Heart (2023)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Episodes: 24 | MAL: 8.10
- Studio: Shin-Ei Animation
- Plot: A delinquent-posing teen hides his crush on a popular girl.
- Similarities: Secret crushes and tsundere dynamics, echoing Alya’s hidden emotions.
15. My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 (2023)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 13 | MAL: 7.90
- Studio: Madhouse
- Plot: A heartbroken girl bonds with a stoic gamer, blending online and real-world connections.
- Similarities: Balances virtual anonymity with IRL vulnerability.
Why These Anime Work for How To Become Ordinary Fans
These series resonate through shared elements:
- Hidden Depths: Protagonists mask true selves while unraveling everyday enigmas.
- Understated Growth: Character development blooms through quiet, relatable conflicts.
- Mundane Mysteries: Low-stakes puzzles reveal profound truths about identity and society.
- Niche Appeal: Lesser-known titles avoid clichés, offering fresh takes on slice-of-life storytelling.
From existential voids to high school comedies, these anime capture the beauty of ordinary life’s hidden complexities, perfect for fans of Kobato and Osanai’s quest for normalcy.
