While Monsters vs. Aliens isn’t an anime, its themes of coexistence, underdog struggles, and genre-blending narratives resonate with several underrated anime. Below are 15 hidden gems that explore similar ideas of alien/monster dynamics, subverted expectations, and unconventional storytelling.
1. NieA_7 (2000)
Streaming: HiDive
Episodes: 13 | MAL: 6.98
Plot: A broke college student tolerates a freeloading alien in her closet while navigating a world where extraterrestrians integrate into society.
Similarities: Blends slice-of-life humor with subtle social commentary on coexistence, mirroring Monsters vs. Aliens’ lighthearted yet introspective tone.
Notable Staff: Directed by Takuya Sato (Serial Experiments Lain), with character designs by Yoshitoshi ABe.
2. Blue Gender (1999–2000)
Streaming: Funimation
Episodes: 26 | MAL: 7.01
Plot: Humanity battles insectoid aliens (Blue) in a post-apocalyptic Earth, focusing on a cryogenically frozen man and a soldier’s survival journey.
Similarities: High-stakes monster battles and themes of human resilience, akin to Monsters vs. Aliens’ action-driven conflict.
Studio: AIC (Elfen Lied).
3. Parasyte: The Maxim (2014–2015)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
Episodes: 24 | MAL: 8.37
Plot: A teen coexists with a parasitic alien in his hand while fighting other parasites consuming humanity.
Similarities: Explores body horror and uneasy symbiosis, paralleling Monsters vs. Aliens’ humor-laced tension between species.
Awards: Nominated for Best Anime at 2016 Tokyo Anime Awards.
4. Boogiepop Phantom (2000)
Streaming: HiDive
Episodes: 12 | MAL: 7.15
Plot: A supernatural entity investigates mysterious disappearances linked to an alien-like phenomenon in a fractured narrative.
Similarities: Subverts horror tropes through nonlinear storytelling, echoing Monsters vs. Aliens’ genre-blending approach.
Studio: Madhouse (Perfect Blue).
5. Kekkai Sensen (2015)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 12 | MAL: 7.85
Plot: In a dystopian New York, humans and supernatural beings clash in episodic urban adventures.
Similarities: Balances chaotic monster battles with quirky character dynamics, reminiscent of Monsters vs. Aliens’ ensemble-driven comedy.
Studio: Bones (My Hero Academia).
6. Akame ga Kill! (2014)
Streaming: Hulu
Episodes: 24 | MAL: 7.47
Plot: A rebel group fights a corrupt empire using monster-like weapons, facing moral ambiguity and brutal twists.
Similarities: Subverts shōnen tropes with unpredictable stakes, aligning with Monsters vs. Aliens’ thematic focus on underdog defiance.
Studio: White Fox (Re:Zero).
7. Scrapped Princess (2003)
Streaming: No official streaming | MAL: 7.36
Episodes: 24
Plot: A prophesied “poison” to the world flees with siblings, uncovering a sci-fi twist beneath a medieval facade.
Similarities: Merges fantasy and sci-fi seamlessly, much like Monsters vs. Aliens’ genre hybridity.
Studio: Bones (Fullmetal Alchemist).
8. Dog Days (2011)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 39 | MAL: 7.20
Plot: A boy summoned to a war-torn world resolves conflicts through non-lethal, sport-like battles between humans and beast-people.
Similarities: Lighthearted take on interspecies rivalry, reflecting Monsters vs. Aliens’ comedic approach to conflict.
Studio: Seven Arcs (Symphogear).
9. Humanoid Monster Bem (2019)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 12 | MAL: 6.20
Plot: Three monster-human hybrids protect humanity from supernatural threats while seeking acceptance.
Similarities: Focuses on outcast protagonists defending those who fear them, mirroring Monsters vs. Aliens’ core theme.
Studio: LandQ Studios.
10. Space Dandy (2014)
Streaming: Hulu
Episodes: 26 | MAL: 7.85
Plot: A space explorer’s misadventures with alien companions blend existential satire with surreal humor.
Similarities: Episodic structure and absurdist tone align with Monsters vs. Aliens’ comedic sci-fi spirit.
Studio: Bones; Directed by Shinichirō Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop).
11. Gokudo (1999)
Streaming: No official streaming | MAL: 7.40
Episodes: 26
Plot: A greedy adventurer partners with a dragon-like creature to conquer a magical world.
Similarities: Odd-couple dynamic and fantasy-comedy fusion, akin to Monsters vs. Aliens’ buddy-driven humor.
Studio: Studio Deen (Konosuba).
12. Level E (2011)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 13 | MAL: 7.55
Plot: A mischievous alien prince wreaks havoc on Earth, testing human-alien relations.
Similarities: Comedy centered on alien antics, echoing Monsters vs. Aliens’ playful chaos.
Studio: Pierrot (Naruto); Based on a manga by Yoshihiro Togashi (Hunter x Hunter).
13. Deca-Dence (2020)
Streaming: Funimation
Episodes: 12 | MAL: 7.55
Plot: Humans in a dystopian fortress battle aliens, uncovering a meta-narrative about controlled realities.
Similarities: Twists expectations with layered worldbuilding, much like Monsters vs. Aliens’ subversive humor.
Studio: Nut (Vinland Saga).
14. Kemono Friends (2017)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 12 | MAL: 6.85
Plot: Animal-human hybrids explore a mysterious park, blending adventure with existential themes.
Similarities: Whimsical yet thoughtful exploration of coexistence, paralleling Monsters vs. Aliens’ family-friendly depth.
Studio: Yaoyorozu (Kemurikusa).
15. Shinreigari: Ghost Hound (2007)
Streaming: HiDive
Episodes: 22 | MAL: 7.30
Plot: Teens confront psychological trauma and supernatural entities in a rural town.
Similarities: Balances horror and introspection, akin to Monsters vs. Aliens’ tonal versatility.
Studio: Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell).
Why These Anime Work for Mentioned Anime Fans
These series prioritize character-driven stakes and genre innovation over formulaic tropes. From Parasyte’s body horror to NieA_7’s low-key satire, each title reimagines monster/alien narratives through unique animation styles (e.g., Deca-Dence’s 2D/3D hybrid) or narrative risks (e.g., Akame ga Kill!’s abrupt twists). Fans of Monsters vs. Aliens will appreciate their shared emphasis on unlikely alliances and subversive humor, proving that underrated anime often deliver the most inventive storytelling.
