Brave follows Merida, a headstrong Scottish princess challenging patriarchal traditions to carve her own destiny, blending themes of familial bonds, self-discovery, and defiance against societal norms.
These 15 underrated anime mirror its focus on resilience, intergenerational conflict, and redefining identity, offering nuanced narratives for fans seeking depth beyond mainstream titles.
1. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007)
Streaming: Amazon Prime | MAL Rating: 8.12
Episodes: 26 | Studio: Production I.G
Plot: A warrior protects a prince harboring a water spirit, balancing duty with maternal empathy.
Similarities: Explores guardianship and challenging rigid societal roles, akin to Merida’s defiance.
2. Symphogear (2012)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | MAL Rating: 7.04
Episodes: 65 | Studio: Satelight
Plot: Girls combat threats using song-powered armor, confronting personal trauma through teamwork.
Similarities: Blends rebellion against fate with found family dynamics.
3. Ghost Hound (2007)
Streaming: Funimation | MAL Rating: 7.39
Episodes: 22 | Studio: Production I.G
Plot: Teens confront repressed trauma by traversing a psychological realm tied to a town’s secrets.
Similarities: Metaphorical journey of self-discovery, paralleling Merida’s internal struggles.
4. Gunslinger Girl (2003)
Streaming: HiDive | MAL Rating: 7.38
Episodes: 13 | Studio: Madhouse
Plot: Orphaned girls become cyborg assassins, grappling with programmed duty vs. emotional agency.
Similarities: Examines autonomy in oppressive systems, mirroring Merida’s fight for self-determination.
5. The Eccentric Family (2013)
Streaming: HiDive | MAL Rating: 7.82
Episodes: 24 | Studio: P.A. Works
Plot: A tanuki family navigates grief and legacy in modern Kyoto.
Similarities: Balances whimsy with themes of familial legacy and identity.
6. Katanagatari (2010)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | MAL Rating: 8.30
Episodes: 12 | Studio: White Fox
Plot: A swordsman and strategist collect legendary blades through philosophical dialogue.
Similarities: Challenges traditional heroism, prioritizing intellect over brute force.
7. Erased (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll/Hulu | MAL Rating: 8.30
Episodes: 12 | Studio: A-1 Pictures
Plot: A man time-travels to prevent a murder, confronting guilt and societal neglect.
Similarities: Highlights individual agency in mending broken systems, akin to Merida’s resolve.
8. Senryu Girl (2019)
Streaming: HiDive | MAL Rating: 7.36
Episodes: 12 | Studio: Connect
Plot: A mute girl communicates through poetry, fostering bonds without words.
Similarities: Celebrates non-conventional communication, like Merida’s struggle to voice her desires.
9. A Sign of Affection (2024)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | MAL Rating: 8.21
Episodes: 12 | Studio: Ajia-do
Plot: A deaf student navigates love through sign language, emphasizing empathy.
Similarities: Challenges societal barriers to connection, resonating with Merida’s isolation.
10. Haibane Renmei (2002)
Streaming: Funimation | MAL Rating: 7.94
Episodes: 13 | Studio: Radix
Plot: Angel-like beings confront past sins in a walled town to earn redemption.
Similarities: Allegorical storytelling about self-forgiveness and breaking cycles of guilt.
11. Kyousougiga (2013)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | MAL Rating: 7.69
Episodes: 10 | Studio: Toei Animation
Plot: A surreal tale of family reunion in a chaotic, animated world.
Similarities: Whimsical yet poignant exploration of legacy and belonging.
12. Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | MAL Rating: 8.67
Episodes: 25 | Studio: Studio Deen
Plot: A released convict learns rakugo, grappling with artistic legacy and redemption.
Similarities: Themes of honoring tradition while forging new paths.
13. March Comes in Like a Lion (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | MAL Rating: 8.72
Episodes: 44 | Studio: Shaft
Plot: A shogi prodigy battles depression, finding warmth in a found family.
Similarities: Emotional resilience through community, akin to Merida’s familial reconciliation.
14. Wolf’s Rain (2003)
Streaming: Funimation | MAL Rating: 7.78
Episodes: 26 | Studio: Bones
Plot: Wolves seek paradise in a dying world, battling despair and betrayal.
Similarities: Perseverance against existential odds, mirroring Merida’s defiance.
15. The Vision of Escaflowne (1996)
Streaming: HiDive | MAL Rating: 7.84
Episodes: 26 | Studio: Sunrise
Plot: A girl is transported to a fantastical world, challenging destiny through mecha battles.
Similarities: Blends adventure with subverting gender roles in a feudal setting.
Why These Anime Work for Brave Fans
These series champion defiance against tradition, emotional authenticity, and intergenerational healing, much like Merida’s quest to rewrite her fate. From Moribito’s maternal resolve to Haibane Renmei’s allegorical redemption, each title reframes personal growth through adversity.
Their underrated status ensures fresh perspectives, free from mainstream tropes, ideal for viewers craving stories of courage and self-discovery.
