Days with My Stepsister (2024) masterfully explores the quiet complexities of blended families through the evolving relationship between step-siblings Yuuta and Saki.
For fans drawn to its grounded character dynamics, slow-burn emotional growth, and nuanced exploration of familial bonds, these 15 underrated series deliver similar themes of love, identity, and societal expectations—often with unconventional storytelling.
1. My Stepmom’s Daughter Is My Ex (2022)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Ex-lovers Mizuto and Yume become step-siblings after their parents marry, forcing them to navigate unresolved feelings while maintaining a façade of indifference.
- Similarities: Focuses on repressed emotions and the tension between past romance and new familial roles, mirroring Days’ restrained tone.
- Stats: 12 episodes | MAL: 6.4 | Studio: Project No.9 (Higehiro)
2. Koi Kaze (2004)
- Streaming: RetroCrush
- Plot: A 27-year-old man grapples with forbidden feelings for his teenage sister, whom he meets after years of separation.
- Similarities: Tackles taboo relationships with psychological depth, prioritizing emotional realism over sensationalism.
- Stats: 13 episodes | MAL: 7.2 | Director: Takahiro Omori (Natsume’s Book of Friends)
- Awards: Critically acclaimed for mature storytelling.
3. Brothers Conflict (2013)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Ema gains 13 stepbrothers after her father’s remarriage, sparking rivalry and romantic tension in their shared home.
- Similarities: Blends family adjustment with reverse-harem dynamics, emphasizing interpersonal conflicts.
- Stats: 12 episodes | MAL: 6.4 | Studio: Brain’s Base (Durarara!!)
4. Citrus (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Rebellious Yuzu clashes with her cold step-sister Mei, leading to a turbulent romance that defies societal norms.
- Similarities: Explores power imbalances and repressed desires within a blended family.
- Stats: 12 episodes | MAL: 6.6 | Studio: Passione (Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers)
5. A Sister’s All You Need (2017)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Plot: A light novelist obsessed with sibling stories navigates chaotic relationships, including his bond with his step-sister.
- Similarities: Balances humor with introspective moments about familial love and dependency.
- Stats: 12 episodes | MAL: 6.9 | Studio: Silver Link (Bofuri)
6. Domestic Girlfriend (2019)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Natsuo’s life implodes when his crush Hina and one-night stand Rui become his step-sisters.
- Similarities: High-stakes melodrama dissecting forbidden attraction and fractured family ties.
- Stats: 12 episodes | MAL: 7.0 | Studio: Diomedéa (Cautious Hero)
7. Recently, My Sister Is Unusual (2014)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Plot: A ghost possessing Mitsuki forces her to act romantically toward her stepbrother to reach the afterlife.
- Similarities: Mixes supernatural comedy with genuine moments of emotional vulnerability.
- Stats: 12 episodes | MAL: 6.3 | Studio: Project No.9
8. Honey and Clover (2005)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Art students navigate unrequited loves, including a complex bond between a protege and her mentor’s daughter.
- Similarities: Poignant exploration of longing and self-discovery, akin to Days’ reflective tone.
- Stats: 24 episodes | MAL: 8.1 | Studio: J.C.Staff (Toradora!)
9. Kuzu no Honkai (2017)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Plot: Teens entangled in loveless relationships confront their true desires, including a step-sibling dynamic.
- Similarities: Raw, psychological take on messy emotions and societal taboos.
- Stats: 12 episodes | MAL: 7.1 | Studio: Lerche (Assassination Classroom)
10. Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea (2013)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Sea-dwelling teens adapt to life on land, facing cultural clashes and forbidden romances.
- Similarities: Metaphorical exploration of belonging and shifting relationships within a community.
- Stats: 26 episodes | MAL: 8.0 | Studio: P.A. Works (Shiroi Suna no Aquatope)
11. Twin Star Exorcists (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Two exorcists bound by destiny confront supernatural threats while navigating their forced partnership.
- Similarities: Slow-burn romance amid familial expectations, with a focus on mutual growth.
- Stats: 50 episodes | MAL: 7.1 | Studio: Studio Pierrot (Naruto)
12. Kimi ni Todoke (2009)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Plot: A socially isolated girl and popular boy gradually break down emotional barriers through friendship.
- Similarities: Gentle pacing and emphasis on authentic emotional milestones.
- Stats: 38 episodes | MAL: 8.3 | Studio: Production I.G (Haikyuu!!)
13. White Album 2 (2013)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Plot: A love triangle forms between two musicians and a quiet classmate, unraveling loyalties and secrets.
- Similarities: Mature drama about love, betrayal, and the cost of unspoken feelings.
- Stats: 13 episodes | MAL: 7.5 | Studio: Satelight (Log Horizon)
14. Love and Lies (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: In a dystopian Japan, Yukari struggles between a government-assigned fiancée and his true love.
- Similarities: Examines societal pressures on relationships, paralleling Days’ theme of constrained emotions.
- Stats: 12 episodes | MAL: 6.8 | Studio: Liden Films (Tokyo Revengers)
15. Sing “Yesterday” for Me (2020)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A listless graduate navigates unresolved feelings for his past crush and a younger coworker.
- Similarities: Quiet, introspective storytelling about missed connections and emotional maturity.
- Stats: 18 episodes | MAL: 7.2 | Studio: Doga Kobo (Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun)
Why These Anime Work for Days with My Stepsister Fans
These series resonate with Days’ core strengths: authentic emotional arcs (Koi Kaze, Sing “Yesterday” for Me), blended-family tensions (Brothers Conflict, Citrus), and subdued storytelling (Honey and Clover, Nagi-Asu).
By prioritizing character depth over melodrama, they offer thoughtful alternatives to mainstream romances—perfect for viewers craving substance in overlooked gems.
