Guilty Crown follows Shu Ouma, a reluctant hero who gains the “Power of Kings” to extract weapons from souls, thrust into a rebellion against the authoritarian GHQ.
The series explores themes of power, identity, and the moral cost of using others for personal goals.
This list highlights 15 underrated anime that mirror its blend of dystopian rebellion, complex character arcs, and high-stakes action, offering fresh narratives for fans seeking similar depth.
1. Valvrave the Liberator (2013)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: Students pilot vampiric mechas to defend their space colony from galactic superpowers.
Similarities: Combines school-life drama with body horror and political subterfuge, echoing Guilty Crown’s tonal shifts.
MAL Rating: 7.03 | Episodes: 24 | Studio: Sunrise | Legacy: Polarizing narrative risks akin to Guilty Crown’s divisive finale.
2. Cross Ange (2014)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: A princess pilots mechas to battle dragons after being exiled for lacking magic in a prejudiced society.
Similarities: Strong female lead and unflinching critique of systemic discrimination.
MAL Rating: 7.03 | Episodes: 25 | Studio: Sunrise | Style: High-risk storytelling with feminist undertones.
3. The Third: The Girl with the Blue Eye (2006)
Streaming Availability: RetroCrush
Plot Summary: Honoka, a lone warrior, navigates a post-apocalyptic desert with her AI tank, confronting rogue AI and human greed.
Similarities: Focuses on isolation, AI companionship, and rediscovering humanity in a broken world.
MAL Rating: 7.26 | Episodes: 24 | Studio: Xebec | Tone: Slow-burn existential journey.
4. Heroic Age (2007)
Streaming Availability: Funimation
Plot Summary: Age, a human with cosmic powers, leads humanity’s survival against alien tribes in a mythological space opera.
Similarities: Underdog heroes and cosmic stakes, blending personal growth with epic battles.
MAL Rating: 7.44 | Episodes: 26 | Studio: Xebec | Inspiration: Greek mythology meets mecha.
5. Schwarzesmarken (2016)
Streaming Availability: HiDive
Plot Summary: East German pilots battle alien invaders while navigating Stasi conspiracies during the Cold War.
Similarities: Combines political intrigue, wartime trauma, and grounded mecha combat.
MAL Rating: 6.66 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: LIDENFILMS | Setting: Alternate-history 1980s.
6. Flag (2006)
Streaming Availability: DVD-only
Plot Summary: A photojournalist documents a UN team’s mission to retrieve a sacred flag using experimental mechas.
Similarities: Documentary-style storytelling and critique of war journalism.
MAL Rating: 7.05 | Episodes: 13 | Studio: Xebec | Format: Pioneering found-footage approach.
7. RahXephon (2002)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: Ayato Kamina pilots a divine mecha to combat alien Dolems while uncovering ties to a hidden civilization.
Similarities: Merges existential themes with operatic mecha battles and identity crises.
MAL Rating: 7.62 | Episodes: 26 | Studio: Bones | Awards: Tokyo Anime Award for Art Direction (2003).
8. Jormungand (2012)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: An arms dealer and her child bodyguard navigate global conflicts while questioning the morality of war.
Similarities: Explores gray morality and the psychological toll of warfare.
MAL Rating: 7.87 | Episodes: 24 | Studio: White Fox | Manga: By Black Lagoon’s Keitarō Takahashi.
9. Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse (2012)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: Pilots test experimental mechas against aliens in a war-torn alternate timeline.
Similarities: Military drama with focus on pilot partnerships and trauma.
MAL Rating: 7.06 | Episodes: 24 | Studio: ixtl/Satelight | Source: Based on a visual novel.
10. Argevollen (2014)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: A pilot defects to join rebels using an experimental mecha in a war-torn nation.
Similarities: Grounded military tactics and political intrigue over flashy battles.
MAL Rating: 6.34 | Episodes: 24 | Studio: Xebec | Style: Realistic mecha warfare.
11. Darker than Black (2007)
Streaming Availability: HiDive
Plot Summary: Contractors with supernatural abilities navigate moral ambiguity in dystopian Tokyo.
Similarities: Explores morally complex protagonists and secretive conflicts.
MAL Rating: 8.06 | Episodes: 25 | Studio: Bones | Tone: Noir-inspired psychological drama.
12. Ergo Proxy (2006)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: In a dystopian city, an inspector and android confront existential threats from sentient AI.
Similarities: Philosophical depth and critique of autonomy in a broken society.
MAL Rating: 7.86 | Episodes: 23 | Studio: Manglobe | Legacy: Cult classic for narrative complexity.
13. No. 6 (2011)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: A utopian city’s dark secrets unravel as two boys uncover systemic oppression.
Similarities: Rebellion against a dystopian regime and themes of societal control.
MAL Rating: 7.45 | Episodes: 11 | Studio: Bones | Focus: Class discrimination and forbidden bonds.
14. Clockwork Planet (2017)
Streaming Availability: HiDive
Plot Summary: A teen repairs a sentient automaton to prevent a cog-based world’s collapse.
Similarities: Government corruption, apocalyptic stakes, and a mysterious girl’s influence.
MAL Rating: 6.20 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: Xebec | Concept: Unique steampunk-meets-AI narrative.
15. Aquarion (2005)
Streaming Availability: Funimation
Plot Summary: Reincarnated pilots merge mechas to battle ancient beings, exploring love across lifetimes.
Similarities: Directed by Shoji Kawamori (Macross), blending romance with symbolic battles.
MAL Rating: 7.01 | Episodes: 26 | Studio: Satelight | Theme: Soulmates and destiny.
Why These Anime Work for Guilty Crown Fans
These series resonate through their exploration of rebellion, moral ambiguity, and the psychological toll of wielding power. Whether via Valvrave’s high-risk storytelling, Ergo Proxy’s existential depth, or Schwarzesmarken’s Cold War intrigue, each offers a unique lens on fighting oppressive systems.
Their underrated status often stems from niche themes or bold narrative choices, making them perfect for fans craving Guilty Crown’s blend of heart, mecha action, and societal critique. Dive into these hidden gems to discover worlds where defiance and humanity collide.
