Ant-Man blends underdog heroism, inventive power systems, and redemption arcs—themes mirrored in anime that prioritize character growth over conventional battles.
These 15 underrated series echo its spirit through unconventional protagonists, creative abilities, and subverted tropes, offering fresh narratives beyond mainstream hits.
1. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (2021)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 36+ (ongoing)
- Plot: A reclusive NEET reincarnates in a magical world, vowing to overcome his past failures by mastering sorcery and rebuilding his life.
- Similarities: Like Scott Lang’s journey from ex-con to hero, Rudeus transforms through humility and inventive magic (e.g., silent spellcasting), subverting isekai power fantasies with raw character development.
2. Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki (2021)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 24
- Plot: A top-ranked gamer, socially inept in real life, accepts a popular classmate’s challenge to “level up” his social skills using game strategies.
- Similarities: Mirrors Scott’s heist-planning ingenuity; both use unconventional skills (gaming logic/thievery) to tackle personal weaknesses, blending humor with earnest growth.
3. Welcome to the N.H.K. (2006)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HiDive
- Episodes: 24
- Plot: A reclusive dropout is coaxed out of isolation by a mysterious girl who helps him confront societal failures and conspiracy theories.
- Similarities: Tackles redemption like Hank Pym’s mentorship, using dark comedy to explore mental health—paralleling Ant-Man’s balance of levity and gravity.
4. Ascendance of a Bookworm (2019)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 36
- Plot: A book-obsessed woman reincarnates into a medieval world without books, using modern knowledge to invent printing while battling a magical illness.
- Similarities: Myne’s ingenuity with limited resources (e.g., handmade shampoo/paper) echoes Lang’s micro-tech creativity; both highlight resilience against systemic barriers.
5. Log Horizon (2013)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HiDive
- Episodes: 62
- Plot: Thousands of gamers trapped in an MMORPG build a functional society, leveraging game mechanics for politics and economics.
- Similarities: Strategic resourcefulness akin to Ant-Man’s heists; protagonist Shiroe’s non-combat leadership subverts power-fantasy tropes, focusing on societal rebuilding.
6. My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! (2020)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 24
- Plot: A girl reincarnates as an otome-game villainess and uses meta-knowledge to avoid doom by befriending rivals.
- Similarities: Comedic subversion of destiny, like Lang dodgin superhero clichés; both use cleverness over brute force to rewrite their narratives.
7. Yona of the Dawn (2014)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Episodes: 24
- Plot: A sheltered princess flees after her father’s murder, gathering dragon-warrior guardians to reclaim her kingdom.
- Similarities: Yona’s growth from helpless to leader mirrors Lang’s arc; both rely on teamwork and tactical ingenuity against overwhelming foes.
8. Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai (2020)
- Streaming: Netflix, Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 100
- Plot: A boy raised by monsters trains to become a hero when the Demon King resurges, mastering unique dragon-themed powers.
- Similarities: Dai’s underdog status and inventive combat (e.g., combining spells/weapons) reflect Lang’s suit versatility; both emphasize earned heroism.
9. Hunter x Hunter (2011)
- Streaming: Netflix, Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 148
- Plot: A boy pursues his absentee father’s legacy by becoming a Hunter, mastering Nen (life-energy manipulation) alongside allies.
- Similarities: Complex power systems (Nen ≈ Pym Particles) with rules-based creativity; Gon’s optimism and grit align with Lang’s relatable heroism.
10. Amagami SS (2010)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Episodes: 25
- Plot: A heartbroken high-schooler navigates parallel romantic routes, rebuilding trust through multiple timelines16.
- Similarities: Focus on second chances and self-improvement, akin to Lang’s redemption as a father; both blend earnestness with structural experimentation.
11. The Twelve Kingdoms (2002)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Episodes: 45
- Plot: A bullied girl is transported to a mythical empire, evolving from victim to queen through political intrigue and self-discovery.
- Similarities: Youko’s transformation from powerless to leader mirrors Scott’s arc; both use wit over strength, emphasizing governance as heroic responsibility.
12. Planetes (2003)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 26
- Plot: Space debris collectors pursue dreams beyond their “trash job,” confronting corporate greed and cosmic-scale ethics.
- Similarities: Underdog crew’s impact echoes Lang’s small-scale heroism; both find grandeur in mundane roles, championing teamwork against systemic apathy.
13. Tiger & Bunny (2011)
- Streaming: Netflix, Hulu
- Episodes: 25
- Plot: Veteran hero Kotetsu mentors Barnaby in a corporatized superhero league, balancing sponsorship demands with justice17.
- Similarities: Corporate-satire meets superheroics, like Pym Tech’s conflicts; Kotetsu’s aging-hero vulnerability parallels Hank Pym’s legacy struggles.
14. Silver Spoon (2013)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 22
- Plot: A city teen enrolls in agricultural school, reevaluating ambition through manual labor and animal husbandry.
- Similarities: Grounded reinvention akin to Lang’s post-prison journey; both use humility and hands-on learning to rebuild identity.
15. Space Brothers (2012)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 99
- Plot: Two brothers pursue astronaut careers, overcoming failures with persistence and unconventional problem-solving.
- Similarities: Mutts’ comedic resilience and DIY ethos reflect Lang’s heist-style ingenuity; both celebrate “ordinary” perseverance as heroic.
Why These Anime Work for Ant-Man Fans
These series resonate by centering underestimated protagonists who triumph through ingenuity, not raw power. Like Lang’s shrinking tech, their abilities—Nen, magic crafting, social strategy—redefine strength via creativity. They also share Ant-Man’s thematic core: redemption (Mushoku Tensei), legacy (Tiger & Bunny), and subverting expectations (Villainess). By spotlighting character-driven stakes over apocalyptic battles, they offer nuanced alternatives to mainstream hero narratives.
