15 Animes Similar to Arthur 1996 With Life Lessons

Arthur (1996) is a beloved animated series renowned for its relatable depiction of family dynamics, childhood challenges, and moral lessons, tackling themes like disabilities and friendship with warmth and humor. Over 25 seasons, it emphasized empathy, resilience, and everyday struggles through anthropomorphic characters in suburban settings.

This article highlights 15 underrated anime series that mirror Arthur’s core strengths: character-driven narratives, underdog triumphs, and nuanced explorations of personal growth. Focusing on lesser-known titles, these selections prioritize diverse animation styles and thematic depth over mainstream popularity.

1. Porphy no Nagai Tabi (2008)

• Streaming Availability: Not currently available on major platforms.
• Plot: After an earthquake orphans them, young Porphy and his sister Mina journey across Europe to find a new home, facing separation and adversity while clinging to hope.
• Similarities to Arthur: Centers on sibling bonds and resilience amid hardship, echoing Arthur’s focus on family support and overcoming trauma through unity.
• Episode Count: 52
• Notable Aspects: Adapted from a French novel; emphasizes childlike wonder amid mature themes.

2. Ranking of Kings (2021)

• Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll.
• Plot: Bojji, a deaf prince dismissed for his size, teams with shadow-companion Kage to defy expectations and reclaim his throne.
• Similarities to Arthur: Tackles disability (Bojji’s deafness) and underdog perseverance, paralleling Arthur’s inclusive storytelling and moral victories.
• Episode Count: 23 (Season 1) + 10 (Treasure Chest of Courage).
• Awards: Crunchyroll Anime Award nominee; MAL score: 8.80.

3. Full Metal Panic! (2002)

• Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation.
• Plot: Child soldier Sousuke Sagara poses as a high school student to protect Kaname Chidori, whose hidden abilities attract dangerous foes.
• Similarities to Arthur: Blends school-life dynamics with protective relationships, mirroring Arthur’s balance of humor and earnest character growth.
• Episode Count: 24
• Studio: Gonzo; praised for realistic mecha and character depth.

4. Dorohedoro (2020)

• Streaming Availability: Netflix.
• Plot: Amnesiac reptile-headed Caiman and friend Nikaido navigate a grim city to uncover his past, battling sorcerers in a darkly comedic mystery.
• Similarities to Arthur: Despite its gritty tone, it champions loyalty and found family, reflecting Arthur’s emphasis on unwavering friendships.
• Episode Count: 12
• MAL Score: 8.05; noted for unique grunge aesthetic and chaotic charm.

5. Space Dandy (2014)

• Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Hulu.
• Plot: Alien hunter Dandy explores the cosmos with robot QT and cat-like Meow, encountering absurd phenomena in episodic misadventures.
• Similarities to Arthur: Uses humor and episodic structure to explore camaraderie and life lessons, akin to Arthur’s lighthearted yet moralistic approach.
• Episode Count: 26
• Studio: Bones; directed by Shinichirō Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop).

6. The Orphans of Simitra (2008)

• Streaming Availability: Unavailable.
• Plot: Orphaned siblings traverse Europe to rebuild their lives after a disaster, encountering kindness and cruelty in equal measure.
• Similarities to Arthur: Highlights innocence amid adversity and the power of small kindnesses, resonating with Arthur’s focus on everyday resilience.
• Episode Count: 52
• Studio: Part of Japan’s World Masterpiece Theater series.

7. Skull Man (2007)

• Streaming Availability: Not available.
• Plot: A journalist probes skull-masked vigilante killings in Otomo City, uncovering supernatural conspiracies and personal vendettas.
• Similarities to Arthur: Explores moral ambiguity and justice through character-driven mystery, akin to Arthur’s nuanced conflict resolution.
• Episode Count: 13
• Legacy: Based on Shotaro Ishinomori’s pioneering anti-hero manga.

8. Golden Kamuy (2018–2023)

• Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll.
• Plot: Veteran Saichi Sugimoto partners with Ainu girl Asirpa to hunt hidden gold in post-war Hokkaido, blending survival and cultural history.
• Similarities to Arthur: Celebrates diverse cultural perspectives and teamwork, echoing Arthur’s multicultural character interactions.
• Episode Count: 48
• Awards: Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize nominee.

9. Sonny Boy (2021)

• Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll.
• Plot: Students stranded in a dimension-hopping void confront existential crises while forging fragile alliances.
• Similarities to Arthur: Uses surrealism to dissect adolescence and empathy, mirroring Arthur’s metaphorical approach to childhood struggles.
• Episode Count: 12
• Studio: Madhouse; praised for abstract storytelling.

10. March Comes in Like a Lion (2016–2018)

• Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Netflix.
• Plot: Depressed shogi prodigy Rei Kiriyama finds solace in a found family while navigating professional pressure.
• Similarities to Arthur: Focuses on emotional healing and community support, paralleling Arthur’s emphasis on mental health and belonging.
• Episode Count: 44
• MAL Score: 8.70; Japan Media Arts Award winner.

11. Barakamon (2014)

• Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll.
• Plot: Calligrapher Handa moves to a rural island after a meltdown, bonding with quirky locals who rebuild his perspective.
• Similarities to Arthur: Showcases growth through community and humility, reflecting Arthur’s lessons in patience and self-discovery.
• Episode Count: 12
• Studio: Kinema Citrus; slice-of-life gem.

12. Natsume’s Book of Friends (2008–2021)

• Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll.
• Plot: Orphaned Takashi Natsume sees spirits and inherits a “Book of Friends,” forging bonds while resolving supernatural disputes.
• Similarities to Arthur: Balances the mundane and magical to explore loneliness and connection, akin to Arthur’s blend of realism and whimsy.
• Episode Count: 74
• Awards: Top anime in Japanese fan polls.

13. A Place Further Than the Universe (2018)

• Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll.
• Plot: Four girls embark on an Antarctic expedition to heal personal wounds and fulfill dreams.
• Similarities to Arthur: Celebrates friendship-driven quests and overcoming self-doubt, mirroring Arthur’s uplifting narratives.
• Episode Count: 13
• MAL Score: 8.70; Crunchyroll Anime Award winner.

14. Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū (2016–2017)

• Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll.
• Plot: An ex-con apprentice learns rakugo (storytelling) under a master, unraveling artform legacies and personal regrets.
• Similarities to Arthur: Examines mentorship and cultural tradition, echoing Arthur’s intergenerational wisdom.
• Episode Count: 25
• Studio: Studio Deen; lauded for historical depth.

15. Kemono no Souja Erin (2009)

• Streaming Availability: HiDive.
• Plot: Erin, a beastinarian’s daughter, navigates political intrigue and ethical dilemmas while bonding with mythical creatures.
• Similarities to Arthur: Uses anthropomorphic characters to discuss ethics and compassion, paralleling Arthur’s moral framing.
• Episode Count: 50
• Studio: Production I.G.; based on Nahoko Uehashi’s novels.

Why These Anime Work for Arthur Fans

These series resonate with Arthur’s ethos by prioritizing character growth over plot spectacle, using everyday struggles—disability, family tension, friendship tests—as vehicles for universal lessons. Like Arthur, they avoid moralizing, instead fostering empathy through nuanced relationships and underdog victories. Their underrated status often stems from unconventional animation (e.g., Ranking of Kings’ storybook aesthetic) or genre-blending (Full Metal Panic!’s school-life-meets-action), which reward viewers seeking depth beyond mainstream hits. For Arthur enthusiasts, they offer a natural progression: richer narratives that retain the warmth and relatability that define the iconic aardvark’s world.