15 Underrated Anime Series Similar to DC Super Hero Girls

DC Super Hero Girls is an animated series that reimagines iconic DC heroines as teenagers navigating high school life while honing their superpowers and forming unbreakable bonds. It emphasizes themes of friendship, personal growth, and balancing everyday challenges with heroic duties, often blending action, humor, and heartfelt moments.

The selected anime below share similarities in exploring power systems, underdog stories, and subversion of expectations, deserving more attention for their innovative takes on teenage heroism, emotional depth, and character-driven narratives that often fly under the radar compared to mainstream hits.

1. Charlotte (2015)

• Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
• Brief Plot Summary: Yuu Otosaka uses his ability to possess others for personal gain until he’s recruited by a student council of teens with special powers, leading to missions that uncover deeper conspiracies and personal tragedies.
• Specific Similarities to DC Super Hero Girls: Like the series, it features teenage heroes dealing with secret identities and emotional growth, subverting expectations with a shift from light-hearted adventures to profound underdog struggles against fate.
• Current MAL Rating: 7.75
• Episode Count: 13
• Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Directed by Yoshiyuki Asai at P.A. Works, with script by Jun Maeda known for emotional storytelling.
• Awards or Recognition: Nominated for Best Original Anime at the 2016 Newtype Anime Awards.

2. Full Metal Panic! (2002)

• Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
• Brief Plot Summary: Soldier Sousuke Sagara protects high school girl Kaname Chidori, who possesses intuitive knowledge of advanced tech, blending mecha action with school life comedy.
• Specific Similarities to DC Super Hero Girls: Mirrors the underdog theme through Sousuke’s awkward adaptation to teen life while using power systems like mecha suits, subverting rom-com tropes with intense emotional stakes.
• Current MAL Rating: 7.61
• Episode Count: 24
• Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by Gonzo, directed by Koichi Chigira with source from Shoji Gatoh’s light novels.
• Awards or Recognition: Won Best TV Anime at the 2003 Tokyo Anime Awards.

3. Akame ga Kill! (2014)

• Current Streaming Availability: Hulu
• Brief Plot Summary: Tatsumi joins a group of assassins fighting a corrupt empire, wielding powerful Imperial Arms weapons in brutal battles that challenge their ideals.
• Specific Similarities to DC Super Hero Girls: Shares subversion of expectations by turning heroic journeys into grim underdog tales, with character development focused on teen rebels mastering unique power systems amid emotional losses.
• Current MAL Rating: 7.47
• Episode Count: 24
• Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Animated by White Fox, directed by Tomoki Kobayashi.
• Awards or Recognition: Nominated for Best Action Anime at the 2015 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.

4. BNA: Brand New Animal (2020)

• Current Streaming Availability: Netflix
• Brief Plot Summary: Michiru transforms into a beastman and flees to Anima City, teaming up with wolf Shirou to uncover a conspiracy threatening their kind.
• Specific Similarities to DC Super Hero Girls: Echoes underdog stories of identity and growth in a teen heroine navigating powers, with vibrant animation subverting beast-human dynamics like the series’ superhero team bonds.
• Current MAL Rating: 7.32
• Episode Count: 12
• Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by Studio Trigger, directed by Yoh Yoshinari known for dynamic styles.
• Awards or Recognition: Nominated for Best Animation at the 2021 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.

5. Yona of the Dawn (2014)

• Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
• Brief Plot Summary: Spoiled princess Yona flees after a coup and gathers warriors to reclaim her kingdom, discovering her own strength along the way.
• Specific Similarities to DC Super Hero Girls: Focuses on an underdog princess developing leadership and combat skills, subverting fairy-tale expectations with emotional team dynamics and power growth.
• Current MAL Rating: 8.03
• Episode Count: 24
• Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Studio Pierrot, directed by Kazuhiro Yoneda.
• Awards or Recognition: Won Best Shojo at the 2015 Sugoi Japan Awards.

6. Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011)

• Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
• Brief Plot Summary: Madoka and friends become magical girls to fight witches, but discover the dark costs of their powers.
• Specific Similarities to DC Super Hero Girls: Subverts magical girl tropes into underdog horror with deep character development, mirroring teen heroines balancing powers and emotional turmoil.
• Current MAL Rating: 8.36
• Episode Count: 12
• Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Shaft studio, directed by Akiyuki Shinbo with unique visual style.
• Awards or Recognition: Won Best TV Anime at the 2011 Newtype Anime Awards.

7. Samurai Flamenco (2013)

• Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
• Brief Plot Summary: Model Masayoshi Hazama becomes a vigilante hero, partnering with a cop to fight escalating threats in a world of escalating absurdity.
• Specific Similarities to DC Super Hero Girls: Underdog non-powered hero subverts superhero norms with comedic yet emotional growth, akin to teen identity struggles and team heroism.
• Current MAL Rating: 7.00
• Episode Count: 22
• Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Manglobe, directed by Takahiro Omori.
• Awards or Recognition: Nominated for Best Original Anime at the 2014 Tokyo Anime Awards.

8. Madlax (2004)

• Current Streaming Availability: HIDIVE
• Brief Plot Summary: Assassin Madlax and student Margaret uncover their linked pasts in a war-torn world, blending action and mystery.
• Specific Similarities to DC Super Hero Girls: Features strong female leads with power systems in underdog roles, subverting spy thriller expectations with emotional depth and teen discovery.
• Current MAL Rating: 7.02
• Episode Count: 26
• Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Bee Train, directed by Koichi Mashimo.
• Awards or Recognition: Recognized for Best Character Design at the 2005 Anime Reactor Awards.

9. You’re Under Arrest! (1996)

• Current Streaming Availability: HIDIVE
• Brief Plot Summary: Police officers Natsumi and Miyuki tackle crimes and daily life in Tokyo, forming a dynamic partnership.
• Specific Similarities to DC Super Hero Girls: Underdog female duo uses skills in action-comedy scenarios, developing bonds and subverting cop tropes with emotional, relatable teen-like growth.
• Current MAL Rating: 7.48
• Episode Count: 47 (Season 1)
• Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Studio Deen, based on Kosuke Fujishima’s manga.
• Awards or Recognition: Won Best OVA at the 1995 Anime Grand Prix.

10. Tropical-Rouge! Pretty Cure (2021)

• Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
• Brief Plot Summary: Middle schooler Manatsu forms a team of magical girls to protect mermaids from an evil witch delaying dreams.
• Specific Similarities to DC Super Hero Girls: Teenage superhero team with power transformations emphasizes underdog friendship and subversion of magical girl cliches through school-life comedy.
• Current MAL Rating: 7.40
• Episode Count: 46
• Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Toei Animation, directed by Yutaka Tsuchida.
• Awards or Recognition: Nominated for Best Children’s Anime at the 2022 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.

11. Fuuto Tantei (2022)

• Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
• Brief Plot Summary: Detectives Shoutarou and Philip merge into Kamen Rider W to protect their city from memory-altering threats.
• Specific Similarities to DC Super Hero Girls: Underdog duo with fused powers subverts detective norms, blending teen heroism, emotional arcs, and action like secret identity struggles.
• Current MAL Rating: 7.20
• Episode Count: 12
• Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Studio Kai, based on the Kamen Rider franchise.
• Awards or Recognition: Won Best Adaptation at the 2023 Anime Trending Awards.

12. Love After World Domination (2022)

• Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
• Brief Plot Summary: Superhero Fudo and villain Desumi secretly date while battling each other publicly.
• Specific Similarities to DC Super Hero Girls: Subverts hero-villain tropes with underdog romance and teen emotional conflicts, echoing comedic power dynamics and growth.
• Current MAL Rating: 7.10
• Episode Count: 12
• Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Project No. 9, directed by Kazuya Iwata.
• Awards or Recognition: Nominated for Best Romance at the 2023 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.

13. Go! Princess Pretty Cure (2015)

• Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
• Brief Plot Summary: Haruka becomes Cure Flora to protect dreams from an evil witch, assembling a team of princess warriors.
• Specific Similarities to DC Super Hero Girls: Underdog magical girls develop through teamwork and power awakenings, subverting fantasy norms with emotional school challenges.
• Current MAL Rating: 7.60
• Episode Count: 50
• Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Toei Animation, directed by Yuta Tanaka.
• Awards or Recognition: Won Best Children’s Series at the 2016 Tokyo Anime Awards.

14. Hugtto! Pretty Cure (2018)

• Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
• Brief Plot Summary: Clumsy Hana becomes Cure Yell, forming a team to fight time-stopping villains and inspire hope.
• Specific Similarities to DC Super Hero Girls: Emphasizes girl power in underdog stories, with subversion through mature themes like maturity and emotional growth amid heroic antics.
• Current MAL Rating: 7.70
• Episode Count: 49
• Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Toei Animation, directed by Junichi Sato.
• Awards or Recognition: Nominated for Best Animation at the 2019 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.

15. Saint Seiya (1986)

• Current Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
• Brief Plot Summary: Orphaned teens become Saints, wielding cosmic powers to protect Athena from godly threats.
• Specific Similarities to DC Super Hero Girls: Classic underdog warriors rise through power systems and team bonds, subverting myths with emotional teen journeys in battles.
• Current MAL Rating: 7.75
• Episode Count: 114
• Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Toei Animation, created by Masami Kurumada.
• Awards or Recognition: Won Best Shonen at the 1987 Anime Grand Prix.

Why These Anime Work for DC Super Hero Girls Fans

These series capture the essence of DC Super Hero Girls by blending teenage angst with heroic empowerment, often through underdog arcs and clever subversions that add depth to power-driven narratives. They offer emotional resonance and character growth in underrated packages, providing fresh alternatives to mainstream fare while highlighting diverse animation styles and storytelling that enrich the superhero genre. Fans will appreciate the mix of humor, heart, and action that mirrors the original’s charm, making them perfect hidden gems for deeper exploration.