Good Luck Girl! (Binbougami ga!) is a hilarious, high-energy comedy that parodies shonen tropes while exploring themes of fortune, selfishness, and the importance of human connection. The story follows Ichiko Sakura, a beautiful, intelligent, and wealthy girl who has been blessed with an extraordinary amount of “happiness energy,” which she unknowingly drains from the people around her. Her life is disrupted when Momiji, a poverty god, is sent to strip her of her excess fortune. Their comedic battles and unlikely friendship form the heart of the series.
The series is defined by its core themes: a power system rooted in the balance of fortune and misfortune, where happiness is a finite resource that must be shared. Ichiko is a quintessential underdog in a unique sense—despite her wealth and beauty, she is emotionally isolated and must learn the value of connection and empathy. Good Luck Girl! masterfully subverts expectations by presenting a protagonist who is initially unlikable and gradually revealing her vulnerability, using its comedic framework to explore genuine emotional growth. It is a series that understands the power of laughter.
For fans of Good Luck Girl!, finding similar anime can be a challenge. The series occupies a unique space—part comedy, part parody, part character-driven drama. Yet, many underrated series share its core DNA: a focus on a protagonist who must learn to become a better person, an exploration of supernatural or spiritual elements tied to human emotions, and a willingness to blend fast-paced comedy with genuine emotional moments. These shows deserve far more attention for their humor, their character development, and their refusal to provide easy answers.
Here are 15 underrated anime that capture the spirit of Good Luck Girl!.
1. The Devil is a Part-Timer! (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 7.7
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: White Fox
- Notable Staff: Based on the light novel series by Satoshi Wagahara.
Plot Summary: The Demon King Satan is forced to flee his world and ends up in modern-day Tokyo, where he must work at a fast-food restaurant to survive. He must adapt to his new life while dealing with the hero who pursued him.
*Similarities to Good Luck Girl!:* Both are high-energy comedies about supernatural beings who are forced to live ordinary lives and navigate the human world. The focus is on the humor and the clash of cultures. The series is a clever, entertaining exploration of adaptation and the absurdity of everyday life.
2. Noragami (2014)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu
- Rating: MAL: 7.9
- Episodes: 12 (Season 1)
- Studio: Bones
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Adachitoka.
Plot Summary: Yato, a minor god who dreams of having his own shrine, performs odd jobs for five yen. He is aided by his “Regalia,” a spirit weapon named Yukine, and a human girl named Hiyori.
*Similarities to Good Luck Girl!:* Both are about a supernatural being who forms an unlikely partnership with a human and must navigate the complexities of the spirit world. The focus is on the humor and the character dynamics. The series is a fun, action-packed adventure with a strong emotional core.
3. Blood Lad (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 7.1
- Episodes: 10
- Studio: Brain’s Base
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Yuuki Kodama.
Plot Summary: Staz Charlie Blood, a vampire who is obsessed with Japanese culture, meets Fuyumi Yanagi, a human girl who becomes a ghost. He vows to help her return to life.
*Similarities to Good Luck Girl!:* Both are action-comedy series about supernatural beings who form bonds with humans and must navigate their respective worlds. The focus is on the humor and the action. The series is a fun, fast-paced adventure with a self-aware sense of humor.
4. The Morose Mononokean (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.3
- Episodes: 13 (Season 1)
- Studio: Pierrot Plus
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Kiri Wazawa.
Plot Summary: Hanae Ashiya, a high school student plagued by a yokai, seeks help from the Mononokean, a mysterious tea room run by Abeno Haruitsuki. They work together to help yokai return to the Underworld.
*Similarities to Good Luck Girl!:* Both are about a protagonist who forms a partnership with a supernatural being and helps resolve the problems of spirits. The focus is on the bonds formed between the characters and the warmth of their connection. The series is a gentle, heartwarming comedy.
5. Kamisama Kiss (2012)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 7.8
- Episodes: 13 (Season 1)
- Studio: TMS Entertainment
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Julietta Suzuki.
Plot Summary: Nanami Momozono, a homeless high school girl, becomes a land god after inheriting a shrine. She must learn to navigate the world of gods and spirits with the help of her familiar, Tomoe.
*Similarities to Good Luck Girl!:* Both are about a young woman who is thrust into the world of spirits and gods and must learn to navigate its complexities. The focus is on the bonds between the protagonist and their supernatural companions. The series is a warm, romantic comedy with a strong supernatural element.
6. Arakawa Under the Bridge (2010)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 7.6
- Episodes: 13 (Season 1)
- Studio: Shaft
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Hikaru Nakamura, directed by Akiyuki Shinbo.
Plot Summary: Kou Ichinomiya, a privileged young man, falls into a river and is saved by Nino, a girl who claims to be from Venus. To repay his debt, he must become her boyfriend and live with her under the bridge.
*Similarities to Good Luck Girl!:* Both are about a privileged protagonist who is thrust into a community of eccentric misfits and must learn to let go of their rigid worldview. The focus is on the surreal humor and the warmth of community. The series is a hilarious, heartwarming comedy.
7. The Eccentric Family (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.8
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: P.A. Works
- Notable Staff: Based on the novel by Tomihiko Morimi.
Plot Summary: Yasaburou Shimogamo, a young tanuki, navigates the complex social dynamics of Kyoto while dealing with the aftermath of his father’s death.
*Similarities to Good Luck Girl!:* Both are set in a world where the supernatural and the mundane coexist, and focus on a protagonist who must navigate its complexities. The focus is on the bonds of family and the search for belonging. The series is a blend of comedy, drama, and fantasy.
8. Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko (2011)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.1
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Shaft
- Notable Staff: Based on the light novel series by Hitoma Iruma.
Plot Summary: Makoto Niwa moves to the city and encounters his cousin Erio Touwa, a girl who believes she is an alien and wraps herself in a futon. He must navigate the line between reality and fantasy.
*Similarities to Good Luck Girl!:* Both are about a protagonist who is drawn into the world of an eccentric girl with unusual beliefs. The focus is on the line between reality and delusion, and the importance of accepting others. The series is a blend of comedy, mystery, and emotional depth.
9. The Tatami Galaxy (2010)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 8.5
- Episodes: 11
- Studio: Madhouse
- Notable Staff: Directed by Masaaki Yuasa, based on the novel by Tomihiko Morimi.
Plot Summary: An unnamed college student reflects on his failures, wondering how his life would have been different if he had made different choices. The series uses a time-loop structure.
*Similarities to Good Luck Girl!:* Both are about the search for meaning and the consequences of one’s choices. The focus is on the philosophical questions about life, purpose, and happiness. The unique, fast-paced visual style captures the protagonist’s chaotic mind.
10. FLCL (2000)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 8.0
- Episodes: 6 (OVA)
- Studio: Gainax, Production I.G.
- Notable Staff: Directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki.
Plot Summary: Naota Nandaba, a young boy, has his life turned upside down when Haruko Haruhara, a manic woman on a Vespa, runs him over and hits him with a guitar.
*Similarities to Good Luck Girl!:* Both are about a young protagonist whose ordinary life is disrupted by a strange, eccentric individual. The focus is on the surreal, chaotic energy and the themes of adolescence and growing up. The series is a landmark of experimental anime.
11. Sabagebu! (2014)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.1
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Pierrot Plus
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Hidekichi Matsumoto.
Plot Summary: Momoka Sonokawa, a high school girl, joins the Survival Game Club and becomes obsessed with airsoft battles. The series follows her and her clubmates as they engage in comedic, over-the-top battles.
*Similarities to Good Luck Girl!:* Both are about a competitive activity treated with intense seriousness and over-the-top action, resulting in hilarious comedy. The focus is on the humor and the parody of action anime tropes. The series is a hilarious, action-packed comedy.
12. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (2006)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 7.8
- Episodes: 28
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
- Notable Staff: Based on the light novels by Nagaru Tanigawa.
Plot Summary: Kyon, a cynical high school student, is dragged into the world of Haruhi Suzumiya, who is unknowingly a god-like being. She forms the SOS Brigade to find aliens, time travelers, and espers.
*Similarities to Good Luck Girl!:* Both are about an ordinary protagonist who is drawn into the world of an eccentric girl with extraordinary powers. The focus is on the relationships between the characters and the philosophical questions about reality. The series blends comedy with deeper themes.
13. Nichijou (2011)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 8.4
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Keiichi Arawi.
Plot Summary: The series follows the daily lives of a group of high school students and their eccentric interactions, blending surreal humor with moments of genuine warmth.
*Similarities to Good Luck Girl!:* Both are about the absurdity of everyday life, elevated to comedic extremes. The focus is on the surreal humor and the character dynamics. The series is a landmark of comedy anime.
14. Asobi Asobase (2018)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.8
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Lerche
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Rin Suzukawa.
Plot Summary: Three high school girls form a “Pastime Club” to play traditional games, but their activities quickly descend into absurd and surreal comedy.
*Similarities to Good Luck Girl!:* Both are about a group of eccentrics who take a simple activity far too seriously, resulting in hilarious chaos. The focus is on the absurd humor and the character dynamics. The series is a brilliantly funny comedy.
15. D-Frag! (2014)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 7.3
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Brain’s Base
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Tomoya Haruno.
Plot Summary: Kenji Kazama, a self-proclaimed delinquent, is forced to join the Game Creation Club, a group of eccentric girls who are obsessed with making games.
*Similarities to Good Luck Girl!:* Both are high school comedies centered around a club of eccentric individuals. The protagonist is a “delinquent” type who is initially resistant but gradually becomes an integral part of the group. The series is a hilarious, fast-paced comedy.
Why These Anime Work for Good Luck Girl! Fans
Fans of Good Luck Girl! are drawn to stories that are hilarious, high-energy, and unafraid to blend comedy with genuine emotional depth. They appreciate a narrative that parodies shonen tropes while exploring themes of fortune, selfishness, and the importance of human connection. They are not looking for simple action or escapism, but for stories that make them laugh and feel.
The anime listed above all share this fundamental DNA:
- The Unlikely Partnership: Whether it is Ichiko and Momiji, Yato and Hiyori, or Kou and Nino, these series understand that the most compelling relationships are those between opposites. The focus is on the bonds that form between characters who initially clash.
- The Privileged Protagonist: The protagonists are often privileged, wealthy, or powerful individuals who must learn the value of connection and empathy. Their journey is one of learning to be a better person.
- Subversion of the Comedy Genre: These series use the framework of comedy to explore deeper themes of identity, acceptance, and the nature of happiness. They understand that the most compelling stories are those that challenge our assumptions.
These 15 anime, like Good Luck Girl!, are not afraid to be funny. They are underrated gems that offer a hilarious, emotionally resonant, and deeply entertaining experience for viewers who are looking for stories that celebrate the power of laughter and the beauty of human connection.
