Now and Then, Here and There (Ima, Soko ni Iru Boku) is a devastating, uncompromising masterpiece that stands as one of the most powerful anti-war stories ever told in anime. The story follows Shu, an ordinary, optimistic boy who is transported to a dystopian world where water is scarce and children are forced to become soldiers. He is captured by the tyrannical King Hamdo, and he must survive the brutality of this world while trying to protect a mysterious girl named Lala-Ru, who possesses a powerful pendant that can control water.
The series is defined by its core themes: a power system rooted in desperation and control, where the powerful exploit the weak and the powerless are left to suffer. Shu is the ultimate underdog—a boy with no special abilities, no weapons, and no way home—who must rely solely on his unwavering hope and his refusal to give up on his humanity. Now and Then, Here and There masterfully subverts expectations by presenting what appears to be a standard isekai adventure and instead delivering a brutal, unflinching exploration of the horrors of war, the exploitation of children, and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a series that refuses to look away from suffering.
For fans of Now and Then, Here and There, finding similar anime can be a challenge. The series occupies a unique space—part war drama, part psychological horror, part meditation on hope and despair. Yet, many underrated series share its core DNA: a focus on the impact of violence on the innocent, an unflinching examination of human cruelty, and a protagonist who is an underdog in every sense of the word. These shows deserve far more attention for their courage, their emotional depth, and their refusal to provide easy answers.
Here are 15 underrated anime that capture the spirit of Now and Then, Here and There.
1. Grave of the Fireflies (Hotaru no Haka) (1988)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 8.5
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: Studio Ghibli
- Notable Staff: Directed by Isao Takahata.
Plot Summary: Set during the final days of World War II in Japan, the film follows two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, who are orphaned and left to fend for themselves. Their struggle for survival becomes a heartbreaking testament to the innocent lives destroyed by war.
Similarities to Now and Then, Here and There: Both are devastating anti-war stories that focus on the suffering of children caught in conflicts they did not create. The unflinching portrayal of starvation, loss, and the failure of adults to protect the young is a direct parallel. Both works are emotionally devastating and profoundly moving.
2. Saikano (She, The Ultimate Weapon) (2002)
- Streaming Availability: Not currently available on major platforms.
- Rating: MAL: 7.3
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: Gonzo
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Shin Takahashi.
Plot Summary: Shuji and Chise are high school students in a small town, trying to maintain a normal relationship while a world war rages in the background. Their lives are shattered when Shuji discovers that Chise has been transformed into a powerful weapon by the military.
Similarities to Now and Then, Here and There: Both are tragic stories about young people who are exploited by war and transformed into tools of destruction. The focus is on the emotional devastation of being used as a weapon and the desperate attempt to cling to humanity. The tone is profoundly melancholic and the relationship is the heart of the story.
3. The Promised Neverland (2019)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu
- Rating: MAL: 8.5
- Episodes: 12 (Season 1)
- Studio: CloverWorks
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu.
Plot Summary: A group of orphaned children live happily at Grace Field House, a seemingly idyllic orphanage. They discover that their home is actually a farm where they are being raised as food for demons, and they must plan a daring escape.
Similarities to Now and Then, Here and There: Both are about children who discover that their peaceful, protected lives are built on a foundation of horror and exploitation. The theme of a “utopia” that is actually a “dystopia” is central to both. The protagonists are underdogs who must use their intellect and their bonds with each other to survive against an overwhelming, inhuman system.
4. Shinsekai Yori (From the New World) (2012)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 8.3
- Episodes: 25
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Notable Staff: Based on the award-winning novel by Yusuke Kishi.
Plot Summary: A thousand years after humanity develops psychic powers called Cantus, a group of children in a seemingly utopian village begins to uncover the horrifying truths their society is built upon. They learn the terrible price of their peaceful existence and the fate of those who cannot control their powers.
Similarities to Now and Then, Here and There: Both are unflinching explorations of societies built on the exploitation and suffering of the innocent. The slow-burn mystery structure and the focus on the dark side of human nature are a direct parallel. Both series ask difficult questions about the price of peace and the nature of humanity.
5. Texhnolyze (2003)
- Streaming Availability: Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 7.8
- Episodes: 22
- Studio: Madhouse
- Notable Staff: Directed by Hiroshi Hamasaki, with original story by Chiaki J. Konaka.
Plot Summary: In the underground city of Lux, a brutal world of violence and decay, a young fighter named Ichise loses an arm and a leg. He is fitted with “Texhnolyze,” advanced mechanical prosthetics, and becomes entangled in a conflict between factions vying for control of the city and its future.
Similarities to Now and Then, Here and There: Both are dark, atmospheric, and deeply philosophical series that explore the dehumanizing effects of violence and the struggle for survival in a cruel world. The protagonist is an underdog who is literally rebuilt with mechanical parts. The minimal dialogue and oppressive atmosphere create a similarly bleak and powerful experience.
6. Ergo Proxy (2006)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 7.9
- Episodes: 23
- Studio: Manglobe
- Notable Staff: Directed by Shukou Murase.
Plot Summary: In a post-apocalyptic domed city, an inspector and an immigrant android investigate a series of murders linked to a mysterious entity known as “Proxy.” Their journey takes them into the desolate outside world, where they confront questions about their own existence and the nature of their reality.
Similarities to Now and Then, Here and There: Both are slow-burn, atmospheric narratives that explore the nature of identity and the dehumanizing effects of a controlled society. The protagonists are underdogs caught in a system they don’t fully understand. The philosophical exploration of consciousness and what it means to be human is a direct thematic parallel.
7. Kino’s Journey (2003)
- Streaming Availability: Amazon Prime Video, HiDive
- Rating: MAL: 8.3
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: A.C.G.T.
- Notable Staff: Based on the light novel series by Keiichi Sigsawa.
Plot Summary: Kino, a young traveler, journeys with a talking motorcycle named Hermes through a variety of strange and unique countries, each with its own distinct culture, technology, and philosophy. Kino’s rule is to stay in each country for only three days and two nights.
Similarities to Now and Then, Here and There: Both are philosophical journeys that explore the dark side of human nature and the complexities of morality. Each “country” in Kino’s Journey is a thought experiment, often revealing uncomfortable truths about society. The tone is quiet, observational, and often melancholic, with a focus on understanding rather than judging.
8. Casshern Sins (2008)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 7.5
- Episodes: 24
- Studio: Madhouse
- Notable Staff: Directed by Shigeyasu Yamauchi.
Plot Summary: In a world where humanity has been wiped out by a plague of robots, the immortal android Casshern wanders the desolate landscape. He is blamed for the destruction of the world and must confront his own guilt, searching for redemption and a reason to continue living in a world of death.
Similarities to Now and Then, Here and There: Both are set in a bleak, dying world and focus on the search for hope and meaning in the face of overwhelming despair. The melancholic, poetic tone and the focus on the resilience of the human spirit are a direct parallel. The protagonist is a wanderer who must confront the consequences of his actions.
9. Wolf’s Rain (2003)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 7.8
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: Bones
- Notable Staff: Directed by Tensai Okamura, with music by Yoko Kanno.
Plot Summary: In a dying, post-apocalyptic world, a group of wolves who can take human form searches for the mythical “Paradise,” a place of eternal life and peace. Their journey is fraught with danger, but they are driven by instinct and a desperate hope for a better world.
Similarities to Now and Then, Here and There: Both are set in a dying world and focus on the search for hope and meaning in the face of overwhelming despair. The protagonists are underdogs who are hunted and misunderstood, but they are driven by a primal faith in something greater than themselves. The tone is melancholic and poetic.
10. Girls’ Last Tour (Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou) (2017)
- Streaming Availability: Amazon Prime Video, HiDive
- Rating: MAL: 8.2
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: White Fox
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Tsukumizu, directed by Takaharu Ozaki.
Plot Summary: In a desolate, post-apocalyptic world, two young girls, Chito and Yuuri, travel through the ruins of a vast, empty city on their Kettenkrad motorcycle. They search for food, fuel, and meaning, finding small moments of joy and wonder in the remnants of a lost civilization.
Similarities to Now and Then, Here and There: Both are quiet, melancholic explorations of life after the end of the world. The focus is not on survival or conflict, but on the small, poignant moments of connection and the search for beauty in a dead world. The relationship between the two girls is the heart of the story, much like the bond between Shu and Lala-Ru.
11. Made in Abyss (2017)
- Streaming Availability: Amazon Prime Video, HiDive
- Rating: MAL: 8.7
- Episodes: 13 (Season 1)
- Studio: Kinema Citrus
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Akihito Tsukushi.
Plot Summary: Riko, a young girl, dreams of becoming a Cave Raider like her mother and exploring the mysterious Abyss, a vast and dangerous chasm filled with ancient relics and strange creatures. She embarks on a journey into the depths with a robot boy named Reg, facing horrors beyond her imagination.
Similarities to Now and Then, Here and There: Both are about children who descend into a hellish world and must confront the cruelty of nature and the darkness within humanity. The juxtaposition of innocent, childlike wonder with graphic, brutal horror is a direct parallel. The protagonists are underdogs who must rely on their courage and their bonds with each other to survive.
12. Attack on Titan: No Regrets (Shingeki no Kyojin: Kuinaki Sentaku) (2014)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Rating: MAL: 8.1
- Episodes: 2 (OVA)
- Studio: Wit Studio
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Gun Snark and Hikaru Suruga.
Plot Summary: This prequel to Attack on Titan follows Levi Ackerman, a criminal living in the underground city, and his encounter with Erwin Smith, the commander who recruits him into the Survey Corps. It explores Levi’s dark past and the choices that shaped him into humanity’s strongest soldier.
Similarities to Now and Then, Here and There: Both explore themes of survival in a brutal, oppressive world and the moral compromises required to stay alive. Levi, like Shu, is an underdog who is forced to navigate a world of violence and exploitation. The focus on the psychological toll of survival and the search for meaning in a hopeless world is a direct parallel.
13. In This Corner of the World (Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni) (2016)
- Streaming Availability: Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 8.3
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: MAPPA
- Notable Staff: Directed by Sunao Katabuchi, based on the manga by Fumiyo Kono.
Plot Summary: The film follows Suzu, a young woman living in Hiroshima during World War II. It depicts her everyday life, her marriage, and the impact of the war on her family and community, culminating in the atomic bombing of the city.
Similarities to Now and Then, Here and There: Both are powerful anti-war stories that focus on the impact of conflict on ordinary people, particularly women and children. The focus is not on the battles themselves, but on the quiet suffering and resilience of those left behind. The tone is deeply humanistic and emotionally resonant.
14. Barefoot Gen (Hadashi no Gen) (1983)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.8
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: Madhouse
- Notable Staff: Based on the autobiographical manga by Keiji Nakazawa.
Plot Summary: The film follows Gen, a young boy living in Hiroshima during World War II, and his family’s struggle to survive. It depicts the horrors of the atomic bombing and its aftermath, as Gen must find the strength to carry on in a world destroyed by war.
Similarities to Now and Then, Here and There: Both are unflinching portrayals of the horrors of war and the suffering of innocent children. The focus is on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable tragedy. The film is a powerful and devastating anti-war statement, much like Now and Then, Here and There.
15. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo) (2006)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 8.2
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: Madhouse
- Notable Staff: Directed by Mamoru Hosoda.
Plot Summary: Makoto Konno, a high school girl, discovers she has the ability to leap through time. She uses this power to fix small problems and avoid awkward situations, but she soon learns that her actions have unintended consequences for herself and the people she cares about.
Similarities to Now and Then, Here and There: While tonally different, both are about the consequences of choice and the importance of appreciating the present moment. Makoto, like Shu, is given a unique opportunity that forces her to confront her own selfishness and the value of the time she has. Both works explore the theme of growing up and accepting responsibility.
Why These Anime Work for Now and Then, Here and There Fans
Fans of Now and Then, Here and There are drawn to stories that are unflinching in their portrayal of suffering, but that never lose sight of the hope and resilience of the human spirit. They appreciate a narrative that does not shy away from the darkest aspects of human nature, but that also finds moments of beauty and tenderness amidst the despair. They are looking for stories that challenge them, that make them think, and that leave a lasting emotional impact.
The anime listed above all share this fundamental DNA:
- Power as Exploitation: Whether it is the water-controlling pendant, the Cantus powers, or the cybernetic enhancements, these series understand that power is often used to exploit the weak and the innocent. The protagonists are not empowered by their abilities; they are victimized by them, and their struggle is to reclaim their agency.
- The Ultimate Underdog: The protagonists are not heroes who can overcome any obstacle. They are ordinary people—often children—who are thrust into extraordinary and horrific circumstances. Their strength lies not in their power, but in their resilience, their capacity for love, and their refusal to give up on their humanity.
- Subversion of the Adventure Genre: These series use the trappings of adventure, science fiction, or fantasy not for escapism, but for exploring the harsh realities of the human condition. They understand that the most compelling stories are not about defeating a villain, but about surviving, enduring, and finding meaning in a world that is often cruel and indifferent.
These 15 anime, like Now and Then, Here and There, are not afraid to look into the abyss. They are underrated gems that offer a profound, thought-provoking, and deeply moving experience for viewers who are willing to confront the darkness and emerge with a renewed appreciation for the light.
