My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU (Oregairu) is far more than a typical high school drama—it’s a sharp, introspective series that blends dry wit, social critique, and layered character development. It delves into the psyche of loners and idealists through protagonist Hachiman Hikigaya, whose cynical worldview is challenged as he engages in emotionally complex relationships.
The core of Oregairu lies in its subversion of romantic tropes, its focus on emotional realism, and its deep dive into flawed characters trying to make sense of social expectations. While many anime explore high school life, few do it with such biting intelligence and emotional weight. This list showcases 15 underappreciated anime that echo the tone, structure, or psychological complexity of Oregairu, offering fans something familiar but fresh.
1. Just Because! (2017)
Streaming: HiDive, Crunchyroll
Episodes: 12
MAL Rating: 7.25
Studio: Pine Jam
Awards: None
A melancholic slice-of-life focused on a group of high school seniors reunited by a transfer student, with unspoken feelings and looming graduation shaping their interactions.
Why It’s Similar:
Both series emphasize subtle emotional tension, youth in transition, and quiet, introspective drama rather than explosive plot points.
2. ReLIFE (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 13 + 4 OVAs
MAL Rating: 8.00
Studio: TMS Entertainment
Awards: Sugoi Japan Award Nominee
An unemployed man is given a second chance by enrolling in high school again as part of a mysterious experiment.
Why It’s Similar:
ReLIFE shares Oregairu’s emotional maturity and social awkwardness themes, particularly exploring how people mask pain and seek redemption through connection.
3. Hoshiai no Sora (2019)
Streaming: Funimation
Episodes: 12
MAL Rating: 7.56
Studio: 8bit
Awards: None
A reluctant but talented student joins a failing soft tennis team, unknowingly triggering emotional growth in his teammates.
Why It’s Similar:
Delves into personal trauma and complex character backstories beneath the surface of a standard school club setup, echoing Oregairu‘s psychological depth.
4. Tsuki ga Kirei (2017)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 12
MAL Rating: 8.01
Studio: feel.
Awards: Newtype Anime Awards Nominee
Follows two middle school students as they navigate their first experience with love amid social pressure and growing up.
Why It’s Similar:
A realistic take on adolescent relationships with minimal drama and maximum emotional authenticity—right in line with Oregairu‘s character-driven tone.
5. Kokoro Connect (2012)
Streaming: HiDive, Crunchyroll
Episodes: 13 + 4 OVAs
MAL Rating: 7.79
Studio: Silver Link
Awards: None
Five students are subjected to supernatural phenomena that force them to confront their innermost secrets and insecurities.
Why It’s Similar:
Uses a supernatural lens to tackle interpersonal drama and identity crises, much like Oregairu‘s emotional excavation of its characters.
6. Sagrada Reset (2017)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 24
MAL Rating: 6.86
Studio: David Production
Awards: None
Set in a town where inhabitants possess supernatural abilities, two students attempt to solve mysteries and prevent tragedies using a unique “reset” ability.
Why It’s Similar:
Like Oregairu, the narrative leans heavily on philosophical dialogue, emotional repression, and cerebral pacing over action.
7. Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 12
MAL Rating: 7.65
Studio: Brain’s Base
Awards: None
A high schooler moves into a boarding house filled with eccentric residents, including his quiet, book-loving crush.
Why It’s Similar:
Blends humor and romance while focusing on internal growth, social awkwardness, and quirky but deeply human interactions.
8. 3-gatsu no Lion (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix
Episodes: 44 (2 Seasons)
MAL Rating: 8.96
Studio: Shaft
Awards: Tokyo Anime Award Winner
A teenage shogi prodigy grapples with isolation, depression, and self-worth as he reconnects with life through a kindhearted family.
Why It’s Similar:
Both protagonists are loners navigating emotional scars and societal expectations, with thoughtful, sometimes poetic pacing.
9. Aku no Hana (2013)
Streaming: HiDive
Episodes: 13
MAL Rating: 6.90
Studio: Zexcs
Awards: None
A disturbing coming-of-age story about a middle schooler whose life unravels after a bizarre blackmail incident.
Why It’s Similar:
Shares Oregairu’s psychological edge and focus on emotional alienation, though through a darker, more experimental lens (notably rotoscope animation).
10. Oniisama e… (1991)
Streaming: RetroCrush, YouTube
Episodes: 39
MAL Rating: 7.68
Studio: Tezuka Productions
Awards: None
A new student enters an elite all-girls school and uncovers the dark secrets and personal struggles of its revered “Sorority” members.
Why It’s Similar:
Heavy on internal monologues, subtle emotional shifts, and harsh social hierarchies—hallmarks of Oregairu-style introspection.
11. Saishuu Heiki Kanojo (2002)
Streaming: HiDive
Episodes: 13
MAL Rating: 7.11
Studio: Gonzo
Awards: None
In a war-torn Japan, a shy girl turns into a living weapon while trying to maintain her relationship with her high school boyfriend.
Why It’s Similar:
Examines emotional distance, communication breakdowns, and individual suffering in a romantic context, just like Oregairu.
12. Hourou Musuko (2011)
Streaming: Funimation
Episodes: 11
MAL Rating: 7.78
Studio: AIC Classic
Awards: Japan Media Arts Festival Jury Recommended Work
Follows two transgender youths navigating gender identity and adolescence in a slow-paced, empathetic narrative.
Why It’s Similar:
Deep character introspection, gentle pacing, and understated visuals deliver Oregairu-level emotional depth and subtlety.
13. Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 25
MAL Rating: 8.70
Studio: Studio Deen
Awards: Tokyo Anime Award Winner
An ex-con becomes a rakugo apprentice, unveiling a tragic legacy of art, love, and loss that spans generations.
Why It’s Similar:
Shares Oregairu‘s cerebral dialogue and layered character arcs, with a focus on miscommunication and self-destructive choices.
14. Sarazanmai (2019)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 11
MAL Rating: 7.45
Studio: MAPPA
Awards: None
Three middle school boys are turned into kappas and must confront their deepest secrets to return to human form.
Why It’s Similar:
Quirky yet profound, this anime masks heavy emotional themes under absurd metaphors—similar to Oregairu‘s narrative layering.
15. Kimi to Boku. (2011)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 26 (2 Seasons)
MAL Rating: 7.71
Studio: J.C.Staff
Awards: None
A slow-paced look at five high school boys navigating friendship, family, and budding romances.
Why It’s Similar:
Subtle humor, quiet character growth, and melancholic undertones mirror Oregairu‘s mood and pacing.
Why These Anime Work for Oregairu Fans
Each of these series reflects Oregairu’s core strengths—emotional realism, flawed characters, and understated storytelling. While their settings may differ—from supernatural towns to performing arts or psychological drama—they all explore how individuals navigate societal roles, internal conflict, and the search for authenticity. These shows don’t hand out easy resolutions, just like Oregairu, but they offer a powerful sense of resonance for viewers who appreciate depth over spectacle.
