Spheres (2003) blended psychic power systems with a classic underdog arc, then flipped expectations through political intrigue and moral-gray conflicts. Although fondly remembered by early-2000s fans, it never reached mainstream status.
The 15 series below echo Spheres’ DNA—creative power mechanics, scrappy protagonists, and twists that upend formula—yet remain criminally under-watched. Each entry lists where you can stream it, key stats, and why it scratches the same itch.
1. Psychic Squad (2008)
- Where to watch: HIDIVE (U.S.), Crunchyroll (select regions)
- Episodes / Rating: 51 eps – MAL 7.31
- Studio / Staff: Synergy SP; director Keiichiro Kawaguchi
- Awards: 2008 Tokyo Anime Fair Excellence Prize (children’s division)
- Plot: Three Level-7 espers join a government task-force to pre-empt crimes.
- Why it fits: Team-based psychic combat system, a heroine judged “too unstable,” and late-series betrayals mirror Spheres’ class tensions and artifact chases.
2. Witch Hunter Robin (2002)
- Where to watch: Funimation, Crunchyroll
- Episodes / Rating: 26 eps – MAL 7.21
- Studio / Staff: Sunrise; chief director Shūkō Murase
- Plot: A fire-wielding teen joins SOLOMON to hunt rogue witches, then uncovers the agency’s dark agenda.
- Why it fits: Element-coded powers, an outsider heroine, and a midpoint twist that redefines “enemy.”
3. From the New World (Shinsekai Yori, 2012)
- Where to watch: HiDive, Amazon Prime (U.S.)
- Episodes / Rating: 25 eps – MAL 8.26
- Studio / Staff: A-1 Pictures; director Masashi Ishihama
- Awards: 2013 Nihon SF Taisho finalist
- Plot: Children in a future Japan awaken psychic “Cantus” and uncover humanity’s bloody history.
- Why it fits: Strict power rules, caste conflict, and brutal reveals about society’s foundations echo Spheres’ fallen kingdom lore.
4. Darker than Black (2007)
- Where to watch: Hulu, Funimation
- Episodes / Rating: 25 eps – MAL 8.03
- Studio / Staff: Bones; director Tensai Okamura
- Plot: Contractors pay a “price” each time they wield supernatural abilities while corporations wage secret wars.
- Why it fits: Cost-based power system, morally gray espionage, and an antihero hiding his origins parallel Asten’s shadow games.
5. Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited – Hyōbu Kyōsuke (2013)
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll, HiDive
- Episodes / Rating: 12 eps – MAL 7.46
- Studio / Staff: Manglobe; director Shishido Shingo
- Plot: A rebel esper frees captive psychics to wage war on humans who fear them.
- Why it fits: Underdog liberation theme, stylish action, and a charismatic antagonist-lead invert viewer sympathies—classic Spheres subversion.
6. Kekkai Sensen (Blood Blockade Battlefront, 2015)
- Where to watch: Funimation, Hulu
- Episodes / Rating: 12 eps – MAL 7.63
- Studio / Staff: Bones; chief director Rie Matsumoto
- Plot: Ordinary teen Leonardo gains “All-Seeing Eyes” and joins LIBRA to police a monster-human melting pot.
- Why it fits: Oddball power mechanics, found-family squad, and city-spanning conspiracies feel like Spheres scaled to New-York-on-acid.
7. World Trigger (2014)
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Episodes / Rating: 99 eps – MAL 7.58
- Studio / Staff: Toei Animation; series composer Hiroyuki Yoshino
- Plot: Earth teens wield modular “Triggers” to repel alien Neighbors while climbing competitive rank wars.
- Why it fits: Clear rules, strategy-heavy battles, and an earnest low-power protagonist echo Na-yeon’s club training arc.
8. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007)
- Where to watch: HiDive, Amazon Prime
- Episodes / Rating: 26 eps – MAL 8.16
- Studio / Staff: Production I.G; director Kenji Kamiyama
- Awards: 2008 Japan Media Arts Festival Jury Prize
- Plot: Spear-wielding bodyguard Balsa protects a prince possessed by a water demon.
- Why it fits: Grounded martial-arts power set, political intrigue, and maternal mentorship expand on Spheres’ inter-generational stakes.
9. Ga-Rei: Zero (2008)
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes / Rating: 12 eps – MAL 7.45
- Studio / Staff: AIC Spirits + Asread; director Ei Aoki
- Plot: Two foster sisters fight specters—until a betrayal flips ally into enemy in episode one.
- Why it fits: Immediate subversion, spirit-weapon systems, and tragic friendship reminiscent of Spheres’ rival arcs.
10. Revisions (2019)
- Where to watch: Netflix worldwide
- Episodes / Rating: 12 eps – MAL 6.24
- Studio / Staff: Shirogumi (CG focus); director Gorō Taniguchi
- Plot: A Tokyo district is time-warped to 2388; teens pilot exo-armor against biomechs called Revisions.
- Why it fits: Hybrid mecha-psychic gear, a chosen-but-flawed lead, and timeline paradox twists channel Spheres stakes with CG flair.
11. Night Head 2041 (2021)
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll, VRV
- Episodes / Rating: 12 eps – MAL 6.14
- Studio / Staff: Shirogumi; scripts by George Iida (original 1992 drama)
- Plot: Two psychic fugitive brothers are hunted by two anti-esp psychic brothers working for the state.
- Why it fits: Mirror-duo dynamic, institutional oppression of espers, and fate-versus-free-will debate match Spheres’ themes.
12. Kiba (2006)
- Where to watch: Crunchyroll (sub), Tubi
- Episodes / Rating: 51 eps – MAL 7.15
- Studio / Staff: Madhouse; creator Osamu Nabeshima
- Plot: Disillusioned teen transported to another world wields Spirit Shards to fight for freedom.
- Why it fits: Elemental shard power, underdog isekai ascent, and shifting alliances echo Spheres artifact quests.
13. Tokyo ESP (2014)
- Where to watch: Funimation, Crunchyroll
- Episodes / Rating: 12 eps – MAL 6.57
- Studio / Staff: Xebec; director Shigehito Takayanagi
- Plot: Flying schoolgirl Rinka joins other “ESPers” to stop a villainous revolt against humanity.
- Why it fits: Street-level psychic vigilantes, media scapegoating, and ideological clashes parallel Spheres’ union vs. rebels conflict.
14. 11eyes (2009)
- Where to watch: HiDive, RetroCrush
- Episodes / Rating: 12 eps – MAL 6.29
- Studio / Staff: Doga Kobo; director Masami Shimoda
- Plot: Students are dragged nightly into a “Red Night” dimension where they battle monsters with newly awakened abilities.
- Why it fits: Hidden heritage powers, artifact collecting, and reality-blending twists resemble Spheres’ multiverse lore.
15. Spriggan (2022)
- Where to watch: Netflix
- Episodes / Rating: 6 eps (45-min) – MAL 6.97
- Studio / Staff: David Production; director Hiroshi Kobayashi
- Plot: Elite agent Yu Ominae protects ancient relics whose psychic tech could rewrite civilization.
- Why it fits: Artifact-driven action, globe-spanning conspiracies, and muscular animation upgrade Spheres’ relic warfare to cinematic scale.
Why These Anime Work for Mentioned Anime Fans
Each recommendation pairs Spheres’ pillars—structured power systems, scrappy heroes rising against entrenched forces, and narrative rug-pulls—with its own fresh hook: from Moribito’s maternal samurai drama to World Trigger’s chess-match squad wars. Whether you crave more psychic showdowns, class-rebellion allegories, or just smart twists on shōnen tropes, these under-the-radar gems keep the spirit of Spheres alive while pushing the genre in unexpected directions.
