Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse redefined superhero storytelling with its groundbreaking animation, multiverse narrative, and Miles Morales’ underdog journey. This article highlights 15 underrated anime series that echo its core themes: innovative visual styles, transformative character arcs, and subversive storytelling.
These selections prioritize lesser-known titles with unique artistic approaches and narrative depth, offering fresh experiences beyond mainstream hits.
1. The Night is Short, Walk on Girl (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hidive
- Plot: A college student’s surreal night in Kyoto intertwines drinking escapades, romantic mishaps, and supernatural encounters, all while her admirer schemes to confess his feelings.
- Similarities: Vibrant, fluid animation and non-linear storytelling mirror Spider-Verse’s visual dynamism, blending reality with whimsy.
- MAL Rating: 7.8 | Runtime: 1h 32m | Studio: Science SARU | Awards: Best Animation Film (Mainichi Film Awards)
2. The Tatami Galaxy (2010)
- Streaming: Netflix, Crunchyroll
- Plot: A university student relives parallel timelines by joining different clubs, chasing an idealized campus life but facing comedic disillusionment each time.
- Similarities: Multiverse-inspired structure and psychedelic visuals parallel Spider-Verse’s reality-bending creativity, emphasizing choice and consequence.
- MAL Rating: 8.5 | Episodes: 11 | Studio: Madhouse
3. Mind Game (2004)
- Streaming: Amazon Prime, Apple TV
- Plot: After being killed by gangsters, a man escapes the afterlife to relive his life with newfound courage, leading to a chaotic odyssey.
- Similarities: Experimental animation and themes of self-reinvention reflect Spider-Verse’s boundary-pushing style and Miles’ growth.
- MAL Rating: 7.9 | Runtime: 1h 44m | Director: Masaaki Yuasa
4. Kaiba (2008)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: In a world where memories are digitalized, an amnesiac travels through surreal planets to uncover his past and the woman in his locket.
- Similarities: Dreamlike visuals and exploration of identity echo Spider-Verse’s focus on self-discovery and visual innovation.
- MAL Rating: 7.8 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: Madhouse
5. Redline (2009)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Tubi
- Plot: A daredevil racer competes in the universe’s deadliest competition on a militarized planet, relying on speed and grit to survive.
- Similarities: Hand-drawn, high-octane animation and underdog resilience mirror Spider-Verse’s adrenaline-fueled action and stylized sequences.
- MAL Rating: 8.2 | Runtime: 1h 42m | Studio: Madhouse
6. Promare (2019)
- Streaming: HBO Max, Crunchyroll
- Plot: Fire-wielding mutants clash with anti-mutant forces, leading to explosive battles and unexpected alliances in a stylized world.
- Similarities: Bold color palettes and kinetic energy align with Spider-Verse’s comic-inspired aesthetic, emphasizing uniqueness and rebellion.
- MAL Rating: 7.8 | Runtime: 1h 51m | Studio: Trigger
7. Mononoke (2007)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Plot: A mysterious Medicine Seller exorcises spirits by uncovering their truths, navigating psychological horrors in feudal Japan.
- Similarities: Avant-garde ukiyo-e-inspired art and narrative subversion parallel Spider-Verse’s visual distinctiveness and thematic depth.
- MAL Rating: 8.3 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: Toei Animation
8. Devilman Crybaby (2018)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Plot: A sensitive teen merges with a demon to fight apocalyptic forces, confronting humanity’s darkness in a brutal, hyper-stylized world.
- Similarities: Raw animation and tragic underdog narrative subvert expectations, echoing Spider-Verse’s emotional weight.
- MAL Rating: 7.8 | Episodes: 10 | Studio: Science SARU
9. Tekkonkinkreet (2006)
- Streaming: Amazon Prime, Tubi
- Plot: Two orphaned brothers navigate a corrupt city, their bond tested by gang wars and supernatural threats.
- Similarities: Hybrid 2D/3D animation and urban chaos reflect Spider-Verse’s blend of realism and fantasy, focusing on youthful resilience.
- MAL Rating: 8.0 | Runtime: 1h 51m | Studio: Studio 4°C
10. Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple (2006)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Plot: A bullied teen trains under eccentric martial arts masters, transforming into a fighter who champions the weak.
- Similarities: Underdog emphasis on hard work over innate talent mirrors Miles’ journey, with over-the-top action and growth.
- MAL Rating: 8.0 | Episodes: 50 | Studio: TMS Entertainment
11. Space Brothers (2012)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A 30-year-old pursues his astronaut dream after job loss, competing against his prodigy brother.
- Similarities: Perseverance against societal odds aligns with Spider-Verse’s themes of self-doubt and triumph.
- MAL Rating: 8.5 | Episodes: 99 | Studio: A-1 Pictures
12. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor (2007)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A debt-ridden gambler enters psychological death games, battling systemic oppression.
- Similarities: Stylized visuals and underdog-vs-system stakes evoke Spider-Verse’s tension and social commentary.
- MAL Rating: 8.3 | Episodes: 26 | Studio: Madhouse
13. Ping Pong the Animation (2014)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Two ping pong prodigies navigate rivalry and self-discovery, redefining their identities through sport.
- Similarities: Expressive animation and themes of embracing individuality parallel Miles’ path to self-acceptance.
- MAL Rating: 8.6 | Episodes: 11 | Studio: Tatsunoko Production
14. Kyousougiga (2013)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A family with divine powers reunites in a surreal mirror-world, blending fantasy and emotional drama.
- Similarities: Chaotic, multiverse-like realms and vibrant animation echo Spider-Verse’s dimension-hopping creativity.
- MAL Rating: 8.0 | Episodes: 10 | Studio: Toei Animation
15. Kaiba (2008)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: An amnesiac journeys through bizarre planets to uncover his past, exploring memory and identity.
- Similarities: Surreal art and introspective storytelling mirror Spider-Verse’s fusion of style and substance.
- MAL Rating: 7.8 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: Madhouse
Why These Anime Work for Spider-Verse Fans
These series capture Spider-Verse’s essence: underdog resilience (e.g., Kenichi’s hard-won strength), visual innovation (e.g., Redline’s hand-drawn intensity), and narrative subversion (e.g., Tatami Galaxy’s multiverse twists). They prioritize artistic risk over mainstream appeal, much like Spider-Verse’s trailblazing approach. For fans seeking bold animation and transformative journeys, these hidden gems offer a thrilling leap beyond convention.
