15 Quirky Anime Like Star vs. The Forces of Evil

By Matt Hudson

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Star vs. The Forces of Evil blends magical-girl tropes with interdimensional chaos, focusing on themes like self-discovery, unconventional power systems, and subverting expectations.

These 15 underrated anime capture similar energy, offering creative worlds, complex character growth, and narrative boldness.

1. Akame ga Kill! (2014)

Akame Ga Kill!
  • Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
  • Episodes: 24
  • MAL Rating: 7.5
  • Plot: A naïve warrior joins the rebel group “Night Raid” to overthrow a corrupt empire, facing moral dilemmas and devastating losses.
  • Similarities: Like Star’s moral ambiguity, it subverts heroism tropes and delivers emotional gut-punches through character sacrifices.

2. Full Metal Panic! (2002)

Full Metal Panic!
  • Streaming: Funimation, HiDive
  • Episodes: 24
  • MAL Rating: 7.8
  • Plot: A military mecha pilot protects a girl harboring advanced technology secrets, balancing high-stakes action with school-life comedy.
  • Similarities: Blends sci-fi and slice-of-life humor akin to Star’s Earth-Mewni dynamic.

3. Air Gear (2006)

Air Gear
  • Streaming: Amazon Prime
  • Episodes: 25
  • MAL Rating: 7.3
  • Plot: Teens use powered rollerblades (“Air Treks”) for gang battles and stunts in a hyper-stylized world.
  • Similarities: Shares Star’s kinetic energy and quirky character designs, emphasizing teamwork and self-expression.

4. Yakitate!! Japan (2004)

Yakitate!! Japan
  • Streaming: Crunchyroll
  • Episodes: 69
  • MAL Rating: 8.0
  • Plot: A baker aims to create Japan’s national bread through absurd, competition-driven baking battles.
  • Similarities: Matches Star’s over-the-top humor and underdog spirit, replacing magic with culinary creativity.

5. Princess Tutu (2002)

Princess Tutu
  • Streaming: Tubi
  • Episodes: 26
  • MAL Rating: 8.0
  • Plot: A duck-turned-girl uses ballet to heal a prince’s shattered heart, battling storybook curses.
  • Similarities: Magical-girl narrative with meta-storytelling and emotional depth, echoing Star’s themes of destiny vs. free will.

6. Kyousougiga (2013)

Kyousougiga
  • Streaming: Netflix
  • Episodes: 10
  • MAL Rating: 7.9
  • Plot: A girl searches for her family in a surreal mirror-world, blending mythology and chaotic family dynamics.
  • Similarities: Multidimensional travel and vibrant animation style reminiscent of Star’s universe-hopping.

7. Tweeny Witches (2004)

Tweeny Witches
  • Streaming: Retrocrush
  • Episodes: 40
  • MAL Rating: 7.2
  • Plot: A human girl trapped in a magic realm challenges oppressive systems with grassroots rebellion.
  • Similarities: Critiques authority like Star’s Monster-Mewman conflict, emphasizing empathy over power.

8. The Vision of Escaflowne (1996)

The Vision Of Escaflowne
  • Streaming: Funimation
  • Episodes: 26
  • MAL Rating: 7.8
  • Plot: A high-schooler is teleported to a war-torn world where she pilots a giant mecha.
  • Similarities: Fantasy-romance fusion and character-driven growth, paralleling Star and Marco’s bond.

9. Kemono no Souja Erin (2009)

Kemono No Souja Erin
  • Streaming: Crunchyroll
  • Episodes: 50
  • MAL Rating: 8.3
  • Plot: A girl bonds with mythical beasts while navigating political intrigue in a divided kingdom.
  • Similarities: Slow-burn worldbuilding and anti-war messaging, akin to Star’s diplomacy arcs.

10. Flip Flappers (2016)

Flip Flappers
  • Streaming: HiDive
  • Episodes: 13
  • MAL Rating: 7.5
  • Plot: Two girls explore psychedelic dimensions to collect fragments of emotion.
  • Similarities: Abstract visual storytelling and LGBTQ+ subtext, reflecting Star’s experimental tone.

11. Humanity Has Declined (2012)

Humanity Has Declined
  • Streaming: Crunchyroll
  • Episodes: 12
  • MAL Rating: 7.8
  • Plot: A mediator between humans and mischievous fairies navigates post-apocalyptic satire.
  • Similarities: Sharp humor and dark societal commentary, echoing Star’s balance of whimsy and gravity.

12. Princess Principal (2017)

Princess Principal
  • Streaming: Funimation
  • Episodes: 12
  • MAL Rating: 7.6
  • Plot: Steampunk spies in alternate-history London tackle missions with moral ambiguity.
  • Similarities: Female-driven action and political intrigue, mirroring Star’s blend of adventure and ideology.

13. Tiger & Bunny (2011)

Tiger & Bunny
  • Streaming: Netflix
  • Episodes: 25
  • MAL Rating: 7.8
  • Plot: Rival superheroes team up in a corporatized world where heroics are televised.
  • Similarities: Deconstructs heroism and commercialization, aligning with Star’s critique of royal systems.

14. Katanagatari (2010)

Katanagatari
  • Streaming: Crunchyroll
  • Episodes: 12
  • MAL Rating: 8.3
  • Plot: A swordsman and strategist collect legendary blades, facing philosophical foes.
  • Similarities: Stylized combat and witty banter, recalling Star’s humor-laced battles.

15. The Eccentric Family (2013)

The Eccentric Family
  • Streaming: HiDive
  • Episodes: 24
  • MAL Rating: 8.0
  • Plot: A family of shape-shifting tanukis cope with loss in modern Kyoto.
  • Similarities: Whimsical yet poignant exploration of identity and tradition, akin to Star’s cultural clashes.

Why These Anime Work for Star vs. The Forces of Evil Fans

These series prioritize character-driven growth and narrative subversion, much like Star’s rejection of simplistic heroism. They blend humor with high stakes, often through:

  • Unique power systems (e.g., Air Gear’s sports-tech, Princess Tutu’s dance magic).
  • Underdog protagonists challenging corrupt systems (Akame ga Kill!, Tweeny Witches).
  • Experimental animation (Flip Flappers, Kyousougiga) reflecting Star’s visual inventiveness.
    While overlooked, their thematic depth and creative risks make them ideal for fans seeking more than mainstream hits.

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