15 Animes Similar to The Magic School Bus

The Magic School Bus captivated audiences with its blend of education, adventure, and character growth. These underrated anime series echo its spirit through imaginative worlds, underdog narratives, and unconventional learning journeys.

While mainstream hits dominate discussions, these hidden gems offer unique takes on discovery, resilience, and subverting expectations—making them perfect for fans seeking depth beyond typical tropes.

1. Ascendance of a Bookworm (2019)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: A book-loving girl reincarnates in a medieval world without books, using her knowledge to revolutionize literacy. Her journey involves inventing paper and printing while navigating class barriers.
• Similarities: Like Ms. Frizzle’s hands-on teaching, it transforms knowledge into tangible change. Focuses on curiosity-driven problem-solving and societal impact.
• Details: 36 episodes, MAL: 8.0. Studio: Ajia-Do. Awards: None, but praised for historical accuracy.

2. Cells at Work! (2018)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix
• Plot: Personified blood cells defend the human body against pathogens, blending biology lessons with action-packed battles against viruses and bacteria.
• Similarities: Educational core mirrors The Magic School Bus’s science focus. Uses adventure to explain complex concepts accessibly.
• Details: 13 episodes, MAL: 7.5. Studio: David Production. Awards: Crunchyroll Anime Award nominee.

3. Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! (2020)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Three high school girls form an animation club, learning filmmaking through trial-and-error while bringing wild fantasies to life.
• Similarities: Celebrates hands-on creativity and collaborative learning, echoing the adventurous experimentation in The Magic School Bus.
• Details: 12 episodes, MAL: 8.0. Studio: Science SARU. Awards: Tokyo Anime Award winner.

4. Super Cub (2021)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: A lonely girl buys a used motorbike, discovering freedom and friendship through rural exploration and mechanical tinkering.
• Similarities: Quiet, educational focus on self-reliance and mechanics, akin to the show’s practical life lessons.
• Details: 12 episodes, MAL: 7.2. Studio: Studio Kai. Awards: None, but cult following for its calming tone.

5. Yuru Camp△ (2018)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: High schoolers bond while camping across Japan, learning outdoor survival skills and regional geography.
• Similarities: Combines adventure with practical education—camping safety, ecology, and teamwork—mirroring the show’s field-trip spirit.
• Details: 24 episodes, MAL: 8.0. Studio: C-Station. Awards: Newtype Anime Award winner.

6. Ranking of Kings (2021)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: A deaf prince, Bojji, and his shadow ally defy expectations in a world where kings are ranked by strength. Their journey challenges ableism and corruption.
• Similarities: Underdog protagonist and emphasis on empathy align with The Magic School Bus’s focus on overcoming obstacles through ingenuity.
• Details: 23 episodes, MAL: 8.5. Studio: Wit Studio. Awards: Galaxy Award, Crunchyroll Anime Award (Best Protagonist).

7. Mashle: Magic and Muscles (2023)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: In a magic-dominated world, Mash—a non-magical boy—uses brute strength to compete at a wizard academy, parodying fantasy tropes.
• Similarities: Subverts expectations like The Magic School Bus’s quirky science twists. Mash’s underdog journey emphasizes resilience.
• Details: 24 episodes, MAL: 7.6. Studio: A-1 Pictures. Awards: Crunchyroll Anime Award nominee (Best Comedy).

8. Little Witch Academia (2017)

• Streaming: Netflix
• Plot: A non-magical girl enrolls in a witch academy, overcoming prejudice through determination and creative spellcasting.
• Similarities: Celebrates learning through failure and diversity, much like the show’s inclusive educational ethos.
• Details: 25 episodes, MAL: 7.8. Studio: Trigger. Awards: Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Award.

9. Silver Spoon (2013)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: A city teen enrolls in an agricultural school, grappling with farm life while learning animal husbandry and sustainability.
• Similarities: Practical, immersive education in unexpected settings—parallels The Magic School Bus’s experiential learning.
• Details: 22 episodes, MAL: 8.1. Studio: A-1 Pictures. Awards: Manga Taisho nominee.

10. Barakamon (2014)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: A calligrapher moves to a rural island after creative burnout, rediscovering art through local culture and friendships.
• Similarities: Focus on unconventional learning and personal growth, echoing the show’s emphasis on curiosity.
• Details: 12 episodes, MAL: 8.2. Studio: Kinema Citrus. Awards: None, but critically acclaimed.

11. Space Brothers (2012)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Two brothers pursue astronaut careers, tackling physics, teamwork, and perseverance amid space-agency challenges.
• Similarities: Blends science education with heartfelt adventure, akin to the show’s exploratory zeal.
• Details: 99 episodes, MAL: 8.5. Studio: A-1 Pictures. Awards: International Emmy nominee.

12. Mushi-Shi (2005)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: A “Mushi Master” studies ethereal creatures, solving ecological mysteries in a supernatural Edo-era Japan.
• Similarities: Episodic exploration of natural wonders, mirroring the show’s wonder-driven structure.
• Details: 46 episodes, MAL: 8.7. Studio: Artland. Awards: Tokyo Anime Award winner.

13. The Great Passage (2016)

• Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
• Plot: Lexicographers craft a new dictionary, exploring language’s power through personal and professional hurdles.
• Similarities: Celebrates niche knowledge and meticulous discovery, reflecting the show’s passion for teaching.
• Details: 11 episodes, MAL: 7.8. Studio: Zexcs. Awards: None, but praised for depth.

14. Flying Witch (2016)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: A teenage witch moves to rural Japan, learning magic through everyday tasks and local folklore.
• Similarities: Low-stakes, educational charm parallels The Magic School Bus’s joyful exploration.
• Details: 12 episodes, MAL: 7.7. Studio: J.C.Staff. Awards: None, but beloved for ambiance.

15. A Place Further Than the Universe (2018)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: High school girls embark on an Antarctic expedition, confronting logistics, climate science, and personal limits.
• Similarities: Adventure-driven education and emotional growth, akin to the show’s transformative field trips.
• Details: 13 episodes, MAL: 8.7. Studio: Madhouse. Awards: Crunchyroll Anime Award (Best Drama).

Why These Anime Work for The Magic School Bus Fans

These series prioritize experiential learning—whether through scientific discovery, cultural immersion, or personal resilience. Like The Magic School Bus, they frame education as an adventure, using underdog protagonists (e.g., Bojji’s disability in Ranking of Kings or Mash’s non-magic grit) to teach empathy and perseverance. Their underrated status often stems from niche themes or unconventional animation, but they excel in subverting expectations: Cells at Work! turns biology into epic battles, while Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! celebrates creativity over perfection. For fans seeking wonder beyond mainstream hits, these titles prove that the best lessons come from the journey, not the destination.