10 Books/Manga Like Wolf Children
Wolf Children is a stellar manga series written by Mamoru Hosoda and drawn by Yuu. It follows the lives of Hana and her children as they try to live peacefully in the countryside. Hana’s life with her kids won’t be an easy one as she must live with the fact that they can transform into wolves. This is an excellent tale that tackles the challenges of single-parenthood. With a touch of fantasy and drama, this is a work everyone needs to read.
If you’re in the mood for more slice-of-life or fantasy books/manga that offer a similar vibe, fear not! We’ve gathered together 10 books/manga to check out when you’ve caught up with Wolf Children. Of course, if you feel we’ve missed any of your favorites, do comment below and let us know!
Ride Your Wave – Masaaki Yuasa & Machi Kiachi
Similarities – Themes & Romance
Ride Your Wave is another emotional tale about grief, loss, and personal growth. Like Wolf Children, it beautifully depicts its protagonists’ journey through life’s challenges and showcases how they’ll discover their own strength along the way. In it, we follow Hinako, as she faces the tragic loss of her boyfriend, Minato.
However, like Hana in Wolf Children, Hinako finds comfort and courage in her memories of Minato. She’ll refuse to let go of his spirit and will connect with him whenever she surfs. This unique connection mirrors Hana’s bond with her werewolf husband, Ookami. Moreover, both tales have their protagonists experience significant growth.
If you enjoyed seeing Hana become a resilient single mother to her children in Wolf Children, you’ll love seeing Hinako stand on her own and embrace her passion for surfing in Ride Your Wave.
Spice & Wolf – Hasekura Isuna
Similarities – Themes & Fantasy
Spice & Wolf is a delightful slice-of-life light novel series that’ll captivate Wolf Children’s audience. Like Wolf Children, this tale delves into profound concepts surrounding love, self-discovery, and personal growth.
In Spice & Wolf, we follow the adventures of a traveling merchant named Lawrence and his wolf deity companion, Holo the Wise Wolf. Their relationship gradually develops from a business partnership to something more romantic. While brief, Wolf Children depicts the powerful connection Hana establishes with her werewolf husband Ookami. In both romances, the authors exhibit a fine understanding of the complexities of romance and the sacrifices people will make during them.
In addition to tackling similar themes surrounding maturation and self-discovery, Spice & Wolf is a compelling tale all Wolf Children fans should experience.
That Wolf-Boy Is Mine – Youko Nogiri
Similarities – Themes & Romance
That Wolf-Boy Is Mine is an enjoyable romance series with similar themes and characters as Wolf Children. It follows Komugi, who transfers to a new school and discovers some of her classmates are werewolves. As she forms connections and experiences love, Komugi grapples with her own identity and fears that others will discover her secret. This echoes the themes of acceptance and courage found throughout Hana and her children’s journey in Wolf Children.
Moreover, both works weave acceptance in the relationships between the characters. That Wolf-Boy Is Mind explores the budding romance between Komugi and Yu, a wolf-boy from her classes. Their relationship revolves around fear, misunderstandings, and the struggle to work their differences out. This mirrors Hana’s romantic pursuit of Ookami and her unwavering commitment to protecting her children from a dastardly fate.
In addition to providing readers with a deep dive into the intricacies of werewolf communities, That Wolf-Boy Is Mine is a great manga to read after Wolf Children.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time – Yasutaka Tsutsui
Similarities – Themes & Plot Devices
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a captivating tale with compelling ideas and characters. The story centers around Makoto, a girl who possesses the power to leap back in time to rewrite her past. This idea of time is present in Wolf Children, but not to the same effect.
In Wolf Children’s case, Mamoru Hosoda uses time in a transformative manner by highlighting Hana’s children’s growth throughout the course of the story. Her kids will learn to develop opinions and beliefs of their own accord and these will conflict with Hana’s views of what she believes is the right path for them to take. That said, both stories revolve around their characters’ journeys of self-discovery and development. As Makoto uses her time-leaping powers for selfish reasons, she’ll encounter various issues. These issues play a crucial role in helping her learn valuable lessons such as cherishing everyday moments.
With both manga’s interesting uses of time and deep dives into their characters’ psychological journeys, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a great manga to pick up after Wolf Children.
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms – Mari Okada
Similarities – Motherhood & Growth
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms is another great work about motherhood, growth, and sacrifice. It offers insightful knowledge about the complexities of caregiving and the importance of making solid decisions. In it, our protagonist, Maquia, is an immortal being who adopts a human baby named Erial, after his village is attacked. Like Hana, Maquia exhibits unwavering love, resilience, and selflessness during the time she spends with her adoptive son.
Through their family bonding, readers will witness the joys and sacrifices mothers make to ensure their children are happy and safe. Moreover, Maquia and Hana experience substantial growth due to the challenges their respective authors place in front of them. Maquia must cope with her immortality, but Hana must overcome the difficulties of raising two kids with supernatural capabilities.
If you’re after another tale of love and sacrifice, Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms will impress you.
Beastars – Paru Itagaki
Similarities – Themes & Characters
Beastars is an excellent animal-centric tale about growth, identity, and acceptance. Much like Wolf Children, this story examines its characters’ struggles to navigate societal expectations and their own unique characteristics.
In Beastars, we follow Legoshi, a timid and gentle wolf, whose life changes when he encounters a troublesome yet kind hare named Haru. As with Hana’s complications with her world, Legoshi has his own disdain for his own.
Both tales feature settings where individuals struggle with identity due to the ways people perceive those who look or act differently. With Legoshi, he’s plagued by society’s predator label. Hana’s children face similar issues in their human-dominated world, forcing Hana to make choices for them that interfere with their beliefs. Beastars and Wolf Children highlight why it’s important to stay true to yourself and find a supportive community that allows you to flourish.
Moreover, both mangas wreak of fantastic character development. As Legoshi navigates his world alongside Haru, he becomes more self-aware and in control of his impulses. Similarly, Ame and Yuki, Hana’s kids, experience growth as they struggle to carve their own path in life.
With its similar themes and characters, Beastars is an exceptional tale that’ll appeal to Wolf Children fans.
Somali and the Forest Spirit – Yako Gureishi
Similarities – Caregiving & Supernatural
Somali and the Forest Spirit is a compelling and heartfelt tale many Wolf Children enjoyers should check out. For instance, this manga explores the beauty of parenthood and the sacrificial love caregivers have for younger beings.
In Somali, we follow the daily endeavors of a human child and her golem caregiver. Yako Gureishi beautifully captures the bond and deep affection this unlikely pair has for each other as they navigate a mysterious fantasy realm.
Like Mamoru Hosoda, readers will appreciate Gureishi’s attempts at celebrating the selflessness of parenthood and highlighting the lengths adults will go to protect those who mean something to them. That said, both tales touch upon sacrifice and how it instills strength in their characters. Like Hana, the golem character will go to lengths of risking its own existence to protect this child from harm.
Through their parallel storylines, readers will adore Gureishi’s take on the transformative power of parenthood and the beauty behind sacrificial love.
Fruits Basket – Natsuki Takaya
Similarities – Themes & Supernatural
Fruits Basket is a charming romance series with similar themes of family, identity, and personal development. As with Wolf Children, these tale highlights how having strong familial connections can help anyone heal emotional scars and feel wanted.
In Fruits Basket, the protagonist Tohru finds comfort and support in her new supernatural family. Through her genuine love and acceptance, Tohru helps her family confront their deep traumas, leading them to experience significant growth. This mirrors Hana’s effects on her children as she flees to the countryside to provide her kids with a safe space to grow and accept their dual nature.
On top of effectively tackling topics regarding one’s identity and resilience toward societal expectations, Fruits Basket is a well-written work that everyone should read.
Barakamon – Satsuki Yoshino
Similarities – Themes
For a tale that’s more on the grounded spectrum, we’d like to recommend Barakamon. Like Wolf Children, it depicts protagonists who are forced to leave their familiar surroundings. In it, we follow Seishuu, a man exiled to the strange island community because of his actions. As he immerses himself in this island’s culture, Seishuu gains insight into himself and develops the true essence of his calligraphy hobby.
Hana faces similar isolation as she raises her wolf children far from the society she grew up in. The challenges she endures will push her to adapt, earn, and embrace her unique motherly role. Solitude plays a crucial role in the characters’ personal growth in Barakamon and Wolf Children too. While isolation provides Seishuu time to reflect on his identity and art, this idea allows Hana to develop independence and strength.
In addition to highlighting the importance of embracing the joys of everyday life, Barakamon is a notable and wholesome tale that should interest Wolf Children’s audience.
Into The Forest of Fireflies’ Light – Yuki Midorikawa
Similarities – Coming-of-Age, Themes, Supernatural
Into The Forest of Fireflies’ Light is a wholesome coming-of-age tale with protagonists who grapple with their identities and forge compelling connections with others to understand their dilemmas. Much like Wolf Children, this tale offers a satisfying quest for self-identity. In it, the protagonist Hotaru forms a close connection with Gin, a mysterious forest spirit.
As their relationship grows, Hotaru wrestles with her romantic feelings and the societal expectations pertaining to maturation. Similarly, Wolf Children has Ame and Yuki struggle with their life paths because of the werewolf genes they received on their father’s side. This trio of children must make crucial decisions about their futures and audiences will enjoy seeing what those will be as they read.
On top of providing readers with excellent life lessons about the significance of embracing one’s individuality, Into The Forest of Fireflies’ Light has all the ingredients necessary to excite Wolf Children enthusiasts.
So there we have it, our 10 books/manga to read after you’re caught up with Wolf Children.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!