Check Out These Other Dramatic or Wholesome Works!
One Stormy Night is a niche anime many people may not have heard of. Upon watching it, you’ll wish you’d known about it sooner. It follows the adventure of a lamb named Mei and his wolf friend Gabu. Although their herds can’t see eye to eye, Gabu and Mei vow to become close companions to break this notion. Despite having a predictable plot, it’s an anime with a lot of heart put into it.
Fear not if you’re having trouble finding anime similar to One Stormy Night! We’ve discovered 10 alternate shows that’ll give you a similar experience as One Stormy Night.
Additionally, for each anime we’ve reviewed, we’ve included a link that allows you to view our full thoughts about the series to see if it’s worth your time.
So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows/anime that should whet your appetite when you’ve finished streaming One Stormy Night!
Ringing Bell
Similarities – Characters & Life Lessons
Ringing Bell is another anime that features a companionship between a herbivore and a carnivore. It follows Chirin, a newborn lamb who enjoys living with his mother in a meadow. Unfortunately, a wolf named Wor kills her, leading Chirin to embark on a quest for vengeance. By becoming Wor’s apprentice, Chirin hopes to acquire enough strength to make Wor pay for his actions.
Mei and Chirin have similar backgrounds as both their mothers were murdered by the species they end up becoming pals with later. Both anime explore their odd relationships with wolves and shows how their companionship affects them and the others around them. These anime may also look child-friendly due to their art styles but depict violence that’s more acceptable for teens and adults.
Ringing Bell and One Stormy Night deliver valuable life lessons within their runtime. They both indicate why it’s important to empathize, forgive and understand those who look and act differently from yourself. They do so by placing their pairs in situations that defy the traditions and rules they followed since they were younger. If you’re looking for another anime with a similar dynamic but with harsher violence, check out Ringing Bell.
Beastars
Similarities – Animals, Characters, Themes
Although the animals in Beastars tackle human activities unlike Gabu, Mei, and the other critters in One Stormy Night, it’s another anime with rich themes, characters, and emotional segments like it. Beastars follows Legoshi, a wolf who is ordered to monitor the premises due to a herbivore classmate dying the previous night from an unknown assailant.
Legoshi’s job leads him to meet Haru, a shunned rabbit. Legoshi develops a crush on Haru but must prevent his inner carnivore instincts from kicking in. This whole fiasco sounds similar to Gabu and Mei’s dilemma in One Stormy Night. Gabu and Mei’s relationship isn’t romantic like Haru and Legoshi’s, but the idea of herbivores and carnivores getting together is treated as taboo.
Gabu and Legoshi are two sides of the same coin. Both wolves must prevent their instincts and hunger from ruining their potential for a beloved friendship with a kind-hearted herbivore. Despite the odds, they’ll do whatever it takes to protect their companion from getting harmed, even if it means putting their life on the line.
You can read our thoughts on Beastars in our full-season review here!
Annyeong, Tyrano: Yeong-wonhi, Hamkke
Similarities – Character Dynamics & Emotional Storytelling
If you’re in need of a fun anime set in the prehistoric age, Annyeong, Tyrano: Yeong-wonhi, Hamkke should satisfy you. Like One Stormy Night, it features characters with a similar dynamic as Gabu and Mei, who are anthropomorphic creatures. In it, we examine the relationship between a lonely T-rex named Tyrano and an orphan baby dinosaur named Punon.
As they journey together, they’ll learn about each other’s differences and will develop a strong connection. Their journey is deep, emotional, and motivational. Along the way, Tyrano will overcome his personal issues and learn what it means to be a part of a family. This echoes the heartwarming aroma surrounding Gabu and Mei’s travels since they’ll encounter obstacles that’ll test their friendship. If you’re looking for an anime with great character development, touching scenarios, and an adventurous feel, watch this one.
Wolf Children
Similarities – Wolves & Themes
Another wolf-like tale centered around establishing proper connections between two different species is Wolf Children. While One Stormy Night offers a tale about the friendship between a lamb and wolf, this one observes the bond between a human mother and her two half-human, half-wolf kids. Nevertheless, both anime will fill you with happiness and break you down with their sad aspects.
Like Mei, the kids in Wolf Children lose one of their parents in a deadly manner. Their deaths impact the characters from both anime greatly since Mei must be weary of befriending wolves while Wolf Children’s Ame and Yuki must adapt to a new location due to their mother Hana forcing them to live there for safety purposes.
Wolf Children and One Stormy Night also explore themes many people will find relatable and engaging. Both anime informs viewers why it’s okay to embrace one’s identity regardless of what society might think of you. If you’re after another heartfelt anime that delves into the relationship between two different species, check out Wolf Children.
The Cat Returns
Similarities – Themes
The Cat Returns is an incredible anime that is a loose spinoff of Whisper of The Heart. It follows a 17-year-old girl named Haru, who winds up in the world of cats after saving the Cat Prince from danger. As she gets more involved with the activities in this world, the more cat-like she becomes. Therefore, the anime examines Haru’s journey of self-confidence and discovery.
Like One Stormy Night, The Cat Returns explores themes like friendship, identity, and self-realization. However, it does so through a more fantastical lens with its implementation of kingdoms, rulers, and action sequences. The world-building in The Cat Returns is better than in One Stormy Night too. Everything feels more imaginative and detailed from its settings to its character designs.
While its premises are different, both anime’s characters and handling of themes will inspire you. Many people will admire Haru’s growth throughout A Cat Returns as she becomes braver and less doubtful throughout the anime. On the other hand, many One Stormy Night fans cherished Mei and Gabu for maintaining their friendship despite their diverse tribe’s numerous threats and harsh words. If you’re looking for a whimsical fantasy anime with similar themes to One Stormy Night, check out The Cat Returns.
Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light
Similarities – Setting & Characters
Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light is a great supernatural series. It follows Hotaru and her friendship with Gin. Gin suffers from a dreadful curse that doesn’t allow him to touch human beings. The boundaries set between Hotaru and Gin gradually become less apparent as time passes and their mutual feelings mature.
This is a beautiful anime that offers a captivating setting like One Stormy Night. Their environments are filled with lush forests containing wonderful natural aspects that create a pleasant atmosphere. Like One Stormy Night, Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light is a two-character drama, with a focus on the interactions between its distinct protagonists. If you’re looking for another enjoyable coming-of-age tale with similar character dynamics as One Stormy Night, check out Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light.
There She Is!!
Similarities – Characters
Another anime that focuses on the relationship between two different species is There She Is!! Unlike One Stormy Night, this is a romantic comedy that revolves around a female rabbit (Doki) and a male cat (Dabi). However, they live in a society that doesn’t accept their love and deems it as forbidden. On that note, One Stormy Night and There She Is!!’s pairs are nearly identical in theme.
Doki and Dabi undergo similar hardships and ridicule as Mei and Gabu. While Doki remains consistent with her love for Dabi, Dabi undergoes a similar arc as Mei and Gabu where he’ll be hesitant about his affiliation with his partner. However, he’ll start to warm up to the idea over time, leading to a sparking romance between this unlikely duo.
This anime won’t take up much time for viewers to finish too. It’s a five-episode series and each chapter only lasts about 4-minutes. They feature our characters in different situations to keep things refreshing. Give this a watch if you loved Mei and Gabu’s dynamic but wanted something more romantic.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride
Similarities – Unlikely Companions
The Ancient Magus’ Bride is a cozy, magical, and breathtaking fantasy series. It revolves around the relationship between a slave and her magical master. Like Gabu and Mei, they come from different walks of life but form a genuine connection over time. It also delves into similar themes like family and friendship while placing its cast in difficult positions that’ll help them mature.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride feels more fantastical than One Stormy Night. It features many otherworldly critters and beings with distinct backgrounds and magical capabilities. You’ll be astounded by the level of creativity and imagination that went into their designs and how well it all blends together with the anime’s multiple natural locales.
Chise and Mei suffer from loss and grief. They’ll interact and meet individuals who’ll assist them in overcoming their past trauma and make them feel special. As one can tell from the cover photo above, The Ancient Magus’ Bride’s pair winds up falling in love with each other, unlike Mei and Gabu. Nevertheless, if you’re searching for a fantastical series with another phenomenal and unlikely protagonist duo, check out The Ancient Magus’ Bride.
The Girl From The Other Side
Similarities – Character Dynamics & Themes
The Girl From The Other Side is another anime about two unlikely duos and their adventures together. This anime offers two different viewing experiences in the form of a 10-minute OVA or a 1-hour+ feature film. Both adaptations are fine and will give you similar vibes to One Stormy Night. Both anime set their characters in worlds that can be dark and mysterious at times.
As for Sensei from The Girl From The Other Side, he lives in a forest that is inhabited by terrifying creatures with his human companion Shiva. As for Mei, he encounters Gabu in a farmhouse during a powerful storm. These anime carry settings that provide a sense of uncertainty and danger, making the audience feel wary of our character’s safety during their travels.
Both anime explore the theme of companionship well. Shiva will rely on Sensei for everything from food to shelter. This will remind people of Mei relying on Gabu to control his carnivorous instincts to prevent himself from feasting on him. While their art styles and worlds offer multiple differences, the bond between Shiva and Sensei will remind folks of Mei and Gabu the most.
Heart and Yummie
Similarities – Story, Characters, Family-Friendly
Heart and Yummie is a compelling reptilian-centric anime with a tale that’s nearly identical to One Stormy Night’s. It’s a fabulous anime that’s safe to show your toddlers and examines a predator-prey relationship between a T-rex named Heart and a small Ankylosaurus named Yummie. Like Gabu, Heart will struggle to deal with his unforgiving world and his predatory instincts.
Through their hardships and time together, he’ll learn to cope with it. Therefore, both anime will endow your children with great life lessons and help them become as compassionate, understanding, and hopeful as their respective protagonists. Both anime have incredible imagery and stunning animation. From the landscapes to the vivid colors, you’ll find yourself immersed in these worlds.
Unlikely friendships are the key takeaway from both anime. Through both anime’s protagonist’s journeys, they’ll be discriminated against and ridiculed for valuing others who don’t look or act like their kind. Nevertheless, they’ll find a way to shove that aside to forge a new, charming path for themselves. With its captivating story of family and spectacular visuals, Heart and Yummie is worth your hard-earned time.
So there we have it, our 10 anime/TV show alternatives to watch when you’ve caught up with One Stormy Night!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!