10 More Psychological Shows Worth Watching!
Re:Zero — Starting Life In Another World is a fascinating isekai series with a memorable cast and suspenseful narrative. It follows Subaru who finds himself whisked away to a fantasy setting. He meets a young female thief and helps her out. Suddenly, the two are murdered by some crooks. Instead of heading to the afterlife, Subaru returns to the time when he first arrived in this land. He repeats the same scenario and learns he’s obtained time-traveling abilities. Subaru hopes to make a decent living in this new territory.
Fear not if you’re having trouble finding anime similar to Re:Zero! We’ve discovered 10 alternate shows that’ll give you a similar experience as Re:Zero.
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 that should whet your appetite when you’ve finished streaming Re:Zero!
Steins;Gate
Similarities – Consequences of Altering Time
Steins;Gate is a great sci-fi anime that has its protagonist Rintaro participating in fun scientific mishaps regarding research, time travel, and clever deductions. Like Re:Zero, it’s highly praised for its unique and intricate plots that play with time and space. In Steins;Gate, Rintaro finds a way to send messages through time, leading to dangerous encounters with a secret organization.
Both anime plays with the idea of altering timelines and the consequences that come with it. However, both shows vary in pacing, tone, and atmosphere. Steins;Gate focuses more on the consequences of time travel and the toll it takes on its multiple cast members. Re:Zero placed a higher emphasis on the protagonist’s personal relationships and emotions.
Steins;Gate takes its time to build up its plot and characters in the first half of the series, leading to a thrilling and suspenseful second half. It doesn’t offer much action or fantastical creatures like Re:Zero either. Nevertheless, both anime have their unique strengths and offer their own exciting take on time manipulation.
Summer Time Rendering
Similarities – Time Travel & Thriller
Summer Time Rendering is an excellent mystery thriller with compelling time manipulation aspects. In it, we follow an adopted boy named Ajiro. He leaves his homeland to continue his studies only to return and discover one of his stepsisters passed away. He questions her death after seeing slight bruises on her neck.
After strange things occur around him, Ajiro must solve his homeland’s multiple mysteries while protecting his other sister from harm. Subaru and Ajiro receive time-altering abilities. They attempt to use these powers to craft a better life for themselves and the people they cherish. Many of their attempts go haywire, leading to some traumatic scenarios to occur.
This anime tackles themes like anxiety, survival, and romance. Both anime harbor settings shrouded in mystery and grandeur. Summer Time Rendering’s locales feel more grounded than most of Re:Zero’s fantasy-inspired locales. Nevertheless, if you’re after another time-travel thriller to watch after Re:Zero, Summer Time Rendering should please you.
Erased
Similarities – Characters, Time Travel, Thriller
Erased offers another tale about a male protagonist who uses his time manipulation powers to uncover mysteries and save people. This anime’s overarching mystery is easy to solve, but it handles its mature topics with care. You can expect to see characters suffering from child abuse or anxiety in this series. It tackles themes like death and despair well, but its imagery isn’t as intense as Re:Zero’s.
Nevertheless, this anime knows how to weave in some heartwarming scenarios to lighten the mood. This gives viewers time to take in the information its protagonist uncovers about the past and shrouds folks in a charming atmosphere many will appreciate.
Despite having sci-fi aspects, don’t expect the protagonist to meet any otherworldly beings like Subaru does in Re:Zero. Check out Erased if you’re searching for a series that’s compelling, saddening, and somewhat thought-provoking.
Higurashi When They Cry
Similarities – Violence, Time Travel, Mystery
Higurashi When They Cry is an incredible horror series with a cult-like following. Its first season is littered with carnage and mystery, leading to many chilling scenarios involving our cast. It follows Keiichi as he and his family move to a village called Hinamizawa. He meets the village’s people and attends their annual festival.
Suddenly, something strange happens that will kickstart an endless loop of madness and sadness. If viewers find themselves puzzled about the mysteries presented in this anime, the second season addresses most of those questions. It includes similar aspects found in Re:Zero like one of its characters having time-looping powers and using said abilities to craft a great life for her and her friends.
This anime includes multiple twists and satisfying revelations too. For those looking for a horror series that doesn’t hold back on the carnage but can offer a tale that’s as grandiose as its gore, check out Higurashi When They Cry.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Similarities – Characters & Story
Puella Magi Madoka Magica is known for popularizing dark magical girl content. While it can be lighthearted at times, this anime gives viewers a harsher interpretation of the lives of magical girls. In it, two friends named Madoka and Sayaka find a mysterious cat-like organism named Kyubey. They accept Kyubey’s offer to become magical girls since they’ll also receive a life-changing wish.
Unfortunately, Madoka and Sayaka will realize the harsh truth that comes with the job. Both anime plays with the audience’s expectations and build on established tropes to create unique and thought-provoking stories. Re:Zero and Madoka Magica also feature protagonists who experience traumatic events that shape their character development.
Both anime feature incredible side characters with distinct motivations and personalities. They take the time to flesh out these characters and their relationships with the protagonist, adding to the story’s depth. With a splash of action and time travel elements regarding a particular character, Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a great horrific tale that’ll please Re:Zero enthusiasts.
No Game No Life
Similarities – Fantasy & Psychological
No Game No Life is a fun psychological anime with intelligent characters and nifty game-based battles. This story follows Sora and Shiro, two step-siblings who get invited to the world of Disboard by its god Tet. Tet informs them about Disboard’s rules and disappears. After meeting a princess named Stephanie, Sora and Shiro vow to become Disboard’s new rulers.
Like Re:Zero, this anime places our protagonist in a parallel universe. Subaru, Sora, and Shiro must learn to adapt to their new surroundings. These protagonists will meet multiple characters who come from different walks of life. Whether they’re human or a different species entirely, each side character has an interesting quality about them that makes them memorable.
Both anime focus on strategic thinking. The protagonists are clever thinkers, often using their wits to outsmart their opponents. In No Game No Life, Sora and Shiro use their gaming knowledge and teamwork to triumph in game-themed activities. As for Subaru, he uses his knowledge of the future to find ways to prevent tragedies from occurring.
The Rising of the Shield Hero
Similarities – Characters, Adventure, Action
The Rising of the Shield Hero gained traction online due to controversial content. Nevertheless, it’s an anime with fun characters, delightful action, and a glorious universe with mesmerizing locales. This story follows Naofumi, an otaku warrior whose ridiculed for his weaknesses and personality. Unfortunately, his training partner Malty frames him for a crime and damages his reputation.
This convinces Naofumi to embark on a new journey to fix what she ruined. After buying a demi-human slave named Raphtalia, Naofumi vows to fight for the kingdom’s future. Like Subaru, Naofumi is another protagonist whose looked down upon. He endures much trauma in the series alongside his companion Raphtalia. These events are harsh but necessary for the pair’s growth.
On that note, both anime contain adrenaline-pumping action scenes. These scenes help our characters demonstrate their latent abilities, creativity, and courage. If you’re looking for another fantasy anime with fun characters and a thrilling adventure, check out The Rising of the Shield Hero.
Vivy -Fluorite Eye’s Song-
Similarities – Characters, Action, Same Creator
Vivy -Fluorite Eye’s Song- comes from the same mind who brought you Re:Zero, Tappei Nagatsuki. This anime has a marvelous sci-fi world that’s jam-packed with incredibly-written characters, storytelling, and action scenes that will please you. It centers around its protagonist Vivi’s journey to alter the future through time travel, leading to a scenario that’ll affect her and others’ futures.
Like Subaru, Vivy begins the story as an awkward individual to be around. Through her interactions and struggles with the world and its people, Vivy will undergo efficient development, making her feel like an entirely new character.
Viewers will enjoy her self-discovery-themed quest and find themselves invested in the tale being presented here. In addition to having spectacularly fluid animation and mesmerizing art quality, Vivy Fluorite Eye’s Song is worth your time.
That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
Similarities – Isekai
To Your Eternity
Similarities – Characters, Fantasy, Themes
For those who enjoyed the emotional, gut-wrenching moments found in Re:Zero, you’ll wind up enjoying Fushi’s quest in To Your Eternity. This anime is by Yoshitoki Oima, the same person who brought you the well-acclaimed anime, A Silent Voice. To Your Eternity has tense drama and an immersive narrative that gradually builds into something marvelous over time.
Both anime explore the concept of supernatural abilities and their impact on the world around the characters. In To Your Eternity, Fushi is an immortal being that can change its form in order to learn and grow from its experiences. Both anime delves into themes such as loss, grief, and trauma. Fushi’ will witness and understand the suffering and joys of humanity as Subaru does in Re:Zero.
These anime handle these themes in nuance and realistic ways, creating complex and relatable characters. The world-building is incredible in To Your Eternity. Fushi experiences many different communities, each with its own values and customs. This helps viewers stay immersed in the tale. This alone makes it a must-watch anime for fantasy enthusiasts.
So there we have it, our 10 anime/TV show alternatives to watch when you’ve caught up with Re:Zero — Starting Life In Another World!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!