If you enjoy this heartwarming and thought-provoking series, anime like ReLIFE won’t disappoint you.
ReLIFE is a unique blend of high school drama, personal growth, and second chances, and plenty of other anime series capture its essence.
These shows delve into the complexities of adolescence, the pursuit of dreams, and the importance of genuine connections.
You’ll find the perfect anime recommendations here for more high school romance, character-driven narratives, or relatable themes.
Join us on a journey through a range of anime that offer the same blend of humor, heart, and relatability as ReLIFE.
These series capture the magic of self-discovery, nostalgia, and the enduring spirit of youth.
In this guide, we’ll explore a selection of anime like ReLIFE.
1. Kokoro Connect
Kokoro Connect is a high school anime that delves into five friends – Taichi, Iori, Himeko, Yoshifumi, and Yui – who lead relatively ordinary lives until they encounter a supernatural phenomenon.
Their school’s Cultural Research Club members suddenly swap their bodies without warning.
This inexplicable occurrence forces them to inhabit each other’s lives, thoughts, and feelings.
As they navigate the challenges of living in someone else’s body, they discover that each has hidden deep-seated emotions and insecurities.
The body-swapping situation compels them to confront their vulnerabilities and support one another in their struggles. In the process, they unearth long-hidden secrets and fears.
Their bonds strengthen as they come to terms with their shared predicament and the personal revelations it brings. Kokoro Connect is one of the best anime like ReLIFE.
Kokoro Connect is a journey of self-discovery, trust, and the profound impact of shared experiences.
It explores themes of friendship and empathy as these five friends learn to understand each other more deeply.
2. Orange
Orange is a heartfelt anime that follows the story of Naho Takamiya, a high school student who receives a letter from her future self.
The letter contains detailed instructions, regrets, and a plea to save a classmate, Kakeru Naruse.
The future Naho profoundly regrets being unable to prevent Kakeru’s tragic death.
Determined to alter the future, Naho and her friends, Suwa, Hagita, Azusa, and Takako, attempt to follow the letter’s guidance.
They are tasked with getting close to Kakeru and preventing the heartbreaking event that awaits him.
As Naho becomes more involved in Kakeru’s life, she discovers his hidden pain and struggles, all while developing romantic feelings for him.
The series explores themes of friendship, love, and the profound impact of decisions on the future. Orange is one of the best anime like ReLIFE.
3. Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun (My Little Monster)
My Little Monster, or Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, centers on the unconventional relationship between two high school students, Shizuku Mizutani and Haru Yoshida.
Shizuku is an academically focused, socially isolated girl, while Haru is a troublemaker with a penchant for violence.
Their paths cross when Shizuku is tasked with delivering class notes to Haru, who is suspended from school.
A misunderstanding and an unexpected act of kindness lead to Haru taking a keen interest in Shizuku.
He starts attending school and becomes friends with her despite his volatile temper. This anime is one of the best anime like ReLIFE.
The series follows their evolving friendship and explores the complexities of their personalities.
As Shizuku and Haru navigate high school life challenges, they grow emotionally and develop deeper feelings for each other.
Throughout the story, they encounter classmates and friends who add humor, drama, and depth to their interactions.
4. Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun
Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun is a delightful romantic comedy anime that follows the life of Sakura Chiyo, a high school girl who harbors a secret crush on her classmate, Umetarou Nozaki.
When she finally gathers the courage to confess her feelings, her confession is hilariously misunderstood.
She discovers that Nozaki is a famous shoujo manga artist, and he mistakes her for a fan rather than a love interest.
Sakura becomes Nozaki’s assistant in the world of manga creation, and their interactions lead to comedic misadventures as they draw inspiration from their quirky friends and classmates to create the manga.
The series follows their humorous journey as they work together, oblivious to each other’s true feelings. Gekkan is one of the best anime like ReLIFE.
5. The Pet Girl of Sakurasou (Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo)
The Pet Girl of Sakurasou is a touching and comedic anime that revolves around the lives of the residents of Sakurasou, a dormitory for the misfit and eccentric students of Suimei University of the Arts.
The story primarily focuses on Sorata Kanda, an ordinary student thrust into the chaotic world of Sakurasou.
Sorata’s life takes a turn when he’s assigned to care for Mashiro Shiina, an artistic genius with deficiencies in social and life skills.
Mashiro is often called the dorm’s pet girl because she relies on others for daily tasks.
While Sorata initially resents his new role, he gradually forms deep bonds with Mashiro and the other residents of Sakurasou. The Pet Girl is one of the best anime like ReLIFE.
The series explores themes of personal growth, creativity, and the struggles of pursuing one’s dreams, particularly in a competitive field like the arts.
6. Clannad
The story follows Tomoya Okazaki, a delinquent high school student who has lost his purpose in life, and Nagisa Furukawa, a shy and fragile girl who dreams of reviving the school’s drama club. This anime is one of the best anime like ReLIFE.
Clannad explores their high school life and growing friendship as they become involved in the lives of other classmates, each dealing with their unique struggles.
The first season provides a strong foundation for character development and emotional attachment.
Clannad: After the story continues, the narrative delves into Tomoya and Nagisa’s life after high school, their marriage, and the challenges of adulthood.
The series takes a more profound and heart-wrenching turn, portraying life’s and family’s ups and downs and the enduring love between Tomoya and Nagisa.
Both Clannad and Clannad: After Story touch on themes of family, personal growth, and the importance of relationships, delivering a poignant and unforgettable story that leaves a lasting impact on its viewers.
7. Honey and Clover
Honey and Clover is a captivating anime that explores the lives of several art school students as they navigate the complexities of love, friendship, and self-discovery.
The story revolves around three friends, Yuta Takemoto, Takumi Mayama, and Shinobu Morita, who share a unique camaraderie while pursuing their creative passions.
Yuta, Takumi, and Morita live together in a shared apartment complex and attend an art college.
Their dynamic shifts when a young and talented artist named Hagumi Hanamoto joins their group.
Each becomes entangled in a web of unrequited love, conflicting emotions, and personal challenges. Honey and Clover is one of the best anime like ReLIFE.
The series masterfully blends comedy and drama as it portrays the characters’ growth and the exploration of their creative endeavors.
8. Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You
The story is a heartwarming shoujo anime that follows the life of Sawako Kuronuma, a high school girl who resembles the ghost girl from The Ring.
Due to her eerie appearance and shyness, Sawako is misunderstood and isolated by her classmates, who believe she can communicate with ghosts.
Her life takes an unexpected turn when Shota Kazehaya, one of the most popular boys in the school, begins to talk to her and recognizes her true nature.
Sawako gradually emerges from her shell, and her classmates start to see her for who she truly is.
The series beautifully depicts Sawako’s journey as she gains friends and eventually falls in love with Kazehaya.
It explores the themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and the transformative power of genuine connections.
9. Barakamon
Barakamon is a refreshing slice-of-life anime that follows the life of Seishuu Handa, a talented young calligrapher who finds himself in a creative slump.
Handa moves to the remote Goto Island to regain his inspiration and encounters a colorful cast of characters.
The island’s warm-hearted residents, including a precocious young girl named Naru Kotoishi, challenge Handa’s uptight and perfectionist nature.
They teach him valuable life lessons, ignite his creativity, and help him find a new perspective on art and life.
Barakamon is a heartwarming exploration of self-discovery, personal growth, and the importance of community.
Handa’s interactions with the islanders lead to humorous and heartwarming moments as he learns to appreciate the simple joys of life and reconnect with his artistic passion.
10. Ao Haru Ride
Ao Haru Ride is a captivating shoujo anime that tells the story of Futaba Yoshioka, a high school girl who, in her middle school years, struggled to fit in due to her good looks and approachable personality.
Her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets a fellow student, Kou Mabuchi, who is distant and aloof.
They form a close friendship and share mutual feelings for each other. However, circumstances force them apart.
Years later, in high school, Futaba is determined to forget about Kou and start anew.
She’s shocked to discover that Kou has completely changed his personality and goes by a different name.
As they reconnect, they attempt to rebuild their relationship while grappling with their past and the changes they’ve undergone.
Ao Haru Ride is a touching and relatable story that delves into themes of first love, second chances, and personal growth. Ao Haru Ride is one of the best anime like ReLIFE.
11. Angel Beats!
Angel Beats! is a unique and emotionally charged anime set in the afterlife.
The story revolves around Otonashi, a young man who wakes up in a mysterious and surreal high school setting, utterly unaware of how he got there.
He soon discovers he’s in the afterlife, where individuals who face tragic or unfulfilled lives end up before moving on to the next realm.
Otonashi encounters a group of students who’ve formed the SSS or the Shinda Sekai Sensen (Afterlife Battlefront).
Their mission is to defy and rebel against a mysterious girl known as Angel, who possesses supernatural powers and enforces order in this afterlife world.
The SSS members aim to fight against their fate and find a way to move on from the afterlife.
Angel Beats! Explores themes of life, death, regret, and the importance of finding closure. Angel Beats is one of the best anime like ReLIFE.
12. Tada Never Falls in Love (Tada-kun wa Koi wo Shinai)
Tada Never Falls in Love is a charming and comedic romance anime that follows Mitsuyoshi Tada, a stoic and talented photographer who aspires to capture moments of beauty in everyday life.
His uneventful world unexpectedly turns when he encounters a foreign transfer student, Teresa Wagner.
Teresa, who hails from the European nation of Larsenburg, has a dramatic and lively personality that contrasts Tada’s reserved nature.
As the two become acquainted, Teresa mistakenly believes Tada is a prince.
Despite the amusing mix-up, they develop a close friendship. The series beautifully portrays their growing connection and how they appreciate each other’s worlds and personalities.
Throughout Tada Never Falls in Love, viewers witness the blossoming of romance, friendships, and the importance of cherishing everyday moments. This anime is one of the best anime like ReLIFE.
13. Erased (Boku Dake ga Inai Machi)
Erased is a gripping and suspenseful anime that blends mystery, drama, and time travel.
It centers on Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling manga artist with a unique ability called Revival.
This power allows him to go back in time a few minutes before a life-threatening incident occurs, giving him the chance to prevent it. Erased is one of the best anime like ReLIFE.
When Satoru is wrongly accused of murder, he experiences a Revival that sends him 18 years into the past, just before a series of child abductions and murders traumatize his hometown.
He realizes the incidents are linked and is determined to prevent them, starting with saving a classmate, Kayo Hinazuki.
The series masterfully combines elements of a suspenseful murder mystery with a heartwarming story of friendship and personal growth.
Satoru connects with his classmates, including Kayo, in his child form, and strives to protect them from impending danger.
14. The Anthem of the Heart (Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda)
The Anthem of the Heart is a touching anime that centers around Jun Naruse, a young girl who experiences a traumatic event that leaves her unable to speak her true feelings.
This emotional trauma is represented by an egg-like fairy named Egg Fairy that emerges from her heart and seals her speaking ability.
Years later, as a high school student, Jun is chosen to participate in a community service project, which requires her to join a committee tasked with creating a musical.
The committee members consist of diverse students with their emotional baggage and struggles.
They base their musical on a fairy tale resembling Jun’s life. As the group works on the musical, they confront their issues and learn to communicate their suppressed emotions, much like the characters in the fairy tale.
The series beautifully delves into the themes of self-acceptance, forgiveness, and the power of art and storytelling to heal and self-expression. The Anthem of the Heart is one of the best anime like ReLIFE.
15. My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU (also known as Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru or Oregairu) is a dramedy that revolves around Hachiman Hikigaya, a high school student who has a cynical and nihilistic outlook on life.
Hachiman is forced to join the Service Club, an organization dedicated to helping fellow students with their problems.
The club is overseen by the enigmatic and intelligent Yukino Yukinoshita and supported by Hachiman’s energetic and popular classmate, Yui Yuigahama.
The series delves into the dynamics of the Service Club as they take on various requests, often involving the complexities of teenage relationships and social dynamics.
Hachiman’s unique problem-solving methods, characterized by his blunt honesty and pessimism, lead to comical and thought-provoking outcomes.
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU explores themes of social acceptance, personal growth, and the complexities of human relationships. This anime is one of the best anime like ReLIFE.
16. Sakura Quest
Sakura Quest is a delightful and slice-of-life anime that follows the life of Yoshino Koharu, a young woman seeking employment after her dreams of becoming an actress in Tokyo fall through.
By chance, she becomes the Queen of the rural town of Manoyama, which has been struggling to attract tourists.
As the Queen, Yoshino and her team of fellow young women embark on a mission to revitalize the town.
They face various challenges, from planning festivals to promoting local products and traditions.
The series provides a lighthearted and often humorous look at the difficulties faced by rural communities in maintaining their identity and culture in the modern world. Sakura is one of the best anime like ReLIFE.
Sakura Quest explores nostalgia, community, and the importance of preserving traditions.
The characters undergo personal growth as they work to bring new life and energy to Manoyama.
17. Kare Kano (Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou)
Kare Kano, short for Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou, is a classic shoujo anime that follows the lives of two seemingly perfect high school students, Yukino Miyazawa and Soichiro Arima. Both students excel academically and are admired by their peers.
However, beneath their flawless exteriors, they each have a secret: they are obsessed with maintaining their public images.
Yukino goes to great lengths to be seen as the perfect student, while Soichiro hides his past trauma and authentic self.
When their secrets are accidentally revealed to one another, their lives take a dramatic turn.
Yukino and Soichiro form a unique bond as they decide to support and understand each other’s true selves.
The series explores the ups and downs of their relationship, adolescence challenges, and authenticity’s importance.
It delves into self-acceptance, vulnerability, and the transformative power of love and friendship.
18. Bokutachi no Remake
Bokutachi no Remake is an anime that explores the concept of second chances and the pursuit of one’s dreams.
The story follows Kyouya Hashiba, a middle-aged video game director who finds himself filled with regret over his past decisions, including giving up on his dream to become a successful game creator.
By a stroke of fate, Kyouya is transported back to his college years. Given a rare opportunity to relive his life, he follows his true passion and aspires to create a beloved video game.
To do so, he gathers a group of like-minded individuals who share his vision.
As they work together to bring their creative ideas to life, the series explores themes of friendship, ambition, and the challenges of pursuing one’s goals.
Bokutachi no Remake delves into the dynamics of the creative process, the complexities of building relationships, and the determination to make the most of a second chance. This anime is one of the best anime like ReLIFE.
