NHK has produced many anime over the years, and perhaps one of the best among these is the anime that was released in the April of this year. I’m talking about To Your Eternity. It is an adventure anime at its core but has many other aspects to it, with supernatural characters, a bit of shounen, and a journey with its fair share of joy and pain. We look at humanity through the lens of an alien orb in this spectacular anime. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the best anime similar to To Your Eternity or Fumetsu no Anata e.
In To Your Eternity, we are introduced to a mysterious orb sent from far away to observe Earth. The orb, known simply as “It,” is capable of changing form. It can take on the shape of any object that reflects on its surface. It first becomes a rock and then changes shape to a moss. Finally, it reflects a wolf and takes its form, obtaining consciousness for the very first time. With an unclear destination in mind, It walks on until it comes across the wolf’s master. The master is a lonely boy waiting for the others of his tribe to return from a place of paradise, abundant with food. We follow the journey of this duo as they explore the world in search of the paradise. The premise of this anime is truly captivating and unique. Here are the best anime like To Your Eternity.
10. Dororo
- Episodes: 24
- Studios: Tezuka Productions, MAPPA
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Demons, Historical, Samurai, Shounen, Supernatural
- Aired: Jan 7, 2019, to Jun 24, 2019
Early 2019 saw the remake of the legendary mangaka, Osamu Tezuka’s (often dubbed the father or God of manga) anime, Dororo. Understandably, the anime gained a lot of popularity even before its release. Its premise surrounds the life of a boy, Hyakkimaru, who was born without limbs, nose, eyes, ears, or even skin. He was the first child of a greedy samurai lord who prayed to 12 Demons to bring greatness to his kingdom.
The demons each took the baby’s body parts and spread all over Japan, wreaking havoc everywhere they went. Meanwhile, the boy’s mother left him afloat in a river out of mercy. The child floated away to a kind man who made him prosthetics. Many years later, he lives his life without his senses, battling the demons, killing them to regain his body parts, and eventually confronting his father. On the journey, he meets an orphan boy, Dororo. The anime further explores the journey of this unlikely pair as they face the peril that lies ahead.
I have included Dororo in this list because the bond between Hyakkimaru and Dororo is very similar to the one between Fushi and March. The main protagonists don’t know much about the world or their surroundings and learn about it by interacting with various people, witnessing events that change them, and gaining experience along the way. Like in To Your Eternity, Dororo also deals with many tragic incidents, and is a samurai anime set in an older time.
9. Mushi-Shi
- Episodes: 26
- Studios: Artland
- Genres: Adventure, Slice of Life, Mystery, Historical, Supernatural, Fantasy, Seinen
- Aired: Oct 23, 2005, to Jun 19, 2006
In this anime, we follow Ginko, a man in search of the meaning of life. He believes that the answer to his questions will be found once he solves the mysteries of creatures known as “Mushi.” Mushi is the most basic form of life, capable of imitating natural things like plants, diseases, or phenomena like rainbows. They aren’t living but simply “exist.” Very little is known about them because a majority of humans are unaware of their existence.
“Mushishi” is the term used for those people that investigate the Mushi and try to study them, and Ginko is also one of them. He chases the rumors of sightings of the Mushi to gain an understanding of the workings of this world and the position of humanity in the hierarchy of life. This anime deals with many philosophical topics but doesn’t simply dump a barrage of information on you.
If you’re looking for something with a similar atmosphere as that of To Your Eternity that’s also thought-provoking and adventurous, this anime is one you should check out. In both animes, the protagonists travel and meet new people and help them out.
8. Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: C2C
- Genres: Adventure, Magic, Fantasy
- Aired: Oct 2, 2020, to Dec 18, 2020
Wandering Witch tells us the story of a girl named Elaina. Fascinated by stories of witches in her favorite book, especially those of a renowned witch named Nike, who had had many adventures around the world, Elaina decides that she also wants to become a witch. However, that isn’t going to be easy, and although many obstacles come in her way, Elaina manages to become a witch.
We follow her adventures, where she meets a wide variety of people, learning about their stories. In the anime, we see the dark and bright sides of this world. Unlike most animes, Wandering Witch doesn’t always give us a clean and happy ending. Similar to To Your Eternity, this anime follows the journey of a powerful person. The people whose life Elaina touches are always changed. Sometimes for good, and sometimes for the worse. Each episode presents a new journey, but the effects of her journey are always seen in Elaina’s future.
7. Violet Evergarden
- Episodes: 13
- Studios: Kyoto Animation
- Genres: Slice of Life, Drama, Fantasy
- Aired: Jan 11, 2018, to Apr 5, 2018
Violet was created during The Great War with the purpose to decimate her enemies. But after the war is over and her purpose has been served, Violet struggles to understand her purpose in life. All she remembers are the last words that her General, a man named Gilbert, had spoken to her- “I love you.” To understand the meaning of his words, she takes up a job as an Auto Memory Doll, tasked with converting people’s feelings and emotions into words. And so begins her journey. Along the way, she will influence many people’s lives while getting into an adventure that will shape her future.
Violet Evergarden brings with it scenic and smooth animations coupled with a beautiful soundtrack. It’s considered to be one of the saddest animes. The story focuses on Violet and really fleshes her out as a character. Her journey and the way the story advances is fantastic. The plot takes its time to develop, so get ready to sit down for quite a while and enjoy the slow pace.
6. Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms
- Episodes: 1- (1 hr 55 min)
- Studios: P.A. Works
- Genres: Drama, Fantasy
- Aired: Feb 24, 2018
Iorph’s are a special mystical race that can live for hundreds of years. They live lives separate from the daily hassles of human life. Maquia is a lonely Iorph. She was orphaned at a young age, and despite being surrounded by people from her village, she has always felt very lonely. She daydreams of the outside world but doesn’t dare to step out after the numerous warnings of the clan’s chief.
However, when power-hungry men along with their giant dragons, called Renato attack her village and people, Maquia escapes death by getting on the back of one of the Renato. She is left deserted in a forest, far away from home. She is alone except for the cries of a small boy. Following the voice, she comes up to a destroyed village and the lone baby. She decides to take him up. In the movie, we follow her journey as she tries to nurture a baby that grows much faster than she does in a world she knows nearly nothing about.
This anime movie is similar to To Your Eternity because both the protagonists have the ability to stay alive for a time period much longer than that of humans. Moreover, both show the challenges of living in a world unknown to the protagonists. These are both emotional and dramatic stories.
5. A Silent Voice
- Episodes: 1- (2 hr 10 min)
- Studios: Kyoto Animation
- Genres: Drama, School, Shounen
- Aired: Sep 17, 2016
As a boy in elementary school, Ishida found various ways to achieve a sense of thrill. He would jump into rivers from high spots and tease and make fun of his friends. When a deaf girl, Shouko, transfers into his class, he begins to bully her. As a result of his thoughtless actions, Shouko is left distressed. Soon, her mother complains this to the school. Soon, his classmates single out Ishida, and he is punished. While Shouko transfers out of the school, Ishida spends the rest of his school years being tormented and teased by his classmates.
Now in the third year of high school, Ishida is a silent and lonesome kid. He deeply regrets his actions and plans to end his own life. This is when he again crosses paths with Shouko. What changes will this fateful meeting bring into Ishida’s life? Will he fall for the girl that he used to bully once?
A Silent Voice was created by the same mangaka as To Your Eternity, Yoshitoki Oima. Her stories are incredibly emotional and touching. Both talk about growth and the challenges that a person faces in their lives. They deal with human emotions and relationships as well.
Also, Check. Will There Be A Silent Voice 2? Latest Updates On A Silent Voice Sequel
4. Golden Kamuy
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Geno Studio
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Historical, Seinen
- Aired: Apr 9, 2018, to Jun 25, 2018
Saichi Sugimoto is an ex-soldier who takes care of the widow of his old comrade and closest friend. One day, a drunk man comes to Sugimoto, talking about a tale. He speaks of a gold treasure that lays somewhere in Hokkaido. The treasure was buried there by a man who murdered a group of Ainu (tribal people in Japan) who had originally discovered the gold. He planned to head over and share the fortune with his comrades but was caught by the police instead. However, he was successfully able to hide the gold before getting caught. When he was imprisoned, he drew a cryptic map as a tattoo on the backs of his cellmates in exchange for a share of the treasure.
While Sugimoto passes off the story as fiction, he soon finds out that it is true when he discovers the dead body of the drunk man in a forest, attacked by a bear. Along the man’s body is the map from the story. When the bear comes to attack Sugimoto, he is saved by an Ainu girl, Asirpa. She is the daughter of one of the Ainu men who discovered the gold and was murdered. In order to take what is rightfully hers, she joins hands with Sugimoto, who wishes to fulfill the desire of his dying comrade.
To Your Eternity relies more on emotional and dramatic scenes in an ethnic setting, and this anime also takes place in an ethnic environment, after the Russo-Japanese war, that is, in the early-1900s. Golden Kamuy is more comedic but has its fair share of emotional moments. Moreover, both of these are adventurous anime with calm surroundings.
3. Princess Mononoke
- Episodes: 1- (2 hr 13 min)
- Studios: Studio Ghibli
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Aired: Jul 12, 1997
Princess Mononoke is a film with the same dramatic tone and atmosphere as To Your Eternity. When you watch the two, they have a similar kind 0f feel to them as well. Plus, they both have wolves. This anime tells us the story of the young Prince Ashitaka, who ended up getting a curse on his arm while protecting his village from a beast. The curse grants him potent demonic power but also chips off at his life. Upon instructions of the village elders, Ashitaka decides to go to the West for treatment.
He reaches Tatara, called the Iron Town, but finds himself in the middle of a battle. Lady Eboshi of Tatara seeks deforestation and industrialization, while Princess San stands with the sacred spirits of the forest and is furious by the destruction brought about by human actions. Stuck in the middle of the battle between nature and humankind while struggling against his own latent demon, what will Ashitaka do now?
2. Land of the Lustrous
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Orange
- Genres: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Seinen
- Aired: Oct 7, 2017, to Dec 23, 2017
After Earth was almost entirely destroyed by six meteors, which later broke off to form six moons around Earth. The only living things able to survive on the remaining ground of Earth are those called Gems- creatures that beautifully reflect sunlight. Meanwhile, living on one of the moons is a malicious species called the Lunarians, who attack the Gems to use their fragments as decorations. Each Gem is assigned a role to protect themselves.
The anime follows the emotional and adventurous story of the gem called Phos. They are a young gem who wants to be helpful in the war against the Lunarians. However, because of their fragile nature, they’re instead assigned to compile an encyclopedia. While performing their tasks, Phos meets another gem who is also unhappy with their assigned task. Watch as the two gems try to find a role that they can both enjoy while growing to change themselves mentally and physically.
Similar to To Your Eternity, Land of the Lustrous also deals with the interaction of an immortal being with the rest of their world. We watch as these interactions teach them new lessons, impacting their own life and personality. Both of these animes are about the journeys of finding meaning in life.
1. Wolf’s Rain
- Episodes: 26
- Studios: Bones
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi
- Aired: Jan 7, 2003, to Jul 29, 2003
Wolf’s Rain takes us to a world where most humans live a life of hardships and poverty. The only hope in the tragic lives of these humans comes from a prophecy, which says that when the world ends, a gateway to paradise will be opened. However, the legend also says that it is only wolves that will be able to find a way to this mythical realm. Most people believe wolves to have become extinct 200 years ago; however, the wolves are still live, casting an illusion on themselves that makes them appear as humans.
We follow the adventures of a wolf named Kiba. Following the scent of “Lunar Flowers,” said to be the key that will open the doors to a utopia, Kiba lands up in a northern human town called Freeze City. Here, he meets three other wolves that have also followed the same scent as him. The group now set off on a journey to find paradise. However, they aren’t the only ones on this journey. Other malicious forces want to be the first to reach this ideal land.
Both Wolf’s Rain and To Your Eternity are great animes following the adventures of wolves in an unknown land with only a vague but unique goal in mind. This is a good anime to watch if you’ve just completed To Your Eternity and wish to watch an anime that will help you stay in a similar mindset for a bit longer.
Honorable Mentions
- Anohana
- Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-
- Tales from Earthsea
- Bird of Fire