Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘Dandelion’ is an anime series set in the Send-Off Department of the Japanese Angel Federation, where angels guide restless spirits toward the afterlife. The story follows Tetsuo Tanba and Misaki Kurogane, members of the federation’s 21st Division’s Dandelion Clan, who are responsible for helping those souls stuck and unable to enter the zone after the end of life. While many such angels struggle to keep up with their workload, Tetsuo and Misaki adopt a patient, reflective method, prioritizing listening to each spirit’s regrets to resolve their lingering issues.
In a unique case, they encounter the spirit of an elderly man desperately trying to escape, which leads them to uncover the cause of his unrest. As they try to lead the lost man towards peace, they face challenges that they never saw coming. Directed by Kathy Pilon and Daisuke Mataga, the show is based on the eponymous one-shot manga written and illustrated by Hideaki Sorachi. You may check out this list of anime similar to ‘Dandelion’ that feature unique stories and characters.
12. Zombieland Saga (2018-2021)
Directed by Munehisa Sakai, ‘Zombieland Saga’ or ‘Zombie Land Saga’ is an anime show that follows Sakura Minamoto, a high school student who dreams of becoming a popular singer. In 2008, as she leaves home to pursue this goal, she is killed in an accident. Sakura wakes up in a house a decade later with no memory of her past and discovers she has been revived as a zombie. Upon meeting other zombie girls, she is informed by Kotaro Tatsumi that their revival is part of a plan to form a musical group of zombie singers, aiming to save the world through their performances. As the zombies try to save others, they must also learn to sing together. Akin to ‘Dandelion,’ the narrative is an intricate portrayal of souls, life, death, and redemption, complemented by unique character arcs.
11. Mieruko-chan (2021)
‘Mieruko-chan ‘ follows the adventures of Miko Yotsuya, a high school girl who suddenly gains the ability to see terrifying monsters that remain invisible to everyone else. Once living a normal life, she now faces these disturbing spirits daily. Miko chooses to ignore them completely, refusing to acknowledge their presence. Despite this, she notices how these creatures affect the people around her, especially her friend Hana Yurikawa. Determined to protect her while maintaining a normal routine, Miko continues her school life, hiding her fear and keeping calm in unsettling situations. Directed by Yuki Ogawa, the anime series is based on the manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Tomoki Izumi. Through its focus on the issues of souls and the interaction between humans and spirits, the narrative complements ‘Dandelion.’
10. Blood Blockade Battlefront (2015-2017)
Created by Yasuhiro Nightow, ‘Blood Blockade Battlefront’ or ‘Kekkai Sensen’ is an anime show based on the eponymous manga series that he wrote and illustrated. The narrative is set in the city of Hellsalem’s Lot, where humans and supernatural creatures live together after a gateway between worlds opens. The city has a secret group, Libra, that works to maintain order and prevent chaos. Leonardo Watch moves to the city after gaining a special power to see things that others cannot, a power he receives at the cost of his sister’s eyesight.
Hoping to understand his abilities and help her, he becomes involved with Libra. As Leonardo joins their ranks, he is drawn into a series of unusual situations, navigating life among strange beings while his ordinary life shifts into something unpredictable. The series is similar to ‘Dandelion,’ as it features supernatural elements, action, and a poignant commentary on the meaning of life.
9. Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation (2018-)
‘Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation’ or ‘Muhyo to Rouji no Mahouritsu Soudan Jimusho’ is the story of Muhyo and Roji, experts in magic law. Created by Yoshiyuki Nishi, the anime series focuses on the world of souls and the complexities that come with them. At the core of the narrative are those who suffer from unwanted spirit possession. There are also those who find the need to banish troublesome ghosts to either hell or heaven. The last hope for such people is the team of Muhyo and Roji, whose main purpose in life is to deliver justice against malevolent spirits and ensure the safety of others. The narrative is based on the manga series of the same name, written and illustrated by Yoshiyuki Nishi. The depiction of souls and supernatural elements, along with the dynamics between people and spirits, connects the narrative to ‘Dandelion.’
8. Kyôsôgiga (2013)
Created by Izumi Todo, ‘Kyôsôgiga’ is an anime series that revolves around the trials and tribulations of Myōe, a high priest who can bring his drawings to life. After being feared by villagers, he creates a world called Kyoto, where he lives with Lady Koto, Yakushimaru, and his siblings, Yase and Kurama. Their peaceful life changes when Koto is taken away, and Myōe leaves Yakushimaru in charge before disappearing. Years later, Yakushimaru governs Kyoto with Yase and Kurama as they wait for Myōe and Koto to return. A plan is set in motion to bring Koto back, but her return threatens the stability of the world and attracts the attention of a powerful organization. Similar to ‘Dandelion,’ the narrative captures the idea of individual entities being stuck between worlds, and the potential dangers they pose to human society.
7. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. (2016-2018)
‘The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.’ or ‘Saiki Kusuo no Psi Nan’ is created by Shûichi Asô and is based on the eponymous manga series he wrote and illustrated. The anime show follows Saiki Kusuo, a high school student with powerful psychic abilities. Despite his powers, Saiki tries to keep them hidden and live like a normal student. He can read minds and use his powers to get anything he wants, which leaves him with no surprises or privacy in his life. However, dealing with school and his unusual classmates makes his reality more complex and uncertain. As he navigates everyday situations, he struggles to maintain a low profile while resisting the urge to use his powers, even as they make his life both easier and more complicated at the same time. Saiki’s experiences and his struggles to deal with the stresses of his special abilities complement the journey of Tetsuo and Misaki in ‘Dandelion.’
6. Mob Psycho 100 (2016-2022)
Directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa, ‘Mob Psycho 100’ follows the ups and downs in the life of Kageyama Shigeo, also known as Mob, an eighth-grade boy with strong psychic abilities. From a young age, he has had the ability to move objects and chooses to hide his powers to avoid attention. Mob wants to live a normal life and hopes to get closer to his classmate Tsubomi. Under the guidance of Arataka Reigen, Mob uses his abilities to deal with spirits. However, as he suppresses his emotions, they build up over time.
When they reach a breaking point, his powers become dangerous, putting both himself and others at risk. The anime show is based on the web manga series of the same name, written and illustrated by One. Similar to the world of ‘Dandelion,’ the narrative features the movements of spirits, their communication with unique human beings, and a commentary on the consequences of possessing abilities.
5. Toilet-bound Hanako-kun (2020-2025)
‘Toilet-bound Hanako-kun’ or ‘Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun’ centers on the lives of Nene Yashiro and the ghost Hanako-kun at Kamome Academy. The school is known for its mysteries, including the legend of Hanako-san, said to grant wishes when summoned. Hoping for romantic luck, Nene calls upon Hanako-san, only to discover that the spirit is actually a boy, Hanako-kun. After a series of events, she becomes involved in the supernatural world and ends up assisting him.
As they spend time together, Nene learns that he is responsible for maintaining the balance between humans and ghosts, even as trouble continues to follow them. The anime series is created by AidaIro and is based on the eponymous manga series written by Iro and illustrated by Aida. The show reflects the flavor of ‘Dandelion’ through its visually engaging depiction of the complexities of souls, their role in the world, and the way human beings deal with them.
4. Angel Beats! (2010)
‘Angel Beats!’ is an anime show created by Jun Maeda, which follows Yuzuru Otonashi, a teenager who wakes up with no memories in a strange world between life and death. This afterlife takes the form of a high school where individuals who experienced difficult deaths are sent. There, Yuzuru meets Yuri Nakamura, the leader of the Afterlife Battlefront, a group that opposes the student council president, Kanade Tachibana. Believing they were wronged in life, the group fights against this system. As Yuzuru becomes involved, he begins to question their actions and tries to understand the other side. Through his experiences, he seeks answers about the afterlife and his own past. The complicated equation between death, life, fate, and redemption is the heart of the story, much like it is in ‘Dandelion.’ The visual elements and the character dynamics in the shows connect them on a deeper level.
3. Noragami (2014-2015)
‘Noragami’ is about the experiences of Yato, a minor god who dreams of gaining many worshippers. With no shrine to his name, he survives by doing odd jobs for a small fee until his weapon partner leaves him. His situation changes when a middle school girl, Hiyori Iki, is involved in an accident while saving him, leaving her soul to stray from her body. Wanting to return to normal, she asks for Yato’s help. Since he needs a new partner, Hiyori agrees to assist him. As they work together, Yato hopes his luck will finally begin to improve. Directed by Kôtarô Tamura, the anime show is based on the eponymous manga series written and illustrated by the duo known as Adachitoka. Yato and Hiyori’s struggles in the story reflect the essence of Tetsuo and Misaki’s soul-based journeys in ‘Dandelion.’
2. Gintama (2005-2021)
‘Gintama’ is set in a version of feudal Tokyo where aliens have taken over the country, turning the Shogunate into a puppet government and leaving samurai without their former roles. The anime show follows Sakata Gintoki, an unemployed samurai who takes on odd jobs to survive. Despite the changes around him, he continues to live by his own values. Alongside his companions, he gets involved in various situations, often creating trouble while attempting to resolve it.
The narrative focuses on the struggles of his life as he navigates a world where samurai no longer hold power. Directed by Shinji Takamatsu, Yōichi Fujita, and Chizuru Miyawaki, the story is based on the eponymous manga series written and illustrated by Hideaki Sorachi. Akin to ‘Dandelion,’ the narrative sheds light on the idea of different realms being involved in determining the fate of the world and individuals working hard to achieve a balance.
1. Hozuki’s Coolheadedness (2014-)
‘Hozuki’s Coolheadedness’ or ‘Hôzuki no Reitetsu’ is set in a Hell run like a structured bureaucracy. The anime show follows the ups and downs of Hoozuki, the chief deputy to King Enma of Hell. Hoozuki ensures that everything operates efficiently and also handles various responsibilities, from advising figures from folklore to managing interactions with other realms. Known for his strict and composed nature, he deals with problems as they arise. Due to an exploding population of sinners, Hell is overwhelmed, and Hoozuki works diligently to ensure the punishment process remains on schedule.
His actions also symbolize the difficulties of a world run by rules. Directed by Kazuhiro Yoneda and Hiroshi Kaburagi, the narrative is based on the manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Natsumi Eguchi. Much like ‘Dandelion,’ the show mainly focuses on the movement of souls, their destination, and the people involved in ensuring that the spirits complete their journeys. The two shows are also spiritually connected through their unique character dynamics.
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