11 Impactful Anime To Watch Similar To Blue Period - in Atmosphere, Plot or Theme.

Looking for an inspiring anime to watch that incorporates art or some other type of passion? Look no further.

Through great storytelling, Blue Period has managed to showcase the vulnerability that comes when one stumbles upon an activity or vocation that can ignite the heart. This anime about Art has been able to capture the attention of many people, regardless of their interests, because it exhibits feelings we have all been familiar with: insecurity and disheartenment, as well as pure joy and obsession. Blue Period leaves its viewer with many different emotions and states of mind, both good and bad, and is, all in all, a great and honest representation of someone’s journey through the pursuit of a dream. This list contains similarly inspiring and motivating anime whose characters go through the same depth of self-analysis as each embarks on a quest with a specific goal in mind. Many entries also contain Art-oriented themes.

1.Barakamon

ばらかもん

Plot: Seishuu Handa is obsessed with calligraphy and is deemed by many to be one of the most promising up-and-coming artists of his generation. One evening, as he showcases one of his award-winning pieces, he is described as ‘unoriginal’ by a veteran art critic, which makes him lose his cool and react in a way that stains his reputation. As a punishment, his father exiles him to the Goto Islands, where his lifestyle is drastically changed from that of Tokyo.

Similarities to Blue period: The same 'obsession' is given to practicing art and honing skills. Seishuu Handa follows the same progression of evolution and set-backs through self-reflection and doubt. Like Blue Period, Barakamon is a coming-of-age story that doesn't shy away from showcasing growth's negative and less colorful aspects. Still, it manages to do this in a more comical and wholesome setting.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Kinema Citrus

Trailer: Link

Genre: Comedy + Slice of Life

Number of episodes: 12

Number of seasons: 1

Lists containing this anime: 13 Anime To Watch Similar To Komi Can't Communicate

2.Space Brothers

宇宙兄弟 - Uchuu Kyoudai

Plot: One summer night, as they were standing on a hill overlooking the starry skies, Mutta Nanba and his younger brother Hibito promised to each other that they would become astronauts, one aiming for the Moon, the other for Mars. Years later, when they both become adults, Mutta finds himself working in an automotive company as an engineer, having long since dismissed his dream as nonsense while Hibito is pursuing it, now set on becoming an astronaut at Nasa. One day, Muta loses his job and needs to move back to his parent's house; while he sees this as a failure, Hibito considers this an opportunity for his brother to go through the application process at JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).

Similarities to Blue period: ‘Space brothers’ is as introspective as ‘Blue period,’ where contemplations about self-worth, doubt, skills, and abilities always seem ready to explode at any moment. You don’t need to be into space or engineering to like this series, regardless of your hobbies and inclinations, this anime will manage to pierce your heart with the intense feeling of wanting to pursue something and to dream - even if you know that the chances of you making it are incredibly low.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: A-1 Pictures

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Comedy + Sci-Fi + Slice of Life + Space

Number of episodes: 99

Number of seasons: 1

3.Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!

映像研には手を出すな! - EIZŌKEN NI WA TE O DASU NA!

Plot: Asakusa’s life changed forever when she discovered anime. Becoming enchanted with the world of creation, she decided to become a manga artist. In High school, she meets Kanamori and Mizusaki, two girls each harboring a distinctive set of talents that seem to complement one another in the process of anime creation. The three decide to create an animation club, through which they will showcase their first original work.

Similarities to Blue Period:The themes of art, passion, and pursuit are identical, the only difference is that 'Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!' has a more whimsical and light-hearted approach. This series also manages to do a better job at showcasing the imagination of its main characters, thanks to its ability to push the limit of typical animation. It transcends conventional boundaries: playful frames break out from structures, and different drawing styles emerge and blend into one another to give an overall greater visual experience.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Science Saru

Trailer: link.

Genre: Adventure + Comedy

Number of episodes: 12

Number of seasons: 1

Lists containing this anime: Top 13 Mind-Bending Anime Works By Masaaki Yuasa

4.Smile Down the Runway

ランウェイで笑って - Runway de Waratte

Plot: Chiyuki Fujito has always dreamt of becoming a runway model and participating in the Paris Fashion Week. However, as she grows older, her height of 158cm makes that dream an impossibility in the eyes of agencies and friends alike. One day, she meets Ikuto Tsumura, a fellow high school student who seems to have a particular talent for designing clothes. As their lives somehow become intertwined, both will make use of each other’s fields of work to re-ignite their passion and drive, carving out a path in the fashion world regardless of the hurdles thrown their way.

Similarities to Blue period: Modeling and Fashion have a bad reputation nowadays as both professions are sometimes labeled as ‘materialistic’ and ‘superficial,’ but let us take a proverbial step back: when both vocations are taken on their own without the added controversies of ‘fast-fashion’ or ‘air-headed’ models, they’re actually pretty interesting. What I’m trying to say is: give this anime a chance, it manages to incorporate a lot of technical knowledge, and both protagonists, while being a bit rose-colored, still convey depth through the struggles of their short-comings.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Ezόla

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Drama + Slice of Life + School

Number of episodes: 12

Number of seasons: 1

5.Welcome to the Ballroom

 ボールルームへようこそ - BŌRURŪMU E YŌKOSO

Plot: Tatara Fujita has gone through life trying to blend in with the masses, with no particular trait or vocation to call his own. Through sheer randomness, he stumbles upon a dance studio whose owner immediately takes him in and throws him into an introductory ballroom class. Watching people dance, Tatara realizes that he is electrified by the moves and the passion emanating from the dancers. With these new sudden feelings and the earnestness that comes when one realizes that he is given an opportunity to change the path of his life, he decides to step foot in the world of competitive dancing.

Similarities to Blue period: ‘Welcome To The Ballroom’’ basically follows the same plot, interchanging art for ballroom dancing. Like Yatora, the main protagonist initially finds himself living life on autopilot with nothing of his own to strive for or look forward to. Like Yatora, he comes across a new passion that assigns meaning to his life and will struggle to compete with people who have been pursuing it for longer than he has.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Production I.G

Trailer: Link

Genre: Comedy + Drama + Romance + Sports

Number of episodes: 24

Number of seasons: 1

Lists containing this anime: Top 17 Sports Anime That Will Turn You Into Fans

6.Kids On The Slope

坂道のアポロン - Sakamichi no Apollon

Plot: Used to being alone and moving around from place to place, Kaoru Nishimi doesn’t think much of his first year of high school in the new setting of Kyushu. Regardless of his inclination for loneliness, his life becomes intertwined with that of a delinquent, Sentarou Kawabuchi, and his childhood friend, Ritsuko Mukae, whose family owns a record shop. Through them, Kaoru will discover Jazz and what it means to allow people to share a part of his life with.

Similarities to Blue period: If you wanted to see more out of Yatora's friendship with side-characters, you'll be delighted with the emphasis given to that aspect in 'Sakamichi No Apollon.' This anime has the same 'diving into the ego' as Blue Period, and characters' personalities are explored through all of their different dimensions. The themes of friendship and music are the most important elements of this series.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Tezuka Productions + MAPPA

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Drama + Romance + Music + School

Number of episodes: 12

Number of seasons: 1

7.Run with the wind

風が強く吹いている - KAZE GA TSUYOKU FUITEIRU

Plot: Nine boys, each with their own life aspirations and college pursuits, find themselves living in Chikusei-sou, a run-down university housing, after seemingly being hunted down by Haiji Kiyose. To their disbelief, when the 10th boy joins them, Kiyose reveals that the dormitory belongs to their university’s Track and Field team and that the housing contract they all signed means that they are now part of the club. He proceeds on telling them his dream of competing in the Hakone Ekiden, one of Japan’s most prominent and difficult university marathon relay races.

Similarities to Blue period: Run with the Wind takes the common themes of growth, self-reflection, and triumph through set-backs and transforms them from an individualistic point of view to that of a wider set of characters. Thanks to the different personalities and hardships of each protagonist, we are able to dive into more depth when it comes to the attitudes, feelings, and opinions that people have when they come across something that their heart wishes to pursue, from fully embarking on the journey to completely refusing to partake in it.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Production I.G

Trailer: Link

Genre: Drama + Sports

Number of episodes: 23

Number of seasons: 1

Lists containing this anime: Top 17 Sports Anime That Will Turn You Into Fans

8.Shirobako

Plot: During their High School days, five best friends discovered their love for Anime and Animation and vowed to each pursue careers in the industry, promising that they would work together and create their own unique show one day. A couple of years later, even those who managed to secure a job in Animation are faced with the harsh realities of life’s divergence to the path you set for it.
Similarities to Blue period: You'll enjoy this one if you enjoyed watching Blue Period because it gave you a perspective you didn't have about the world of Art and a lot of interesting information about its different technical processes. Shirobako sheds light on the tedious animation process that studios go through while creating a series. From story writing to drawing panels, digitalizing them, recording voice-over, adding sound effects, and everything in between you didn't know existed, it will give you a newfound appreciation for animators and studios alike.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: P.A. Works

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Comedy + Drama

Number of episodes: 24

Number of seasons: 1

9.Chihayafuru

ちはやふる

Plot: Amidst bullying, family problems, and the struggles of everyday life, Chihaya Ayase, Arata Wataya, and Taichi Mashima somehow find friendship in one another and discover the world of competitive Karuta - a card game that makes use of memory and agility.
Similarities to Blue period: Both follow the journey of growing into one’s passion from the initially shy and tentative tries to becoming fully immersed in it. Both are inspiring stories about finding one’s own journey through life, taking inspiration from the people around you, and inspiring them yourself.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Madhouse

Trailer: Link

Genre: Drama + Slice of Life + Sports

Number of episodes: 74

Number of seasons: 3

Lists containing this anime: Top 17 Sports Anime That Will Turn You Into Fans

10.Haikyuu!!

ハイキュー!! - HAIKYŪ!! - VOLLEYBALL

Plot: After watching his first volleyball match, middle-schooler Shouyou Hinata becomes electrified by the high-powered nature of the sport and decides to pursue it even though he is considered too short by its conventions. His first match goes up in flames, but he catches the eye of many due to his insane will and jumping ability. In High school, he enrolls at Karasuno with the goal of becoming a professional volleyball player. There, he meets Tobio Kageyama, a volleyball prodigy with an ego problem who doesn’t shy away from showing his disdain of Hinata.
Similarities to Blue period: Haikyuu feels like Blue Period on steroids. But, since it’s a sports anime, you won’t have any of the same slow and minimalistic scenes tinted with self-reflection. Still, you will get similar themes of struggle, conflict, hard work, and passion for achieving one’s goal. These themes are explored from the perspective of different players, each fighting and trying to overcome their own demons and lack of skills. Haikyuu will leave you with the want of doing something with your life, it will motivate you to go above and beyond, and it will do all of that while entertaining you and sucking you into the cyclone of its fandom.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Production I.G

Trailer: Link

Genre: Comedy + Drama + Sports

Number of episodes: 87

Number of seasons: Haikyuu!! + Haikyuu!!: Arrival of Lev (OVA) + Haikyuu!! Season 2 + Haikyuu!!: Falling Grades (OVA) + Haikyuu!!: Season 3 + Haikyuu!! Betting on the Spring High Volleyball (OVA) + Haikyuu!! To the top (Season 4 Part 1) + Haikyuu!! Sky vs. Land (OVA) + Haikyuu!! The Path of the Ball (OVA) +Haikyuu!! To the top (Season 4 Part 2)

Lists containing this anime: Top 17 Sports Anime That Will Turn You Into Fans

11.March Comes in Like a Lion

3月のライオン - 3-GATSU NO LION

Plot: At 17, Rei Kiriyama decides to move out and completely cut ties with his family. To sustain himself financially, he uses his skill as a professional shogi player, playing matches to win money. Alone, Rei takes poor care of himself, and due to his bad social skills, he is not well-liked by either his schoolmates or fellow shogi players. Despite that, he meets three sisters in Tokyo that take a liking to him and eventually begin to provide him with all the love and care he lacks, whether or not he is ready to receive it.

Similarities to Blue period: Both protagonists initially feel empty and lost and don’t know how to find ways to feel fulfilled or excited about anything. Many related subjects are tackled, like the feeling of not belonging, not being good enough, and being a burden to others. Consequently, scenes are equally depressing and heartwarming. If you’re originally a fan of the manga of Blue Period and feel a bit let down with the lack of creativity of the animation compared to it, ‘3-Gatsu No Lion’ will probably be able to fill your cup as it places a significant role in creative visuals and different animation styles to depict the feelings and emotions that characters go through.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: SHAFT

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Drama + Slice of Life

Number of episodes: 44

Number of seasons: 2 (Ongoing for a 3rd one)

Lists containing this anime: 12 Anime To Watch Similar To Fruits Basket (the 2019 version)