Discover These 10 Anime if You Like Stranger Things
If you’re a fan of Stranger Things and its blend of supernatural mystery, coming-of-age storytelling, and 80s nostalgia, you might find yourself drawn to certain anime series that share similar themes or atmospheres. Here are 10 anime recommendations for Stranger Things enthusiasts:
Erased (Boku dake ga Inai Machi)
Erased follows Satoru Fujinuma, a man with the ability to travel back in time to prevent deaths. When he’s accused of murder, he’s sent back to his childhood to uncover the truth behind a series of kidnappings.
Why Stranger Things fans will like it:
- Mystery-solving kids
- Supernatural elements
- Small-town setting
- Nostalgic 1980s backdrop
Steins;Gate
This sci-fi thriller revolves around a group of friends who accidentally invent time travel and find themselves entangled in a complex web of alternate timelines and conspiracies.
Why Stranger Things fans will like it:
- Science fiction elements
- Conspiracy theories
- Strong friendships
- 1980s pop culture references
Mob Psycho 100
Mob Psycho 100 tells the story of Shigeo Kageyama, a psychic middle schooler trying to live a normal life while battling supernatural threats.
Why Stranger Things fans will like it:
- Young protagonist with psychic powers
- Blend of comedy and supernatural horror
- Coming-of-age themes
Durarara!!
Set in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district, this series weaves together the stories of various characters, including a headless rider, gang members, and high school students, as they become entangled in supernatural events.
Why Stranger Things fans will like it:
- Ensemble cast
- Supernatural mystery
- Urban legends come to life
Another
In this horror mystery, a transfer student arrives at a school where a curse has been causing mysterious deaths for years.
Why Stranger Things fans will like it:
- Small-town setting
- Supernatural mystery
- Group of students uncovering dark secrets
Higurashi: When They Cry
Set in a rural village in 1983, this horror mystery follows a group of friends as they become entangled in a series of bizarre and gruesome events.
Why Stranger Things fans will like it:
- 1980s setting
- Small-town atmosphere
- Supernatural horror elements
- Mystery-solving kids
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
This series follows the eccentric Haruhi Suzumiya and her high school club as they investigate supernatural phenomena, unaware that Haruhi herself has reality-altering powers.
Why Stranger Things fans will like it:
- High school setting
- Supernatural elements
- Quirky characters
- The blend of comedy and mystery
Parasyte: The Maxim
When alien parasites invade Earth and take over human hosts, high schooler Shinichi Izumi must navigate this new threat while keeping his partial infection a secret.
Why Stranger Things fans will like it:
- Body horror elements reminiscent of the Upside Down creatures
- A coming-of-age story in the face of supernatural threats
- Secretive government agencies
Serial Experiments Lain
This cyberpunk psychological thriller follows Lain Iwakura as she delves into the mysterious Wired, a global communications network similar to the internet.
Why Stranger Things fans will like it:
- Mind-bending plot
- Exploration of technology and its impact
- Conspiracy theories
From the New World (Shinsekai Yori)
Set in a dystopian future where humans have psychic abilities, this series follows a group of friends as they uncover the dark truths of their seemingly idyllic society.
Why Stranger Things fans will like it:
- Young protagonists with supernatural abilities
- Mystery-solving
- Dark secrets in a seemingly perfect world
While these anime series may not replicate the exact 80s nostalgic feel of Stranger Things, they each offer elements that fans of the show might appreciate. From supernatural mysteries and coming-of-age stories to ensemble casts and small-town secrets, these anime provide engaging narratives that echo some of Stranger Things’ most beloved aspects.
Whether you’re drawn to the supernatural elements, the character dynamics, or the thrill of unraveling a mystery, these anime series offer unique takes on themes familiar to Stranger Things fans. They provide an opportunity to explore similar concepts through the lens of Japanese animation, potentially opening up a whole new world of storytelling for viewers eager to recapture the excitement they felt watching Stranger Things.
