The Top 10 Emotional Anime For Kokoro Connect Fans

Kokoro Connect is an outstanding example of how to create a captivating romance anime set in a school environment, enhanced by intriguing supernatural elements.

This unique blend of genres creates a truly compelling mix.

Moreover, the relationships between the characters are portrayed in a realistic manner, adding an extra relatable touch to the series.

To expand your watchlist, here is a curated list of the best anime like Kokoro Connect that you might enjoy.

10. Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches

Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches shares striking similarities with Kokoro Connect: both series take place in a school setting and incorporate a supernatural element related to body switching and gender-bending.

However, there are also notable differences between the two, which we’ll delve into after exploring the plot.

The story revolves around Yamada Ryu and Urara Shiraishi, two high school students with contrasting personalities who suddenly find themselves in a body-switching predicament due to mysterious circumstances.

As they grapple with the cause and consequences of this phenomenon, their lives take unexpected turns.

Shifting our focus to the differences, Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches leans more towards comedy and ecchi elements, setting it apart from Kokoro Connect, which maintains a predominantly serious tone.

But if you’re specifically seeking an anime with a comedic and light-hearted approach, Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches is a solid choice to consider.

9. Charlotte

If you’re looking for an anime similar to Kokoro Connect but with a greater emphasis on action, then Charlotte is an excellent choice.

The story takes place in a world where a small percentage of teenagers possess unique powers, and one of these individuals is Yuu Otosaka, a high school student who conceals his ability to control minds.

His life takes a dramatic turn when he is approached by Nao Tomori, who brings him to a special school for students with extraordinary powers.

From there, a complex web of mysteries begins to unfold.

Charlotte shares similarities with Kokoro Connect in terms of its school setting and supernatural theme. However, it diverges by focusing on a mystery-driven narrative with action elements, so it offers a totally different experience.

But if you’re seeking an anime with a more eventful and action-oriented storyline than Kokoro Connect, Charlotte is a perfect choice.

8. Kotoura-San

Kokoro Connect and Kotoura-San are remarkably similar anime with just a few minor differences.

The story revolves around Haruka Kotoura, a girl who possesses the ability to read minds since childhood. However, her power has caused her to lose friends and strain her family relationships, turning it into more of a curse than a superpower.

After facing bullying in various schools, she meets Manabe Yoshihisa, a boy who is unafraid of her mind-reading ability. Together, they develop a heartwarming relationship.

Both Kokoro Connect and Kotoura-San share common elements such as a school setting, a prominent supernatural theme, romantic moments, and slice-of-life elements.

The distinction lies in the specific supernatural element itself, with Kotoura’s mind-reading power differing from Kokoro Connect’s body-swapping phenomenon.

However, apart from this difference, the 2 anime encompass all the necessary elements to be excellent recommendations for fans of one another.

7. Ano Hana

AnoHana and Kokoro Connect share similarities despite having different plots, as both anime feature a group of friends, a story based on their relationships, and strong supernatural elements.

AnoHana follows a group of childhood friends who try to reconnect in high school to grant the wish of Menma, the only one who has remained the same over the years, maintaining a childlike appearance.

The group attempts to discover why Menma is still small, resulting in an emotional journey that will require you some tissues.

Although the storylines of the two anime differ greatly, AnoHana may be an excellent choice if you enjoyed the serious atmosphere and focus on the close-knit group of friends in Kokoro Connect.

6. Hyouka!

Hyouka and Kokoro Connect share both similarities and differences. Starting with the most obvious they’re both set in a school environment and feature a realistic group of friends as the main characters.

The story revolves around Houtarou Oreki, a high school freshman who prefers a quiet life.

However, after joining the Classics Club, he becomes involved in solving intriguing mysteries with the inquisitive Eru Chitanda and their friends Satoshi and Mayaka.

In addition to the similarities seen before, Hyouka strikes a balance between comedy and serious moments, similar to Kokoro Connect.

But while the two anime share these commonalities, Hyouka lacks supernatural elements and themes, with romance subplots playing a minimal role.

Nevertheless, the overall similarities between Hyouka and Kokoro Connect make it a great recommendation for fans of the latter.

5. Your Name.

Your Name and Kokoro Connect indeed share many similarities, with the exception of a technical difference of the former being a movie while the latter is a series. However, the core elements connecting the two are significant.

Your Name follows the story of Mitsuha, a high school student from a small mountain town, and Taki, a student living in bustling Tokyo.

They begin to experience body-swapping dreams, living each other’s lives. But is it merely a dream?

While the settings differ, with Your Name showcasing various locations compared to Kokoro Connect’s focus on the school, the two works still exhibit numerous similarities. Both feature a supernatural theme involving gender swapping and the subsequent romantic developments.

Furthermore, the storytelling in both anime is handled in a quite serious manner.

4. Kiznaiver

Kiznaiver, despite its Sci-Fi and not supernatural premise and plot, shares many similarities with Kokoro Connect.

The story revolves around Katsuhira Agata, a high school student who is invited by his enigmatic classmate, Noriko Sonosaki, to participate in the Kizuna System. This system aims to achieve world peace by connecting individuals known as Kiznaivers, allowing them to share their pain and experiences with each other.

Both Kokoro Connect and Kiznaiver explore the idea of understanding and empathizing with others by sharing their emotions and struggles.

The message of personal growth and discovering one’s own emotions through the lives of others is present in both series.

And that’s what makes these two series super similar, while at the same time incredibly different in other aspects.

3. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

If you’re looking for a series that combines a school setting with supernatural elements like Kokoro Connect, then The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is likely the top choice in this category.

Haruhi, a quirky and eccentric girl, has no interest in ordinary people and instead seeks out unique experiences and individuals who can bring excitement to her life, particularly those related to ESP, time travelers, and aliens.

This catches the attention of Kyon, a regular high school student, who suggests that she start her own club to indulge in her interests.

Thus, the SOS Brigade is formed, a club dedicated to the paranormal, with members such as Yuuki Nagato, an alien, Mikuru Asahina, a time traveler, and Izumi Koizumi, an esper.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya can be seen as an amplified version of Kokoro Connect, with its supernatural aspect taken to the extreme.

However, you might wonder why it isn’t ranked first on this list. The answer is simple: unfortunately, the romance element is practically absent and lacks depth.

2. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai deserves the first place on this list for a simple reason: when it comes to romance anime with a school setting and supernatural elements, it’s arguably the best.

Sakuta Azusagawa is a high schooler with a troubled past who prefers to keep to himself and avoid socializing as much as possible.

However, one day, he encounters a senpai dressed as a bunny in the library, and he’s the only one who can see her.

Similar to Kokoro Connect and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai takes the common elements of these anime and elevates them to the top.

And as you may have guessed, unlike The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya it deserves the second place for a specific reason: it also features an excellent romance plot.

1. Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea

Nagi no Asukara is an excellent example of how to create an anime with an out-of-the-box school setting, that shares many similarities with Kokoro Connect.

The story takes place in a world where humanity has also inhabited the underwater world for survival.

The main characters are four 14-year-old boys from the submarine village of Shioshishio, who attend Mihama Middle School on the surface after their underwater school closes due to the declining population of the seas.

And as they navigate this new world, they also learn about customs and manners, while they discover love in the process. 

While Nagi no Asukara diverges from the supernatural atmosphere of Kokoro Connect, it compensates with its unique and visually stunning school setting.

Both anime incorporate love plots and strike a balance between drama and comedy.