Kotoura-San is an underrated romance anime that skillfully blends its love story with supernatural elements and a compelling school setting.
But probably the most important quality of this anime is its fantastic and tender trauma-solving love story.
So if you have watched it and fallen in love with this unique combination, we completely understand your sentiment.
Today, we are here to provide you with our list of the best anime like Kotoura-San that no fan of the series should miss.
So without further ado, take your time, read this list, and decide what to watch tonight.
Table of Contents
10. Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!
Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! may not have the same supernatural elements as Kotoura-San, but it is still an excellent recommendation due to its great trauma-solving romantic storyline.
Based on a series of light novels, this anime follows the story of Yuuta and Rikka, two socially awkward individuals who end up living together unexpectedly.
As they navigate their unique living situation, their affection for each other grows. Their relationship becomes more complex with the introduction of Satone, an old acquaintance of Yuuta’s, creating a love triangle dynamic.
Both series share a school setting, offer plenty of comedy, and feature a tender and sweet love story that helps both MCs grow as individuals.
9. Toradora!
Toradora! also lacks supernatural elements in its plot, but similar to Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!, it shares certain aspects that make it a fantastic recommendation for fans of Kotoura-San.
The story revolves around Ryuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka, two high school students with contrasting personalities who form an unlikely alliance to help each other pursue their respective crushes.
However, as they spend more time together, unexpected emotions may begin to emerge between them.
With a school setting, a lot of comedy, constant twists and turns, and a love story that leads the main characters to personal growth, Toradora! and Kotoura-San are two excellent anime series to watch consecutively.
8. Pet Girl of Sakurasou
Pet Girl of Sakurasou is a wonderful romance anime to watch if you are a fan of Kotoura-San, as it shares a similar trope of a boy helping a girl open up to the world through his love.
Sorata Kanda is a boy who resides in the infamous Sakurasou dormitory, known for housing individuals with eccentric and unique personalities.
When Mashiro Shiina, a talented yet clumsy aspiring mangaka, moves in, Sorata takes it upon himself to protect her at all costs, leading to the development of feelings between them.
But Sorata doesn’t know that Nanami, another resident of the dorm, also harbors feelings for him.
While Pet Girl of Sakurasou lacks supernatural elements, its comedic atmosphere, school setting, and captivating trauma-solving romance make it a perfect choice for fans of Kotoura-San.
7. Charlotte
Charlotte diverges from Kotoura-San in terms of genre and focus, as it centers around superpowers and adopts a predominantly mystery and action-driven narrative, while romance takes a backseat.
Set in a world where a small percentage of teenagers possess unique abilities, the story follows Yuu Otosaka, a high school student who conceals his mind control power. His life takes a dramatic turn when he encounters Nao Tomori, who introduces him to a special school for students with extraordinary abilities.
As the story unfolds, a complex tapestry of mysteries begins to unravel.
Unlike Kotoura-San, which primarily focuses on romance and slice-of-life elements, Charlotte immerses viewers in a world of intrigue, suspense, and fighting scenes.
But if that’s exactly what you are looking for, it’s perfect.
6. From me to You
With From Me to You, we return to romance anime that share similar narratives and tropes with Kotoura-San, but without the superpower element.
The story revolves around Sawako, a high school student who endures bullying from her classmates due to her resemblance to Sadako, the iconic character from the horror film Ring.
However, beneath her perceived intimidating appearance, Sawako is a sweet and shy girl. And that’s why her life takes a turn when she catches the attention of Shota, the most popular boy in school.
From Me to You presents an excellent, tender, and complete love story that manages to captivate viewers without the need for supernatural elements, with its fantastic trauma-solving romance that will leave a lasting impact on you.
5. Clannad
Clannad is one of the best romance anime set in a school environment. It showcases a remarkable emphasis on the characters’ psychology and their traumas, much like Kotoura-San.
The story revolves around Tomoya Okazaki, a rebellious and introverted boy, and Nagisa Furukawa, a kind-hearted girl who must repeat a year of school due to health issues and struggles with forming friendships.
Their encounter sets the stage for a beautiful love story, though it has its share of obstacles and challenges.
Furthermore, Clannad incorporates the theme of a troubled girl finding solace in the love of a boy, with even vague supernatural elements. It undoubtedly deserves a spot among the top recommendations on this list.
4. Kokoro Connect
Kokoro Connect is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable and underrated romance anime with a supernatural element in its plot, although distinct from the one in Kotoura-San.
The story unfolds at Yamahoshi Academy’s cultural club, where its five members find themselves entangled in an extraordinary phenomenon: random body-swapping among themselves.
This extraordinary occurrence gives rise to unexpected reactions and emotions among the characters, particularly within the complex love triangle involving Himeko, Taichi, and Iori.
While the premise of Kokoro Connect differs significantly from Kotoura-San, if you are seeking another outstanding romance anime with a supernatural twist, it’s an absolute must-watch.
3. Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is undoubtedly one of the best romance anime with a captivating supernatural element, and it can even be considered the best in recent years.
The story revolves around Sakuta Azusagawa, a high school student with a troubled past who tends to isolate himself and avoid social interactions.
However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Mai, a senpai dressed as a bunny in the library, and he’s the only one who can see her.
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai skillfully combines the elements that contribute to the greatness of Kotoura-San.
Its love story is among the best in recent years, accompanied by a unique supernatural focus within the genre, all set in a school environment, while anime also explores the themes of trauma and their resolution through romance.
2. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
The top spot on this list undoubtedly belongs to The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, the undisputed best anime if we talk about the combination of supernatural elements with a school setting.
Haruhi, an eccentric and unique girl, has no interest in ordinary individuals and actively seeks out extraordinary experiences and individuals connected to ESP, time travel, and aliens.
This catches the attention of Kyon, a regular high school student, who suggests that she starts her club to explore her interests.
Thus, the SOS Brigade is formed, a club dedicated to the paranormal, with members such as Yuki Nagato, an alien, Mikuru Asahina, a time traveler, and Izumi Koizumi, an esper.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya can be seen as a multiplied version of Kotoura-San. Its supernatural component takes center stage, with aliens, espers, time travel, and even gods serving as the foundation for extraordinary events.
The only drawback is that the romance aspect is relatively marginal, with only a few references scattered throughout the series. However, if you wish to witness the true pioneer of the school-set supernatural anime genre, it’s an absolute must-watch.
1. One Week Friends
One Week Friends is almost identical to Kotoura-San, with the main distinction lying in the initial premise, as instead of a superpower, the central focus revolves around the female protagonist’s illness.
The narrative follows Yuuki Hase, who takes it upon himself to befriend Kaori, a classmate living in isolation and devoid of companionship, in an earnest attempt to rescue her from her loneliness.
However, Kaori declines his offer due to her unique condition of losing her memories every week. Undeterred, Yuuki embarks on a mission to gain her trust each week, with the hope of preventing her from feeling alone.
While the premises differ, the undeniable resemblance between these two anime is evident, even if One Week Friends explores more serious and psychological themes in addition to those present in Kotoura-San.
But both anime depict remarkable trauma-solving romances, with an almost identical plot and narrative structure.
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