There aren’t a lot of anime which look at a cast of college students, but that makes Golden Time all the more special. telling the tale of new college students navigating the trials and tribulations of the next phase in their lives, it’s the kind of show that can make you laugh, cry and cringe with how accurate it is, but can leave you with hope that life’s new challenges can be overcome all the same. The show’s 24 episodes can go fast though, so these five shows will be just the thing you need to scratch that Golden Time itch.
Genshiken
Anime Like Golden Time if You’re Looking for Something Similar
For the members of the Shiiou University anime and manga club, being an otaku is anything but something to be ashamed of. Brought together by their love of all things geeky, nerdy and perky, they all have their areas of expertise from Gunpla model building and cosplay, to sketching and editing anime and manga of their own, each has something that they hope to pursue with all they have; and, with the support of each other, they’ll gain the confidence they need to take their dreams and passions even further.
Though the series can be intense and self-deprecating at first, it quickly grows into something more heartfelt. Watching its characters grow into happier, more confident people alongside one another strikes at the nostalgia of learning who one is in college, and makes for a pleasant viewing experience no matter which of the three seasons you pick up.
Toradora!
Anime Like Golden Time if You’re Looking for Something Similar
Whereas Golden Time shines in its portrayal of college life and relationships, Toradora stands out for the novel way it presents a typical high school slice of life romance. Focused on the budding friendship and then romance between Ryuji and Taiga, two outcasts with unrequited love for the other’s friend, the series brings a certain thoughtfulness to the usual tropes which are a welcome step up from the norm. The characters’ shifting emotions for one another, the situations caused by their insecurities and the imperfect solutions they arrive at to fix them all feel like decisions and choices real people would make. This genuine feel makes it all the easier to fall in love with the characters and settle in for the wild ride that is their lives.Wotakoi
Anime Like Golden Time if You’re Looking for Something Similar
Finding love when you have passions on the nerdier side can be difficult unless you happen to know someone with similar hobbies and likes. This is the situation that Narumi and Hirotaka find themselves in when they decide to start dating. Though it starts off awkwardly, it soon grows into something real as the two learn to accept the good and the bad in each other, embracing what makes them who they are in order to help both grow as people. A rare slice of life series about adults and their relationships, Wotakoi nails the more realistic elements of adult relationships from learning to deal with a partner’s flaws and quirks to communicating what one wants and expects from another person in a relationship. This is made all the better by moments that feel pulled out of real life like juggling a demanding work life with making time for a date night and what to do if you find yourself attracted to someone you’re not in a relationship with. It may not be as reliant on dramatic happenstance as some other shows of its ilk, but that’s exactly what helps it stand as something special.After the Rain
Anime Like Golden Time if You’re Looking for Something Similar
Following an accident that brings her aspirations of sports stardom to a screeching halt, Akira Tachibana finds herself searching for a new sense of purpose and direction in life. As a result, she begins working at a restaurant where she meets Masami Kondo, the manager and a man twice her age. Though she develops a crush on him, Kondo instead opts to help her understand why she is so desperate to be with someone and push her along on the way to understanding how she can truly feel happy again.
Though not a typical romance anime where the two main protagonists end up together –and honestly, all the better for it– After the Rain matches the reflective growth that the characters in Golden Time find with its own share of hijinks, character interactions and grounded realizations. Not every problem is solved with a eureka moment, and both Akira and Kondo have issues they must work through to become better, more stable individuals by the end. It’s not always the easiest series to watch if you can relate, but the hopeful message it delivers by the end of its 12-episode run should be more than satisfactory for anyone.
Kimi ni Todoke
Anime Like Golden Time if You’re Looking for Something Similar
Sawako Kuronuma, a shy young girl who is teased for her resemblance to Sadako from The Ring, finds her life taking a turn for the better when Shota Kazehaya, a popular boy from her school, comes to her looking to be friends. From there, the world opens up to her as more people start to give her a chance, allowing her to build friendships, learn how to believe in herself and potentially enjoy the kind of relationships she always hoped she would have with others.
A heartwarming tale of a person growing into who they could always be, Kimi ni Todoke hits a lot of notes other series fail to remember or even acknowledge. Paced in a way that feels natural, it brings viewers along for the entire ride of what Sawako goes through; her anxieties, self-doubt and eventual love for herself all feel like they progress realistically, and each new step forward feels like an earned victory. It’s a great series for anyone who wants to feel like they can take a step forward in their lives, and wants to see how great that could be.
Know some other series that are perfect for fans of Golden Time? Mention them in the comments below, and check out some of our other recommendation lists for series like Fruits Basket or The Ancient Magus’ Bride.
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