Ranking of Kings, AKAOusama Ranking, is one of the most well-received anime this Fall 2021 season, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only anime of its kind. Sure, not much else manages to capture that “storybook” atmosphere or feature such an immediately likable main character comparable to Bojji, but a lot of shows come close or excel in something similar.
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So, for those who are truly enjoyingRanking of Kings, but are having a hard time waiting for each new episode, here are some other similar shows to watch in the meantime. These recommendations truly vary in terms of their content, from some comfy slice-of-life series to some horrifically violent series. But, all of them in some way feature a loveable main character who goes on an amazing adventure of some kind.
Updated April 8th, 2023 by Jacob Buchalter:Every new season of anime, some new adorable show comes out about a boy who’s down on his luck until eventually, good things happen to them. While this may seem like a pretty basic concept, it’s difficult to do right without feeling forced or too corny, and only a rare handful of shows have managed to do it or something similar. Ranking of Kings, for example, is a recent example of a series that manages to almost magically make the audience want to protect and care for Bojji just a couple of minutes in. But, as his adventure continues, the events around him start to slowly become equally as interesting as Bojji’s story. So, let’s look at some similar anime that manages to tell a similar story or achieve an effect comparable to what Ranking of Kings has whilewaiting for that Treasure Chest of Courage special episode of RoKto come out.
16By The Grace Of The Gods
Starting things off with an anime that has a comfy tone comparable toRanking of Kings. One of the aspects ofOusama Rankingthat makes the first third of it so incredibly good is seeing Bojji going through all these tough times and wishing things got better for him and then watching as they do.
By the Grace of the Godsis an entire anime about this feeling, as its protagonist, Ryouma, is the standard ‘died on Earth, reincarnated in another world’type of isekai character. The main difference for Ryouma, however, is that the world he’s reincarnated in is a much kinder place, and even the Gods of this world can tell how nice of a guyRyouma was in his past life. It’s the ultimate comfy show where a guy who tried his best but was unlucky in life finally gets to be happy and experience new things, all while the past experiences of his previous life give him tons of advantages in this new one.
15Kotaro Lives Alone
One of the things that Bojji struggles a lot with a lot inRanking of Kingsis acting adorable and having adults misunderstand his intentions, expertise, or independence because of it. Yes, the backstory behind Queen Hilling and her adorable need for Bojji to love her is incredibly cute, but she still treats him like too much of a baby.
Meanwhile,Kotaro Lives Alonehas the opposite issue where Kotaro acts like a child and is completely adorable with his formal way of speaking, yet they’re all letting him live completely alone. It’s an odd circumstance, but that’s exactly what makesKotaro Lives Aloneboth interesting and adorable, as the interactions Kotaro has with Shin and the other people of the complex are just so entertaining.
14Tower Of God
This next recommendation is one that many people may not have expected, but Bam’s story inTower of Godhas a lot of similarities to Bojji’s inRanking of Kings.
Both stories involve protagonists who are constantly out of their depth and underestimated for it, only to prove their worth. Both stories take place in a world that’s incredibly harsh and dark so the moments of kindness and achievement shine that much brighter. And finally, both stories revolve around a protagonist who just wants the best for people yet has so many of those same people they care about planning, deceiving, and scheming behind their backs. All-in-all, while the context and settings of both stories are pretty radically different, they’re both similar in that they’re so unique.
13Trigun & Trigun Stampede
Okay, this is probably the least likely comparison on here, but there’s a reasonTrigunwas selected. First of all, thanks toTrigun Stampede, everyone’s thinking about Vash the Stampede again. Second, just think about these two stories and the similarities should become almost immediately clear.
Both anime revolve around a pacifistic (orattempted pacifist in Vash’s case), peace-loving protagonist who has grandiose and absurdly ideological goals. Secondly, these two series also have characters (like Millions Knivesor Miranjo) and situations that are constantly trying to force the main character to go against their morals. And third, both Vash and Bojji are not what they first appear to be, as Vash has his origins as an Independent Plant while Bojji should’ve been born gigantic, but was cursed by his own father and had both his size and power massively reduced.
12Vinland Saga
Vinland Saga, at least compared toRanking of Kings,is assuredly much more violent, though the second half ofRoKmakes tries hard to catch up. Thorfinn is the very definition of a “troubled youth,” though for the age of Vikings his violent nature is honestly the societal norm, especiallyfor the villains of the series.
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Now that season 2 is well underway, fans of the series are starting to get a glimpse at the arc Thorfinn goes throughafter the initial big timeskip. And yes, while the story is a lot less violent than it used to be, that’s sort of the point, and the story told from here on out is even more enjoyable thanVinland Sagaseason 1, just in a different way.
11Kaiba
Kaibais likely the best recommendation anyone could give for an anime to watch before/afterRanking of Kings.Yet, because of its niche following and very unique art style, not enough people know aboutKaiba. This is a series created by Madhouse, known for its absurd range in terms of style and the high standard of quality they set for themselves.
Regarding style,Kaibais one of the most unique-looking anime in history. At first glance, it might be hard to get used to it, but the simplistic nature and overblown proportions actually serve to enhance its overall theme.Kaibais best enjoyed going in blind, so to keep it that way, it’s best to simply describe it as an episodic anime that explores the concept of “memories” in some nihilistic, inventive, and heart-wrenchingly cruel ways.
10March Comes In Like A Lion
When it comes to shows similar toRanking of Kings,most key aspects include heavy emotional impact, a story focused on a single character learning to love the world around them, or a tale about an emotionally scarred MC who finally finds people that appreciate them.March Comes in Like A Lionhas all three.
It’s a lot less fantastical and a lot more realistic, but the show’s beautiful visual metaphors bridge the gap into the fantasy realm just a bit. Rei Kiriyama has trouble relating to the world around him, just like Boiji, and it never gets old watching both Rei and Boiji find all the little moments of happiness that they’ve always deserved. As far as anime similar toRankings of Kingsgo,MCiLaLis top-notch in terms of quality.
9Katanagatari
This might seem like a recommendation ‘out of left field’, butKatanagatarireally does scratch a similar itch as theRanking of Kingsanime. As a whole,RoKis likely the better product, but both shows are much more focused on mold-breaking characters and their conflicting ideologies. It’s another show where one could argue the MC (or MC’s brother inRoK’scase)has fallen for the villain, in a way, yet doesn’t seem to care. Plus, both MCs of these two anime are absurdly powerful human weapons that are always vastly underestimated.
That isn’t to say that either show lacks in the animation department. When it comes to combat, they both go all out. But, it’s clear as day that the creators of both these shows relish the moment-to-moment interactions between characters more than action sequences, as the dialogue is polished to a mirror sheen in both. And as a last little note, both series also feature some of themost overpowered female charactersof all time.
8Mob Psycho 100
Next up isMob Psycho 100. It feels like this show is on every recommendation list for every genre, and for good reason, it really is an anime that encapsulates a bit of everything and nails everything it sets out to do.
LikeRanking of Kings,Mob Psycho 100is over-the-top fantastical, features a main character who is immediately loveable yetjust a bit “different” from everyone else, and has plenty of action. It’s an anime about identity, what it means to be human, characters learning to love themselves, and what true growth actually is, which are all aspectsRoKshares as well. And, it’s a perfect show to watch for those who love alternative anime art styles, as bothRoKandMP100are anime that have a completely individual look to them.
7To Your Eternity
Adapted by studio Brain’s Base from the hit manga series of the same name made by Yoshitoki Oima,To Your Eternityis a real heart-wrenching watch. Well, that’s to be expected, considering it comes from the same mind that createdA Silent Voice,after all.
In any case,To Your Eternitydoesn’t exactly have a lot in common withRanking of Kingsin regards to its narrative, but the overall atmosphere and emotional impacts of both shows are very similar. Plus, both main characters have a lot of trouble with understanding and communication (at least at first), and they slowly but surely open up to the world around them.
