Despite being released in 2019, My Roommate Is a Cat rapidly captured the hearts of viewers with its touching narrative. The series chronicles the journey of Subaru Mikazuki, a solitary writer who takes in an abandoned cat named Haru. Through their gradual bond, Subaru is able to rediscover the joy of building connections and opening up, all thanks to his new feline companion.
My Roommate Is a Cat, with its focus on friendship, family, and conquering loneliness, strikes a chord with its audience. For those who appreciated the bond between the unlikely pair, here are 10 additional anime series to consider that share similar themes of optimism, recovery, and the importance of human relationships.
These shows range from comedic slices-of-life to emotional dramas, all of which showcase uplifting bonds and personal growth that are guaranteed to captivate viewers.
10 anime recommendations for fans of My Roommate Is a Cat
Fruits Basket
Following the loss of her mother, kind-hearted high school student Tohru Honda sets up a tent on the property of the enigmatic Soma family. It doesn’t take long for her to uncover their hidden truth – there are 13 individuals in the Soma clan who undergo a transformation into animals from the Chinese zodiac upon being embraced by someone of the opposite sex.
As Tohru becomes more involved in their daily routines, she offers support to various family members, including the overwhelmed teenager Kyo and the caring homemaker Shigure, as they navigate through difficult experiences from their pasts. These themes of rejection and loneliness may strike a chord with longtime fans of My Roommate Is a Cat.
2. Flying Witch
As part of her training, teenage witch Makoto Kowata relocates to Aomori to live with her relatives. While adjusting to a more rural lifestyle, she forms new friendships with both human and supernatural beings.
Like the journey of Subaru in My Roommate Is a Cat, Makoto’s transition to her new home offers plenty of humorous and heartfelt moments. The addition of magic adds an extra touch of fantasy to the story.
Despite its fantastical elements, Flying Witch remains down-to-earth and heartwarming, largely due to its lovable characters and their heartwarming and humorous interactions. Makoto’s comical blunders and her reactions to the unfamiliar world she finds herself in make for an incredibly charming viewing experience.
3. Usagi Drop
Usagi Drop is a heartwarming and humorous anime that resonates with fans of slice-of-life genre. During the funeral of his grandfather, 30-year-old Daikichi encounters Rin, a six-year-old girl who is revealed to be his grandfather’s illegitimate daughter.
Daikichi spontaneously decides to personally care for the girl in his single lifestyle. As Rin’s guardian, Daikichi undergoes personal growth while creating a nurturing environment for the cheerful yet reserved girl.
Through the development of unexpected father-daughter relationships, fans of My Roommate Is a Cat’s heartfelt family dynamics will undoubtedly find this gem just as enjoyable.
4. A Silent Voice
This highly praised film addresses weighty themes such as bullying and suicide, as well as the journey of emotional healing and forgiveness.
Shōya Ishida, the protagonist of the story, had bullied Shōko Nishimiya, a deaf classmate, during their elementary school years. His actions were so severe that Shōko was forced to transfer schools. In middle school, Shōya becomes an outcast but eventually reconciles with Shōko, leading to a gradual rekindling of their friendship and understanding of each other’s childhood wounds.
A Silent Voice is a raw, thoughtful, and moving film that portrays its characters with empathy, making it a compelling choice for fans of My Roommate Is a Cat.
5. Wolf Children
“Wolf Children Ame and Yuki is a coming-of-age fantasy drama centered around the theme of motherhood. The film follows Hana, who falls in love with a wolfman and later gives birth to two children, Ame and Yuki, who are half-wolf and half-human.”
After the wolfman’s untimely death in the beginning of the story, Hana takes on the role of raising her children alone with a strong determination to nurture their dual natures. As Ame and Yuki mature, Hana observes their struggle with their identities and also discovers her own resilience as a single mother.
This movie powerfully delves into the dynamics of family relationships with an emotional focus on love and loss, just like My Roommate Is a Cat.
Barakamon
Another heartwarming anime with elements of comedy, Barakamon is a slice-of-life series that centers around Seishu Handa, a gifted calligrapher. When Seishu punches a gallery owner for criticizing his work as unoriginal, he is sent to a secluded island village to contemplate his actions.
In that place, he crosses paths with a lively young girl from the village named Naru Kotoishi. She persistently urges the introverted calligrapher to join her in daily activities. Through her joyful interference in his routine, Seishu reignites his artistic drive and builds genuine relationships with the eccentric locals.
Similar to My Roommate Is a Cat, this series also showcases unique characters who play a pivotal role in bringing someone out of their shell.
7. A Journey to the Ends of the Earth
Upon meeting Shirase Kobuchizawa, a high school student whose mother vanished in Antarctica, Mari Tamaki is moved to join her on a journey. In search of purpose in her own life, Mari also forms a bond with two other classmates, Hinata and Yuzuki, as they all embark on this quest together for individual reasons.
The four girls join forces to turn their ambitious goal of reaching Antarctica into a tangible achievement. Similar to the anime My Roommate Is a Cat, this series showcases the characters’ journey of self-development amidst life’s toughest challenges.
Despite their differences, the four friends work together towards their common goal and form a strong bond. They provide support for each other as they navigate issues related to family, loss, and identity. Their journey is a testament to the power of shared determination and empathy, which can overcome almost any obstacle.
8. Kiki’s Delivery Service
One Ghibli film that should not be missed is Kiki’s Delivery Service, which tells the story of a kind-hearted young witch named Kiki as she navigates the challenges of growing up. As per witch customs, Kiki sets out on her own at the age of 13. She chooses to reside in the coastal town of Koriko and, with the help of her witty feline companion Jiji, works hard to establish a successful delivery service.
As Kiki adapts to her unfamiliar surroundings, she discovers that she is no longer able to fly on her broom, causing her to doubt her own value. However, when a crisis arises, Kiki rediscovers her inner determination and forges enduring relationships with the townspeople who encourage her aspirations.
This film is filled with themes of friendship and self-discovery that fans are sure to find familiar. It is uplifting, magical, and offers personal growth for viewers.
Kakushigoto: The Hidden Thing
In the series that aired in 2020, Kakushi, a lone manga artist, goes to great extremes to support his young daughter Hime, all while keeping his profession of drawing adult humor gag manga a secret.
Similarly to My Roommate Is a Cat, at its heart, Kakushigoto explores the special connection between a quirky guardian and his childlike charge. It effectively combines humorous moments with poignant scenes that center on the importance of family relationships.
If you enjoyed the found family dynamic in My Roommate Is a Cat, then Kakushigoto should also pique your interest.
10. Sweetness and Lightning
Despite his lack of cooking skills, Kouhei, a single father, receives assistance from one of his students, Kotori. Despite her young age, she is able to learn and cook with him.
Audiences may draw connections between this series and My Roommate Is a Cat as both revolve around a protagonist grappling with the aftermath of a difficult loss. In a similar manner, the writer’s feline companion aids in their social interactions while the teacher’s culinary skills solidify his relationship with his daughter.
Similar to My Roommate is a Cat, this Slice of Life series from 2016 successfully blends heartfelt moments with humorous elements. It’s an excellent choice for those who appreciate a combination of both comedy and emotion in their shows.
Conclusion
Featuring heartwarming stories of characters finding personal growth through meaningful relationships, these 10 anime titles all share touching themes that will surely resonate with fans of My Roommate Is a Cat.
Whether you’re drawn to the comedic family dynamics in Fruits Basket and Usagi Drop or the emotional journey in A Silent Voice and Wolf Children, if you’re a fan of this one-of-a-kind cat-human roommate tale, you’ll surely be captivated by these anime treasures. Which of these series will you be adding to your watchlist? Let the opening theme songs ring out!
- 8 romance anime you should check out if you loved Fruits Basket
- 10 best slice of anime that can heal your soul
- 10 warm and fuzzy anime series to watch as the weather heats up
- 10 best heartwarming family anime you have to watch
Leave a Reply