The psychological thriller anime, The Future Diary (also known as Mirai Nikki), has gained immense popularity since it was first released in 2011. Viewers are captivated by the ongoing tension between the show’s main protagonists, Yuki and Yuno, as they use their future-predicting diaries in a cutthroat competition orchestrated by the god of time and space, Deus Ex Machina.
Featuring a gripping death game concept, a yandere as the main character, and numerous thrilling plot twists, it’s no surprise that The Future Diary has become a beloved anime among many fans. If you’re a fan of this series and are looking for other anime that share its mature themes, intense action, well-developed characters, and deadly game scenarios, here are 10 fantastic recommendations for you to check out.
Note: The article expresses the writer’s personal views and the animes are not listed in any specific order.
10 Must-Watch Anime Recommendations for Fans of The Future Diary
1) Attack on Titan
The viewers of Deadman Wonderland are thrust into a treacherous game orchestrated by influential plotters. The narrative centers around Ganta, a young student who is falsely accused of killing his entire class. As punishment, he is sent to Deadman Wonderland, a corrupt penitentiary that also serves as a cruel theme park where spectators can observe the prisoners battling in perilous competitions for their lives.
In his quest to clear his name and stay alive, Ganta is forced to engage in intense battles to the death with fellow inmates who possess the ability to manipulate their own blood. Packed with brutality, a raw atmosphere, hidden truths, and high stakes, Deadman Wonderland is sure to captivate fans of The Future Diary.
2) The World of Danganronpa
Danganronpa boasts not one, but two thrilling death game anime adaptations: Danganronpa: The Animation and Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School. Each depicts the harrowing tale of high school students stuck in a game where the only means of escape is to execute a flawless murder without being discovered.
Similarly to how Yuno and Yuki strategize against each other in The Future Diary, the students in Danganronpa must also devise plans, alibis, and intricate deceptions in order to eliminate their rivals during class trials. The participants engage in a never-ending battle of intelligence and deduction.
Danganronpa is a perfect choice for fans of Future Diary, with its inclusion of psychotic breakdowns, betrayals, and numerous plot twists.
3) The Heart-Wrenching Story of Death Parade
Despite not being as action-packed as The Future Diary, Death Parade still manages to captivate with its intriguing bar setting and diverse characters, leaving viewers with plenty to ponder.
The narrative centers on the Quindecim Bar, a place that gathers those who have recently passed away. Here, they are tasked with engaging in a death game against another departed soul, with the outcome determining their fate of either being reincarnated or disappearing into the void forever.
The bar master, Decim, uses the games to reveal the most sinister sides of human nature as he carefully assesses the souls of those who pass through. Just as Yuno and Yuki’s reactions to the psychological effects of the games are disturbingly twisted, viewers are able to witness the gripping consequences that Death Parade’s games have on its troubled participants.
4) Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works
Despite its fantasy elements, Fate/Zero shares The Future Diary’s core concept of a fierce battle among participants. In this case, seven mages call upon legendary heroes to fight for the Holy Grail, with the ultimate prize being a wish. Zouken Matou’s role in manipulating his adopted heir Kariya Matou to participate is comparable to the pressure exerted by Deus Ex Machina on his pawns Yuno and Yuki, making for a strong parallel between the two series.
Both the mages and their servants exhibit differing degrees of honor, sanity, and skill in their respective efforts to eliminate one another. Featuring mature themes, intricate motivations, and a somber atmosphere, Fate/Zero serves as a perfect complement to The Future Diary.
5) The Dark Side of Sweetness: Exploring the World of Happy Sugar Life
Fans who are drawn to watching compelling yandere female protagonists will surely fall in love with Happy Sugar Life. The series centers on Satou Matsuzaka, a high school student who becomes fixated on a young girl named Shio after rescuing her from her abusive household.
Despite her sweet exterior, Satou struggles with deep instability, causing her to go to extreme measures in order to “protect”her beloved Shio from being separated from her.
Happy Sugar Life masterfully incorporates the unsettling, manipulative undertones and constant tension of Satou’s potential to snap at any moment, making it a prime example of the best yandere anime moments popularized by The Future Diary.
6) The Addictive World of Gambling: Kakegurui
Kakegurui is a must-watch for those who enjoy The Future Diary’s gripping psychological tension and high-stakes challenges. This anime takes place at Hyakkaou Private Academy, a school filled with compulsive gamblers who will stop at nothing to win games of chance and deception.
The anime centers around Yumeko Jabami, a seemingly innocent girl who is actually a ruthless gambling addict. As she challenges the elite student council of the school in twisted gambling showdowns, the series intensifies the suspense and disturbing excitement.
Kakegurui successfully captures the exhilarating experience of taking big risks that fans of Future Diary crave, thanks to its visually appealing aesthetic, diverse and eccentric characters, and constantly innovative game scenarios.
7) The Evolution of Darwin’s Game
Similar to the survival concept in The Future Diary, Shuka must use her cunning and strength to defeat her opponents, utilizing unique abilities given to her by the Darwin’s Game program.
Darwin’s Game does an excellent job of capturing the intensity of being controlled by an unseen game master, thanks to its compelling lead character and imaginative battles. Fans of Future Diary, who can’t seem to get enough of deadly game plots, will find this series to be a thrilling watch.
8) Large Purchase
Both Big Order and The Future Diary were created by the same creator, resulting in numerous similarities in their DNA.
Eiji Hoshimiya is the protagonist of the story, who, after a mystical encounter in his childhood, discovers he has the power to make any wish come true. However, his extravagant desires draw the attention of individuals known as “Orders,”who have the ability to manipulate reality but often become corrupted and cause chaos.
If you were a fan of The Future Diary for its overpowering characters and chaotic battles, then you will certainly find Big Order just as enjoyable. It amplifies the intensity with its godlike power users, reminiscent of Yuno.
9) The Monarch’s Challenge
Similarly to how The Future Diary centers around characters receiving future predictions via cell phones, King’s Game centers around a threatening cell phone message that compels students to partake in a deadly game orchestrated by the enigmatic “King.”Refusing to comply with the instructions leads to grisly repercussions, following the typical conventions of a thriller.
With its supernatural cell phone game that pushes ordinary students to psychological extremes for survival, King’s Game captures a tone similar to that of The Future Diary. Additionally, the intense and memorable female lead, Natsuko Honda, is a perfect match for Yuno’s creepy obsessiveness.
10) Btoooom! Vol. 1
Btooom! is a highly recommended watch for fans of The Future Diary, as it features a similar plot of characters being forced into a deadly battle with bombs.
Despite being kidnapped and stranded on a deserted island, Ryota Sakamoto, the main character, realizes that he must find and eliminate the other prisoners by utilizing explosive weapons called “BIM”.
Similar to Yuki and Yuno’s reliance on their future diaries in The Future Diary’s game, Ryota must strategically utilize various bomb types to survive and uncover the tactics and identities of his opponents in Btooom!. This intense and gripping anime shares the same constant tension, psychological stakes, and kill-or-be-killed intensity as The Future Diary, making it just as thrilling to watch.
Final Thoughts
Despite its release many years ago, The Future Diary continues to be a highly revered and impactful anime, thanks to its well-developed characters, thought-provoking themes, intense psychological elements, thrilling action, and cutthroat survival game, which all combine to create an exhilarating viewing experience.
For viewers who can’t seem to get enough of The Future Diary’s unique formula, there is an abundance of options available, from battle royales to yandere leads to deadly game plots.
Additional Resources:
Ranked from shortest to longest, here are 10 anime series that have only one season.
A list of 10 Seinen anime featuring highly mature themes
Here are 10 great anime recommendations for fans of The Dangers in My Heart.
10 must-watch survival anime series that you should check out
There are 10 anime with plots that are much darker than they initially appear.
Related Articles:
Dandadan Episode 9: Release Date, Streaming Options, and Additional Details
18:44
The Fate of Acrobatic Silky’s Daughter in Dandadan: What You Need to Know
15:40
Re: Zero Season 3 Episode 9 Release Date, Streaming Options and Additional Details
15:27
Leave a Reply