Anime presents a distinctive opportunity to explore narratives from non-human perspectives. Featuring everything from anthropomorphic animals to slimes and mystical spirits, the most engaging anime with non-human protagonists showcase characters that are very much not human.
These series provide refreshing insights into the human experience by illustrating what it means to navigate life, relationships, and more through an entirely different lens. The selections in this list highlight some of the most creatively imagined non-human anime protagonists available.
Through their unique challenges and perceptions of the world, non-human anime heroes offer new interpretations of enduring themes such as purpose, justice, and desire. Read on for the top 10 best anime featuring non-human protagonists.
Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author alone.
Beastars, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, and other anime with non-human protagonists
1. Beastars
Set in a world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals, Beastars portrays the struggles between herbivores and carnivores striving to coexist. The narrative follows Legoshi, a timid wolf attending a diverse high school populated by various animals, including rabbits, deer, sheep, and other prey.
As a carnivore, Legoshi experiences prejudice and battles his instincts while also unraveling the mystery behind a herbivore classmate’s murder. The series tackles complex themes such as discrimination, desire, and morality through the lens of this divide.
Legoshi’s journey as an unconventional hero, grappling with his innate nature to blend into civilized society, adds depth to Beastars, which reshapes the traditional high school anime trope with a darker twist, making it a standout in the realm of anime with non-human protagonists.
2. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
After being fatally stabbed, salaryman Satoru Mikami is reborn as a sentient blue slime monster in a vibrant fantasy realm filled with magical entities. Stripped of human form, Satoru, now called Rimuru, harnesses his slime capabilities to befriend a mighty dragon, goblins, and diverse monsters.
He embarks on a mission to create a multi-species nation aimed at achieving harmony for his newfound companions. However, Rimuru soon realizes that his altruistic intentions and increasing power signal his rise to legendary status, ultimately leading him to become a celebrated figure in the monster world.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime cleverly intertwines humor and emotional depth through Rimuru’s unique experience as a slime. With a perfect balance of excitement and light-hearted moments, join this quirky slime on his comedic adventure to become a great leader.
3. Overlord
Overlord subverts the norms of the “transported to another world”genre by featuring a protagonist who is terrifyingly non-human. Upon the shutdown of a popular virtual reality MMO, guild leader Momonga finds himself transmogrified into his undead avatar in a game-like world.
He navigates this bizarre new realm utilizing powerful magic and loyal minions. What sets Overlord apart is Momonga’s stark lack of human emotions, encountering the world with an analytical detachment, which offers a chilling twist on the typical escapism found in isekai narratives.
With an overpowered undead lead and characteristic villainy, Overlord injects an evil flair into the fantasy transported formula.
4. Mononoke
For fans in search of a stylized, philosophical experience, Mononoke provides a haunting anthology that follows a mysterious Medicine Seller who eradicates dangerous spirits called mononoke, which thrive on intense human emotions.
To defeat each spirit, he must uncover its Form, Truth, and Reason before wielding his Exorcism Sword against it. The Medicine Seller stands as an enigmatic figure, delivering strange talismans and vials to those struggling against mononoke.
With an arresting art style, non-linear storytelling, and profound themes, Mononoke is essential viewing for aficionados of avant-garde anime sporting non-human protagonists.
5. Spice and Wolf
For a romantic twist within this genre, Spice and Wolf offers a delightful fantasy centered on a wolf goddess protagonist. It follows merchant Lawrence Kraft as he encounters a nude wolf goddess, Holo, hidden in his cart of wheat.
Known for her extensive wisdom as the Wisewolf, Holo teams up with Lawrence to aid in his trades while chasing her own dream of returning to her homeland. Their journey through rural medieval settings is highlighted by Holo’s playful dynamics with Lawrence.
With wolf-like features and some occasional feral tendencies, Holo reveals her nature as something beyond the human realm. Beneath the flirtatious exchanges lies thought-provoking commentary on faith and traditional values as the ancient wolf goddess grapples with a world undergoing transformation.
6. To Your Eternity
For a more intense supernatural drama, To Your Eternity features an intriguingly non-human lead. The entity, referred to as “the Orb”, possesses the unique ability to adopt the forms and abilities of any living being or object it encounters.
The journey begins with the Orb replicating a rock and then a dying Arctic wolf, leading to a powerful exploration of self-identity. As a shape-shifting creature devoid of a defined identity, the Orb evolves through interactions with human experiences.
The narrative raises profound existential questions about existence and the essence of a soul as the Orb adopts various forms, allowing a poignant exploration of life and self-realization. It’s an emotionally resonant experience that highlights the potential depth within anime featuring non-human protagonists.
7. Aggretsuko
For a relatable workplace comedy infused with animal characters, Aggretsuko stands out as an immensely popular series. Protagonist Retsuko is an anthropomorphic red panda managing a tedious accounting job for a troublesome pig boss and grappling with her dismal romantic pursuits.
She finds solace from her daily millennial frustrations by unleashing her inner rage through death metal karaoke at bars. Beyond the humorous antics and office shenanigans, Aggretsuko delivers a sharp critique of societal expectations on women, issues of workplace harassment, and modern relationships.
Retsuko becomes a relatable figure, expressing the struggles of office life and personal relationships through her musical outbursts, making her emotional journey universally resonant.
8. The Boy and the Beast
For an engaging family-friendly action film about self-discovery, The Boy and the Beast dazzles with imaginative animation and rich emotional undertones. The plot centers on Ren, a human orphan who gets adopted by a beast warrior named Kumatetsu, a likely candidate to inherit the title of lord in the Beast Kingdom.
Ren undergoes vigorous training under the gruff yet endearing Kumatetsu, fostering a heartwarming father-son dynamic. This hybrid human-animal tale ingeniously explores the concept of family across different generations.
As they navigate their unique challenges, the relationship between Ren and Kumatetsu highlights profound themes about identity, purpose, and sovereignty in a deeply emotional narrative fabric.
9. Kemono Friends
For a more lighthearted adventure focused on worldbuilding, Kemono Friends breathes life into zoo animals embodied as charming anime girls. The story follows an amnesiac human named Kaban, who awakens in Japari Park—and the only memory she retains is her name.
Joining forces with fellow “Friends”like Serval the serval cat and Fennec the fennec fox, they embark on a journey to explore their environment and unveil the park’s mysteries. Despite its whimsical premise of animals as anime girls, Kemono Friends establishes a compelling post-apocalyptic backdrop that examines a world devoid of humans.
The Friends possess animal characteristics yet retain little memory of their origins. As they unravel the enigmas of Japari Park, Kaban’s journey toward self-discovery weaves an emotional narrative. It’s a captivating blend of mystery and charm, catering to fans of anime with non-human protagonists.
10. Land of the Lustrous
Set in a distant future, Land of the Lustrous introduces gem-based life forms battling against Lunarians, who aim to harvest them as decorative objects. These fragile yet immortal gems strive to defend themselves while searching for their purpose in an Earth stripped of all other life.
The protagonist, Phos, is initially tasked with compiling an encyclopedia, struggling with combat skills crucial for survival. As a naive and clumsy gem, Phos embarks on a quest to discover a meaningful existence.
Rich in fluid CGI animation and inventive worldbuilding, Land of the Lustrous crafts a poignant coming-of-age tale that beautifully illustrates a diverse non-human ensemble cast.
Conclusion
Anime has long been a dynamic medium for speculative narratives exploring the inner lives of non-human beings. Featuring animals, spirits, slimes, and gemstones, the imaginative protagonists presented here invite intriguing reflections on identity, morality, and societal constructs, areas often overlooked in live-action storytelling.
The domain of anime with non-human protagonists continues to expand, offering unique insights and challenging our perceptions of sentience.
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