Akebi’s Sailor Uniformwas undeniable one ofthe best anime of the Winter 2022 season. The wholesome story of Akebi as she tries to make friends in her new middle school while wearing her coveted uniform took the hearts of everyone who watched it. The gorgeous animation — if occasionally weird in its focus — was also a huge selling point for the show.
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It comes as no surprise that fans would want to find other shows similar to it, so they could experience a similar heartwarming story all over again. Fortunately, there are some excellent choices out there to scratch that particular anime itch.
8Hitori Bocchi’s Lifestyle
Both of these series focus on middle schoolers trying to make lots of new friends as they start school. While Akebi is a bit more outspoken and exuberant, Bocchi is far more anxious and shy. Watching her get over her extreme social anxiety is extremely rewarding and the series has the same wholesome tone ofAkebi’s Sailor Uniform.
7Super Cub
Super Cubis onethe best modern iyashikei, otherwise known as soul healing anime, to release. It follows the story of Koguma and how her life changes and becomes better after she gets her Honda Super Cub. While the anime is obviously meant to advertise a bit, it’s far more heartwarming than it may appear on the surface. Both shows follow a young girl making friends at a major turning point in her life.
The series may not have the over-the-top animation ofAkebi’s Sailor Uniform, butit does have an extremely unique style that stands out compared to most modern releases.
6Komi Can’t Communicate
The ultimate show about making friends might just be Komi Can’t Communicate. It’s beyond adorable and quite hilarious at points, following Tadano as he tries to help Komi, who has a communication disorder, attempt to make friends with the eccentric cast of characters that attend their school.
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The showhas amazing LGBTQ+ representationand there are many more reasons why it became one of the biggest anime hits Netflix has ever had on its platform.
5A Place Further Than The Universe
The incredibly high quality of the animation in both shows is something viewers will notice right away. Both shows also follow the story of a cute young girl trying to achieve her dream. InA Place Further Than The Universethough, instead of wanting a sailor uniform, Shirase and Mari are working together to fund an expedition to Antarctica together.
4Is the Order a Rabbit?
This show is fluffy caffeinated fun with Kokoa Hoto making friends and having adventures with four other young waitresses in their small town. Kokoa is a lot like Akebi and is able to make friends incredibly quickly. For those who want a cute show about cute girls doing extremely cute things,Is the Order a Rabbit?is the perfect viewing choice.
3Strawberry Panic
Akebi’s Sailor UniformandStrawberry Panichave quite a few similarities. They both focus on a female cast, both are slice of life shows, and both series focus a bit on the main protagonist making new friends. The main difference between the two of them is thatStrawberry Panichas lesbian romance.
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Following Nagisa, Shizuma, and the other girls at St. Miator’s Girls Academy will reveal quite the story. Just a fair warning, there is a scene that covers sexual assault, so be careful if that is a subject that is difficult to approach.
2Asobi Asobase: Workshop of Fun
Both of these shows focus on an all-girls academy and the slice of life stories that happen with their school life. The strange trio of Olivia, Hanako, and Kasumi end up forming a marvelous friendship that grows as the series goes on. The three get into an incredible amount of shenanigans together as Olivia desperately tries to learn English. Most of the episodes are focused on gag humor so expect quite a few laughs while watching the series!
1Let’s Make a Mug Too
Let’s Make a Mug Toowasan underrated premiere in Spring 2021that went on to get a second season. It follows Himeno as she moves back to her hometown with her father, makes new friends at her school, and joins the ceramics club to connect to her dead mother who made fantastic creations with the medium. The show covers a lot of the real history of Japanese ceramic making and has live-action sections with the voice actors that can be enjoyed or simply skipped for those who want to focus on the main story.
