When it comes to comedy, anime always has something to offer; almost every series has at least a bit of hilarity injected into its plot. Still, few are so successful as comedy powerhouses that they stay afloat in the perpetually rising sea of funny anime titles. Gintama is definitely among the successful ones. If you're looking for something similar, we've got you covered with this list of 15 anime like Gintama.
Note: We're purposely skipping the big shounen anime as we believe there are lots of older or less popular series that deserve some loving too!
Grand Blue (Grand Blue Dreaming)
Twenty-year-old Iori Kitahara has high hopes for his college life. He moves to the oceanside town of Izu and settles in the room right above his uncle's scuba diving store, Grand Blue. What he could not have anticipated, however, is him immediately getting roped in with the bizarre and alcoholic Dive Club members and their silly and troublesome antics.
The struggle that Iori now has to face is trying to achieve the college living he thinks is ideal, while learning to adjust to his booze-loving new friends, pretty girls, and the hot beach—all on top of learning how to scuba-dive.
A much-recommended title among all other Summer 2018 releases, Grand Blue is a comedic force that's sure to get fans in long fits of laughter. Though it mostly appeals to young adults given its premise and degree of humor (particularly the running gags that involve alcohol), most viewers would find its comic elements to be just right and well-timed.
Why It's Similar to Gintama
Aside from the two shows having very similar types of gold-grade humor, their character dynamics are also quite alike.
The main ensemble that hover around Gintoki and Iori are all goofballs like them who keep getting into absurd situations. Grand Blue also has more or less the same energetic and excessively fast pacing as Gintama, where even the littlest of gaps are filled with hilarious exaggerations both in action and facial expressions—the shows are deep wells of trollfaces, if you're into memes too.
There virtually is no room left for breathing once the laugh parade begins, so it might be a good idea to keep a glass of water well within reach.
Another thing that makes Gintama and Grand Blue similar is how viewers might need a bit of time to get into both shows. They are just so wonderfully idiotic that they won't be quite easy to comprehend during the first few episodes. But they're absolutely worth sticking around for!
Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X)
Travelling ex-samurai Kenshin Himura has taken on a more noble life purpose after the war, and that is to protect the weak. In one such instance, Kenshin comes across a dojo owner who is threatened by a man claiming to be the famed samurai, Battousai. What this person doesn't know is that Kenshin is the real Battousai, and he has long left the life of murder sprees behind.
Kenshin immediately becomes a boarder at this dojo owner's place and continues on the path of protecting who needs to be protected. But as life would have it, it becomes clear to Kenshin that it won't be all that easy to forget about his violent past, especially when it's exactly what he needs to fulfill his purpose at times.
As one of the best classic anime to have ever graced our television screens, Rurouni Kenshin is a samurai anime that you absolutely wouldn't want to miss.
Why It's Similar to Gintama
The two anime have several parallels, with the biggest being that Gintoki and Kenshin are both great former warriors trying to adjust to life after the end of the samurai era.
As an offshoot, the two leads' weapons are also similar: Gintoki's wooden sword is a means to make sure he doesn't kill anymore, as is Kenshin's reversed blade.
Another similarity is that just like Gintoki, Kenshin has a not-so-peaceful past that keeps trying to resurface, even as he struggles to protect his current average way of living and the people around him.
Finally, Gintama and Rurouni Kenshin both have heavily skilled main characters who are so goofy you wouldn't ever guess they have extremely fierce personas they're purposely keeping dormant. As the need to protect becomes dire, so arises their readiness to unleash the power they are keeping locked in for good.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K
Most people would dream to acquire at least one psychic ability in their lifetime. High school student Saiki Kusuo is not most people—not because he doesn't share the same dream, but because he already has psychic abilities.
In fact, he has several of them, and they're so random, they are hardly of help to him, especially when all he wants is to be a normal teenager who doesn't have to listen to the thoughts of his family and his classmates (he currently can, and he doesn't have a choice).
Saiki is plagued by his abilities, and he constantly finds himself in successive but harmless inconveniences involving the people he inadvertently attracts. But as much as he hates his situation and only wishes to cut himself loose of the psychic powers he's had since he was a baby, he couldn't stop himself from using them, especially when it's the lives of his "friends" that are at stake.
With an irregular but still relatively linear storyline, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K is largely a gag anime that doesn't give its viewers enough time to sit with the comedic elements they've just been served. We mean this in the best way, where one is yet to move on from the last thing that made them lose it, and there's already another one coming.
Why It's Similar to Gintama
The similarities between Gintama and The Disastrous Life of Saiki K rest largely on their main characters. Gintoki and Saiki are both overpowered MCs who are ridiculously self-aware. So self-aware, in fact, that they both keep breaking the fourth wall (that's another similarity).
Gintoki and Saiki are both dead-eyed characters who deliver deadpan lines, which I think is what makes them so effective as unassumingly strong protagonists. Both anime are mired in logical jokes and puns that might demand above-average comprehension levels from their audiences.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K is definitely one of the best comedy series to date, thanks to its magnetic main character, hard-to-hate supporting cast, and refreshing plot.
Noragami
Yato is a minor deity who dreams of being worshipped by millions. Without a single shrine where even a few could pray to him, he settles for daily jobs that he charges five yen for, like cleaning bathrooms and working convenience store shifts.
Yato isn't entirely invisible to the human eye, but his presence is so light that people barely notice him. For some reason, Hiyori Iki doesn't have the same struggle. Yato is visibly perplexed that Hiyori sees him but doesn't have time to think about it; a cat is about to be run over by a vehicle.
When Yato tries to save it, Hiyori jumps in and pushes him off the road. She gets hit and survives, but the accident leaves her soul "loose," giving her the ability to leave her body, though not at will.
The two begin to spend time together, with the initial reason being only for Yato to help Hiyori return to her normal state. Problem is, Yato needs a new Regalia, dead human-turned-weapon, to do this. His last one had just recently left, having grown tired of Yato's minor god activities. Hiyori immediately agrees to help.
Noragami begins at a rather awkward part in Yato's story. It can be easy to get lost in the plot during the first few minutes, but it's effectively and properly unraveled soon after, and viewers are treated to an anime that's able to put together various tropes and make it work just fine.
Why It's Similar to Gintama
When presented side-by-side, Gintama and Noragami have so many elements in common.
Firstly, Gintoki and Yato both have dark pasts as strong individuals that are masked by each of their sincere but idiotic personalities, and they both take on odd jobs to survive.
Other similarities include the shows' main casts being trios who go on missions against creatures/monsters, and the great balance between side-splitting comedy and intense fight scenes.
Noragami is no doubt a great follow-up to Gintama. Viewers would do well watching it next!
SKET Dance
The SKET Brigade is a trio consisting of Kazuyoshi "Switch" Usui, the group's brains; Hime "Himeko" Onizuka, the muscle; and Yuusuke "Bossun" Fujisaki, the leader whose power of total concentration is induced by his goggles. Together, the three go on missions to cater to those in need.
But at Kaimei High School, the SKET Brigade is nothing more than a club whose members spend their days lazing off in their clubroom. Still, there are those who are a bit less normal than others and approach the trio for help with whatever issue they could be having.
At 77 episodes long, SKET Dance is an anime that neither leaves its fans wanting for more nor bored with repetitive plotlines. Viewers are entertained with the group's various missions that they do with all sincerity, albeit hilariously.
Why It's Similar to Gintama
Just like in Gintama and Noragami, the main characters in SKET Dance make up a trio that fulfills strange missions with unparalleled passion and earnestness (and with no questions asked).
The unforced and random humor, including the endless trollfaces, absurd quests, and on-point parodies, makes it deserving to be in the same level as Gintama, with some even claiming it's a better watch.
Viewers are also quick to pick up on the similarities between the two anime's art styles. This comes as no surprise, since SKET Dance's creator, Shirohara, was an assistant of Sorachi's, Gintama's creator. This tiny tidbit of information also helps explain the crossovers between the two anime: episode 26 in SKET Dance and episode 227 in Gintama. In case you're wondering, yes, a lot of fourth wall-breaking happens in both episodes.
If you enjoyed any of these two, definitely watch the other!
Arakawa Under the Bridge
Kou Ichinomiya is a wealthy and arrogant businessman who earnestly lives by the belief of never owing anyone anything. But if there's one thing we can say for sure more than anything else, it's that fate seldom works in anybody's favor. And Kou is just about to find that out for himself.
After falling into the Arakawa River from a bridge, Kou gets rescued by a blonde-haired girl who happens to be passing by. Although grateful that he'd survived, he is bummed to realize he now owes this person, and his life at that!
Kou does what anybody with the same extreme beliefs as him would: insist on paying this girl back, no matter the cost. In what is probably the worst-timed back-to-back lesson learning for Kou, he quickly finds things can't be that simple.
This girl is named Nino and she lives in a cardboard box under the bridge, where a small civilization seems to be thriving. All she wants in life is to experience love. When she asks Kou to be her boyfriend, his principles wouldn't let him say no. Thus begins his life with Nino and the rest of the strange citizens under the bridge.
Why It's Similar to Gintama
Let's bring up the most obvious reason and get it out of the way quickly. If the summary didn't give it away, Arakawa Under the Bridge is an absolutely random and funny anime. While Kou can definitely pass off as a human with some screws loose given his severe ideals and skewed decision-making, he's a lot more normal compared to the rest of the cast.
There's Nino, the strange, emotionless girl who claims (and probably even believes) that she's from Venus. Then there's Hoshi, a star mask-wearing ex-musician who is in love with Nino and considers Kou his rival. Under his mask is yet another mask in the shape of a moon.
Other characters include the Village Chief who claims to be a real Kappa, a mythical creature that's a cross between the Japanese salamander and a turtle; Sister, a male ex-soldier who dresses like a nun and holds masses under the bridge. He's paranoid to a fault and always has firearms ready under his costume.
The rest of the cast are all equally weird, for lack of a more accurate term. If you liked Gintama for its randomness, you'll definitely enjoy Arakawa Under the Bridge.
Daily Lives of High School Boys
Tadakuni, Hidenori, and Yoshitake are some of the most average high school boys you'll ever meet. But average doesn't have to mean boring and uninteresting, especially not for this trio and their friends at the all-boys Sanada North High School.
As the series title hints at, Daily Lives of High School Boys chronicles the normal day-to-day of these anime boys, which includes their colorfully imagined role-playing game reenactments, realistic shoujo anime recreations, animated retellings of their scary and awkward moments, and wholesome physical encounters with high school girls.
Whether the setting be at home, at school, or anywhere in between, viewers can expect to be served with excellent humor that sometimes involves breaking the fourth wall and making fun of typical anime tropes. Like The Disastrous Life of Saiki K, it makes use of a random yet still progressing way of storytelling in that each episode contains mini-episodes, some of which have multiple parts.
With just 12 episodes, Daily Lives of High School Boys is easily one of the easiest shows to binge over a single weekend.
Related: 6 Best 12 Episode Anime Series to Watch
Why It's Similar to Gintama
As we mentioned, Daily Lives of High School Boys incorporates a lot of self-aware jokes that don't get old all that quickly. Right at the very beginning, Tadakuni, Hidenori, and Yoshitake all poke good-natured fun at the familiar late-for-first-day anime scene, gundam, and other anime stereotypes.
Other gags include the characters directly addressing the anime directors and the non-essential female characters being drawn without facial features.
Beneath the comedic surface, however, is a heart-warming undercurrent about male friendships. Like Gintama, Daily Lives of High School Boys strikes a neat balance that won't scare away those who put the show on only for the comedy, or the ones who like a little substance.
Though somewhat underrated (where most of its few fans are on Tumblr), Daily Lives of High School Boys has fostered a rather passionate following, with proof being the many fan theories surrounding the show despite it being just an uncomplicated gag anime.
Give the show a watch and you might just be able to come up with your own deductions!
School Rumble
Ah, high school. A time for building dreams, making lifelong friends, and falling in love...
Now if only things were that simple.
For bubbly Tenma Tsukamoto and delinquent Kenji Harima, simple is the least accurate word to describe their current high school life and love.
Tenma and Harima are in the same second-year class, and both have feelings that their respective crushes don't reciprocate. As they each work toward making their feelings known, it looks like their friends have also caught the lovebug... and then some.
With the many heavily layered, intertwining stories of love, friendships, and rivalry, School Rumble might just be the most aptly named anime there is.
Related: 10 Best School Romance Anime You Should Watch
Why It's Similar to Gintama
It seems to have become a pattern for the shows in this list to be some sort of parody anime. While that is true for most of the titles here, it can't be any more accurate than for School Rumble. Where Gintama is a parody of shounen anime, School Rumble paints an innocent caricature of romance anime.
Both shows have unmatched humor and are long-running, so fans would have enough comedy to get them by for weeks — or days if you're a fast watcher.
But what probably makes Gintama and School Rumble such huge names among other anime greats is the fact that even though they're both by and large gag anime not meant to be taken seriously, they're still able to provide a satisfying growth for their characters and a gratifying progression of their main storylines, perhaps even better than other series do.
Both series were directed by the same genius, so it's not all that surprising that they're more or less of the same caliber.
Good Luck Girl!
Blessed with impossibly good fortune, Ichiko Sakura doesn't have the slightest idea about bad luck. She's smart, beautiful, and rich, so she has every reason to act superior over everyone else. But what if she finds out that the only reason she can act so carefree and without any fear is because she unknowingly drains the luck out of everyone around her?
That's where the goddess of misfortune and poverty, Momiji Binboda, comes in. The ridiculously unlucky goddess informs the perfect Ichiko of the reason behind her unending well of misfortune. She then reveals that she had been charged with the task of stealing back the good fortune that Ichiko sucks out of others. And so begins Momiji and Ichiko's daily battles for good fortune.
Good Luck Girl! is a supernatural parody anime that is rife with hilarious scenes and gags that nobody could as easily think up as the great minds behind this gem.
Why It's Similar to Gintama
Just like Gintama and all the other anime we've mentioned so far, Good Luck Girl! is packed with absurd and irreverent humor. And just like Gintama, this anime doesn't fail to inject heartwarming and serious stories that will make its viewers feel all fuzzy just mere seconds from having the laugh of their lives.
Though the characters in both anime are not physically similar, the cast structure is somewhat reminiscent of each other's. Both shows barely have "normal" people, which is what causes the amusing and sometimes senseless comedic elements in every episode.
If you consider yourself an anime connoisseur, there is a high chance you will appreciate Good Luck Girl! more than other people do. It's freckled with countless puns and references that are sure to get people wiping off tears due to sheer laughter.
Beelzebub
Timid, peace-loving, mentally sound individuals steer clear of Ishiyama High. With delinquents reigning supreme, the school has become a breeding ground for violent students and there is nothing but trouble in every corner of the campus.
On the other hand, fearless troublemakers find no problem whatsoever in the way the school currently is, appreciating the lawless nature that everyone seems to possess.
If there's one thing that both these types of people know to do, however, it's to never get on the bad side of Tatsumi Oga, Ishiyama's most vicious.
When Oga pulls a strange man out of the river one day, the strangest thing happens right after: the man splits in half, revealing a green-haired demon baby whom Oga later learns is named Kaiser de Emperana Beelzebub IV.
Things take on a stranger turn when Baby Beel's maid, Hildegard, comes looking for the baby, only to find him already getting attached to Oga.
The series follows Oga and Hilda (a less mouthful nickname for the demon maid) trying to raise the baby demon in the midst of delinquent high schoolers, while Oga tries to get his gravely misinformed family off his back.
While that can seem like too much for a single anime, Beelzebub has no problem gathering all that and churning out some comedy gold.
Why It's Similar to Gintama
First, the main characters. Gintoki and Oga are so much alike: austere and clueless but strong.
Second, the humor. Just like Gintama, Beelzebub takes familiar and overused anime tropes and turns them into ludicrous situations. The result? Original and over-the-top funny moments that are sure to stick.
Beelzebub is one of those shows where even if you could somehow easily forget about them, you would probably find yourself suddenly laughing at the dinner table as absurd scenes resurface without warning.
Related: 25 Best School Anime Series
Cromartie High School
Welcome to Cromartie High School, the peculiar school notorious for its delinquent-infested student body. Caught in the unruly stream of tough guys is Takashi Kamiyama, the lone non-delinquent who also happens to be the single person responsible for about 99.9% of the entire school's IQ level.
Polite and well-mannered, Takashi would have to be either crazy or exceedingly passionate to even think about throwing himself into the motley bunch of dull-witted juvenile war freaks. The ragtag collection of students includes robots, gorillas, and Freddie... as in Freddie Mercury.
Didn't we say right off the bat that Cromartie High was peculiar? And yet Takashi somehow believes he can elevate the school's reputation.
Why It's Similar to Gintama
If the creators of Gintama changed up the setting and character dynamics a bit and took out some of its coherent storyline, they would more or less end up with something close to Cromartie High School.
The farcical elements in both anime, which are basically their backbones, are on point and highly successful, especially when one doesn't put too much thought into whatever is happening.
I think the summary alone is enough to get you to understand why Cromartie High School is on this list, so I'm giving you a piece of advice instead: drop all logic before hitting play. You're welcome.
Read: The Best Sites to Watch Anime Legally, Free, or No Ads
Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto
In this world of mediocrity and imperfection stands out a man so perfect in every single way, he's practically untouchable. Sakamoto is the human embodiment of flawlessness, and swooning girls and jealous boys (who are inevitably converted into fans) show just that beyond doubt.
Without a tangible story progression, it can be a little difficult to tell exactly what Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto is about. Though it's hardly needed, since all anyone really needs to do is see Sakamoto one time and everything would immediately make sense.
Anyone can cry "plot armor" at the anime, but they're highly likely the uninitiated who are yet to lay eyes on the magnificence personified that is Sakamoto.
Why It's Similar to Gintama
Absurd, irreverent, ridiculous, random, hilarious—these are some of the most-repeated words in this whole article. While the other anime we've listed down are no doubt deserving of these adjectives, Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto takes the cake of being the most of everything.
Like Gintama, Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto's charms lie in the way that it doesn't have to be taken seriously for it to be truly enjoyed. The character designs are almost a direct parody of most anime, and they're so effective at evoking whatever is supposed to be felt about certain characters. For example, when a character is meant to be annoying, he looks and sounds exactly that.
While Gintama and Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto don't have much in common in terms of plot, characters, or setting, the over-the-top humor of both series and the masterful application thereof is enough to consider either one to be on par with the other.
Get into the anime with doubts and watch yourself turn into a Sakamoto devotee in no time.
Hayate the Combat Butler
Hayate Ayasaki probably has the worst luck in all the world. After having been sold off to the yakuza after his parents accumulated a massive amount of debt, he finds himself in a series of misunderstandings that ultimately leads to him becoming a butler. With a kind nature and literally nothing to lose (or nowhere to go), Hayate takes on the role wholeheartedly.
Nagi Sanzenin, the girl Hayate is tasked to protect and serve, is the daughter of one of Japan's most affluent families. As Hayate goes on his daily duties, he also inadvertently wins the hearts of the girls around him.
Hayate the Combat Butler is a romcom anime that visibly puts more weight on the comedy side of things, and it's this somewhat skewed balance that makes it the anime that we love.
Why It's Similar to Gintama
The similarities between Gintama and Hayate the Combat Butler are a bit more objective and easier to point out as compared to some others in this list.
Gintoki and Hayate are similar, not so much in attitude but more in the way that they have to do rather odd jobs to survive. The action scenes in both anime are properly executed and are not forcibly added as mere side elements, especially in shows that are predominantly comedic in nature. Finally, Hayate the Combat Butler also contains lots of fourth-wall breaking, parodies, and cameos.
Hayate the Combat Butler is truly a wonder and a masterpiece. It doesn't matter that there have been countless romcom anime that have come out since it aired, it's still on a pretty high rung on the ladder of the best.
If you're one of the newer fans of anime, you would do well watching this highly original gem of a series.
Asobi Asobase: Workshop of Fun
In almost every part of the world and under the right circumstances, weirdos are always bound to find each other, for some reason. That's exactly what happens between the hyperactive Hanako, the cunning Olivia, and the cautious Kasumi.
After their unplanned discovery of the joys of senseless games, the three set up the "Pastime Club," which becomes their excuse to play even more nonsensical games. Sometimes, they don't even play, and just pass the time doing whatever comes to mind.
Asobi Asobase: Workshop of Fun is a refreshing anime that puts the limelight on the less than regularly explored world of female friendships and their weird realities that not many people know about or are even ready to.
Why It's Similar to Gintama
So we already know Gintama is the king of gags and outrageous comedy. If there's such a thing as the queen, Asobi Asobase: Workshop of Fun is definitely it.
When taken as it is, the premise is pretty simple. But when everything else is considered, it becomes clear why Asobi Asobase is here. The anime's style of comedy matches that of Gintama, especially with the jokes used and the exaggerated reactions and facial expressions.
What earned Asobi Asobase such high praises even among comedy fans is the stark juxtaposition of its oh-so-soft art style and the rather rambunctious delivery of gags, not to mention its array of unhinged supporting characters: There's an omnipotent butler, an android boyfriend, a female classmate who might actually be male (no one knows for sure), and the staple pervert character who happens to be an infant.
Yes, it looks like I've said a lot, but I haven't even covered a fraction of the madness that Asobi Asobase: Workshop of Fun is. The only things that would make it perfect are appropriate opening and closing songs. Oh right, the anime has those too.
What more could anybody ask for?
Back Street Girls: Gokudolls
Kentarou, Ryou, and Kazuhiko had one last chance and they blew it. As a very fair punishment, they would have to have their organs harvested... That or they could go to Thailand, undergo a gender reassignment surgery, and, well, live, but as idols. Apparently, their boss had just learned of the high profits that idol groups generate, and these failed yakuza juniors are his best (or first) shot at the craze.
Literally faced with no other option, the three decide to go through with the procedure, train for a year, and finally come back as Airi, Chika, and Mari. In that one year, the three were subjected to extreme woman-washing, and they have become rather effective idols.
But one year of going through rather excruciating methods to embody womanhood wasn't enough to erase the way of the yakuza that they'd previously sworn to live by. Under the sparkly cuteness, they're the same fierce gangsters.
If they don't want to let down their boss yet another time, the three must work hard to be the best idol group in the country, no matter how uncomfortable.
Why It's Similar to Gintama
The greatest similarity that Gintama and Back Street Girls: Gokudolls have is obviously the comedy, specifically the elite hilarity that will keep viewers laughing for hours.
Gokudolls also has a trio as the main cast, and in a way, they're similar to Gintama's Yorozuya in that they have to keep at this one big odd job to survive, although the stakes are much more literal for the three gangsters-turned-idols.
The gags are the kinds that you would surely share with your friends because they're so funny, it would be a crime to keep the experience to yourself.
Back Street Girls: Gokudolls is, at its core, a huge parody of the yakuza culture that is actually still rampant in Japan, though probably a lot less violent than in recent history. It fearlessly tells of a somewhat softer side to these organizations, which I think says a lot about the steps that Japan has taken toward progression.
Gintama has made such a huge name for itself. Though some claim this is only because of its passionate fans who are diligent enough to keep it from falling off the top rankings, there's no reason to doubt its status as a standard for anime comedy.
If you're looking for even more hilarious shows to watch, check out this list of comedy anime to watch.
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