The Most Inspiring Anime You Cannot Miss

10 Most Inspiring Anime You Cannot Miss
Credit: Pierrot


10 Most Inspiring Anime You Cannot Miss
Credit: Pierrot

Beyond its entertainment value, anime has the ability to touch our hearts and inspire us to pursue our dreams. So, we have come up with a list of the most inspiring anime that have left an indelible mark on fans worldwide.

Within the realm of anime, we encounter characters who undergo profound transformations, surmounting seemingly unconquerable challenges, and finding their inner voice when it matters the most.

So, let’s embark on this journey through these anime series to prove that sometimes, all it takes is a show to ignite the spark that pushes us toward greatness!

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  1. March Comes In Like a Lion

    Based on a manga of the same name written and illustrated by Chica Umino, March Comes In Like a Lion is about a young shogi player.

    The 17-year-old Rei is a skilled shogi player who lives alone in Tokyo.

    Since he is one of the elites in the shogi world, he faces tremendous pressure from the community and his adoptive family.

    In search of independence, he moves to Tokyo, but due to his reclusive personality, he is unable to make any new friends.

    However, he meets Hinata, Akari, and Momo Kawamoto, three sisters who live with their grandfather and run a traditional wagashi shop.

    March Comes in Like a Lion Rei
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    Credit: Shaft

    Throughout the story, Rei deals with feelings of loneliness, self-doubt, and depression.

    But he gradually develops meaningful relationships with the Kawamoto sisters and the other characters from the story.

    March Comes In Like a Lion explores themes of overcoming adversity, personal growth, and finding one’s place in the world.

    The anime also talks about societal issues like bullying and the pressure to succeed, which will hit home for many viewers.

    The storytelling and character development will surely resonate with you.

  2. Fruits Basket

    The Fruits Basket anime is based on the manga written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya.

    It follows the story of a kind-hearted and resilient high school girl named Tohru Honda.

    She happens to find herself living with the mysterious and enigmatic Sohma family.

    The Sohmas are cursed, and each member of the family represents an animal from the Chinese zodiac.

    They transform into their respective animals when embraced by a person of the opposite sex.

    Fruits Basket delves into themes such as acceptance, healing, personal growth, and the power of love.

    The series shows Tohru’s compassion and unwavering kindness toward the Sohma family members.

    She helps them confront their emotional struggles and deal with their inner traumas.

    Moreover, the Sohmas also help Tohru overcome her own insecurities and challenges.

    As Fruits Basket progresses, Tohru becomes a source of strength and inspiration for those around her.

    Fruits Basket takes its time to tackle topics like isolation and abuse. The show also stresses the importance of forming genuine connections.

    Additionally, the series offers messages of hope and the ability to overcome past traumas.

  3. My Hero Academia

    My Hero Academia, originally created by Kohei Horikoshi, is the story of a young boy named Deku who desperately wants to become a hero.

    Humankind has developed superpowers called Quirks, and 80% of the population gets some kind of superpower.

    These new powers see the emergence of both superheroes and villains.

    Meanwhile, there is a school known as The Hero Academy that trains budding superheroes who will ultimately save the world.

    Middle schooler Izuku Midoriya also known as Deku desires to become a hero more than anything.

    Unfortunately, he doesn’t possess any Quirks. However, he is not willing to give up on his dream.

    Deku wants to take the exams and join the prestigious academy. Later, he comes in contact with All Might, who is the greatest hero of all time.

    All Might agrees to train Deku, and thus, his journey in the world of heroes begins.

    My Hero Academia is filled with inspiring stories of not just Deku but several other characters. The series highlights the importance of friendship and teamwork.

    Deku’s story is particularly interesting, as, throughout the series, he overcomes several hardships but never gives up on the idea of becoming a hero.

    The engaging storyline and intense battles contribute to the inspirational look of My Hero Academia.

    This anime will surely inspire you to pursue your own heroic path.

  4. Naruto: Shippuden

    Considered one of the most popular and influential shounen anime of all time, Naruto: Shippuden has garnered a massive fan following.

    The widespread success of the series is because of the likable protagonist, Naruto Uzumaki.

    The series follows Naruto, who strives to become the strongest ninja in Konohagakure and protect his loved ones.

    Naruto's character arc is fascinating as he is shown as a bratty outcast who, initially, is careless and unpredictable.

    However, as the story continues, Naruto develops genuine friendships and becomes a boy who believes in himself.

    Despite being an underdog and facing several adversities, Naruto trains hard and improves his skills toward becoming a Hokage.

    The series does a fine job of showcasing the value of friendship, the power of forgiveness, and the importance of trust.

    Many fans find inspiration in Naruto’s determination and his refusal to abandon his comrades during tough battles and situations.

  5. Blue Period

    Blue Period tells the story of Yatora Yaguchi, a high schooler, who discovers his passion for art and dives deep to pursue a career in the field of art.

    This anime is particularly inspiring because it breaks away from societal expectations and shows Yatora following his passion for art.

    He defies the pressure to conform and embraces his true calling making him stand out.

    Time and again in the series, Yatora faces self-doubt and struggles to find his artistic identity. He questions his talent and compares himself to other artists.

    However, in this journey, he finds ways to embrace his unique artistic voice.

    Moreover, he expresses himself authentically, inspiring fans to have their own artistic journey.

    Blue Period also emphasizes that inexperience does not define a creative person.

  6. Given

    Revolving around music, Given follows Ritsuka, who is a skilled guitarist.

    He happens to encounter a fellow student named Mayufu, who is holding his broken guitar.

    Ritsuka agrees to fix his guitar and even starts teaching him the instrument.

    He finds out that Mayufu has a soulful voice and Ritsuka decides to make Mayufu the lead singer of his band.

    Given does an exceptional job of showcasing the shared passion for music by the characters.

    It also shows the characters facing their personal challenges, confronting their pasts, and finding solace in their musical journeys.

    Given explores themes of love, healing, self-discovery, and friendship.

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  7. Whisper of the Heart

    Released in 1995, this Studio Ghibli production is renowned for its heartfelt storytelling and beautiful characters.

    Whisper of the Heart follows the journey of a young girl named Shizuku who discovers her passion for writing and poetry.

    Looking at the checkout cards of her books, she sees that her library books are often checked out by someone named Seiji.

    Shizuku decides to look for him, who shares her love for books.

    During her quest to find the boy, she encounters a cat and follows it. It then leads her to an antique shop.

    Finally, she meets Seiji and they quickly become friends.

    Whisper of the Heart is inspiring because it encourages viewers to pursue their dreams no matter how weird they are.

    The emphasis on following one’s heart is at the core of the anime’s story.

    Additionally, the beautiful animation, enchanting music, and remarkable characters contribute to the overall motivational appeal of the movie.

    This certainly remains a beloved movie in the anime community.

  8. Food Wars!

    Finding inspiration from the culinary world can be something unique. And Food Wars! excels in showing over-the-top and hyped cooking battles.

    Even if you are not that much of a chef, Food Wars! will inspire you to grab that wok or pot and come up with a delicacy.

    Soma is an aspiring chef who enters Totsuki Culinary Academy and faces several culinary challenges and rivalries.

    In Food Wars!, Soma and his comrades strive to improve their culinary skills.

    The characters are often seen experimenting with new techniques, and the showmanship displayed in the series is extraordinary.

    Talking about inspiration, the Food Wars! anime's representation of the characters’ passion for cooking and their determination to succeed is a worthy effort.

    It is indeed inspiring to see Soma and the rest relentlessly pursuing culinary excellence, along with their desire to push the boundaries in the gourmet world.

  9. Black Clover

    This story is about a young boy born without any magical powers in a world where magic defines everything.

    Black Clover revolves around Asta, the magicless boy, who possesses unwavering resolve to become the Wizard King, the most coveted magical title in the kingdom.

    The anime emphasizes heavily on having dreams and working hard to accomplish them.

    Black Clover also features characters who undergo training to significantly grow and develop in the series.

    They are shown to learn from their mistakes and fight back against the devils.

    The Black Clover anime delivers a message of resilience, particularly during challenging times.

    This is displayed beautifully when Asta and his comrades from the Black Bull vow to bring back Yami and William Vangeance from the Zogratis siblings.

    There are several elements throughout Black Clover that will inspire you to stretch your limits and aim higher.

  10. Haikyuu!!

    Easily one of the finest sports anime, Haikyuu!! is filled with inspirational dialogues and characters that are worthy enough to get their own Ted Talks.

    Shoyo Hinata starts playing volleyball but suffers a big defeat in middle school against his rival, Tobio Kageyama.

    Hinata vows to improve his skills and joins the volleyball team of Karasuno High School.

    He is eyeing to beat Kageyama but ends up in his team. Now, former rivals become a unique combo on the court.

    The essence of Haikyuu!! lies in the idea of never giving up. The characters and the engaging storyline instill a sense of inspiration and passion.

    Haikyuu!! encourages viewers to pursue their passions, value teamwork, and overcome obstacles.

    The anime is an energetic reminder of the power of sheer hard work and perseverance.

Discover more of our insights and the latest anime news by following us on Twitter @epicstreamanime.

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