RECS: Here’s 7 Anime You Should Watch Next if You Love BOFURI
Are you all enjoying the second season of BOFURI: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, so I’ll Max Out My Defense., that delightful chronicle of the little defender that could? Frankly, I never expected myself to get into the first season, but its combination of goofy, likable characters and a surprisingly engaging approach to in-game mechanical systems ended up winning me over anyway. The show is high-quality comfort food for any slice-of-life fans, and makes the excitement, wonder and occasional frustration of sinking into a complex game world as clear for the audience as it is for its humble hero Maple. I’m looking forward to following Maple’s continuing adventures over the season to come, but if you’re hungry for more BOFURI-reminiscent productions, I’ve assembled a list of recommendations for any fans of the franchise. Let’s get to it!
Perhaps you’re looking for something that sinks even further into the intricacies of game mechanics as conflict and don’t mind a little divergence from BOFURI’s goofy tone. In that case, I’d highly recommend Log Horizon, which centers on a group of players that get trapped in a popular MMO. Though some players attempt to escape, Log Horizon really doesn’t prioritize that project — instead, it focuses on the practical difficulties of learning to live inside this game’s systems, and eventually even construct an in-game government and economy. If you’re interested in game systems as the foundation of true worldbuilding, Log Horizon is a must-see.
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Maybe the game system element is optional for you and you’re looking for more of BOFURI’s charming character dynamics. In that case, last season’s Do It Yourself!! stands as an exceptional introduction to full-on slice-of-life anime, focusing on a near-future reality where a group of girls creates a hobby working school club. Do It Yourself!!’s art design and character animation are absolutely best-in-class, and the show’s beautiful, inviting art naturally echoes the camaraderie of its cast. Additionally, the show’s focus on hand-crafted creations gives it a real sense of momentum, as the protagonist gains confidence with tools and crafting much in the manner of Maple’s MMO journey. If you’re looking for a show to just sit back and relax with, Do It Yourself!! is a terrific choice.
As for shows that more or less echo BOFURI’s overall deal, I’d also recommend the gleefully irreverent ENDRO! The show’s backstory is a little convoluted: a demon lord is defeated and accidentally sent back in time, where they decide to become a teacher to the hero who defeated their school in order to ensure that hero fails. In practice, ENDRO! plays out much like an even more manic brand of BOFURI, with its heavily game-reminiscent worldbuilding feeling little different from BOFURI’s actual game mechanics. If you’re looking for a more laugh-out-loud comedy take on BOFURI’s overall deal, complete with a cast of true idiots, ENDRO!’s your pick. If you’re still not satisfied, the much-loved KONOSUBA – God’s blessing on this wonderful world! also falls in a similar field.
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Lastly, I’ll finish off with a show that is conceptually a fair bit different from BOFURI, but which I feel embodies both its emphasis on friendship and love of discovery. There was a time when praise for Kemono Friends rang through the halls of anime discourse, and I’m here to tell you that if you haven’t seen it, you owe it to yourself to at least give it a try. In spite (and occasionally because) of the show’s admittedly humble CG visuals, Kemono Friends offers a surprisingly enthralling journey through the animal-humanoid land of Japari Park, complete with standout characters like The Otter With Anxiety and the irrepressibly friendly Serval. Basically, BOFURI is a show that sends my warm fuzzies meter off the charts, and mentally scanning my other favorite shows immediately returns Kemono Friends as an equally warm and fuzzy creation.
That covers my recommendations, though it was frankly tough to exclude some potential choices (Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions for heavy game mechanics! Flying Witch for fantastical fuzzies!). Nonetheless, I hope you’ve found a show or two that seems interesting among my picks, and please let me know all your own favorite BOFURI-adjacent shows in the comments!
Nick Creamer has been writing about cartoons for too many years now and is always ready to cry about Madoka. You can find more of his work at his blog Wrong Every Time or follow him on Twitter.
