More shows like Frieren and Dungeon Meshi?
Hello!!
I’m relatively new to anime, I watched some Pokémon in middle school but that’s about it. Most recently I have watched some of Fruits Basket, as well as Dungeon Meshi and Frieren as recommended by a friend. I really enjoyed these shows in particular. (I’ve also watched Death Note which I also enjoyed, but not quite as much).
Are there more shows with similar setups to these two that you would recommend? Thank you!
I’m relatively new to anime, I watched some Pokémon in middle school but that’s about it. Most recently I have watched some of Fruits Basket, as well as Dungeon Meshi and Frieren as recommended by a friend. I really enjoyed these shows in particular. (I’ve also watched Death Note which I also enjoyed, but not quite as much).
Are there more shows with similar setups to these two that you would recommend? Thank you!
Commentaires
The users of this subreddit came up with [a chart of anime recommendations for newcomers and veterans](https://i.redd.it/0w1v880jtq661.png) and [an awesome longer flowchart](https://i.redd.it/vdzlkodz19c71.png). Maybe you can find something there that you'll like \^.\^
[](#bot-chan "Urban s-s-s-senpai made me do it!")
You might also find our [Recommendation Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/recommendations) or [daily thread](/r/anime/search?q=flair%3Adaily&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=week) helpful.
The following may be of interest:
* [List of legal streams and downloads](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/legal_streams)
* [A useful website where you can enter an anime and see where it's legally streaming](https://www.livechart.me/search)
* [List of currently airing anime](https://www.livechart.me)
* [A useful wiki page with watch orders for many anime.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/watch_order)
* [A list of tracking sites so others can more easily recommend shows you haven't watched.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/related_sites#wiki_tracking_sites)
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/anime) if you have any questions or concerns.*
But I put on campfire cooking and we’re well into season 2! FTW! Great success
Not out yet: witch hat atelier https://youtu.be/QrCd-oNLGmY?si=AJsq504Mka5_MHDv April 2026
Dungeon meshi like:
- campfire cooking in another world
- made in abyss
- drifting dragons
Deathnote:
- Pluto
Frieren vibes:
- apothecary diaries
- ancient magus bride
- land of the lustrous
- the twelve kingdoms (different but I still love this one)
I completely agree.
I couldn’t continue that show for that reason.
I refuse to watch shows or media which are like that out of principle even if the story is good. It’s been a few years since I started to and stoped watching it once I heard what happens later. So I forgot to say that. I was just remembering the world building side of it.
- This post/comment was removed due to untagged or improperly tagged spoilers.
Text and link posts should be properly spoiler-tagged and should include the name(s) of the show(s) referenced in the title. Text posts may opt to tag spoilers in the Text post instead. (Using the same format as comment spoilers below)
Comments need to use `[Spoiler source] >!Spoiler content here!<` to protect spoilers, where the spoiler source is where the spoiler comes from (e.g. One Piece episode 200, or if it's from a different medium, LN/Manga/VN). Spoiler source is only required in the first of any set of spoilers for the same source.
* It should be noted that unadapted material can still be considered a spoiler.
* Obviously intentional or excessively repeated violations of this rule will result in a ban.
* Images can be tagged with spoiler with a simple "Spoiler Warning!" before the link or in the link itself.
Reply to this message once you have tagged the appropriate parts to have your comment reapproved.
For more info about what is a spoiler, please check out our [full rule page section.](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/wiki/rules#wiki_do_not_post_untagged_spoilers)
---
^(Have a question or think this removal was an error?) **[^(Message the mods.)](http://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fanime)**
^(Don't know the rules? Read them )**[^(here)](/r/anime/wiki/rules)**^.
[To your eternity] >!I enjoyed the 3rd season for a bit, but I didnt like that fushi was acting different. Like we know that Mizuha’s mom is a noker, why are we all of a sudden hesitating to kill it, same with Minori. That whole Minori arch is also just a massive shitter. Why did Minori’s brother need to be a pedophile, nothing would have changed it he was a normal guy. Also why is the noker showing off the 6yr old girls underwear to said pedophile and doing weird bdsm shit.!<
Theres a lot more I would say but I need to go to work lol.
Season 3 is the best so far, and an experience without flaws. Very funny show (though not as funny as Frieren nor DiD).
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash
Golden Kamuy
Tsukimichi Moonlit Fantasy
Kuma Kuma Kuma
Kakuriyo Bed and Breakfast for Spirits
Yona of the Dawn
Natsume’s book of friends
Mushishi
The 12 Kingdoms
Seirei no Moribito
Kakuriyo bed and breakfast
That was such a fun season.
Other than that I would suggest:
Re:Zero
Spy x Family
Apothecary Diaries
DanMachi (Is it Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon) is some of the best storytelling fantasy with a large cast of very unique characters and can also get extremely intense.
I always include Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf as a nice entryway into the Isekai genre. It doesn’t hurt that it’s well animated and there’s a touch of romance that doesn’t get in the way of the plot.
Other than that, I'd agree. But Mushoku trips on its feet and falls face first into the optional pile. Such a waste of neat magical lore.
But yeah I think I know what issue you're talking about with the female characters(I won't say it as to not spoil for OP) and I do agree if we're taking about the same thing
Also keep your eyes on witch hat atelier in April.
Twelve Kingdoms
"Campfire Cooking" doesn't have characterization. Just cheesy tropes and a character that cooks food. Some people think Dungeon Meshi is only about the food/cooking. Not similar at all.
"To Your Eternity" is actually quite good, while not 1 to 1, it does use character development and comic relief to great effect. Seasons 1 and 2 have valleys, but season 3 has been a fleshed out and subversive experience.
"Mushoku Tensei", don't bother unless you don't mind female damsels catering to male slobs (I'm referring to the male characters, not commenting on the audience. The male protagonist goes around sexually harassing others, never being reprimanded, and getting rewarded for just for breathing). I do also want to point out that a subset of Mushoku fans will avoid talking about the sexual harassment while trying to play victim about people being overly harsh on the struggling protagonist (despite only his actions being condemned, he never changes either). I'm not even upset at the creeps, the anime just took a sharp nosedive in season 2 (wish fulfillment and harem nonsense).
"Spice and Wolf", while quite different from the 2 you mentioned in tone, is definitely worth watching. Doesn't have strong comic relief, but the characters are very well written. Has a "barter" theme. Highly recommend.
I can't comment on "Witch Hat" (not familiar), but am optimistic for it! Might be the closest one to the 2 you saw.
"Made in Abyss" is Dungon Meshi, but without the characterization nor comic relief. It still has **good characters**, just not as good. The tone is **melodramatic** instead of creative. Worth watching still just for the **soundtrack** alone. **Music and immersion**.
"Apotechary Diaries" is just really well written and is a mandatory watch. Initial episodes might seem a little slow, but it's because the story relies on political intrigue, mystery, thriller, and assassinations (actual assassinations, not a character that calls themselves an assassin). Characterization is on point. I don't think it is similar to DiD nor Frieren.
If you want fantasy and good writing (but no comic relief), "Ascendance of a Bookworm" is the place to be. Ironically well written despite the isekai premise (isekai is a heuristic for bad writing).
"DanMachi" or "Wistoria". Same author, targeted at younger viewers to the detriment of the quality of the writing/characters. Male protagonist is oh so cool and oh so strong, that's pretty much it. The first one has a thin "dungeon" skin, the second one for some reason went for a thin "Harry Potter" skin (and the protagonist doesn't even use magic, he just moves at mach speed with a sword). Fans easily admit to both anime being the exact same story. I would not describe this as a fantasy story, more like a power fantasy battle anime.
"Ranking of Kings" if you want to cry. I personally liked it a lot.
I think that's all the names I felt like vetting and disqualifying (feel free to test my claims by watching them anyways). If I failed to mention any, they might be good or bad (50/50).
Just in case you are after the strong comic relief you saw in Frieren and Dungeon Meshi. "Medalist", while not a fantasy story, has a strong episode 1 hook (hilarious and heart-warming). "Dorohedoro" has good zany character comedy (both good and bad factions are silly bloodlust goobers).
And if you like good characters and comic relief, "Shadow House" is worth taking a look at, though the first 10+ episodes might bore the hell out of you (man, it took its time, love the anime).
Sorry for not being able to come up with anything similar!!! Good luck.
Kaiju no 8 just finished its second season.
Made in Abyss is also really good.
On Crunchyroll, [I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability](https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GJ0H7QG4E/i-was-reincarnated-as-the-7th-prince-so-i-can-take-my-time-perfecting-my-magical-ability). Although this is an isekai unlike the anime OP mentioned, I feel the fantasy of this is a fun watch, as the epicness of the magic of Frieren can draw a similar parallel to Lloyd's magic.
Dungeon People
The Great Cleric
The Unwanted Undead Adventurer
I Parry Everything
The Ossan Newbie Adventurer
However there's plenty of shows out there that scratch many different itches, some you didn't even know you were feeling. My favorite anime is Ping Pong the Animation despite not really being a sports anime guy usually. There's a lot to explore and see what appeals to you
|**Title**|**Rating**|**Summary**|
|:-|:-|:-|
|Frieren|S+|Pacing, storytelling, animation, and music all best of the best. A little slow to pick up.|
|Avatar: The Last Airbender|S+|Technically not an anime but whatever. Some of my favorite worldbuilding and character arcs in storytelling of any medium.|
|FMA & FMA Brotherhood|S+|Standout top tier anime. I actually preferred FMA--except for the ending.|
|Arcane|S+|Music, animation, story all top quality. Really great. Not technically an Anime.|
|Delicious in Dungeon|S+|Tasty!|
|Ascendance of a Bookworm|S|Very fun take on using knowledge from another world to actually invent "new" things. Pacing and character interactions were great.|
|Spice and Wolf|S|Pacing and character interactions were great. Maybe my least favorite of the "S-tier" anime, but still really good.|
|Castlevania|S|Randomly started watching, couldn't believe how good it is. This show has some of my favorite animated fight sequences.|
|Solo Leveling|S|Fantastic battles and animation. A lot of fun to watch.|
|Reincarnated as a Slime|S|Best meetings of all time. Lol. Cozy anime, with fun worldbuilding. I highly doubt other people rank it this high, but it's always one I really look forward to.|
|Campfire Cooking in Another World|S|Tasty!|
Secrets of the Silent Witch /
The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash /
Shangri-La Frontier
Legends of vox Machina
Moribito guardian of the spirit
U need to make myanimelist account to keep track of ur list
The Faraway Paladin
Golden Kamuy (historical fiction, but it has lots of preparing food from the wild)
It's a different genre, and pretty dark, and it's the best anime I've seen in all my years. Give Heavenly Delusion a watch. Or Fullmetal Alchemist 2003.