Anime with the Indomitable Human Spirit

I am new to anime and after asking my friend for recommendations he suggested I watch Evangelion. While I can appreciate that the story was good, it lowkey made me depressed.

I am looking for some recommendations that are basically the opposite of the vibe of Evangelion. Doesn't necessarily have to be happy-go-lucky all the time, but something where the MC perseveres and overcomes the hurdles they face, and overall ends on a more positive or hopeful note.

TLDR: Eva made me depressed, and I want to watch something that makes me hopeful and motivated.

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AutoModerator2026-01-21 17:38

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No_Cockroach24672026-01-21 17:44

100 Girlfriends.

Indica_HeXeN2026-01-22 06:40

Honestly though.

A1 boyfriend and a harem of genuinely happy and fulfilled women. It's as wholesome as ecchi gets.

Moshimoshi-Megumin2026-01-21 17:44

Made in Abyss

Edit: no it’s not a troll. Yes it’s horror, but the main themes are human curiosity and relentless perseverance through suffering and sacrifice. I can recommend A Place Further than the Universe if you just want an emotional, inspiring coming of age story; but it doesn’t really fit a request for the « indomitable human spirit ». And something like Girls’ Last Tour was sadder to me as it deals heavily with nihilism and shows how much of a plague humanity is.

DarthJarJar1592026-01-21 17:49

This seems like a somewhat troll answer but it GENUINELY is a great answer lol.

Artsy7272026-01-21 17:56

how to ruin somebodies day (im watching this tomorrow pray for me)

Moshimoshi-Megumin2026-01-21 18:22

It’s not that bad really. It’s gruesome and sad at times but not in an overall depressing way. They do a great job contrasting the depressing/horrible stuff with the hope, innocence and perseverance of the MCs.

Sarfanadia2026-01-21 18:44

Actually hard agree.

5parrowhawk2026-01-21 17:46

Symphogear.

Ahem... let me try again.

SYMPHOOOOGEAAAAAAAH

No_Upstairs_8112026-01-21 17:46

Non-Joke answer, Gurren Lagann is literally the hopeful response to Eva's existential dread

NexoNerd1012026-01-21 17:54

I was hoping this was the first answer

takato992026-01-21 18:01

TTGL is the complete antithesis of EVA while literally having a mini-EVA arc in the middle of it

No_Upstairs_8112026-01-21 18:07

It was Triggers response to... *looks at staff*

Itself

takato992026-01-21 18:09

Well they were still Gainax at the time which makes it even more obvious

No_Upstairs_8112026-01-21 18:11

shit it's been so long I thought TTGL was Trigger's project after they split from gainax

mattisyou2026-01-21 18:38

I mean it looks exactly like triggers style of anime and was made my pretty much the same people that went on to found trigger. I don’t blame you for thinking it was a trigger project.

maullidothethird2026-01-21 20:57

No, Eva la the antithesis of 70s super robot and 80s real robot spirits. Ttgl is a parody mashup of old anime: spiral is getter, kamina is Roy Fokker clone, the gurren lagann is a mashup of zambot, daitarn and gaiking

NearNirvanna2026-01-21 17:47

Ttgl

Uma-apreciator2026-01-21 17:49

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Uma Musume Cinderella Gray (indomitable horse spirit)

100 meters

Hajime no Ippo

JoJo Bizarre Adventures

Orb the moviments of earth

PeaceDangerous76192026-01-21 17:51

The ossan newbie adventurer feels like it may be up your alley. Maybe not 100% but it has a good rising of the mc through backstory and ends at a good pinnacle of achievement for him.

NuttBuster48962026-01-21 17:53

Opposite of Eva? Konosuba

STRAWLEE2026-01-21 17:57

Orb on the movements of the earth.

cipher_purple_deals2026-01-21 19:28

Yes.

H-K_472026-01-21 20:12

100% absolute peak show about the best part of humanity.

F3arless_Bubble2026-01-21 17:58

Demon Slayer is a good mainstream one if you’re new and don’t want to jump into anything too old or too fringe. The entire theme is how OP supernatural demons are and how humanity, through the demon slayers, defeats them through sheer willpower, hard work, and critical planning.

Vast-Coffee-70582026-01-21 17:58

Shippuu! Iron Leaguer

heroeNK252026-01-21 18:00

Run with the wind and A place futher them the universe

FeefuWasTaken2026-01-21 18:04

Gurren lagann is the answer. It's the most motivating anime ever imo, and It starts out with the main character who is synonymous with shinji, it's a mecha, it's made by most of the same people, and the parallels go much deeper than that if you care to look.

CommanderZx22026-01-21 18:06

Anne Happy

Girls last tour

OrbitOli2026-01-21 18:18

If you want to keep the sci-fi theme, I definitely recommend Space Battleship Yamato 2199.
The crew of a spaceship are going on a last attempt mission against seemingly insurmountable odds to save the Earth and all of humanity from annihilation!

Kaiki_Romantist2026-01-21 18:29

The Indomitable Human Spirit? With a motivational and inspiring theme? Neon Genesis Evangelion. Specifically Episodes 25 and 26.

BoostedSeals2026-01-21 23:06

"You want something that's kind of like Evangelion but not Evangelion? Watch Evangelion."

-Kaiki Romantist

PatoConejito2026-01-21 18:31

Sorry Japan doesn't have that anymore. Anime it's not what it's used to be

ReikoInari2026-01-21 18:37

If you want a classic in the same era, there's Outlaw Star.

Fit-Traffic51782026-01-21 18:37

Rewrite from key. But i recommend reading the original vn instead of watching anime

Flat-Entry902026-01-21 18:57

Eighty-Six.

Found Family conquers forced suffering

Change for the better is possible

Everyone has a reason to live, they just need to find it.

You have a choice to do whatever you want. If thats re-enlist and go to a battlefield, then that is your choice.

Concentration Camp Kids that are treated like Roombas with guns get their humanity back.

It's about people who have lost everything can start to be healed: They are allowed to want things, they are allowed to be soft, They are allowed to LIVE.

seraiss2026-01-22 01:17

No, that shit was more messed up than evangelion for me , futuristic nazi Germany shit

Flat-Entry902026-01-22 13:25

huh...to each their own I guess.......I guess I am the opposite: EVA felt more like suffering just taking into account Shinji. I always thought the angels were closer to nightmare fuel than anything else.

Nativetitain882026-01-21 19:26

Black clover

cipher_purple_deals2026-01-21 19:27

Hmm, might not be exactly there but do give these a try:

Steins;gate

Orb: About the earth's movement.

And if you want something more hopeful and light hearted with a less complex story that's still got some likeable characters then maybe "The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash" though it might fit way less.

Indica_HeXeN2026-01-22 06:39

Stein's Gate kinda sad af a bunch before the happy ending. Still, Okarin is one of the best anime characters ever.

cipher_purple_deals2026-01-22 14:32

They have their happy times before the ending, just so happens there's more sad then happy sometimes but overall if it was entirely depressing i would've probably not brought myself to watch all of it. Shows that are entirely depressing were never my cup of tea.

Indica_HeXeN2026-01-25 22:09

The thrill of victory and how good Kyoma is at hyping everything up definitely cut the acidity a lot i think though. Like cream in black coffee.

coolguy18482026-01-21 20:04

every shonen

xbolt902026-01-21 20:11

Dr. Stone is about one man attempting to rebuild civilization from scratch after an apocalypse. It’s a celebration of humanity’s achievements and ingenuity. We’re actually pretty dang cool sometimes.

moogoo22026-01-21 21:28

Medalist

The MCs are, together, working through starting in their careers aggressively late and dealing with all the setbacks and imposter syndrome that comes with that.

xdarkskylordx2026-01-21 21:42

If you're ok with sports anime, the first thing that came to my mind was Hajime no Ippo. Its a boxing anime where the main character gradually improves and the atmosphere usually is both motivational and comedic (should mention that the anime stopped while the manga continued though). On that note, Eyeshield 21 is similar in a lot of aspects only it's with \[American\] Football.

chewie_332026-01-22 05:27

A place further than the universe

Indica_HeXeN2026-01-22 06:46

Monogatari Series

Initial D

Eminence in Shadow (From Cid's side anyway)

Specific-Goose42852026-01-22 10:27

TTGL was mentioned already but there is also Eureka 7. There is nothing more human than going through hell and back for your crush. Disregard anything other releases than the actual series though.

Strong_Olive_9732026-01-22 19:37

Gintama

The_Didlyest2026-01-23 17:30

Made In Abyss

Fanceepance2026-01-24 04:25

Senki Zesshou Symphogear

The most hype musical you've never heard of.

[If this doesn't inspire hope in you, nothing will.](https://streamable.com/8ez3h) Probably.