5 Anime Like Stranger Things
Stranger Things released last week, and fans eagerly binged the entire season. Social media is buzzing about the final twist and are waiting for news of when the series returns.
The supernatural mystery has been an immense hit with viewers thanks to intense twists, a lovable cast, and call-backs to the ’80s. Here is a handful of anime that can fill the void until Stranger Things 3 premieres.
1. From the New World (Shinsekai Yori)
Watch if: You love tense mystery filled with grim twists, psychic powers, and creepy atmosphere.
Genre: Drama / Horror / Science Fiction / Supernatural
Episodes: 25
Quick Pitch: Psychic users all live in a close-knit society. Saki is a young girl whose powers are beginning to manifest. An exciting time leads to many mysterious questions that Saki wants to be answered, even at the risk of discovering dark secrets about where their society came from and why some people get corrupted.
2. ERASED (Boku dake ga Inai Machi)
What if: You love kids trying to solve a dangerous, deadly mystery but you can live with mild sci-fi that is featured only a few times in the series.
Genre: Fantasy / Mystery / Thriller
Episodes: 12
Quick Pitch: Satoru Fujinuma is a 29-year-old manga artist who possesses an uncontrollable ability that turns back time before a life-threatening accident occurs. When a shocking crime happens, Satoru’s ability takes him 18 years in the past, just before a life-altering event changed everything. He believes stopping the kidnapping and murder of classmate Kayo Hinazuki will fix everything that has gone wrong.
3 . Hyouka
Watch if: You love solving supernatural mysteries, but wish that the world was a happier place.
Genre: Mystery / Slice of Life / Supernatural
Episodes: 22 + 1 OVA
Quick Pitch: Houtarou is an expert “personal energy conservationist,” which means he is lazy. At his sister’s behest, Houtarou joins the Literary Club so that it won’t be abolished. However, Houtarou discovers that the club has a rich history and is home to a 45-year-old mystery.
4. Shiki
Watch if: You love the Stephen King-inspired style of Stranger Things. This supernatural mystery is about vampires and humans fighting for survival but is filled with twists that will challenge your morals.
Genre: Horror / Mystery / Supernatural / Thriller
Episodes: 22 + 2 Bonus Episodes
Quick Pitch: The quiet village of Sotoba is plagued with mysterious deaths. Doctor Toshio initially believes it’s due to an epidemic, but learns that vampire-like creatures called Shiki are behind the deaths. At the same time, Natsuno is haunted by the death of a friend.
5. Elfen Lied
Watch if: You’re interested in exploring Matt & Ross Duffer’s creative influences for Stranger Things. The duo shared that the fan-favorite character Eleven is based on Nyu.
Genre: Action / Horror / Psychological / Science Fantasy
Episodes: 13 + 1 OVA
Quick Pitch: Lucy is a Diclonius – a human born with short horns and telekinetic hands. Years of inhumane scientific experimentation and abuse has caused Lucy to foster strong hatred towards normal humans. After escaping from a government facility, Lucy washes up on shore and is taken in by a pair of college students. However, Lucy received a head injury that leaves her with an innocent split personality.
