Fans of heartwarming and relatable anime stories about the struggles of adolescence and the power of friendship will love these anime like Insomniacs After School.
Insomniacs After School explores the unlikely friendship between two high school students, Ganta and Isaki, as they cope with their struggles with insomnia and find solace in the abandoned observatory on their school campus.
If you enjoyed the beautiful animation and heartfelt themes of Insomniacs After School, you’ll love these other anime series that share similar elements of friendship, romance, and coming-of-age stories.
10. Kaguya-sama: Love is War
Kaguya-sama: Love is War is a super funny anime about two high school students, Kaguya and Miyuki, who are totally into each other but refuse to admit it. Instead, they engage in this hilarious battle of wits to see who can get the other to confess their feelings first.
But, even though it’s a comedy, Kaguya-sama also explores some deeper themes like friendship, romance, and the struggles of adolescence. You know how tough it can be to navigate those emotions during those formative years, right? It’s like the anime captures all those complicated feelings and puts them into a funny and relatable story.
Insomniacs After School is a lot like Kaguya-sama in that it explores the complex relationships that develop during adolescence and the challenges that come with growing up and navigating romantic relationships. Plus, both anime have a comedic and lighthearted tone that makes them super enjoyable to watch, even as they tackle deeper themes.
09. Ao Haru Ride
Ao Haru Ride is another anime exploring young love like Insomniacs After School.
Futaba had a tough time making friends in the past. When she enters high school, she bumps into Kou, the guy she used to have a crush on in middle school. But he’s got a whole different personality and name now, so it’s like they’re meeting for the first time again…
The anime explores all these themes of friendship, romance, and the struggles of adolescence as Futaba tries to reconnect with Kou while dealing with other stuff like past traumas and misunderstandings.
08. Say “I Love You”
Say “I Love You” is a shoujo romance anime about a girl named Mei Tachibana who has never made any friends or had a boyfriend due to past traumatic experiences. That is, until she meets Yamato Kurosawa, the popular and outgoing guy in school who takes an interest in her.
Say “I Love You” is similar to Insomniacs After School in that both anime explore themes of self-discovery, overcoming past traumas, and the importance of friendship and trust in adolescence. Both anime also have relatable and well-developed characters that audiences can root for and relate to.
While Say “I Love You” may focus more on romance than Insomniacs After School, both anime strike a balance between romance and character development, making them engaging and heartwarming watches.
07. Toradora!
Toradora is a classic anime that follows the story of Ryuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka, two high school students with very different personalities.
Ryuji is a gentle and kind-hearted guy, while Taiga is known for her short temper and aggressive behavior. Despite their differences, the two end up helping each other pursue their respective crushes and eventually fall in love with each other.
Similar to Insomniacs After School, Toradora is a coming-of-age romance anime that explores the struggles of adolescence and the importance of friendship. If you enjoyed the heartfelt themes of Insomniacs After School, you’ll definitely want to give Toradora a watch!
06. Honey and Clover
Honey and Clover focuses on the lives of a group of college students who are passionate about the arts. They’re trying to find their place in the world, explore their interests, and deal with the ups and downs of relationships and friendships.
While Honey and Clover has a more laid-back and mellow vibe compared to Insomniacs, it’s still got some emotional moments that will tug at your heartstrings. It’s not just a romance anime either: it has a nice balance of humor, drama, and heart-stirring scenes.
So if you’re in the mood for an anime that celebrates the joys and challenges of growing up and finding your place in the world, give Honey and Clover a shot.
05. Kokoro Connect
Kokoro Connect follows five high school students who suddenly find themselves swapping bodies, and it’s kind of like Insomniacs After School in that it deals with themes of friendship, identity, and growing up.
If you’re into character-driven stories that have both heart and humor, you’ll love Kokoro Connect. It showcases the power of friendship and how it can help us navigate the twists and turns of life while figuring out who we are and where we belong.
04. March Comes in Like a Lion
March Comes in Like a Lion is a touching anime that centers around the life of a teenage professional shogi player named Rei Kiriyama. Like Insomniacs After School, it explores the struggles of adolescence, friendship, and romance, but with a more serious and introspective tone.
Throughout the series, Rei navigates the challenges of growing up while dealing with family issues and emotional baggage from his past. He forms meaningful relationships with a variety of characters who support him and help him grow as a person, much like Ganta and Isaki’s friendship in Insomniacs After School.
Whether you’re a shogi enthusiast or not, March Comes in Like a Lion is a powerful story that captures the essence of the human experience and reminds us that we’re never truly alone in our struggles.
03. At The Mercy of The Sky
At The Mercy of The Sky is an anime that revolves around a group of high school students who come together to save their school’s astronomy club from being shut down. Along the way, they deal with personal struggles and form deep connections with each other.
If you enjoyed the warm themes and the emphasis on friendship and self-discovery in Insomniacs After School, you’ll appreciate the way At The Mercy of The Sky explores similar themes while also showcasing the beauty and wonder of the night sky.
It’s an anime that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside and will make you want to grab your friends and go stargazing.
2. Laid-Back Camp
If you’re looking for an anime that will transport you to a world of camping, relaxation, and fun with friends, Laid-Back Camp is the perfect choice. With its gorgeous scenery and charming characters, it’s easy to lose yourself in the tranquil atmosphere of this anime.
The show centers around a group of high school girls who form a camping club and explore the great outdoors together. The slow-paced, slice-of-life storytelling makes it a perfect escape from the stresses of everyday life. And, as a bonus, you might even learn a thing or two about camping!
Plus, it’s a great reminder to take some time for yourself and enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like spending time in nature and making memories with friends. While it may not have the same insomnia-driven plot as Insomniacs After School, the focus on friendship, relaxation, and finding joy in the little things is a similarity that fans of both shows can appreciate.
01. Call of the Night
Call of the Night follows the story of Kou, a middle school student struggling with insomnia. One night, he meets a strange girl named Nazuna, who offers to help him with his sleep issues. However, things take a surprising turn when Nazuna bites Kou and reveals herself to be a vampire. Kou decides that he wants to become a vampire too and sets out to fall in love with Nazuna.
The anime shares similarities with Insomniacs After School, as both feature protagonists struggling with insomnia and exploring themes of romance. They are also made by the same studio and have similar main female characters.
