Television series
Battle Through the Heavens
A Chinese anime following a prodigy stripped of his powers who must rebuild himself through sheer determination and cultivation. It's relentlessly earnest—a saga of comebacks and self-improvement with vibrant action sequences and a cast that grows genuinely endearing over 100+ episodes. For anyone who loves watching underdogs claw their way back to the top.
If you liked this
My Hero Academia2016
A young man without powers in a superhero world discovers his own path to strength. Like Xiao Yan, it's about proving yourself through grit rather than birthright, with escalating stakes and brilliant fight choreography that'll keep you hooked.
But Shonen anime can feel repetitive, and the formula—training, tournament, repeat—isn't subtle. If you need constant novelty in your storytelling, this will wear you down eventually.
Solo Leveling2024
A man deemed powerless in a world of hunters becomes unstoppably strong through mysterious circumstances. The visual style is sumptuous, the power progression is satisfying, and the core appeal is identical: watching someone transcend their supposed limits.
But The early episodes can feel slow, and the animation dips inconsistently. Some people find the isekai-adjacent setup overdone at this point.
Sword Art Online2012
Another underdog who must adapt to survive in a world with brutal rules. It shares Xiao Yan's focus on personal growth against overwhelming odds, with the added thrill of genuinely high stakes and no safety net.
But The tone shifts awkwardly between arcs, and the second season introduces romantic subplots that frustrate many viewers. It's uneven in ways that become more glaring on rewatch.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Battle Through the Heavens
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
Mononoke2007
Both center a protagonist using cunning and inner reserves rather than inherited advantage to survive in worlds that seem designed to crush him. Xiao Yan recovers lost strength; the medicine seller has always had his unusual gifts. Same engine, opposite fuel.
A medicine seller with uncanny knowledge encounters supernatural mysteries in Edo-period Japan. Like Battle Through the Heavens, it's a series about a solitary figure navigating a dangerous world, but this swaps action for slow-burn mystery and aesthetic obsession. The art style—painted, almost like woodblock prints—makes every episode feel precious.
But It's glacially paced, heavy on dialogue, and requires patience with ambiguity. If you watch anime for fight scenes and power scaling, this will feel like standing still. Also only 12 episodes total—some find that abrupt.
More like this (6)
Jujutsu Kaisen2020
Flawless production design and fight direction. A young man discovers latent power and enters a hidden world—the structure echoes Xiao Yan's, but the execution is so polished that it feels fresh. Addictive week to week.
But It's become enormously popular, so if you're contrarian about hype, this will feel like watching something everyone's already told you to watch. Also very violent.
Demon Slayer2019
Visually it's a masterpiece, and the central character's quiet determination mirrors Xiao Yan's core appeal. A boy with nothing but resolve trains to master a difficult craft. The cinematography alone justifies the watch.
But The pacing slows noticeably between seasons, and the story can feel thin if you're looking for complexity. Some arcs drag.
Black Clover2017
A young man born without magic in a magic society refuses to accept his limits. The persistence and optimism match Xiao Yan's energy, and the supporting cast develops beautifully over hundreds of episodes.
But The protagonist's voice acting is grating for many (especially in the Japanese dub), and the early pacing is genuinely slow. It takes real commitment to get hooked.
Fire Force2019
A firefighter discovers supernatural powers and joins an elite corps. The visual style is bold, the action is kinetic, and the mysteries about the world's true nature unfold at a good pace. Fast-paced fun.
But The character designs are often fanservice-heavy, which dilutes the drama. The plot eventually becomes convoluted in ways that feel unmotivated.
Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story2020
Both explore the power fantasy of becoming something greater, but Madoka pulls back the curtain. Where Xiao Yan rises, these girls discover what rising actually demands. It's the same story told with opposite intent.
A seemingly innocent magical girl story that systematically deconstructs the entire genre. It's brilliant, it's beautiful, it's devastating. If you loved the wish-fulfillment of a comeback narrative, this asks ruthlessly what that actually costs.
But It's bleak in ways that will blindside you if you go in expecting cute anime. The magical girl aesthetic is deceptive; this is fundamentally tragic. Also only 12 episodes—some feel cheated by the brevity.
Michiko e Hatchin2008
Like Xiao Yan, these characters are stripped of everything and must rebuild. But where his story is triumphalist, theirs is about survival and connection rather than power. Same crucible, completely different alchemy.
A woman escapes prison and flees with a neglected boy; they travel Brazil seeking redemption and belonging. It's visually inventive, emotionally raw, and treats its marginal characters with dignity most media ignores. Feels urgent in a way few shows do.
But It's slow, sometimes frustrating, and the ending offers no clean resolution. If you watch for victory and progression, this will feel deliberately withholding. The animation also varies wildly in quality.
