Television series

Ultraman

Other titles called Ultraman: the 1966 series (TV Tokyo).

A sharply-drawn anime continuation of the Ultraman legacy: young Shinjiro discovers his father's secret identity and inherits the mantle during a new alien invasion. It's sleek tokusatsu-inspired action paired with genuine family drama, pitched at an audience that respects both the source material and storytelling craft.

TVMaze rating3.1

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Neon Genesis Evangelion1995

Teenage protagonist suddenly drafted into humanity's defense against otherworldly forces, combining spectacular action sequences with the psychological weight of that responsibility. Emotionally complex and visually inventive in ways that still feel radical.

But The pacing can be deliberately glacial, and the ending famously strips away spectacle to examine trauma directly. Not always comfortable viewing.

Neon Genesis Evangelion poster

Kill la Kill2013

Kinetic animation and genuine emotional stakes woven through absurdist action. The series understands how to make you feel something real while executing eye-popping combat. Fast, confident, never boring.

But Its tone is erratic—veering from comedy to tragedy to eye-watering fan service. Some viewers find this jarring rather than exhilarating.

Kill la Kill poster

Demon Slayer2019

Stunning animation that makes every fight feel consequential. A young hero thrust into a world of inherited duty and supernatural threat, with family bonds at its emotional core. Spectacle that earns its moments.

But The story follows a well-worn shonen template quite faithfully. If you've seen dozens of these, the beats won't surprise you.

Demon Slayer poster

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Kamen Rider 555: Paradise Lost2003

Both take inherited transformation mythology and ground it in genuine character consequence—the suit is a burden, not just a fantasy upgrade.

Ordinary people forced into high-tech suits to fight monsters in a survival game. The tonal ancestor of prestige tokusatsu storytelling: tragic, genuinely uncertain who'll survive, treated with perfect seriousness. Where Ultraman anime could trace its DNA.

But It's ultra-serialized and occasionally repetitive in its episodic structure. The monster-of-the-week format won't appeal to everyone.

Kamen Rider 555: Paradise Lost poster
More like this (8)

Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch2006

Intricate political thriller wrapped in mecha action. A reluctant protagonist discovers a power and must navigate moral compromises to protect those he loves. Sharp plotting and genuine character development across its run.

But By the second season, it starts chasing shock value over coherence. Some threads feel abandoned for spectacle.

Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch poster

Carole & Tuesday2019

Two girls form a band and challenge corporate control of music on Mars. Gorgeously animated, unexpectedly sincere about art and resistance, with killer soundtrack moments. Watanabe direction is always worth your time.

But The romantic subplot distracts from its stronger themes, and some episodes meander. Not every subplot lands.

Carole & Tuesday poster

Mob Psycho 1002016

A psychic teenager just trying to be normal, forced to use his powers to protect his community. Visually inventive, genuinely funny, deeply kind. Animation that breathes and bends for emotional impact.

But The middle sections occasionally prioritize whimsy over narrative momentum. Some viewers find it slight despite its warmth.

Mob Psycho 100 poster

Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann2007

Pure, unapologetic celebration of believing in yourself and others. Escalating mecha action that functions as metaphor for overcoming doubt. Infectious enthusiasm that makes you want to believe in something.

But The tonal shift in its second half feels abrupt to some, and the gender politics are reductive by modern standards.

Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann poster

Jujutsu Kaisen2020

High school student discovers he harbors a powerful curse and joins a secret society of sorcerers. Excellent animation, escalating stakes, and a protagonist who genuinely cares about his friends. Immensely watchable.

But It's riding a wave of popularity that sometimes outpaces the actual storytelling. Parts feel more competent than inspired.

Jujutsu Kaisen poster

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 The Movie: -A Wakening of the Trailblazer-2010

Teenagers pilot giant robots as soldiers in a future war. Explores what happens when idealistic youth become tools of ideology. Surprisingly thoughtful about power and complicity.

But The first season drags in places, and some character decisions feel arbitrary. Commitment required before it clicks.

Mobile Suit Gundam 00 The Movie: -A Wakening of the Trailblazer- poster

A Letter to Momo2012

Both ask what it means for young people to inherit a world of hidden power and secret knowledge, and how connection to others becomes the real strength.

A grieving teenage girl moves to a remote island and encounters yokai—mischievous spirits that embody her emotional turmoil. Marvelous character animation, genuinely moving about loss and connection. Standalone film, not a franchise entry.

But It's deliberately paced and meditative. If you're after constant action, this will feel slow. The plot is slight on purpose.

A Letter to Momo poster

Ultraman1966

The literal predecessor text—Ultraman anime is essentially retelling Ultraseven's core concept (alien/human hybrid guardian) with CGI and serialized drama. Understanding the source reveals how respectfully this continuation engages with its inheritance.

The original live-action series that defined the tokusatsu format: an alien disguised as a human soldier, fighting creatures with genuine practical ingenuity and physical constraint. You can see the DNA of every superhero show after it. Pure, confident, made on a shoestring.

But The special effects are obviously low-budget and the pacing is glacial by modern standards. Requires patience and affection for the form.

Ultraman poster

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