15 Anime Like ‘Kotaro Lives Alone’ Every Fan Needs To See

Kotaro Lives Alone is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mami Tsumura. It has been published in Shogakukan’s Big Comic Superior Seinen magazine since March 2015. A 10-episode live-action drama series aired via TV Asahi in 2021, while a 10-episode animated series was adapted by Liden Films and aired via Netflix in March 2022. In this article, we are going to give you a list of the 15 best anime series like Kotaro Lives Alone to enjoy if you liked the show.

1. Maison Ikkoku

Yusaku Godai, a young student who failed university admission exams, decides to leave his boarding house due to noisy roommates. His new janitor, Kyoko Otonashi, a 20-year-old widow, becomes the object of his affection. However, he faces competition from Shun Mitaka, a handsome and wealthy tennis teacher. The seven-year comedic journey unfolds with a series of misunderstandings and recurring gags in this romantic tale.

2. Ai Yori Aoshi

Betrothed in childhood by traditionalist families, Kaoru and Aoi have not seen each other since. Kaoru, a penniless student in Tokyo, harbors resentment towards his family. Unbeknownst to him, Aoi has become a beautiful young girl eager to win his heart. She leaves to join him without informing anyone. Their paths cross at a station during their journey to Kaoru’s home; a chance encounter leads to a reunion with their forgotten engagement.

3. The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior

Kazunari Usa, a second-year student, gets the chance to live alone at the Kawai complex due to his parents’ transfer. In this boarding house, he encounters various unique individuals, including his admired senpai Ritsu, his masochistic roommate Shirosaki, the beautiful yet unlucky-in-love Mayumi, and the deceitful student predator Sayaka. Life at the Kawai complex becomes a lively and entertaining experience for Usa amid the diverse personalities of his fellow residents.

4. Yurumates

The story revolves around a group of young adults sharing an apartment called Maison du Wish. The main character, Yurume, moves into the apartment and interacts with her quirky roommates, leading to comedic and slice-of-life situations. The series explores the daily lives and humorous interactions of the characters in the shared living space.

5. Ooya-san wa Shishunki!

A young man, Maeda, moves into a new apartment, only to find that his new landlady, Chie, is a middle schooler.

6. Princess Jellyfish

Princess Jellyfish follows Tsukimi Kurashita, a shy girl with a passion for jellyfish, living in a Tokyo residence for otaku girls. Her life takes a turn when she encounters Kuranosuke, a cross-dressing son of a wealthy political family. Kuranosuke introduces Tsukimi to the world of fashion, sparking new passions and feelings. The series explores Tsukimi’s journey, her otaku friends’ struggles with societal norms, and the complexities of love and acceptance in a world filled with unfamiliar codes and expectations.

7. Sweetness and Lightning

Kōhei Inuzuka, a young teacher and single father, struggles with cooking for his daughter Tsumugi after his wife’s passing. Their lives change when they meet Kotori Iida, a student of Inuzuka, who invites them to her mother’s restaurant. Kotori, left in charge of the restaurant while her mother is away, is not a skilled cook, but together with Tsumugi, they convince Inuzuka to join them in cooking and improving their culinary skills. The series revolves around their heartwarming journey of bonding through food and overcoming challenges in the kitchen.

8. School Babysitters

Following the sudden death of their parents, high school student Ryūichi Kashima and his younger brother, Kotarō (a preschooler), are left orphaned with nowhere to call home.

The president of the prestigious Morinomiya Academy offers to take both boys into her care, along with a new home and free school tuition, on the condition that Ryūichi help with the school’s nursery and work there as a babysitter while also attending classes.

9. Kakushigoto: My Dad’s Secret Ambition

Kakushi Gotō is a mangaka with a certain fame: he is known for his titles with indecent content as well as his salacious jokes, and many admirers appreciate him greatly around the world. However, his life changes when he becomes a father and decides, after a realization, to hide his real job from his darling daughter, Hime. Having to raise the latter alone, for his own good, Kakushi tries to arrange his double life and overcome all the obstacles on his way to keep his secret in the eyes of his daughter and make her happy.

10. Barakamon

Despite his young age, Seishu Handa is a professional calligrapher. His life is turned upside down the day when seized with anger, he hits the museum curator, who finds his work banal and tasteless. As punishment, his father decides to send him to one of the Gotō Islands, in the depths of the countryside. Japanese. While he thought he would find peace and work, his new neighbors would land in his life.

11. Poco’s Udon World

Sota Tawara, a 30-year-old web designer, returns to his hometown in Kagawa Prefecture after his father’s death to settle affairs at the udon restaurant. During his visit, he discovers a mysterious child, Poco, who is a were-tanuki. Despite initial hesitation, Sota decides to take care of Poco, postponing his work. As they live together, Sota learns valuable lessons about caring for others and rediscovers the significance of his roots in the udon-filled countryside.

12. Higehiro: After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Took in a High School Runaway

The story starts with Yoshida, a 26-year-old IT office worker, facing rejection from his colleague Airi Gotou, whom he has loved for five years. After being rejected, depressed and inebriated, Yoshida encounters Sayu Ogiwara, a high school runaway, outside his door.

13. Stars Align

Maki Katsuragi, after moving with his mother, starts a new high school where he reunites with Tōma Shinjō, an old friend. Tōma urges Maki to join the struggling boys’ soft tennis club, facing closure by the student council. Despite Maki’s busy life helping his single mother, he reluctantly agrees when Tōma offers payment. However, Maki’s already challenging situation takes a darker turn when his estranged father violently steals the money he earned that night.

14. Usagi Drop

Daikichi, returning for his grandfather’s funeral, discovers Rin, his six-year-old illegitimate cousin, treated as an outcast by the family. Annoyed by their attitude, he decides to take care of Rin, facing the challenges of single parenthood. Daikichi befriends a single mother for advice and, a year later, finds the sacrifices were worth it. The first half focuses on Daikichi’s perspective. Ten years later, Rin navigates high school, dealing with emotions for a friend and making career choices, shifting the series’ focus.

15. Baby & Me

After their mother’s death, young Toshio becomes the “second mother” to his little brother Midori, assisting their father in the challenging task of raising a two-year-old. Despite the difficulties, Toshio remains committed to fulfilling the promise he made to his mother to care for Midori. The siblings share a close bond, and Toshio, although forced to grow up quickly, maintains a lively and cheerful demeanor. He seeks advice from friends Gon and Akihiro, who also have younger siblings, and they often discuss their experiences in the park or kindergarten. Life continues happily with Toshio and Ataru, the father, sharing responsibilities and occasionally receiving help from neighbors. In tough moments, the memory of their mother provides strength and encouragement to carry on.

Have anime to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!