The Best Anime for The World Ends with You Fans

July 27, 2021

Are you ready to return to Shibuya? To celebrate the release of NEO: The World Ends with You on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 this week, we put together a list of anime you should queue up on your watch list while playing the game!

Here you’ll find a handful of series that have similar vibes to the The World Ends with You game series, including the obvious choices, because you need to have the perfect anime ready to go when on a break from your game.

Got your pins ready? Let’s jump in.

The World Ends with You The Animation

OK, you all knew this one was coming. Obviously, if you’re a fan of The World Ends with You, then you should definitely check out the anime adaptation of the game.

After all, the original Nintendo DS game was released back in 2007, and if you don’t have time to play the Final Remix version for Nintendo Switch, the anime is a perfect refresher before you head into the new game.

Of course, there are some differences here from the original game. For example, the game’s plot and setting have been modernized, replacing flip phones with smartphones, for example. Some plot points and scenes have also been changed to adjust to the episodic storytelling, and all of it makes for the perfect companion piece to the game itself.

I highly recommend checking it out before you dive into NEO: The World Ends with You.

Watch The World Ends with You The Animation on Funimation!

The Honor at Magic High School

Miyuki Irregular at Magic High School Honor Student Header 2

The Honor at Magic High School is a spin-off of The Irregular at Magic High School series by Yu Mori. It parallels the events of the original series, but this time around, it focuses on them from the perspective of Miyuki Shiba, Tatsuya’s sister.

As evident in the title, magic plays a big role in this world, where students look to study the subject, and Miyuki, an honor student, has plenty of work to do to prove she’s worthy.

The comparisons here come mostly from the settings. While the concept of school students with special powers isn’t anything new, its cast and their hijinks carry some similar vibes to Neku and Co. in The World Ends with You The Animation. It’s definitely worth your watch.

Watch The Honor at Magic High School on Funimation!

Danganronpa: The Animation

Danganronpa: The Animation follows a young boy named Makoto Naegi who attends a school called Hope’s Peak. Makoto’s classmates are extremely talented individuals, each skilled in one particular thing, from programming to swimming.

They’re supposed to represent hope for Japan’s future, but something goes incredibly wrong and they’re pitted against each other in a death game hosted by a talking bear named Monokuma. With Makoto and his classmates trapped in Hope’s Peak, their only way out is through fulfilling a challenge from Monokuma: Murder a fellow student and get away with it.

Danganronpa: The Animation is truly a nail-biter with high stakes. While it doesn’t have the exact same tone that The World Ends with You does, both utilize the “death game” concept.

Neku must navigate the Reapers’ Game and come out on top, while Makoto needs to uncover the truth behind his classmates’ murders and figure out what Monokuma is really up to.

Watch Danganronpa: The Animation on Funimation!

PERSONA5 the Animation

Persona 5 is an incredible video game, and its anime adaptation is a must-watch for fans who’ve played it. The series follows a group of teen vigilantes known as the Phantom Thieves, as they dive deep into the Metaverse to change the hearts of rotten individuals.

Of course, the crew each have a companion known as a Persona that they can call upon at will to help them defeat the baddies known as Shadows. You can probably tell this one has a lot in common with The World Ends with You at this point.

For example, both series utilize Shibuya as part of its setting, which shines in different ways in each anime and game. (You should play/watch both to fully appreciate the art and music!)

And like The World Ends with You The Animation, PERSONA5 the Animation is the perfect complement to the game, and its experience is only enhanced by having played it.

Watch PERSONA5 the Animation on Funimation!

Sword Art Online

Much like Neku in The World Ends With You, Kirito in Sword Art Online is also technically taking part in a “death game.” In the series, Kirito is hooked up to a virtual reality helmet called NerveGear.

One day, when he logs into the MMORPG Sword Art Online, he finds himself (as well as other players) unable to log out. It’s then revealed that in order to break free, he must traverse through and beat all 100 floors in the castle Aincrad. Furthermore, dying in the game also means dying in real life, so the stakes are incredibly high!

Sword Art Online is much more fantasy-based rather than The World Ends with You’s more realistic, urban setting, but the gamification of Sword Art Online will certainly feel familiar to those who’ve played or watched the series.

Watch Sword Art Online on Funimation!