While many anime movies stand alone as a complete experience, some garner enough support to expand into a series or franchise. The original 1995 Ghost In The Shell is one of the most iconic movies to do this, and its iterations have captivated fans since the franchise’s debut.
Unfortunately, not all series that began this way reach the same level of recognition as their animated films, even though they added new content to popular or memorable narratives. Whether the sequel series was a traditional anime or made up of original video animations (OVAs), these films had sequel series that slipped under the radar.
10 The Princess And The Pilot (2011)
The Princess and the Pilot follows the mercenary pilot Charles Karino on a mission to escort Princess Fana Del Moral to the safety of another kingdom after her home was destroyed by war. As they soar through the sky under the threat of enemy fire, the two become close even though they know they can’t be together after the mission.
Like The Princess and the Pilot, The Pilot’s Love Song is a mix of adventure and romance. However, while the sequel series is set in the same world and references Fana and Charles, it moves in a different direction by building out the world and focusing on a group of student pilots.
9 Locke The Superman (1984)
Despite his efforts to keep a low profile and live a peaceful life, a powerful psychic named Locke agrees to pacify a psychic army that aims to take over the galaxy. In addition to compelling fight scenes, Locke the Superman has a layer of mystery, drama, and romance to keep viewers captivated.
Following the 1984 film, three Locke the Superman OVAs were released. Although none of them picked off where the film left off, the New World Command and Mirror Ring OVAs connect as sequels that tell the story of how Locke saved the earth from a supercomputer known as ELANA.
8 The Violinist of Hamelin (1996)
The Violinist of Hamelin is a light-hearted short film following the violinist Hamel and his friends on a quest to save a princess from demons. While Hamel’s companions are motivated by a sense of duty or compassion, the great bard does it for praise. He also often chooses not to use his powers in favor of other nonsensical solutions. With a relatively simple and well-known plot, Hamel’s comedic timing makes it an engaging watch.
Shortly after the film was released, a show by the same name came out. The series has 25 episodes and takes a more serious approach to reveal how Hamel’s group came together to add more depth to their quest. The show does have some moments where Hamel’s humor comes through, but it relies more on its musical aspects to stand out.
7 Wake Up, Girls! (2014)
To save a failing talent agency, a recruiter and his boss formed a last-minute idol group out of all the girls who applied. The members all had different ages, backgrounds, and singing abilities. Their chance at success seemed doomed from the start, but the Wake Up, Girls! put on one performance to acknowledge their dreams.
The sequel series of the same name picks up after their first performance. Even though all the girls wanted to continue being idols, they didn’t make it overnight. Facing personal struggles and the struggles of becoming an idol, the girls grapple with the reality of their dreams.
6 Utsunomiko (1989)
Miko was born with a horn on his head and grew up defending his hometown from the violence of the Imperial Court. However, in seeking a more peaceful world, he experienced physical and spiritual trials that led him to fall in love with a moon princess who could not stay on earth with him.
The OVA sequel series, Utsunomiko: Heaven Chapter, recaps the film before following Miko and his friends on their journey to godhood to be with the moon princess. Unfortunately, the battles and grudges of heaven are no less violent than those of earth, so Miko has to grapple with the conflict between protecting his loved ones and being with them once more.
5 I’ve Always Liked You (2016)
Natsui Enomoto loves her childhood friend, but she brushes off her confessions as jokes to avoid hearing his response. Throughout the film, she continues confessing and having misunderstandings with the people around her, leading to pent-up emotions that the film uses musical breaks to express.
I’ve Always Liked You has a sequel film called The Moment You Fall In Love as well as a sequel mini-series. The second film and the six-episode series, Our Love Has Always Been 10cm Apart, both focus on different couples than the first film, but they all share the same world, the cast of characters, and the theme of love confessions.
4 She And Her Cat (1999)
Although he is most well known for Your Name, She and Her Cat is a short film directed by Makoto Shinkai that shows a cat’s affection for its owner from the cat’s point of view. The cat’s owner says little, and alongside the soundtrack and black and white color scheme, the simplicity of the short enhances its emotional side.
The retelling of She and Her Cat, She and Her Cat: Everything Flows, is a mini-series with only four episodes. However, the style changes significantly to feel more like a modern anime. The owner’s struggles are clearer because new characters are introduced, but it's still from the cat’s perspective.
3 Piano Forest (2007)
There is a broken piano out in the woods that only Kai Ichinose can play because he plays with heart. Music isn’t just about recreating the sounds of Mozart and Chopin but creating new sounds to express feeling. After being encouraged by his friends and teacher, Kai enters a piano tournament to show the world what music means to him.
Piano Forest was expanded in 2018 when its retelling and sequel show, Forest of Piano, came out. It follows Kai and his friends years after the original competition and their determination to be recognized for their talent and passion, even if it means finding new rivals and overcoming new trials.
2 Ninja Scroll (1993)
Ninja Scroll is a fast-paced action film that follows the wandering swordsman Jubei Kibagami on a quest to save his life by finding the cause of the plague infecting a nearby town. Its fight scenes range from brilliant to brutal, yet its more graphic content propels this adult anime film forward.
Ninja Scroll: The Series takes place 14 years after the cult-classic film. In line with the original, it follows Jubei’s travels and the quests he accepts against his will. However, the fight scenes and character relationships are noticeably less intense to give space to the storyline about the Priestess of Light that Jubei must protect.
1 My Neighbors The Yamadas (1999)
My Neighbors the Yamadas might not be the most popular Studio Ghibli film, but what makes it stand out alongside films like Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away is what makes it suit having a sequel series. Since it's a series of shorts about the Yamada family shenanigans and conflicts, it didn’t have to change style much to accommodate a show format.
Two years after the film was released, Nono-chan came out. It featured the same distinct art style and the beloved Yamada family themselves. However, it primarily focused on their youngest daughter, Nono-chan, and her experiences rather than those of the whole family. With 61 episodes released, fans of My Neighbors the Yamadas should have plenty to enjoy with Nono-chan.