“Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish” is an anime movie about self-discovery and love.
In this coming-of-age story, we follow Tsuneo, a college student who dreams of diving in the tropical waters of Mexico by studying abroad. Sadly, he doesn’t have enough money to make his dream come true. When a grandmother offers him a job taking care of her grandson, Josee, who has mobility challenges, Tsuneo accepts without hesitation.
Little did Tsuneo know that this decision would lead to a deep and meaningful relationship with Josee. Together, they help each other find greater purpose and happiness.
This film is beautifully crafted by Studio Bones and directed by Koutarou Tamura. It explores themes like romance, independence, and the pursuit of happiness.
If you enjoyed “Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish,” you might also like similar romantic anime film recommendations.
10 Anime Like Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish
1. Umi ga Kikoeru (The Ocean Waves)
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studios: Ghibli
Studio Ghibli is famous for its fantasy-themed anime, but they also made a realistic coming-of-age romantic anime called “The Ocean Waves.”
The story is set in Kouchi and follows a high school student named Taku Morisaki. One day, Taku’s friend Yutaka Matsuno urgently asks him to attend their school.
When Taku arrives, Matsuno introduces him to Rikako Muto, a beautiful girl from Tokyo who has just transferred to their school. While Rikako is incredibly smart and athletic, her unfriendly attitude makes it hard for her to make friends, except for Matsuno and some other girls in her class.
During a chance encounter on a class trip, Taku becomes more involved in Rikako’s life, which makes Matsuno jealous. Taku must now navigate his friendship with Matsuno and his complicated feelings for Rikako, all while trying to understand how a girl with a troubled past can profoundly impact his life.
2. Byousoku 5 Centimeters (5 Centimeters Per Second)
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studio: CoMix Wave Film
What if two people love each other deeply but can’t be together? “Byousoku 5 Centimeters” is a romantic anime by Makoto Shinkai that explores the challenges of a long-distance relationship.
Takaki Toono and Akari Shinohara were childhood friends, but circumstances forced them apart. They made a promise to stay in touch, but as time passed, the physical distance between them grew. However, their shared memories keep them connected.
Unable to move on and create new memories, Takaki and Akari hold onto the hope of reuniting someday. In the meantime, they go about their daily lives, but their hearts are not entirely in it, affecting both themselves and the people around them.
3. Hotarubi no Mori e
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studio: Brains Base
“Hotarubi no Mori e” is a beautiful anime film that delivers a satisfying experience in just forty-five minutes, with great characters, story, and visuals.
The story is about Hotaru, a curious six-year-old girl who loves hearing about mountain spirits. She decides to explore a mountain forest at her uncle’s place during summer vacation. However, she gets lost but is eventually helped by a spirit named Gin, who looks like a human and wears a mask.
As the years pass, Hotaru grows up, but Gin remains unchanged. A romantic connection forms between them, but there’s a problem. If Gin touches a human, he will disappear. This adds a unique twist to their love story.
4. Hal
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studios: Wit Studios
The anime movie “Matter” adds sci-fi flavor to a touching and sad love story.
Kurumi was a lovely girl who lost her beloved Hal in a plane crash. This left her heartbroken and deeply sad, causing her to isolate herself in a small house.
However, her life turns unexpectedly when her grandfather brings in a humanoid robot named Q01. This robot takes on the appearance of Hal and is sent to help Kurumi overcome her despair.
As Hal continues to visit and try to bring Kurumi out of her depression, she slowly starts to open up to him and heal.
But their relationship has a twist, and they will soon discover an unexpected truth about the connection between humans and androids.
5. Kotonoha no Niwa (The Garden of Words)
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studio: CoMix Wave Film
“The Garden of Words” is a touching love story about a teacher and a student.
Takao Akizuki, a high school student with a talent for making shoes, encounters a beautiful woman named Yukari Yukino in a park.
Takao is immediately captivated by Yukari, and they start conversations, especially on rainy days when they meet. Their meetings become a regular occurrence, and their connection deepens.
However, Takao and Yukari have personal challenges and issues affecting their relationship. As the rainy season ends, they realize they must make a difficult decision about their future together.
6. Your Lie in April
- Episodes: 22
- Studios: A-1 Pictures
Death is always a sad and gloomy event. When someone we love passes away, our world is shattered.
Kousei Arima, a talented pianist, experienced this when his mother died. He was sad and couldn’t bring himself to play the piano. Depression consumed him, and two years passed without him touching the piano keys.
But everything changes when he meets Kaori, a violinist. She helps him heal and rediscover his love for music. “Your Lie in April” is a heartwarming romantic anime made by Studio A-1 Pictures, and it’s a must-watch.
7. Koe no Katachi (A Silent Voice)
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studios: Kyoto Animation
Shouya Ishida, a wayward elementary school student, enjoys pranking his friends, but sometimes he crosses the line. So, when Shouko Nishimiya, a deaf girl, transfers to her school, she and her friends bully her.
Shouko is traumatized. Although the other students are also mean to Shouko, all the blame ultimately falls on Shouya, and her friends decide to distance themselves from her.
Several years later, as a third-year high school student, he is still stuck in time, as if he has to pay for the mistakes he made years ago.
Shouya makes his intentions even more apparent when he chases after Shouko in search of redemption so she can finally have peace.
8. Kimi no Na wa (Your Name)
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studio: CoMix Wave Film
Taki Tachibana and Mitsuha Miyamizu are poles apart and lead different lives in this Makoto Shinkai romantic anime.
While the former lives in the bustling center of Japan’s capital, Tokyo, the latter lives in the countryside and dreams of having a life like Taki’s.
As they say, we must be careful what we wish for, so Mitsuha mysteriously wakes up one morning as Taki Tachibana. Meanwhile, Taki takes his place in the countryside.
Realizing that there is no other way to find answers than looking to each other, the two clueless teenagers embark on a journey that changes how they see life.
9. Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai (I Want to Eat Your Pancreas)
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studios: Kyoto Animation
Follows Haruki Shiga, an introverted and loner protagonist whose life revolves around books.
One day, he finds his classmate Sakura Yamauchi’s secret diary entitled “Living with Death.”
For some reason, he chose to share that he has terminal pancreatic disease and does not have long to live.
Although Haruki is initially unbothered by her condition, over time, as the two get to know each other, she learns to take every moment to the core and falls in love with him.
10. Hakubo (Twilight)
- Episodes: 1 Movie
- Studios: Twilight Studios
“Hakubo” is a story about the everyday life of Sachi Koyama, a high school student who’s good at playing the violin.
Sachi enjoys his school life and has friends in the music club. But what he loves most is taking walks in his neighborhood in Iwaki, Fukushima, especially on his way to the bus stop.
One day, while walking after school, Sachi meets Yuusuke Kijinami, a boy he often sees on the bus ride home. Sachi offers to help Yuusuke find the perfect spot to paint a beautiful night landscape for her art club exhibition.
As they admire the breathtaking scenery together, they form a deep connection. They both understand that beautiful moments like this are precious and fleeting, so they want to cherish every second.
