Best known for its outlandish jokes and emotional story, Gintama is one of the funniest and most enjoyable anime of all time. If you are looking for a new funny series like Gintama, we’ve got your back. Here’s a list of 10 similar anime you can watch while you wait for the new episode.
Beelzebub
Genres: Action, Comedy, Supernatural, School
Like Gintama, Beelzebub manages to blend intense action with over-the-top comedy. Right off the bat we’re introduced to Tatsumi Oga, a student of Ishiyama High who knows nothing but fighting and delinquency. Through a series of weird events, he becomes the surrogate father of a baby who’ll someday become the next demon lord.
Similarities:
– Battle-hardened protagonist that acts silly and laid back at times. He’s followed by a ‘straight man’ main character who’s usually at the center of all the jokes and a psychically strong female lead who came from another world.
– Has emotional/somber scenes.
– Only hints of romance used sparingly as jokes.
Differences
– Not as focused on world-building.
SKET Dance
Genres: Comedy, School, Slice of Life
Although SKET Dance lacks the intense action arcs that Gintama is known for, the series makes up for it with its familiar comedy and emotional undertones. The story follows three high schoolers who are members of a special club called the SKET Brigade that specializes in helping people with odd jobs.
Similarities:
– Laid-back and wacky protagonist who gives heartfelt speeches. He’s followed by a ‘straight man’ sidekick and a physically strong female lead.
– Some of the same voice actors (Gintoki, Takachin, etc.)
– Has emotional/somber scenes.
– Only hints of romance used sparingly as jokes.
– Main characters help people with odd jobs.
Differences
– Younger protagonist, and jokes are generally lighter in tone.
– No focus on world-building.
– Protagonist is not physically strong, and there are almost no combat/action scenes.
Great Teacher Onizuka
Alternative Names: GTO
Genres: Comedy, Drama, School, Slice of Life
As an ex-biker gang leader turned teacher, Onizuka has only one ambition: he wants to become the world’s greatest teacher… and meet sexy high school girls along the way. However as luck would have it, Onizuka’s goals are constantly challenged by strict administration, crazy misfortunes, and worst of all an uncooperative class that wants to see him fail as a teacher.
Similarities:
– Battle-hardened protagonist that acts silly and laid back at times. He becomes serious when things get tough and offers emotional speeches to troubled individuals. A very unconventional hero who doesn’t care about other people’s perception of them.
– Has emotional/somber scenes.
– Quite a bit of focus on character development.
Differences
– Jokes and story are much more sexualized; there’s a ton of fanservice.
– No focus on world-building.
Hinamatsuri
Alternative Names: Hina Festival
Genres: Comedy, Supernatural, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life
During a night of drinking, a mysterious object with a girl’s face falls on the head of Yoshifumi Nitta, an eccentric Yakuza with an unusual love for vases. After unsealing the girl from the object, Nitta reluctantly becomes the surrogate father of this lazy, but powerful psychic girl.
Similarities:
– Protagonist has to take care of a mysterious and lazy girl who has superhuman abilities.
– Has emotional/somber scenes.
– Only hints of romance used sparingly as jokes.
– Quite a bit of focus on character development.
Differences
– No focus on world-building.
– Protagonist isn’t physically strong and there aren’t many combat/action scenes.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
Alternative Names: Saiki Kusuo no Ψ-nan (TV), Saiki Kusuo no Psi Nan
Genres: Slice of Life, Comedy, Supernatural, School
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. is a collection of short episodic stories starring Kusuo Saiki, an overpowered—but moderately restraint—psychic whose sole goal in life is to be ordinary and hassle-free. However, Kusuo’s life is far from normal; every day is a more ridiculous scenario and every character he meets is a hilarious oddity.
Similarities:
– Parodies other popular shows/media.
– Jokes occasionally break the 4th wall.
– Extremely strong, but lazy protagonist who doesn’t flaunt his powers and love sweets.
Differences
– No focus on world-building.
– No serious arcs like Gintama, and almost no combat/action scenes.
One Punch Man
Genres: Action, Comedy, Slice of Life
Saitama was an ordinary guy who trained so hard he lost all his hair in the process and became so strong that he now defeats all his enemies in one punch. Unfortunately, becoming this strong comes with a downside: he can’t find joy in fights anymore as he just destroys his opponents instantly. Saitama eventually joins the Hero Association to become a certified hero, hoping one day he can find an opponent strong enough to cure his boredom.
Similarities:
– Overpowered, but lazy main character who acts like an unconventional hero and doesn’t care about people’s perception of them.
– Has futuristic elements and alien enemies.
Differences
– Not much focus on world-building.
Hayate the Combat Butler!
Alternative Names: Hayate no Gotoku!
Genres: Action, Harem, Comedy, Romance
Hayate is a hard working kid who’s struggled through harsh misfortunes his entire life due to his irresponsible parents. Unfortunately for him, his horrible parents abandoned him on Christmas and made his life even more miserable by leaving him with a mountain of debt. With loan sharks on his tail and no home to return to, Hayate tries to kidnap a young girl he meets at a park in order to pay off his family’s massive debt.
Similarities:
– Physically strong protagonist
– Parodies other popular shows/media.
– Jokes constantly break the 4th wall.
Differences
– No focus on world-building.
– Quite a bit of romance, especially a harem.
Good Luck Girl!
Alternative Names: Binbougami ga!, Binbou Gami ga!, Binbou Kami ga!, The God Of Poverty is!
Genres: Comedy, Supernatural
Sakura Ichiko’s good fortune has granted her with everything in life including beauty, athleticism, and wealth. However, her fortune comes at a cost—she’s only able to live so lavishly because she subconsciously steals luck from everyone else around her. Recently, Sakura’s abnormal condition has gotten so bad that it’s attracted the attention of Binboda Momiji, a goddess of poverty. After seeing a picture of the fortunate Sakura, the jealous Binboda has only one goal in mind—to take all of Sakura’s luck and restore the balance of everyone’s fortune.
Similarities:
– Parodies other popular shows/media.
– Has emotional/somber scenes.
– Jokes sometimes break the 4th wall.
– A bit of focus on character development.
Differences
– No focus on world-building.
– Almost no serious combat/action scenes
Daily Lives of Highschool Boys
Alternative Names: Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou
Genres: Slice of Life, Comedy, School
The story follows the entertaining lives of three highschool boys named Tadakuni, Hidenori, and Yoshitake as they’re put through hilarious, but relatable situations involving their eccentric classmates and misfit acquaintances. It’s an enjoyable slice of life comedy series that focuses on developing jokes and crazy scenarios rather than story and character.
Similarities:
– Main characters who don’t take themselves seriously and a Shinpachi-like ‘straight-man.’
– Many of the same voice actors (Gintoki, Okita, Katsura, Sa-chan etc.).
– Only hints of romance used sparingly as jokes.
Differences
– No focus on world-building.
– Protagonist isn’t physically strong. No serious/emotional arcs like Gintama, and no combat/action scenes.
Arakawa Under the Bridge
Genres: Comedy, Romance
Kou Ichinomiya is a prideful, but honest university student who was born to a wealthy businessman. However, he doesn’t let his privileged life distract him from his one golden rule: never be indebted to another person. Ever since he was little, Kou was able to follow this rule by accomplishing everything himself. That is until one day, a girl named Nino saves his life when he accidentally falls into the Arakawa River and almost drowns, giving him his first and only debt.
Similarities:
– Main characters who don’t take themselves seriously and a Shinpachi-like ‘straight-man’ protagonist.
– Has emotional/somber scenes.
– Some of the same voice actors (Gintoki, Takasugi, etc.).
– Quite a bit of character development.
Differences
– No focus on world-building.
– Protagonist is not physically strong. Almost no serious arcs similar to Gintama, and minimal combat/action scenes.
– Story has a focus on romance.