6.2 / 10 (based on 153 reviews)
All the blue drop stories revolve around a war between humanity and the Arume, an alien race consisting soley of women. Both manga series are set after the war while the anime is set before. The two manga series feature some degree of sexual content; the second manga being considerably more…
Genre: Animation, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Main Cast: Akiko Yajima, Miyuki Sawashiro, Satsuki Yukino, Akeno Watanabe
Creators: Akihito Yoshitomi
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1 season, 13 episodes, 26-minute runtime
Shows Most Like Blue Drop: Tenshi tachi no gikyoku (2007)
Bloom Into You (2018)
7.9 / 10 (based on 1577 reviews)
Yuu has always loved shoujo manga and awaits the day she gets a love confession that sends her heart aflutter with bubbles and blushes, and yet when a junior high classmate confesses his feelings to her…she feels nothing. Disappointed and confused, Yuu enters high school still unsure how to respond. That’s when Yuu sees the beautiful student council president Nanami turn down a suitor with such maturity that she’s inspired to ask her for help. But when the next person to confess to Yuu is Nanami herself. Has her shoujo romance finally begun?
Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
Main Cast: Luci Christian, Amber Lee Connors, Brittney Karbowski, Tia Lynn Ballard
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1 season, 13 episodes, 24.0-minute runtime
Citrus (2018)
6.5 / 10 (based on 2379 reviews)
Fashionable Yuzu’s life goes from sweet to sour when the beautiful but stern Mei falls into her life.
Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
Main Cast: Tomoaki Maeno, Kana Ueda, Ikumi Hayama, Shiori Izawa
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1 season, 12 episodes, 24.0-minute runtime
Adachi to Shimamura (2020)
7.1 / 10 (based on 591 reviews)
Adachi and Shimamura become friends, but soon new feelings blossom. They travel the sea of emotions as they learn each other’s feelings.
Genre: Animation, Drama, Romance
Main Cast: Akari Kitô, Miku Itou, Molly Zhang, Manami Numakura
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1 season, 12 episodes
Mikagura Gakuen Kumikyoku (2015)
6.3 / 10 (based on 60 reviews)
An anime based on a novel based on a Vocaloid-based song. Catch all that? Mikagura High School is a boarding school where each student must join an activity club upon enrollment, and then battle it out with other club reps using their own unique abilities. Naive freshman Eruna Ichinomiya enters Mikagura High School with dreams of beauty and fun, but soon becomes the representative of a club, and is immediately thrown into the fray. However, Eruna soon finds out that in the culture clubs, there is one cardinal rule … and she’s going to have to learn it the hard way.
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
Main Cast: Josh Grelle, Jamie Marchi, Trina Nishimura, Ben Phillips
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1 season, 12 episodes
Senryuu Girl (2019)
7 / 10 (based on 383 reviews)
Yukishiro Nanako is a cute, cheerful high school girl with one peculiar trait – instead of verbal communication, she writes senryu (a type of haiku) poems to relay her thoughts. Together with ex-delinquent Busujima Eiji, they are budding freshmen of the school’s Literature Club. Even though Nanako doesn’t talk, with the power of senryu, the adorable pair has no problem enjoying their fun school-life through the tune of 5-7-5 syllables.
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama
Main Cast: Kana Hanazawa, Tasuku Hatanaka, Sayuri Yahagi, Rikako Aida
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1 season, 12 episodes, 12.0-minute runtime
Afterschool Dice Club (2019)
6.6 / 10 (based on 180 reviews)
Aya moves and starts to attend an all-girls high school in Kyoto. Her first friend is her reserved classmate Miki. After school one day, the committee chairwoman Midori takes them both to an analogue game specialty shop called “Saikoro Club” (Dice Club). There, they start playing a German board game without thinking. Thus begins Aya and Miki’s search for fun through the world of analogue games.
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama
Main Cast: Saki Miyashita, Miyu Tomita, Marika Kôno, Alexis Tipton
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1 season, 12 episodes
Sakura Trick (2014)
6.9 / 10 (based on 715 reviews)
Haruka and Yuu are best friends. But after starting high school together and realising the need to meet new people, they decide to share a special moment most other friends would not: a kiss. From there, their relationship blossoms.
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Romance
Main Cast: Yuka Iguchi, Haruka Tomatsu
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1 season, 12 episodes, 23.0-minute runtime
D-Frag! (2014)
7.3 / 10 (based on 791 reviews)
A high-school delinquent is shanghaied into joining a game development club by four not-so-normal girls.
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Main Cast: Katsuyuki Konishi, Chiwa Saitô, Mikako Takahashi, Austin Tindle
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1 season, 13 episodes
In the vast universe of anime, certain series manage to stand out not just for their unique storytelling but also for their ability to weave complex themes into their narratives. “Blue Drop: Tenshi tachi no gikyoku” (2007) is one such series that deserves a spotlight for its intriguing blend of science fiction elements with deeply emotional storytelling. This show, often overlooked, offers a rich narrative that delves into themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of human (and alien) relationships.
The Premise
At its core, “Blue Drop” revolves around the life of Mari Wakatake, a girl who starts her life anew at an all-girls boarding school after losing her memories in a tragic incident that also claimed the lives of her parents. The series quickly introduces us to Hagino Senkouji, a seemingly ordinary student who is, in reality, an alien commander from the planet Arume. The plot thickens as the relationship between Mari and Hagino develops, against the backdrop of an impending invasion by Hagino’s people.
Why It Stands Out
A Unique Blend of Genres
“Blue Drop” is not your typical sci-fi or yuri (a genre focusing on love between women) anime. It masterfully combines elements of science fiction, drama, and romance, creating a unique viewing experience. The series explores the emotional and psychological growth of its characters, set against the tension of an alien invasion plot. This blend keeps the narrative engaging and provides a fresh take on both genres.
Deep Character Development
One of the show’s strengths is its focus on character development. Mari and Hagino are not just two-dimensional characters; they are deeply flawed and complex individuals trying to understand themselves and each other. Their relationship evolves in a way that is both believable and touching, avoiding the common pitfall of rushing character connections. The secondary characters also have their moments, adding depth to the story and providing different perspectives on the events unfolding.
Themes That Make You Think
“Blue Drop” is not afraid to tackle heavy themes. It explores the nature of humanity, the fear of the unknown, and the pain of loss and isolation. The show also delves into the concept of identity, both personal and collective, and challenges the characters’ understanding of who they are and where they belong. These themes are woven seamlessly into the narrative, prompting viewers to reflect on these issues long after the series ends.
Not Just Another Sci-Fi Anime
While the sci-fi elements are essential to the plot, “Blue Drop” stands out because it uses these elements to explore the characters’ internal worlds. The technology and alien aspects serve as a backdrop to the human (and alien) drama, making the story accessible even to those who might not be fans of the genre. The series shows that at the heart of every sci-fi story, there’s a human story waiting to be told.
The Art and Sound
Visually, “Blue Drop” is stunning. The animation is detailed, and the use of color is both beautiful and symbolic, reflecting the mood and tone of the series. The character designs are distinctive and serve to highlight the differences and similarities between the humans and Arume.
The soundtrack deserves a special mention. It is both haunting and beautiful, perfectly complementing the show’s atmosphere. The music enhances the emotional impact of the scenes, drawing viewers deeper into the world of “Blue Drop.”
Why It Deserves More Attention
Despite its strengths, “Blue Drop” remains relatively under the radar. This could be due to its slow pace, which might not appeal to viewers looking for action-packed sequences. However, this pacing allows for the detailed exploration of characters and themes that set the series apart.
Another reason might be its categorization as a yuri anime. While the relationship between Mari and Hagino is central to the plot, defining the show solely by this aspect does it a disservice. “Blue Drop” is much more than a simple love story; it’s a complex narrative that deserves recognition for its exploration of deeper themes.
In Conclusion
“Blue Drop: Tenshi tachi no gikyoku” is a hidden gem in the anime world. It offers a thoughtful, emotionally resonant story that challenges viewers to think deeply about love, loss, identity, and the complexities of human relationships. The series combines beautiful animation and music with a compelling narrative and complex characters, making it a must-watch for anyone looking for something beyond the typical anime fare.
For those willing to give it a chance, “Blue Drop” promises an unforgettable journey that is as thought-provoking as it is heartwarming. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling and the endless possibilities within the world of anime.