Ginga Hyouryuu Vifam

Both series have very similar starting points, with the cast being forced to leave their home after it's overwhelmingly attacked by an alien force. Despite having young casts and kiddier art styles, both of these shows tell serious war stories 

Both shows start with mostly unexperienced children/teens being thrown into war/danger/conflict situations in a sci-fi setting (Vifam is heavy on this) with a hint of mystery(Astra is heavier on this). Developing human relations between boys and girls from very different backgrounds are an important topic in both shows. Both have a good mix of fun and serious elements and simple but memorable character designs. Vifma definitely was a major inspiration for Kanata no Astra. Both shows form an excellent bridge between anime of old days and modern productions. 

Both animes are based in space and have as main focus a group of children trying to survive and make it back home. Main difference is that Wakusei Survive focuses more on the survive aspect, whereas Ginga focuses more on the space travel/fighting. Both have really good character development and a couple of unique features that will be noticed as the story progresses that seem similar. 

Vifam is pretty much Ryvius' spiritual predecessor. 

people travel in space on there own 

Top tier 80's Sunrise (wait, isn't that everything they did in the 80's?)... Both shows are heavy sci-fi, pitting a handful of average, ordinary, untrained characters together in the midst of unexpected warfare. These groups of completely inexperienced characters have to fight and bond together as one whether they like it or not so they can make it out to simply see themselves through to another day. Both take the mecha aspects fairly serious, with simulations, heavily detailed information, training, etc, tons of attention to detail and realism. Vifam might be a little more humorous at times, but it certainly knows when to be serious, as Layzner also has it's realistic funny moments between the characters interactions. These shows really give you a sense of danger and desperation, you'll fear for the worst when people get thrown into a fight they want nothing to do with. The sense of progression in both is excellent, as each episode passes, characters develop, grow, and learn new things, making it a great experience. These aren't just shows to watch, they're a journey to see through. read more