Aoi Bungaku Series

Both are great, mature, serious psychological anime made by the same studio (Mad House) and with the amazing character design of Takeshi Obata (but only for the first 4 episodes of Aoi Bungaku). Raito & Yozo are very similar: both are handsome, well-known young men with their own vision of the world and who don't have a good relationship with society. Oh, they both have a lovely crazy laughter, too. 

The only two anthology anime that I am aware of where Japanese classics (novels in Aoi Bungaku; plays in Ayakashi) were adapted into mini-series/arcs; each with their own director/staff and art style changes. Outside of that, the biggest link they share is that only DARK stories were adapted: in the case of Ayakashi because it's a horror-themed series, and in the case of Aoi Bungaku because the title translates into 'Blue Literature' (fun fact: a lot of the authors of the novels adapted killed themselves). Every episode of Aoi Bungaku had a live-action intro, where an actor would delve into the back-stories of each author, while the Yotsuya Kaidan arc of Ayakashi had something similar in the form of a quirk where its dead author's spirit provided fourth wall breaking insights into how the ghost story became a sort of urban legend over time. The only fully original / non-adapted content in both series are Ayakashi's Goblin Cat arc and, in Aoi Bungaku, Kokoro's second episode, as well as most of the Hashire Melos episodes. Aoi Bungaku had a more impressive budget (a Madhouse production; the art often being reminiscent of Death Note), as well as its opening four episode No Longer Human arc ranking highly among anime's best with its relatable glance into suicidal despair. After that, though, only largely unsatisfying one-two episode adaptations followed. Ayakashi's claim to fame, on the other hand, lies with its arsty-stylish Goblin Cat arc, which would later be turned into a full series of its own titled Mononoke. The Yotsuya Kaidan arc did, however, have Final Fantasy character designer Amano design its characters.  read more 

Both have a historic elements to them Both are about Japanese storytelling Two of the stories in Aoi Bungaku deal with very similar themes to Rakugo (both based on literary works by Osamu Dazai)- one about an artist working in theatre and his relationship with a friend who is his foil, and one about an artist's struggle forming relationships with other people  

Both have serious and mature drama, and similar psychological themes dealing with peoples' inner monsters. 

Bungou Stray Dogs' protagonists are based off famous Meiji period writers such as Osamu Daizai and Edogawa Ranpo; Aoi Bungaku is a compilation of animated works of several very famous Japanese writer, including Osamu Daizai. They're very different shows, but if you watched Bungou Stray Dogs and are interesting in seeing some of the featured writer's works animated, check out Aoi Bungaku. If you watched Aoi Bungaku and want to see some of the writers that was featured turned into bishounen with designs, personalities, and magical powers (very) loosely based on the writer's works, you will enjoy Bungou Stray Dogs. 

Both shows are EXTREMELY unnerving. Okay, not all of Aoi Bungaku is unnerving - the first story (No Longer Human) and the last 2 (The Spider's Thread and Hell Screen) are the only ones that I'd call "Unnerving". Both shows are also by the same studio, and both are extremely historical. 

Same studio, mutual voice actors, both are very dark and mysterious and have similar storytelling formats. Episodic cases on the most part as well. 

Watching the BunAru anime and wanting to see animated adaptations of several of the works of fiction written by the authors who appear in it? Try out Aoi Bungaku Series. It in particular features adaptations of well known works by Akutagawa Ryuunosuke and Dazai Osamu. It is a must. 

Classic Japanese literature adapted by Madhouse. Same sort of atmosphere and feeling, same director. 

I find both of them have similar vibes and are at least somewhat thought provoking. Both animation styles are different from the usual ones you find in anime and are unique (Though not similar to each other). Both are series containing multiple stories (Mononoke contains 5, Aoi Bungaku Series contains 6). Lastly, both of them are (somewhat) hidden gems.  

Both are very moving and poetic, and while Aoi Bungaku deals with a lot of more disturbing and horrific events. They are both very emotionally driven and convey a very strong sense of atmosphere within them. 

Both are about classic literature, both are dark, both have a minute of narrator talking about the story before the story begins on each episode, both are anthological. 

They both have a similar dark undertone in the storytelling, although Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei is a bit more lighthearted in nature. They both have their own way of providing social commentary. 

The Anime adapt classic literature from Japan that people take their own interpretation in the presentation. 

(This recommendation is mostly for the No Longer Human part of Aoi Bungaku Series) In both, the protagonist deals with a grief/psychological troubles and gets addicted to drugs/"medicine", an addiction which makes him spiral further into despair, althrough some other characters are trying to help him. 

The reason as to why I'm making this recommendation is odd. Because two of these works aren't the same at all... except they are, well kind of...Because of the title. "Ningen Shikkaku" also known as "No Longer Human" is a work done by Osamu Dazai in the 1940s. It was essentially the last work he did before he left this world by commiting suicide. Essentially 5 of the episodes in this anime should've been the movie I'm recommending [for different purpose], as they are directly adapted from Dazai's work. Compared to the movie, I think you'll find this series (Aoi Bangaku) a lot more interesting. Aside from the fact that Aoi Bangaku is directly from the manga, the first 5 episodes anyway, I think this series has a lot more to tell you as a viewer. It's a shame that one became a movie and not the other. Osamu Dazai would be ashamed if he was still here. read more 

Both have multiple story arcs that are extremely dark and emotionally disturbing. The emotional level could be really complex to understand since there are a lot of suicidal thoughts or low-self-esteem characters. Aoi Bungaku adapts classic Japanese literature coming from various authors, Boogiepop comes from a light novel but it takes place in a more modern society while the former is a bit into the historical side since the novels are from the last century. 

Aoi Bungaku and Texhonlyze are different in very many ways, they tell completely different types of stories. However both of these shows nail the dark, depressing atmosphere. They both make good use of muted colour palettes. Both tell very adult stories (although completely different in terms of themes and setting).  

Are just the two best animes of stories, with the most beautiful and complex stories ever made, do not watch if you are weak mentally. 

Dark themes, occultism heavy supernatural stories. Albeit the show is an anthology series and not a continuous story arc kind of series, itbpacks a punch. This series showcases some of the darkest japanese horror episodes I've ever seen and Dark Gathering has made me feel the same vibe at certain points. I think I actually like this more than any Junji Ito animes as a testimony to its ability to scare and unsettle you. 

Both are compilations of short stories ( a few episodes each). The two series have similar art styles and themes of thriller and mystery. 

Although Aoi Bungaku is more modern and far more stylish than Ai Monogatari, fans of original and thought-provoking fiction could like both of these series. Each features shorts by different directors, with Aoi Bungaku's stories being adaptations of classic Japanese literature and Ai Monogatari being adaptations of a Kaiji Kawaguchi manga. The stories in both series range from melancholic and tragic to heart-warming and tender. However, Aoi Bungaku is a lot darker than Ai Monogatari and features a broader spectrum of themes; Ai Monogatari looks instead at love in all its forms, and is generally more uplifting to watch. Both of these anime are likely to appeal to those who enjoy thoughtfully crafted series, mature and original stories and quality directing.  read more 

Both series might be appealing to avid readers. Aoi Bungaku is a collection of classic Japanese literature adaptations; Miss Bernard is a fun little parody of the kind of people who'd read those books. Some of the novels that Aoi Bungaku adapts are also mentioned in Miss Bernard. 

both have a character who is depressed enough either to kill themselves or others. They are struggle to push away all bad hallucination that seems more real than reality, and then keep facing the harsh reality. Character design is similar too, they are mature and classic 

Both are episodic, while Aoi Bungaku Series adapts famous classic Japanese literature and is less about horror, it falls into same category with psychological and thriller and overall creepiness. 

Both deal with horrific situations and delve in the mind of the protagonist. 

Similarly morose collections of whacked out stories. 

Well basically they are both a bunch of random short stories with a deep psychological impact and unique art work. The Aoi Bungaku is based on Japanese drama novels  

althought is way weirder they both have the same creepy feeling and art style 

Matters of: Life and Death; Zeal and Anomy. Suicide and Egocide. The tales encapsulate an image of amorality: no object too precious for fate's destructiveness. Ideas negatively collide in pursuit of entropy; Wills negatively collide in pursuit of desire. Asking "if the unstoppable and the immovable collide," both imagine the answer to be "they destroy each other." Hand Shakers claims hope in the face of bleakness that love and emblems protect a sliver of a core of one's personal ego. The Aoi Bungaku Series claims hope in the face of bleakness that trauma and stains leave a mark of a tenet of one's life's story. Hand Shakers answers against the idea of suicide as an abstract ((and by-extension the Aoi Bungako series)) suggesting dead selves can be unlikelily revived as corpses cannot. The process is shown, so: One cannot simply advise Viewer Discretion. Viewer Discretion is mandatory, for healthy community. Hand Shakers intentionally overwhelms the audience. Behaviors in the tale are infectious. Exploiting a fundamental neurological need for entropy, one's own headvoice will likely feel weaker than the voice of the story. The Aoi Bungako Series inadvertently tempts the audience. Nihilism in the tale is infectious. Iterating scenarios where personal death leaves great social impact, one's own sense of self will likely absorb desires of the characters. Meaning in changing society---whatever society means---exists even through psychological death and even through biological death. These tales demonstrate that. By demonstrating that meaning, Warning to the Wise they do part in creating that meaning.  read more 

The crazy and vivid realities in both are equally striking. 

Both Anime deal with classic Japanese literature, one with adaptations of the classics and the other very much inspired by one of the classics. The twists built into the series are unique. 

Both have dark stories and both happen to deal with the supernatural. Both are kind of depressing in their storylines, but I loved them both. 

As much as I approve of how Aoi Bungaku adapted long forgotten Japanese novels that may very well hold more meaning now than they did when they were first wrote, my biggest disappoint was how 'Run Melos!' WASN'T adapted. Instead of just adapting THE story of ultimate trust/faith set in Italy during the time of the Romans, instead the main focus was switched to some sort of yaoi-lite top/bottom pairing in 1950's Japan as some four-eyed abandoned crybaby attempted to re-write the story to work as a play. The actual novel that was supposed to be adapted played a supporting role. HUH!? Luckily, there exists a little known and criminally underrated full movie version of the story, which was released in 1992. It's everything the cliff notes version in Aoi Bungaku could've been. The premise of the story is this: an unwitting country bumpkin manages to get himself sentenced to death and makes a stay of execution plea so he can see his sister married and return within three days. Someone else has to step in to risk sacrificing themselves in case he doesn't return. And so ensues the ultimate test of trust: will the lead return, knowing he's running to his death, or let his stand-in die for him?  read more 

No rec for these two series yet? Zetsuboushita! Itoshiki-sensei & Yozo Oba are both based upon the main character of No Longer Human, Osamu Dazai's novel. In fact, they share the same characteristics: handsome, kimono-wearing, popular with women, and (trying to be) suicidal young men that society left hopelessly in despair. Both anime revolve around more or less the same matters: despair, death, and being human. Aoi Bungaku is serious, while Zetsubou Sensei has its unique kind of humour, but these anime are both amazing, extremely well-done and enjoyable. 

If you thought the "Psychological" genre of Mirai Nikki was too much for you, Aoi Bungaku will blow you away with its in-your-face cruelty/madness. Though the entire series is good, the first arc is highly recommended is you are looking for Mirai Nikki-eque trauma. 

Similar atmosphere. Good art style. Mentally sick people. 

Both are depressing, but Aoi Bungaku is a series of stories not one but the first story is exactly as NHK. 

Both series are stories based on actual literature. Though the audience for both are vastly different, they both take on very mature and profound themes about life. I think that anyone who appreciates the rawness of literary stories would enjoy both. 

Both the Aoi Bungaku Series and the Higurashi series are dark in their own way, and both anime stories consists of arcs, which are smaller storylines that helps piece together the anime as a whole. 

Both series adapting stories of modern Japanese literature. The main difference between the two titles are the Aoi Bungaku Series choose from the darker, depressed toned stories, while Seishun Anime Zenshuu adapted from different genres. 

Both are from novel adaptation, being drama consisting of mystery and psychological components. The main difference is Denpa teki na Kanojo happens in modern world and less room for aftertaste.  

Both contain horror, psychological as well as supernatural elements. Some of the stories in Aoi Bungaku are set in the same period as Kousetsu Hyaku Monogatari. There is an overall mysterious vibe. 

Un-Go and the second arc of Aoi Bungaku are based on the work of the early 20th century writer, Ango Sakagi. ("Meiji Era Ango Detective Story" and "In the Woods, Beneath the Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom" repectively)