Gasaraki

Technically the "religion" expressed in both shows are vastly different, and the technology and history isn't similar either, but as for a better exploration/combination of religious allegory, more realistic technology, somewhat better developed characters and a show that the budget didn't get blow away so the animation degrades near the end, and add a little brain tripping and great mecha combat, and you have Gasaraki (produced by Sunrise, which means Bandai) 

Eternal samurai battle for centuries. Both are mecha series which feature conflict rooted in a historical struggle.  

Both Patlabor 2 and Gasaraki are quite tonally and thematically similar. Both are realistically grounded mecha shows that explore notions surrounding the integration of mecha into the JSDF. In addition, both shows portray mecha combat fairly realistically and plausibly. Plot-wise, the two depict frightening actualisations of martial law and nationalist groups that seek to restructure and re-establish political and social power throughout Japan. Both, enveloped in a dense, socio-political climate of civil unrest and political quagmire. Those who enjoy tales of domestic terrorism, grandiose ideology, political thriller or giant robots, in general, will surely find one of these two shows refreshing and intellectually stimulating.  

Both have a heavy focus on the politics of the world and tactical battles, although Code Geass is much more dramatic and shlocky than Gasaraki. There is also a supernatural element at play in both series, although it is much more overt in Geass 

Both have highly realistic portrayals of military operations, as well as the inclusion of mecha in them. Each also contain events set in a war-torn middle east country with international involvement. Both anime are created and directed by Ryousuke Takahashi 

both are inspired by evangelion, despite that Gasaraki in the north american anime media scene 'claimed' that the show somehow was inspired to be better than evangelion, i think till that Rax still has so far the upperhand in better coherent storytelling and being closer by a big margin to evangelion. both have an sort of complexity in chara background and their connection to their mecha, gasaraki is more mostly more militairy-machine oriented than the ' otherworldly mecha' story it wants to tell. 

A surreal inlay of the traditional Japanese dance and eerie music in Gasaraki strongly reminds of chants during the parade in GITS Innocence movie, a poetic timelessness encompassing realistically detailed portraits of cyberpunk in GITS and military sci-fi in Gasaraki, both serious and solemn. 

Gasaraki is a "real robot" anime, but at its heart is a story about an old, old Japanese clan with unique access to a mysterious, somewhat titan-esque weapon. Throughout history, as times and values change, the question constantly arises: What is the responsibility that comes with this power? What about in times of war? What about in times of ostensible peace? Is it better to stand idly by? How does one with power choose sides in battles that may change the course of history? Are they obliged to manipulate or act against the desires of the public for what they consider to be the greater good? What are freedom, progress, tradition? Also implicated in Gasaraki is the fate of the soldier; a soldier's duty vs personal ethics, especially when a soldier realizes they are looked upon as expendable, even subhuman. Gasaraki is much more of a slow burn, more mature, more engaged with political and ideological concerns that are immediately relevant to contemporary life, but it also has its grand sweeping clashes of ideology, and share of action (mech fights, chase scenes, a mech hanging out of a plane by bungee cables to fend off fighter jets. Then there's that mysterious weapon...), mystery and unexpected plot twists. Overall, it may not be obvious at first what these series have in common (especially as you get through the first 5-6 episodes of Gasaraki), but I'd say there's substantial overlap. read more 

Both shows deal with ancient mystical occurrences causing trouble in the present day and the reincarnation of star-crossed lovers.  

Rivals gaining new mysterious powers to fight in a military war. 

Similar background buildup of fear and imminent surreal terror while the story itself is being unfolded in a pretty realistic fashion, with attention to technical/sci-fi/mystical details, convincing rendition of multiple characters, and the overall grim as well as solemn feel. 

For political theorists out there who enjoy engaging with ideas such as restructuring society, these two anime share common elements. At the macro-level of society, various actors with grand ideologies at hand plan to reshape society, or at least, to prepare the grounds for the next stage in its development. At the micro-level of society, civil unrest, clandestine political gamesmanship, and the threat of military action from foreign actors all threaten to push everything toward the brink of chaos. If you're interested in performances motivated by civil unrest, i.e. grand politics, then moving from one to the other should appeal to you.