Highlights
- Time loop anime offers exciting scenarios with altered iterations of a fixed timeline & psychological themes.
- Each show on this list explores the time-loop theme uniquely, offering variety in approach & outcomes.
- From futuristic AI to magical worlds, time-loop anime delivers thrilling experiences with supernatural and psychological twists.
As a seasoned anime enthusiast who’s spent countless hours navigating the realms of the supernatural and the fantastical, I must say that these three series have left indelible marks on my heart. Each one offers a unique take on time travel, curses, and parallel worlds, yet they all manage to captivate me with their engaging storylines and unforgettable characters.
Time-loop anime are animated series that revolve around characters who find themselves reliving a specific timeframe they’ve already lived through. These loops create intriguing plotlines and twists, despite each instance being a slightly modified version of an unchanging timeline. Often, these anime delve into psychological aspects due to the mental strain caused by repeatedly experiencing the same outcomes.
RELATED: The Best Anime That Deals With Time Travel
Different anime have examined this topic from various perspectives, resulting in a rich diversity in its interpretation. Each series on this list presents a unique perspective, making them distinct and appealing in their own way, despite sharing some common themes.
15 Vivy: Flourite Eye’s Song
Anime-Planet Ratings: 4.1 / 5
- Where To Watch: Crunchyroll
- Release Years: 2021
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Suspense
In the future, set on our planet Earth, “Vivy: Flourite Eye’s Song” unfolds a storyline. This world is teeming with artificial intelligence (AI) and robots. The narrative begins when superior AI robots decide to eradicate humankind, eventually achieving their goal in this chilling scenario.
In this scenario, although the central character, Vivy, an advanced AI, travels a century back in time to a period where humans and AI live harmoniously, there remains hope for humanity. Her mission is to stop a future catastrophe from happening. However, as Vivy comes to understand, reshaping history proves to be difficult.
14 Iroduku: The World In Colors
Anime-Planet Ratings: 3.9 / 5
- Where To Watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video
- Release Years: 2018
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
In a magical, futuristic realm where sorcery is commonplace, the anime “Iroduku: The World in Colors” unfolds a captivating tale. The narrative revolves around Hitomi Tsukishiro, a character with a unique background as a mage. Stricken with a condition at a young age that robbed her of her ability to perceive colors, this leaves her emotionless.
In an attempt to help her granddaughter grasp certain insights, Hitomi’s grandmother summons a magical journey transporting Hitomi back to the year 2018. The objective is for Hitomi to appreciate the reasons behind this move, as she discovers a vibrant world filled with colors that surpassed her previous imaginings in the past.
13 Occult Academy
Anime-Planet Ratings: 3.5 /5
- Where To Watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video
- Release Years: 2010
- Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Supernatural
At Occult Academy, we delve into the intricate connections between our main characters, Maya Kumashiro and Fumiaki Uchida, who claims to be a time-traveler. After the passing of her father, who was once the headmaster of Waldstein Occult Academy, Maya steps in to assume his role as the principal of this peculiar institution.
Because Maya despises anything supernatural, she plans on destroying the academy. However, her scheme is put on hold when she encounters a new teacher, Uchida Fumiaki, who claims to be from the future and speaks of a Prophecy. Although they don’t trust one another, Maya and Uchida join forces in search of the Prophecy’s Key to save mankind.
12 Charlotte
Anime-Planet Ratings: 4.1 / 5
In a world where most teenagers don’t have supernatural abilities, the story follows Charlotte, a character who is just a regular high school student named Yuu Otasaka. Yuu has an extraordinary power – he can take over the consciousness of anyone he gazes upon for a short span of five minutes. Using this ability, Yuu leads a somewhat easy life at school, deceitfully climbing academic ranks and gaining admission to an elite institution, all through unscrupulous means.
Yet, Yuu’s mischievous behavior is kept in check by Nao Tomori, a member of the student council at Hoshinoumi Academy – an unseen institution designed for extraordinary adolescents with supernatural powers. Nao manages to persuade Yuu to transfer to Hoshinoumi Academy and become part of the student council. However, Yuu’s association with Nao will bring significant changes to their lives as well as those they strive to safeguard.
11 Link Click
Anime-Planet Ratings: 4.4 / 5
In an intriguing twist, Link Click employs a time loop mechanism using images instead. The story centers around Lu Guang and Cheng Xiaoshi, joint owners of a unique photo studio. They offer extraordinary services to clients, enabling them to fulfill their desires. Remarkably, this duo can step into photos and, by looking through the lens, live through the events that unfold when the picture is snapped.
However, their abilities come with risks, as a single alteration of the events within the photograph could mean a total disruption of the timeline they leave behind in reality. The pair must resolve themselves to avoid getting personally involved and not alter reality. However, not getting involved is much more complicated than they think.
10 Summertime Rendering
Anime-Planet Ratings: 4.3 / 5
“Summertime Mystery” – An enthralling anime series unfolds on the enigmatic island of Hitogashima. Upon attending Ushio’s funeral, his childhood friend Junpei, finds himself confronting the island’s peculiarities directly. As he discovers the existence of shadowy entities that have been claiming lives on the island, Junpei decides to take action and prevent these spectral beings from causing any more harm in the future.
Despite appearing daunting, our protagonist is supported by resourceful companions and possesses an extraordinary talent: time travel, which allows him to return to a specific moment after being killed. Wielding this power, Junpei valiantly confronts the darkness, tirelessly working to uncover the truth behind his friend’s demise.
9 In Search Of The Lost Future
Anime-Planet Ratings: nil
- Where To Watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video
- Release Years: 2014
- Genre: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
The captivating anime titled “In Search of the Lost Future” chronicles the enigmatic exploits of Uchihama Academy’s astronomy club, involving them in various escapades spanning the show’s duration. These include investigating ghost tales, preparing for school festivals, and managing conflicts with other student clubs.
In the anime Forward, the pivotal moment revolves around the apparent death of club member Kaori Sasaki following an accident after she confides in protagonist Sou Akiyama. However, the narrative takes a surprising twist when she appears perfectly fine at school the next day, seemingly unscathed by her supposed fate. This enigmatic occurrence initiates a chain of strange incidents that may seem disconnected at first glance, but upon closer inspection, are intricately intertwined.
8 The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Anime-Planet Ratings: 4.0 / 5
Without a doubt, one of Kyoto Animation’s most renowned productions during the mid to late 2000s was a series known for its central character, the self-absorbed Haruhi Suzumiya, and her reluctant club members. The majority of these individuals were essentially press-ganged into joining this peculiar group.
The anime doesn’t primarily revolve around time travel, but it gained fame due to a series of episodes within its second season known as the Endless Eight. During this span, the characters found themselves trapped in a time loop, with most unaware of it initially. They were compelled to relive the same events for eight episodes, and these loops occurred 15,532 times before they managed to escape the repetition.
7 Sakurada Reset
Anime-Planet Ratings: 3.4 / 5
- Where To Watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video
- Release Years: 2017
- Genre: Mystery, Supernatural
In the captivating world of Sakurada Reset, I, as a devoted fan, find myself drawn to the intriguing time manipulations. Much like other residents in our town, there’s this extraordinary girl named Misora Haruki who holds a unique gift – she can rewind time, specifically up to three days. However, just like many others, she remains oblivious to when she employs this power. It takes the keen-eyed Kei Asai, our principal character with an exceptional memory, to bring her awareness of these time jumps.
Thanks to his exceptional memory, he can absorb information before she repeats it, and subsequently, they both become members of the Service Club, an organization committed to assisting those around them. Upon joining, they were subsequently hired by the Administration Bureau but found themselves entangled in a more intricate plan that could potentially impact the destiny of their community.
6 The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Anime-Planet Ratings: 4.2 / 5
- Where To Watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video, AppleTV
- Release Years: 2006
- Genre: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
The Time-Leaping Girl is a well-known film helmed by Mamoru Hosoda, where the protagonist discovers a gadget enabling her to rewind time upon jumping with a bit of force in mid-air. Produced by Studio Madhouse in 2006, it delves into the dire repercussions of manipulating time and the unfortunate incidents that may ensue when misused.
Makoto, our main character, doesn’t bring about global catastrophes or endanger the world, but she does risk the lives of her friends by attempting to resolve minor issues using time travel. Throughout the story, we witness her personal development as she learns from her actions and makes amends for her mistakes, providing a clear illustration of her growth.
5 Tatami Galaxy
Anime-Planet Ratings: 4.1 / 5
As a dedicated fan, I’d describe this genre segment as a delightful take on university life, subtly infused with romantic undertones. The main character, often referred to as “Watashi,” is a somewhat discontented third-year student at Kyoto University whose experiences at the university are explored in various contexts.
In essence, Tatami Galaxy explores what might have transpired during Watashi’s college years had he joined a different student organization in his freshman year. This narrative unfolds across various instances within the 12-episode series, with Watashi initially oblivious to the repetition of events. Notably, the anime is distinguished by its innovative visual style and swift-moving dialogue, both masterfully animated by Madhouse.
4 Higurashi: When They Cry
Anime-Planet Ratings: 4.0 / 5
As a devoted anime enthusiast, I can’t help but rave about one of the genre’s most iconic series that masterfully blends horror and mystery: “When They Cry,” more commonly known as Higurashi no Naku Koro ni. This captivating story revolves around an eerie, enigmatic village named Hinamizawa. Whispers of a chilling curse permeate the air in this place, with it being widely believed to be the malevolent force behind a long line of gruesome murders and inexplicable deaths.
Keiichi Maebara, a recent resident, initially enjoyed the tranquil lifestyle of his new home village. Yet, once entangled in its eerie curse and dark underbelly, he found himself spiraling into suspicion and violence. This cycle of fear and bloodshed seems destined to recur whenever specific circumstances align.
3 Tokyo Revengers
Anime-Planet Ratings: 4.2 / 5
In more contemporary times, this story has made a significant impact within its genre, experiencing remarkable growth over the last few years. The principal character, Takemichi Hanagaki, finds himself at a low point in life at age 26, jobless and possibly past his prime. Yet, following the news of his ex-girlfriend’s tragic death and being struck by a train, he mysteriously travels back through time to the pinnacle of his existence, granted a brief chance to prevent her demise.
After doing all he could to impact the course of events, he goes back to the future, only to learn that his actions have the power to alter the sequence of time. He further realizes that he can repeat this leap on multiple occasions, allowing him to travel between past and present in order to protect his childhood sweetheart and avert other unfortunate incidents.
2 Re: Zero
Anime-Planet Ratings: 4.2 / 5
As a seasoned anime enthusiast with over two decades of watching and analyzing various genres, I must say that “Isekai with Multiple Subplots and a Diverse Cast” is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing concepts I’ve come across recently. The protagonist, Natsuki Subaru, stands out among many due to his unique ability to rewind time whenever he dies – a power that is both advantageous yet excruciatingly painful. This life-altering experience has made me eager to delve deeper into the intricacies of this captivating narrative and uncover its secrets.
Although he possesses significant powers, there’s a restriction preventing him from revealing them. This secrecy complicates maneuvering around death triggers, as his attempts to persuade others might come off as irrational. His power often drains him mentally, as he’s had to witness countless allies die in distressing circumstances. Additionally, he’s endured numerous hardships himself.
1 Steins;Gate
Anime-Planet Ratings: 4.4 / 5
One of the most renowned anime productions revolves around time travel, exploring the repercussions of altering the past and the intricate paradoxes that ensue. The central character, Okabe Rintarou, self-labels as a mad scientist, and after stumbling upon the ability to transmit messages into the past, Rintarou becomes entangled in a significant struggle with various factions trying to obtain his communication tool.
Following certain adjustments that enable him to transmit memories back in time, essentially transforming it into a time-travel gadget, Rintarou employs this tool to avert unfortunate incidents like Kurisu Makise’s demise. Yet, despite multiple attempts, he gets trapped in a convoluted sequence where misfortune seems omnipresent.
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2024-08-13 13:55