Best Body Swap Anime

As a connoisseur of all things animated and fantastical, I must say that body swap stories have always held a special place in my heart. They offer a unique perspective into another’s life, much like peeking through a keyhole into a stranger’s existence.

Multiple narratives across various media platforms often involve extraordinary and peculiar circumstances, yet none compare to the idea of a body swap. This could be a lasting transformation or a fleeting exchange, and finding oneself in someone else’s physical form can certainly result in some wild antics.

In various types of anime, including fantastical and contemporary settings, body swapping is a common theme, often used as a brief diversion that doesn’t extend over long periods. However, some shows delve deeply into this concept, making them standouts. Here are the top-notch anime centering around body swaps.

For a story to qualify, it needs to have its characters belonging to the same universe. Consequently, we rule out any reincarnation or isekai-style anime that involve a protagonist inhabiting another person’s body.

12 Atashin’chi Movie

A Decent Classic Take On The Body Swap Formula

Atashin’chi” is a popular manga and anime series that spans multiple seasons, focusing on the everyday, episodic journeys of the Tachibana family. The main character is 17-year-old Mikan, but her mother, father, and younger brother Yuzuhiko are equally important to the storyline.

The original Atashin’chi doesn’t involve body-swapping, but the 2003 film tells a different tale. In this movie, Mikan and her mother exchange bodies after being hit by lightning, leading them to experience each other’s lives temporarily while their family tries to find a solution to reverse the switch. This is a classic example of the body-swap genre that fans of this trope are sure to enjoy.

11 The Legendary Hero Is Dead!

Mixed Bag Comedy With A Polarizing Protagonist Who Swaps With A Corpse

Farmer Touka Scott has a peculiar fondness for well-toned legs and stockings, along with a knack for setting up snares. Unfortunately, one of these traps inadvertently took the life of the renowned Hero, Sion. As a result, Touka finds himself trapped within Sion’s deteriorating corpse. To escape his current predicament and get back to his own body, Touka must complete Sion’s mission by sealing off the Gates of Hell.

In a twist on the conventional body swap tale, laced with a dash of dark wit, “The Legendary Hero Has Departed!” unfolds in a fantastical setting. The Spring 2023 anime has sparked considerable debate, largely due to its lead character. Touka’s behavior and peculiarities make him challenging to embrace, while the humor is not universally appreciated.

10 One Piece (Punk Hazard Arc)

A Fun Gag In A Long And Divisive Saga

Given that One Piece has been a part of our pop culture for about 25 years, it was only a matter of time before they introduced the body-swapping concept. This event unfolds during the Punk Hazard Arc, as Law’s Devil Fruit abilities lead to Sanji and Nami, Franky and Chopper, and Smoker and Tashigi exchanging their physical forms.

While Punk Hazard may not be considered a standout arc in the popular series One Piece, it holds significance overall. However, its lengthy adaptation seems to have worn out its welcome for some viewers. Despite this, the body swap gag brings about humorous situations, with Robin’s fury at seeing Chopper’s sweet demeanor transformed by Franky’s character being a particular highlight.

9 Gintama (Soul Switch Arc)

A Short But Hilarious Gintama Arc That Sees Gintoki And Hijikata Swap Bodies

Gintama is renowned for its humor by satirizing and acknowledging numerous storyline conventions, stereotypes, and character types because it predominantly functions as a comedy show. However, while it doesn’t always revolve around this theme, the Soul Switch Arc in Gintama offers an unique take on the body-swapping trope by having Gintoki and Hijikata’s souls reside in each other’s bodies instead.

Following classic Gintama style, the madness doesn’t cease to amaze. It’s revealed that half of Gintoki’s spirit was inhabited by a deceased cat, transforming it into an amnesiac beast. The rest of the Yorozuya and Shinsengumi crew find themselves entangled in this chaos too, leading to most of the main characters swapping bodies. This chaotic turn of events is a testament to how Gintama can take a simple idea and escalate it into an absurd spectacle in mere minutes.

8 Kokoro Connect

Body Swapping Is A Minor Part Of This Overall Great Coming Of Age Anime

Five high school students, all part of the Student Cultural Research Club, unexpectedly discover they’re experiencing a body-swapping phenomenon. Perplexed and attempting to understand this peculiar situation, they uncover that they are unwitting participants in an experiment orchestrated by a mysterious entity known as Heartseed. As they navigate these bizarre turns of events, their friendships will face trials.

Kokoro Connect is an emotionally intense anime centered around the strong ties of friendship and deep connections between individuals. As they face various trials together, their understanding of each other evolves subtly. Although body-swapping isn’t the central theme throughout, it significantly impacts the storyline for a significant portion of the series.

7 Punch Line

Ridiculous Antics In The Best Possible Way

Following the bus hijacking event, Yuta Iridatsu comes to understand that he appears to have been separated from his physical form. Alongside discovering he possesses unique abilities such as possession and enhancing strength upon seeing a female’s undergarments; most significantly, he uncovers the necessity of locating a sacred book in order to regain control of his body.

“Punch Line” presents an outrageous supernatural journey set in a peculiar world filled with escalating bizarre events. The surreal scenarios that the protagonist, Yuta, encounters are quite a spectacle, while the absurdity of the series encourages viewers to maintain a light-hearted perspective. This intriguing series was penned by Kotaro Uchikoshi, renowned for his work on the “Zero Escape” series, and later, a visual novel adaptation from the anime was developed.

6 Murder Princess

A Lesser-Known OVA Series That Has A Lot Of Fun With The Body Swap Formula

After a revolt in the Forland Kingdom, the ailing king dispatches his daughter, Alita, to locate her brother Kaito. As they elude pursuit through the woods, Alita slips off a cliff and lands on the mercenary Falis. Miraculously, both survive, only to discover upon awakening that their bodies have been mysteriously interchanged. Now, Falis is compelled to pose as Princess Alita and safeguard her kingdom from potential dangers.

“Murder Princess” offers a humorous spin on traditional high-fantasy tropes. The picture of a prim and proper princess transforming into a rugged warrior is quite amusing. Although it might not be intellectually challenging, fans of fantasy will surely find some enjoyment in this series.

5 Charlotte

Way More Than Just A Body Swap Anime

Approximately every 75 years, a peculiar comet named Charlotte makes its pass over Earth, and the dust it leaves behind grants children with supernatural powers during their puberty. When Yuu Otosaka enters high school, he gains the power to take control of others, but when his ability is exposed, Nao Tomori compels him to transfer to Hoshinoumi Academy for the protection of individuals who possess similar powers.

In the series titled “Charlotte,” fans of supernatural-themed shows will find appeal, as it subtly incorporates the unique ability of body swapping in its narrative. Although this power doesn’t drive the overall plot, it serves as a distinct trait of the main character. This show offers an abundance of drama and rapid action, setting it apart as being significantly more serious when compared to most anime centered around body swaps.

4 Birdy The Mighty: Decode

Cult Classic That Is Well Worth Seeking Out

One evening, during a nocturnal stroll outside, Tsutomu Senkawa gets critically injured in a clash between Birdy Cephon Altera and an extraterrestrial lawbreaker. To preserve his life, Birdy resorts to merging with him temporarily until Senkawa’s body can be reconstructed. Consequently, they are compelled to occupy the same physical form for the time being.

Birdy the Mighty: Decode can be described as an engaging anime featuring a unique body-swapping concept where a typical high school student alternates bodies with a potent, superhero-esque figure. The storyline primarily revolves around action and suspense, but it’s peppered with numerous comedic scenes that make for an entertaining watch. The chemistry between the two characters is delightful to observe.

3 Kaiba

A Forgotten Sci-Fi Gem

In a society where thoughts can be saved onto memory devices, the acts of mind transference and memory theft become more prevalent. A man named Kaiba finds himself in an unknown room without any recollections, possessing a locket bearing a photo of a young girl. Eager to reclaim his past and encounter the girl from the locket, Kaiba ventures out into the world.

Kaiba stands out as a distinctive show, featuring an art style reminiscent of ’60s and ’70s anime, surprisingly for a 21st-century production. Though it might not resonate with contemporary anime enthusiasts, those who appreciate cyberpunk and sci-fi themes may find this atypical series quite intriguing.

2 Yamada-kun And The Seven Witches

Highly Entertaining Anime That Emphasizes Body Swap (To An Extent)

In a mishap, Ryu Yamada, who’s known for his delinquent ways, stumbles down the stairs onto Urara Shiraishi, the model student. Somehow, an extraordinary incident occurs, causing them to inhabit each other’s bodies. Spending the school day attempting to fool everyone with their disguises, they eventually uncover the mystery: a kiss between the two causes this body swap.

The anime “Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches” begins with an extraordinary concept, and as additional characters and abilities are introduced, things become even more bizarre. Although body swapping is merely one aspect of the wildness this series exhibits, it remains a significant element. This series offers a humorous romantic comedy experience filled with numerous supernatural shenanigans.

1 Your Name

The Definitive Body Swap Anime

In the monotony of my countryside life, I, Mitsuha Miyamizu, find myself yearning for a chance to be a city boy in my next existence. Out of nowhere, I start experiencing the bizarre phenomenon of randomly swapping bodies with a stranger named Taki Tachibana from Tokyo. Navigating these uncharted waters, we’re both grappling with this new reality, trying to make sense of it while gradually discovering and understanding each other better.

The film titled “Your Name” is a widely acclaimed romantic drama by director Makoto Shinkai, blending touches of fantasy. It stands as one of the most renowned anime movies ever made, and it remains Makoto Shinkai’s masterpiece that continues to inspire anime enthusiasts even today.

2024-10-07 05:24