Best Xenofiction Anime, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Xenofiction explores unique perspectives of non-human entities challenging viewers to empathize & understand foreign viewpoints.
Anime like Massugu Ni Ikou, Silver Fang, Wolf’s Rain, A Centaur’s Life, and Beastars delve into xenofiction tropes.
Shows portray life through the eyes of dogs, wolves, centaurs, and humanoid animals, offering a fresh and engaging perspective.

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the captivating worlds of anime, I must say that these three series truly stand out for their unique perspectives and thought-provoking narratives.

In a nutshell, the realm of make-believe encompasses a broad spectrum, ranging from genres like fantasy, science fiction, terror, and more. One subgenre that blends aspects of both fantasy and sci-fi is known as xenofiction. While many people may have encountered media in this genre, they might not be aware of its name. Xenofiction is a style of storytelling that presents events from the viewpoint of non-human characters, such as animals, extraterrestrials, artificial intelligence, or other beings noticeably dissimilar to humans.

These stories delve into various worlds from the viewpoints of diverse entities, highlighting their distinctive perspectives, sensory perceptions, cognitive processes, and cultural comprehensions, which might greatly deviate from human understanding. This type of storytelling primarily encourages audience members to connect with and grasp foreign or “alien” points of view that are not commonly encountered in human experiences. The realm of anime has long been associated with xenofiction or its themes. For those interested in exploring this genre, here are some recommended shows:

5 Massugu Ni Ikou

A Dog’s Perspective On Life

Genres: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life
Studios: Yumeta Company

In this anime, we follow the story of a dog named Mametaro who adores his owner and their girlfriend. However, when it comes to his owner’s best friend, things are not as rosy. Since Mametaro can talk but no one can understand him, he struggles to voice his feelings or communicate effectively with his owner about his dislike for the friend.

So long as other dogs can pick up his sounds, Mametaro thrives. To humans, what appears ordinary might seem like magic to him and his canine companions. Adventurous at heart, Mametaro leads us on a captivating expedition, inviting us to experience life from a dog’s perspective.

4 Silver Fang

Dogs Preparing for War Against Bears

Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama
Studios: Toei Animation

In this animated series, viewers join Gin as he embarks on a quest for vengeance against those responsible for his father’s murder and protects his homeland from recurring bear attacks. The traumatic event of witnessing his father’s death ignited a beast-like determination within him. His father was slain by Akakabuto, which led Gin to take on the role of leader among his siblings, stepping up as his father’s successor.

As a gamer, I found myself lacking what Akakabuto seemed to have effortlessly – companions by my side. To triumph over the relentless bears and bring my plan to fruition, I knew I needed allies, and quickly. So, I embarked on a journey across the vast landscapes of Japan, in search of loyal canines who would stand beside me in this fight. Along the way, I share my journey with viewers, revealing the grim realities faced by these animals, their pack dynamics, and the unforgiving rules of the wild.

3 Wolf’s Rain

Wolves Disguised As Humans

Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Studios: Bones

In reality, wolves are pursued by humans, and it’s no different in the fictional world of “Wolf’s Rain.” However, unlike in real life, this story is narrated from the wolves’ point of view. As one might expect, they dislike being hunted down and killed by humans. To preserve their species and evade human hunters, they disguise themselves with illusions, making them appear as humans.

In simpler terms, the central character, Kiba, is a solitary wolf on a quest for a hidden utopia, a location exclusive to wolves. Discovering this paradise isn’t straightforward; the path there is fraught with numerous challenges. However, Kiba, joined by Hige, Tsume, and Toboe, remains steadfast in their pursuit.

2 A Centaur’s Life

Life From A Half-Human, Half-Horse’s Perspective

In the realm of “A Centaur’s Life,” human beings are absent. Instead, a diverse array of legendary creatures such as centaurs, angels, demons, merfolk, and other humanoid beings inhabit this world. These entities possess distinctive traits like wings, tails, animal ears, horns, and the like. In this universe, these mythical creatures perceive humans as fabled entities, much like how some of our own legends portray humans.

The main character of this anime is Himono, a girl who’s part centaur. She possesses characteristics resembling horses, like four legs and a tail. This anime focuses on Himono’s life as a high school student and her routine activities with her closest friends, Nozomi and Kyoko. In this series, fantasy creatures coexist in a contemporary world much like our own, offering viewers an intriguing perspective.

1 Beastars

A World Where Carnivores and Herbivores Live Together

As a passionate observer of nature, I’ve come to understand the distinct roles of carnivores and herbivores in our animal kingdom. Carnivores, being meat-eaters, have the unique ability to consume other creatures like themselves. On the other hand, herbivores are strictly plant-eaters. This captivating anime invites us on an enlightening exploration into their diverse lives and habitats.

In the animated series “Beastars,” there’s no room for humans; instead, it’s populated by anthropomorphic animals. Carnivores and herbivores coexist harmoniously, but their fundamental differences often lead to underlying tension. It’s challenging for a carnivore to defy its instincts, and eventually, one of them succumbs. The peaceful order is shattered when Tem, an herbivore student at Cherryton Academy, is brutally murdered by a carnivore. This anime delves into the perspective of Legoshi, Tem’s friend who happens to be a carnivore, as he grapples with accusations of being the killer and seeks to unmask the true culprit and bring them to justice.

2024-09-20 11:03