feelsalike.comSign in
Rurouni Kenshin poster

Shows that feel likeRurouni Kenshin (1996–1998)

The Meiji Era was one of great renewal for Japan, where swords and killing were outlawed. However, many survivors from the time of Revolution still live, lurking in the shadows and waiting for a chance to use their killing blades again. Only Kenshin Himura, formerly one of the most brutal of killers, hopes to keep his swordsman's honor and still live in the new era.

If you loved Rurouni Kenshin, the closest series we have are DON'T TOY WITH ME, MISS NAGATORO (2021), Horimiya (2021) and Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (2018). All three share Rurouni Kenshin's witty and playful feel, which is what we rank on before quality.

Seen the big three already? The under-the-radar pick below is What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018).

11 of 12 streaming nowNetflix · Hulu · Crunchyroll

Not on subscription streaming right now. Rent or buy below.

If Rurouni Kenshin hit the spot, these will too

DON'T TOY WITH ME, MISS NAGATORO poster
DON'T TOY WITH ME, MISS NAGATORO
2021–2023 · 2 seasons · TOKYO MX
★ 7.1animation · comedy · drama

Two things both keep coming back to: romance and shounen

The difference: Trades the momentum of Rurouni Kenshin for an angle of its own

"A girl in a lower grade just made me cry!" One day, Senpai visits the library after school and becomes the target of a super sadistic junior! The name of the girl who teases, torments, and tantalizes Senpai is "Nagatoro!" She's annoying yet adorable. It's painful, but you still want to be by her side. This is a story about an extremely sadistic and temperamental girl and you'll feel something awaken inside of you.

Horimiya poster
Horimiya
2021 · 1 season · Gunma TV
★ 8animation · comedy · drama

Both are built on the same subject: anime

The difference: Takes it somewhere less kinetic than Rurouni Kenshin does

A secret life is the one thing they have in common. At school, Hori is a prim and perfect social butterfly, but the truth is she's a brash homebody. Meanwhile, under a gloomy facade, Miyamura hides a gentle heart, along with piercings and tattoos. In a chance meeting, they both reveal a side they've never shown. Could this blossom into something new?

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai poster
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
2018–2025 · 2 seasons · Gunma TV
★ 8.1animation · comedy · dramaHulu

The same preoccupation in both: romance

The difference: Sits closer to drama than Rurouni Kenshin does

Puberty Syndrome—a rumored, mysterious syndrome that only affects those in their puberty. For example, a bunny girl suddenly appeared in front of Sakuta Azusagawa. The bunny girl's real identity is Mai Sakurajima, a teenage celebrity who is currently an inactive high school senior. For some reason, her charming figure does not reflect in the eyes of others. In the course of revealing the mystery behind this phenomenon, Sakuta begins to explore his feelings towards Mai. Set in a city where the skies and seas shine, Sakuta unfolds the meaning behind his bizarre encounters on women with the said syndrome.

The Quintessential Quintuplets poster
The Quintessential Quintuplets
2019–2021 · 2 seasons · TBS
★ 7.7animation · drama · comedy

Both keep coming back to the same thing: anime

The difference: Made in the 2010s, in a different era of the craft

Fuutarou Uesugi is a poor, antisocial ace student who one day meets the rich transfer student Itsuki Nakano. They argue but when Uesugi realizes he is to be her tutor, he tries to get on better terms. While trying to do so he meets four other girls.

My Love from the Star poster
My Love from the Star
2013–2014 · 1 season · SBS
★ 8.1comedy · dramaNetflix

Witty where it counts, playful underneath

An alien who came to Earth 400 years ago is almost able to return to his own planet, but when he meets a famous actress, he doesn't want to go home.

Jane the Virgin poster
Jane the Virgin
2014–2019 · 5 seasons · The CW
★ 7.8comedy · drama

Both lean on romance more than on comedy

A comedy-drama following a chaste young woman who is accidentally impregnated via artificial insemination as she struggles to inform her devoutly religious family and make the right choices concerning the child. Based on the telenovela "Juana la virgen."

I Am Not a Robot poster
I Am Not a Robot
2017–2018 · 1 season · MBC
★ 8comedy · drama

Action & adventure built on wit, twice over

Kim Min Gyu has wealth and success, but lives an isolated life due to his allergy of people. He then meets and falls in love with a girl who is pretending to be a robot for her ex-boyfriend, a genius robots professor.

Samurai Champloo poster
Samurai Champloo
2004–2005 · 1 season · Fuji TV
★ 8.5animation · action & adventure · comedy

One thread runs through both: samurai

Break-dancing but fierce warrior Mugen has to deal with the cold-blooded and conceited Jin, a samurai who believes he is above all. These sworn enemies are brought together by Fuu for a special task.

What's Wrong with Secretary Kim poster
What's Wrong with Secretary Kim
2018 · 1 season · tvN
★ 8comedy · drama

Animation with a pulse of play, in both cases

When his secretary unexpectedly quits, an arrogant executive will do anything to bring her back.

Crash Landing on You poster
Crash Landing on You
2019–2020 · 1 season · tvN
★ 8.7drama · comedyNetflix

Romantic comedy in both cases

A paragliding mishap drops a South Korean heiress in North Korea -- and into the life of an army officer, who decides he will help her hide.

Business Proposal poster
Business Proposal
2022 · 1 season · SBS
★ 8.1comedy · dramaNetflix

Witty action & adventure, and it commits to that

In disguise as her friend, Ha-ri shows up to a blind date to scare him away. But plans go awry when he turns out to be her CEO — and makes a proposal.

Prison School poster
Prison School
2015 · 1 season · TOKYO MX
★ 7.5animation · comedy

Both lean on play more than on animation

There was a time when the Hachimitsu Private Academy was a revered and elite all-girls' boarding school on the outskirts of Tokyo but a recent policy revision is allowing boys into the student body. On his first day, Kiyoshi Fujino discovers that he's one of only five boys enrolled at the school. Completely overwhelmed by the thousands of girls on campus, the few boys find that their situation is less than ideal.

In the mood for more kinetic?

all kinetic shows →

The best-reviewed series that share Rurouni Kenshin’s defining feeling.