10 best anime with non-human protagonists that you should watch

Anime offers a unique opportunity to see stories from non-human perspectives. From anthropomorphic animals to slimes and spirits, some of the most compelling anime with non-human protagonists feature characters that are decidedly not human.

These shows give fresh takes on the human condition by showing what it's like to navigate life, relationships, and more through an entirely different lens. The shows on this list feature some of the most imaginatively inhuman anime protagonists out there.

From their unique struggles to how they perceive and navigate the world, non-human anime heroes create fresh takes on perennial themes about purpose, justice, desire, and more. Read on for the top 10 best anime with non-human protagonists.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

Beastars, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, and anime with non-human protagonists

1. Beastars

Beastars takes place in a world of anthropomorphic animals where herbivores and carnivores struggle to coexist. The story follows Legoshi, an anxious wolf who attends a high school populated by a variety of animals, including rabbits, deer, sheep, and other prey animals.

As a carnivore, Legoshi faces discrimination and must keep his instincts in check, while also contending with the mysterious murder of a herbivore classmate. With its tense drama and social commentary, it uses the divide between herbivores and carnivores to explore complex issues like prejudice, desire, and morality.

Legoshi makes for an unlikely protagonist as he battles against his nature to fit into civilized society. Beastars keeps things fresh by putting a dark spin on the classic high school anime formula, making it a standout anime with non-human protagonists.

2. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Image via 8bit)

After being fatally stabbed in the street, salaryman Satoru Mikami awakens as a sapient blue slime monster in a fantasy world full of magical creatures. Bereft of human anatomy, Satoru, now known as Rimuru, uses his slime abilities to befriend a powerful dragon, goblins, and all manner of monsters.

He eventually sets out to build a progressive multi-species nation, hoping to achieve a peaceful existence for his newfound friends. But Rimuru soon discovers that his friendly intentions and growing influence mark him for legendary greatness, eventually becoming a hero for the monster realms.

What's delightful about That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is how it uses Rimuru's slime reincarnation for both humor and emotional grounding. The story balances tense action with plenty of smiles. For a fresh spin on fantasy isekai, join this leading slime on his silly quest to become a great leader.

3. Overlord

Overlord flips the script on the "transported to another world" genre by making the protagonist frighteningly non-human. When a popular virtual reality MMO gets shut down, guild leader Momonga finds himself transported to a world resembling the game, in the form of his undead avatar.

He sets out to explore this strange new land using an array of deadly magic spells and legions of loyal monsters. What makes Overlord interesting is that Momonga has almost no human traits or emotions left.

He experiences the world with detached intellectual curiosity rather than human morality, which allows for a menacing variant of the traditional wish-fulfilment isekai. With an overpowered undead protagonist and pages straight from the evil overlord playbook, it adds villainous flair to the transported fantasy formula.

4. Mononoke

For anime fans looking for something highly stylized and unconventionally philosophical, there's Mononoke. This haunting anthology series follows the mysterious Medicine Seller as he destroys mononoke, dangerous spirits that feed on intense emotions like hatred or regret.

To vanquish each mononoke, he must uncover its Form, Truth, and Reason before unsheathing his Exorcism Sword against them. The Medicine Seller himself is a mysterious figure of sorts - a calm, enigmatic wanderer selling strange vials and talismans to those plagued by mononoke.

With his pale white skin, narrow golden eyes, and perpetually blank expression, he steals every scene he's in while learning morbid lessons from each mononoke he encounters. Boldly unconventional in art, plot structure, and themes, Mononoke is a must-watch for fans of avant-garde anime with non-human protagonists.

5. Spice and Wolf

For a more romantic take on the genre, there's Spice and Wolf - a charming fantasy with a wolf goddess protagonist. Spice and Wolf follows the travels of Lawrence Kraft, a merchant who discovers a naked wolf goddess named Holo hiding among the wheat in his cart.

Known as the Wisewolf due to her centuries of knowledge, Holo partners up with Lawrence to assist in his trade while pursuing her own goal of returning to her homeland. As they travel between rural medieval villages, Holo's playful banter with Lawrence lights up the screen.

With wolf ears and a tail, Holo's occasional feral behavior betrays her status as more than human. Behind the flirtatious relationship drama lies thought-provoking commentary on religion and traditional values as the old pagan wolf goddess confronts the changing beliefs of the world.

6. To Your Eternity

To Your Eternity (Image via Brain's Base)

For a darker supernatural drama, To Your Eternity features a profoundly inhuman protagonist. The being simply called "the Orb" is a mysterious sphere that can copy the forms and skills of any organism or object it touches.

The story begins with the Orb adopting the form of a rock and moss before copying a dying Arctic wolf, triggering an emotional journey of self-discovery. As a shapeshifting entity without identity or purpose, the Orb makes for a fascinating protagonist as it slowly gains sentience upon interacting with human souls.

From copying tribal hunters to bonded wolves and even moss growing on a rock, the Orb's journey provokes existential questions about what it means to be alive or have a soul. It's a poignant, emotionally intense watch that exemplifies the depth possible in anime with non-human protagonists.

7. Aggretsuko

For a down-to-earth workplace comedy featuring animal characters, there's the hugely popular Aggretsuko. Protagonist Retsuko is an anthropomorphic red panda burdened with accounting work for a complicated pig boss and a frustrating dating life.

She copes with everyday millennial rage by belting death metal karaoke during nightly bar sessions. Beyond the hilarious musical reactions and office drama, Aggretsuko builds an insightful commentary about society's expectations of women, workplace harassment, and modern dating.

Retsuko makes for a loveable, relatable protagonist - channeling workplace and relationship struggles through musical catharsis makes her all-too-human emotional journey universal.

8. The Boy and the Beast

The Boy and the Beast (Image via Studio Chizu)

For a family-friendly action film about finding oneself, The Boy and the Beast delivers inventive animation and emotional weight. It follows Ren, a human orphan who ends up adopted by a beast warrior named Kumatetsu, a potential successor to the lord of the Beast Kingdom.

As Ren trains under the short-tempered Kumatetsu to grow stronger, the pair form an unlikely father-son bond. As a hybrid human-animal narrative, The Boy and the Beast uses imagination to bridge generational divides.

Ren and Kumatetsu make for an endearing odd couple as loners from separate worlds learn what family means. It's a wonderfully layered film that tackles heavyweight themes about relationships, purpose, and independence with resonant emotion.

9. Kemono Friends

For lighter worldbuilding-focused adventure, Kemono Friends brings zoo animals to life as cute anime girls. Abandoned human Kaban wakes up in Japari Park with no memories except her name.

She bands together with fellow "Friends" like Serval the serval cat, Fennec the fennec fox, and others to explore the world they inhabit and uncover mysteries. Despite the silly "animals as anime girls" concept, Kemono Friends creates an interesting post-apocalyptic setting that explores a future without humans.

The Friends have animal traits and instincts yet little knowledge about the world they come from. As the Friends piece together the puzzle of Japari Park, Kaban's identity reveal brings a touching emotional twist to the story. It's cute, mysterious, and perfect for fans of anime with non-human protagonists.

10. Land of the Lustrous

Set in a distant future, the gem-based lifeforms living on Earth's deserted landmasses face constant attacks from the Lunarians seeking to harvest them and turn them into decorations. The fragile and immortal Lustrous must fight back while figuring out their purpose in an Earth devoid of other life.

Protagonist Phos is tasked with creating an encyclopedia, as they initially lack any combat skills critical to the group's survival. Unable to contribute to battle, the naive and clumsy Phos attempt to give purpose to their immortal life.

With fluid CGI animation, inventive worldbuilding, and emotional coming-of-age arcs, Land of the Lustrous crafts the ultimate non-human ensemble cast.

Conclusion

Anime has proven to be a vibrant medium for speculative fiction about the inner lives of non-human beings. From animals and spirits to slimes and gemstones, the imaginative protagonists on this list enable interesting thought experiments about identity, morality, and society untouched by many live-action shows.

The world of anime with non-human protagonists continues to evolve, offering fresh perspectives and challenging our understanding of what it means to be sentient.