10 best anime to watch if you like My Roommate Is a Cat

Released in 2019, My Roommate Is a Cat quickly won over fans with its heartwarming story. The anime follows lonely writer Subaru Mikazuki who adopts an abandoned cat named Haru. As the two slowly connect, Subaru opens up and builds relationships again thanks to his feline roommate.

Centered on themes of friendship, family, and overcoming loneliness, My Roommate Is a Cat resonates with viewers. If you enjoyed getting to know this unlikely duo, here are 10 more anime series to check out with similar messages of hope, healing, and the power of human connection.

From comedic slices-of-life to emotional dramas, these shows feature uplifting bonds and personal growth sure to appeal.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author. Reader's discretion is advised.

10 best anime for fans of My Roommate Is a Cat

1. Fruits Basket

Fruits Basket (Image via TMS Entertainment)

After losing her mother, sweet-natured high schooler Tohru Honda moves into a tent on the property of the mysterious Soma family. She soon discovers their secret - 13 members of the Soma clan transform into animals from the Chinese zodiac when hugged by someone of a different gender.

As Tohru becomes more entwined in their lives, she helps family members including stressed teen Kyo and kindly homemaker Shigure deal with dark issues from their pasts involving rejection and feelings of isolation that long-time fans of My Roommate Is a Cat may find emotionally resonant.

2. Flying Witch

Teenage witch Makoto Kowata moves to Aomori to live with her relatives as part of her training. There, she makes new friends, both human and supernatural, as she gets accustomed to a more rural lifestyle.

Like Subaru's journey in My Roommate Is a Cat, Makoto's adjustment to her new home provides plenty of laughs and touching moments. The magic sprinkled on top adds an extra layer of fantasy.

But at its core, Flying Witch remains sweetly grounded thanks to the endearing characters and their interactions filled with warmth and humor. Makoto's magical mishaps coupled with her fish-out-of-water reactions make for an especially charming watch.

3. Usagi Drop

For slice-of-life anime fans, Usagi Drop provides warmth and laughs while tugging on heartstrings. When 30-year-old Daikichi attends his grandfather’s funeral, he meets Rin, his grandfather’s illegitimate six-year-old daughter.

On a whim, Daikichi takes care of the girl himself in his bachelor lifestyle. Suddenly becoming Rin’s guardian, Daikichi matures while providing a loving home for the bright and shy girl.

With emotional growth from unlikely father-daughter bonds, viewers who love My Roommate Is a Cat’s family feelings will also enjoy this gem.

4. A Silent Voice

A Silent Voice (Image via Kyoto Animation)

This critically acclaimed movie handles heavy topics like bullying and suicide, but also emotional healing and forgiveness.

It follows Shōya Ishida, who severely bullied deaf classmate Shōko Nishimiya in elementary school, even driving her to transfer schools. As an outcast in middle school, Shōya makes amends with Shōko, and the two slowly rekindle an understanding friendship from childhood wounds.

Raw, thoughtful, and moving, A Silent Voice depicts complex characters with empathy - appealing to My Roommate Is a Cat fans.

5. Wolf Children

Another film, Wolf Children Ame and Yuki is an coming-of-age fantasy drama about motherhood. Hana becomes involved romantically with a wolfman and gives birth to two half-wolf, half-human children, Ame and Yuki.

After the wolfman dies early in the story, Hana raises them alone, determined to nurture her children’s dual natures. As Ame and Yuki grow, Hana witnesses them struggle with their identities while discovering her resilience as a single mother.

Emotionally driven by love and loss, this movie shares My Roommate Is a Cat’s meaningful exploration of family relationships.

6. Barakamon

For another heartfelt anime with comedic moments, the slice-of-life series Barakamon follows talented calligrapher Seishu Handa. After punching a gallery owner for criticizing his work as too unoriginal, the serious Seishu gets sent to a remote island village to reflect on his actions.

There he meets a vivacious young village girl, Naru Kotoishi who pesters the anti-social calligrapher to play with her every day. Through her cheerful meddling in his life, Seishu rediscovers his creative passion and forms meaningful connections with the quirky villagers.

Like My Roommate Is a Cat, this show has eccentric characters that help pull someone out of their shell.

7. A Place Further Than the Universe

A Place Further Than the Universe (Image via Madhouse)

When high schooler Mari Tamaki meets Shirase Kobuchizawa, whose mother disappeared in Antarctica, she is inspired to join Shirase's quest, hoping to find direction in life. She befriends fellow students Hinata and Yuzuki, who each join for their reasons.

Together, the four girls work to make their ambitious dream of reaching Antarctica a reality. Much like My Roommate Is a Cat, this anime highlights personal growth in the face of life’s hardest knocks.

As they work towards their goal, the four very different friends bond beautifully, supporting one another through their issues stemming from family, loss, and identity. Their journey shows how shared ambition and understanding can conquer nearly anything.

8. Kiki's Delivery Service

Kiki's Delivery Service (Image via Studio Ghibli)

Another Ghibli must-see is Kiki's Delivery Service about the coming-of-age of a friendly young witch, Kiki. According to witch tradition, Kiki leaves home at 13 to live independently. She settles in the seaside town of Koriko with her sarcastic talking cat Jiji, striving to build a delivery service business.

As she adjusts to her new life, Kiki loses her ability to fly on her broom, leading her to question her self-worth. When the crisis strikes, Kiki regains her inner strength and forms lasting connections with locals who support her goals.

Uplifting, magical, and full of personal growth, fans are sure to find familiar themes of friendship and self-discovery in this film.

9. Kakushigoto

Single manga artist Kakushi goes to great lengths to provide for his young daughter Hime while hiding the truth that he draws gag manga, which often has adult humor, for a living in this series that aired in 2020.

Like My Roommate Is a Cat, at its core, Kakushigoto is about the loving bond between an oddball caretaker and his childlike ward. It balances wacky comedy with touching moments focusing on family ties.

If what appealed to you about My Roommate Is a Cat was the found family dynamic, Kakushigoto should tickle your fancy as well.

10. Sweetness and Lightning

Sweetness and Lightning (Image via TMS Entertainment)

Single father Kouhei is hopeless in the kitchen until he gets help from one of his students, Kotori, who, despite her young age, learns to cook with him.

Viewers will notice parallels between this show and My Roommate Is a Cat. Both feature a character learning to navigate life after a painful loss. Just as the cat helps the writer connect with others, cooking helps the teacher bond with his daughter.

Like My Roommate is a Cat, this 2016 Slice of Life series balances bittersweet emotions with lighthearted comedy. It’s a great pick if you enjoy shows with a mix of laughs and tears.

Conclusion

With heartwarming tales of personal connections helping characters grow, these 10 anime all share touching themes that My Roommate Is a Cat fans are sure to appreciate.

From comedic family bonds in Fruits Basket and Usagi Drop to emotional catharsis in A Silent Voice and Wolf Children, viewers who love this unique cat-human roommate story are bound to fall for these anime gems. Which series will you check out next? Let the opening theme songs play on!