10 best anime to watch if you like Zenshu

Zenshu anime has quickly captured viewers' hearts with its creative premise. MAPPA's Zenshu centers on Natsuko Hirose, a talented animator who swiftly rises in the industry after her debut project becomes a hit. However, when assigned to direct a romantic comedy, Natsuko's lack of experience causes creative block.

Collapsing from overwork, she awakens in her favorite childhood anime, gaining the ability to alter its storyline with her skills. With its imagination-filled blend of animation production themes and a fantasy adventure narrative, Zenshu is a one-of-a-kind viewing experience.

For fans hungry for more thought-provoking anime focusing on creative passions, dream-like worlds, and personal growth, the shows on this list are excellent selections to check out next. From animation insights to tales of destiny, these anime will captivate Zenshu fans.

10 best anime for fans of Zenshu

1. Re:Creators

Re:Creators has a fascinating premise that Zenshu fans are sure to appreciate. In this series, fictional characters from different anime, manga, and video games are brought to life in the real world. Sota Mizushino, an aspiring creator, is drawn into the ensuing chaos when his favorite anime character appears before him.

Much like Natsuko's journey in Zenshu, Sota grapples with the implications of anime characters entering reality as he frantically tries to understand what is happening. Meanwhile, the anime creations join forces while others rebel against their origins, leading to intense conflicts.

This thrilling anime is a unique take on the relationships between artists and their creations. With themes surrounding artistic purpose and meaning, Re:Creators explores thought-provoking existential questions.

2. Shirobako

For an uplifting insider’s look at the anime industry, look no further than Shirobako. This series follows Aoi and her friends as they achieve their childhood dream of working together in anime production. However, they soon realize that making anime requires far more work, skill, luck, and stamina than they imagined.

Like Natsuko, Aoi and her colleagues face heavy responsibilities and strict deadlines that often lead to all-nighters. Episode by episode, Shirobako provides an in-depth look at the various processes and roles involved in anime-making.

From production assistants to key animators and directors, viewers get a behind-the-scenes peek at the passion and dedication underlying the unique art form.

3. Bakuman

Aspiring manga creators will find plenty to love in Bakuman. This 75-episode series spans three seasons and centers on two schoolboys named Moritaka and Akito, who team up to achieve their dreams of becoming professional manga artists. However, the road to success is paved with challenges.

Like Natsuko’s directorial debut in Zenshu, Moritaka and Akito struggle with plot development, editors’ feedback, trends analysis, and bringing ideas to life on paper. While balancing school, Moritaka also longs to confess his feelings to his classmate Miho, who dreams of becoming a voice actress.

Together, these friends learn tough lessons about teamwork, creativity under pressure, and persevering through self-doubt.

4. Keep Your Hands off Eizouken!

Keep Your Hands off Eizouken! (Image via Science SARU)

For a lighter take on the joys and challenges of creative work, queue up Keep Your Hands off Eizouken!. This 2020 hidden gem follows Midori, Tsubame, and Sayaka, three high school girls who combine their skills to start an animation club.

Though lacking resources, the trio’s imagination proves they don’t need fancy equipment to produce captivating animations. Like Natsuko, the girls are led by their passion for anime. They brainstorm stories, design characters, and create imaginative animations that showcase their creativity.

Each girl’s unique personality also adds funny drama to their dynamics. As challenges arise, their inventiveness and dedication help them problem-solve and improve their skills. Both playful and insightful, Keep Your Hands off Eizouken! is a heartwarming watch.

5. Sword Art Online

Sword Art Online (Image via A-1 Pictures)

For an expansive anime saga with themes of virtual reality and escapism similar to Natsuko's experience in Zenshu, check out Sword Art Online. This beloved franchise follows heroes fighting their way through various virtual MMORPG worlds.

Protagonist Kirito first dons the NerveGear system in the initial arc, which transports him into the fantasy realm of Aincrad. However, he soon realizes that to escape this hyper-realistic game alive, he must conquer all one hundred floors.

As Kirito befriends other capable warriors like Asuna, they battle menacing monsters and confront the game’s creator, Akihiko Kayaba, who has trapped them in the virtual world. Sword Art Online's epic world-building and thrilling arcs made it an iconic anime juggernaut.

6. No Game No Life

What happens when obsession with games leads to another world? That premise fuels the wild ride of No Game No Life. Here, genius gamer siblings Sora and Shiro add a clever twist to the “transported into an RPG” concept.

After the emergence of an undefeated gamer known as “Blank,” crushing every challenger, the reclusive duo gets summoned to Disboard—a reality where all conflicts are resolved through games. Sora and Shiro must outsmart foes using strategy, psychology, and game rules to unite warring nations.

Their knowledge and strategic thinking provide them an advantage. Like Natsuko altering her favorite childhood anime in Zenshu, Sora and Shiro must quickly apply their gaming experience to influence this new world. Their wit and teamwork make for a very inventive viewing experience.

7. Barakamon

After portraying the high-pressure world of anime production, Zenshu deserves a follow-up that soothes the soul. For that, slice-of-life dramedy Barakamon delivers inspiration in spades. After punching an aged gallery owner, calligrapher Seishuu Handa gets shipped off to the Goto Islands to cool down.

The tranquility of rural life and community spirit soon softens Seishuu’s prickly exterior, prompting reflection on his perfectionism and attitude to others. Like Natsuko, arrogant hero Seishuu undergoes positive personal growth by stepping beyond his career bubble.

By befriending energetic villagers like youngster Naru and her grandfather, he discovers new insights that elevate his artistic approach. Amid sunsets, ocean views, and village life, Seishuu rekindles his creative passion through connection. Both poignant and pure fun, Barakamon is like an artistic retreat.

8. The Tatami Galaxy

Sometimes artistic inspiration arises from life’s missed opportunities. That idea permeates the time-loop dramedy The Tatami Galaxy, centered on a third-year university student aiming to make the most of his campus life.

However, unsatisfied with each year’s imperfect reality, he keeps demanding a “restart” to redo things differently. Stuck in this cycle, our neurotic hero provides amusing first-person commentary as he repeatedly relives his university years, navigating clubs, friendships, and campus life.

However, through this comedic chaos, deeper themes emerge on learning to embrace imperfections and move forward. Like Natsuko in Zenshu, this show provides reflections on personal growth while satirizing youthful disillusionment. An inventive trip well worth taking.

9. Comic Girls

Comic Girls delivers a sweet behind-the-panels look into the professional manga scene. Here, young mangaka Kaoruko Moeta moves into a Tokyo dormitory for up-and-coming female creators aiming to serialize a hit. Under pressure from her editor, she struggles over story ideas to advance her shoujo romance tale.

Luckily, advice and encouragement from dorm-mates like shonen artist Tsubasa Katsuki help Kaoruko overcome self-doubt. Together, the girls brainstorm, research, outline, panel, and ink their manga while discovering their creative voices.

Like Natsuko from Zenshu learning to direct anime, Kaoruko discovers that developing authentic fiction requires self-reflection, discipline, and trusting one’s creative voice. For an uplifting take on the creative process, Comic Girls delivers.

10. Fune wo Amu

For a mature drama with themes of dedication, teamwork, and preserving tradition, 2016's 11-episode Fune wo Amu (The Great Passage) is an excellent addition.

It follows Majime, an introverted lexicographer who is recruited by a publisher to create a new dictionary called The Great Passage. Like Natsuko in Zenshu, Majime devotes himself wholeheartedly to his craft and finds purpose collaborating with others who share his passion.

Fune wo Amu provides an in-depth look at the tedious but meaningful process of dictionary-making in Japan that highlights the beauty in little things. Its thoughtful tone and stellar production values make it a moving watch.

Conclusion

For viewers hungry for more thought-provoking adventures focusing on creative passions, fantasy realms, and personal growth like Zenshu, the anime on this list delivers.

From meta commentaries on animation like Shirobako and Eizouken to engrossing game-inspired worlds in Sword Art Online and No Game No Life, there are endless possibilities to explore.