Anime @lemmy.ml Merulox @lemmy.world 1y ago

LF: Anime/Manga about self-improvement/enlightenment/monk lifestyle

Looking for an anime or manga about someone on self-improvement. Could be a monk pursuing enlightenment, or could be a degen trying to better himself.

Anything about someone trying to improve themselves.

Thank you for your time!

32 comments

To Your Eternity

A Silent Voice

Violet Evergarden

Edit:

My Dress-Up Darling

Ranking of Kings

Hunter x Hunter (2011)

Vinland Saga S2

Demon Slayer

Komi Can't Communicate
- Those 3 already figure in my mal favorites <3
  
  Edit: Oh, you added more. Well, Ranking of Kings is the only one I haven't watched out of these, and I've heard great things about it. I should give it a try. Thank you.
  
  Those 3 already figure in my mal favorites <3
  
  That's absolutely insane. I didn't see your MAL profile while making that post.
Barakamon is a MUST WATCH
- I heavily disliked Handa-kun, but I'm very willing to give Barakamon a try. I'll move it up in my PTW ranking, thank you.
  
  I had the same problem before watching Barakamon. Saw Handa-kun without realizing it was a prequel and didn't really like it. But I would absolutely second the recommendation to watch Barakamon!
Mushishi isn't really about improvement, but almost fits the "traveling monk" type of lifestyle
- I watched 2-3 episodes of it a while ago. It's 100% something I'm interested in continuing, I just wasn't in the right mood back then. Thank you for the recommendation.
Mushoku Tensei has a lot of self improvement/betterment/growing theming in it.
- I've already read Mushoku Tensei's web novel and I'm caught up with the anime. I really, really love it.
There's the famous One Punch Man workout

Dumbbell Nan Kilo Moteru?/How Many Kilos are the Dumbbells You Lift? is kind of about getting into better physical shape.

Yama No Susume/Encouragement of Climb is a CGDCT series, about the characters' growth as they get better at hiking and tackle more challenging mountains. Also great because of portraying real-life Japanese hiking locations. Start with the 2nd season because it's in a more traditional 30 minute episode format.
- I've added Dumbbell Nan Kilo Moteru? to my PTW. It was actually Masamune-kun's workout-addict personality (Masamune-kun no revenge) that made me start working out myself, so I'm somewhat interested in watching another anime with characters who work out.
  
  I hadn't heard of Yama No Susume, I'll go read about it.
  
  Thank you for the recommendations.
Sorry if you've seen these already, went down my list from the highest scores so most of these are fairly popular.

Dororo... in a way? It's a story of one of the main characters trying to get his body parts back to become human.

Mob Psycho 100 kind of fits the bill, while self-improvement is not the focus, it's the driver of the story and the motivation of the protagonist.

Inu-Oh - kind of a similar premise as Dororo, but in a movie form, and instead of slaying demons it revolves around becoming a human via music performance.

A recent one: Onii-chan wa Oshimai (OniMai) - the main character, a NEET, is turned into a younger aged girl and begins their journey to become a functioning member of society.
- I have yet to watch Dororo, but I definitely want to get around to watching it. I've heard great things about it. Thank you.
  
  I've already seen Mob Psycho 100 up to season 2. It somewhat fits the bill, I suppose. A great recommendation nevertheless, thanks.
  
  I've never heard of Inu-Oh, I'll go read up about it. Thanks.
  
  And finally, Onii-chan wa Oshimai-- I've watched some of it and it does fit the bill perfectly. Good recommendation; I plan to finish it eventually.
Quite hard to do if you look for character that is pursuing enlightenment and not the viewer that is enlightened during the series/film.

Mob psycho 100 - main character is OP and doesn't know what to do in life

To your eternity - main character is immortal that travels the earth.
- Yeah, that's what I've been noticing too.
  
  I've already seen both of those (with To Your Eternity being a part of my MAL favorites), but even so, thank you for the recommendations.
Welcome to the NHK could fit.

Tatami Galaxy

And last, Serial Experiments Lain. This doesn't directly fit, but it's very philosophical and tackles themes as identy and more. Mindfuck incoming thouhg
Hmm, what about Chihayafuru and Run With the Wind? Not really monk-style though, but self improvement for sure
- Seconded on Run With The Wind. Recognition of self, non-self, and community are major themes.
Vagabond is about a ruthless samurai warrior going on a journey to become "Invincible Under the Sun", eventually coming to learn about the value of life and what he truly wants out of his life. It's a masterpiece of a story that I think everyone should read.
Re:zero I think counts
You may have already seen it based on your other responses, but Hibike! Euphonium is a perfect fit.

I'll add something you probably haven't seen: Go! Princess Precure. It looks at the struggle of achieving your dreams in a nuanced way considering its target audience.

Plus, both of these look incredible. Hibike is KyoAni's signature character animation, and GoPri is an action-sakugafest.
- I've been meaning to watch Hibike! Euphonium for a very long time, I may even start it today.
  
  I hadn't heard of Go! Princess Precure, I'll go read about it.
  
  Thank you for the great recommendations.

32 comments