10 Weird but Surprisingly Great Anime Like Train to the End of the World

a girl in a school uniform is holding a book and looking up at the sky .
Credit: apogeego/"Where is the End Train Going?" Production Committee

a girl in a school uniform is holding a book and looking up at the sky .
Credit: apogeego/"Where is the End Train Going?" Production Committee

As the summer 2024 season approaches, spring anime like Train to the End of the World will come to a close soon. If you can’t get enough of the unpredictable adventures of Shizuru and her friends in Train to the End of the World, you’ll also like these weird but surprisingly great anime.

From School-Live to Otherside Picnic, our anime list will surely remind you of the uniqueness and weirdness of the events that unfolded in Train to the End of the World.

So, buckle up and brace yourselves for the adventure of a lifetime with the following anime, which are similar to Train to the End of the World.

  1. School-Live!

    Similar to Train to the End of the World, School-Live! is a unique anime that revolves around four girls, namely Yuki, Kurumi, Yuri, and Miki, who are living together inside their school because zombies have overrun the world.

    While School-Live! initially presents itself as a typical slice-of-life and cute girls doing cute things (CGDCT) anime, it has darker undertones that blend elements of horror and psychological thrillers, which will surely remind you of Train to the End of the World.

    The shift in tone from the characters’ seemingly laidback school life to the grim reality of their situation creates a sense of suspense for the viewers, making it a compelling anime to watch.

  2. Flip Flappers

    While the main characters in Train to the End of the World travel from one weird train station to another, the main characters in Flip Flappers travel through various alternate dimensions, each presenting unique challenges and mysteries.

    Both shows are similar in that they feature female characters who uncover deeper truths not only about themselves but also about the fascinating world around them.

    Flip Flappers, like Train to the End of the World, uses a fantastical but mysterious setting to metaphorically represent the inner struggles and the development of its characters.

  3. Wonder Egg Priority

    If you’re looking for something heavier and bolder than Train to the End of the World while still maintaining its weird vibes, then Wonder Egg Priority is a must-watch.

    Wonder Egg Priority is unflinching when it comes to its portrayal of controversial themes and topics such as self-harm, trauma, and bullying.

    It also uses a fantastical setting to symbolically represent the inner struggles of the four main characters, adding emotional depth to the narrative.

    It is widely acclaimed for its emotional resonance with viewers, not to mention the challenging but ultimately rewarding viewing experience it offers.

  4. Sonny Boy

    Sonny Boy is yet another thought-provoking anime series similar to Train to the End of the World due to its distinctive visual style, themes of identity and search for meaning, and surreal setting that make it a full package.

    It also encourages viewers to answer philosophical questions about human nature, moral dilemmas, and even values and beliefs.

    Similar to Train to the End of the World, viewers might find Sonny Boy challenging to follow or interpret due to its ambiguous plot and unconventional storytelling.

    The anime revolves around a group of students who were transported into an alternate dimension where they gained supernatural abilities.

  5. Heavenly Delusion

    Both Heavenly Delusion and Train to the End of the World are set in a post-apocalyptic world where society has collapsed due to a mysterious disaster.

    The series follows two teenagers, Maru and Kiruko, as they travel through the devastated landscape of Japan searching for a place called Heaven.

    This premise reminds us of Train to the End of the World, as Shizuru and her friends are also searching for Yoko as they travel from one train station to another.

    Heavenly Delusion is also unpredictable, as it unveils new mysteries one after the other that will keep viewers engaged to the end.

  6. From the New World

    The characters in From the New World want to uncover the dark secrets of their utopian society, similar to the main characters of Train to the End of the World, who want to know more about the 7G incident that devastated Japan.

    Both series explore themes such as human nature, the cost of maintaining a utopian society, the loss of innocence, and even societal control.

    However, From the New World is darker and more complex, as it is punctuated by moments of intense emotional and physical conflict most of the time.

    From the New World centers around Saki Watanabe and her friends as they learn the secrets behind their twisted society, where humans have developed psychic abilities known as cantus.

  7. Humanity Has Declined

    Humanity Has Declined is celebrated for its clever writing, satirical take on serious issues such as consumerism and environmental degradation, a unique blend of social commentary and humor, and its whimsical look at the decline of human civilization.

    It is an anime gem that viewers need to watch at least once in their lives to enjoy its imaginative world-building and dark humor that resembles that of Train to the End of the World.

    The anime is set in a post-apocalyptic world where fairy-like creatures populate the earth after human civilization has significantly declined.

    It follows the main protagonist called Mediator, who works as an arbitrator between humans and fairies in unimaginable situations.

  8. Drifting Home

    Unlike the other anime on our list, Drifting Home is an anime movie produced by Studio Colorido, the same studio that brought us My Oni Girl.

    Drifting Home is known for its visually stunning scenes and emotionally resonant storytelling, which follows the journey of a group of children with different personalities aboard an apartment complex that strangely drifted at sea.

    It explores themes of friendship, loss, and the poignant realities of growing up, similar to Train to the End of the World.

    If you want to watch something quick and nice to the eyes that is similar to Train to the End of the World, then Drifting Home is a recommended watch.

  9. Girls’ Last Tour

    Who will ever forget Girls’ Last Tour, the adventure, mystery, and iyashikei anime of fall 2017?

    It is a profoundly moving anime that offers introspective narratives, character-driven stories, philosophical exploration, and a minimalistic but evocative art style.

    While the main characters of Train to the End of the World travel by train, Chito and Yuuri ride their half-track motorcycle called Kettenkrad to explore the abandoned cities and military facilities in search of food and resources to survive in a desolate wasteland.

    Both have the same vibes, but Girls’ Last Tour has a simpler premise despite its difficult themes.

  10. Otherside Picnic

    Otherside Picnic’s Sorawo Kamikoshi and Toriko Nishina find strength in each other in the face of the unknown, similar to Train to the End of the World, where Shizuru and her friends rely on each other amidst the challenges they face to find their friend.

    Train to the End of the World and Otherside Picnic delve into the strength found in mutual support and friendship, the psychological effects of venturing into unknown territories, and the exploration of urban legends.

    The anime revolves around a solitary and introspective student named Sorawo Kaikoshi and a charismatic girl named Toriko Nishina as they explore a mysterious parallel world known as the Otherside, where bizarre creatures inspired by urban legends and creepypasta exist.

Do you have any anime recommendations similar to Train to the End of the World? Let us know in the comments below and follow us on Facebook for all the latest anime news and explainer articles.