Kumiko Oumae had a talent with her euphonium and should have stayed in the limelight till her dying days. During middle school, Kumiko swore off the instrument and decided to live as a normal girl for the remainder of her days. As Kumiko entered high school, she found herself mixing in with a band of musicians who rekindled her love for the world of the euphonium. Together with both new members and veterans, Kumiko dreams of entering the national band competition. With plenty of contenders, though, can this high school band show the music that lies within their hearts? or will they be forced to realize that their talents aren’t good enough?

Beginning our 6 Anime Like 22/7 list, we hit one of the best music-themed anime out there, Hibike! Euphonium! Hibike! Euphonium stole the ears of anime fans with some truly amazing seasons and even a movie that put some tears on our faces! 22/7 explores the world of those who have a dream to achieve and Hibike! Euphonium does the exact same. That’s why in our mind, Hibike! Euphonium is a must-watch for fans of 22/7! Try to get the OST out of your mind after watching this series…we triple dog dare you!

Sometimes, standing out can be a double-edged sword. Konatsu Miyamoto learns this lesson harshly when she messes up at Shirahmazaka High School’s famous recital known for attracting professionals from all over. Now banned from participating in future recitals, Konatsu needs to come up with a new plan to make it big and she realizes she knows a way. Konatsu decides to recruit select girls to a new idol band she plans on making. Unfortunately, the girls she decided on aren’t too keen on joining. Thankfully for Konatsu—and sadly for the others—she isn’t one to back down from a challenge!

That first step to becoming an idol seems the hardest. As we see in the first few episodes of 22/7, it can be daunting to take such a leap of fate. Once someone does make that leap, however, that’s when amazing things can happen as we see in the series Tari Tari. Tari Tari is chock-full of great idol tunes and we love the cast of characters just like in 22/7. So while you wait for 22/7’s newest episodes to air, we recommend checking out Tari Tari for a good time!

The world has found itself in quite a conundrum. When the Earth’s ecosystem breaks down on all fronts, humans find themselves forced to leave their blue world and head into the stars above. The Deep Galactic Trade Organization attempts to keep humanity in proper order and realizes that one thing humans need less of is music. As music slowly begins to be considered illegal, a band rises from the ashes of the once known idol group AKB48! Now called AKB0048, this idol band has one mission; save the human race through music. Considered rebels and always fearing possible discipline for their actions, can AKB0048 become a truly powerful idol band or will music die out for good?

Yes, AKB0048’s whole setup seems ridiculous and that might turn off those who like the more mature theme of 22/7. However, we recommend AKB0048 for idol anime fans because it has a heartwarming story with a nice mixture of good music, solid animation, and truly powerful real-world themes. Yes, it might be about a future band of cosmic idols but you won’t even notice that after the first few episodes. AKB0048 is a musical ride that will enter your heart and never leave!

Ten years ago, Sakura Minamoto had dreams to take Japan by storm as an idol. Well, Sakura has begun her road towards being an idol but not how she planned it to be. After a horrible accident kills Sakura, she finds herself a zombie with no memories of the past. Alongside her, several other girls have become fresh zombies and have been tasked by their revitalizer Koutarou Tatsumi to make an idol group. Can Sakura and her zombie cohorts steal the world’s heart when their hearts don’t beat like normal girls’?

While Zombieland Saga is truly a fictional way to look at idol groups, it does capture one element seen in 22/7. Idols often find their break out performances in rather strange—and occasionally—unexpected ways and that can be said of the girls in Zombieland Saga. If you love good music with a nice dash of comedy/drama added in, you’re going to want to check out Zombieland Saga! Don’t worry folks, there’s no horror to be seen here.

Tokyo, Japan’s city of opportunity and life. Chika Takami had always flown under the radar trying to just go through life’s motions one step at a time. However, when Chika came to Tokyo she ended up on everyone’s radar when she joined the enriching world of school idols. Now fueled with passion, Chika has a goal that she lacked before. Her mission, make it big and show the world a new side of school idols!

The main girl of 22/7—Miu Takigawa—could be compared to Love Live! Sunshine!!’s main girl, Chika Takami. Both girls had no drive to really do anything more than live their lives and survive the world of school. When one choice event occurred, though, both girls realized that within them lied idols with a true talent for stealing the stage with their beautiful looks/melodies. Love Live! Sunshine!! is more comedic than 22/7 but don’t let the comedy overshadow the idol theme within. If you are loving 22/7 then you’re going to find Love Live! Sunshine!! is right up your alley!

Wake Up, Girls seemed to be destined for failure from their first big gig. When they performed to a pitying group of fans, Wake Up, Girls found their dreams nearly shattered as their manager stole their cash and ran off into the sunset. Thankfully, a strange benefactor gives the girls another shot at the big time. Wake Up, Girls might have almost disappeared on their first song but they have something to prove given this rare second chance. Can the girls gather their strength to become Japan’s next big idol band!?

We initially mentioned the struggle of idol bands and no series captures that as perfectly as our last entry. Wake Up, Girls! follows a group of idols in the making as they start from rock bottom but climb their way back into the hearts of their fans using their skill and drive! Just like 22/7, Wake Up, Girls! is all about taking opportunity when it knocks and running with it as best as you can. We loved Wake Up, Girls! when it aired back in 2014 and, even now, think it’s an underrated anime. Give the Wake Up, Girls band some love in this truly exciting idol series!