Earth has become uninhabitable due to interplanetary war at the beginning of AKB0048, driving humans to find life on other planets. Meanwhile, the Deep Galactic Trade Organisation which holds power on most planets has declared music to be a source of evil. Not to be deterred, a group of girls basing themselves on the famous Earth idol group AKB48 forms and practises in secret. Their mission? To bring music to the galaxy, no matter the cost! Thus AKB0048 was formed, and the girls travel the galaxy to have as many secrets, illegal concerts as they can to bring music back to humanity.

AKB0048 and Carole & Tuesday have a very special and rare plot point in common - they’re both anime about girls that make music in space, and become friends because of it! The situation is a bit different in the two anime, but the idea is similar. Music is completely illegal in AKB0048, but even in Carole & Tuesday, it’s somewhat discouraged. The female musicians of both anime have to go against the norms of their culture to pursue their musical dreams, and to help spread their love of music to the people. Both anime highlights the struggles between friends, especially in music-related situations and stresses, as well as the victories when their friendship wins out in the end. If you’re really into the idea of a sci-fi music anime like Carole & Tuesday has been, don’t skip AKB0048.

Nana is the story of two very different girls named Nana. The first, Nana Komatsu, is a young woman who easily falls in love. Chasing her current boyfriend, she leaves her rural life behind and heads to Tokyo. Then there’s Nana Osaki. Also from a rural background, she travels to Tokyo with the hope of becoming a professional musician. The two Nanas meet on the train, and through a series of events end up sharing a flat in Tokyo. They form an unbreakable friendship that holds strong through the ups and downs of their lives, with many things threatening to tear them apart.
Both Nana Komatsu and especially Nana Osaki’s lives are heavily affected by music. And music lies at the centre of Carole & Tuesday as well! In both Nana and Carole & Tuesday, two girls are brought together and form a friendship with music at its core; and even though those friendships are tested, it holds strong. Both anime are stories about two girls that become friends over time and end up having a great partnership together. While their tone and style may be quite different, the core themes of female friendship and music as a plot point make Nana and Carole & Tuesday similar anime. If you’re interested in a music anime with female friendship at its core, watch Nana after you finish Carole & Tuesday.

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso tells the story of an incredibly talented young pianist named Kousei Arima. But when his mother dies, Kousei falls into a dark depression, and can’t even seem to hear the sound of his own piano any longer. He abandons music and his life that had been tied to it seemingly forever, and two years later has still not returned. But everything changes when he meets a talented violinist named Kaori Miyazono. She helps bring him back to the world of music, and together, to fight against his depression and open his heart up to what he used to love so much again.

Again, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso and Carole & Tuesday are anime with music as a central plot point. The music style may be a bit different, but it’s music all the same. And much like Carole & Tuesday, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso is also about a musical duo! Both anime show how a passion for music can bring together two people that are at very different places in their lives, and build a friendship between them. Carole and Tuesday were from different social standings; Kousei and Kaori were at very different places in their lives. But through a love and passion for music, these two talented duos were born. If you liked seeing how much music can change someone in Carole & Tuesday, have a look at Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso.

Beck begins with a teenage boy named Koyuki Tanaka who has no motivation for anything in life. But when he sees a dog being bullied, he can’t help but save it. When it turns out Beck the dog’s owner is an emerging guitarist named Ray Minami, Koyuki’s life takes a dramatic twist. Koyuki finds himself transfixed by Ray’s guitar skills and the glamour of a rock band life. Koyuki decides to take up the guitar himself, and along with his sister and some other friends, they form a rock band also called BECK in honour of the dog. Beck follows their band’s journey as they begin to gain fame across Japan and the ups and downs that go with a rock band lifestyle.

Beck and Carole & Tuesday both have music at the core of their narratives. They’re both anime about young people that have a dream to become famous through their musical talent, and who are willing to accept the struggles that go along with that lifestyle. Beck and Carole & Tuesday are about friends that help one another to form a band, practise, struggle, and eventually find fame and success. While their settings may be different, their core concept is actually quite similar. Don’t let Beck put you off just because it’s an older anime; if you enjoyed watching some friends make their “garage band” into a real band in Carole & Tuesday, you’ll love seeing it again in Beck from another perspective.

White Album 2 begins with Haruki Kitahara’s light music club in school on the verge of disbanding. All he wants to do is have the chance to perform at the school festival, but that dream is slipping through his fingers. Depressed and starting to feel hopeless, Haruki begins to play the chords of his first song, “White Album.” When a mysterious voice begins to harmonise with his guitar, Haruki realises that this doesn’t have to be the end; he can make his final term of school the best one yet, and realise his dream. He just needs the right partner.

White Album 2 is yet another anime about music bringing unlikely people together and helping them form a relationship. While Carole & Tuesday is a platonic friendship and White Album 2 is a romance, the driving force of the relationship is the same - a passion and talent for music! And both anime focus on two people that are willing to risk everything to help their music dreams come true. With hard work, challenges, successes, and a fantastic partner, White Album 2 and Carole & Tuesday show just how far music can take you when you’re desperate and determined.

Yukari Hayasaka is a hard-working high school student in Paradise Kiss. She has no time for fun hobbies and distractions as she has to study hard and attend cram school to do well on her university exams - it’s the only way she can see to leave her boring hometown. Through a strange series of events, though, she ends up meeting a group of fashion students who ask her to be their model for their final project! Of course, Yukari turns them down at first because she doesn’t think she has time. But the more she gets to know them, the more she wonders if working with them can help her be motivated to chase her own dreams.

Paradise Kiss is a bit different from the other anime on our list because it does not have music involved in the story, and the relationship between the lead characters is romantic rather than friendship. But it still has a lot in common with Carole & Tuesday! Despite not being about music, Paradise Kiss still has a creative art scene at its centre; this time, it’s all about fashion. Both anime are about a leading heroine who leaves behind everything that she knows to follow a dream, and ends up doing so with the help of unexpected people. Paradise Kiss and Carole & Tuesday also both show the ups and downs of trying to succeed in the art world, and how a strong relationship with another person (platonic or romantic) can help you face those challenges. If you enjoyed Carole & Tuesday but want to see the story spun in a different way, Paradise Kiss is the way to go.