[Bishounen Spring 2019] Like Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru? Watch This!

9:00 AM June 30, 2019

Anime Recommendations [Article Category]
Fantasy Anime, Slice of Life Anime, Supernatural Anime, Mystery Anime, Shoujo Anime [Genres]
Mayonaka no Occult Koumuin (Midnight Occult Civil Servants), Touken Ranbu Hanamaru, Namuamida Butsu!: Rendai Utena [Anime Title]

Jessica

NAMUAMIDA-BUTSU-Rendai-UTENA--225x350 [Bishounen Spring 2019] Like Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru? Watch This!

The show about cute boys who are historical Japanese swords personified is none other than Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru. It’s an alternative universe (AU) of Katsugeki/Touken Ranbu and features the Saniwa’s animations living at the Saniwa’s citadel. The young men like to goof around and have fun when they’re not on the job protecting history. If you like watching some handsome guys doing cute and funny things, you’ll love these two new spring 2019 anime!

Liked Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru (Touken Ranbu - Hanamaru)? Watch Mayonaka no Occult Koumuin (Midnight Occult Civil Servants)!

Episodes: 12
Aired: April 2019 – currently airing

On his first night out as a civil servant for the Shinjuku office, Arata Miyako learns about the paranormal world of youkai, called Anothers. He proceeds to get sucked into a love affair between two different species of youkai and learns that he’s the only one who can actually communicate between the Anothers and humans. Now he must use his new abilities to help smooth things over between humans and Anothers while trying to figure out his place in everything.

Major Similarities Between Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru (Touken Ranbu - Hanamaru) and Mayonaka no Occult Koumuin (Midnight Occult Civil Servants)

1. There Are Tons of Bishounen.

If you like copious amounts of pretty, handsome guys, then you’ll absolutely love Mayonaka no Occult Koumuin like you did Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru. While Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru focuses on the handsome personified swords, Mayonaka no Occult Koumuin offers a large variety of good-looking guys. Not only do you have the Shinjuku Ward office civil servants, but there are plenty of other sexy guys that are in other offices as well as some fine-lookin' Anothers.

2. There’s a Balance of Plot and Fun.

While it’s great to watch pointless comedy between two handsome guys, both anime offer a plot line to go along with the antics of the show. Mayonaka no Occult Koumuin, in particular, does this better as the antics are woven into the story and add to character development in addition to the storyline.

3. You’re Gonna Learn Something.

What’s great about both of these anime is that viewers will get to learn new things. In Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru, you learn about the different swords and historical facts. When you watch Mayonaka no Occult Koumuin, you learn not only about the youkai that are typical to Japanese and to other cultures as well, like the Mayan Huehuecoyotl.

Liked Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru (Touken Ranbu - Hanamaru)? Watch Namu Amida Butsu!: Rendai Utena (NAMUAMIDABUTSU! -UTENA-)!

Episodes: 12
Aired: April 2019 – currently airing

A prince who became the Shaka Nyorai by obtaining Enlightenment saved the world and cast aside Mara, a being that tried to destroy his Enlightenment through worry. Now Mara has made a contract with the devil and seeks his revenge against Shaka. Luckily, Shaka has a team of handsome men and two deities to protect him.

Major Similarities Between Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru (Touken Ranbu - Hanamaru) and Namu Amida Butsu!: Rendai Utena (NAMUAMIDABUTSU! -UTENA-)

1. Both Anime Feature Battles.

Sexy guys duking it out with weapons or abilities is a highlight of any bishounen anime, and Namu Amida Butsu!: Rendai Utena is no exception. These men will do anything to protect Shaka, just like how the men from Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru will fight to protect history. Everyone will enjoy all the posturing and poses that come with the entertaining battles in Namu Amida Butsu!: Rendai Utena.

2. The Shows Are Brimming with Japanese History.

History lovers will enjoy Namu Amida Butsu!: Rendai Utena for the same reasons they loved Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru－all of the historical references. Of course, watching these pretty boys explain historical facts while doing cute things is a huge perk. You’ll love the bantering and relationships between all the characters in both shows.

Conclusion

Every season *needs* an anime with a good plot and smokin’ hot guys to carry out that plot. We hope that you fall in love with Mayonaka no Occult Koumuin and Namu Amida Butsu!: Rendai Utena for this very reason as we’re lucky to have TWO of these anime for the spring 2019 season. If you’re watching either of them, do you have a favorite yet? Is there anything you’d like to add to entice more people to watch these anime? If so, leave a comment down below!

Writer

Author: Jessica

As a full-time freelancer (translating, proofreading, and writing) and coffee-lover, I’ve turned into a complete workaholic. People often say “work hard, play hard” but I’m not about that life. While I love traveling and working on the go (like going to cons), I’m more often than not holed up in a coffee shop or at home, multi-tasking more things than I should.