Liked Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru (Touken Ranbu - Hanamaru)? Watch Gakuen Basara

• Episodes: 12
• Aired: October 2018 - ongoing

Major Similarities Between Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru and Gakuen Basara

1. Sengoku era allusions

In several cases, the swords in Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru belong to warlords and vassals that the characters from Gakuen Basara are based on. While Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru depicts historical events in a somewhat realistic way (minus the glowing zombie monsters), Gakuen Basara makes allusions to historical events but as things that could happen at a school. If you are fascinated with the Warring States Period, seeing how the characters are cleverly reimagined as high school students but still maintain their warlord characteristics will be of interest to you.

2. There are plenty of guys to choose from (and ship)

Whether you liked the idea of keeping a sword boy by your side or enjoyed the intimate relationships they shared with each other, you can find that in Gakuen Basara. Unlike Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru, there are some women but they don’t tend to take up much screen time and most of the guys are more focused on each other. In both shows, the guys have appearances that are just as varied and interesting as the lives they led. This is extremely helpful when you need to differentiate between them because there are a LOT of reoccurring characters.

3. It’s oddly slice-of-life

Given the main focus in Gakuen Basara is how these crazy characters might interact at a high school in place of the battlefield, a lot of bloodshed is mediated and acts of betrayal are watered down to hilarious pranks. Battles over castles or land are now just battles to attract the most customers to their booths at the school festival or to be recognized as the most worthy to cheer on the school. There’s a lot of mild bickering and just guys hanging out in both shows.

Liked Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru? Watch Uchuu Senkan Tiramisù II (Space Battleship Tiramisu II)!

• Episodes: 13
• Aired: October 2018 – ongoing

Major Similarities Between Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru and Uchuu Senkan Tiramisù II (Space Battleship Tiramisù II)

1. The illusion of a serious plot

Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru and Uchuu Senkan both have an interesting premise that takes a backseat to funny instances between the main cast. Sure, there’s a war on the horizon and the fate of humanity is at stake. Yet, the interesting part of the show is Ichinose’s obsessive behavior, Isuzu’s penny-pinching even with a beautiful woman, and their genius father falling victim to computer spam. In Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru, the swords are always ready to be dispatched to fight but it doesn’t seem to weigh heavily on their minds as they run around throwing snowballs and delight in cooking and doing laundry.

2. 2. Forced to fight

Both anime have a Citadel where fighters are told when and where to fight. There’s definitely a feeling of fighting for a power or government than simply fighting for one’s own desire. Without it, however, the swords would not be alive and Ichinose certainly wouldn’t have the funds to buy his own mecha. Even with what could be a good point for conflict, everyone seems pretty content to go along with the powers that be except for Isuzu.