[Dark War Winter 2019] Like Youjo Senki (The Saga of Tanya the Evil)? Watch This!

After Tanya Degurechaff’s bloody tale aired a year ago, we were impressed by her ruthless cunning and the many mature, thoughtful elements of Youjo Senki. Tanya maneuvers her way to the top of the military group, helping the losing side with their exploits as she goes. For anyone who enjoys this militaristic aspect and seriously dark storyline, we found a few other anime from this season that you might also enjoy!


Liked Youjo Senki (The Saga of Tanya the Evil)? Watch Mahou Shoujo Tokushusen Asuka (Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka)!

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: January 2019 - ongoing

Three years ago, mankind was saved in a moment of despair when five magical girls rose up to save humanity from the threatening Disas creatures. Asuka Ootorii and the other girls have tried to go back to their normal lives, but the past still haunts them. Though Asuka wants nothing more than to forget that she ever was a magical girl, new threats force her into fighting to protect those she cares about. Will the war ever be over for these girls, or will the oncoming battle tear them apart for good?

Major Similarities Between Youjo Senki (The Saga of Tanya the Evil) and Mahou Shoujo Tokushusen Asuka (Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka)

1. Exceptionally Gifted Soldiers

These two anime both focus on the talented young women who have become valued members of their respective military groups. While Tanya works to improve her standing among the ranks, earning her respect from her peers, the members of the Magical Five are held in high regard because of their unique magical abilities and their past feats in defending humanity.

2. The Morality of Battle

In both Youjo Senki and Mahou Shoujo Tokushusen Asuka, the characters deal with bloody battles quite a bit, strategizing the best ways to defeat their enemies. Tanya uses her intelligence and cunning in Youjo Senki to win, often behaving ruthlessly in the process—yet the series is able to use that as a way to point out a discussion of morality in war. As for Asuka, she is pulled back into the fighting, but she learns that she must fight in order to protect her friends and survive this new war.



Liked Youjo Senki (The Saga of Tanya the Evil)? Watch Egao no Daika (The Price of Smiles)!

  • Episodes: 12
  • Aired: January 2019 - ongoing

Princess Yuuki Soleil is a young royal from another planet spending her days among her friends and the people of her kingdom living peacefully. Stella Shining is a young soldier who has lost much in the war already but always remains smiling, even in strange situations. Born on opposite sides of the universe and opposite ends of the war, these two girls will change everything…

Major Similarities Between Youjo Senki (The Saga of Tanya the Evil) and Egao no Daika (The Price of Smiles)

1. Otherworldly Powers

Egao no Daika and Youjo Senki share a sense of the extraterrestrial or otherworldly, in that some of their main characters have abilities outside the norm. Tanya seems like an unusual young girl because she is actually a reincarnated version of someone who challenged Being X, whose power rivals that of a god. Yuuki and her kingdom are from an entirely different planet altogether, with their war certainly being one otherworldly strength!

2. The Cost of Battle

Both Youjo Senki and Egao no Daika show that war is not glamorous, showcasing the darker and bloodier side of battle. In Egao no Daika, Stella knows early on that war is devastating as she became a soldier quite young after a tragedy in her past; Yuuki, on the other hand, has been relatively sheltered until she becomes involved in the events of the anime. In contrast, Tanya is more of an aggressor in her own war, but we still get to see the debilitating effects on the two sides of the conflict at large.

Final Thoughts

Tanya was truly a force to be reckoned with, both in Youjo Senki and in the wider anime world. We think the dark premises of these other two shows, as well as their interesting and powerful main characters, can help with those missing the feel of Youjo Senki!

Are there other new shows this season that are also similar to Youjo Senki? Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts!

Crunchyroll-Magical-Girl-Spec-Ops-Asuka-225x350 [Dark War Winter 2019] Like Youjo Senki (The Saga of Tanya the Evil)? Watch This!

Writer

Author: Meghan May Dellinger

Konnichiwa! I'm a writer/daydreamer who gets a little lost along the path of life from time to time. I love watching anime and playing all kinds of video games - everything from RPGs to first-person shooters. I hope to be an author someday, but until then, I'll share my words with the world any way I can! I love making new friends, so don't be afraid to leave a comment!

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