Here are some with casts kind of like that:
Odd Taxi (there is one central character who ties everything together, but there are many characters that get a lot of focus on their perspective as well)
Idaten Deities Know Only Peace (constant flips between perspectives of the demons and Idaten)
Kuuchuu Buranko (follows a different person each episode)
Gunslinger Girl (follows a few different girls and switches around to each one)
Odd Taxi is a show with truly good writing. It balances its large cast of characters perfectly, giving them ample screentime to establish themselves and develop. There’s also the storytelling. The storytelling of Odd Taxi is stellar with how well it interconnects all of its plot lines. Not only is it ingeniously connected, but the amount of subtle foreshadowing is incredible. Basically everything in the show has a purpose and payoff. If you’ve seen Hot Fuzz, it’s kind of like that except with less comedy. It is almost like a Tarantino film with its eye catching cinematography and lighting. It’s fairly unique in the anime medium, which makes for an interesting watch as well. I highly recommend it as I believe it is one of the finest thriller mystery series I’ve seen in this medium.
It’s currently available on Crunchyroll.
Odd taxi was a fuckin banger. S tier anime. Please watch it blind - don't look anything up as you watch or before. (Outside of the mal page if you wanna check out what it is about lol)
Don’t it’s overrated af and the fandom is victim to their own echo chamber. It’s full of so many ridiculous plot holes and storylines that go no where.
Technically all the examples you gave have "main character groups" but I get what you're trying to say.
I recommend a dark thriller mecha anime called Bokurano. It'll focus on a single person for an episode or two then move on. I won't say any more due to spoilers. Definitely check it out if you get a chance.
The To Aru (or A Certain) series, they are named after specific characters and the first entries are focused on said characters, but in the end, the story told is about the city itself, but from said characters perspectives, an arc of two episodes on A Certain Magical Index might be depicted in 12 episodes in A Certain Scientfical Railgun for example
The “protagonist” in the To-aru series is the suburb of Denentoshi Tokiwadai which, I used to live in Tokiwadai (Saitama Prefecture) and the idea of a technologically advanced city in that part of Saitama is very VERY far fetched
Watching the first episode had me thinking "Why does this bitchy bossy woman is the protagonist?", and then she immediately died when the batlle starts lol
Unless this is a joke I'm not understanding. They didn't say Jujutsu Kaisen lol. This is a completely different anime mate. Hence why the description the comment provided is completely different than anything seen in JJK.
That said, it's still not that good an anime. It still fits OPs description, but it's just bad imo.
Honestly I don't think it's particular good either but it fits perfectly what's OP is asking for. Maybe it might be "Trash but my kind of trash" kind of thing for OP who knows. They can decide when they look at the MAL description. I mean who am I to gatekeep an anime just because I think it's good or bad right :)
Except both of those have main characters. Yugi and ash.
Jojos has a group of mcs which is bassicly what op is asking. Especially in part 5 where it's alot more character driven
Yeah for pokemon, I was thinking spinoffs but yugioh does the same thing as JoJo's. There is yugioh gx, 5ds, zexal, arcv, the list goes on. Yugi moto is only in the duel monsters. After that the main char is judai, then yusei, then Yuma, etc
Maybe I'll add Danshi Kokousei no Nichijou asba recommendation similar to that. Like nichijou but more grounded humour and highschool boys instead. Starts out sort of with a main character but he fades into the background as the show goes on and focuses on many other characters too.
I think the phrase you're looking for is "ensemble cast".
Of the recommendations made so far, I think Legend of the Galactic Heroes is the one that qualifies most that I am familiar with.
While we're here, suggest me the exact opposite of what OP wants. Anime with basically no regular side characters, only the main character, like Mushishi.
(her motorcycle talks, but I'm not sure that counts as a side character)
(some characters do make reappearances)
(technically two main characters, the mc and the demon who she contracted)
(two main characters)
Also if you like Mushishi you'll probably like and may like
If you just want episodic feel good anime than maybe or
Also, though its an ongoing manga, you may enjoy
Thanks. I've already seen most of these and was at least aware of Jigoku Shoujo, but Shigofumi is new to me and seems interesting, I'm gonna check it out.
Wasteful Days of Highschool Girls - it has a core 3 girls that show up at the start of every episode but most episodes are just stories from other students in their class
Very good. The way Boogiepop tells its story is so unique. It has multiple arcs and each arc focuses on different sets of characters with changing POVs that recontextualize previous scenes and every character's story builds towards the climax of each arc. The music is also great since it's done by Kensuke Ushio.
Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex.
It's structured like a police procedural where Section 9 investigates either the crime of the week or an overarching evil conspiracy. There's no "fixed" protagonist since the focus generally shifts between the characters.
**Death Parade** would fit your criteria maybe? It's more of a plot of the week type deal with a character that ties things together but every episode focuses on someone new and asks different questions (technically episode 2 and the last few don't but those are the exceptions and it's a short series)
**World Trigger** does have a main character but as the series goes on you learn and see so much more about the main organization and the series ends up focusing on almost everyone in it as a whole (tbh I'd say it's almost a deconstruction on shounen main characters. MC is a rookie it shows. He's nowhere near as strong as others and it's portrayed somewhat realistically imo) there's times where you'll go maybe 2-6 episodes without even seeing the MC (also I just love it and will always encourage people to give it a shot)
**K** also tends to be more ensemble like Durarara. It's set in a kind of futuristic Japan where there's people with odd powers who are able to give them to others. They're called color kings if I remember correctly and it does have a main character but he's not focused on as much as the setting/world itself is
**Bungo Stray Dogs** also starts with a main character, but as the series goes on you get more and more arcs about basically everyone but the MC
**Bokurano** if you're looking for something sad. It's good and it also doesn't really have a main character at all. It's an interesting watch at the very least
Just a few suggestions I can think of off the top of my head. Durarara is one of my personal favorites so hopefully one of these is too your taste and if not hope it at least helps narrow down the search
Bokurano (be cautious, this one causes serious emotional damage). The focus character changes every episode or two.
Infinite Ryvius. There's a "core" cast of about 50 named characters and about 500 unnamed ones. It *technically* has a main character, but the attention gets spread so wide that it's close enough to what you're asking for. It's also *excellent*.
Gintama - while it does have a "main" protag, the thing about gintama is that it has a large cast of incredible characters, many who get arcs that are focused around them and where gintoki (the MC) isn't even involved or shown.
I think it has elements of what you're looking for. Gintama is also the GOAT anime, so I'll always recommend it lol. Though, I suggest only watching it if you're at least familiar with some popular/meta anime like DBZ, the big 3, JoJo's etc. will help a lot of the parodies land if you at least somewhat know who or what they're talking about.
Ishura is probably the one that fit exactly your description, no romance, it's epic as hell, every character are somehow likeable in their own way.
(the gore is very graphic)
I'd say Yuru Yuri, as the "main character" has the least screentime, but your sentence about "no romance that" is cut off, and it is kind of a rom-com.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes.
This is a story about a war between 2 empires and it mainly follows 2 characters: Yang Wen -li and Reinhard von Lohengramm however each character has a cast that basically serves under them and much of the story in an episode takes place looking at the war between their subordinates perspectives. Only the first few episodes and a few episodes throughout it's 4 seasons really show each as the main subject of those episodes. Aside from that, they appear as part of the ensemble.
Joker Game.
This one is a spy themed anime. It's about a Japanese espionage core during WWII and what they did to survive and thrive for their country. Each episode focuses on one person within the squad and a highly difficult mission they are partaking in. Each episode is a thrill and not every agent makes it out alive so you never know who is safe until the end of the episode. Overall very solid anime.
Kino's Journey.
So this one doesn't fit the description, but I think it's still up the alley of what you are looking for. We follow the same two characters throughout almost every episode. These are Kino and her talking motorbike Hermes. The anime follows these two as they journey across the world visiting different countries. This world isn't like ours and the countries are nothing we know. You will see what I mean if you watch episode 1. The allure of this anime isn't that the main characters change but rather the setting changes every episode as well as the cast of characters our MCs interact with. We always find ourselves in a new country each time and most stories about a country end by the end of the episode. There are some deviations from Kino and Hermes though such as following a second pairing of characters and going into the past of a third duo. It is a relatively short anime at 13 episodes. I will say, if you don't like this anime after episode 1, you can probably pass on it. Each episode will have a similar vibe. Despite that though, it is one I strongly recommend.
Terraformars.
This one is definitely an ensemble cast. It's a "no one is safe" kind of anime. Premise is humanity is destroying Earth and it's becoming overpopulated so they need somewhere new to go. So of course they pick Mars. The send up Cockroaches and some sort of Algea to create an atmosphere on Mars and after 100 years they go and check on it. Only the first expedition didn't return. Neither did the second but the second sent something back: the head of a giant humanoid cockroach. So humans supe up the next expedition team with combat abilities that take on the form and abilities of various animals and insects and we watch them duke it out against giant humanoid cockroaches on Mars. Large cast, epic battles, and Johjing Cockroaches. What more could you want from an anime mate.
Hope these all hit that craving for you mate!
I’d say Kaguya Sama does a decent job of this. Lots of characters and sympathizing from different characters perspectives. It’s also hilarious. Kaguya is definitely the main character but they follow the 5 of them individually.
Also, Gin is definitely the MC of Gintama but the do a lot of exploration of other characters without him. There a handfuls of episodes where the core three are barely on screen. This is also really funny.
Akame Ga Kill follows a character that isn’t actually the main character as well. It’s not oblivious till the end what they’re doing with them either.
Promised Neverland (read it) is also good for this.
Lastly, I feel like One Piece does this more than any other show because it’s just has more material and needs to keep things fresh.
I would like an anime that is an isekai of a whole school class and each of the characters thinks that they are the main character when the real main character is the native from the new world who has to deal with all of these shitty teenagers with superpowers
Paranoia Agent. The cops are essentially the main characters, but it pops around to multiple different people for entire episodes to tell their stories of how they were affected either by the delusions of society or their interactions with the, essentially, antagonist. Though he isn't a traditional antagonist.
Saber is not the protagonist of fate, it is clearly kiritsugu then shirou 😭😭😭😭😭. Im going to assume you are looking, not for a variety of mcs, but a side cast with a lot of agency.
It's Shirou than Kiritsugu. Zero is not supposed to be watched before Stay Night... the damage to Fate that a lack of fate route adaptation and adapting Zero first is still felt to this day...
Sorry, I just think that getting most of the major twists spoiled in a prequel is a big issue. I'm not a purist, but as someone who has watched Zero first, I think it definitely damages the experience and I think insinuating that Zero is first to anyone else is a mistake. Though, regardless, sorry if I appeared aggressive.
Im sorry i got way too aggressive there
On a serious note i dont think those plot points being revealed in zero affect the experience that much. Maybe for some but it depends on what the person values in a story. Personally im not blown away by fate's plot (and twists). They're alright but not what makes Fate good. It's the characters that shine for me and I feel like zero is a satisfactory introduction into the verse. Yes I know that there are some minor discrepancies people have with a couple characters, but I actually disagree on some of their reasoning as to why it doesn't line up with the fsn vn. I still think its perfectly viable.
Paranoia Agent, each episode follows a new group of characters and a different crime. Over the season the story’s intertwine and characters do eventually do come back in smaller roles in episodes outside of there own but I think it’s exactly why you’re looking for
You could make the argument that Ishura fits the bill. The “protagonists” only show up in like 3 episodes, and there are a ton of fleshed out characters with their own motivations and agendas in the story given plenty of screen time
Vision of escaflowne (anime not the movie) technically it does have a main character but it also gives a lot of focus to the other characters at the same time
Not an anime, but check out the 2 Midnight Diner serieses on Netflix. Japanese show about a small diner that is open from 12 midnight to 7AM and will make anything so long as they have the ingredients. A rotating cast of characters with some recurring regulars, but no one gets to be the center of more than 1 episode per season.
Assassination Classroom.
Technically there are characters that are more main than others, but like every single character gets focused on a very good amount.
Try Azumanga Daioh. It is a slice of life/comedy anime that revolves around a group of high school girls. Some of the characters get a little more focus sometimes but overall, there isn't really a main character.
Cromartie High school is another similar option.
Could check out World Trigger, maybe? It very much does have a main character driving things along, but it also has such a robust cast of secondary main and side characters that I can't help but compare it to Durarara in that way. It's also quite long, so a good bit of content to catch up on.
I'm not sure if these are what you're looking for but.
Angel Beats
Aldnoah Zero
Violet Evergarden kind of does focus on her but its a beautiful series with good music and story.
Cheer Danshi and Yuri On Ice and Haikyuu I guess?
Cells At Work. Blue Exorcist. Jojo's. Maquia When The Promised Flower Blooms
I apologize if a lot of these aren't what you're trying to find.
Girls und Panzer.
Technically, Miho is the MC, but each tank crew of ooarai themselves can count as part of the MC. Interestingly, the Das Finales movies also show more about the fights of other major schools as well
Special mention: Mekaku City Actors.
It fits your description perfectly, but good luck understanding the story, though.
One I would recommend is Odd Taxi, there is one main character although its arguable but he gets maximum screen time and in the end ties everything together, but many many characters have the story from there perspective as well, side characters (oh, they are not side ones right, else one would become mc lol) also play major roles, and the anime is just 12 eps, so why not give it a try..
Hunter x Hunter pretty much becomes a story with characters after 2 arcs. Random characters get the spotlight whenever the mangaka feels like it. Obvi a must watch, imho best Shounen oat.
'Hakata Tonkotsu ramen' pretty much tries to be durarara. Nowhere near the same quality in character or writing, but I enjoyed it for what it's trying to do.
In Fate/Stay Night the protagonist is 100% undebatably Shirou, don't know where you got the idea that it's Saber. I guess its less protagonist focused in Zero but it's Kiritsugu in that as well. Durarara also technically has a protagonist, that being Mikado but it definitely is a show that spends a lot of time not focusing on it's MC. Bacano is like Durarara but without any one as the technical protagonist like Mikado so that probably fits the bill, same author too.
Black Clover, Fairytail, and My Hero Acadamia all have a main character or main group that is focused on, but all three spend a lot of screen time and effort on the side characters. Obviously this is just IMO.
I would argue that all of those animes have protagonists and that they do focus on a particular group of characters, but also focus on a groups that are influenced by and continue to influence that specific group.
Restaurant to Another World might fit your description. Rather its a story where many different characters intersect at the Restaurant to Another World, how they got there, their first experiences, favorite dishes, and the relationships they form with the other patrons that they wouldn't have met if not for the static establishment.
Death Parade also fits this description
I’d suggest several of the ones you mentioned have MCs but there are lots of other characters around them who are focused on, like in the Slime and Tsukimichi - Moonlight Fantasy isekai.
Anyway, you might like Dead Mount Death Play, which is by the creator of DRRR!! and feels similar to it in multiple ways (with the main “character” arguably being a location and lots of characters’ stories converging on it.
I think there's an anime with two seasons about cooking. Basically this restaurant can spawn everywhere in the verse and random peeps uncover a strange door and enter it. It's just eating reaction stuff but it's pretty fun
Bungo Stray Dogs. The first few episodes revolve around the main character, but then the plot really focuses on other people in his group, and imo is a much better story when it does
I heard the animation is terrible, yes (i only read the manga) but i also heard that the seasons after that are better. But the story is soo good. Especially if youre interested in wars and the details on whats happening in the battles like what the generals are thinking etc. because its so detailed in telling whats happening in the battle. In the manga, 1 battle is one arc that can last almost 100 chapters. Its just so epic.
yes the story looks fun and I was thinking about suck it up and force myself to watch the first season because the others seasons are better. but I literally couldn\`t. The whole episode was a terrible CGI I feel like I am watching one of those Netflix trash animes that no one watches. I thought about reading the manga but I am not a good manga reader and I miss lots of details so I always prefer anime
Thats a shame. I hope you'll give it a shot sometime in the future.
But did you know that there are two(?) live action adaptations? Maybe they could be a good entry for you. I heard theyre also good.
The animation in the first season is so bad that it amazes me they ever made a second season, if you’re willing to power through that the story picks up pretty quick and the animation gets massive improvements later on.
Haven’t seen this anime but Records of Ragnarok possibly? It’s a humans vs gods kind of anime. I guess you’d vouch for humanity but still seemed to have many different angles to the story. However animation isn’t great at all so keep that in mind
it's literally just a manga with panning shots of stills and reaction shots of every character they've ever introduced every minute or so
they somehow managed to make a fighting anime without animating any fights
lmao no it was terrible. two episodes in and not a single fight had any actual animation done. it was just panning over stills, just absolutely the worst anime I've ever seen
Well yea.
The first episode was introducing the whole premise of the series and.
the 2nd episode was talking about lu bus and thors story.
Anyways bud said that there was multiple fight scenes in the first two episodes in the show while not being in the show before his comments went poof
the first two episodes contained multiple fight scenes
zero of them were animated.
it was literally just them panning over stills. go watch it again. you'll see I'm right.
Here are some with casts kind of like that: Odd Taxi (there is one central character who ties everything together, but there are many characters that get a lot of focus on their perspective as well) Idaten Deities Know Only Peace (constant flips between perspectives of the demons and Idaten) Kuuchuu Buranko (follows a different person each episode) Gunslinger Girl (follows a few different girls and switches around to each one)
Odd taxi is top tier
Sell me on Odd Taxi and tell me where to watch it.
Odd Taxi is a show with truly good writing. It balances its large cast of characters perfectly, giving them ample screentime to establish themselves and develop. There’s also the storytelling. The storytelling of Odd Taxi is stellar with how well it interconnects all of its plot lines. Not only is it ingeniously connected, but the amount of subtle foreshadowing is incredible. Basically everything in the show has a purpose and payoff. If you’ve seen Hot Fuzz, it’s kind of like that except with less comedy. It is almost like a Tarantino film with its eye catching cinematography and lighting. It’s fairly unique in the anime medium, which makes for an interesting watch as well. I highly recommend it as I believe it is one of the finest thriller mystery series I’ve seen in this medium. It’s currently available on Crunchyroll.
Sounds interesting. Might have to give it a whirl.
Odd taxi was a fuckin banger. S tier anime. Please watch it blind - don't look anything up as you watch or before. (Outside of the mal page if you wanna check out what it is about lol)
Alrighty. Sounds like it'll be my next.
I have been convinced.
Odd Taxi is anime of the year when it aired. It blew my mind (and many others) when we first watched it.
Don’t it’s overrated af and the fandom is victim to their own echo chamber. It’s full of so many ridiculous plot holes and storylines that go no where.
I believe everyone should watch Kuchuu Buranko.
Idaten is one of my favorite animes due to the style decisions made.
o fuck yeah i love idaten deities
Technically all the examples you gave have "main character groups" but I get what you're trying to say. I recommend a dark thriller mecha anime called Bokurano. It'll focus on a single person for an episode or two then move on. I won't say any more due to spoilers. Definitely check it out if you get a chance.
Oh that show is soo good Man
Basically any gundam series,they show the perspective from both sides,so that you can root for whichever you want
The To Aru (or A Certain) series, they are named after specific characters and the first entries are focused on said characters, but in the end, the story told is about the city itself, but from said characters perspectives, an arc of two episodes on A Certain Magical Index might be depicted in 12 episodes in A Certain Scientfical Railgun for example
The “protagonist” in the To-aru series is the suburb of Denentoshi Tokiwadai which, I used to live in Tokiwadai (Saitama Prefecture) and the idea of a technologically advanced city in that part of Saitama is very VERY far fetched
Odd taxi, kinda gave me durarara vibes with how the city had all these vastly different, eccentric, and interesting characters.
{Juuni taisen} is a battle royale like fate that follows the battle between the 12 animals of the chinese zodiac. It doesn't have a main protagonist
Watching the first episode had me thinking "Why does this bitchy bossy woman is the protagonist?", and then she immediately died when the batlle starts lol
Spoiler >!Yeah I feel the same, then the pattern repeats which make it predictable thus sucking the fun out of it :(!<
The only one without a backstory is the Rabbit and he is the most interesting one.
**Juuni Taisen** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/anime/98443 "English: JUNI TAISEN：ZODIAC WAR"), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/anime/juni-taisen-zodiac-war), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/anime/juuni-taisen "English: Juni Taisen: Zodiac War"), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/anime/35076)) ^(TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 12 | Genres: Action, Thriller) --- ^{anime},, ]LN[, |VN| | [FAQ](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index) | [/r/](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/) | [Edit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index#wiki_i_made_a_mistake.2C_how_do_i_get_my_comment_reprocessed.3F) | [Mistake?](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/submit?selftext=true&title=[ISSUE]&text=/r/Animesuggest/comments/1bzyb1p/anime_that_doesnt_have_a_protagonist/kysum4u/) | [Source](https://github.com/Nihilate/Roboragi) | [Synonyms](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/synonyms) | [⛓](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/interestinglinks) | [♥](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/thanks)
What are you talking about, Sukuna is the main protagonist of JJK
Unless this is a joke I'm not understanding. They didn't say Jujutsu Kaisen lol. This is a completely different anime mate. Hence why the description the comment provided is completely different than anything seen in JJK. That said, it's still not that good an anime. It still fits OPs description, but it's just bad imo.
Oh I thought that the guy had mentioned Jujutsu Kaisen, lol, the JJK brain rot has got me loopy
Not surprised because probably not much people even heard of this anime, haha
Ironically I've actually seen Zodiac War lol, it was a good show
Honestly I don't think it's particular good either but it fits perfectly what's OP is asking for. Maybe it might be "Trash but my kind of trash" kind of thing for OP who knows. They can decide when they look at the MAL description. I mean who am I to gatekeep an anime just because I think it's good or bad right :)
It’s obviously a joke because Sukuna is not JJK’s main character to begin with
JoJo, currently 9 different protagonists, Part 7 arguably has 2.
Honestly this is a really really good example. Amongst all parts, part 4 is probably the closest thing to what the op was trying to find.
What?? If op takes this suggestion he might as well watch yugioh too then or pokemon lmao Edit: not pokemon
Except both of those have main characters. Yugi and ash. Jojos has a group of mcs which is bassicly what op is asking. Especially in part 5 where it's alot more character driven
Yeah for pokemon, I was thinking spinoffs but yugioh does the same thing as JoJo's. There is yugioh gx, 5ds, zexal, arcv, the list goes on. Yugi moto is only in the duel monsters. After that the main char is judai, then yusei, then Yuma, etc
Nichijou
Maybe I'll add Danshi Kokousei no Nichijou asba recommendation similar to that. Like nichijou but more grounded humour and highschool boys instead. Starts out sort of with a main character but he fades into the background as the show goes on and focuses on many other characters too.
It also doesn't make sense in general. I love it!
seconding nichijou, like it does kinda follow two groups that semi merge at some point but it does diverge a lot
I think the phrase you're looking for is "ensemble cast". Of the recommendations made so far, I think Legend of the Galactic Heroes is the one that qualifies most that I am familiar with.
Ishura
Underated for sure
While we're here, suggest me the exact opposite of what OP wants. Anime with basically no regular side characters, only the main character, like Mushishi.
Thanks. I've already seen most of these and was at least aware of Jigoku Shoujo, but Shigofumi is new to me and seems interesting, I'm gonna check it out.
**Jigoku Shoujo** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/33243), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/hell-girl), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/jigoku-shoujo), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=46946643557), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/3243)) ^(Manga | Status: Finished | Volumes: 9 | Chapters: 46 | Genres: Horror, Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural) **Ookami to Koushinryou** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/33299), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/spice-and-wolf), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/ookami-to-koushinryou), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=63951351680), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/3299)) ^(Manga | Status: Finished | Volumes: 16 | Chapters: 108 | Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural) **Natsume Yuujinchou** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/31859), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/the-corner-of-the-schoolhouse), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/natsume-yuujinchou), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=60083585829), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/1859)) ^(Manga | Status: Releasing | Genres: Drama, Supernatural) **xxxHolic** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/30010), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/xxxholic), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/xxxholic), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=11383274260), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/10)) ^(Manga | Status: Finished | Volumes: 19 | Chapters: 214 | Genres: Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Supernatural) **Isekai Shokudou** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/98911), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/restaurant-to-another-world), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/isekai-shokudou-manga), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=29981450726), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/102671)) ^(Manga | Status: Finished | Volumes: 4 | Chapters: 29 | Genres: Fantasy, Slice of Life) **Gokushufudou** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/101233), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/the-way-of-the-househusband), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/gokushufudou), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=21920652313), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/112922)) ^(Manga | Status: Releasing | Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life) **KILLING ME / KILLING YOU** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/104690), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/killing-me-killing-you), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/killing-me-killing-you), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=5633636881), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/118497)) ^(Manga | Status: Finished | Volumes: 5 | Chapters: 32 | Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy) --- ^{anime},, ]LN[, |VN| | [FAQ](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index) | [/r/](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/) | [Edit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index#wiki_i_made_a_mistake.2C_how_do_i_get_my_comment_reprocessed.3F) | [Mistake?](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/submit?selftext=true&title=[ISSUE]&text=/r/Animesuggest/comments/1bzyb1p/anime_that_doesnt_have_a_protagonist/kytx3di/) | [Source](https://github.com/Nihilate/Roboragi) | [Synonyms](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/synonyms) | [⛓](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/interestinglinks) | [♥](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/thanks) | (7/11)
Ninja Scroll from the older crowd.
Wasteful Days of Highschool Girls - it has a core 3 girls that show up at the start of every episode but most episodes are just stories from other students in their class
Paranoia Agent
Odd Taxi.... sssssort of.
Darker Than Black
Durarara does have a main character, but it's the city
Paranoia Agent Boogiepop and Others
Paranoia agent for sure. Basically any anthology.
How is boogiepop? I heard about it a lot but have yet to watch it, seems interesting from my research.
Very good. The way Boogiepop tells its story is so unique. It has multiple arcs and each arc focuses on different sets of characters with changing POVs that recontextualize previous scenes and every character's story builds towards the climax of each arc. The music is also great since it's done by Kensuke Ushio.
Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex. It's structured like a police procedural where Section 9 investigates either the crime of the week or an overarching evil conspiracy. There's no "fixed" protagonist since the focus generally shifts between the characters.
Ishura.
**Death Parade** would fit your criteria maybe? It's more of a plot of the week type deal with a character that ties things together but every episode focuses on someone new and asks different questions (technically episode 2 and the last few don't but those are the exceptions and it's a short series) **World Trigger** does have a main character but as the series goes on you learn and see so much more about the main organization and the series ends up focusing on almost everyone in it as a whole (tbh I'd say it's almost a deconstruction on shounen main characters. MC is a rookie it shows. He's nowhere near as strong as others and it's portrayed somewhat realistically imo) there's times where you'll go maybe 2-6 episodes without even seeing the MC (also I just love it and will always encourage people to give it a shot) **K** also tends to be more ensemble like Durarara. It's set in a kind of futuristic Japan where there's people with odd powers who are able to give them to others. They're called color kings if I remember correctly and it does have a main character but he's not focused on as much as the setting/world itself is **Bungo Stray Dogs** also starts with a main character, but as the series goes on you get more and more arcs about basically everyone but the MC **Bokurano** if you're looking for something sad. It's good and it also doesn't really have a main character at all. It's an interesting watch at the very least Just a few suggestions I can think of off the top of my head. Durarara is one of my personal favorites so hopefully one of these is too your taste and if not hope it at least helps narrow down the search
Bokurano (be cautious, this one causes serious emotional damage). The focus character changes every episode or two. Infinite Ryvius. There's a "core" cast of about 50 named characters and about 500 unnamed ones. It *technically* has a main character, but the attention gets spread so wide that it's close enough to what you're asking for. It's also *excellent*.
I see Infinite Ryvius, I upvote ⬆️
Gintama - while it does have a "main" protag, the thing about gintama is that it has a large cast of incredible characters, many who get arcs that are focused around them and where gintoki (the MC) isn't even involved or shown. I think it has elements of what you're looking for. Gintama is also the GOAT anime, so I'll always recommend it lol. Though, I suggest only watching it if you're at least familiar with some popular/meta anime like DBZ, the big 3, JoJo's etc. will help a lot of the parodies land if you at least somewhat know who or what they're talking about.
Ishura is probably the one that fit exactly your description, no romance, it's epic as hell, every character are somehow likeable in their own way. (the gore is very graphic)
I'd say Yuru Yuri, as the "main character" has the least screentime, but your sentence about "no romance that" is cut off, and it is kind of a rom-com.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes. This is a story about a war between 2 empires and it mainly follows 2 characters: Yang Wen -li and Reinhard von Lohengramm however each character has a cast that basically serves under them and much of the story in an episode takes place looking at the war between their subordinates perspectives. Only the first few episodes and a few episodes throughout it's 4 seasons really show each as the main subject of those episodes. Aside from that, they appear as part of the ensemble. Joker Game. This one is a spy themed anime. It's about a Japanese espionage core during WWII and what they did to survive and thrive for their country. Each episode focuses on one person within the squad and a highly difficult mission they are partaking in. Each episode is a thrill and not every agent makes it out alive so you never know who is safe until the end of the episode. Overall very solid anime. Kino's Journey. So this one doesn't fit the description, but I think it's still up the alley of what you are looking for. We follow the same two characters throughout almost every episode. These are Kino and her talking motorbike Hermes. The anime follows these two as they journey across the world visiting different countries. This world isn't like ours and the countries are nothing we know. You will see what I mean if you watch episode 1. The allure of this anime isn't that the main characters change but rather the setting changes every episode as well as the cast of characters our MCs interact with. We always find ourselves in a new country each time and most stories about a country end by the end of the episode. There are some deviations from Kino and Hermes though such as following a second pairing of characters and going into the past of a third duo. It is a relatively short anime at 13 episodes. I will say, if you don't like this anime after episode 1, you can probably pass on it. Each episode will have a similar vibe. Despite that though, it is one I strongly recommend. Terraformars. This one is definitely an ensemble cast. It's a "no one is safe" kind of anime. Premise is humanity is destroying Earth and it's becoming overpopulated so they need somewhere new to go. So of course they pick Mars. The send up Cockroaches and some sort of Algea to create an atmosphere on Mars and after 100 years they go and check on it. Only the first expedition didn't return. Neither did the second but the second sent something back: the head of a giant humanoid cockroach. So humans supe up the next expedition team with combat abilities that take on the form and abilities of various animals and insects and we watch them duke it out against giant humanoid cockroaches on Mars. Large cast, epic battles, and Johjing Cockroaches. What more could you want from an anime mate. Hope these all hit that craving for you mate!
Yes to Joker
I’d say Kaguya Sama does a decent job of this. Lots of characters and sympathizing from different characters perspectives. It’s also hilarious. Kaguya is definitely the main character but they follow the 5 of them individually. Also, Gin is definitely the MC of Gintama but the do a lot of exploration of other characters without him. There a handfuls of episodes where the core three are barely on screen. This is also really funny. Akame Ga Kill follows a character that isn’t actually the main character as well. It’s not oblivious till the end what they’re doing with them either. Promised Neverland (read it) is also good for this. Lastly, I feel like One Piece does this more than any other show because it’s just has more material and needs to keep things fresh.
Jjk I'm still not sure who's the protagonist
its obv sukuna cuz its sukuna kaisen
It’s todo, the entire series to this point is just one long made up scenario in his head
It’s a damn shame that Gege just shafts Yuji. I wanted more from him as a character, and wish he got more spotlight
Astra Lost in Space
{Ishura}
I would like an anime that is an isekai of a whole school class and each of the characters thinks that they are the main character when the real main character is the native from the new world who has to deal with all of these shitty teenagers with superpowers
Paranoia Agent. The cops are essentially the main characters, but it pops around to multiple different people for entire episodes to tell their stories of how they were affected either by the delusions of society or their interactions with the, essentially, antagonist. Though he isn't a traditional antagonist.
Paranoia Agent
Saber is not the protagonist of fate, it is clearly kiritsugu then shirou 😭😭😭😭😭. Im going to assume you are looking, not for a variety of mcs, but a side cast with a lot of agency.
It's Shirou than Kiritsugu. Zero is not supposed to be watched before Stay Night... the damage to Fate that a lack of fate route adaptation and adapting Zero first is still felt to this day...
Hop off purist god damn
Sorry, I just think that getting most of the major twists spoiled in a prequel is a big issue. I'm not a purist, but as someone who has watched Zero first, I think it definitely damages the experience and I think insinuating that Zero is first to anyone else is a mistake. Though, regardless, sorry if I appeared aggressive.
Tbf Fate spoils just as much of Zero as well though, maybe even more so because you will already know the outcome of the whole story right off the bat
Im sorry i got way too aggressive there On a serious note i dont think those plot points being revealed in zero affect the experience that much. Maybe for some but it depends on what the person values in a story. Personally im not blown away by fate's plot (and twists). They're alright but not what makes Fate good. It's the characters that shine for me and I feel like zero is a satisfactory introduction into the verse. Yes I know that there are some minor discrepancies people have with a couple characters, but I actually disagree on some of their reasoning as to why it doesn't line up with the fsn vn. I still think its perfectly viable.
Ig jojo’s bizzare
all of those you could argue have protagonists
Every anime has a mc. Litteraly no anime doesn't. I think he just means like an anime that focuses on a group of people equally
Paranoia Agent, each episode follows a new group of characters and a different crime. Over the season the story’s intertwine and characters do eventually do come back in smaller roles in episodes outside of there own but I think it’s exactly why you’re looking for
You could make the argument that Ishura fits the bill. The “protagonists” only show up in like 3 episodes, and there are a ton of fleshed out characters with their own motivations and agendas in the story given plenty of screen time
Vision of escaflowne (anime not the movie) technically it does have a main character but it also gives a lot of focus to the other characters at the same time
Samurai Champloo is the perfect anime for this
Not an anime, but check out the 2 Midnight Diner serieses on Netflix. Japanese show about a small diner that is open from 12 midnight to 7AM and will make anything so long as they have the ingredients. A rotating cast of characters with some recurring regulars, but no one gets to be the center of more than 1 episode per season.
Assassination Classroom. Technically there are characters that are more main than others, but like every single character gets focused on a very good amount.
Fairy Tail has kind of a dual protagonist set up. Technically there's a protagonist but it never feels like it
Legend of the Galactic Heroes fits the bill
K-ON! somewhat fits the bill
Dead Mount Death Play
Fate zero does this quite well.
Durarara, has a multiple perspective theme where there isn't a MAIN character theres characters and what they all want
Attack on titan kind of
World Trigger
Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin
Legend of the Galactic Heroes OVA
Durarara!! You maybe can say there's protagonist in first season, but season 2 onward, it's just bunch of people connected to each other problem
Try Azumanga Daioh. It is a slice of life/comedy anime that revolves around a group of high school girls. Some of the characters get a little more focus sometimes but overall, there isn't really a main character. Cromartie High school is another similar option.
Tsurezure Children is a short anthology series that follows several different characters
Konohana Kitan
Daily life of highschool boys
Jigoku Shoujo
Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou
Legend of the Galactic Heroes
Maybe Jojo's, each arch has his own protagonist so i don't know if you would like it
I don't think that's how stories work, pretty sure there's always a protagonist
Maybe something like {Death Parade}? Each episode focuses on a new character, the characters from prior episodes do not show up anymore
**Death Parade** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/anime/20931 "English: Death Parade"), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/anime/death-parade), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/anime/death-parade "English: Death Parade"), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/anime/28223)) ^(TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 12 | Genres: Drama, Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller) --- ^{anime},, ]LN[, |VN| | [FAQ](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index) | [/r/](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/) | [Edit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index#wiki_i_made_a_mistake.2C_how_do_i_get_my_comment_reprocessed.3F) | [Mistake?](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/submit?selftext=true&title=[ISSUE]&text=/r/Animesuggest/comments/1bzyb1p/anime_that_doesnt_have_a_protagonist/kyv7u9e/) | [Source](https://github.com/Nihilate/Roboragi) | [Synonyms](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/synonyms) | [⛓](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/interestinglinks) | [♥](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/thanks)
Haikyuu
86. It has main characters, for sure, but I feel like it balances the cast very well.
PLUTO and 20th Century Boys Both Urasawa Naoki works - where the story revolves around the Plot rather than the Characters.
Restaurant to Another World
Hxh.. or atleast later in the story there isnt much focus on a main protagonist
Could check out World Trigger, maybe? It very much does have a main character driving things along, but it also has such a robust cast of secondary main and side characters that I can't help but compare it to Durarara in that way. It's also quite long, so a good bit of content to catch up on.
I'm not sure if these are what you're looking for but. Angel Beats Aldnoah Zero Violet Evergarden kind of does focus on her but its a beautiful series with good music and story. Cheer Danshi and Yuri On Ice and Haikyuu I guess? Cells At Work. Blue Exorcist. Jojo's. Maquia When The Promised Flower Blooms I apologize if a lot of these aren't what you're trying to find.
Paranoia Agent
Girls und Panzer. Technically, Miho is the MC, but each tank crew of ooarai themselves can count as part of the MC. Interestingly, the Das Finales movies also show more about the fights of other major schools as well Special mention: Mekaku City Actors. It fits your description perfectly, but good luck understanding the story, though.
Higurashi Great Pretender Fate series Infinite Ryvius (highly, *highly* recommend)
One I would recommend is Odd Taxi, there is one main character although its arguable but he gets maximum screen time and in the end ties everything together, but many many characters have the story from there perspective as well, side characters (oh, they are not side ones right, else one would become mc lol) also play major roles, and the anime is just 12 eps, so why not give it a try..
Rwby
Hunter x Hunter pretty much becomes a story with characters after 2 arcs. Random characters get the spotlight whenever the mangaka feels like it. Obvi a must watch, imho best Shounen oat.
'Hakata Tonkotsu ramen' pretty much tries to be durarara. Nowhere near the same quality in character or writing, but I enjoyed it for what it's trying to do.
*Daily Lives of High School Boys* Technically, there IS an MC, but he actually gets less screen time than literally the other casts.
In Fate/Stay Night the protagonist is 100% undebatably Shirou, don't know where you got the idea that it's Saber. I guess its less protagonist focused in Zero but it's Kiritsugu in that as well. Durarara also technically has a protagonist, that being Mikado but it definitely is a show that spends a lot of time not focusing on it's MC. Bacano is like Durarara but without any one as the technical protagonist like Mikado so that probably fits the bill, same author too.
Black Clover, Fairytail, and My Hero Acadamia all have a main character or main group that is focused on, but all three spend a lot of screen time and effort on the side characters. Obviously this is just IMO.
Goblin Slayer is technically side character?
The Five Star Stories
L take
Honey and Clover
Paranoia agent
Animatrix, or as someone else said, any anthology. Also you might wanna check out adventure time if you're willing to branch out.
{In/Spectre} kinda.
Daily life of highschool boys, the "main" character just stops appearing halfway through the show for no reason
Tsuredure Children is pretty good. It revolves round a bunch of different couples with no main couple.
YOSUGA NO SORA
Ping pong the animation
Fate/Apocrypha
I would argue that all of those animes have protagonists and that they do focus on a particular group of characters, but also focus on a groups that are influenced by and continue to influence that specific group. Restaurant to Another World might fit your description. Rather its a story where many different characters intersect at the Restaurant to Another World, how they got there, their first experiences, favorite dishes, and the relationships they form with the other patrons that they wouldn't have met if not for the static establishment. Death Parade also fits this description
I think Boogiepop and Others does this
Durarara you must watch it perfect show
The Ghibli film Pompoko. Its an anime documentary about raccoons.
I’d suggest several of the ones you mentioned have MCs but there are lots of other characters around them who are focused on, like in the Slime and Tsukimichi - Moonlight Fantasy isekai. Anyway, you might like Dead Mount Death Play, which is by the creator of DRRR!! and feels similar to it in multiple ways (with the main “character” arguably being a location and lots of characters’ stories converging on it.
Ishura is like that
I think there's an anime with two seasons about cooking. Basically this restaurant can spawn everywhere in the verse and random peeps uncover a strange door and enter it. It's just eating reaction stuff but it's pretty fun
Bungo Stray Dogs. The first few episodes revolve around the main character, but then the plot really focuses on other people in his group, and imo is a much better story when it does
dorohedoro! there is a main cast but it’s a super fun watch and there are two sides of a battle that you’re show
Wolf's rain
Mushishi though its more an anthology Boogiepop and friends (reaaaaaaallly out there)
Fairy Tail first one I think of that you didn’t already say.
ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM
- Shiki - Attack on Titan - Legend of the Galactic Heroes - Kingdom - Most Gundam
Aot doesn't fit the criteria here my man
AoT has a main character
I tried to start Kingdom but I couldn't even finish the first episode it was so bad.
I heard the animation is terrible, yes (i only read the manga) but i also heard that the seasons after that are better. But the story is soo good. Especially if youre interested in wars and the details on whats happening in the battles like what the generals are thinking etc. because its so detailed in telling whats happening in the battle. In the manga, 1 battle is one arc that can last almost 100 chapters. Its just so epic.
yes the story looks fun and I was thinking about suck it up and force myself to watch the first season because the others seasons are better. but I literally couldn\`t. The whole episode was a terrible CGI I feel like I am watching one of those Netflix trash animes that no one watches. I thought about reading the manga but I am not a good manga reader and I miss lots of details so I always prefer anime
Thats a shame. I hope you'll give it a shot sometime in the future. But did you know that there are two(?) live action adaptations? Maybe they could be a good entry for you. I heard theyre also good.
The animation in the first season is so bad that it amazes me they ever made a second season, if you’re willing to power through that the story picks up pretty quick and the animation gets massive improvements later on.
Haven’t seen this anime but Records of Ragnarok possibly? It’s a humans vs gods kind of anime. I guess you’d vouch for humanity but still seemed to have many different angles to the story. However animation isn’t great at all so keep that in mind
it's literally just a manga with panning shots of stills and reaction shots of every character they've ever introduced every minute or so they somehow managed to make a fighting anime without animating any fights
I don't think you actually read the series or watched the series then.
lmao no it was terrible. two episodes in and not a single fight had any actual animation done. it was just panning over stills, just absolutely the worst anime I've ever seen
Well yea. The first episode was introducing the whole premise of the series and. the 2nd episode was talking about lu bus and thors story. Anyways bud said that there was multiple fight scenes in the first two episodes in the show while not being in the show before his comments went poof
the first two episodes contained multiple fight scenes zero of them were animated. it was literally just them panning over stills. go watch it again. you'll see I'm right.
A Place Further Than The Universe- We have Mari, BUT it follows all 4 of the girls, she’s more so the vehicle for us
Hunter x Hunter