Korean anime series Lookism was a highly anticipated release, and there’s no surprise as to why due to the popular source material. If you are looking for something similar, I’ve put together shows like it. The anime shows on this list have all perfected the body swap storylines and added some fantastical elements to them, to make them memorable.
Punch Line (2015)
Punch Line is probably one of the most well-known animes in recent years. High schooler Yuta Iridatsu has experienced an “astral project” i.e. his spirit has been separated from his body. He woke up in a mansion named Koraikan and met a cat spirit named Chiranosuke. The cat told him that he needed to find the Sacred Tome of Koraikan in order to return to his physical body. There are fun characters for everyone to connect with, especially Chiranosuke.
Birdy the Mighty: Decode (2008)
Birdy is an undercover, interstellar federation agent charged with capturing the most dangerous criminals in the galaxy. A famous model by day, Birdy spends her nights in her line of fire, the boy’s human form is destroyed, and his consciousness must inhabit Birdy’s body until his own can be rebuilt. This is one of those out-of-body experiences that can be hard to accept because a boy’s human form is destroyed. He must learn to navigate his new body until he is rebuilt.
One Piece (1999)
One Piece has been around for a very long time and it is one of the most consistent anime. The series follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew in order to find the greatest treasure ever left by the legendary Pirate, Gold Roger. The famous mystery treasure named “One Piece.”
Charlotte (2015)
The story takes place in an alternate reality where a small percentage of children manifest superhuman abilities upon reaching puberty. A focus is placed on Yuu Otosaka, a high school boy who awakens the ability to temporarily possess others, which brings him to the attention of Nao Tomori, the student council president of a school founded as a haven for children with such abilities. To be a high schooler and be able to possess others whenever he wants can be a good thing and a bad thing as long as he utilizes his powers correctly.
Miracle Girls (1993)
Mikage and Tomomi Matsunaga are Mirace Girls, they have a telepathic link with each other and can teleport when they link their little fingers. It’s a female-led anime with a really cute connection between the two leads.
Kokoro Connect (2012)
Five school friends experience strange supernatural phenomena that put their relationships to the test, as per the synopsis on IMDB. Whenever there is a group of friends, there is always good banter and when they have to deal with supernatural aspects, there is sure to be chaos.
Kaiba (2008)
In a futuristic dystopian world where memories are literally stored, bought, and sold, and the rich have all the privileges, a young amnesiac is trying to find out who he is. The journey he goes on is really important, especially because the memories are stored and used as currency.
Murder Princess (2007)
In the land of Foreland a coup d’etat has occurred and the princess, after witnessing the death of the King, is on the run. She meets with battle-hungry bounty hunter Falis, and with a twist of fate, they both switch souls, making Alita the maid of the now princess Falis. This body swap with two very different classes. A princess and a bounty hunter swap bodies and have to adapt really quickly.
Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches (2013)
Urara Shiraishi is a model student with excellent grades. Ryu Yamada is a troubel student. One day, Urara tumbles down the stairs with Ryu. After the accident, their bodies become switched. When they tumbled down the stairs, they happen to kiss. They guess that they may have changed bodies because of the kiss. The way the body swap happens in this case makes for a romantic version of it and it’s fun.
Red Data Girl (2013)
A modern fantasy based on Japanese Shinto legends. Suzuhara Izumiko is a 15-year-old girl, who has been raised and protected in a shrine deep in the Kumano mountains. She is quite shy and destroys all the electric devices she touches. When she begins to think about going out of the mountains, her guardian Sagara Yukismasa recommends she enter a high school in Tokyo and forces his son Miyuki to serve Izumiko for life.
What other anime shows like Lookism would you recommend? Any body swap stories? Comment below.
