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Anime like Rail of the Star: A True Story of Children

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Cover of Grave of the Fireflies

Top pick

Grave of the Fireflies

Hotaru no Haka

1988, Movie, 1 ep, 83%, Studio Ghibli

Recommended by 5 Rail of the Star fans on AniList. The same kind of story: showa-era wartime memory dramas.

In the aftermath of a World War II bombing, two orphaned children struggle to survive in the Japanese countryside. To Seita and his four-year-old sister, the helplessness and indifference of their countrymen is even more painful than the enemy raids. Through desperation, hunger…

More anime for fans of Rail of the Star

  1. Cover of Giovanni's Island
    Giovanni's Island

    2014, Movie, 1 ep, 75%

    Recommended by 3 Rail of the Star fans on AniList. The same kind of story: showa-era wartime memory dramas.

  2. Cover of Who's Left Behind?
    Who's Left Behind?

    1991, Movie, 1 ep, 70%

    The same kind of story: showa-era wartime memory dramas.

  3. Cover of Glass Rabbit
    Glass Rabbit

    2005, Movie, 1 ep, 60%

    The same kind of story: showa-era wartime memory dramas.

  4. Cover of In This Corner of the World
    In This Corner of the World

    2016, Movie, 1 ep, 81%

    The same kind of story: showa-era wartime memory dramas.

  5. Cover of The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
    The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.

    2016, TV short, 120 eps, 83%

    Super Power, Surreal Comedy, Satire

  6. Cover of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2
    Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2

    2026, ONA, 10 eps, 84%

    Cyberpunk, Cyborg, Crime

  7. Cover of JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death – The Movie
    JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death – The Movie

    2025, Movie, 1 ep, 84%

    Urban Fantasy, Curses, Shounen

  8. Cover of Chiikawa
    Chiikawa

    2022, TV short, ongoing, 85%

    Animals, Surreal Comedy, Primarily Child Cast

  9. Cover of Perfect Blue
    Perfect Blue

    1998, Movie, 1 ep, 85%

    Both have Tragedy.

  10. Cover of Howl‘s Moving Castle
    Howl‘s Moving Castle

    2004, Movie, 1 ep, 85%

    Both have War.

  11. Cover of Renegade Immortal
    Renegade Immortal

    2023, ONA, 180 eps, ongoing, 85%

    Full CGI, Cultivation, Revenge

  12. Cover of Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting!
    Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting!

    2000, TV, 75 eps, 87%

    Boxing, Male Protagonist, Primarily Male Cast

  13. Cover of Cosmic Princess Kaguya!
    Cosmic Princess Kaguya!

    2026, ONA, 1 ep, 84%

    Female Protagonist, Virtual World, Fairy Tale

  14. Cover of Delicious in Dungeon
    Delicious in Dungeon

    2024, TV, 24 eps, 85%

    Both have Tragedy.

  15. Cover of The Apothecary Diaries
    The Apothecary Diaries

    2023, TV, 24 eps, 88%

    Both have Foreign.

  16. Cover of Steins;Gate
    Steins;Gate

    2011, TV, 24 eps, 89%

    Time Manipulation, Time Loop, Male Protagonist

  17. Cover of Samurai Champloo
    Samurai Champloo

    2004, TV, 26 eps, 84%

    Travel, Swordplay, Samurai

  18. Cover of NANA
    NANA

    2006, TV, 47 eps, 85%

    Female Protagonist, Shoujo, Primarily Adult Cast

  19. Cover of A Silent Voice
    A Silent Voice

    2016, Movie, 1 ep, 88%

    Both have Language Barrier.

  20. Cover of BANANA FISH
    BANANA FISH

    2018, TV, 24 eps, 84%

    Both have Fugitive, Foreign.

  21. Cover of Chainsaw Man
    Chainsaw Man

    2022, TV, 12 eps, 83%

    Both have Tragedy.

  22. Cover of MUSHI-SHI
    MUSHI-SHI

    2005, TV, 26 eps, 85%

    Both have Tragedy.

  23. Cover of Orb: On the Movements of the Earth
    Orb: On the Movements of the Earth

    2024, TV, 25 eps, 86%

    Both have Foreign.

Manga for fans of Rail of the Star

Message to Adolf1983, Manga, 36 ch, 81% Ikoku Nikki2017, Manga, 59 ch, 88% Eleceed2018, Manga, ongoing, 85% Delicious in Dungeon2014, Manga, 111 ch, 88% Nana2000, Manga, ongoing, 88% Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow1968, Manga, 171 ch, 89% Pick Me Up2022, Manga, ongoing, 84% Decapitation: Kubikiri Cycle2002, Light novel, 9 ch, 84%

About Rail of the Star: A True Story of Children

1993, Movie, 1 ep, 64%, MADHOUSE

A young Japanese actress remembers her war childhood in Korea. Her father goes to fight, her baby sister Miko dies of typhoid, her beloved Korean maid Ohana is fired due to a mistake which could cost Chiko her life... By and by Chiko realizes that the country is being ruled by the Japanese and the Koreans are persecuted. When the war ends, the Koreans chase the Japanese rule and the roles change. Now Chiko's family is unwanted. But then the Russians come and this is the end. They have to burn all the pictures to avoid all suspicions... even Miko's picture. But when the Russians come to their house, they decide to flee over the 38th Parallel towards freedom. A group of men, women, children struggles along the mountains, led by the light of the North Star. Along the way they meet a Korean man, who is willing to help them to escape the Russian soldiers although his family was killed by the Japanese.

(Source: Anime News Network)

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