Anime has various genres and most of them often introduce us to different themes. These themes have a way to give off different vibes. Not only this but sometimes these genres, along with their themes and the vibes they give off, have a way of giving us insights into a time period from the past. For instance, the ones that give off Cowboy vibes definitely have such an impact. The genre as a whole is known as the “Western” genre. The Western genre is something that has been around for a long time and is used throughout various media forms. It introduces us to the time period or themes related to the Western part of the United States from the 18500s to the 19th century.
The Western genre includes concepts that indulge in the daily life and conflicts of cowpokes. The main characters belonging to this genre usually are depicted as outlaws or are often seen looking for treasures. They are also portrayed as people standing with the law and fighting crimes. Of course, fights involving guns are the cherry on top of these stories. As mentioned above, anime is one such media that has implemented themes from this genre in its stories. Below mentioned are 10 anime that give off cowboy vibes.
Cowboy Bebop
When you think of Western and Anime, Cowboy Bebop is probably the first anime that pops into mind. However, instead of taking us to the past, it introduces us to a futuristic world where the setting is very similar to a wild western America. Not only this but it combines the Western themes with Sci-Fi, making it an even more interesting setting. It introduces us to an almost inhabitable Earth, fifty years after the hyperspace gateway accident. The story revolves around Spike Spiegel.
Spike and his friends are bounty hunters working on Bebop, their spaceship. Together they get into many troubling situations. Cowboy Bebop is known to be one of the best anime ever made involving the most lovable protagonists. It is created by Sunrise, Inc. now known as Bandai Namco Filmworks, Inc. It is an anime series containing 26 episodes.
Trigun
Another anime similar to Cowboy Bebop is Trigun. However, the latter takes a deeper dive into the Western genre. Trigun is an anime that introduces similar sci-fi and cowboy themes in its story. It introduces us to a planet known as No Man’s Land. The main protagonist, Vash the Stampede is seen fighting off bounty hunters that are trying to chase him for the huge sum of bounty on his head. The anime, thus, looks into the past and present past of Vash in its 26 episodes. It is adapted from a manga written and illustrated by Yasuhiro Nightow. Yasuhiro Nightow was a fan of the Western genre and thus, incorporated its themes in his creation. It anime series was produced by Madhouse Studio.
Gun Frontier
The next anime is one of the oldest anime that gives off vibes from old West America. Gun Frontier is a manga created by Matsumoto Leiji. Leiji is famous for creating the classical hero series involving Captain Harlock. Gun Frontier follows up on the story of the hero’s best friend named Oyama Tochiro and his adventures. The anime overall is comedic in nature with many themes that revolve around the wild old west. The manga series ran from the year 1972 to 1975. Vega Entertainment adapted the manga into a 13-episode anime series in 2002.
Desert Punk
Another anime with a post-apocalyptic scenario is Desert Punks. However, the setting in the anime only focuses on Japan after a nuclear catastrophe. Japan, now turned into a desert, consists of the survivors trying to live their lives in their new yet poor surroundings. It introduces us to the protagonist named Kanta Mizuno or Desert Punk. The anime, thus, focuses on the adventures of this desert punk as he comes across conflicting situations, interesting friends, and troubling foes. The manga series is written as well as illustrated by Masatoshi Usune and ran from 1997 to 2020. The anime series was produced by the studio Gonzo and came out in the year 2004.
Appare-Ranman!
The next anime very interestingly combines steampunk themes with western as well as historical themes. Appare-Ranman! is an anime that came out not very long ago. The setting of the anime takes us back to the Meiji Era of Japan wherein a noble’s son named Appare Sorano is interested in inventing new things. We are then introduced to the second protagonist who is a Samurai as well as the guardian of Appare named Kosame Ishiki.
They both, because of an accident, get stranded in the sea and are then taken to Los Angeles after being saved by a steamship. In order to make some money there, they decide to participate in the “Trans-America Wild Race”. Appare builds them an automobile for the race. Together they try to win races and fight off other racers in hopes of getting back to Japan.
Appare-Ranman! is a manga written and illustrated by Masakazu Hashimoto and Ahndongshik, respectively. In 2020, the studio P. A. Works came out with its animated series.
Kino’s Journey
This anime gives us a western-themed setting. Also known as Kino’s Adventure, the anime introduces us to Kino and her bond with a talking motorcycle named Hermes. Kino and Hermes travel around without any aim or destination. Regardless of this, they come across many customs and people around the world. This anime, thus, gives us insights into the many people Kino and Hermes meet. They both, however, do not try to influence nor are much influenced by the people they meet and just being bystanders by watching people live their daily lives.
Kino’s Journey is based on a light novel series written and illustrated by Keiichi Sigsawa and Kouhaku Kuroboshi, respectively. A.C.G.T and Genco Studios made a 13-episode anime series out of this story in 2003.
Baccano!
Another anime based on a light novel series is Baccano! This anime has many action scenes that are often introduced in western-themed series. This anime is also famous for introducing us to various sorts of people ranging from alchemists to mafias. Connecting their stories are the characters Isaac and Miria. However, the series has multiple points of view giving us deeper insights into each character, and their actions have consequences that each character must face.
Golden Kamuy
The next anime mostly focuses on bounty hunting. It introduces us to the early 1900s after the Russo-Japanese war. This story centers around the character Sugimoto Saichi, also known as, Sugimoto the Immortal thanks to his crazy survival instincts. Sugimoto comes across a man who tells him of a hidden treasure that belonged to a massacred Ainu group. Although not believing the story initially, he comes across a dead man with the map to the treasure tattooed on his back. Remembering the promise he made to his dying best friend of taking care of the latter’s family, he decided to find the treasure.
However, the dead man was killed by a bear and soon was about to attack Sugimoto. He was saved by a girl named Asirpa. Aspirpa reveals herself to be the daughter of one of the slaughtered Ainu men and thus joins forces with Sugimoto to find the treasure. Golden Kamuy is a manga written and illustrated by Noda Satoru. It was adapted into an anime by Geno Studio. By the end of 2022, Brain’s Base studio will produce the fourth season of the anime. it is also worth mentioning that the Ainu language is supervised by an Ainu linguist from Chiba University named Hiroshi Nakagawa.
Grenadier
Gun X Sword
Lastly, we have the anime Gun X Sword which has themes similar to the western genre. It introduces us to a world where rogues roam around freely. The main character Van has lost his bride to a “Clawed Man”. Thus, he looks for this man in order to seek revenge. Along with him, there are many other people in search of this clawed man too. He also meets a girl named Wendy. Wendy pleads with Van to help her find her kidnapped brother. In the end, he unveils the secrets behind the clawed man as well as the kidnapping of Wendy’s brother. The anime is an originals series produced by the studio AIC ASTA 2005.
If you like high society crime drama, Elite is the show for you! Elite has everything from class, drama, romance, and crime. It is one of the biggest shows on Netflix but also the most scandalous. Netflix is the hub of teen dramas and Elite is one of the tops. So if you are into teen drama/crime go for this one. And if you have already binged this show, I have some suggestions for a series similar to Elite. Read ahead to find out about the top 10 series similar to Elite.
Elite begins with three working-class students joining a prestigious university. And all the students are from the high society except for these three. So, of course, it has class disparity and bullying, and people trying to fit in. But the water goes over the head when things get violent. And by violent I don’t mean fistfights or wrestles but actual murders. As the show progresses things start to get darker and darker.
Top 10 Series Similar to Elite
Teen crime drama is a genre that interests a lot of people. And throw in the high-class society, cultural disparity into the mix and you have yourself a treat. Let’s look at some shows that deliver the same high-tension drama as Elite.
10. Thirteen Reasons Why
Based on Jay Asher’s Novel ’13 Reasons Why’ is the most controversial teen drama on Netflix. It has critiques for its bare representation of sensitive issues, like rape, gun violence, suicide, etc. However, in spite of its controversial scenes, this series was largely watched.
Teen crime drama series 13 Reasons Why. Top 10 Shows Similar to Elite
Hannah’s constant bullying which led to her suicide connects the dots to the Elite’s Class conflicts leading to Murder. Although ’13 reasons why’ does not have the rich kids vs poor kids situation. But still glimpses of it were seen through Bryce’s privileges as a rich white jock of the school.
Similar to Elite, this show also gently portrays the dark sides of society. And also portrays situations that any young person could be in. The relatability and raw representation in this show are what make it stand out. So, if you enjoy watching dramas like Elite, 13 reasons why is the one for you.
9. The A-List
Have you ever randomly stumbled upon a show and binged it? I have and this is the one. And surprisingly it was fun and left me curious. The A-List is a supernatural teen drama where a summer camp trip becomes deadly.
British Supernatural teen – crime drama, The A-List
This series is full of surprises and the ending will leave you shocked. Elite although is not supernatural but the drama quotient is high for both the shows. Moreover, the mystery and romance of the shows also occupy the audience’s attention.
By far just two seasons of the series is out, which is binge-able. And since Elite season 6 requires a long wait. Check out this series to explore that genre more.
8. Riverdale
Talk about crime, teen drama, and all kinds of bizarre things, Riverdale is what comes to mind. The show was a massive hit for its dark plots and darker characters but it gradually lost people’s interest. Although it went too far with random twists, turns, and people keeping dead bodies like humans. Riverdale still has a close-knit dedicated fandom.
Riverdale.
The show has its fair share of murders, mystery, and drama which makes it a close one to Elite. Riverdale focuses on students of Riverdale high and explores the lead character’s darker sides. And Elite’s characters also stand in a grey area, no one is perfectly good or bad.
If you are up for all kinds of drama and disasters, Riverdale is a great watch.
7. The Society
Are you Bibliophile? If yes then you must have read William Golding’s Lord of The Flies. The Netflix series ‘The Society’ follows a similar story with a modern tale. In the absence of adults, the teens try to form law and order in society which leads to conflicts.
American mystery teen drama: The Society
Besides the conflicts and drama and murders, ‘The Society’ is also a satire of the real society. And it delivers when it comes to mystery, drama, and thrill. Although it’s different from Elite in the sense that it’s forming a community while Elite is breaking it. It’s still a fun watch for teen drama fans.
6. The Vampire Dairies
Another hugely popular show I am sure you have heard of! Although it has 100 years old Vampires in it, the essence of it is still the lives of high schoolers. With a large fanbase and long seasons, this show doesn’t miss any genre at all. So, whether it’s drama, romance, comedy, thriller, horror, or crime The Vampire Dairies got it all.
Still from supernatural TV series: The Vampire Dairies
As an Elite fan, I would recommend this series for sure. Despite it being a long series, it still never gets boring. It will keep you on the edge of your seat just like Elite does. However, there’s more history here than mystery but they are all good storylines. So, if you’ve got the time, binge-watch it away.
5. Baby
A lesser-known but scandalous series, Baby is about a teen living a double life. It’s an Italian TV series on Netflix and is high on explicit content. And talking about explicit content, Elite is not far behind.
Italian drama series: Baby
Moreover, Baby is also about a student from an elite university. But unlike Elite, the protagonist is trying to find herself outside of the school. And that gets her into sex work stuff. The story is unique and controversial, believed to be loosely based on real life. If you are an Elite fan, you must love the mystery, betrayal, and thrill of doing things beyond the norms it offers. So, you should watch Baby as it’s a package of all those elements.
4. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
In the list of series similar to Elite, we have Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. It is also another supernatural teen drama following The Vampire Dairies and Riverdale. Netflix’s favorite half-witch-half-mortal Sabrina and her journey are what fans love.
Still from the supernatural fantasy series: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
You should watch Sabrina for its thrilling plotlines and adventures. While the teens of Elite tackle the inner circle conflicts, Sabrina tackles evil supernatural stuff. However, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina solely focuses on her story. Whereas Elite is more about communities.
Nevertheless, you will not regret watching any of these shows, if you are a sucker for drama, crime, thriller, and all of the above.
3. Outer Banks
Outer Banks is one of the best TV shows on Netflix right now. And it’s been getting all the good reviews for its shooting style, location, and acting skills. But the main theme of this series is its essential goodness. There are no grey characters, only good or bad, unlike shows like Elite, and Riverdale, 13 reasons why.
The Cast of Teen Drama: Outer Banks. pic (l-r) Madelyn Cline, Rudy Pankow, Johnathan Daviss, Chase Stokes, and Madison Bailey
A group of Friends navigating through obstacles that comes between their final goal. And of course, has all kinds of drama and mystery and in this case, adventure. Outer Banks is loved by fans for its relatable issues & unexpected storyline. Since the show can take you anywhere, the stakes are always high. Similarly, with Elite, the sudden twists and turns make the show worthwhile.
2. Sex Education
Sex Education although far from violence is upfront in tackling sensitive issues. It might be too sexually explicit for some people but if you have watched Elite, this is not new for you. Besides the explicit part, Sex Education is also an elite school or the students certainly act like it is. And if you watch Elite for its sassiness, you’ll love Sex Education as it has loads of it.
A Still from British Comedy Drama: Sex Education.
Sex Education also deals with real-life situations like romance, heartbreak, family drama, and so on. And you can find all of the above in Elite as well. So, are you still thinking about watching this series? what is stopping you, just go for it! You can always skip the sex scenes.
1. Euphoria
If teen dramas are your thing, I am sure you’ve binged Euphoria already. One of the biggest television shows of this genre right now. Apart from its fame and accolades, Euphoria is one dark hole of a series. The insane amount of nudity and drugs will start you off on the wrong foot but would not stop binging. Even though it’s an exaggeration of what high school life is like, the emphasis on the high is somewhat real.
American Teen Drama: Euphoria, starring Zendaya.
It has got everything from sass, and drama to abuse and violence, you name it. Elite very much gives off Euphoria vibes with its friendships, relationships, sex, and rich people’s problems. If you’ve loved Elite, then Euphoria is your booster pack.
However, Euphoria and Elite are a tad different in terms of their themes. The former might not be as murderous as the latter but the explicit nudity is surely common here. Both the shows are scandalous but they are a treat for the teen drama fans.
