ef - a tale of melodies - Recommendations

If you're looking for anime similar to ef - a tale of melodies, you might like these titles.

Air

Air

The 'girl in the sky' is a legend passed down through the ranks of one special family. Armed with the magical puppet skills he learned from his mother, Yukito Kunisaki follows in her footsteps, traveling from place to place, ever searching for that girl in the sky, ever chasing after that legend. His journeys have led him to a small costal town where he meets a girl that has a peculiar interest in him - could she be the one? As events slowly start to unfold in front of his very eyes, Yukito finds himself amidst a story that spans a thousand summers...

3 votes

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Reasons you might like Air...

eaper eaper says...

These series are both very unique, very well known romance/drama series based on H-games. They both have amazing OSTs and art work. Furthermore, they both have very original elements them that help made them as great as they are.

bebe4styll bebe4styll says...

These two animes are connected through the emotions they give, through the feeling of helplessness in face of inevitabilities. Air and Ef-A tale of melodies represent stories of pure-hearted people who have to suffer, to love and keep living in spite of everything. You will love the animation, the way the story goes, the similarities between characters and everything else ! They are both a must-see!

Madoka Madoka says...

I was a litte on edge about linking these two series but after rewatching them both i see they are alike in a few areas. They both of course are great for emotional impact, the selling point that is. but that alone doesn't make them similar.

The actual plots shared between the series can be alike on a few levels and though the events building the splot isn't it's still well put together. Both of course are full of emotion and loss, if you like one i think it is at least worth giving the other a try as they do have some simularity.

Kanon (2006)

Kanon (2006)

It's been seven years since Yuuichi Aizawa returned to the city he once lived in as a child. Though many things happened to Yuuichi in his past, he can only remember bits and pieces. His parents left Yuuichi in the care of Akiko once again, and this time, he will attend the same school as his cousin Nayuki. Many different girls appear before him, and some of them seem to know him from his past. Yuuichi must now recover his memories of the dark secrets that he erased from his heart, before he loses his precious ones.

2 votes

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Reasons you might like Kanon (2006)...

eaper eaper says...

Each of these series can be characterized by their superb OST, moving story, and the individuality of their story. If you enjoyed either of these series, there is little doubt you'll enjoy the other.

bebe4styll bebe4styll says...

Children who go through some kind of tragedies while they are young come to face the consequences after they've grown up just a little bit. This may sound like the main plot for both Kanon and Ef- a tale of melodies. Each of the characters has his/her own problems and a unique personality. It is with the help and support of others that those problems are solved, after much pain. The animation is alike in both animes, wonderful, gives an aura of magic, which is anyway present. You will most certainly love how the characters evolve, as well as their relationships, and you will be saddened by certain unpleasant moments, and all in all, you will love both animes! 

Myself; Yourself

Myself; Yourself

After having lived elsewhere for several years, Sana returns to the town in which he grew up in, and quickly begins to reacquaint himself to his surroundings and new high school. While there, Sana runs into his four childhood friends: Shuu, Shuri, Aoi, and Nanaka; but for some strange reason Nanaka gives him the cold shoulder. As he goes about his new daily life, can Sana rebuild his friendship with Nanaka while trying to deal with a troubling secret from his past?

2 votes

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Reasons you might like Myself; Yourself...

eaper eaper says...

These series are two of the more prominent series within their genres, and for good reason. Both of these series bring something to their anime that make them excel and stand out from all their other competitors, and that is what brings these series together, the fact that they are both unique.

fae fae says...

if you like ef you would love this anime because both went you think everything is good they got a sudden change of mood 

Honey and Clover II

Honey and Clover II

While Takemoto uncovers a path for himself, his love for Hagu is forcing him to lead a difficult college life. Takemoto, Hagu, and Morita are still trying to deal with their love triangle, and each of them must make a decision. Furthermore, Mayama must decide how to proceed with Rika, as she is leaving for Spain. The pain of love will continue to hurt many and even cause them to separate. Now, each of them must take on their chosen paths and walk towards the future.

1 vote

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Reasons you might like Honey and Clover II...

renderer renderer says...

One has a happy ending, another, not so happy, but both are great tales of love. Sure to enjoy both.

Polyphonica: Crimson S

Polyphonica: Crimson S

As a young boy, Phoron met a spirit named Corticarte Apa Lagranges after she heard his song one night. Now, twelve years later, Phoron attends the Tolvas Commandia Academy, where humans train to become Dantists – people who can control spirits with music. One day, while unsuccessfully practicing a melody, Phoron sings the same song from all those years ago and not only does he manage to summon Corticarte to his side, but also makes a contract with her! Now he is bound to the temperamental spirit and, alongside his friends, Phoron must learn exactly what it means to perform a Commandia. But with a dark threat approaching, is it possible that this hapless orphan could actually be the key to preventing disaster?

1 vote

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Reasons you might like Polyphonica: Crimson S...

chii chii says...

Both anime have beautiful animation. (ef slightly moreso) Both have a dependancy on music to tell their stories and the characters are suprisingly similar considering they are faced with many dilemas. The biggest difference of these 2 are the plots. ef - a tale of melodies is heavy on drama/romance where Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica Crimson S takes the world in a fantasy direction with interesting powers and conflicts. This is kind of a gut recommendation here but if you liked one i highly suggest checking out the other.

Clannad After Story

Clannad After Story

Summer break is now over; the second semester has started for Tomoya, Nagisa and the others, and little has changed. Since Tomoya's relationship with his father is still troubled, he continues to live with Nagisa and her family, even if it means getting roped into organizing a baseball team for the family bakery. Life at school continues as normal with Sunohara as carefree as ever; however, when his sister Mei voices her concerns about him, the series of events that follow place a strain on Sunohara and Tomoya’s friendship. Whether it's saving a person from themselves or passing on a message from the past, one thing’s for sure: no matter how tough things get, good friends will always be there to help out.

1 vote

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Reasons you might like Clannad After Story...

growrust growrust says...

both have a great story full of emotions and romance... funny and sad in the same time... both have a great animation and both are full of cute girls xP

5 Centimeters per Second

5 Centimeters per Second

Although today Tono Takaki and Shinohara Akari live far apart due to a family move shortly after elementary school, they were once two shy young students brought together by their shared differences from their peers. It is because of this that the two built a bond of closeness between them that still survives through their continued correspondence, even over such a distance. Secretly they both fear the loss of this bond over time, and for this reason they arrange a meeting between just the two of them. The journeys both of them take in their minds and in their lives create an atmosphere of intense emotional upheaval, but also a sense of peace. It is a twist of fate and a series of decisions that put the two in place to carry what they choose of their pasts into the future they will create for themselves.

1 vote

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Reasons you might like 5 Centimeters per Second...

eaper eaper says...

Both of these anime were very short, yet managed to portray a very remarkable story. These series, aside from their amazing story telling and character development, also have great artwork and a notable soundtrack.

Clannad

Clannad

Tomoya Okazaki is a third-year high school student who is generally bored with life and doesn't take his studies, future, or anything else seriously. One day, however, he meets a lonely-looking girl in the school courtyard, Nagisa Furukawa. She explains to him the source of her loneliness: she had missed a lot of the previous school year and thus is repeating her third year; everybody that she knew has already graduated, and she is lonely. Tomoya is rather indifferent at first, but decides that he has nothing better to do and spends increasingly more time helping Nagisa restore the school drama club. As his relationship with Nagisa grows, Tomoya begins to open up to various other people around the school as well...

1 vote

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Reasons you might like Clannad...

eaper eaper says...

If you enjoyed the romance and great character development in ef, you'll definitely enjoy Clannad. Many of the same themes run throughout both of these anime and they are both great series based on very popular H-games.

Rumbling Hearts

Rumbling Hearts

Narumi Takayuki is a normal high school student with a crush on Mitsuki, the school's swim star -- that is, until he receives a profession of love from his friend Haruka. But amidst the beautiful budding relationship, tragedy strikes when an accident occurs, turning Narumi’s life upside-down. Kimi ga Nozomu Eien is a compelling drama about one man, and the choices he must make for love.

1 vote

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Reasons you might like Rumbling Hearts...

shinigamidono shinigamidono says...

Both stories are full of romance as well as pain and sufferring. Both series are intended for mature audiences.

School Days

School Days

When Makoto saw Kotonoha on the train one day, he fell in love at first sight. Luckily, his classmate Sekai’s nosy personality ensures him an introduction to his crush, and soon the two begin to date. However, Kotonoha isn’t the only one with eyes for Makoto - a fact that any horny teenager would be delighted with. With endless temptations, lies and heartbreak at every turn, Makoto and Kotonoha’s relationship will soon be put to the ultimate test...

1 vote

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Reasons you might like School Days...

shinigamidono shinigamidono says...

Both series deal with the more serious and painful side of high school romances that can be very difficult to watch.