whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Drama

The best music drama anime you can start from the beginning

72 anime that are both drama and music, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, Nana, Blue Giant.

Filter these, or get a recommendation

The list

1. 1 Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso Your Lie in April TV · 2014 · 22 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #92 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
2. 2 Nana TV · 2006 · 47 episodes · Madhouse · #124 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
3. 3 Blue Giant Film · 2023 · Nut · #239 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
4. 4 Girls Band Cry TV · 2024 · 13 episodes · Toei Animation · #285 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
5. 5 Beck Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad TV · 2004 · 26 episodes · Madhouse · #335 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
6. 6 Sakamichi no Apollon Kids on the Slope TV · 2012 · 12 episodes · Tezuka Productions · #342 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
7. 7 Given given TV · 2019 · 11 episodes · Lerche · #354 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
8. 8 BanG Dream! It's MyGO!!!!! TV · 2023 · 13 episodes · SANZIGEN · #400 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
9. 9 Interstella5555: The 5tory of The 5ecret 5tar 5ystem Film · 2003 · Toei Animation · #554 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
10. 10 Hibike! Euphonium Sound! Euphonium TV · 2015 · 13 episodes · Kyoto Animation · #704 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
11. 11 Full Moon wo Sagashite Looking for the Full Moon TV · 2002 · 52 episodes · Studio Deen · #835 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
12. 12 Kono Oto Tomare! Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds of Life TV · 2019 · 13 episodes · Platinum Vision · #853 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
13. 13 Yuanshen: Weixing Zhi Lu Genshin Impact: The Road Not Taken ONA · 2024 · 1 episode · #1019 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
14. 14 Carole & Tuesday TV · 2019 · 24 episodes · Bones · #1062 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
15. 15 Yoru no Kurage wa Oyogenai Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night TV · 2024 · 12 episodes · Doga Kobo · #1354 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
16. 16 IDOLiSH7 TV · 2018 · 17 episodes · TROYCA · #1487 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
17. 17 Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight Revue Starlight TV · 2018 · 12 episodes · Kinema Citrus · #1549 on MyAnimeList 80% would recommend
18. 18 Ai no Utagoe wo Kikasete Sing a Bit of Harmony Film · 2021 · J.C.Staff · #1557 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
19. 19 Trapp Ikka Monogatari The Trapp Family Story TV · 1991 · 40 episodes · Nippon Animation · #1589 on MyAnimeList 80% would recommend
20. 20 Piano no Mori The Piano Forest Film · 2007 · Madhouse · #1717 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
21. 21 The iDOLM@STER THE IDOLM@STER TV · 2011 · 25 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #1764 on MyAnimeList 78% would recommend
22. 22 Kimi no Iro The Colors Within Film · 2024 · Science SARU · #1785 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
23. 23 Project Sekai Movie: Kowareta Sekai to Utaenai Miku Colorful Stage! The Movie: A Miku Who Can't Sing Film · 2025 · P.A. Works · #1791 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
24. 24 Ensemble Stars!! Tsuioku Selection Element Ensemble Stars!! Reminiscences Selection Element ONA · 2023 · 6 episodes · DandeLion Animation Studio · #1848 on MyAnimeList 80% would recommend
25. 25 Mashiro no Oto Those Snow White Notes TV · 2021 · 12 episodes · Shin-Ei Animation · #2064 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend

Why this is not a MyAnimeList search. Every entry here is one you can start from the beginning. Anything with a prequel or a parent story is left out, as are recaps and compilation editions — about half of what MyAnimeList ranks. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.