Movies like Willful Idol (1990)
The best movies like Willful Idol (1990) are Pikachu's Vacation (1998), Crayon Shinchan the Movie: Action Kamen VS Leotard Devil (1993) and Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 (1987). If Willful Idol hooked you with its animation and comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedFairy Tail: Phoenix Priestess (2012)7.3/10 from 244 votes
- NewestCosmic Princess Kaguya! (2026)Released 2026
- In JapanesePikachu's Vacation (1998)Also in Japanese
Pikachu's Vacation (1998)
Pikachu and the gang learn responsibility, teamwork as well as cooperation during their Summer vacation at Pokemon Island.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCrayon Shinchan the Movie: Action Kamen VS Leotard Devil (1993)
Everyone's favorite TV superhero Action Mask shows up in Kasukabe, and he's trying to get something from Shin-chan -- but what could it be?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMetal Skin Panic MADOX-01 (1987)
Ace female test pilot Kusomoto Elle humiliates macho tank driver Lt. Kilgore in the first demonstration of the advanced personal battle tank, the MADOX. Kilgore vows revenge, and gets his chance when the army rather carelessly loses the prototype in Tokyo. The MADOX is found by engineering student Sujimoto Kouji, who doesn't take the time to completely read the manual and ends up zooming around Tokyo trapped in a machine he doesn't quite know how to operate. Guess who gets the job of stopping the now mobile missing MADOX? Poor Kouji. If he's late for his date, it's over between him and his girlfriend. His current attire redefines the term "over-dressed." And to top it all off, Kilgore wants to make him late- as in "the late Kouji!"
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPokémon: Pikachu's Rescue Adventure (1999)
One day, Pikachu and its friends are walking along when they suddenly fall through a Diglett hole and into Pokémon Valley, a secret location that no one knows about. Pikachu and its buddies tell the Pokémon that they could use some help looking for Togepi, who fell through the hole first. The group sets off and eventually finds Togepi in the Exeggcute nest—but one of the Exeggcute is missing. That leads the group on another hunt; this time, though, Pikachu and its friends come back to the nest empty-handed. That’s when a storm begins to brew, filling Pokémon valley with roaring thunder and gusts of wind that almost blow the friends—and the Exeggcute nest—away! Are the friends going to be able to keep the nest safe and reunite the Exeggcute?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKamen Rider SD: Strange?! Kumo Otoko (1993)
"Kamen Rider SD: Strange!? Kumo Otoko" is an animated OVA based on the gag manga Kamen Rider SD: Hurricane Legend. This cute and comedic short movie features chibi versions of the Showa Era Kamen Riders, as they team up against the evil GranShocker organization, while Kamen Rider Black RX tries to confess his love to female sports instructor Michiru.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCrayon Shinchan the Movie: The Legend Called: Dance! Amigo! (2006)
Something sinister's afoot in Kasukabe. Shin-chan doesn't know what it is, but he's pretty sure it involves samba-dancing doppelgängers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOne Piece: Defeat the Pirate Ganzack! (1998)
While Luffy and his crew of Zoro and Nami are starving on their small boat, they are attacked by a large monster. Nami is taken away, while Luffy and Zoro wash up on shore. There they meet a young girl, Medaka, and learn of the sad history of the island. The evil Pirate Ganzack has taken away all the men in the village and enslaved them, including Medaka's father. Now Luffy, Zoro, and Medaka must infiltrate Ganzack's base in order to rescue the villagers and Nami.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCrayon Shinchan the Movie: The Secret Treasure of Buri Buri Kingdom (1994)
The Noharas win a vacation to the Kingdom of Buri Buri -- but the whole thing was just a clever ploy by an evil organization to kidnap Shin-chan!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRanma 1/2 the Movie 2: Nihao My Concubine (1992)
With the Tendos, the Saotomes, Ryoga, Shampoo and Ukyo misinterpreting Tatewake Kuno's invitation to his two loves, Akane and 'The Pig Tailed Girl', to try his new yacht, a whole new episode of chaos begins in the already unstable lives of the Saotome/Tendo clan. A mysterious shadow kidnaps first Akane's sister Kasumi, then continues on until all the girls disappear. All except everyone's favorite hydrotranssexual.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisRanma 1/2: Team Ranma vs. the Legendary Phoenix (1994)
Kuno purchases a strange egg, believing that the mysterious powers of the legendary Phoenix will help him defeat Ranma. But when the egg hatches on his head, the bird goes out of control and wreaks havoc all over Tokyo. Ranma and the gang must use any means necessary to get the Phoenix to leave Kuno's head and fly away.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFairy Tail: Phoenix Priestess (2012)
The film revolves around a mysterious girl named Éclair who appears before Fairy Tail, the world's most notorious wizard's guild. She lost all of her memories, except for the imperative that she must deliver two Phoenix Stones somewhere. The stones may spell the collapse of the magical world, and Natsu, Lucy, and the rest of the Fairy Tail guild are caught up in the intrigue.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKuroko's Basketball the Movie: Last Game (2017)
Kuroko reunites with the "Generation of Miracles" when former rivals are humiliated in an exhibition game against a notorious street basketball team.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFairy Tail: Dragon Cry (2017)
Dragon Cry is a magical artifact of deadly power, formed into a staff by the fury and despair of dragons long gone. Now, this power has been stolen from the hands of the Fiore kingdom by the nefarious traitor Zash Caine, who flees with it to the small island nation of Stella. Frightened that the power has fallen into the wrong hands, the King of Fiore hastily sends Fairy Tail to retrieve the staff. But this task proves frightening as a shadowy secret lies in the heart of the kingdom of Stella. Dragon Cry follows their story as they muster up all their strength to recover the stolen staff and save both kingdoms.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSee Me After Class (2012)
Due to an error the male student Kagami Yuuki is registered for a room in the girls dormitory of his new co-ed high school. Since no male rooms are available he is left with no other option than to sleep in the girls dormitory in the same room as the teacher that made the mistak in the first place, Ayane-sensei. To avoid getting kicked out of the school for being a boy in a girls dormitory he has to cross-dress whenever he is leaving his room. Needless to say that this brings him a lot of trouble.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNaruto: The Lost Story - Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village! (2003)
Naruto and his friends must get back a jug of stolen holy water from a band of higher class ninjas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Testament of Sister New Devil: Departures (2018)
After being branded a potential threat by the hero village, Basara returns home with his companions, where their bonds deepen amid growing tension over a summons to face the elders. Encouraged by Chisato and strengthened by his friends, Basara overcomes a trial that forces him to confront his doubts and accept that he doesn’t have to fight alone. United in resolve, the group sets out together for the hero village, ready to face what lies ahead.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCosmic Princess Kaguya! (2026)
Iroha's life gets knocked off its orbit when Kaguya, a carefree runaway from the Moon, moves in and convinces her to perform in a virtual world together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans (2010)
Dr. Raichi is one of the only survivors of the Tuffles, a race that once lived on Planet Plant before the coming of the Saiyans. The Saiyans not only massacred the entire Tuffle race, but also stole their technology and conquered the planet, renaming it Planet Vegeta in honor of their king. Raichi managed to escape with a capsule and found refuge on the Dark Planet, a world at the end of the universe. His only wish is to eradicate the last remaining Saiyans.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCat Soup (2001)
The surreal black comedy follows Nyatta, an anthropomorphic kitten, on his travel to the land of the dead and back in an effort to save his sister's soul.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRiding Bean (1989)
Bean Bandit and his partner Rally Vincent are couriers for hire - transporting clients and delivering goods in his custom sports car "Roadbuster" for a hefty price. But when they are hired to escort a kidnapped girl named Chelsea to her home, they don't realize they're being framed for kidnapping as their former clients Semmerling and Carrie plan their escape with Chelsea's father and the ransom money.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGIRLS BAND CRY The Movie: Youth Rhapsody (2025)
After she drops out of school and moves to Tokyo by herself, Nina Iseri meets Momoka Kawaragi, the vocalist of her favourite band, and discovers the allure of music. Together with Subaru Awa, who always hides her true intentions, Tomo Ebizuka, who was ignored by her parents, and Rupa who has no relatives, Nina starts the rock band Togenashi Togeari. The five girls who all have their own worries confront the absurdities of the world and search for their place to belong.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & comedy
GIRLS BAND CRY The Movie: Hey, Our Future (2025)
After forming the band Togenashi Togeari, Nina confronts her issues at the hometown she escaped from. Momoka also confronts Diamond Dust, the band that she left. Their overcoming of the past inspires the others to do the same, and aim to become pro musicians, but they are unable to adapt to the demands of society and decide to continue as an indie band.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & comedy
Dokidoki! Pretty Cure the Movie: Memories for the Future (2013)
One day, Mana Aida receives a wedding dress from her mother and grandmother that they had worn in the past. While thinking about who she would wear this beside someday, a mysterious man named Marsh appears, and Mana is thrown back into the past. She was happy to see her grandmother she loved and her old dog Maro, but she then realizes that Alice and Rikka aren't there because memories have been altered. In order to save precious memories, the future, dreams and hope, Mana transforms into Cure Heart.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & comedy
Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka: It’s the Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka Hardcore OVA, Big Brother!! (2009)
Everybody goes on vacation to Ayanokouji's private island for fun in the sun. Hilarity ensues.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture - Act 1 (2024)
A recap of Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture episodes 1–3, with new footage.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Maria Watches Over Us (2010)
Yumi Fukuzawa is an ordinary first year student at Lillian Girls' Academy. By chance Yumi meets second year student Sachiko Ogasawara, who is a candidate to become a Red Rose. Sachiko later offers her rosary to Yumi Fukuzawa which signifies she will become an older sister to Yumi. Meanwhile, Yumi, who already looks up to popular Sachiko, is perplexed why she is picked. A festival named "Cinderella" then approaches, which is run by the Yamayuri Council. Conflicts between the older and younger sisters soon begins ...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Digimon Adventure tri. Part 5: Coexistence (2017)
Meicoomon rampages after witnessing Meiko Mochizuki being injured by the man bearing Gennai's likeness. "It would have been better if you hadn't been born..." Meicoomon disappears into the Real World, which has since become distorted. Possessing overwhelming power, she's the key to the world's destruction.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHigh School Family (2027)
Kotaro Ietani, a young boy whose heart is filled with anticipation for his new high school life. On the morning of the entrance ceremony, what awaited him was an unbelievable sight—. "Starting today, your dad is a high school student, too!" Appearing in a school uniform is his 45-year-old father, Ichiro. What's more, his mother Shizuka, his younger sister Haruka, and even his beloved cat Gomez have all become his classmates at the same school! The unprecedented school life of the Ietani family, where every single member has become a high school student, now begins.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Coming SoonMovies like thisFist of the North Star - TV Compilation 3 - Legend of the Conqueror of Century's End - Raoh Must Die! (1988)
Compilation film covering the fourth arc of the Fist of the North Star TV series involving Raoh
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Happy-Go-Lucky Days (2020)
Love is love. Someday, the pain of being in love will be an endearing memory. No matter who the feelings are towards, no matter what form it takes, all love and lifestyles have the same value. An omnibus anime tells the stories of “The wedding of an ex”, “a student and a teacher at an all-boys’ school” and “childhood friends whose bodies and hearts change with adolescence.”
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Like Willful Idol and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Willful Idol?
The closest matches to Willful Idol are Pikachu's Vacation (1998), Crayon Shinchan the Movie: Action Kamen VS Leotard Devil (1993) and Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 (1987). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Willful Idol?
Start with Pikachu's Vacation (1998), the closest match to Willful Idol.
What is the highest-rated movie like Willful Idol?
Fairy Tail: Phoenix Priestess (2012), rated 7.3/10 by 244 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Willful Idol?
Cosmic Princess Kaguya! (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Willful Idol?
Yes: Pikachu's Vacation (1998), Crayon Shinchan the Movie: Action Kamen VS Leotard Devil (1993) and Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01 (1987).
How are movies similar to Willful Idol chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Willful Idol, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.