Movies like Chihayafuru: Part I (2016)
The best movies like Chihayafuru: Part I (2016) are Chihayafuru: Part II (2016), Chihayafuru: Part III (2018) and No Longer Heroine (2015). If Chihayafuru: Part I hooked you with its romance and comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedYour Name. (2016)8.5/10 from 13,188 votes
- NewestSenpai Is an Otokonoko Movie: Sunshine After the Rain (2025)Released 2025
- In JapaneseChihayafuru: Part II (2016)Also in Japanese
- Same seriesChihayafuru: Part II (2016)Chihayafuru
Chihayafuru: Part II (2016)
After successfully won the Tokyo qualifying tournament, Chihaya and her friends are set to go on to the nationals. As they prepare, Chihaya is faced with new personal issues as her childhood friend and inspiration, Arata, has announced that he has quit competitive karuta. Not only that, but a new rival emerges in the reigning female champion karuta player, Shinobu Wakamiya, a karuta prodigy who became the nation's and the world's greatest female karuta player as a 9th grader. All of this forces Chihaya to reexamine her love of the game in the midst of preparing for one of the biggest tournaments of the year.
Why it matches: Same series: Chihayafuru · both romance & comedy
Chihayafuru: Part III (2018)
Story takes place 2 years after "Chihayafuru Part 2" and Chihaya is now a high school senior.
Why it matches: Same series: Chihayafuru · both drama & romance
No Longer Heroine (2015)
Hatori Matsuzaki is a female high school student. She has a crush on her childhood friend Rita Terasaka and believes he will eventually choose her as her heroine, but Rita Terasaka begins dating Miho Adachi. Meanwhile, the most popular male student, Kosuke Hiromitsu takes an interest in Hatori Matsuzaki.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisL♡DK (2014)
Aoi Nishimori's parents moved to another city for work, but Aoi didn't want to transfer to a new high school. She stays behind and lives in an apartment by herself. Shūsei Kugayama moves in next to Aoi's apartment. Shūsei is a very popular student at their high school. Due to a mistake, Aoi makes the sprinkler go off in his room. Until Shūsei's room is fixed, he stays with Aoi.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHoney Lemon Soda (2021)
Ishimori Uka is very shy and has a hard time making friends. When she was a middle school student, students made fun of her by calling her "stone". Around that time, she met Miura Kai with lemon color hair. Because of him, she entered the same high school. Uka now wants to overcome her shyness and have friends. Kai is a popular student at the school, but he doesn't talk much or seem interested in others. He doesn't know why, but he becomes concerned with Uka. Uka has admired Kai, and she now has feelings for him. Kai has a secret, which no one knows.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both romance & comedy
From Me to You (2010)
Sawako Kuronuma looks miserable on the outside, but is actually a positive-minded girl, who looks up to Shota Kazehaya, a sociable and friendly boy. Perceiving Sawako's good intentions, he secretly has feelings for her. Sawako meets Kazehaya and makes her first friends, Chizuru and Ayane but in comes Kurumi proclaiming her love for him... Will Sawako and Kazehaya ever find out about each other's feelings?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both romance & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHaikyu!! The Movie: Talent and Sense (2017)
A compilation film depicting the match against Aoba Johsai High School in the second season of the anime series. It will also include new scenes portraying what happened after the match.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Yell for the Blue Sky (2016)
As a child, Ono Tsubasa saw a Shirato baseball game on TV and was amazed at the Trumpet player in the band playing. Now, in order to play the Trumpet, she enters Shirato High School. There, she meets Yamada Daisuke, a catcher for the baseball team. With each others support, they go towards their dream of playing at Koushien.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Nasu: A Migratory Bird with Suitcase (2007)
Legendary bicycle racer Marco Rondanini dies as team Pao Pao Beer is set to race in Japan. Team member Ciocci, close friend of Marco, starts to think about quitting. Under heavy rain, Ciocci and Pepe must put that aside as Team Pao Pao struggles to reach another victory. Pepe continues to ride his bicycle both in competition and training. He often spends time with his other team mates while they train in beautiful scenery in Japan. While in Japan a local girl helps out the team before and during the race.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
The Anthem of the Heart (2015)
A young girl had her voice magically taken away so that she would never hurt people with it, but her outlook changes when she encounters music and friendship. Will Naruse be able to convey the anthem of her heart?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe First Slam Dunk (2022)
Shohoku's “speedster” and point guard, Ryota Miyagi, always plays with brains and lightning speed, running circles around his opponents while feigning composure. In his second year of high school, Ryota plays with the Shohoku High School basketball team along with Sakuragi, Rukawa, Akagi, and Mitsui as they take the stage at the Inter-High School National Championship. And now, they are on the brink of challenging the reigning champions, Sannoh Kogyo High School.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both comedy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Silent Voice: The Movie (2016)
Shouya Ishida starts bullying the new girl in class, Shouko Nishimiya, because she is deaf. But as the teasing continues, the rest of the class starts to turn on Shouya for his lack of compassion. When they leave elementary school, Shouko and Shouya do not speak to each other again... until an older, wiser Shouya, tormented by his past behaviour, decides he must see Shouko once more. He wants to atone for his sins, but is it already too late...?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & romance
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisWaterboys (2001)
In a Japanese school, 5 adolescent geeks join the new sport teacher and take up the challenge to take part in the synchronised swimming competition, in-spite of the mockeries of the real sportsmen.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle (2024)
Shoyo Hinata joins Karasuno High's volleyball club to be like his idol, a former Karasuno player known as the 'Little Giant'. But Hinata soon learns that he must team up with his middle school nemesis, Tobio Kageyama. Their clashing styles form a surprising weapon, but can their newfound teamwork defeat their rival Nekoma High in the highly anticipated 'Dumpster Battle', the long awaited ultimate showdown between two opposing underdog teams?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both comedy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisReLIFE (2017)
Arata Kaizaki, a jobless adult, undergoes an experiment that makes him 10 years younger. He goes back to high school and falls in love with Chizuru Hishiro, who is more than she seems.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both comedy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFlying Colors (2015)
A high school girl, Sayaka Kudō was the bottom of the class. After a year, she improved her deviation value from 30 to 70, then passed Keio University that is considered one of the most difficult to enter in Japan.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both comedy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHaikyu!! The Movie: Battle of Concepts (2017)
A recap film depicting the match against Shiratorizawa Academy in the third season of the anime series.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisYour Name. (2016)
High schoolers Mitsuha and Taki are complete strangers living separate lives. But one night, they suddenly switch places. Mitsuha wakes up in Taki’s body, and he in hers. This bizarre occurrence continues to happen randomly, and the two must adjust their lives around each other.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both romance & drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisKids on the Slope (2018)
Two different students—a successful but aloof academic and a rebellious but kindhearted delinquent—form a friendship through their love of jazz music.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & romance
Ping Pong (2002)
As children, the introverted Smile was being bullied by a gang of kids until the brash Peco comes by and chases all of them them away. Peco then takes Smile under his wings and teaches him how to play the game of ping pong. From there a life long best friend relationship comes into existence between these two polar opposite kids.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both comedy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFor Love's Sake (2012)
Troubled high school student Makoto arrives in Tokyo to exact revenge from a past incident. He then falls in love at first sight with Ai, a daughter raised in a wholesome family. Around Makoto and Ai are Iwashimizu, who has feelings for Ai and Gamuko, a gang member who eyes Makoto.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & romance
From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
Yokohama, 1963. Japan is picking itself up from the devastation of World War II and preparing to host the 1964 Olympics—and the mood is one of both optimism and conflict as the young generation struggles to throw off the shackles of a troubled past. Against this backdrop of hope and change, a friendship begins to blossom between high school students Umi and Shun—but a buried secret from their past emerges to cast a shadow on the future and pull them apart.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHaikyu!! the Movie: The End and the Beginning (2015)
Shouyou Hinata, after losing to Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High's setter Tobio Kageyama in his first official volleyball match, transfers to Karasuno High, intent on finally having a proper volleyball team and getting his revenge on Kageyama. Upon arrival at Karasuno, however, Hinata finds out Kageyama has also gone to Karasuno. Initially at odds with each other, the two form an oddball combination and fight together with the other members of the volleyball club. Karasuno reunites with a former rival school, Nekoma High, in a practice match and reignites their school rivalry.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisSenpai Is an Otokonoko Movie: Sunshine After the Rain (2025)
During spring break, Saki visits her father and has a close encounter with a whale. / Makoto confronts a former classmate. Meanwhile, Saki must make a difficult decision. / Saki is upset after spending the day at her mother's house. Makoto, meanwhile, decides to take a step forward. / After much thought, Saki finally makes a decision.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both comedy & romance
Strobe Edge (2015)
Ninako Kinoshita has never been in love until an encounter with the school's most popular boy, Ren Ichinose, leads the two to befriending each other. Ren's patient and kind personality is a far cry from his unapproachable idol status at school, and soon Ninako falls in love with him. However, she must cope with the fact that he already has a long-time girlfriend.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBakuman (2015)
Moritaka Mashiro doesn't want to follow in the path of his uncle who worked as a manga artist, but ultimately died because of exhaustion. Moritaka Mashiro figures he will graduate from school and work at an office. Things change though when falls in love with a girl at school. The girl, who hopes to become a voice actress, tells Moritaka they can marry, but only after they both achieve their dreams. Moritaka then teams up with fellow classmate Akito Takagi to publish their first manga.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSound! Euphonium The Movie: Welcome to the Kitauji High School Concert Band (2016)
After swearing off music due to an incident at the middle school regional brass band competition, euphonist Kumiko Oumae enters high school, hoping for a fresh start. As fate would have it, she ends up surrounded by people with an interest in the brass band. Kumiko finds the motivation she needs to make music once more with the help of her bandmates, some old friends, some new. However, in the band itself, chaos reigns supreme. Despite their intention to qualify for the national band competition, as they currently are, just competing in the local festival will be a challenge—unless new band advisor Noboru Taki does something about it.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Sound! Euphonium The Movie: May the Melody Reach You! (2017)
Autumn is in the air as the Kitauji High School concert band prepares for the National Competition. The band hears troubling news that Asuka Tanaka, vice president of the club and one of the key euphonium players in the band, may quit! Asuka is beautiful and charismatic and everyone relies on her, but she also has a cool side and never reveals her true self. Kumiko doesn’t get along with Asuka initially, but her feelings change when she learns that Asuka may actually drop out. Asuka has feelings about the euphonium that she cannot tell anyone else…
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama
Restart After Coming Back Home (2020)
Mitsuomi Kozuka quits his job due to his boss. He decides to return to his hometown for the first time in 10 years. The town is located in the countryside. There, Mitsuomi Kozuka meets Yamato Kumai. Yamato Kumai is the stepson of old man Kumai. The old man runs a farm near the home of Mitsuomi Kozuka's parents.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both drama & romance
His Motorbike, Her Island (1986)
Ko, a motorbike enthusiast from the city wandering the Japanese countryside, falls for the carefree local Miyo and teaches her how to ride. When Miyo proves herself a biker prodigy, Ko begins to fear she's destined to crash.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both romance & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Chihayafuru: Part I?
The closest matches to Chihayafuru: Part I are Chihayafuru: Part II (2016), Chihayafuru: Part III (2018) and No Longer Heroine (2015). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Chihayafuru: Part I?
People who watched Chihayafuru: Part I most often go on to No Longer Heroine (2015), L♡DK (2014) and Honey Lemon Soda (2021).
What is the highest-rated movie like Chihayafuru: Part I?
Your Name. (2016), rated 8.5/10 by 13,188 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Chihayafuru: Part I?
Senpai Is an Otokonoko Movie: Sunshine After the Rain (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Is Chihayafuru: Part I part of a series?
Yes. It belongs to Chihayafuru, which includes Chihayafuru: Part II (2016) and Chihayafuru: Part III (2018).
Are there Japanese movies like Chihayafuru: Part I?
Yes: Chihayafuru: Part II (2016), Chihayafuru: Part III (2018) and No Longer Heroine (2015).
How are movies similar to Chihayafuru: Part I chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Chihayafuru: Part I, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.