Anime Like Ascendance of a Bookworm: 10 Best Shows
If you’re searching for Anime Like Ascendance of a Bookworm, you’re probably drawn to stories with peaceful worldbuilding, clever protagonists, and a love for learning and growth. This wholesome isekai stands out with its focus on books, slow-paced life, and personal development over flashy battles. Below, we’ve gathered a list of 10 Anime Like Ascendance of a Bookworm that offer the same thoughtful storytelling and warm slice-of-life vibes.
1. The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent
- Genres: Fantasy, Isekai, Romance, Slice of Life
- Studio: Diomedéa
- Date of Release: 2021
- MyAnimeList Link
What This Anime Is About:
Sei, an office worker, is transported to another world as one of two potential “Saints.” Rather than being chosen as the official hero, she begins a new life filled with alchemy, herbology, and quiet magic. She slowly builds her place in the world through study, care, and effort.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Ascendance of a Bookworm:
Like Myne, Sei doesn’t rely on power or fighting but uses knowledge, hard work, and gentle determination to change her world. The peaceful pace, strong female lead, and focus on crafting and self-growth are very similar.
2. Snow White with the Red Hair
- Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Drama, Slice of Life
- Studio: Bones
- Date of Release: 2015
- MyAnimeList Link
What This Anime Is About:
Shirayuki is a skilled herbalist whose red hair attracts the attention of a prince. Instead of submitting to his demands, she escapes and begins a new life working at the royal court as a court herbalist, growing closer to another prince who admires her strength.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Ascendance of a Bookworm:
This anime also features a strong-willed female lead building a life through her knowledge and work ethic. The focus on herbal medicine, quiet strength, and slow romantic development feels very much like Myne’s journey.
3. Spice and Wolf
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Slice of Life
- Studio: Imagin
- Date of Release: 2008
- MyAnimeList Link
What This Anime Is About:
Craft Lawrence, a traveling merchant, meets Holo, the wise wolf goddess of harvest. Together, they travel across medieval lands, navigating trade politics, economics, and personal bonds.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Ascendance of a Bookworm:
Though the tones are a bit different, both anime feature deep worldbuilding, economic themes, and clever dialogue, all told through a grounded, slower pace that fans of Bookworm will love.
4. Dr. Stone
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Shounen
- Studio: TMS Entertainment
- Date of Release: 2019
- MyAnimeList Link
What This Anime Is About:
After humanity is mysteriously petrified for thousands of years, genius student Senku awakens in a stone world and begins rebuilding civilization from scratch using science.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Ascendance of a Bookworm:
Senku and Myne share the same spirit: they use knowledge as their weapon, rebuilding society with brains instead of brawn. If you enjoyed watching Myne recreate paper and books, you’ll love watching Senku invent soap, glass, and electricity.
5. Kemono no Souja Erin (Erin)
- Genres: Fantasy, Drama, Slice of Life
- Studio: Trans Arts
- Date of Release: 2009
- MyAnimeList Link
What This Anime Is About:
Erin, a young girl with a love for animals, grows up in a world where beast-lords and war play a central role. As she studies the care of magical creatures, she uncovers truths about the world and herself.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Ascendance of a Bookworm:
Erin is a gentle but deeply emotional story about learning, growth, and compassion, just like Bookworm. If you enjoyed Myne’s curiosity and emotional journey, Erin will absolutely touch your heart.
6. Arte
- Genres: Slice of Life, Historical, Drama
- Studio: Seven Arcs
- Date of Release: 2020
- MyAnimeList Link
What This Anime Is About:
Set in 16th century Florence, Arte follows a noblewoman who dreams of becoming a professional artist—something unheard of for women at the time. She disguises her noble status and becomes an apprentice, determined to prove her worth through talent and hard work.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Ascendance of a Bookworm:
Like Myne, Arte is intelligent, passionate, and driven by curiosity and creativity. Her journey to achieve something meaningful in a male-dominated world mirrors Myne’s struggles to make books in a class-based society.
7. I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level
- Genres: Fantasy, Slice of Life, Comedy
- Studio: Revoroot
- Date of Release: 2021
- MyAnimeList Link
What This Anime Is About:
Azusa dies from overwork and is reincarnated in a fantasy world where she lives peacefully killing slimes for centuries, eventually becoming overpowered without realizing it. She builds a quiet life surrounded by strange yet lovable characters.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Ascendance of a Bookworm:
Though more comedic, it shares Bookworm’s relaxing pace, wholesome atmosphere, and female-led isekai focus. Both MCs want peace and knowledge over power or fame, and both end up gathering close-knit chosen families.
8. The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat
- Genres: Action, Fantasy, Isekai, Drama
- Studio: SILVER LINK., Studio Palette
- Date of Release: 2021
- MyAnimeList Link
What This Anime Is About:
A legendary assassin is reborn in a fantasy world with a mission: kill the Hero who will one day destroy the world. Using his old-world knowledge and aristocratic resources, he prepares carefully to fulfill his mission.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Ascendance of a Bookworm:
While more action-focused, it shares the theme of applying real-world knowledge to a fantasy setting. If you enjoyed watching Myne reshape her world through innovation and cleverness, you’ll find the same strategic intelligence here—just with a darker tone.
9. My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!
- Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Isekai, Romance
- Studio: SILVER LINK.
- Date of Release: 2020
- MyAnimeList Link
What This Anime Is About:
After dying, a girl is reborn into an otome game as the villainess, Catarina Claes. To avoid her character’s bad endings, she uses her wits to change the story’s fate—accidentally charming the entire cast along the way.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Ascendance of a Bookworm:
This series offers a more humorous tone but shares a smart female lead using her knowledge to adapt and survive. Both Catarina and Myne reshape the world around them in ways that defy expectations and win hearts.
10. Natsume’s Book of Friends (Natsume Yuujinchou)
- Genres: Slice of Life, Supernatural, Drama
- Studio: Brain’s Base
- Date of Release: 2008
- MyAnimeList Link
What This Anime Is About:
Takashi Natsume can see spirits and inherits a mysterious book from his grandmother that binds spirits to her control. He chooses to return the names to the spirits, helping them and learning about their pasts.
Why You Would Like It If You Liked Ascendance of a Bookworm:
It shares a quiet, reflective tone and centers around a kind protagonist who wants to help others using knowledge and compassion. Like Myne, Natsume grows emotionally and builds strong bonds through empathy and understanding.
Final Thoughts
If Ascendance of a Bookworm left you wanting more cozy, clever, and heartwarming isekai or slice-of-life stories, these anime will fill that space beautifully. Whether it’s a girl chasing knowledge, a quiet life in a fantasy world, or someone using brains over brawn to shape their future, these picks capture that same warm, thoughtful energy.
Which one will you start next? Let us know in the comments!