The K-Drama True Beauty was incredibly popular, both in South Korea and internationally, becoming one of the most talked-about dramas of 2020 and 2021. Unsurprisingly, the popular webtoon was also adapted into an anime in 2024. While both critics and fans have a lot to say about it, many are hungry for more. For those looking for a similar experience, here are 10 anime like True Beauty!
1. Kiss Him, Not Me!
Kiss Him, Not Me is a romantic comedy about a high school girl, Kae Serinuma, who loves boys’ love (BL) and is devastated when her favorite character dies in an anime. After losing weight and becoming more attractive, she suddenly catches the attention of several boys. However, she’s more interested in watching them interact as a potential couple than dating them herself!
Similar to True Beauty, Kae’s transformation is focused on her appearance and the way others perceive her. Both shows explore how beauty changes relationships, but Kiss Him, Not Me has a more comedic and lighthearted tone with a focus on the main character’s love for BL.
2. Ouran High School Host Club
A romantic comedy, Ouran High School Host Club Ouran follows Haruhi Fujioka, a poor girl who attends the rich Ouran Academy. One day, she accidentally breaks a vase at the host club and, to pay for it, she starts working there disguised as a boy.
Like True Beauty, Haruhi’s transformation involves her fitting into a world of beauty and wealth, where appearance plays a big role. Both shows are reverse harems with handsome male characters, but Ouran High School Host Club has a deeper storyline.
3. My Dress-Up Darling
My Dress-Up Darling centers around Gojo, a boy who loves making dolls, and Marin, a girl into cosplay. Surprisingly, Marin discovers his skill one day and asks him to help her make costumes, which he hesitantly agrees to.
On the surface, they might seem nothing alike, but both protagonists are learning to accept that part of themselves—Gojo with his love for sewing beautiful outfits, and the Jugyeong in True Beauty with her use of makeup as a form of self-expression.
4. From Me to You
From Me to You is another self-transformation anime like True Beauty, although it’s more focused on personality and social growth than physical change. The story follows Sawako Kuronuma, a shy, misunderstood girl who is often mistaken for a scary figure due to her appearance. Her life starts to change when the popular boy, Shouta Kazehaya, begins talking to her.
All in all, both From Me to You and True Beauty are high school romances about self-acceptance, gaining confidence, and overcoming insecurities through relationships.
5. Scum’s Wish
A darker look at relationships and self-image, Scum’s Wish follows the story of Hanabi Yasuraoka and Mugi Awaya, two high school students who are in love with other people. Hanabi has feelings for her teacher, Kanai, while Mugi is in love with his close friend, Akane. However, both are unable to have their feelings reciprocated, so they enter into a fake relationship with each other as a way to cope with their unrequited love.
While Scum’s Wish is more uncomfortable and gritty, it also explores the need for external validation and dealing with emotional struggles, which is similar to the feelings of the heroine in True Beauty.
6. Romantic Killer
Anzu Hoshino is a high school girl who loves playing video games, eating sweets, and avoiding romance. However, her life is turned upside down when a magical being named Riri appears and forces her into a love life simulation by introducing her to three handsome guys, each vying for her attention.
Although both anime explore transformation and romance, True Beauty deals with beauty standards with seriousness, while Romantic Killer takes a more comedic and lighthearted twist to similar themes.
7. Kamisama Kiss
After losing everything, Nanami is given the title of a land god and moves into a shrine. There, she meets Tomoe, a fox familiar, and the two have to deal with their growing feelings while facing supernatural trials.
The main reason Kamisama Kiss might remind fans of True Beauty is the reverse harem dynamic and the insecurities both protagonists face. That said, Kamisama Kiss is a fantasy romance with insecurities tied to a supernatural setting, while True Beauty is a more grounded story focused on beauty standards and self-acceptance.
8. Plus-Sized Elf
Plus-Sized Elf follows Tomoatsu Naoe, a massage therapist who meets an elf named Erufuda, who can’t return to her world because of her weight gain from junk food. He helps her diet, but despite reaching her goal, she keeps regaining the weight, and soon, they meet others from different worlds with the same struggle.
A hilarious ecchi comedy, Plus-Sized Elf is a harem that doesn’t take itself seriously and explores physical transformation in a lighthearted way, which could appeal to some fans of True Beauty.
9. The Wallflower
The Wallflower is about a shy, introverted girl named Sunako, who is anything but traditional beauty standards. After a bad experience, she becomes a “dark” girl who avoids people and focuses on her hobbies. Her aunt, however, challenges her to become a “lady” and hires four handsome boys to live with her and help her transform.
The Wallflower mirrors True Beauty with a girl who tries to hide her insecurities, but in both, love and friendship help her grow.
10. Princess Jellyfish
A socially awkward girl, Tsukimi, loves jellyfish and lives in an apartment with other quirky women. However, her isolated life starts changing when she meets a fashionable cross-dresser named Kuranosuke, who helps her step out of her comfort zone and embrace her own potential.
Princess Jellyfish is a lot like True Beauty in that it’s about a heroine discovering her worth and becoming confident, but with a quirkier spin.
