The Top 8 Anime Set In California

California is the United States’ most populated country, which capital is Sacramento, even though many may think it’s Los Angeles.

Anime often mention America and in some cases, some of its countries can be even part of the setting. California is one good example of this happening, as some shows take place in Los Angeles or mention San Diego, for instance.

This listicle is based on our opinions and knowledge on the topic. We have included shows that reference or even show fictional places that resemble California.

8. California Crisis

A very old OAV, released in 1986 in a single episode with a very peculiar graphic style for the times.

Noera, a young troublemaker, after a night of fun accidentally meets Marsha, a motorcyclist headed for Los Angeles.

But not even time to introduce themselves and the two find themselves pursued by a strange gang. What strange conspiracy have they gotten themselves into?

America spills out of every pore, both in character costumes, setting, and a typical local story of chases and conspiracies.

7. Heroman

Heroman is set in Center City, a fictional American town located on the West Coast, supposedly in California. The protagonist of the story is Joey, the classic American boy targeted by bullies.

One day he accidentally finds a toy robot in the garbage, which he decides to pick up to fix it.

During a storm, lightning strikes the little toy, transforming it into a robotic giant with incredible abilities. However, this will attract aliens to the planet, which must be repelled.

No less than Stan Lee himself, the father of the legendary Marvel, collaborated on this anime.

Even though the setting is never stated to be California, is quite evident that the real-life inspiration is that.

6. Sword Art Online: Alicization

One of the last seasons of the popular Sword Art Online, one of the most talked about series in recent years, positively and often negatively.

But this is not the case with Alicization, one of the most positively acclaimed parts of the work.

We won’t delve into plots since we might be doing spoilers of the previous seasons, so let’s skip right to the Californian context.

Everyone knows that SAO is developed entirely within virtual worlds. But occasionally there are small flashes of scenes in the real world.

This is where we will see California. The season’s main villain is shown in a tower in San Diego, and we understand this since we even see the Coronado Bridge.

5. Appare-Ranman!

Recent anime, released only in 2020 in 13 episodes, very light and viewable without commitment, just to make a fun and lighthearted viewing.

After an accident, engineer Appare Sorano and cowardly samurai Kosame Isshiki find themselves adrift on a boat from Japan that takes them straight to America.

Penniless, the two decide to compete in the Trans-America Wild Race to win the grand prize and return home.

Thus begins their nonstop journey, which will take them from Los Angeles to New York, the race route, passing through many American settings such as the Wild West.

4. Pet Shop of Horrors

A horror and supernatural OAV released in 1999 in 4 episodes.

In Petshop of Horrors, we make the acquaintance of Count D, the manager of a very peculiar pet store in Los Angeles. In his store, you can find rare animals or real magical animals that can make people’s dreams come true.

Only one rule: Never show one of these animals to any other person.

The strength of Petshop of Horrors is being able to disturb and make the viewer uneasy certainly through music, graphic techniques, and atmospheres, but its real boast is another.

It puts the viewer in awe because of its themes, namely the perversions of man, his fears, and insecurities, which lead him to rely on the unknown.

3. Kaleido Star

A 2003 comedy series focusing on the circus and life around it.

Naegino Sora is a 16-year-old orphan who dreams of joining the nursery of Kaleido Stage, a prestigious circus.

On audition day, she arrives late to the auditions and loses the chance of a lifetime. But this won’t be enough to make her give up and indeed, the challenges have just begun.

The anime indeed starts in Japan, where Naegino lives, but quickly changes the setting to America, where he goes to attend the auditions and pursue the American dream. The auditions will take place in California.

2. Great Pretender

A recent anime released in 2020, consisting of 23 crime-themed episodes with lots of action.

Makoto Edamura is Japan’s biggest swindler, or so he says. Together with his partner Kudo they put a Frenchman in their sights, but get fooled themselves.

The Frenchman in fact is Laurent Thierry, a man far more capable than they are and who controls the mafia This is where trouble will begin for the charismatic duo.

And this heist against Thierry will be attempted in a modern and realistic Los Angeles, California, very much alive and colorful like the whole anime after all. But the settings will vary a lot, from Japan to America.

1. Banana Fish

A very renowned anime in Japan, so much so that it is often mentioned in other literary works. We are talking about Banana Fish.

The plot, as from the background of this list, is distinctly mystery-investigative in nature. The main character Ash Lynx finding himself involved in the search for the truth about a mysterious succession of suicides that are happening in New York City.

The only link between them is the constant repetition of the words Banana Fish.

But these words lead back to nothing less than a drug, as will be discovered later. Banana Fish is its name, and it will play a key role in the unfolding of the plot.

This series is almost entirely set in New York City, but in some story fragments Ash, in order to pursue his investigation, will also end up in California, and where else but Los Angeles.