Two Girls. One Dream. And the entire world for a stage.
At 13 years old, Maya Kitajima seems destined to spend the rest of her life toiling in a crowded restaurant alongside her bitter and unstable mother. But when her incredible acting talent is discovered by the legendary diva Chigusa Tsukikage, Maya finds a new future filled with both golden opportunities and terrifying risks.
For Ayumi Himekawa, success has always been assured, yet she longs to be recognized for her own talents and skills, not her famous parents' connections.
For both, the ultimate prize is the role of The Crimson Goddess in the play of the same name, a part created by Chigusa. To achieve this goal, both Maya and Ayumi must seek out and conquer every acting challenge, pushing the limits of their talent and endurance to the utmost, until they are worthy of the part…
But for one to win, the other must fail!
Glass Mask has finished airing and it has 51 Episodes. It is also Known as: ガラスの仮面 (2005), Glass no Kamen (2005)
Genres: Japan , Asia , Earth , Performance , Present , The Arts , Shoujo , Romance
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Top 10 Anime Like Glass Mask (Glass no Kamen (2005)) [2024 List]
10. Nijuu Mensou no Musume
Chiko is the daughter of the wealthy Mikamo family who has to live with her aunt and uncle after her parents passed away. Because her aunt wants to inherit the Mikamo family's wealth, she gives Chiko poisoned food. One day, however, she's kidnapped by the Nijuu Mensou (20 Faces) and decides to join his clan.
The Daughter of 20 Faces has finished airing and it has 22 Episodes. It is also Known as: 二十面相の娘, The Daughter of Twenty Faces, Chiko, Heiress of the Phantom Thief
9. My Daddy Long Legs
Daddy Long Legs is based on the novel of the same name by Jean Webster. It chronicles the adventures of Judy Abbott, an orphan in New York. During a meeting for the superintendent, with other important and rich people in attendance, a scholarship is offered to Judy by a mysterious benefactor. Catching only a glimpse of his tall shadow as he leaves, Judy calls him "Daddy Long Legs" and writes him letters every month as per his request. While studying at the Lincoln Memorial school, she makes many friends and learns about a world she never knew about before.
My Daddy Long Legs has finished airing and it has 40 Episodes. It is also Known as: Watashi no Ashinaga Ojisan, 私のあしながおじさん, Sekai Meisaku Gekijou, Daddy-Long-Legs
8. Haikara-san ga Tooru Movie 1: Benio, Hana no 17-sai
The story follows Benio "Haikara-san" Hanamura, who lost her mother when she was very young and has been raised by her father, a high-ranking official in the Japanese army. As a result, she has grown into a tomboy -- contrary to traditional Japanese notions of femininity, she studies kendo, drinks sake, dresses in often outlandish-looking Western fashions instead of the traditional kimono, and is not as interested in housework as she is in literature. She also rejects the idea of arranged marriages and believes in a woman's right to a career and to marry for love.
Haikara-San: Here Comes Miss Modern has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 劇場版 はいからさんが通る 前編 ～紅緒、花の17歳～, Gekijou Haikara-san ga Tooru, Smart-san, Mademoiselle Anne, There Goes the Modern Girl, Here Comes Miss Modern, Here Comes a Dandy, Gekijouban Haikara-san ga Tooru Zenpen
7. Ballroom e Youkoso
Fujita has drifted through middle school aimlessly, unable to find friends or anything that can hold his attention. Then, one day, he's attacked by a gang and saved by a mysterious man. But this isn't a karate master; it's a ballroom dance instructor! Reluctantly, Fujita takes a few beginner's classes, only to find his inspiration... an entrancing, teenage dance prodigy named Shizuku. It's Fujita's first step into the high-octane world of competitive dance!
Welcome to the Ballroom has finished airing and it has 24 Episodes. It is also Known as: ボールルームへようこそ, Ballroom e Youkoso
6. Full Moon wo Sagashite
12-year-old Mitsuki Kouyama's dream to become a professional singer is shattered when she's diagnosed with throat cancer. If a tumor isn't horrific enough, how about being met by two angels of death shortly after?
Meroko Yui and Takuto Kira, of the shinigami duo "Negi Ramen," inform Mitsuki that she has just one year left to live. Instead of getting discouraged, however, Mitsuki decides to make the most of her last year, and pursues her singing dream with a passion.
Aided by Meroko and Takuto, Mitsuki finds success and failure, love and loss, and deals with her fate and other difficult subjects the best she can. Full Moon wo Sagashite is the story of a little girl who refuses to let something as insignificant as fate slow her down.
Searching for the Full Moon has finished airing and it has 52 Episodes. It is also Known as: 満月をさがして, Full Moon o Sagashite
5. Nodame Cantabile
Shinichi Chiaki is a first class musician whose dream is to play among the elites in Europe. Coming from a distinguished family, he is an infamous perfectionist—not only is he highly critical of himself, but of others as well. The only thing stopping Shinichi from leaving for Europe is his fear of flying. As a result, he's grounded in Japan.
During his fourth year at Japan's top music university, Shinichi happens to meet Megumi Noda or, as she refers to herself, Nodame. On the surface, she seems to be an unkempt girl with no direction in life. However, when Shinichi hears Nodame play the piano for the first time, he is in awe of the kind of music she creates. Nevertheless, Shinichi is dismayed to discover that Nodame is his neighbor, and worse, she ends up falling head over heels in love with him.
Nodame Cantabile has finished airing and it has 23 Episodes. It is also Known as: のだめカンタービレ, Nodame Cantabile
4. Kageki Shoujo!!
The Kouka Kageki Musical Drama Academy is a high school that teaches musical theater like that at the Takarazuka Revue, and splits its actresses into those who play male and female roles. Ai Narada is a former idol who becomes a musume-yaku (female role) actress and meets Sarasa Watanabe, a simple farm girl who is an otoko-yaku (male role) actress.
Kageki Shoujo!! has finished airing and it has 13 Episodes. It is also Known as: かげきしょうじょ!!, Opera Girl!, The Curtain Rises
3. Hikaru no Go
12-year-old Shindou Hikaru is just your average 6th grader. One day, while searching through his grandfather's attic, he comes across an old Go board. Upon touching the Go board, Hikaru is possessed by the spirit of Fujiwara no Sai, and continues to be haunted by him soon after. Sai was once a great Go player, who committed suicide and continued to stay in the world as a spirit desiring only to play Go once again. Finally bending to Sai's pleas, Hikaru allows Sai to play Go through himself, unknowingly attempting the first game with the young prodigy Touya Akira. Time has finally started moving, as Sai's quest for the perfect game, "The Hand of God", is set underway. Based on the manga by Yumi Hotta and Takeshi Obata.
Hikaru no Go has finished airing and it has 75 Episodes. It is also Known as: ヒカルの碁, Hikaru's Go
2. Kaleido Star
As a talented young acrobat, Sora has dreamed of sharing a stage with the performers of Kaleido Stage, a world renowned circus that combines graceful acrobatics, dazzling costumes, and stunts that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. She makes the move from Japan to California to audition for the show, in hopes of one day basking in the glitz and glamour.
However, finding her place in such a competitive world will not be easy. Sora will shed blood, sweat, and tears on her path to becoming a performer, buoyed by the friends she makes along the way. Of course, there will also be rivals and other individuals who do not believe Sora has what it takes to shine as brightly as Kaleido Stage needs her to.
Sora will need to endure these trials and tribulations in her quest to become a star, earning the respect of both those who doubt her abilities and by those who are threatened by her. Watch as Sora flies through the bright lights in Kaleido Star!
Kaleido Star has finished airing and it has 51 Episodes. It is also Known as: カレイドスター, Kaleido Star: New Wings
1. Skip Beat!
Bright, diligent, and yet naïve 16-year-old Kyouko Mogami works hard to support the career and dreams of her childhood friend, crush, and rising pop icon, Shoutarou Fuwa. Toiling endlessly at burger joints and tea ceremonies, the innocent Kyouko remains unaware that day in day out, all her tireless efforts have been taken for granted, until, one day, she finds out that her beloved Shou sees her as nothing but a free servant. Shocked, heartbroken and enraged, she vows to take revenge on the rookie star by entering the ruthless world of entertainment herself. As she steps into this new life, Kyouko will face new challenges as well as people who will push her out of her comfort zone.
Based on the best-selling shoujo manga by Yoshiki Nakamura, Skip Beat showcases the growth of a young woman who slowly unlearns how to work herself to the bone for the satisfaction of others and takes her future into her own hands instead.
Skip Beat! has finished airing and it has 25 Episodes. It is also Known as: スキップ・ビート！, Skip Beat!
