15 Anime To Watch Similar To Demon Slayer -in Atmosphere, Plot or Theme.

If you are looking for something to watch after finishing Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, look no further.

With its inspiring characters and plot, insanely animated fights, and visually appealing setting of the Taisho Period of Japan, Demon Slayer has quickly managed to become one of the best new anime series of our time. As you wait for a new season in Total Concentration Breathing, this list is here to help you find similar action anime that stand out on their own and are full of legendary fight sequences, engaging characters, and exciting storylines.

+In no particular order:

1.Wu Shan Wu Xing

雾山五行 - FOG HILL OF FIVE ELEMENTS

Plot: In ancient times, demons and humans inhabited the Earth together, constantly struggling for domination (what else is new). Some of these demons had the power to grant certain humans the ability to master one of the five elements, but to do that, they had to undergo a long and perilous journey through the foggy hills where these monsters resided. Wu Shan Wu Xing recounts the tale of these humans and the history they shaped.

Similarities to Demon Slayer: One thing that has marked all of us while watching Kimetsu No Yaiba is the sheer epicness of its fighting scenes, whose animations will make you feel you’re having an out-of-body experience induced by adrenaline. The same can be said of Wu Shan Wu Xing, although belonging to a different style of animation, it is as spectacularly depicted with insanely well-choreographed battles that flow like water and explode like fire.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Nice Boat Animation + Samsara Animation Studio

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Action + Historical + Martial Arts + Fantasy

Number of episodes: 3

Number of seasons: 1

Lists containing this anime: Top 26 Action Anime With Epic Fights

2.Jujutsu Kaisen

呪術廻戦- CURSE MAGIC

“But What Are You Going To Do When Someone You Saved Kills Someone Else In The Future?”

Plot: One day, Yuuji Itadori unknowingly encounters a cursed item that turns out to be one of the 20 fingers of the most powerful devil to have ever lived: Ryomen Sukuna. This triggers a series of supernatural events where Itadori suddenly finds himself forced to eat the finger, becoming cursed and awakening Sukuna inside his body. He then gets enrolled at the Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College, where he begins his training as a sorcerer.

Similarities to Demon Slayer: Jujutsu Kaisen is basically the modern-era equivalent of Demon Slayer. Both shows involve human warriors fighting against powerful demons/curses where the enemy seemingly has a bigger plan. The jujutsu sorcerers are hierarchically divided the same way as the Demon Slayer Corps, with different levels leading to the higher-ups (Which are Hashiras but less flamboyant). Each side character’s strength, powers, and skills are also thoroughly explored, and they play a very active role in the advancement of the plot. Obviously, the fights are insanely entertaining and can sometimes span multiple episodes.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: MAPPA

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Action + Demons + Supernatural + School

Number of episodes: 24

Number of seasons: 1 (ongoing)

Lists containing this anime: Top 26 Action Anime With Epic Fights + 15 Anime To Watch Similar to Jujutsu Kaisen

3.Golden Kamuy

ゴールデンカムイ

“The weak get eaten. That’s the same everywhere, right?”

Plot: Nicknamed ‘Sugimoto the Immortal’ during the Russo-Japanese war, Saichi Sugimoto returns to Japan and heads to Hokkaido in search of gold in the rivers. One day, he stumbles upon a drunkard who tells him about a man who stole a fortune in gold from the indigenous Ainu people and hid it somewhere on the island.

Similarities to Demon Slayer: Both shows occur during the Taishō period of Japan (early 1900s), so the scenic depictions, attire, and customs are the same. There are no demons in this anime (except for those who haunt the psyche), but plenty of fights, comedy, and interesting characters. Watch this one if you like this historical period and if you’re interested in learning more about the Ainu (the native people of Hokkaido) through a very refreshing and exciting storyline. Overall, Golden Kamuy feels like a mix of Prison Break, Demon Slayer, and a ‘Fun Facts about surviving during the cold in Japan’ youtube channel.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Geno Studio

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Action + Adventure + Historical

Number of episodes: 36

Number of seasons: 3 (Ongoing)

4.Black Clover

ブラッククローバー

“Quit giving up. What you’re doing right now is running away! You just stopped thinking and locked yourself up in darkness because it’s easier that way.”

Plot: Black Clover follows the adventure of Asta and Yuno, two orphans raised together as children in a world where magic and demons exist, and the title of ‘Wizard King’ is granted to the strongest mage of the kingdom. Both aspire for that position and consequently train to join the Magic Knights, but while Yuno is able to control magic with extraordinary power, Asta is devoid of any of it.

Similarities to Demon Slayer: Asta and Tanjirou have the same ‘‘‘I will never give up and keep on training until I reach my goal’’ mentalities. Black Clovers has the same amount of screen time dedicated to training and character growth and the same emphasis on friendship forged through battles and mentors who serve as inspiration. One warning: you might feel the urge to slap Asta or smash your screen on a nearby wall as he tends to have a very annoying voice when he nags or gets excited (which is most of the time).

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Pierrot

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Action + Comedy + Magic + Fantasy

Number of episodes: 170

Number of seasons: 4

Lists containing this anime: Top 26 Action Anime With Epic Fights

5.Rurouni Kenshin

るろうに剣心 -明治剣客浪漫譚- - Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan

“A sword is a weapon. The art of swordsmanship is learning how to kill. What Miss Kaoru says is nothing but sweet and innocent talk, only those whose hands have never been stained with the blood of man can believe.”

Plot: During the final years of the Edo period, a legendary swordsman known as Battousai became known as a ruthless killer, able to slay hundreds of men on his own. Ten years after the peak of the revolution, Battousai seems to have disappeared into the shadows, but his name is still known, and strikes fear throughout the nation. Unbeknownst to everyone, Battousai has abandoned his name and lifestyle and now seeks to repent for his sins.

Similarities to Demon Slayer: Same rustic Japanese setting. Ruroni Kenshin depicts the kind of life I feel Tanjirou would want to live after all the demons are dead (minus the ‘repenting’ part because our boy is a sweet angel). Rurouni Kenshin focuses on themes of atonement, peace, and romance, but there are plenty of swordfights as trouble always seems to have a way to find the main protagonist.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Gallop + Studio Deen

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Action + Adventure + Comedy + Romance + Historical + Samurai

Number of episodes: 94

Number of seasons: 1

6.ATTACK ON TITAN

進撃の巨人 - SHINGEKI NO KYOJIN

“People who can’t throw something important away can never hope to change anything.”

Plot: Over a century ago, humanity was devoured by giant beings of unknown intelligence and origin known as Titans. The remaining population has managed to survive the last hundred years only by building a multi-walled city capable of keeping the Titans at bay, training military recruits to the Survey Corps to patrol the perimeter, and slowly gathering intelligence about their mysterious foe.

Similarities to Demon Slayer: Both MCs have the same origin story and share similar enemies that eat humans. The survey corps and the demon slayer corps are equivalent in functions. AOT gives the same importance to character development, to the point where you’ll sometimes feel that you have multiple protagonists instead of just one. Although AOT also explores the same dark and demonic themes as Kimetsu No Yaiba, it is much more tragic and gruesome, so if you don’t like violence and blood, maybe stir clear from this one.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Wit Studio + MAPPA

Trailer: Link
Genre: Action + Military + Mystery + Super Power + Drama + Fantasy

Average episode length: 24m

Number of episodes: 75

Number of seasons: 4

Lists containing this anime: Top 26 Action Anime With Epic Fights + Top 23 Most Violent And Gory Manga Ever Created + 15 Anime To Watch Similar To Attack On Titan + Top 16 Most Violent, Bloody and Gory Anime + Top 28 Most Terrifying Horror Manga Ever Created

7.AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER & THE LEGEND OF KORRA

“You sound like my nephew, always thinking you need to do things on your own without anyone’s support. There is nothing wrong with letting the people who love you help you.”

Plot: Whether you decide to watch the original Avatar or the newer Legend of Kora, you’ll follow the Avatar, a being able to control the four elements of Water, Earth, Fire, and Air in a world where these components are usually distributed into four nations that can only control one of them. The role of the Avatars every time they are born into the world is to bring forth balance and peace.

Similarities to Demon Slayer: The same emphasis and usages of elements into fighting techniques with side characters developing one technique in particular and the protagonist dabbling into different ones. Although Western studios mainly produce both ‘Avatars,’ they are immersed in heavy anime visuals and storytelling methods and incorporate a lot of different Asian-inspired cultures and lifestyles. The MC of Avatar: The Last Airbender also shares a lot of personality traits with Tanjiro.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Nickelodeon Animation Studios + Pierrot

Trailer: Avatar: The Last Airbender + The Legend Of Korra

Genre: Action + Adventure + Science fantasy + Steampunk + Comedy + Drama

Number of episodes: 61 (ATLA) + 52 (TLOK)

Number of seasons: 4 (ATLA) + 6 (TLOK)

8.D.Gray-Man

ディー・グレイマン

“It’s not luck, I’m cheating.”

Plot: Through weaponizing the souls of the dead, an evil entity known as the Millennium Earl has set forth a plan that will lead to the destruction of the world. Consequently, a society known as the Black Order is formed to train exorcists and send them to liberate these souls and find a way to destroy the plans of this powerful demon.
Similarities to Demon Slayer: D.Gray-Man feels like a gothic/steampunk version of Demon Slayer as this anime shares the same secret organizations fighting against ‘demons,’ whose members make use of different supernatural abilities and are sent on battles. Both shows’ main protagonists also have the same serene personality and manage to retain their humanity despite knowing how cruel the enemy they are fighting is.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: TMS Entertainment

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Action + Adventure

Number of episodes: 116

Number of seasons: 2

Lists containing this anime: 15 Anime To Watch Similar to Jujutsu Kaisen

9.My Hero Academia

僕のヒーローアカデミア - BOKU NO HERO ACADEMIA

“A goal with no plan is called a delusion. You need a plan in order to achieve your goal.”

Plot: Izuku grew up in a world where superpowers created villains and the heroes to fight them, and it had always been his dream to follow in the footsteps of his favorite heroes. However, as he grew up, it became apparent that he possessed no special powers of his own. Not accepting relinquishing his dream, he is fueled by sheer ambition and persistence and decides to enroll in UA High, a prestigious high school famous for its excellent hero training program.

Similarities to Demon Slayer: Stunning fight scenes with uncommon angles and funky animation. Both MCs are kind, sensitive, and can’t stand the mistreatment of others. They also both have a trainer that takes them in and teaches them how to become stronger through a lot of training and hardship.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Bones

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Action + Comedy + School + Super Power

Number of episodes: ~88

Number of seasons: 5

Lists containing this anime: Top 26 Action Anime With Epic Fights + 11 Anime To Watch Similar To Mob Psycho 100

10.Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

鋼の錬金術師 - HAGANE NO RENKINJUTSUSHI

“Dedication Is A Talent All On Its Own.”

Plot: After an alchemy experiment goes horribly wrong, brothers Edward and Alphonse are left with missing limbs and body. Edward manages to bind his brother's soul to a giant armor and later on get an Automail prosthesis. Intent on reconstructing their bodies, the brothers embark on a quest to find the Philosopher's stone: a powerful gem that grants alchemists the power to violate the laws of equal exchange: ''Something cannot be created from nothing.''

Similarities to Demon Slayer: The most common point is the emphasis given on the sibling relationship between Edward and Alphonse, which drives the initial plot. Although the fighting styles and powers are different, they incorporate different elements and abilities, just like in Kimetsu No Yaiba. There is also the same mix of drama/seriousness with comedy.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Bones

Trailer: Link

Genre: Action + Military + Adventure + Comedy + Drama + Magic + Fantasy

Number of episodes: 64

Number of seasons: 1

Lists containing this anime: Top 26 Action Anime With Epic Fights

11.fire force

炎炎ノ消防隊 - ENEN NO SHOUBOUTAI

“Having a sense of fear allows you to make cool headed decisions. Just… don’t chicken out because of it.”

Plot: One day, a bizarre and chaotic phenomenon known as Spontaneous Human Combustion started spreading, igniting people on fire and turning them into Infernals - violent creatures able to manipulate fire. Some of these people could control their flames while still maintaining their cognition and sense of self, and they became known as Pyrokinetics. To stop the spread of this phenomenon, the Tokyo Armed Forces, Fire Defense Agency, and Holy Church of Sol produced an organization known as the Special Fire Force, enlisting Pyrokinetics to hunt down Infernals and discover their initial cause.
Similarities to Demon Slayer: High-intensity and well-choreographed battles. Same ‘team-spirit’ aspect in fighting and parallel character growth. Both main protagonists share a similar origin story and a common aspect when it comes to the care and respect they have towards their opponents.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: David Production

Trailer: Link

Genre: Action + Supernatural

Number of episodes: 24

Number of seasons: 1

Lists containing this anime: Top 26 Action Anime With Epic Fights

12.InuYasha

犬夜叉

“Can it be that I’m afraid, or is it merely I know not my own limit?”

Plot: One day, 15-year-old high schooler Kagome Higurashi falls into her family’s Shinto Shrine well and ends up 500 years in the past, in the middle of Japan’s brutal Sengoku period known as the ‘‘Warring States period’’. There, she meets the half-demon Inuyasha, whose helps she enlists to find a way to stop the demon wars ranging across this feudal era.
Similarities to Demon Slayer: Both take place in stylistically close periods of Japanese history. Both center around slaying demons with one powerful devil as their main target. Side characters are given a lot of background story and development, and the overall anime really emphasizes themes of friendships and growth.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Sunrise

Trailer: Link

Genre: Action + Supernatural

Number of episodes: 193

13.DRAGON BALL, Z, GT, Z KAI, SUPER

“I Am The Hope Of The Universe.”

The Dragon Ball franchise has managed to age like fine wine and is still a benchmark of uncomparable epicness in the world of Anime. With its inspirational and funny characters, life lessons, and range of fights that can last up to 19 episodes (Goku Vs. Frieza is the longest fight in shonen anime history), Dragon Ball has something for everyone and is sure to entertain and please fans of Demon Slayer.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Toei Animation

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Adventure + Comedy + Fantasy + Martial Arts + Super Power

Average episode length: 24m

Number of episodes: 806

Lists containing this anime: Top 26 Action Anime With Epic Fights

14.Bleach

“ALL BEINGS WHO EXIST IN THIS WORLD ACKNOWLEDGE ONLY THOSE FACTS THAT ARE CONVENIENT TO THEM AND TAKE THEM TO BE THE TRUTH.”

Plot: After his family is attacked by soul-eating spirits known as Hollows, Ichigo Kurosaki decides to become a Soul reaper, devoting his life to guarding humans and hunting down Hollows. Through his journey, he will learn of a bigger threat to the human world than these dark entities.

Similarities to Demon Slayer: Bleach has some of the best-animated fighting scenes in human history, so it is sure to please anyone looking for the same quality and quantity of epic fights that Kimetsu No Yaiba has. Both shows feature samurais with superpowers who hunt demons with main and side characters that are given a lot of development and background.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Pierrot

Trailer: Link

Genre: Action + Adventure + Comedy + Super Power + Supernatural

Number of episodes: 366

Number of seasons: 16

15.SAMURAI CHAMPLOO

サムライチャンプルー

“If living means bowing down to the likes of you fools, I’d rather die on my feet with my head held high”

Plot: One day, Fuu Kasumi accidentally spills a drink on one of her customers, who happens to be a samurai. The samurai and his group decide to harass her to get back his sullied honor. Growing annoyed by the minute, Fuu enlists another samurai, Mugen, to help her, but as he is fighting her enemies, yet another samurai shows up and gets sucked into the fight. As everything that breathes seems to be a samurai, the confusion leads to the entire shop getting destroyed and the accidental killing of the region’s magistrate son.
Similarities to Demon Slayer: Same early 1900s Japan setting. Same emphasis on honor and ‘the right thing to do’ albeit in a way more whimsical way. Although belonging to an older generation of animated works, Samurai Champloo has aged well and still has plenty of excellent sword fighting scenes with interesting techniques that seem to merge modern hip-hop with katana-wielding.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Manglobe

Trailer: Link

Genre: Action + Adventure + Comedy + Historical + Samurai

Number of episodes: 26

Number of seasons: 1