Top 14 Anime Similar to Tokyo Revengers - In atmosphere, plot or theme

Tokyo Revengers has taken the anime world by storm with its awesome storyline interlacing gang violence, high school life, and time travel in a seamless way. After finishing the first season, many of us are left with an 'I need more' feeling. This list comprises anime that are very similar in either plot, theme, or atmosphere. Some of us may want to explore time travel or gangs, while others are just looking for something as heartwarming and funny as Tokyo Revengers, no matter the premise. This list has it all, from flow of time disruptions to biker gangs and hilarious portrayals and friendships.

1.Erased

僕街 - Boku dake ga Inai Machi

“Every day, the words cross my mind. “If I had done this back then…” but they don’t take the sincere form of regret. The words are just an excuse that come to my mind then disappear.”

Erased follows Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling manga artist turned pizza deliveryman who discovers he possesses a time-traveling ability called Revival. Using it, he goes back in time in the hopes of solving a series of murders: that of his mother and his childhood friend. Although sharing considerable similarities to Tokyo Revengers in terms of overall plot and themes of murder and time travel, "Erased" is portrayed in a more gloomy and sinister atmosphere. Don't expect to burst out laughing or smile at the silliness of the characters. Here, the protagonists are mostly serious, and the ambiance is chilly and psychological.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: A-1 Pictures

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Mystery + Psychological + Supernatural + Seinen

Average episode length: 22m

Number of episodes: 12

Number of seasons: 1

List containing this anime: Top 11 Anime To Watch On Netflix Right Now.

2.Angel Densetsu

エンジェル伝説 - Legend of Angels

“Nice weather today, huh?”

I don't usually include very short animes on my lists, but 'Angel Densetsu' is worth every second of the time you dedicate to watch it. If you're looking for ridiculous situations and a laughing-out-loud vibe, this is it. The story isn't complex in any way, and time-traveling doesn't exist here. Similar elements are those of delinquency, school life, and humor. We follow Seikichi Kuroda, a first-year transfer student with a heart of gold but a facial structure so terrifying that it petrifies and frightens into discipline even the most brutal of delinquents.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Toei Animation

Trailer: Link

Genre: Action + Comedy + School

Average episode length: 22m
Number of episodes: 2

Number of seasons: 1

3. Steins; Gate

シュタインズ・ゲート - HUTAINZU GĒTO

“Remembering something that no one else can is a painful thing. You can’t talk to anyone about it. No one will understand you. You’ll be alone.”

Fair warning: I found Steins; Gate hard to get into and almost dropped it after watching the second episode. However, its high ratings convinced me to soldier through, and I’m glad I did. Self-proclaimed mad scientist Rintarou Okabe is busy researching his ‘Phone Microwave,’ an apparatus with the power to morph bananas into piles of green gel (I’m not making this up), when he eventually discovers that his phone has the ability to send emails into the past, consequently changing the flow of time. This anime tends to get quite philosophical and even manages to sprinkle on some interesting scientific theories. Its main similarity to Tokyo Revengers is the presence of ‘time-traveling.’ The characters are odd in a sometimes amusing way, but this is not a hilarious anime by any means.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: White fox

Trailer: Link

Genre: Sci-Fi + Psychological + Drama + Thriller

Average episode length: 24m

Number of episodes: 24 + 1 OVA

Number of seasons: 1

List containing this anime: Top Dark Psychological Thriller Anime That Will Have Your Skin Crawling -[I]-

4.RE:ZERO − STARTING LIFE IN ANOTHER WORLD

RE:ゼロから始める異世界生活 - RI:ZERO KARA HAJIMERU ISEKAI SEIKATSU

“All those times I got hurt, all the crying I did, all the pain I felt, all the fighting I did with my life at stake… And my reward was her name and a single smile. Jeez… Talk about unequal compensation.”

I didn’t think I’d list an Isekai anime here, but Re: Zero is surprisingly similar to Tokyo Revengers. In this one, Subaru Natsuki suddenly gets transported into a fantasy world, and consequent actions follow. The plot sounds like any Isekai plot ever created, but the hilarity of this anime comes from the fact that the protagonist is fully aware of this and continuously makes fun of the events befalling him. Similar to Tokyo revengers, friendship themes are prevalent, as well as an ‘I need to try even if I fail’ mindset, time-traveling is also present albeit in a weird way: Subaru possesses the unique ability of ‘return-by-death’, hence every time he is killed (which is even more often than you would imagine) he goes back in time to specific moments and can relive and alter (or at least try, and try, and try again) the events leading to his death.

Studio: White Fox 

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Psychological + Drama + Thriller + Fantasy

Number of episodes: 50

Number of seasons: 2

List containing this anime: Top 10 Must-watch ‘Other World’ Isekai Anime

5.Akira

アキラ

“And now you’re a boss, too... of this pile of rubble.”

Regardless of its similarity to Tokyo Revengers, you should watch Akira for the sole reason that this is an anime movie largely considered to have revolutionized Japanese Animation with its dark themes, music use, and animation style. I won’t give way much to the plot as this is a movie, and I personally prefer watching movies without knowing anything about them. In terms of analogy to Tokyo Revengers, gangs are prevalent, as well as biker culture, corruption, drugs, youth violence, and the presence of a sci-fi aspect: not time traveling but telekinesis. The atmosphere is much more somber and depressed, so don’t expect bubbly laughs out of this one.

Director: Katsuhiro Otomo

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Action + Military + Sci-Fi + Adventure + Horror + Supernatural + Seinen

Length: 124 minutes

List containing this anime: Top 15 Anime Movies To Watch During The Coronavirus [COVID-19] Quarantine

6.banana fish

東京喰種 トーキョーグール

“I wish to trap you in my memories”

If you’re into anime memes, you’ve probably seen something about Banana fish at some point: specifically about how it makes everyone cry and break their hearts. I completely support that statement as my tear ducts get activated whenever I think about the end of this anime. The plot centers around Ash Lynx, a 17-year-old gang leader and his affiliation to the mafia, his search for the meaning of ‘Banana fish’ (a substance) and his eventual relationship to Eiji Okumura, a Japanese photographer reporting on American Street gangs. Common themes are gang, violence, drugs, murders, and deep friendships and relationships. As for the ‘hahas’, there aren’t a lot, but they are some.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: MAPPA

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Action + Adventure + Drama + Shoujo

Average episode length: 24m
Number of episodes: 24

Number of seasons: 3

7.Great Teacher Onizuka

グレート・ティーチャー・オニヅカ- Gurēto Tīchā Onizuka

“You think you can just escape? Walk out of this world like it’s some bad movie? It’s too easy to make like a bird. To flap your wings as you chicken out after causing all these problems. The tough part’s walking. Taking what comes along and walking right through it. That’s what real people do.”

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably a bit of an animation snob. As a most recent example, I put off watching Tokyo Revengers because I didn’t like the way Manjiro Sano looked. I also put off watching Great Teacher Onizuka because of its outdated animation - it was released in 1998. However, I found myself looking like a fool in both cases because these are two amazing anime. Meet Eikichi Onizuka, an ex-biker gang leader, currently trying to become the greatest teacher in all of Japan. In his early career, the classes he gets assigned to are full of delinquents whose sole purpose is to break any new teacher they get. Onizuka then uses his over-the-top violence, dramatized personality, and gang knowledge to subdue his students into discipline and gain their utmost respect. No time traveling here, however. Since this is an older anime, expect some themes that might be viewed as inappropriate today.
+Prequel: Shonan Junai Gumi

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Pierrot

Trailer: Link

Genre: Slice of Life Comedy + Drama + School + Shounen

Average episode length: 25m
Number of episodes: 43

Number of seasons: 1

8.Jujutsu kaisen

呪術廻戦- Curse Magic

“The Accumulation Of Those Little Despairs Is What Makes A Person An Adult.”

So this one is a bit of an oddball on this list but let me explain. Jujutsu Kaisen has absolutely no similarity to Tokyo Revengers in terms of plot. However, it has the same general vibe and atmosphere:

• There’s a group of friends.

• You end up liking every single one of them.

• The anime is hilarious.

• The action is fast-paced.

• You seldom find yourself bored.

This is also a new Gen anime, just like Tokyo Revengers, and it has gained immense popularity. Although it contains demons and magic and way more fighting, chances are, if you liked Tokyo Revengers, you’re going to like Jujutsu Kaisen. 

Studio + Other Works by Studio: MAPPA

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Action + Demons + Supernatural + School + Shounen

Average episode length: 23m

Number of episodes: 24

Number of seasons: 1

9.Orange

“«Regrets»... I regret how timid and meek I was back then... always telling myself that I couldn’t do anything, never even daring to try. That’s definitely something I regret.”

Orange is more of a slice-of-life with an equal mix of depression and romance rather than an action-packed anime. Here, Naho Takamiya receives a letter from her 26-year-old future self. The message informs her of her future life, filled with regrets, as well as gives her information about a new transfer student, Kakeru Naruse, who seemingly commits suicide at some point during her school year. With these details at hand, Naho attempts to change both her future and that of Kakeru. Common themes are that of time travel, an eager willingness to change the fate of a lover, as well as explorations of friendships. The overall atmosphere is much more nostalgic and sentimental. This is an anime to make the heart tremble in bittersweet melancholy rather than excitement.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Telecom Animation Film + TMS Entertainment

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Sci-Fi + Drama + Romance + School + Shoujo

Average episode length: 24m

Number of episodes: 13

Number of seasons: 1

10.Nobunaga Concerto

信長協奏曲コンツェルト - Nobunaga Kontseruto

“Don’t talk to me right now. I’m legitimately reading a textbook for the first time in my life.”

Nobunaga Concerto is one of those hidden gems of highly underrated anime. Although portrayed in an atypical animation style - which I don’t usually enjoy because apparently, I’m basic-it has all the essence of a great series. While attempting to skip class, High school student Saboru finds himself transported in the Sengoku (unfortunately not related to Dragon Ball) period of Japan: a Japanese era of near-constant civil war, social upheaval, and political intrigue. To his great surprise, he comes face to face with Nobunaga Oda, a daimyo lord responsible for the first great unification of Japan. To his even greater surprise, he looks just like him. Being hunted down, Nobunaga Oda asks Saboru to take his place as a decoy and hastily escapes. Saboru suddenly finds himself with a wife, an army, and a region to rule over, as well as the duty of unifying Japan as not to alter history. Saboru being a very eccentric character, the anime is also quite funny and unexpected.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Fuji TV

Trailer: No trailers (It’s that underated)

Genre: Comedy + Historical + Romance + Shounen

Average episode length: 22m

Number of episodes: 10

Number of seasons: 1

11.ReLife

リライフ- Riraifu

“If at some point in life you made a mistake or keep falling over and over again. And you can’t help but think it’s useless and you’re a good for nothing; Remember, you’re only taking a detour. And I’m sure further along your path will come a day where you think: “It was a good life experience”. That’s why it’ll be fine.”

27-year-old Arata Kaizaki is given the opportunity to partake in an experiment with the aid of a mysterious pill. Swallowing it, his appearance reverts to that of a 17-year-old, and he finds himself attending high school for one year. The time-traveling theme is less prevalent here, as Arata is still in the same timeline, and only his physical body changes. ReLife is more about the struggle of a ‘hopeless loser’ as he tries to change the course of his life, and the animation style is very over-the-top in depictions of facial expressions and intonations. All in all, this is a lighthearted anime with a bit of nice depth to it.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: TMS Entertainment

Trailer: link.

Genre: Slice of Life + Drama + Romance + School

Number of episodes: 13

Number of seasons: 1

12.Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto

坂本ですが? - Sakamoto desu ga?

“However rough the waters in the outside world may be, to find your own lighthouse and swim for it is only logical, isn’t it?”

We’re usually used to protagonists who start as friendless nobodies with timid and submissive personalities and eventually rise and evolve into the human beings they choose to become. Although there is nothing wrong with being a friendless nobody, It is refreshing to watch ‘‘Sakamoto desu ga?’’ because of its nonconformist premise. Our protagonist Sakamoto is perfect in every aspect of his life: handsome, sophisticated, and intelligent; he even excels at sports. His charm manages to attract romantic interests and friendships alike. Even the teachers swoon over his presence. However, as all protagonists have enemies, a team of delinquents at Sakamoto’s school fit the mold and try to derail him in every episode. Common themes to Tokyo revengers are weaker here than in most listed animes but present nonetheless: delinquent teens and a lot of humor.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Pierrot

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Slice of Life + Comedy + School + Seinen

Number of episodes: 112

Number of seasons: 1

13.Gokusen

ごくせん

“Fighting and violence are different! Violence is when you gang up and beat up someone, for no reason. Fighting is when you fight for something or someone precious to you.”

Often referred to as the female version of ‘Great Teacher Onizuka’, although not as funny, Gokusen is still very much worth the watch. Here, our teacher is Kumiko Yamaguchi, a young woman entering her teaching career as a math teacher at an all-boys high school full of delinquents. The boys mistake her for a fool and an airhead, but she is actually also the head of a powerful Yakuza clan.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Nippon TV

Trailer: Link.

Genre: Slice of Life + Comedy + Drama + School + Josei

Number of episodes: 13

Number of seasons: 1

14.Kyou kara Ore Wa!!

今日から俺は!! - Starting Today, It's My Turn!!

“This bozo looks like a sea urchin”

High school students Mitsuhashi Takashi and Itou Shinji are set to attend a new high school. Taking this as the opportunity to start a new life, they both decide to become delinquents and subsequently change their appearance to fit the mold. Other school delinquents and gang members take their arrival as a direct challenge to their rule and decide to confront them. Little do they know that both students have never been troublesome in their lives. Although of a much older animation style, ‘‘Kyou kara Ore Wa!!’’ is full of entertainment and enjoyment.

Studio + Other Works by Studio: Pierrot

Trailer: Link

Genre: Comedy + Shounen

Average episode length: 40m

Number of episodes: 10

Number of seasons: 1