Witchblade (2006) is a gritty, action-packed anime with emotional depth and a powerful female lead. Centered around Masane Amaha, who inherits a mystical artifact that turns her into a formidable weapon, the series explores the cost of power, maternal bonds, and moral ambiguity.
Combining themes of supernatural battles, underdog survival, and the psychological toll of wielding power, Witchblade is more than just a combat-heavy anime—it’s a story of identity, sacrifice, and resilience. The following 15 underrated anime share similar narrative energy and stylistic choices, making them perfect hidden gems for fans looking for more.
1. C: The Money of Soul and Possibility Control (2011)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 11
- MAL Rating: 7.19
- Studio: Tatsunoko Production
- Plot: A broke college student is dragged into a parallel world where people gamble their futures using avatars called “Assets.”
- Similarities: Like Witchblade, it explores the personal cost of power and features surreal, high-stakes combat fueled by personal stakes and hidden systems.
2. Mnemosyne: Mnemosyne no Musume-tachi (2008)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Episodes: 6
- MAL Rating: 7.35
- Studio: Xebec
- Plot: An immortal woman investigates supernatural crimes while being hunted by a mysterious antagonist.
- Similarities: Shares dark themes, adult content, and a strong female protagonist dealing with immortality, violence, and personal trauma.
3. Karakuri Circus (2018)
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
- Episodes: 36
- MAL Rating: 7.52
- Studio: Studio VOLN
- Plot: A young boy inherits a fortune and is pursued by mechanical puppets; he joins forces with a martial artist and a puppeteer to survive.
- Similarities: Combines tragic pasts, mysterious power systems, and emotional character arcs akin to Witchblade’s narrative core.
4. Shangri-La (2009)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 24
- MAL Rating: 6.99
- Studio: Gonzo
- Plot: In a post-apocalyptic Tokyo turned forest, a young freedom fighter aims to topple a carbon trading oligarchy.
- Similarities: Female-led action in a dystopian setting, combining ecological themes with complex geopolitical and personal struggles.
5. Speed Grapher (2005)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 24
- MAL Rating: 7.23
- Studio: Gonzo
- Plot: A former war photographer uncovers a sinister underworld where people manifest powers based on their deepest desires.
- Similarities: Explores the darker sides of human nature with supernatural powers, gritty action, and mature storytelling.
6. Requiem from the Darkness (2003)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Rating: 6.90
- Studio: TMS Entertainment
- Plot: In Edo-period Japan, a writer journeys to collect ghost stories, encountering real horrors along the way.
- Similarities: While historical, its dark tone, supernatural horror, and stylized visuals resonate with Witchblade‘s eerie atmosphere.
7. Black Rock Shooter (2012)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 8
- MAL Rating: 7.01
- Studio: Ordet
- Plot: Two girls’ emotional struggles manifest in an alternate world of endless battle.
- Similarities: Emotional trauma, female-centric storytelling, and symbolic combat create a psychological landscape similar to Witchblade.
8. Blassreiter (2008)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 24
- MAL Rating: 6.91
- Studio: Gonzo
- Plot: A virus turns the dead into biomechanical monsters, and one man fights them using similar powers.
- Similarities: Bio-weapon themes, transformation, and questions of identity and morality parallel the Witchblade narrative.
9. Gantz (2004)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 7.13
- Studio: Gonzo
- Plot: After dying, two men are forced to fight aliens in deadly missions orchestrated by a mysterious black sphere.
- Similarities: Graphic violence, morally gray characters, and a world governed by brutal, hidden rules mirror the chaos of Witchblade.
10. Ergo Proxy (2006)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 23
- MAL Rating: 7.91
- Studio: Manglobe
- Plot: In a future where humanity lives in domed cities, an inspector uncovers secrets about androids and identity.
- Similarities: Philosophical themes, female lead, and a haunting, noir-like atmosphere reminiscent of Witchblade’s emotional undercurrents.
11. The Big O (1999)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 7.53
- Studio: Sunrise
- Plot: In a city where people have lost their memories, a negotiator pilots a giant robot to maintain order.
- Similarities: Dark tone, mystery, and stylized visuals—plus themes of memory and identity—make it a thematic cousin to Witchblade.
12. Gokukoku no Brynhildr (Brynhildr in the Darkness) (2014)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Rating: 6.95
- Studio: ARMS
- Plot: A teen discovers girls with deadly powers are being experimented on and tries to protect them.
- Similarities: Sci-fi action, tragic pasts, and a focus on weaponized women echo Witchblade’s emotional and ethical dilemmas.
13. Texhnolyze (2003)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 22
- MAL Rating: 7.74
- Studio: Madhouse
- Plot: In a dystopian underground city, a fighter with cybernetic limbs navigates a brutal gang war.
- Similarities: Psychological depth, slow-burn storytelling, and body horror connect closely to Witchblade‘s grittier themes.
14. Shikabane Hime (Corpse Princess) (2008)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 25
- MAL Rating: 7.00
- Studio: Gainax
- Plot: A girl brought back to life must kill 108 undead to gain salvation.
- Similarities: Strong female lead, supernatural violence, and inner conflict about life and death match Witchblade’s emotional palette.
15. Yugo the Negotiator (2004)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Rating: 7.33
- Studio: Artland/G&G Direction
- Plot: A skilled negotiator solves high-stakes hostage crises worldwide with intellect over violence.
- Similarities: Though action-light, it offers moral complexity, high tension, and a mature tone akin to the human drama behind Witchblade‘s chaos.
Why These Anime Work for Witchblade Fans
Each of these anime delves into themes familiar to Witchblade viewers: the emotional weight of power, female agency, high-stakes conflict, and worlds ruled by hidden systems. While they vary in setting and tone, they share narrative risks, character-driven tension, and a willingness to subvert traditional anime tropes—qualities that make Witchblade stand out. If you’re looking for underappreciated gems that offer more than surface-level action, these series are worth exploring.
