15 Animes Similar to Hit-Monkey

Hit-Monkey masterfully blends dark comedy, brutal action, and unconventional protagonists—centering on a vengeful snow macaque guided by a ghostly hitman. Its core themes include underdog narratives, subverted expectations, and gritty character evolution, all wrapped in stylized violence.

These underrated gems deserve attention for mirroring its bold storytelling while offering unique twists, from supernatural revenge tales to antihero-driven sagas.

1. The Legend of Vox Machina (2022)

• Streaming: Prime Video
• Plot: A band of misfit mercenaries battles dragons and corrupt nobles in a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired world. Their ragtag dynamic evolves as they confront personal demons and apocalyptic threats.
• Similarities: Like Hit-Monkey, it balances bloody action with irreverent humor and features morally gray characters seeking redemption. Both subvert hero tropes through flawed, chaotic protagonists.
• Details: 36 episodes; IMDb 8.4/10. Produced by Critical Role’s team. Won critical praise for faithful adaptation.

2. Scissor Seven (2018)

• Streaming: Netflix
• Plot: An amnesiac barber doubles as a bumbling assassin, navigating absurd missions while piecing together his past. Set on a chaotic island of feuding factions.
• Similarities: Shares Hit-Monkey’s blend of slapstick comedy and hyper-violence, with an antihero stumbling through criminal underworlds. Both use unconventional weapons (scissors vs. guns) and explore identity crises.
• Details: 40+ episodes; Chinese animation. Praised for unique art style and genre-mixing.

3. Vinland Saga (2019–2023)

• Streaming: Netflix, Crunchyroll
• Plot: A Viking boy, Thorfinn, pursues vengeance after his father’s murder, but war trauma forces him to reject violence and seek peace.
• Similarities: Mirrors Hit-Monkey’s revenge-to-redemption arc and brutal action. Both protagonists evolve from single-minded killers to complex figures questioning their purpose.
• Details: 48 episodes. Won Jerry Goldsmith Award for score; ranked #3 in Anime of the Year (2023.

4. Final Space (2018)

• Streaming: Not widely streaming (formerly Netflix)
• Plot: A prisoner named Gary teams with a cosmic entity to save the universe, facing intergalactic tyrants and personal loss.
• Similarities: Matches Hit-Monkey’s dark humor and tragic undertones. Both feature quirky outcasts navigating chaos, with Gary’s growth echoing the monkey’s journey from misfit to hero.
• Details: 36 episodes. Named among IndieWire’s best animated series for balancing humor and heart.

5. Justice League Unlimited (2004)

• Streaming: Max
• Plot: DC’s expanded superhero roster tackles global threats, with episodes focusing on lesser-known characters like Question or Huntress.
• Similarities: Like Hit-Monkey, it deconstructs heroism through morally ambiguous figures and episodic violence. Both use ensemble casts to explore redemption and duty.
• Details: 39 episodes. Pioneered single-episode storytelling in superhero animation.

6. Mashle: Magic and Muscles (2023)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: In a magic-dominated world, Mash earns respect through sheer physical strength while hiding his non-magical origins.
• Similarities: Parodies shōnen tropes like Hit-Monkey mocks superhero clichés. Both underdogs use brute force in a system stacked against them, blending comedy with over-the-top fights.
• Details: 24 episodes. Studio: A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online).

7. Wind Breaker (2024)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Delinquent Haruka Sakura joins a high school brawler crew, discovering their fights protect the community.
• Similarities: Echoes Hit-Monkey’s “outcast-turned-protector” theme and kinetic fight choreography. Both subvert expectations (delinquents as heroes; monkey as assassin).
• Details: Ongoing. Studio: CloverWorks (Spy×Family).

8. Ranking of Kings (2021)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Deaf prince Bojji, dismissed as weak, teams with a shadow creature to prove his worth as a future king.
• Similarities: Both spotlight underestimated protagonists (Bojji/Hit-Monkey) battling prejudice. Their childlike art styles contrast dark themes of betrayal and resilience.
• Details: 23 episodes. Studio: Wit Studio (Attack on Titan).

9. Ashita no Joe (1970)

• Streaming: RetroCrush
• Plot: A troubled youth, Joe, channels his rage into boxing, evolving from a violent punk to a disciplined athlete.
• Similarities: Shares Hit-Monkey’s “lost soul finds purpose” arc. Joe’s gritty growth mirrors the monkey’s journey from vengeance to self-discovery.
• Details: 126 episodes. Influenced classics like Megalo Box.

10. World Trigger (2014)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Agents defend Earth from interdimensional invaders, focusing on weak-but-determined trainee Osamu.
• Similarities: Highlights underdog teamwork like Hit-Monkey’s ghost-monkey duo. Both use tactical combat where brains trump brawn.
• Details: 99 episodes. Studio: Toei Animation (One Piece).

11. Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun (2019)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Human boy Iruma hides among demons, using wit to survive a deadly school where he’s the ultimate underdog.
• Similarities: Like Hit-Monkey’s fish-out-of-water premise, Iruma turns weakness into strength through cleverness. Both mix danger with comedy.
• Details: 65+ episodes. MAL: 7.8/10.

12. Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple (2006)

• Streaming: Hulu
• Plot: Bullied teen Kenichi trains under martial arts masters, transforming into a fighter who protects others.
• Similarities: Kenichi’s underdog rise parallels Hit-Monkey’s skill acquisition. Both emphasize growth through mentorship and chaotic brawls.
• Details: 50 episodes. Studio: TMS Entertainment (Lupin III).

13. Hajime no Ippo (2000)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Bullied teen Ippo becomes a boxing champion through relentless training, battling personal and physical limits.
• Similarities: Both champion perseverance over innate talent. Ippo’s visceral fights and emotional stakes mirror Hit-Monkey’s brutality.
• Details: 126 episodes. MAL: 8.7/10.

14. Chainsaw Man (2022)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Debt-ridden Denji merges with a devil, becoming a government hunter in a bleak world where power corrupts.
• Similarities: Denji’s antihero path and violent comedy align with Hit-Monkey. Both subvert shōnen tropes, showing heroism’s moral costs.
• Details: 12 episodes. Studio: MAPPA (Jujutsu Kaisen).

15. The God of High School (2020)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Teens compete in a martial arts tournament for a wish, revealing supernatural powers and conspiracies.
• Similarities: Like Hit-Monkey, it blends chaotic action with underdog grit. Both use tournaments as backdrops for personal vendettas.
• Details: 13 episodes. Studio: MAPPA.

Why These Anime Work for Hit-Monkey Fans

These series resonate by embracing underdog narratives, moral complexity, and stylistic violence. Like Hit-Monkey, they defy conventions—whether through a monkey assassin or a magic-less brawler—and prioritize character growth over clichés. Their shared themes of redemption, dark humor, and subverted power dynamics offer fresh takes for fans craving unconventional action. While mainstream hits dominate discourse, these hidden gems deliver the same audacious spirit with unique flair.