Wolverine and the X-Men (2008–2009) masterfully blends superhero team dynamics, moral complexity, and underdog narratives within a world that fears its powered protagonists. Like the X-Men, these 15 underrated anime explore themes of ostracized abilities, found-family bonds, and societal conflict, often through lesser-known gems that prioritize character depth over mainstream appeal.
Each series offers a unique take on power systems, rebellion, or ensemble storytelling, making them perfect for fans craving more nuanced superhero-inspired narratives.
1. Charlotte (2015)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll via Amazon Prime
- Episodes: 13 + OVA
- Studio: P.A. Works
- Plot: After a comet spreads dust granting superhuman abilities to teens, Yuu Otosaka—who can possess others—joins a school council protecting ability-users from exploitation.
- Similarities: Echoes X-Men’s “school for gifted youths” setup and themes of protecting marginalized powered individuals from societal threats.
2. Hamatora (2014)
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video (free), Anime Times Amazon Channel
- Episodes: 12 (Season 1)
- Studio: NAZ
- Plot: Detectives Nice and Murasaki solve cases involving “Minimum Holders” (people with powers) while battling a serial killer harvesting abilities to build an army.
- Similarities: Focuses on a detective agency with diverse powers, mirroring X-Men’s team dynamics and moral conflicts against power-abusing antagonists.
3. Darker than Black (2007)
- Streaming: Not widely available; occasional HiDive rotations
- Episodes: 25
- Studio: Bones
- Plot: In a Tokyo altered by spatial anomalies, contractor “Hei” undertakes espionage missions for the Syndicate while navigating the mysteries of Hell’s Gate.
- Similarities: Gritty, morally gray operatives and a world reshaped by supernatural events, akin to X-Men’s balance of action and philosophical depth.
4. Akame ga Kill! (2014)
- Streaming: Hulu, HiDive (US); unavailable in India
- Episodes: 24
- Studio: White Fox
- Plot: Idealistic Tatsumi joins Night Raid, a rebel group fighting a corrupt empire, using supernatural weapons to assassinate tyrannical nobles .
- Similarities: Team-based rebellion against oppression and high-stakes battles, reflecting X-Men’s “fighting for a hostile world” ethos.
5. Fate/Zero (2011)
- Streaming: Netflix, Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 25
- Studio: Ufotable
- Plot: Mage Kiritsugu Emiya enters the Fourth Holy Grail War, a battle royale among heroes and anti-heroes, questioning the cost of ambition.
- Similarities: Complex character alliances and moral ambiguity in a supernatural conflict, paralleling X-Men’s exploration of power and sacrifice.
6. Tokyo Ghoul (2014)
- Streaming: Hulu (US); Netflix/Amazon Prime (Japan via VPN)
- Episodes: 12 (Season 1)
- Studio: Pierrot
- Plot: After becoming a half-ghoul, Ken Kaneki navigates a secret war between flesh-eating ghouls and humans, struggling with his dual identity.
- Similarities: Themes of persecution, identity crises, and societal fear of “the other,” much like mutant discrimination in X-Men.
7. Black Clover (2017–2021)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix
- Episodes: 170
- Studio: Pierrot
- Plot: Magicless Asta defies expectations to join the Magic Knights, fighting demons while aspiring to become the Wizard King.
- Similarities: Underdog protagonist, team-based battles, and a magic system replacing mutations—earning praise for defying shōnen tropes.
8. Re:␣Hamatora (2014)
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video (free), Anime Times Amazon Channel
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: NAZ
- Plot: Months after Yokohama’s chaos, Nice and Murasaki reunite to confront a vengeful Art and new threats to Minimum Holders.
- Similarities: Expands Hamatora’s ensemble conflict, emphasizing loyalty and betrayal like X-Men’s interpersonal drama.
9. X-Men (2011 Anime)
- Streaming: Amazon, Apple iTunes
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Madhouse
- Plot: The X-Men investigate missing mutants in Japan, uncovering the organ-harvesting U-Men while grieving Jean Grey’s death.
- Similarities: Direct Marvel adaptation with a Japanese twist, featuring classic team dynamics and a somber tone akin to Wolverine and the X-Men.
10. Wolverine (2011 Anime)
- Streaming: Apple iTunes
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Madhouse
- Plot: Wolverine travels to Japan to find his lost love, confronting yakuza and ninja clans while addressing his past.
- Similarities: Logan-centered noir storytelling, blending honor-driven conflicts with the character’s trademark resilience.
11. Seraph of the End (2015)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 24
- Studio: Wit Studio
- Plot: In a vampire-ruled apocalypse, orphan Yuuichirou joins humanity’s military resistance while uncovering his own mysterious origins.
- Similarities: Post-apocalyptic factions and “chosen one” tropes, echoing X-Men’s us-vs.-them stakes.
12. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Episodes: 50
- Studio: Sunrise
- Plot: Genius rebel Lelouch gains mind-control powers to overthrow an empire, strategizing in a war blending mecha and political intrigue.
- Similarities: Charismatic anti-hero and tactical team battles, mirroring X-Men’s blend of personal vendettas and large-scale conflict.
13. My Hero Academia (2016–2025)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu
- Episodes: 138+
- Studio: Bones
- Plot: Quirkless Deku inherits superpowers to train at U.A. High, battling villains while mastering his abilities .
- Similarities: Underdog heroism and a school setting for powered youth, though it subverts expectations with darker arcs like “Dark Might”.
14. Darker than Black: Gemini of the Meteor (2009)
- Streaming: Occasional HiDive rotations
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Bones
- Plot: Hei mentors young contractor Suo Pavlichenko while searching for his ally Yin, amid escalating syndicate conflicts .
- Similarities: Gritty character studies and espionage, deepening the original’s exploration of power and morality.
15. Tokyo Ghoul:re (2018)
- Streaming: Hulu (US); d Anime Store/U-NEXT (Japan)
- Episodes: 24
- Studio: Pierrot
- Plot: Amnesiac Kaneki, now a CCG investigator, hunts ghouls while grappling with fragmented memories of his past .
- Similarities: Evolution of the protagonist’s identity crisis and ethical dilemmas, paralleling X-Men’s themes of redemption and belonging.
Why These Anime Work for Wolverine and the X-Men Fans
These series excel in translating core X-Men elements—found-family dynamics, societal prejudice, and power-as-burden—into diverse narratives. From Charlotte’s school-based protection squad to Black Clover’s relentless underdog, they prioritize character growth over flashy battles. Lesser-known gems like Hamatora and Darker than Black offer mature, strategic conflicts, while direct adaptations (X-Men 2011, Wolverime 2011) provide fresh cultural spins on Marvel lore. Crucially, they avoid mainstream saturation, delivering the nuanced storytelling and moral complexity that define Wolverine and the X-Men’s legacy.
