Beelzebub, a 2011 anime adaptation of Ryuhei Tamura’s manga, follows delinquent high schooler Tatsumi Oga who unexpectedly becomes the adoptive parent of Baby Beel, the son of the Demon King, leading to chaotic battles and comedic mishaps as he navigates demon world threats and school rivalries. The series shines through its blend of over-the-top action, supernatural power systems like the Zebul Blast, underdog protagonist growth, and subversion of typical shonen tropes by mixing delinquency with absurd parenting humor.
These 15 underrated anime deserve more attention for capturing similar vibes of humorous action, character evolution from unlikely heroes, and clever twists on familiar genres, often overlooked amid mainstream hits.
1. Katekyo Hitman Reborn! (2006)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Hulu
Brief Plot Summary: Tsunayoshi Sawada, a clumsy teen, discovers he’s the heir to a powerful mafia family and must train under baby hitman Reborn to unlock his Dying Will Flames, facing escalating threats from rival clans. As he grows from a weakling to a capable leader, Tsuna builds a found family of quirky allies.
Similarities to Beelzebub: Like Beelzebub, it features a reluctant underdog protagonist thrust into a supernatural power system (Dying Will Flames mirror Beel’s demonic contracts), blending comedy with intense fights and delinquent-style school life, evolving from gag-heavy episodes to serious character arcs.
MAL Rating: 8.13
Episode Count: 203
Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Kenichi Imaizumi at Artland; based on Akira Amano’s manga.
Awards/Recognition: Nominated for Best Continuing Series at the 2008 Tokyo Anime Awards.
2. The Devil Is a Part-Timer! (2013)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
Brief Plot Summary: Demon Lord Satan flees to modern Tokyo after a defeat, taking a fast-food job to survive while hiding his powers, but old enemies and a heroic pursuer disrupt his mundane life.
Similarities to Beelzebub: Shares the subversion of demonic tropes through comedy, with a powerful anti-hero in absurd everyday situations, similar underdog growth via supernatural contracts, and humorous battles against otherworldly foes.
MAL Rating: 7.75
Episode Count: 13 (Season 1; sequels available)
Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Naoto Hosoda at White Fox; based on Satoshi Wagahara’s light novels.
Awards/Recognition: Won Best Comedy at the 2014 Newtype Anime Awards.
3. Blood Lad (2013)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
Brief Plot Summary: Vampire demon lord Staz Charlie Blood, obsessed with human culture, vows to resurrect a Japanese girl who dies in his territory, embarking on a quest through the demon world filled with quirky allies and rivals.
Similarities to Beelzebub: Echoes the demonic underworld setting with a lazy, powerful protagonist in comedic power struggles, subverting expectations through pop culture parodies and underdog alliances, much like Oga’s reluctant guardianship.
MAL Rating: 7.26
Episode Count: 10
Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Shigeyuki Miya at Brain’s Base; based on Yuuki Kodama’s manga.
Awards/Recognition: Praised for unique vampire lore at anime conventions like Otakon 2013.
4. Sket Dance (2011)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Brief Plot Summary: At Kaimei High, the Sket Dan club—consisting of eccentric students—helps solve school problems through clever schemes and physical antics, uncovering deeper personal stories amid the chaos.
Similarities to Beelzebub: Mirrors the delinquent school environment with humorous problem-solving and rivalries, featuring underdog characters who develop through absurd challenges, akin to Oga’s growth in a supernatural-tinged high school.
MAL Rating: 8.20
Episode Count: 77
Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Keiichiro Kawaguchi at Tatsunoko Production; based on Kenta Shinohara’s manga.
Awards/Recognition: Won Best Shonen Manga at the 2010 Shogakukan Manga Awards.
5. KenIchi: The Mightiest Disciple (2006)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Hulu
Brief Plot Summary: Weak high schooler Kenichi Shirahama trains under multiple martial arts masters to protect his friends, facing increasingly dangerous opponents while balancing school life and romance.
Similarities to Beelzebub: Focuses on an underdog delinquent’s power progression through intense training and fights, subverting shonen norms with comedic master-disciple dynamics, similar to Oga’s reluctant heroism.
MAL Rating: 8.07
Episode Count: 50
Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Hajime Kamegaki at TMS Entertainment; based on Syun Matsuena’s manga.
Awards/Recognition: Nominated for Best Action Anime at the 2007 Tokyo Anime Awards.
6. Asobi Asobase (2018)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Brief Plot Summary: Three middle school girls form a ‘Pastimers Club’ for absurd games and schemes, leading to wildly exaggerated mishaps and hidden backstories revealed through chaotic humor.
Similarities to Beelzebub: Captures subversion through over-the-top comedy in a school setting, with misfit characters developing bonds amid ridiculous situations, echoing Beelzebub’s blend of delinquency and unexpected twists.
MAL Rating: 8.19
Episode Count: 12
Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Seiji Kishi at Lerche; based on Rin Suzukawa’s manga.
Awards/Recognition: Featured in Crunchyroll’s 2018 Anime Awards for comedy.
7. My Deer Friend Nokotan (2024)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Brief Plot Summary: Delinquent Torako Koshi’s perfect image unravels when she meets deer-girl Nokotan, leading to absurd school adventures and fourth-wall-breaking antics.
Similarities to Beelzebub: Shares delinquent protagonist humor with supernatural absurdity, subverting expectations through bizarre partnerships and character growth in chaotic scenarios.
MAL Rating: 7.45
Episode Count: 12
Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Masahiko Ohta at Wit Studio; based on Oshioshio’s manga.
Awards/Recognition: Gained cult following for unique absurdity post-2024 release.
8. The Fable (2024)
Streaming Availability: Disney+, Hulu
Brief Plot Summary: Legendary hitman Akira Sato hides in Osaka for a year, adopting a normal life but attracting trouble through comedic and violent encounters.
Similarities to Beelzebub: Features a powerful anti-hero in mundane yet subversive situations, with underdog adaptation and action-comedy akin to Oga’s demonic parenting woes.
MAL Rating: 7.80
Episode Count: 25
Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Ryosuke Takahashi at Tezuka Productions; based on Katsuhisa Minami’s manga.
Awards/Recognition: Highlighted as a 2024 underrated gem by Anime News Network.
9. 91 Days (2016)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Brief Plot Summary: In Prohibition-era America, Angelo Lagusa seeks revenge on the mafia family that killed his own, infiltrating their ranks with calculated schemes and brutal confrontations.
Similarities to Beelzebub: Subverts underdog revenge with dark humor and power dynamics, mirroring Oga’s growth through rivalries in a gritty, expectation-defying narrative.
MAL Rating: 7.82
Episode Count: 12
Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Hiro Kaburagi at Shuka; original story.
Awards/Recognition: Nominated for Best Drama at the 2017 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
10. Golden Kamuy (2018)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Brief Plot Summary: War veteran Saichi Sugimoto teams with Ainu girl Asirpa to hunt for hidden gold, facing brutal foes in Hokkaido’s wilderness with historical twists.
Similarities to Beelzebub: Blends action with comedic survival antics and underdog alliances, subverting historical settings like Beelzebub’s demonic school life.
MAL Rating: 7.89
Episode Count: 12 (Season 1; multiple seasons)
Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Hitoshi Nanba at Geno Studio; based on Satoru Noda’s manga.
Awards/Recognition: Won Best Seinen Manga at the 2016 Manga Taisho Awards.
11. Space Dandy (2014)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Hulu
Brief Plot Summary: Alien hunter Dandy travels space with his robot and cat sidekicks, encountering bizarre adventures and cosmic absurdities in episodic tales.
Similarities to Beelzebub: Subverts sci-fi with over-the-top humor and underdog heroics, featuring absurd partnerships and power displays akin to Oga’s demonic escapades.
MAL Rating: 7.88
Episode Count: 13 (Season 1; Season 2 available)
Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe at Bones; original series.
Awards/Recognition: Praised for experimental animation at Annecy 2014.
12. Mr. Osomatsu (2015)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Brief Plot Summary: The sextuplet Matsuno brothers, lazy adults, navigate absurd jobs and family antics in modern Japan, evolving through chaotic humor.
Similarities to Beelzebub: Echoes sibling-like bonds and delinquent laziness with subversive comedy, focusing on character growth in ridiculous scenarios.
MAL Rating: 7.50
Episode Count: 25 (Season 1; multiple seasons)
Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Yoichi Fujita at Pierrot; based on Fujio Akatsuka’s manga.
Awards/Recognition: Won Popularity Award at the 2016 Tokyo Anime Awards.
13. Grand Blue Dreaming (2018)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
Brief Plot Summary: College freshman Iori Kitahara joins a diving club, but it’s more about wild parties and comedic mishaps than actual diving.
Similarities to Beelzebub: Captures underdog college delinquency with absurd humor and rivalries, subverting expectations like Oga’s high school chaos.
MAL Rating: 8.40
Episode Count: 12
Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Shinji Takamatsu at Zero-G; based on Kenji Inoue’s manga.
Awards/Recognition: Featured in 2018 Crunchyroll Anime Awards for comedy.
14. Detroit Metal City (2008)
Streaming Availability: HIDIVE
Brief Plot Summary: Mild-mannered Soichi Negishi becomes death metal star Krauser II, balancing his pop dreams with demonic stage persona in hilarious identity crises.
Similarities to Beelzebub: Subverts identity through demonic alter-egos and comedic power clashes, with underdog growth in absurd performance battles.
MAL Rating: 7.95
Episode Count: 12 (OVA)
Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Hiroshi Nagahama at Studio 4°C; based on Kiminori Wakasugi’s manga.
Awards/Recognition: Cult favorite for music satire at anime festivals.
15. Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun (2017)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Brief Plot Summary: Germaphobe soccer prodigy Aoyama joins a high school team, using his quirks to outmaneuver opponents in comedic matches while hiding his obsessions.
Similarities to Beelzebub: Features an underdog with unique ‘powers’ in school sports rivalries, blending action-comedy and subversion like Oga’s demonic aids.
MAL Rating: 7.00
Episode Count: 12
Notable Staff/Studio: Directed by Kazuya Ichikawa at Studio Hibari; based on Taku Sakamoto’s manga.
Awards/Recognition: Noted for fresh sports comedy in 2017 reviews.
Why These Anime Work for Beelzebub Fans
These series resonate with Beelzebub enthusiasts by amplifying its core appeal: hilarious subversions of power fantasies, underdog protagonists evolving through chaos, and a mix of action with absurd humor. Often overshadowed by bigger shonen hits, they offer fresh takes on similar themes, from demonic contracts to delinquent bonds, providing binge-worthy alternatives that blend laughs with meaningful growth. Exploring them uncovers hidden gems that capture Beelzebub’s irreverent spirit while introducing unique storytelling twists.
