Super Crooks (2021), produced by Studio Bones and based on Mark Millar’s comic, delivers a sleek, subversive take on the superhero genre. With high-stakes heists, morally gray anti-heroes, and a stylized aesthetic, it flips traditional power fantasies on their head. Its blend of dynamic animation, flawed characters, and cynical humor sets it apart in a crowded genre.
For fans craving more anime that explore similar themes—underdog crews, anti-establishment stories, and complex morality—here are 15 underrated anime that match the vibe of Super Crooks in exciting ways. Each pick brings its own flavor, from stylish animation to sharp storytelling, and most importantly, they all deserve more attention.
1. Gungrave (2003)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 7.88
- Studio: Madhouse
A tale of friendship, betrayal, and crime, Gungrave follows Brandon Heat as he rises through an underworld crime syndicate before becoming a vengeful undead assassin.
Why it’s similar: Both series center on morally conflicted criminals navigating loyalty and corruption. Gritty noir aesthetics and emotional character arcs drive the drama.
2. 91 Days (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 7.79
- Studio: Shuka
Set during Prohibition, this revenge drama follows Avilio Bruno as he infiltrates a mafia family responsible for killing his own.
Why it’s similar: Like Super Crooks, 91 Days thrives on betrayal, deception, and underdog schemes set in a criminal underworld, with sharp, realistic animation.
3. Michiko & Hatchin (2008)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 22
- MAL Rating: 7.84
- Studio: Manglobe
A stylish road adventure about a rebellious woman and a quiet girl escaping crime and corruption in a South American-inspired world.
Why it’s similar: Female-led outlaw journey with slick visuals and themes of found family and escaping the system.
4. Baccano! (2007)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Rating: 8.36
- Studio: Brain’s Base
This chaotic, non-linear crime series follows immortals, gangsters, and alchemists in 1930s America, weaving multiple narratives into one bloody tale.
Why it’s similar: High-energy ensemble cast, stylish violence, and clever writing evoke Super Crooks’ ensemble vibe and fast pacing.
5. Ergo Proxy (2006)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 23
- MAL Rating: 7.92
- Studio: Manglobe
In a post-apocalyptic future, a detective uncovers dark truths about androids, humanity, and her own identity.
Why it’s similar: Philosophical themes, dark visuals, and complex, morally ambiguous characters resonate with Super Crooks’ more serious undertones.
6. Hamatora: The Animation (2014)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 6.94
- Studio: NAZ
A team of “Minimum Holders” (humans with superpowers) solve crimes in a vibrant, stylized urban world filled with secrets and conspiracies.
Why it’s similar: Superpower dynamics, team camaraderie, and corruption themes match Super Crooks’ powered anti-hero vibe.
7. Dorohedoro (2020)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 8.09
- Studio: MAPPA
In a bizarre city plagued by magic users, a man with a lizard head searches for his identity and revenge.
Why it’s similar: Surreal violence, criminal undergrounds, and stylized grit perfectly echo Super Crooks’ unpredictable energy.
8. Re:Creators (2017)
Characters from fiction manifest in the real world, sparking clashes with gods, mecha pilots, and magical girls.
Why it’s similar: Meta-narrative, power dynamics, and characters breaking free from their roles mirror Super Crooks’ subversive spirit.
9. Deadman Wonderland (2011)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 7.15
- Studio: Manglobe
A wrongfully imprisoned boy must survive a brutal prison where inmates fight with blood-based powers.
Why it’s similar: Anti-hero arcs, graphic action, and themes of injustice align with Super Crooks’ underdog vs. system storytelling.
10. Kokkoku (2018)
- Streaming: Prime Video
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 6.60
- Studio: Geno Studio
A family uses a mysterious stone to enter a time-frozen world and rescue a kidnapped relative, discovering dark powers at play.
Why it’s similar: Underground powers, desperation-fueled decisions, and a tense, thriller-style plot echo Super Crooks‘ tension.
11. Speed Grapher (2005)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 24
- MAL Rating: 7.26
- Studio: Gonzo
A former war photographer uncovers a secret society where people manifest powers based on fetishes and desires.
Why it’s similar: Corrupt elites, bizarre powers, and anti-hero protagonists walking a moral tightrope.
12. No Guns Life (2019)
- Streaming: Hulu, Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 24
- MAL Rating: 7.29
- Studio: Madhouse
A hard-boiled detective with a literal gun for a head solves crimes in a cyberpunk city full of enhanced humans.
Why it’s similar: Noir aesthetics, cyborgs with powers, and the question of identity in a corrupt system.
13. The Big O (1999)
- Streaming: RetroCrush, Tubi
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 7.52
- Studio: Sunrise
In a forgotten future city, a negotiator pilots a giant robot while solving mysteries about memory and reality.
Why it’s similar: Dark, stylish visuals and noir storytelling with a protagonist who challenges systemic mysteries.
14. Black Lagoon (2006)
- Streaming: Hulu, HiDive
- Episodes: 24
- MAL Rating: 8.06
- Studio: Madhouse
A Japanese businessman joins a crew of mercenaries navigating dangerous smuggling operations in Southeast Asia.
Why it’s similar: Lawless crews, guns-blazing action, and gritty outlaw morality are front and center.
15. Zankyou no Terror (Terror in Resonance) (2014)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Episodes: 11
- MAL Rating: 8.12
- Studio: MAPPA
Two teenage terrorists stage bombings in Tokyo to expose secrets while being hunted by authorities.
Why it’s similar: Anti-authority themes, brilliant but morally ambiguous characters, and high-stakes cat-and-mouse games.
Why These Anime Work for Super Crooks Fans
Each of these anime brings something unique to the table—whether it’s the slick animation, complex morality, or themes of rebellion and redemption. Like Super Crooks, they challenge genre expectations, offer layered anti-heroes, and keep viewers on the edge of their seat. These underappreciated gems are must-watches for fans seeking more than just capes and clichés.
