Chainsaw Man redefined dark shonen with its blend of visceral action, moral ambiguity, and protagonists grappling with monstrous transformations. Denji’s journey as a devil-human hybrid navigating a brutal world resonates with themes of survival, identity, and the cost of power.
For fans craving more stories with gritty narratives, unconventional heroes, and subversive twists, here are 15 underrated anime that capture Chainsaw Man’s essence while offering fresh perspectives.
1. Kaiju No. 8 (2024)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 8.10
Episodes: 12
Studio: Production I.G
Plot Summary: Kafka Hibino, a 32-year-old cleanup worker, gains the ability to transform into a kaiju while pursuing his dream of joining the Defense Force to protect humanity.
Similarities: Like Denji, Kafka balances his monstrous powers with a desire for purpose, blending dark humor and high-stakes battles against existential threats.
2. Ninja Kamui (2024)
Streaming Availability: MAX, Adult Swim
MAL Rating: 7.80
Episodes: 13
Studio: E&H Production
Plot Summary: Joe Logan, a former ninja, seeks vengeance after his family is murdered, unleashing brutal combat skills against his old clan.
Similarities: Shares Chainsaw Man’s unflinching violence and themes of betrayal, with a protagonist driven by loss and moral ambiguity.
3. Gleipnir (2020)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
MAL Rating: 7.01
Episodes: 13
Studio: Pine Jam
Plot Summary: Shuichi Kagaya transforms into a monstrous mascot and partners with Claire to uncover dark secrets about her sister’s disappearance.
Similarities: Explores body horror and morally gray characters, blending mystery with visceral action reminiscent of Denji’s chaotic battles.
4. Parasyte: The Maxim (2014)
Streaming Availability: Netflix, Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 8.34
Episodes: 24
Studio: Madhouse
Plot Summary: Shinichi Izumi’s right hand is hijacked by an alien parasite, Migi, forcing them to coexist while fighting other parasites.
Similarities: Examines humanity through a symbiotic monster-human relationship, paralleling Denji’s struggle with his devil identity.
5. Dorohedoro (2020)
Streaming Availability: Netflix
MAL Rating: 8.08
Episodes: 12
Studio: MAPPA
Plot Summary: Caiman, a man with a lizard head, hunts sorcerers in a post-apocalyptic hellscape to reclaim his memories and humanity.
Similarities: Combines grotesque humor, chaotic world-building, and morally ambiguous characters in a style akin to Chainsaw Man’s absurdity.
6. Devilman Crybaby (2018)
Streaming Availability: Netflix
MAL Rating: 7.79
Episodes: 10
Studio: Science SARU
Plot Summary: Akira Fudo merges with a demon to become Devilman, battling apocalyptic forces while questioning his humanity.
Similarities: A raw, nihilistic narrative exploring the duality of man and monster, mirroring Denji’s internal conflict.
7. No Guns Life (2019)
Streaming Availability: Hulu, Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.37
Episodes: 24
Studio: Madhouse
Plot Summary: Juzo Inui, a cyborg with a gun for a head, works as a detective in a dystopian city plagued by corporate corruption.
Similarities: Features a stoic, weaponized protagonist navigating a cyberpunk underworld, echoing Chainsaw Man’s anti-establishment themes.
8. Hell’s Paradise (2023)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 8.10
Episodes: 13
Studio: MAPPA
Plot Summary: Gabimaru, an immortal assassin, teams up with an executioner to find an elixir of life on a cursed island.
Similarities: Dark fantasy with visceral combat and characters seeking redemption in a morally bankrupt world.
9. Blood+ (2005)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.65
Episodes: 50
Studio: Production I.G
Plot Summary: Saya Otonashi discovers her role as a warrior fighting vampiric creatures while unraveling her mysterious past.
Similarities: A blend of horror and action, focusing on a protagonist’s struggle with her monstrous identity and duty.
10. Ajin: Demi-Human (2016)
Streaming Availability: Netflix
MAL Rating: 7.43
Episodes: 26
Studio: Polygon Pictures
Plot Summary: Kei Nagai, an immortal “Ajin,” battles government forces and other immortals while questioning his humanity.
Similarities: Explores persecution of “monstrous” beings and ethical dilemmas, akin to Denji’s societal rejection.
11. Deadman Wonderland (2011)
Streaming Availability: Hulu, Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.10
Episodes: 12
Studio: Manglobe
Plot Summary: Ganta Igarashi is framed for mass murder and forced to fight in a twisted prison carnival using his blood-manipulating powers.
Similarities: A brutal survival narrative with a protagonist thrust into violent games, reflecting Chainsaw Man’s themes of exploitation.
12. Terra Formars (2014)
Streaming Availability: Amazon Prime Video
MAL Rating: 6.90
Episodes: 26
Studio: LIDENFILMS
Plot Summary: Humans genetically engineered to combat mutated cockroaches on Mars face grotesque transformations and existential dread.
Similarities: Body horror and desperate battles for survival in a hostile environment, mirroring Denji’s grotesque transformations.
13. Inuyashiki (2017)
Streaming Availability: Amazon Prime Video
MAL Rating: 7.60
Episodes: 11
Studio: MAPPA
Plot Summary: An elderly man gains mechanical powers and becomes a hero, while a teenager with similar abilities descends into nihilism.
Similarities: Contrasts humanity and monstrosity, much like Denji’s struggle to retain his morals amid chaos.
14. Gantz (2004)
Streaming Availability: Hulu
MAL Rating: 7.45
Episodes: 26
Studio: Gonzo
Plot Summary: Deceased humans are forced to hunt aliens in a deadly game, questioning the value of life and morality.
Similarities: Brutal, existential storytelling with characters facing grotesque enemies and moral decay.
15. Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu (Parasyte) (2014)
Streaming Availability: Netflix, Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 8.34
Episodes: 24
Studio: Madhouse
Plot Summary: Shinichi Izumi coexists with a parasitic alien in his hand, battling others while questioning his humanity.
Similarities: A symbiotic monster-human dynamic exploring identity and survival, paralleling Denji and Pochita’s relationship.
Why These Anime Work for Chainsaw Man Fans
These series resonate with Chainsaw Man’s core themes: protagonists straddling the line between humanity and monstrosity, gritty worlds where survival demands sacrifice, and narratives that subvert traditional heroism.
From Kafka’s kaiju struggles in Kaiju No. 8 to Kei’s immortal turmoil in Ajin, each anime offers a raw, unfiltered lens into the cost of power and the fragility of identity.
For fans craving more unflinching action and moral complexity, these hidden gems deliver the same adrenaline and introspection that make Chainsaw Man unforgettable.
