The Bad Guys captivated audiences with its witty take on redemption, heists, and a ragtag crew of misfits.
For fans craving similar themes in anime, these 15 underrated series deliver clever schemes, unconventional teams, and narratives that subvert expectations through humor and heart.
1. The Great Pretender (2020)
Streaming: Netflix | Episodes: 23 | MAL Score: 8.15
A team of con artists orchestrates elaborate international heists, blending humor with high-stakes drama.
Similarities: Like The Bad Guys, it features charismatic antiheroes pulling off audacious scams while grappling with moral ambiguity.
2. 91 Days (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 12 | MAL Score: 7.94
A man infiltrates a Prohibition-era mafia family to avenge his murdered relatives.
Similarities: Hidden agendas and tense alliances mirror the film’s focus on redemption and betrayal.
3. Akudama Drive (2020)
Streaming: Funimation | Episodes: 12 | MAL Score: 7.70
Notorious criminals team up for a dangerous mission in a cyberpunk dystopia.
Similarities: High-octane action paired with a motley crew’s chaotic synergy.
4. Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens (2018)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 12 | MAL Score: 7.25
Assassins, detectives, and hitmen collide in Fukuoka’s underworld.
Similarities: Ensemble cast navigating morally gray missions with dark humor.
5. Jormungand (2012)
Streaming: HiDive | Episodes: 24 | MAL Score: 7.85
An arms dealer and her mercenary team traverse global conflicts.
Similarities: Combines chaotic teamwork with a leader’s hidden redemption arc.
6. Baccano! (2007)
Streaming: Funimation | Episodes: 16 | MAL Score: 8.35
Immortals and gangsters intertwine in a non-linear 1930s narrative.
Similarities: Ensemble-driven chaos and heist elements with a retro flair.
7. Dorohedoro (2020)
Streaming: Netflix | Episodes: 12 | MAL Score: 8.04
A amnesiac seeks answers in a brutal world where sorcerers hunt humans.
Similarities: Quirky, violent humor and a found family dynamic.
8. Zankyou no Terror (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 11 | MAL Score: 7.87
Teen terrorists execute elaborate plots to expose societal corruption.
Similarities: Cat-and-mouse tension and morally complex protagonists.
9. Kekkai Sensen (2015)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 12 | MAL Score: 7.93
A supernatural task force maintains balance in a chaotic New York-like city.
Similarities: Eccentric team dynamics and stylized action sequences.
10. Golden Kamuy (2018)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 36 | MAL Score: 7.88
A soldier and an Ainu girl hunt treasure in post-war Hokkaido.
Similarities: Survivalist teamwork and dark humor in harsh settings.
11. Gunslinger Girl (2003)
Streaming: HiDive | Episodes: 13 | MAL Score: 7.42
Cyborg girls bond with handlers in a morally ambiguous agency.
Similarities: Explores redemption and identity within a found family.
12. Banana Fish (2018)
Streaming: Amazon Prime | Episodes: 24 | MAL Score: 8.37
A gang leader uncovers a conspiracy tied to his traumatic past.
Similarities: Gritty underworld alliances and emotional character arcs.
13. One Outs (2008)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 25 | MAL Score: 8.27
A gambler uses psychological warfare to reinvent a baseball team.
Similarities: Underdog triumph through cunning, akin to heist-style strategy.
14. Durarara!! (2010)
Streaming: Crunchyroll | Episodes: 36 | MAL Score: 8.08
Interconnected stories of gangs, hackers, and supernatural beings in Ikebukuro.
Similarities: Ensemble cast and urban chaos with a comedic edge.
15. Millionaire Detective – Balance: Unlimited (2020)
Streaming: Funimation | Episodes: 11 | MAL Score: 7.65
A wealthy detective and a by-the-book cop solve crimes with unorthodox methods.
Similarities: Odd-couple partnership and flashy, high-stakes capers.
Why These Anime Work for The Bad Guys Fans
These series capture the essence of The Bad Guys through unconventional teams, redemption arcs, and clever subversion of tropes.
Whether it’s the chaotic heists of The Great Pretender, the moral gray zones of 91 Days, or the quirky bonds in Kekkai Sensen, each title offers a fresh take on camaraderie and mischief. Their underrated status ensures undiscovered depth for fans craving narratives where the “bad guys” shine brightest.
