Afro Samurai (2007) is a bold, stylized anime blending samurai tradition with hip-hop culture and futuristic dystopia. With its gritty action, minimalist storytelling, and themes of revenge, identity, and perseverance, the series broke convention and appealed to fans of stylized violence, anti-heroes, and raw storytelling.
It’s not just the action or animation style that made Afro Samurai iconic—its exploration of power dynamics, underdog vengeance, and moral ambiguity gave it lasting impact. While many know the mainstream hits, a surprising number of anime share similar vibes but fly under the radar.
Here are 15 underrated anime series that carry the spirit of Afro Samurai—through stylized animation, rich character arcs, and a narrative that challenges norms.
1. Shigurui: Death Frenzy (2007)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 7.40
- Studio: Madhouse
In feudal Japan, two warriors face off in a brutal tournament using real swords, pushing their bodies and sanity to the limits. Shigurui is a slow-burn tale of obsession, honor, and grotesque ambition.
Similarities: Both series showcase hyper-violent samurai duels, psychological trauma, and unconventional narrative pacing. The animation is gritty and mature, aligning with Afro Samurai’s tone.
2. Sword of the Stranger (2007)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Episodes: Movie
- MAL Rating: 8.28
- Studio: Bones
A nameless ronin protects a hunted boy from foreign assassins while confronting his own violent past. Fast-paced swordplay meets emotional storytelling in this standalone masterpiece.
Similarities: Like Afro, the protagonist is haunted by the past and thrives in combat. The animation style is fluid, raw, and heavily choreographed, emphasizing blade-on-blade intensity.
3. Garo: The Animation (2014)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 24
- MAL Rating: 7.20
- Studio: MAPPA
Set in a dark medieval world, knights known as Makai fight demonic threats while dealing with political conspiracies. This anime blends gothic horror with armored action.
Similarities: Afro fans will enjoy the fusion of myth, dark world-building, and a protagonist born into violence seeking purpose and redemption.
4. Ergo Proxy (2006)
- Streaming: Hulu, Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 23
- MAL Rating: 7.90
- Studio: Manglobe
In a dystopian future, an investigator chases god-like beings known as Proxies while uncovering existential truths. Psychological tension and philosophical themes dominate the series.
Similarities: Like Afro Samurai, it blends cyberpunk aesthetics with philosophical musings on identity and purpose, wrapped in a slow, intense narrative.
5. Texhnolyze (2003)
- Streaming: Funimation, Tubi
- Episodes: 22
- MAL Rating: 7.73
- Studio: Madhouse
In the underground city of Lux, an amputated fighter gets cybernetic limbs and becomes entangled in a brutal power struggle between factions.
Similarities: Shares Afro Samurai’s bleak world and internalized trauma. Sparse dialogue, existentialism, and violent transformation are core narrative elements.
6. Dorohedoro (2020)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Episodes: 12 + OVA
- MAL Rating: 8.06
- Studio: MAPPA
A lizard-headed man with no memory hunts sorcerers in a grimy urban world filled with dark humor and chaos.
Similarities: Its bizarre yet violent setting and unpredictable pacing reflect Afro Samurai’s edge. Both series highlight brutal action with stylish, unique animation.
7. Gungrave (2003)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 7.90
- Studio: Madhouse
From humble beginnings to becoming a mafia enforcer turned undead weapon, Brandon Heat’s story is one of loyalty and betrayal.
Similarities: Afro fans will appreciate the tragic revenge arc, stylized violence, and morally complex characters.
8. Blassreiter (2008)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 24
- MAL Rating: 6.94
- Studio: Gonzo
In a techno-futuristic world, mutated beings threaten humanity while cybernetically-enhanced warriors fight back—one of whom seeks justice and redemption.
Similarities: Combines sci-fi, action, and personal vendetta. Afro Samurai fans will resonate with its conflicted protagonist and dystopian tone.
9. Devilman Crybaby (2018)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Episodes: 10
- MAL Rating: 7.79
- Studio: Science SARU
A kind-hearted teen becomes a demon-human hybrid to fight off a rising wave of demonic possession, leading to apocalyptic consequences.
Similarities: Both have brutal, stylized action and explore what it means to hold power in a broken world. The narrative subverts expectations constantly.
10. Katanagatari (2010)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
- Episodes: 12 (50-min episodes)
- MAL Rating: 8.36
- Studio: White Fox
A swordsman without a sword travels across Japan collecting legendary blades with a strategic female partner. Dialogue-heavy yet visually striking.
Similarities: Non-traditional storytelling, vibrant art, and a central samurai journey reflect the unconventional style of Afro Samurai.
11. Michiko & Hatchin (2008)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 22
- MAL Rating: 7.84
- Studio: Manglobe
A rebellious woman escapes prison to find a man from her past, dragging a young girl across a dangerous Brazilian-inspired landscape.
Similarities: Like Afro, this anime fuses cultural aesthetics with raw storytelling. Also from Manglobe, it mixes explosive action with character-driven plots.
12. Baccano! (2007)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Episodes: 13 + 3 OVAs
- MAL Rating: 8.38
- Studio: Brain’s Base
Multiple interconnected stories unfold on a 1930s train, blending immortality, alchemy, and crime.
Similarities: Nonlinear storytelling, stylish animation, and a gritty tone match Afro’s subversion of storytelling norms.
13. Karakuri Circus (2018)
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
- Episodes: 36
- MAL Rating: 7.12
- Studio: Studio VOLN
A boy inherits a fortune and is hunted by automatons, protected by a martial artist with a mysterious past.
Similarities: Explores legacy, revenge, and power dynamics with intense battles and unique animation flourishes.
14. Samurai Flamenco (2013)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 22
- MAL Rating: 7.20
- Studio: Manglobe
A male model becomes a superhero in a realistic world—but things spiral into surreal territory.
Similarities: Deconstructs heroism, just as Afro Samurai challenges the samurai archetype. Also produced by Manglobe, sharing tonal DNA.
15. No Guns Life (2019)
- Streaming: Hulu, Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 24
- MAL Rating: 7.17
- Studio: Madhouse
A man with a literal gun for a head solves crimes involving enhanced humans in a cyberpunk city.
Similarities: Dark world, hybrid tech-human themes, and a protagonist haunted by war. Afro Samurai fans will appreciate the noir-inspired tone and action.
Why These Anime Work for Afro Samurai Fans
Fans of Afro Samurai aren’t just looking for sword fights—they crave bold style, complex characters, and narratives that break molds. These 15 underrated anime explore similar thematic territory: revenge, identity, dystopia, and visual swagger. Whether through samurai swords, cyborg limbs, or philosophical ruminations, each series carries forward the spirit of Afro Samurai—raw, real, and unforgettable.
