Angels of Death (2018) drew attention for its dark psychological themes, twisted character dynamics, and a narrative that blurred the line between salvation and damnation. With its gritty atmosphere, slow-burn revelations, and a complex relationship between its two leads, the series carved out a niche among fans of horror-thrillers and psychologically driven narratives.
At its core, Angels of Death thrives on survival horror, unsettling character backstories, and a narrative that constantly challenges viewer expectations. Fans are drawn to the haunting ambiance, eerie locations, and characters who aren’t quite heroes—but still manage to earn your empathy.
1. The Promised Neverland (Season 1, 2019)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 8.51
- Studio: CloverWorks
- Awards: Sugoi Japan Award 2020 – Best Anime
Plot: Three gifted orphans uncover the horrific truth behind their seemingly perfect orphanage and attempt a daring escape.
Similarities: Like Angels of Death, this anime features children facing psychologically intense survival scenarios in a confined setting, with a strong focus on escaping an unknown evil.
2. Magical Girl Site (2018)
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 6.48
- Studio: production doA
Plot: A bullied teenage girl receives a mysterious website link that grants her dangerous magical powers.
Similarities: Shares Angels of Death’s bleak, oppressive tone and broken protagonists. Explores dark pasts and societal neglect with violent, surreal imagery.
3. Danganronpa: The Animation (2013)
- Streaming: Funimation, Hulu
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Rating: 7.25
- Studio: Lerche
Plot: Fifteen students are trapped in a school and must kill each other to escape, judged by a sadistic robotic bear.
Similarities: Both series revolve around psychological death games, unpredictable character eliminations, and layered backstories revealed through survival.
4. Shiki (2010)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 22
- MAL Rating: 7.73
- Studio: Daume
Plot: A small village suffers mysterious deaths, later revealed to be due to vampires hiding in plain sight.
Similarities: Like Angels of Death, it weaves slow-building horror with psychological disarray and complex moral questions around life and death.
5. Hell Girl (2005)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 7.64
- Studio: Studio Deen
Plot: A mysterious girl allows people to send their tormentors to hell via a supernatural website—with a dark price.
Similarities: Shares a chilling episodic structure and moral ambiguity. Like Rachel from Angels of Death, many characters are victims of trauma seeking salvation through supernatural means.
6. Boogiepop Phantom (2000)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 7.11
- Studio: Madhouse
Plot: After a series of mysterious disappearances, urban legends begin to bleed into reality in a town haunted by a spectral entity.
Similarities: Uses fractured narrative storytelling, disorientation, and themes of identity—much like Angels of Death’s psychological unraveling.
7. Denpa-teki na Kanojo (2009)
- Streaming: YouTube (Unofficial subs)
- Episodes: 2 (OVA)
- MAL Rating: 7.38
- Studio: Brain’s Base
Plot: A high school delinquent is forced to team up with a cryptic girl who claims they’re connected by fate as they face disturbing crimes.
Similarities: Features a bizarre, unstable relationship dynamic similar to Zack and Rachel’s, set against violent, psychological themes.
8. Texhnolyze (2003)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 22
- MAL Rating: 7.73
- Studio: Madhouse
- Notable Staff: Directed by Hiroshi Hamasaki, character design by Yoshitoshi ABe (Serial Experiments Lain)
Plot: In a crumbling underground city, a man with cybernetic limbs is caught between factions trying to control the future of humanity.
Similarities: Like Angels of Death, it portrays a decaying world, nihilism, and broken characters struggling for purpose amidst chaos.
9. Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (2004)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 24
- MAL Rating: 7.97
- Studio: Gonzo
- Awards: Tokyo Anime Award – Excellence Prize
Plot: A futuristic retelling of the classic revenge tale, where betrayal and psychological torment unfold in a vividly stylized universe.
Similarities: Both series explore vengeance, identity, and betrayal with strong visual storytelling and layered psychological tension.
10. Kokkoku (2018)
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 6.82
- Studio: Geno Studio
Plot: A family uses a magical stone to enter a frozen time dimension to rescue a kidnapped child, only to face horrifying truths.
Similarities: Involves dark secrets, unsettling cults, and characters pushed to their psychological limits in surreal environments—mirroring the mind-bending feel of Angels of Death.
11. Ergo Proxy (2006)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 23
- MAL Rating: 7.89
- Studio: Manglobe
Plot: A dystopian future sees a female investigator uncovering existential truths while tracking a rogue android.
Similarities: Philosophical themes, identity crises, and mysterious underground worlds echo Angels of Death’s tone and narrative progression.
12. Chaos;Head (2008)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 6.99
- Studio: Madhouse
Plot: A reclusive teen witnesses a series of gruesome murders tied to his hallucinations and a strange organization.
Similarities: Delves into psychological horror, unreliable narrators, and blurred lines between reality and delusion—much like the mental unraveling seen in Angels of Death.
13. Pet (2020)
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Rating: 6.82
- Studio: Geno Studio
Plot: Espers manipulate people’s memories as part of a shadowy organization, often with dire psychological consequences.
Similarities: Both explore trauma, memory, and identity with surreal visuals and haunting psychological undertones.
14. Midori: Shoujo Tsubaki (1992)
- Streaming: Not officially available (cult underground anime)
- Episodes: 1 (OVA)
- MAL Rating: 6.33
- Studio: Hiroshi Harada (Independent)
Plot: A young girl is sold into a grotesque freak show and suffers through a surreal nightmare of abuse and despair.
Similarities: The disturbing visuals and themes of victimization and moral corruption mirror Angels of Death’s tone—though far more graphic and experimental.
15. The Perfect Insider (2015)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 11
- MAL Rating: 7.23
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
Plot: A genius professor and her student unravel a locked-room murder mystery inside a high-tech facility.
Similarities: Combines slow-burn mystery with philosophical musings, trapped settings, and deep character introspection akin to Angels of Death.
Why These Anime Work for Angels of Death Fans
Each anime listed above taps into the core appeal of Angels of Death: dark psychological storytelling, morally ambiguous characters, survival in hostile settings, and layered mysteries that unfold with every episode. While some lean more toward horror, others delve deeper into philosophical or emotional trauma—but all share a similar tone that resonates with fans who enjoy narrative intensity, subversion, and unforgettable character dynamics.
