Black Lagoon (2006) is a gritty, action-packed anime set in the lawless underworld of Southeast Asia, where mercenaries, gangsters, and criminals collide in high-octane confrontations. With its morally ambiguous characters, realistic gunplay, and neo-noir storytelling, it stands out as a raw and brutal portrayal of survival in the gray zones of society.
What makes Black Lagoon resonate with fans is its balance of mature themes, character complexity, and the subversion of typical anime tropes. If you’re drawn to anime that explores power struggles, underdogs fighting to survive, and stories that don’t sugarcoat reality, the following 15 underrated series may be your next hidden gem.
1. Jormungand (2012)
- Streaming: HIDIVE, Crunchyroll
- Plot: A child soldier is recruited by a global arms dealer and joins her entourage of mercenaries navigating global conflicts.
- Why it’s similar: Like Black Lagoon, Jormungand explores the arms trade, mercenary culture, and questions of morality in wartime.
- Episodes: 24
- Studio: White Fox
- MAL Rating: 7.83
- Notable Staff: Directed by Keitaro Motonaga (Date A Live)
2. Canaan (2009)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Plot: A Middle Eastern conflict erupts as a female assassin and war orphan hunts a terrorist group responsible for mass destruction.
- Why it’s similar: Features badass female leads, political conspiracies, and stylish gunfights reminiscent of Black Lagoon.
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: P.A. Works
- MAL Rating: 7.20
- Notable Staff: Based on a Type-Moon visual novel
3. 91 Days (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Plot: During Prohibition-era America, a young man infiltrates the mafia to avenge his family’s murder.
- Why it’s similar: Both anime explore organized crime, revenge, and feature dark, realistic tones with no clear heroes.
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Shuka
- MAL Rating: 7.77
- Recognition: Highly praised for its storytelling and period accuracy
4. Gungrave (2003)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A man rises through the ranks of a mafia syndicate, only to be betrayed and resurrected as a weapon of vengeance.
- Why it’s similar: Features gritty crime drama, betrayal, and loyalty, with emotional character arcs similar to Rock and Revy.
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: Madhouse
- MAL Rating: 7.87
- Notable Staff: Based on a game by Yasuhiro Nightow (Trigun)
5. Michiko & Hatchin (2008)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Plot: A bold criminal breaks out of prison and hits the road with a young girl to find a man from their past.
- Why it’s similar: Combines action, criminal underworld themes, and strong female protagonists with a Latin-inspired setting.
- Episodes: 22
- Studio: Manglobe
- MAL Rating: 7.64
- Notable Staff: Directed by Sayo Yamamoto (Yuri!!! on Ice)
6. Speed Grapher (2005)
- Streaming: Funimation (may require VPN)
- Plot: A war photographer uncovers a dark underworld of superpowered elites exploiting a mysterious girl.
- Why it’s similar: Explores power and corruption, featuring psychological elements and gritty urban decay.
- Episodes: 24
- Studio: Gonzo
- MAL Rating: 7.11
- Notable Staff: Directed by Kunihisa Sugishima (Yu-Gi-Oh! GX)
7. Ergo Proxy (2006)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Plot: In a post-apocalyptic future, an inspector investigates mysterious android anomalies linked to a philosophical mystery.
- Why it’s similar: Both series are layered, intelligent, and feature anti-heroes navigating oppressive systems.
- Episodes: 23
- Studio: Manglobe
- MAL Rating: 7.92
- Recognition: Cult classic with unique cyber-noir aesthetics
8. Texhnolyze (2003)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Plot: A dystopian city torn by gang warfare becomes the testing ground for cybernetic enhancements and human evolution.
- Why it’s similar: Shares a bleak atmosphere, violent tone, and explores societal collapse through complex character arcs.
- Episodes: 22
- Studio: Madhouse
- MAL Rating: 7.73
- Notable Staff: Directed by Hirotsugu Hamazaki, written by Yoshitoshi ABe
9. Baccano! (2007)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Plot: Multiple interconnected stories of immortals, gangsters, and thieves unfold across 1930s America.
- Why it’s similar: Combines nonlinear storytelling, chaotic violence, and morally grey characters.
- Episodes: 13 + 3 OVAs
- Studio: Brain’s Base
- MAL Rating: 8.38
- Recognition: Awarded Excellence Prize at Japan Media Arts Festival
10. Gunslinger Girl (2003)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Plot: Young orphaned girls are turned into cybernetic assassins by a secret government agency.
- Why it’s similar: Both explore weaponized youth, emotional trauma, and morally ambiguous government programs.
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: Madhouse
- MAL Rating: 7.42
- Notable Staff: Directed by Morio Asaka (Chihayafuru)
11. Requiem for the Phantom (2009)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Plot: A kidnapped boy is forced to become an elite assassin under the identity “Zwei.”
- Why it’s similar: Crime syndicates, manipulated identities, and cold-blooded action with noir-style storytelling.
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: Bee Train
- MAL Rating: 7.98
- Notable Staff: Based on a Nitroplus visual novel
12. Darker than Black (2007)
- Streaming: Hulu, Crunchyroll
- Plot: Contractors with supernatural powers fight in secret as factions battle over post-cataclysm secrets.
- Why it’s similar: Features underground politics, assassins, and a mysterious protagonist hiding a tragic past.
- Episodes: 25
- Studio: Bones
- MAL Rating: 8.09
- Notable Staff: Directed by Tensai Okamura (Cowboy Bebop, Naruto)
13. Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: In a city of professional killers, a cross-dressing assassin and a private investigator team up.
- Why it’s similar: A criminal underworld full of eccentric, ruthless characters and dark humor.
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Satelight
- MAL Rating: 7.34
- Unique Feature: Blends mafia crime and slice-of-life quirks
14. No Guns Life (2019)
- Streaming: Hulu, Crunchyroll
- Plot: A gun-headed cyborg investigates criminal activities tied to shady megacorporations.
- Why it’s similar: Cyber-noir themes, mercenaries, and dystopian capitalism echo Black Lagoon’s moral ambiguity.
- Episodes: 24
- Studio: Madhouse
- MAL Rating: 7.24
- Notable Staff: Original manga by Tasuku Karasuma
15. Ajin: Demi-Human (2016)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Plot: A student discovers he’s an immortal “Ajin” and is hunted by the government and other factions.
- Why it’s similar: Features intense action, persecution themes, and a morally gray protagonist in a brutal world.
- Episodes: 26 (2 seasons)
- Studio: Polygon Pictures
- MAL Rating: 7.46
- Unique Feature: 3D animation style, divisive but innovative
Why These Anime Work for Black Lagoon Fans
These 15 underrated anime offer the same adrenaline-pumping, thought-provoking experience as Black Lagoon. Whether it’s mercenaries navigating deadly conflicts, assassins facing moral dilemmas, or ordinary people dragged into lawless chaos, they share a commitment to raw storytelling, layered characters, and dark, unflinching worlds.
From the gun-blazing corridors of Jormungand to the melancholic cyberpunk of Texhnolyze, each title offers its own take on themes like survival, loyalty, and the cost of power. If you’re craving more than just surface-level action, these series are well worth diving into.
