15 Animes Similar to Blade

Blade (2011), Marvel’s anime adaptation, explores the duality of a half-vampire hunter navigating supernatural warfare and societal hierarchies. Its themes—power systems, underdog resilience, and subversion of expectations—resonate deeply with fans of dark, action-packed narratives.

Below, we highlight 15 lesser-known anime that mirror these elements, blending visceral combat, moral complexity, and unconventional storytelling.

1. Darker than Black (2007)

• Streaming: Netflix, Hulu
• Plot: Contractors with supernatural abilities exist in a world of espionage and moral ambiguity.
• Similarities: Moral gray areas, hidden power hierarchies, and protagonists burdened by their abilities.
• Details: MAL 8.1, 25 episodes. Studio Bones.

2. D.Gray-man (2006)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Allen Walker battles Akuma (mechanical demons) with a cross-shaped arm, aided by the Black Order.
• Similarities: Supernatural battles, religious motifs, and a protagonist grappling with his cursed body.
• Details: MAL 7.7, 103 episodes. Studio TMS Entertainment.

3. Blood Blockade Battlefront (2015)

• Streaming: Hulu
• Plot: Libra, a secret group, protects NYC from interdimensional threats.
• Similarities: Urban supernatural warfare, eccentric characters, and chaotic action.
• Details: MAL 7.9, 12 episodes. Studio Bones.

4. Ranking of Kings (2021)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Deaf prince Bojji rises to power with his shadow companion.
• Similarities: Underdog journey, unconventional power dynamics, and emotional depth.
• Details: MAL 8.6, 23 episodes. Studio Wit.

5. Tatami Galaxy (2010)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: A college student relives parallel lives, exploring identity and purpose.
• Similarities: Surreal narrative, existential themes, and non-linear storytelling.
• Details: MAL 8.1, 11 episodes. Studio Masaaki Yuasa.

6. Mob Psycho 100 (2016)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama suppresses his psychic powers to live a normal life.
• Similarities: Internalized strength, moral dilemmas, and explosive action.
• Details: MAL 8.7, 24 episodes. Studio Bones.

7. Ajin (2016)

• Streaming: Netflix
• Plot: Kei Nagai becomes an immortal Ajin, hunted by the government.
• Similarities: Dark themes, existential horror, and political subversion.
• Details: MAL 7.3, 26 episodes. Studio Polygon Pictures.

8. Plunderer (2020)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Characters wield “counts” that define their abilities and societal roles.
• Similarities: Power hierarchies, rebellion against oppression, and moral ambiguity.
• Details: MAL 6.7, 24 episodes. Studio Geek Toys.

9. Bungou Stray Dogs (2016)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Atsushi Nakajima joins a supernatural detective agency.
• Similarities: Literary-inspired powers, ensemble dynamics, and dark humor.
• Details: MAL 8.0, 36 episodes. Studio Bones.

10. World Trigger (2014)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Humans use Trion-based abilities to defend Earth from interdimensional threats.
• Similarities: Strategic combat, team synergy, and slow-burn worldbuilding.
• Details: MAL 7.3, 73 episodes. Studio Toei.

11. The Eminence in Shadow (2022)

• Streaming: Hidive
• Plot: Cid Kagenou pretends to be a weak student while secretly mastering dark magic.
• Similarities: Hidden power, subverted expectations, and satire of fantasy tropes.
• Details: MAL 7.5, 20 episodes. Studio Nexus.

12. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (2023)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Frieren reflects on her life as a wandering mage.
• Similarities: Existential themes, emotional depth, and non-linear storytelling.
• Details: MAL 8.4, 13 episodes. Studio Kyoto Animation.

13. Kino’s Journey (2003)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Kino travels a dystopian world with a sentient motorcycle, exploring human nature.
• Similarities: Philosophical themes, moral ambiguity, and episodic storytelling.
• Details: MAL 8.4, 13 episodes. Studio A.C.G.T.

14. Shigofumi (2008)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Fumika delivers letters from the dead to the living.
• Similarities: Supernatural bureaucracy, emotional weight, and dark themes.
• Details: MAL 7.2, 13 episodes. Studio J.C.Staff.

15. Zombie Land Saga (2018)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Sakura Minamoto becomes a zombie idol to revive Saga Prefecture.
• Similarities: Supernatural reinvention, dark humor, and unexpected heart.
• Details: MAL 7.6, 12 episodes. Studio MAPPA.

Why These Anime Work for Blade Fans

These series capture the essence of Blade’s core themes: power as a double-edged sword, moral ambiguity in conflict, and protagonists who redefine their destinies. Whether through supernatural battles (Darker than Black), existential journeys (Kino’s Journey), or dark comedy (Zombie Land Saga), they challenge viewers to rethink heroism and societal structures. Their underrated status ensures a fresh experience for fans craving complexity without mainstream saturation.