Canaan stands out as a stylish action thriller blending intense gunfights, morally ambiguous characters, and a grounded yet heightened sense of power and skill. Beneath its explosive surface lies a story about trauma, identity, and survival, where underdogs rise through sheer will rather than traditional power systems.
The following anime share similar themes—psychological conflict, unconventional power dynamics, strong character-driven narratives, and expectation-subverting storytelling—yet remain criminally underappreciated. If Canaan resonated with you, these series are well worth your time.
1. Noir (2001)
Streaming: HiDive
MAL Rating: ~7.3
Episodes: 26
Studio/Staff: Bee Train; Director: Kōichi Mashimo
Awards: Cult critical acclaim for its soundtrack
Plot Summary: Two female assassins uncover their shared past while navigating a web of conspiracies and shadow organizations.
Similarities to Canaan: Gun-focused combat, emotionally restrained female leads, and a melancholic tone centered on identity and memory.
2. Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom (2009)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: ~7.9
Episodes: 26
Studio/Staff: Bee Train; Based on Nitroplus visual novel
Plot Summary: A kidnapped teen is trained into a cold-blooded assassin while struggling against psychological manipulation.
Similarities: Brainwashing, elite killers, tragic character arcs, and a bleak examination of violence as a system.
3. Jormungand (2012)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: ~7.8
Episodes: 24
Studio/Staff: White Fox
Plot Summary: An arms dealer and her squad traverse global conflict zones while chasing an idealistic yet terrifying goal.
Similarities: Modern warfare, globe-trotting action, morally gray protagonists, and subversion of hero/villain roles.
4. Speed Grapher (2005)
Streaming: Funimation (limited regions)
MAL Rating: ~7.1
Episodes: 24
Studio/Staff: Gonzo
Plot Summary: A photographer gains a grotesque power tied to human desire after uncovering an underground elite society.
Similarities: Dark conspiracies, unconventional power systems, and cynical social commentary.
5. Baccano! (2007)
Streaming: Blu-ray / limited streaming
MAL Rating: ~8.4
Episodes: 16
Studio/Staff: Brain’s Base; Director: Takahiro Omori
Awards: Tokyo Anime Award nominee
Plot Summary: Immortals, gangsters, and thieves collide in a nonlinear narrative spanning decades.
Similarities: Chaotic storytelling, intersecting character arcs, and stylish violence with emotional weight.
6. Zankyou no Terror (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: ~7.9
Episodes: 11
Studio/Staff: MAPPA; Director: Shinichirō Watanabe
Plot Summary: Two teenage terrorists challenge the state while hiding a deeply personal tragedy.
Similarities: Urban thriller atmosphere, emotional restraint, and action driven by trauma rather than ideology.
7. Gunslinger Girl (2003)
Streaming: HiDive
MAL Rating: ~7.4
Episodes: 13 (+ sequel)
Studio/Staff: Madhouse
Plot Summary: Young girls are cybernetically enhanced and trained as assassins for the Italian government.
Similarities: Female combatants, loss of innocence, and quiet, devastating character development.
8. 91 Days (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: ~7.8
Episodes: 12
Studio/Staff: Shuka
Plot Summary: A man infiltrates the mafia to exact revenge for his family’s murder.
Similarities: Grounded realism, revenge-driven narrative, and slow-burning emotional payoff.
9. Ergo Proxy (2006)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: ~7.9
Episodes: 23
Studio/Staff: Manglobe
Plot Summary: A dystopian mystery exploring identity and consciousness in a post-apocalyptic world.
Similarities: Philosophical undertones, subversion of expectations, and a strong, complex female lead.
10. Texhnolyze (2003)
Streaming: Funimation (limited)
MAL Rating: ~7.7
Episodes: 22
Studio/Staff: Madhouse
Plot Summary: A brutal cyberpunk tragedy set in a decaying underground city.
Similarities: Bleak tone, minimal exposition, and character-driven suffering over spectacle.
11. Eden of the East (2009)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: ~7.7
Episodes: 11 + films
Studio/Staff: Production I.G
Plot Summary: A memoryless man with vast resources becomes entangled in a game to “save Japan.”
Similarities: Conspiracy-driven plot, unconventional power mechanics, and narrative twists.
12. A Kite (1998)
Streaming: Physical media only
MAL Rating: ~6.6
Episodes: OVA (2 parts)
Studio/Staff: Arms
Plot Summary: A teenage assassin navigates corruption and exploitation in a hyper-violent world.
Similarities: Raw brutality, tragic upbringing, and lone-wolf combat style reminiscent of Canaan’s intensity.
13. Requiem for the Phantom: Zero (OVA, 2009)
Streaming: Blu-ray
MAL Rating: ~7.5
Episodes: 3
Studio/Staff: Bee Train
Plot Summary: A condensed exploration of the origins of elite assassins.
Similarities: Tactical action, emotional suppression, and fatalistic storytelling.
14. Lycoris Recoil (2022)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: ~8.2
Episodes: 13
Studio/Staff: A-1 Pictures
Plot Summary: Teenage girls secretly act as counter-terrorist agents in modern Japan.
Similarities: Gunplay-focused action, contrasting female leads, and subversion of the “cute girls” trope.
15. Princess Principal (2017)
Streaming: HiDive
MAL Rating: ~7.7
Episodes: 12 + films
Studio/Staff: Actas
Plot Summary: Spy girls navigate political intrigue in a steampunk version of London.
Similarities: Espionage, morally gray missions, and stylish action with layered character motivations.
Why These Anime Work for Canaan Fans
All of these series prioritize character psychology over raw power, atmosphere over exposition, and emotionally grounded conflict over simple heroism. Like Canaan, they trust viewers to engage with ambiguity, flawed protagonists, and stories where survival itself is the victory.
