City Hunter (1987) remains a classic of action-comedy anime, blending stylish gunfights, noir-inspired storytelling, and a mix of gritty crime drama with lighthearted humor. At its core, the series thrives on character development, underdog victories, and subverting expectations with both heartfelt and comedic moments.
While City Hunter often steals the spotlight, many other anime share its DNA—balancing action, sharp wit, and unforgettable characters. This list highlights 15 underrated series that fans of City Hunter should absolutely check out.
1. Cat’s Eye (1983)
- Streaming: RetroCrush, Amazon Prime Video (varies by region)
- Episodes: 73
- MAL Rating: 7.05
- Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha (TMS) – same studio as City Hunter
- Plot: Three sisters run a café by day and pull off art heists by night, targeting works belonging to their missing father.
- Similarities: Shares Tsukasa Hojo’s signature style and charm. Like City Hunter, it fuses crime, action, and romantic comedy with strong female leads.
2. Gunsmith Cats (1995)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Episodes: 3 (OVA)
- MAL Rating: 7.35
- Studio: OLM
- Plot: Rally Vincent, a bounty hunter, and Minnie-May, her explosives-expert partner, take on Chicago’s underworld with style and firepower.
- Similarities: Shares City Hunter’s urban setting, fast-paced action, and “buddy” dynamic, but with a more American noir aesthetic.
3. Mad Bull 34 (1990)
- Streaming: RetroCrush
- Episodes: 4 (OVA)
- MAL Rating: 6.06
- Studio: Magic Bus
- Plot: Rookie cop Daizaburo partners with the chaotic yet dependable John “Sleepy” Estes in New York’s most crime-ridden district.
- Similarities: Mixes gritty urban crime with absurd comedy, much like Ryo Saeba’s unpredictable blend of deadliness and goofiness.
4. Angel Heart (2005)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 50
- MAL Rating: 7.41
- Studio: TMS Entertainment
- Plot: A reimagining of City Hunter, this series follows a female assassin who inherits Kaori’s heart, leading her to Ryo Saeba.
- Similarities: A spiritual successor, carrying forward City Hunter’s themes of redemption, loss, and found family.
5. Eat-Man (1997)
- Streaming: RetroCrush, YouTube
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 6.88
- Studio: Studio Deen
- Plot: Bolt Crank, a mercenary, can eat any object and reproduce it with his hands, taking odd jobs in a futuristic world.
- Similarities: Shares City Hunter’s episodic mercenary structure, where each job reveals new layers of the protagonist’s character.
6. Wild 7 (2002)
- Streaming: Unavailable officially (DVD only)
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Rating: 6.84
- Studio: Studio Deen
- Plot: A group of reformed criminals becomes a special task force taking down crime syndicates with unorthodox methods.
- Similarities: Mirrors City Hunter’s anti-hero vibe, with morally gray characters cleaning up society’s underbelly.
7. Silent Möbius (1991, 1998)
- Streaming: RetroCrush, YouTube
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 6.94
- Studio: AIC
- Plot: A female task force fights supernatural beings known as Lucifer Hawks while balancing personal lives.
- Similarities: Like City Hunter, it blends noir-like city backdrops with stylish action and a balance of humor and drama.
8. Burn Up! W (1996)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Episodes: 4 (OVA)
- MAL Rating: 6.54
- Studio: AIC
- Plot: A group of policewomen takes on criminals with high-tech weapons and plenty of humor.
- Similarities: Shares the “sexy action-comedy” vibe of City Hunter with colorful characters and over-the-top escapades.
9. Cosmo Police Justy (1985)
- Streaming: Rare fansubs only
- Episodes: 1 (OVA)
- MAL Rating: 6.29
- Studio: Studio Pierrot
- Plot: A psychic police officer balances crime-fighting with his inner struggles and humanity.
- Similarities: Combines stylish 80s urban futurism with emotional character work, similar to Ryo’s duality as a playboy and hardened gunman.
10. Bounty Dog (1994)
- Streaming: Unavailable officially
- Episodes: 2 (OVA)
- MAL Rating: 5.91
- Studio: J.C.Staff
- Plot: On a colonized moon, mercenaries uncover conspiracies tied to alien tech and shadowy organizations.
- Similarities: Echoes City Hunter’s noir themes, transplanting them into a sci-fi setting with equally slick mercenaries.
11. Mezzo DSA (2004)
- Streaming: HiDive, Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 13
- MAL Rating: 6.55
- Studio: ARMS
- Plot: The Danger Service Agency takes on odd jobs, from bodyguarding to bounty hunting, usually landing in chaos.
- Similarities: Episodic mercenary jobs, playful comedy, and stylized action reminiscent of Ryo and Kaori’s antics.
12. Black Lagoon (2006) – though semi-popular, still overlooked compared to big titles
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HiDive
- Episodes: 24 + OVAs
- MAL Rating: 8.04
- Studio: Madhouse
- Plot: A salaryman joins a band of mercenaries in Southeast Asia, navigating moral ambiguity and gang warfare.
- Similarities: Shares City Hunter’s crime-heavy, urban gunfight aesthetic and morally complex characters, with a darker edge.
13. Cyber City Oedo 808 (1990)
- Streaming: RetroCrush, YouTube
- Episodes: 3 (OVA)
- MAL Rating: 7.12
- Studio: Madhouse
- Plot: Criminals are recruited to fight cyber-crime in a futuristic dystopian Tokyo.
- Similarities: Stylish, gritty, and fast-paced—combining noir storytelling with episodic mercenary missions akin to City Hunter.
14. Golgo 13: The Professional (1983)
- Streaming: RetroCrush
- Episodes: Film + long-running series
- MAL Rating: 7.37 (film)
- Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha
- Plot: Duke Togo, an infamous assassin, takes high-risk contracts worldwide, living by strict professional codes.
- Similarities: Shares City Hunter’s sharp-shooting professionalism and episodic “job-of-the-week” style, though darker and less comedic.
15. Ojisan no Lamp (2011) – a rare modern hidden gem with classic feel
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 1 (Special)
- MAL Rating: 6.76
- Studio: Telecom Animation Film
- Plot: A man recalls his life after discovering a magical lamp, told through nostalgic, slice-of-life vignettes.
- Similarities: While quieter, it shares City Hunter’s focus on character-driven emotional storytelling and themes of memory, legacy, and growth.
Why These Anime Work for City Hunter Fans
Each of these anime captures something special that City Hunter fans will appreciate—whether it’s noir-inspired urban backdrops, stylish gunplay, morally gray heroes, or a blend of action and comedy. While some lean heavier into sci-fi or crime, the throughline remains strong character work and a balance between grit and humor. By diving into these underrated titles, you’ll uncover the broader DNA of City Hunter’s influence and discover hidden gems that deserve the same cult-classic recognition.
