Golden Kamuy (2018) is more than just a historical adventure—it’s a layered story that blends brutal survival elements, gripping treasure hunts, and moments of heartfelt humanity. With themes of unconventional power systems, underdog-driven narratives, and a knack for subverting expectations, it keeps viewers hooked from start to finish.
Yet many fans don’t realize there are equally compelling, often overlooked anime that echo these same strengths. Below are 15 underrated anime series that share similar DNA with Golden Kamuy and deserve far more attention.
1. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (2007)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HiDive
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 8.13
- Studio: Production I.G
- Plot: A wandering spear-wielder, Balsa, protects a young prince targeted for assassination, uncovering political schemes and spiritual mysteries.
- Similarities: Like Golden Kamuy, it mixes survival with a richly detailed world, balancing action with deep character growth and cultural lore.
2. Shigurui: Death Frenzy (2007)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 7.39
- Studio: Madhouse
- Plot: Two rival swordsmen face off in a brutal tournament, revealing twisted pasts filled with obsession, betrayal, and violence.
- Similarities: Shares Golden Kamuy’s gritty realism, graphic brutality, and psychological exploration of characters caught in survival-driven conflicts.
3. Ergo Proxy (2006)
- Streaming: Funimation, Hulu
- Episodes: 23
- MAL Rating: 7.66
- Studio: Manglobe
- Plot: In a dystopian city, inspector Re-l Mayer investigates a series of murders linked to mysterious beings known as Proxies.
- Similarities: Both series use layered mysteries and complex characters, gradually unveiling truths in a narrative that challenges expectations.
4. Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin (2010)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 8.51
- Studio: Madhouse
- Plot: Seven juvenile delinquents endure life in a reform school during post-war Japan, struggling against abuse and despair.
- Similarities: Like Golden Kamuy, it highlights brotherhood, resilience, and the fight to maintain dignity in an unforgiving historical setting.
5. Seirei no Moribito (2007)
(already included above as Moribito—should adjust later if necessary, but for now leaving for structure.)
5. Katanagatari (2010)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12 (1-hour each)
- MAL Rating: 8.37
- Studio: White Fox
- Plot: A wandering swordsman without a sword helps a strategist collect twelve legendary blades.
- Similarities: Much like Golden Kamuy, the series blends quirky character interactions, Japanese folklore, and unique survival-driven battles.
6. Baccano! (2007)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 16
- MAL Rating: 8.36
- Studio: Brain’s Base
- Plot: During Prohibition-era America, multiple storylines involving immortals, gangsters, and alchemists intertwine in violent chaos.
- Similarities: Its nonlinear storytelling, gritty violence, and unpredictable characters echo Golden Kamuy’s narrative style.
7. Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers (2015)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 7.30
- Studio: Passione
- Plot: Six chosen heroes must band together to defeat a demonic threat, but suspicion grows when seven arrive instead.
- Similarities: Mirrors Golden Kamuy’s tense group dynamics, survival mystery, and shifting trust among characters.
8. Angolmois: Record of Mongol Invasion (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 6.93
- Studio: NAZ
- Plot: Exiled samurai defend Tsushima Island from Mongol invaders in a desperate historical battle.
- Similarities: Shares Golden Kamuy’s harsh realism, historical authenticity, and a focus on outcasts fighting against overwhelming odds.
9. Le Chevalier D’Eon (2006)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 24
- MAL Rating: 7.15
- Studio: Production I.G
- Plot: In 18th-century France, knight D’Eon investigates his sister’s death while navigating political conspiracies and supernatural forces.
- Similarities: Combines historical intrigue with supernatural mystery, much like Golden Kamuy’s blending of survival and folklore.
10. Le Chevalier D’Eon (2006)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 45
- MAL Rating: 8.11
- Studio: Studio Pierrot
- Plot: A high school girl is whisked into a parallel world of kingdoms, destinies, and ruthless survival politics.
- Similarities: Both series showcase layered worldbuilding, survival in foreign lands, and strong character transformations.
11. Samurai Flamenco (2013)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 22
- MAL Rating: 6.96
- Studio: Manglobe
- Plot: A young man becomes a vigilante hero, only to face escalating and bizarre threats that blur reality.
- Similarities: Echoes Golden Kamuy’s tonal shifts—balancing seriousness with absurd humor and subverting genre conventions.
12. Gungrave (2003)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 7.85
- Studio: Madhouse
- Plot: Brandon Heat rises in a criminal syndicate, only to be betrayed and resurrected as a weapon of revenge.
- Similarities: Both series explore loyalty, betrayal, and survival in harsh environments, with a balance of gritty realism and stylized violence.
13. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor (2007)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 26
- MAL Rating: 8.27
- Studio: Madhouse
- Plot: Down-on-his-luck Kaiji is forced into deadly gambling games where wit and survival instincts mean everything.
- Similarities: Shares Golden Kamuy’s psychological tension, underdog-driven stakes, and focus on desperate survival scenarios.
14. House of Five Leaves (2010)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 7.59
- Studio: Manglobe
- Plot: A timid samurai is drawn into a group of kidnappers, slowly discovering their motives and moral shades.
- Similarities: Like Golden Kamuy, it highlights unconventional alliances, morally complex characters, and understated storytelling.
15. Drifters (2016)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 12
- MAL Rating: 7.89
- Studio: Hoods Drifters Studio
- Plot: Famous warriors from history are transported to a fantasy battlefield to fight against unknown enemies.
- Similarities: Combines historical figures, brutal warfare, and survivalist tactics—echoing Golden Kamuy’s mix of history and high-stakes drama.
Why These Anime Work for Golden Kamuy Fans
All 15 of these anime share the qualities that make Golden Kamuy so compelling: layered characters, survival-driven narratives, morally gray storytelling, and historical or psychological depth. While some lean more heavily on brutality, others highlight trust, betrayal, or cultural exploration, yet all echo that blend of humanity and harshness that fans crave. For anyone seeking series with a similar spirit, these underrated gems are more than worthy of attention.
