Ninja Kamui (2024) follows Higan, a former ninja seeking vengeance after his family’s murder.
It blends brutal action with moral ambiguity in a modern setting. For fans drawn to its themes of revenge, shadowy organizations, and antihero dynamics, these 15 underrated anime deliver similar grit, complex power systems, and narrative subversion.
1. Afro Samurai (2007)
Streaming: Hulu, Crunchyroll
Plot: A swordsman embarks on a blood-soaked quest to avenge his father, wielding a mystical headband in a feudal-meets-cyberpunk Japan.
Similarities: Combines hip-hop aesthetics with samurai lore, mirroring Ninja Kamui’s fusion of tradition and modernity in its revenge narrative.
Details: 5 episodes | Studio: Gonzo | MAL: 7.2/10
2. Basilisk (2005)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Two rival ninja clans clash in a deadly battle royale to determine the next shogunate successor.
Similarities: Brutal, no-holds-barred ninja warfare and tragic character arcs akin to Ninja Kamui’s unrelenting violence.
Details: 24 episodes | Studio: Gonzo | Notable: Dark fantasy adaptation
3. 91 Days (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A Prohibition-era man infiltrates the mafia to avenge his family’s massacre, blurring lines between loyalty and vengeance.
Similarities: Explores the cyclical nature of revenge and moral decay, paralleling Higan’s descent into brutality.
Details: 12 episodes | Studio: Shuka | MAL: 7.8/10
4. Black Lagoon (2006)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime
Plot: A businessman joins mercenaries in Southeast Asia, navigating a world of pirates, smugglers, and betrayal.
Similarities: Morally gray protagonists and chaotic missions reminiscent of Ninja Kamui’s mercenary underworld.
Details: 24 episodes | Studio: Madhouse | MAL: 8.2/10
5. Darker Than Black (2007)
Streaming: Funimation, Hulu
Plot: Superpowered “Contractors” carry out covert missions in a dystopian Tokyo, grappling with lost humanity.
Similarities: Shadowy organizations and antiheroes mirroring Ninja Kamui’s exploration of institutional corruption.
Details: 25 episodes | Studio: Bones | Awards: Tokyo Anime Award (2008)
6. Jormungand (2012)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: An arms dealer and her team traverse global conflict zones, balancing profit and survival.
Similarities: Found-family dynamics among outlaws, akin to Higan’s uneasy alliances.
Details: 24 episodes | Studio: White Fox | MAL: 7.8/10
7. Hell’s Paradise (2023)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix
Plot: A disgraced ninja and executioner seek immortality on a cursed island swarming with monstrous beings.
Similarities: Edo-period ninja lore and visceral combat echoing Ninja Kamui’s high-stakes battles.
Details: 13 episodes | Studio: MAPPA | MAL: 8.1/10
8. Vinland Saga (2019)
Streaming: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Plot: A Viking boy’s quest for vengeance evolves into a philosophical journey challenging cycles of violence.
Similarities: Shifts from revenge-driven rage to introspection, much like Higan’s internal conflicts.
Details: 48 episodes | Studio: Wit/MAPPA | MAL: 8.7/10
9. Dororo (2019)
Streaming: Amazon Prime
Plot: A limbless warrior hunts demons to reclaim his body, aided by an orphan thief.
Similarities: Body-horror elements and redemption arcs reflecting Ninja Kamui’s themes of physical and emotional scar.
Details: 24 episodes | Studio: Tezuka Productions | MAL: 8.2/10
10. Samurai 7 (2004)
Streaming: HIDIVE
Plot: Seven cyber-enhanced samurai defend a village from mechanized bandits in a futuristic feudal Japan.
Similarities: Blends traditional samurai ethos with sci-fi, akin to Ninja Kamui’s modernized ninja tech.
Details: 26 episodes | Studio: Gonzo | Notable: Akira Kurosawa-inspired
11. Sengoku Basara (2009)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Warring warlords clash in an over-the-top reimagining of Japan’s Sengoku period.
Similarities: High-octane battles and flamboyant characters mirroring Ninja Kamui’s kinetic energy.
Details: 24 episodes | Studio: Production I.G | MAL: 7.5/10
12. Brave 10 (2012)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: A ninja joins a ragtag group of warriors to protect a priestess with divine powers.
Similarities: Ensemble cast dynamics and historical fantasy elements.
Details: 12 episodes | Studio: TMS Entertainment | MAL: 6.8/10
13. Akudama Drive (2020)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Criminals collaborate for a heist in a neon-lit cyberpunk dystopia.
Similarities: Nihilistic tone and chaotic teamwork, akin to Ninja Kamui’s fatalistic missions.
Details: 12 episodes | Studio: Pierrot | MAL: 7.9/10
14. Terror in Resonance (2014)
Streaming: Netflix
Plot: Teen terrorists challenge a corrupt government through calculated acts of chaos.
Similarities: Morally ambiguous protagonists and ideological battles.
Details: 11 episodes | Studio: MAPPA | MAL: 8.0/10
15. Juni Taisen: Zodiac War (2017)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Plot: Twelve warriors battle to the death in a tournament tied to the Chinese zodiac.
Similarities: Flashy, high-stakes combat and ruthless contestants.
Details: 12 episodes | Studio: Graphinica | MAL: 6.5/10
Why These Anime Work for Ninja Kamui Fans
These series thrive on moral complexity, visceral action, and protagonists who defy traditional heroism.
From Afro Samurai’s stylistic vengeance to 91 Days’ mafia intrigue, they capture the essence of survivalist narratives and institutional betrayal central to Ninja Kamui.
Whether through cyberpunk dystopias (Akudama Drive) or historical brutality (Vinland Saga), each offers a fresh lens on redemption and the cost of power—proving that underrated gems often pack the hardest punch.
