Launched in 2009, Requiem for the Phantom remains a hauntingly underrated anime blending gritty crime drama, psychological turmoil, and intense action. It follows the tragic journey of an amnesiac turned assassin and explores identity, loyalty, and the destructive power of control.
With its emotionally complex characters, power dynamics rooted in manipulation, and bleak yet poetic storytelling, the anime subverts typical shonen tropes and underdog arcs by immersing viewers in a morally gray underworld. The titles below echo this raw emotional intensity and narrative depth—yet many remain hidden gems within the anime community.
If you loved Requiem for the Phantom, these 15 underappreciated anime deserve a place on your watchlist.
1. Gungrave (2003)
Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
Episodes: 26
Rating: MAL – 7.88
Studio: Madhouse
Awards: N/A
Two best friends rise through the ranks of a crime syndicate—until betrayal and resurrection transform their destinies.
Like Requiem, Gungrave explores identity loss, moral decay, and loyalty in the criminal underworld, using stylish visuals and flashback-heavy storytelling.
2. Ergo Proxy (2006)
Streaming: Hulu, Crunchyroll
Episodes: 23
Rating: MAL – 7.90
Studio: Manglobe
Awards: N/A
In a dystopian future, a government agent uncovers dangerous secrets behind humanoid robots and her own identity.
It mirrors Phantom in psychological complexity and existential themes, layered with neo-noir aesthetics and slow-burning tension.
3. Texhnolyze (2003)
Streaming: HIDIVE
Episodes: 22
Rating: MAL – 7.74
Studio: Madhouse
Awards: N/A
Set in a decaying underground city, a mute fighter becomes entangled in gang wars and technological experimentation.
Bleak atmosphere, minimal dialogue, and philosophical undertones make this ideal for fans of Phantom’s slow, cerebral tone.
4. 91 Days (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
Episodes: 12
Rating: MAL – 7.79
Studio: Shuka
Awards: N/A
During the Prohibition era, a man infiltrates the mafia to avenge his family’s murder.
This revenge-driven narrative and its immersion in crime politics echo the central arcs in Requiem, with gripping pacing and somber tones.
5. Noir (2001)
Streaming: Funimation
Episodes: 26
Rating: MAL – 7.26
Studio: Bee Train
Awards: N/A
Two female assassins partner to uncover their mysterious shared past.
From the same creators behind Phantom, Noir balances action and introspection with a similarly atmospheric and character-focused approach.
6. Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens (2018)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Episodes: 12
Rating: MAL – 7.38
Studio: Satelight
Awards: N/A
In a city of hitmen and contract killers, a cross-dressing assassin teams up with a vengeful private eye.
Its criminal underworld setting, layered cast, and ironic humor give it a modern, stylish edge akin to Phantom’s gangland themes.
7. Jormungand (2012)
Streaming: HIDIVE, Crunchyroll
Episodes: 24
Rating: MAL – 7.83
Studio: White Fox
Awards: N/A
A young child soldier joins an arms dealer’s entourage, experiencing global conflict and moral ambiguity.
Its globe-trotting plot, character-driven episodes, and commentary on violence directly reflect Phantom’s thematic depth.
8. Black Lagoon (2006)
Streaming: Hulu, HIDIVE
Episodes: 24
Rating: MAL – 8.04
Studio: Madhouse
Awards: N/A
A businessman joins a group of mercenaries in Southeast Asia, navigating piracy, war, and corruption.
While more action-oriented, its mature storytelling and morally gray antiheroes align with Phantom’s tone.
9. Zankyou no Terror (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Episodes: 11
Rating: MAL – 8.11
Studio: MAPPA
Awards: Jury Prize – Tokyo Anime Award Festival
Two teenage terrorists conduct mysterious attacks while hiding dark personal traumas.
Like Phantom, it blends psychological tension with social commentary, wrapped in elegant direction and music by Yoko Kanno.
10. Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (2004)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Episodes: 24
Rating: MAL – 8.15
Studio: Gonzo
Awards: Excellence Prize – Japan Media Arts Festival
A sci-fi reimagining of Dumas’ classic tale of revenge and betrayal.
It shares Phantom’s layered plotting and slow-burn emotional arcs, with a unique, textured art style unlike any other.
11. Phantom: The Animation (2004)
Streaming: Not widely available (OVA)
Episodes: 3
Rating: MAL – 6.62
Studio: Idea Factory
Awards: N/A
An earlier adaptation of the Phantom visual novel with a condensed version of the story.
Offers another take on the same source material with different pacing and atmosphere, a must-see for completionists.
12. Baccano! (2007)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
Episodes: 16
Rating: MAL – 8.37
Studio: Brain’s Base
Awards: Best Television Series – Japan Media Arts Festival
Multiple timelines converge around gangsters, immortals, and chaos aboard a 1930s train.
While more chaotic and stylized, it parallels Phantom in non-linear storytelling and crime syndicate themes.
13. Speed Grapher (2005)
Streaming: Funimation
Episodes: 24
Rating: MAL – 7.20
Studio: Gonzo
Awards: N/A
A photojournalist uncovers a secret society with supernatural powers and a captive girl at its core.
Themes of exploitation, control, and dark aesthetics echo Phantom’s bleak world and philosophical depth.
14. Darker than Black (2007)
Streaming: Hulu, Crunchyroll
Episodes: 25
Rating: MAL – 8.03
Studio: Bones
Awards: Tokyo International Anime Fair Excellence Prize
A mysterious assassin with supernatural powers is drawn into inter-agency conspiracies.
The noir tone, enigmatic protagonist, and morally ambiguous world are deeply reminiscent of Phantom’s storytelling.
15. Canaan (2009)
Streaming: HIDIVE, Sentai
Episodes: 13
Rating: MAL – 7.21
Studio: P.A. Works
Awards: N/A
A Middle Eastern conflict draws together an assassin, a reporter, and a bio-terror plot.
Stylish action, strong female leads, and global stakes reflect the tone and structure of Phantom while adding unique flair.
Why These Anime Work for Requiem for the Phantom Fans
Each of these titles dives deep into themes of identity, manipulation, and survival, often set in a backdrop of crime, war, or conspiracy. They’re character-driven and emotionally intense, offering psychological twists and emotional payoffs that resonate long after the credits roll. For fans of Requiem for the Phantom, these underrated series provide that same cocktail of drama, despair, and razor-sharp storytelling—just waiting to be discovered.
