15 Animes Similar to Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010) masterfully blends superhero action, moral ambiguity, and character-driven storytelling. It explores themes like power responsibility (Supergirl’s Kryptonian abilities), underdog resilience (Kara’s adaptation to Earth), and subverted expectations (Batman’s distrust vs. Superman’s idealism).

These underrated anime echo its DNA—offering complex power systems, flawed heroes, and narrative daring—yet remain overlooked gems.

1. Casshern Sins (2008)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll, HiDive
• Plot: In a robot-dominated dystopia, the immortal Casshern wanders a decaying world, hunted for causing the ruin while seeking redemption. His quest forces confrontations with those who blame him for their suffering.
• Similarities: Like Supergirl’s struggle with her powers, Casshern grapples with guilt over his destructive potential. Both feature bleak worlds where heroes confront moral ambiguity and existential purpose.
• MAL Rating: 7.8
• Episodes: 24
• Studio: Madhouse
• Notable Staff: Directed by Shigeyasu Yamauchi (Dragon Ball Z).

2. Ergo Proxy (2006)

• Streaming: Funimation, Hulu
• Plot: In a domed city, investigator Re-L hunts sentient robots gone rogue, uncovering a conspiracy that forces her to question humanity’s survival. Alongside an amnesiac immigrant, she confronts truths about identity and control.
• Similarities: Echoes Superman/Batman’s themes of power corruption (Darkseid’s manipulation) and identity crises, wrapped in philosophical action.
• MAL Rating: 7.8
• Episodes: 23
• Studio: Manglobe
• Awards: Nominated for Best Animation at Tokyo Anime Awards.

3. Kaze no Stigma (2007)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Exiled wind-magic user Kazuma returns to his fire-wielding clan, now a mercenary embroiled in a supernatural murder mystery that pits him against his family.
• Similarities: Kazuma’s outsider status mirrors Kara’s alienation; both series fuse family drama with high-stakes power clashes and moral gray zones.
• MAL Rating: 7.4
• Episodes: 24
• Studio: Gonzo
• Notable Staff: Based on Takahiro Yamato’s novels.

4. From the New World (2012)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll, HiDive
• Plot: In a utopian society where humans wield psychokinetic powers, five children uncover dark secrets about their world’s history, leading to rebellion and betrayal.
• Similarities: Shares Superman/Batman’s exploration of power ethics and societal control, with a focus on youthful protagonists challenging oppressive systems.
• MAL Rating: 8.3
• Episodes: 25
• Studio: A-1 Pictures
• Awards: Top 10 Anime of 2012 (Anime News Network).

5. Space Patrol Luluco (2016)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Ordinary teen Luluco joins an interstellar police force after her father is frozen, partnering with alien Nova to defend her city from cosmic threats.
• Similarities: Blends quirky action with character growth like Supergirl’s journey, using absurd humor to subvert superhero tropes.
• MAL Rating: 7.4
• Episodes: 13 (7-minute shorts)
• Studio: Trigger
• Notable Staff: Hiroyuki Imaishi (Gurren Lagann).

6. Blood Lad (2013)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Vampire otaku Staz rules a demon-world district until a human girl’s ghost arrives, prompting him to resurrect her while battling supernatural foes.
• Similarities: Staz’s redemption arc parallels Kara’s heroism, mixing underworld politics with dark comedy and reluctant mentorship.
• MAL Rating: 7.2
• Episodes: 10
• Studio: Brain’s Base

7. World Trigger (2014)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: When aliens invade Earth, low-powered agent Osamu Mikumo teams up with a mysterious otherworlder to protect humanity, relying on strategy over strength.
• Similarities: Focuses on underdog tactics like Batman’s intellect-driven heroism, with ensemble dynamics akin to DC team-ups.
• MAL Rating: 7.7
• Episodes: 99
• Studio: Toei Animation

8. The Beast Player Erin (2009)

• Streaming: HiDive
• Plot: Erin, a girl who bonds with mythical beasts, navigates political strife and war after her mother’s death, challenging a kingdom that exploits creatures.
• Similarities: Erin’s empathy-driven journey reflects Supergirl’s growth, blending fantasy conflict with ethical dilemmas about power.
• MAL Rating: 8.0
• Episodes: 50
• Studio: Production I.G
• Awards: Excellence Prize, Japan Media Arts Festival.

9. Tiger & Bunny (2011)

• Streaming: Netflix, Hulu
• Plot: In a city where superheroes compete for corporate sponsorships, veteran Wild Tiger mentors rookie Barnaby, uncovering corruption behind flashy heroics.
• Similarities: Satirizes superhero commercialization like Superman/Batman’s critique of power, with mentor-student dynamics and action-comedy flair.
• MAL Rating: 7.8
• Episodes: 25
• Studio: Sunrise
• Notable Staff: Created by Masafumi Nishida (Gundam).

10. Yuki Yuna is a Hero (2014)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Schoolgirl Yuna joins a magical club to fight alien Vertexes, but her powers come at a physical cost, testing her idealism in brutal battles.
• Similarities: Dark subversion of heroism akin to Kara’s Apokolips trauma, emphasizing sacrifice and resilience against overwhelming odds.
• MAL Rating: 7.5
• Episodes: 12
• Studio: Studio Gokumi

11. Zenshu (2024)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Anime director Natsuko Hirose is transported into her own fantasy series, aiding unicorn warrior Unio to prevent the apocalypse while clashing with his ego.
• Similarities: Meta-narrative like Superman/Batman’s comic roots, blending dimension-hopping action with character growth amid chaos.
• MAL Rating: 6.9 (early)
• Episodes: 12
• Studio: Yokohama Animation Lab

12. Wolf’s Rain (2003)

• Streaming: Funimation
• Plot: Wolves disguised as humans search for paradise in a dying world, facing hunters, cults, and their own fading hope.
• Similarities: Atmospheric despair and found-family dynamics mirror Superman/Batman’s themes of belonging, with mythic stakes.
• MAL Rating: 7.8
• Episodes: 26
• Studio: Bones
• Notable Staff: Music by Yoko Kanno (Cowboy Bebop).

13. Somali and the Forest Spirit (2019)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: A golem guardian and human child traverse a monster-filled world, bonding while evading those who hunt her.
• Similarities: Focus on protector-ward relationships (Superman/Kara) in a perilous world, blending action with emotional depth.
• MAL Rating: 7.8
• Episodes: 12
• Studio: Satelight, Hornets

14. Bungou Stray Dogs (2016)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Orphan Atsushi joins a detective agency of supernatural ability users, battling mafia and guilds while confronting his own destructive power.
• Similarities: Team-based heroics and power-based conflicts akin to DC ensembles, with noir-style storytelling.
• MAL Rating: 7.8
• Episodes: 61+
• Studio: Bones

15. Full Metal Panic! (2002)

• Streaming: Crunchyroll
• Plot: Mercenary Sousuke protects high schooler Kaname from terrorists, balancing mecha battles with comedic culture clashes.
• Similarities: Sousuke’s tactical genius mirrors Batman, while Kaname’s hidden powers evoke Supergirl’s latent abilities.
• MAL Rating: 7.8
• Episodes: 24
• Studio: Gonzo
• Notable Staff: Adapted from Shoji Gatoh’s novels.

Why These Anime Work for Superman/Batman: Apocalypse Fans

These series resonate by embracing power as a double-edged sword—whether it’s Casshern’s immortality or Yuna’s self-destructive magic. Like Kara’s journey, they prioritize character evolution over plot convenience, often placing underdogs against systemic corruption (e.g., From the New World’s dystopia). Crucially, they subvert superhero tropes: Tiger & Bunny mocks commercialization, while Kaze no Stigma reframes magic as a burden. Their animation styles—from Space Patrol Luluco’s hyper-stylized chaos to Casshern Sins’ bleak beauty—complement thematic depth, proving heroism thrives beyond mainstream acclaim. For fans seeking Superman/Batman’s blend of spectacle and soul, these hidden gems deliver.