Tokyo Revengers captured anime fans with its gritty street-gang setting, intense emotional stakes, and time-bending narrative that blends delinquent drama with heartfelt character arcs. Its core themes—power struggles, underdog redemption, and subverted genre tropes—make it stand out in the shōnen scene. Yet, there’s a whole roster of overlooked anime that offer similar vibes without the mainstream spotlight.
From older gems to recent under-the-radar hits, here are 15 underrated series that echo the emotional depth, intense confrontations, and unconventional storytelling that Tokyo Revengers fans love.
1. Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin (2010)
Streaming: HIDIVE
Episodes: 26
MAL Rating: 8.48
Studio: Madhouse
Awards: 14th Japan Media Arts Festival Jury Recommended Work
Plot: Set in post-WWII Japan, seven teens in a reform school endure brutal treatment while forging an unbreakable bond. Their struggle for survival and justice shapes their adulthood.
Similarities: Like Tokyo Revengers, it explores loyalty among young men in high-stakes, often violent environments. Both use flashbacks and time jumps to heighten emotional payoff.
2. Banana Fish (2018)
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Episodes: 24
MAL Rating: 8.48
Studio: MAPPA
Plot: A New York street gang leader uncovers a conspiracy tied to a drug called “Banana Fish,” leading him into a web of crime, betrayal, and personal loss.
Similarities: Gritty gang conflicts, emotional bonds between characters, and tragic stakes mirror Tokyo Revengers’ mix of action and raw emotion.
3. Saraiya Goyou (House of Five Leaves) (2010)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 12
MAL Rating: 7.84
Studio: Manglobe
Plot: A timid rōnin becomes entangled with a gang of morally ambiguous kidnappers, questioning his own values.
Similarities: Understated tension, layered characters, and moral ambiguity parallel Takemichi’s evolving view of gang life.
4. 91 Days (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
Episodes: 12
MAL Rating: 7.81
Studio: Shuka
Plot: Set in Prohibition-era America, a young man infiltrates the mafia to avenge his family’s murder.
Similarities: Revenge-driven plot, calculated infiltration, and slow-burning character development evoke the emotional intensity of Tokyo Revengers.
5. Re:␣Hamatora (2014)
Streaming: HIDIVE
Episodes: 12
MAL Rating: 6.96
Studio: Lerche
Plot: A group of detectives with supernatural abilities investigates cases tied to a dangerous conspiracy.
Similarities: Combines stylized action with a central mystery, much like Tokyo Revengers’ blend of fights and suspenseful twists.
6. Ergo Proxy (2006)
Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
Episodes: 23
MAL Rating: 7.90
Studio: Manglobe
Plot: In a post-apocalyptic domed city, an inspector investigates a string of murders linked to sentient androids.
Similarities: Dark, atmospheric storytelling and a mystery that shifts perceptions—similar to Tokyo Revengers’ layered reveals.
7. Gangsta. (2015)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Episodes: 12
MAL Rating: 7.39
Studio: Manglobe
Plot: Two “Handymen” take jobs for both gangs and police in a city where corruption runs deep.
Similarities: Crime-world intrigue, morally grey protagonists, and brutal street-level conflicts parallel Tokyo Revengers’ raw gang drama.
8. Texhnolyze (2003)
Streaming: HIDIVE
Episodes: 22
MAL Rating: 7.76
Studio: Madhouse
Plot: In a decaying underground city, a fighter with cybernetic limbs becomes a pawn in a war for control.
Similarities: Depicts violent underworld politics with a slow-burn narrative, akin to Tokyo Revengers’ gang power dynamics.
9. Shonan Junai Gumi (1994)
Streaming: DVD release only
Episodes: 5 (OVA)
MAL Rating: 7.36
Studio: Studio Pierrot
Plot: Two teenage bikers try to clean up their act while navigating street fights and romantic mishaps.
Similarities: Prequel to Great Teacher Onizuka, it shares delinquent humor and the camaraderie that defines Tokyo Revengers.
10. Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens (2018)
Streaming: Funimation
Episodes: 12
MAL Rating: 7.39
Studio: Satelight
Plot: In a city full of hitmen, detectives, and vigilantes, a strange alliance forms to take down a shared enemy.
Similarities: Combines quirky characters with violent underworld themes, echoing the gang rivalries in Tokyo Revengers.
11. Bokura no (Ours) (2007)
Streaming: HIDIVE
Episodes: 24
MAL Rating: 7.63
Studio: Gonzo
Plot: A group of children is forced to pilot a giant robot in battles that cost them their lives.
Similarities: Shares Tokyo Revengers’ emotional gut-punches and focus on sacrifice for a greater cause.
12. Akagi (2005)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 26
MAL Rating: 8.06
Studio: Madhouse
Plot: A fearless young man dives into the dangerous world of high-stakes mahjong, facing off against deadly opponents.
Similarities: Strategic tension and mental warfare parallel the tactical elements of Tokyo Revengers’ gang battles.
13. Michiko & Hatchin (2008)
Streaming: Funimation
Episodes: 22
MAL Rating: 7.85
Studio: Manglobe
Plot: A free-spirited woman breaks out of prison to rescue a girl from her abusive foster family, leading to a road trip of survival.
Similarities: Themes of found family, loyalty, and rebellion against harsh systems reflect Tokyo Revengers’ heart.
14. Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail (2010)
Streaming: HIDIVE
Episodes: 5 (OVA)
MAL Rating: 8.16
Studio: Madhouse
Plot: A deadly maid seeks revenge in the lawless city of Roanapur, igniting brutal gang conflicts.
Similarities: Gritty gang politics and explosive confrontations align with Tokyo Revengers’ violent stakes.
15. Baccano! (2007)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Episodes: 16
MAL Rating: 8.37
Studio: Brain’s Base
Plot: A chaotic mix of immortals, gangsters, and thieves collide in a non-linear, action-packed story.
Similarities: Multi-perspective storytelling, stylish violence, and intersecting gang plots mirror Tokyo Revengers’ layered chaos.
Why These Anime Work for Tokyo Revengers Fans
Each of these anime offers the same emotional stakes, gang-centric drama, and evolving character arcs that make Tokyo Revengers a standout. They lean into themes of loyalty, sacrifice, moral ambiguity, and personal growth—whether through gritty realism, stylized violence, or unconventional storytelling structures. For fans hungry for stories where bonds are forged in fire and every decision can change the course of a life, these hidden gems deliver.
