Dark fantasy has long been one of the most popular genres in anime, and is only becoming bigger thanks to a recent trend of more mature stories appearing in magazines likeWeekly Shōnen Jumpin Japan. However, when most fans think of the genre, the first title that typically comes to mind isBerserk.
The masterpiece series by the late Kentaro Miurais one of the most successful and influential the medium has ever seen, and those who stumble across it rarely ever forget it.Berserkis haunting, gritty, brutal, but also deeply moving and inspiring.
There aren’t many stories in fiction quite like it, but there are some that capture similar elements. These anime titles could never replaceBerserk, but they’ll do the job of filling the void for fans once they’ve finished it.
10Claymore
Animated by Madhouse, Based on the Manga by Norihiro Yagi
Medieval fantasy is incredibly common in anime and manga, though in the age of power fantasy isekai, there aren’t many titles that take the setting as seriously as some used to. One classic title that does, however, isClaymore, based on the long-running manga series of the same name by Norihiro Yagi.
Set on an island where humans are threatened by shape-shifting demonic creatures called Yoma, an organization of half-human, half-Yoma hybrids are tasked with fighting them.Claymoreis an action-packed dark fantasy affair with emotional depth and complex characters—perfect for fans ofBerserk.
Unfortunately, the anime only partially covers the manga’s version of events, but that won’t be anything new toBerserkfans.
9Made in Abyss
Animated by Kinema Citrus, Based on the Manga by Akihito Tsukushi
Berserkfans will undoubtedly be drawn to a dark, gritty aesthetic, and might take one look atMade in Abyssbefore instantly writing it off. However, the bright, bubbly art style of the series isn’t exactly a great representation of the sort of story at hand.Made in Abyss, as a coming of age, dark fantasy adventure series,is downright disturbing at times.
The series follows an orphaned girl named Riko and her half-robot companion Reg as they travel down the titular abyss in search of Riko’s lost mother. There, they make a number of disturbing discoveries, and no matter how accustomed to violence fans ofBerserkmight think they are, the situation becomes very different when children are involved.
Nevertheless,Made in Abyssis a moving story about the loss of innocence, the nature of humanity, and the danger of greed and unchecked ambition.
8Attack on Titan
Animated by Wit Studio and MAPPA, Based on the Manga by Hajime Isayama
Few shows have enjoyed more success thanAttack on Titanhas over the past 15 years. Though the series trades the familiar swords, shields, and magic for ODM gear and large-scale titan clashes,the violence and dark nature ofAttack on Titan’s worldshould appeal to fans ofBerserkall the same.
In many ways, Eren Yeager reads a bit like an inverted Guts—a sort of what-if, hadBerserk’s protagonist lost himself entirely in his rage and revenge aspirations rather than cling on to his humanity.Attack on Titanis one of the most popular titles of the 21st century for a reason, andBerserkfans will certainly find something to love in its world and characters.
7Ninja Scroll
Animated by Animate Film, Original Anime Movie
Nothing speaks toBerserkfans quite like lone, wandering swordsmen, and the ’90s saw the arrival of another in the vein of Guts inthe 1993 stand-alone filmNinja Scroll. The movie follows Kibagame Jubei, a mercenary during Japan’s Edo period, who fights otherworldly ninjas after saving the life of a young woman named Kagero.
Ninja Scrollis dark, moody, and unapologetically violent, and should land nicely with viewers who enjoyed Guts' lone survival in a world that wanted nothing more than to break him. A sequel series was produced by the illustrious studio Madhouse in 2003, and follows Jubei through further supernatural conflicts.
6Re:Zero
Animated by White Fox, Based on the Novel Series by Tappei Nagatsuki
Some fans ofBerserk, or dark fantasy in general for that matter, might be tempted to roll their eyes at the mention of isekai, butRe:Zerois a series that explores what might happen if the transported main character’s life doesn’t exactly become sunshine and rainbows.
Where other protagonists in the genre leave their sad lives behind and take on the undeserved role of the hero,Re:Zero’sSubaru Natsuki is even more helpless in his fantasy worldthan he ever was before, and is forced to endure repeated, horrific violence until he finds a way to avoid death.
It might not be entirely reminiscent ofBerserk, but the struggle of living in a dark fantasy setting is on full display inRe:Zero.
5Devilman Crybaby
Animated by Science Saru, Based on the Manga by Go Nagai
Go Nagai’sDevilmanmanga series is one of the most influential in the dark fantasy genre, and 2018’sDevilman Crybabywas studio Science Saru’s attempt at taking that story and setting it in the present day. The series is as dark, shocking, brutal, and violent as fans ofBerserkcould ever want, all while telling a story about humans fighting demons.
The series follows best friends Ryo and Akira, after the latter takes on demonic powers and becomes the titular Devilman.Devilman Crybabyremains one of Netflix’s most acclaimed anime series, though a fair warning is owed to viewers about its overly graphic content.
4Chainsaw Man
Animated by MAPPA, Based on the Manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto
It might be strange for fans ofBerserkto imagine, but Guts andChainsaw Man’s Denji are somewhat similar. Both lived cursed lives, and were molded into weapons at an early age, before they knew much about how the world worked. Though Denji might be a bit crude compared to the ever-endearing Guts, both are simply trying to survive a world that wants them dead.
Chainsaw Manis chaotic, violent, and unapologetically badass, and though its protagonist might come off a bit hollow in its earliest sections, it doesn’t take long for the seriesto reveal his redeeming qualities. If Guts had been placed in 1990s Tokyo, rather than the medieval world he inhabits, he and Denji might not have turned out very different at all.
3Hellsing Ultimate
Animated by Satelight, Madhouse, and Graphinica, Based on the Manga by Kouta Hirano
Hellsingditches the medieval fantasy setting in favor of 1999 England, and rather than having a human protagonist battle with supernatural forces, it places a vampire in the leading role. Those familiar with the story ofDraculawill recognize names like Alucard and Van Helsing, but the series uses them in largely unexpected ways.
Alucard is defeated by and pledges loyalty to the Van Helsing family, and as a result protects England from both human and demonic threats.Hellsing Ultimateis action-packed, dark, gritty, and violent, and is theultimate adaptation of the series' gothic source material, following the disappointment of 2001’sHellsinganime.
2Vampire Hunter D
Animated by Epic/Sony Records and Madhouse, Based on the Novel Series by Hideyuki Kikuchi
Sticking with the theme of vampires, theVampire Hunter Dfilms, based on the long-running and highly successful light novel series of the same name, bring along the grittiness and retro visual aesthetic fans ofBerserkshould find no trouble vibing with.
The movies follow the half-human, half-vampire hunter named D, who is forced to fight vicious foes while grappling with his own inner conflict about his nature. The second of the two movies,Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, features a far more polished, straightforward, and darker narrative with impressive visuals, andremains a cult classic 25 years on from its premiere.
1Dororo
Animated by Tezuka Productions and MAPPA, Based on the Manga by Osamu Tezuka
2019’sDororois the ultimate take on the 1967 manga series by the father of anime himself, Osamu Tezuka. The series follows a ronin named Hyakkimaru, who, as a child, was sacrificed to demons by his father, and became severely disfigured as a result. Discovered by doctors who fitted him with prostheses, Hyakkimaru sets off on a revenge quest against the demons who wronged him.
Fans ofBerserkwon’t have to be told why they might enjoy a story likeDororo, and Tezuka Productions alongside studio MAPPA did the series justice with their 2019 adaptation, effectively bringingDororointo the modern age 50 years after its original adaptation debuted.
Dororo
Cast
Dororo (2019) is a Japanese anime series based on Osamu Tezuka’s classic manga. Set in the Sengoku period, it follows the journey of Hyakkimaru, a young samurai whose body parts were sacrificed to demons by his father in exchange for power, and Dororo, a young thief. Together, they seek to recover Hyakkimaru’s stolen body parts by defeating the demons that possess them.
