Who doesn’t like anime, right? The young generation is a fan of these animated series, and the animes of various genres have definitely gained a huge fan base over the course of years. However, there are certain animes that make their mark and establish themselves as the parameter for judging other animes. One such anime is Berserk, which is one of the most popular animes.
Since Berserk is liked by several people, we bring to you a list of 20 anime like Berserk that will definitely give you chills and thrills.
20. Devil May Cry (2007)
- Director: Shin Itagaki
- Writer: Toshiki Inoue
- Cast: Toshiyuki Morikawa, Atsuko Tanaka, Fumico Orikasa, Misato Fukuen, Akio Otsuka
- IMDb Ratings: 7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platform: Hulu, Disney +
The series Devil May Cry is based on the manga series of the same name and revolves around Dante, a half-demon, half-human who works as a demon hunter. He has his own devil-hunting business named Devil May Cry, and this half-human demon hunter has his own techniques but is in constant financial debt. Two characters named Morrison and Patty Lowell are also introduced, who have their own specific roles to play in Dante’s life.
Each episode had its own self-contained stories and depicted the complex interplay between the demons and humans as well as the life of an entity that is both.
19. Akame Ga Kill (2014)
- Director: Tomoki Kobayashi
- Writer: Makoto Uezu
- Cast: Soma Saito, Sora Amamiya, Yukari Tamura, Yu Asakawa, Simphiwe Radebe
- IMDb Ratings: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platform: Hulu Plus
Akame Ga Kill is one of the famous animes like Berserk and depicts the life of Tatsumi, a young boy who travels to the capital city in order to raise money for his village. However, he joins an assassin group known by the name of Night Raid, which fights against the corruption and injustices of the government.
Tatsumi also joins the Genuis Snipers and serves along with Sheele, a fierce young girl committed to eradicating societal injustice, and Nagenda, a former employee of the Emperor.
18. Ninja Scroll (2003)
- Director: Tatsuo Sato
- Writer: Toshiki Inoue
- Cast: Rikiya Koyama, Houko Kuwashima, Romi Park, Yuzuru Fujimoto, Hideyuki Tanaka, Joji Nakata, Rica Matsumoto, Seizo Kato, Ouji Hiroi
- IMDb Ratings: 6.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platforms: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Amazon Prime
The story of Kouga Ninja Scrolls depicts the life of Jubei Kibagami, who is a mercenary Ninja in feudal Japan. He is given the duty to protect a relished and fabled relic called the Dragon Stone. He has to protect the owner Shigure, the light maiden, and the relic from the attacks of the enemies.
Hiroko and Kimon clan forces are behind the priced relic for their own benefit, and Tsubute, a petty thief, also join this force, and Dakuan, a spy of the government.
17. Jin Roh: The Wolf Brigade (2000)
- Director: Hiroyuki Okiura
- Writer: Mamoru Oshii
- Cast: Yoshikatsu Fujiki, Sumi Mutoh, Hiroyuki Kinoshita
- IMDb Ratings: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 55%
- Streaming Platform: Tubi
Jin Roh: The Wolf Brigade is one of the best anime like Berserk and depicts the story of Kazuki Fuze, a member of the anti-terrorism squad. Set in the backdrop of world war II, Fuse confronts his humanity in lieu of several events that occur. Eventually, it is revealed that the incidents that put the group and Fuze’s reputation at stake were a move by the opposition forces.
Fuze goes on to join the Wolf Brigade, and in order to save his group and himself, he has to take certain calls that would forever jeopardize his humanity.
16. Claymore (2007)
- Director: Hiroyuki Tanaka,
- Writer: Yasuko Kobayashi
- Cast: Todd Haberkorn, Houko Kuwashima, Motegi Takagi, Toru Nara, Trina Nishimura, Yuichi Nakamura
- IMDb Ratings: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platform: Hulu
The series is one of the most loved series and is like Berserk in many aspects. The series follows the life of Clare, a half-human, half-yoma hybrid. She takes on a shapeshifting demon who is hungered for human flesh, and her sole task is to eliminate these monsters. As Raki’s family is killed, a lost Raki joins Clare in his fight against the youma side.
As the young pair of friends take on these monsters in their travels across different cities across the world, their group expands as new characters join them to finally reach the one Youma that Clare has to seek vengeance upon.
15. Devilman Crybaby (2018)
- Director: Masaaki Yuasa
- Writer: Ichiro Okouchi
- Cast: Koki Uchiyama, Ayumu Murase, Megumi Han, Ami Koshimizu, Atsuko Tanaka, Rikiya Koyama
- IMDb Ratings: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Devilman Crybaby is an anime like Berserk that follows the story of a young boy Akira who is influenced by his friend to join with the devil as the devils are back to take back earth from humans. Even though Akira transforms into a demon with much more powers, his soul is still human. Akira sets on a war against evil.
With humans already in a state of paranoia with the ongoing war across the world, Akira is determined to save other hybrids like himself.
14. Hellsing: Ultimate (2006)
- Director: Tomokazu Tokoro, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Yasuhiro Matsumura, Kenichi Suzuki
- Writer: Yosuke Kuroda
- Cast: Jouji Nakata, Fumiko Orikasa, Kaori Mizuhashi, Norio Wakamoto, Hiroaki Hirata
- IMDb Ratings: 8.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Hellsing Ultimate is another anime series that is like Berserk and is very popular. Helsing Ultimate is based on the manga of the same name and depicts the story of the Royal Order of Protestant Knight, sponsored by the British monarchy, that was led by Integra Hellsing. She is assisted by Alucaz and Walter as the group takes on the mission to eliminate the evil forces across the world that are a threat to their people and the queen.
London is the witness to a great three-sided war between the Millenium, Hellsing, and Vatican Section XII, each invested with their own objectives of revenge. The Millenium wants to eliminate the vampires to settle a feud that happened centuries ago.
13. Gungrave (2003)
- Director: Tomokazu Tokoro, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Yasuhiro Matsumura, Kenichi Suzuki
- Writer: Yosuke Kuroda
- Cast: Jouji Nakata, Fumiko Orikasa, Kaori Mizuhashi, Norio Wakamoto, Hiroaki Hirata
- IMDb Ratings: 7.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platform: Hulu
Gungrave is a similar anime to Berserk that depicts the story of Brandon Heat, who is killed by his best friend MacDowell 13 years ago. However, he is reborn with the help of necrolyzation from Beyond The Grave and is on a mission to destroy the crime syndicate who betrayed him.
The series depicts the young days of Harry and Brandon and traces their friendship from the early days, their rise in the criminal world, and their eventual fallout.
12. Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls (2018)
- Director: Fumitomo Kizaki
- Writer: Yasuyuki Muto
- Cast: Inori Minase, Tasuku Hatanaka, Nana Mizuki, Yui Horie, Shinichiro Miki
- IMDb Ratings: 7.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platform: Hulu
Basilisk is one of the most amazing animes like Berserk that has managed to gain a wide fanbase. The series is set in ancient Japan under the military system where two Ninja clans, Iga and Kouga, are engaged in a deadly battle. After a pact is set, many years later, the pact is broken again as the Japanese government seems to be in a state of dismissal due to clashes amongst the eligible heirs.
As the clans are ready to take over one another, young lovers Gennosuke and Oboro, who belong to the rival clans, have to make a decision. They will have to choose love and sacrifice their clan or sacrifice love and save their clan.
11. Afro Samurai (2007)
- Director: Fuminori Kizaki
- Writer: Derek Draper, Chris Yoo, Yasuyuki Muto, Tomohiro Yamashita
- Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Kelly Hu, Ron Perlman, Jeff Bennett, Steve Blum, S. Scott Bullock, Terence C Carson, Grey DeLisle
- IMDb Ratings: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Set in future Japan, Afro Samurai is an anime-like berserk that revolves around the story of Afro, who vows revenge against Justice, the owner of Headband 2, who is responsible for his father’s death. Afro eventually gets the number 2 headband but seeks the Number 1 headband to become the greatest warrior and bring peace to mankind.
On the other hand, Jinno, a follower of Justice, seeks vengeance on Afro. How will the story unfold, and will Justice be resurrected are some questions whose answers the audience might seek.
10. Attack on Titan (2013)
- Director: Tetsuro Araki, Masashi Koizuka, Yuichiro Hayashi, Jun Shishido
- Writer: Yasuko Kobayashi, Hiroshi Seko, Shintaro Kawakubo
- Cast: Yuki Kaji, Yui Ishikawa, Hiroshi Kamiya, Trina Nishimura
- IMDb Ratings: 9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96
- Streaming Platform: Hulu, Crunchyroll, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
This is one of the most loved anime, and it revolves around a time when the giant and monstrous titans come to earth and is shut behind barriers by humans. However, things change drastically when the Titans break free of the barriers and enter the safe zone of humans. Elen Jaeger, a soldier, vows to kill every titan after his mother is killed by them.
Elen and his friends form a crew, and they put up a great fight against these creatures, and this group is the last hope of humanity.
9. Fist Of the North Star (1984)
- Director: Toyoo Ashida
- Writer: Hiroshi Toda
- Cast: Akira Kamiya, Shigeru Chiba, Teiyu Ichiryusai
- IMDb Ratings: 7.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Fist of the North Star is based on the manga of the same name and is set in a post-apocalyptic world. With the human population almost wiped out, the story follows the journey of Kenshiro, who takes him upon himself to become the savior of the world. Kenshiro is the successor of an ancient martial arts form, Hokuto Shinken, that uses pressure points on the body to kill someone.
Kenshiro confronts his various enemies along with his travel companions Lin and Bat. They also battle against the oppressive Celestial Empress kingdom, which is cruel and powerful.
8. Berserk: Golden Age Arc (2012, 2013)
- Director: Toshiyuki Kubooka
- Writer: Ichiro Okouchi
- Cast: Hiroaki Iwanaga, Takahiro Sakurai, Ayako Takeuchi, Toa Yukinari, Yuki Kaji
- IMDb Ratings: 7.5/10 (Part 1), 7.8/10 (Part 2), 7.8/10 (Part 3)
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Berserk: Golden Age Arc is a film trilogy that has gained quite a lot of attention. The first part is called The Egg of the King, and it follows Guts and his adventures with his master Griffith in The Kingdom of Midland. The second part is known as The Battle for Doldrey, and it follows the fallout of Guts and Griffith and the consequences of their actions.
The third and final part of the trilogy, The Advent, follows the tumultuous journey of Guts, where he tries to free Griffith. However, they meet God’s Hand, and a battle follows that ensures a not-so-good ending for everyone. While Guts and Casca have their own ordeals, Guts is determined to find the Apostles and God’s Hand in order to kill Griffith. The film series has also inspired a game called Band Of The Hawk.
7. X (2001)
- Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
- Writer: Yuki Enatsu
- Cast: Kenichi Suzumura, Mitsuaki Madono, Junchi Suwabe, Ryoka Yuzuki
- IMDb Ratings: 7.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platform: Funimation
X is an anime series based on Clamp’s manga series of the same name and follows Kamui Shiro, who becomes the Dragon of the Earth to protect mankind. His friend Fuma turns his opposite and kills his childhood love Kotori. As deadly combat ensues between the former friends, there are several twists and turns that happen.
In the last, Kamui sacrifices himself and passes on the will to Fuma, whose personality gets restored, and even though the end feels sad, there is always a greater cause behind it.
6. Black Clover (2017)
- Director: Tatsuya Yoshihara, Ayataka Tanemura
- Writer: Kazuyuki Fudeyasu, Kanichi Katou
- Cast: Nana Mizuki, Satoshi Hino, Gakuto Kajiwara, Junichi Suwabe
- IMDb Ratings: 8.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Black Clover is one of the famous anime that follows the life of a young boy named Asta and his friend Yuno. While Asta works on his bodily strength, Yuno is a gifted magical mage. The two friends are set on their own path and have their own share of adventures when they are recruited by the Clover Kingdom. While Asta joins the Black Bulls, Yuno joins the Golden Dawn.
The two friends take on an extremist crew called Eye of the Midnight Sun, who has pledged to destroy the empire. The series depicts the journey of two best friends and their adventures.
5. Blade of the Immortal (2008)
- Director: Koichi Mashimo
- Writer: Hiroyuki Kawasaki
- Cast: Hiroaki Samura, Tomukazu Seki, Keith Silverstein, Erika Toda
- IMDb Ratings: 6.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Blade of the Immortan follows the story of Manji, who is a skilled ronin who sets on a quest to end his agelessness by killing 1000 evil. He is protected by creatures named Sacred Bloodworms. Manji helps a girl named Rin Asano to avenge her parent’s death, and eventually, she forms a dojo called Itto Ryu. Another dojo called Mugai Ryu is formed, and Manji joins them.
Though he has a fallout with a member of the Mugai dojo called Shira, there are some adventures that follow their rivalry.
4. Tokyo Ghoul (2014)
- Director: Shuhei Morita
- Writer: Chuji Mikasano
- Cast: Masataka Kubota, Fumika Shimizu, Nobuyuki Suzuki, Yu Aoi, Hiyori Sakurada, Kai Ogasawara
- IMDb Ratings: 5.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Coming from the genre of Dark Fantasy, Tokyo Ghoul is the story of Ken Kaneki, who encounters a ghoul disguised as his date. As he recovers, he discovers that he has turned into a half-ghoul and now he must accept his new life. He joins the Anteiku, a coffee shop run by other ghouls, and learns how to survive in his new life.
However, reality confronts him when he has to keep his identity hidden from his best friend, and he goes on to join a task force that serves crimes against ghouls.
3. The Twelve Kingdoms (2003)
- Director: Tsuneo Kobayashi, Hiraki Kurihara
- Writer: Sho Aikawa, Seiya Fujima
- Cast: Aya Hisakawa, Takehito Koyasu, Kenichi Suzumura, Kappei Yamaguchi
- IMDb Ratings: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime Video
The story follows Yoko Nakajima, who suddenly encounters a strange man who swears his allegiance to her. Nakajima is taken to another world along with two of her classmates after a fight against demon-like beasts. The friends wander across the land of 12 countries as a fugitive and try to find the purpose of this fate that they are given.
2. Deadman Wonderland (2011)
- Director: Koichiro
- Writer: Yasuyuki Muto
- Cast: Kana Hanazawa, Romi Park, Masayuki Katou, Miyuki Sawashiro, Iori Nomizu
- IMDb Ratings: 7.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
The story follows Ganta Igarashi, a high school student whose life changes when a strange Red Man massacres his entire class, and Ganta is put on trial. He receives a death sentence, and they send him to a theme park prison known as Deadman Wonderland. Ganta has to survive the tricks and tribulations of the prison, and an unknown girl, Shiro, assists him.
As Ganta develops the ability to manipulate his own blood and is known as the Deadmen, he has to find the Red Man in order to clear his name.
1. Bastard!! (1992)
- Director: Katsuhito Akiyama
- Writer: Hiroshi Yamaguchi
- Cast: Daku Shunaida, Yuka Koyama, Tesho Genda, Rei Sakuma, Toshihiko Seki
- IMDb Ratings: 6.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Bastard!! follows the kingdom of Metallicana, which is under attack by the four gods of Havoc. The high priest asks his daughter to awaken the wizard Dark Schneider. Set in a dystopic future world, the series follows a story of vengeance, friendship, drama, and dark fantasy. Dark Schneider has the ability to save the four kingdoms and protect the four seals that keep away the Gods of Destruction.
