Based on the incredible Manga of the same name, Berserk is the story of Guts, who has been raised by a band of mercenaries, but has to flee for his life after he kills his mentor in the act of self-defense. The anime was keen to stay close to the source material, making Berserk a beloved series. You may have a gap in your life after watching it, so here are 10 exciting anime shows like Berserk.
10. Gungarve (2003)
Brandon and Harry are best friends that leave their easy life of womanizing and hanging out with each other to join the ranks of Big Daddy’s crime syndicate, which is probably not the best of decisions. The nonlinear story follows the characters in a bizarre, violent tale of guns, monsters, and death.
Everyone is a bad guy, betrayal is always around the corner, and survival is the only option. The themes of brotherhood and loyalty are the light source in this dark fantasy, tonally similar to Berserk.
9. Akame ga Kill! (2014)
There are twenty-four episodes of this action adventure to work your way through. This often underrated tale follows Tatsumi, a young boy from the countryside that wants to join the army.
However, his plans come undone, and he is betrayed by a woman that cons him out of his money and ends up on the streets. Another woman eventually shelters him; however, he is visited by a group of assassins called Night Raid at the house he is staying in.
He decides that his destiny lies with this group, not the army, and his life is changed forever. Great characters and stunning battle scenes put this on the same shelf as Berserk.
8. Ninja Scroll (1993)
Written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, this violent action fantasy did better in the US than in Japan. The story follows a nomadic Samurai called Jubei that joins forces with a ninja girl named Kagero, the only survivor of a group of Ninjas that is wiped out investigating a plague-ridden town. There are some great action set pieces here and some very memorable villains that elevate this story making it a must-watch for fans of Berserk.
7. Gantz (2004)
Near death, experiences bring together a disparate group of people, along with a mysterious entity called Gantz. If they want to live, they have to follow Gantz’s instructions, including missions to hunt down and kill aliens operating on Earth.
This high-concept sci-fi premise comes from Manga of the same name and is definitely for mature viewers and readers. Violent and controversial, this may not be for everyone, but if you liked Berserk, you may want to check it out, but tread carefully.
6. Fist Of The North Star (1984)
Fans of Manga and anime may already be aware of this franchise, set in a post-apocalyptic world with one of the most well-loved protagonists in anime history. Kenshiro can inflict a lot of damage on you, courtesy of the 708 pressure points in your body, and he is not afraid to do it as he dispenses justice in a world where survival is paramount. Violent and over the top, this property may look slightly dated now, but this should be on the list as it is classic, influential, and worth a look.
5. Monster (2004)
Dr. Kenzo Tenma is a very talented neurosurgeon who is challenged when a young boy and his twin sister are brought in after a terrible family incident.
However, the mayor has also been brought to the hospital, Kenzo has to make a moral judgment call over who to save, and he holds the young boy, and the mayor dies.
This unfortunate situation sets a series of events in motion that threatens to destroy Kenzo as he slowly starts to lose everything in his life that is important to him. This is an intricate and carefully scripted story that is engaging and satisfying. Breaking new ground, this is a highly rated, loved series, and we do not doubt it should be on our list.
4. Jin-Roh The Wolf Brigade (1999)
Set ten years after the end of World War II, an anti-terror policeman Fuse fails to prevent a young suicide bomber from detonating her bomb. The incident led to his being suspended from duties.
When trying to learn more about her background, he meets her sister and makes a connection. They find themselves drawn into the complex politics of the police and the counter-terrorism commando unit ‘Jin Roh’ and become embroiled in a dark, depressing downward spiral that subverts the usual anime tropes.
Although tonally different from Berserk, we still think you should watch it.
3. Devilman Crybaby (2018)
This is a Netflix original series based on Go Nagai’s Manga and, again, is not for the faint of heart, with graphic nudity, gore, and sexual themes putting it in a similar league with Berserk. The premise Devilman Crybaby also has two male friends, Akira and Ryo, just like Guts and Griffith. Plenty of grotesque designs and possession in this ten-episode run that fans of the genre need to check out.
2. Claymore (2007)
Claymore shares a similar period and tone to Berserk. Our female protagonist Clare is the master of a magnificent sword, identical to the Dragon Slayer blade Gut wields. Plenty of gore, violence, and demons puts this series of twenty-six episodes into the higher echelons and is one of the entries on the list that we think fans of Berserk will enjoy.
1. Blade Of The Immortal: Immortal (2008)
Once again, the similar time period and violent action earn this series a place on our list. In medieval Japan, a master swordsman is cursed by a witch and gains immortality. However, after many years of wandering the Earth, he grows weary of his gift and asks her to make him mortal again. The bargain, of course, comes with a price, and he must kill 1000 men to receive his mortality again. The premise is similar to Berserk, with both main protagonists being cursed, so this fits in and becomes our final entry.
Do you have any other recommendations for Anime Shows like Berserk? Let us know!
