10 Books/Manga Like Deadman Wonderland
Deadman Wonderland is a manga known for its gritty tone, brutal world, and compelling cast. It’s written and illustrated by Jinsei Kataoka & Kazuma Kondou. The story follows Ganta, a boy who gets sent to a prison-like amusement park called Deadman Wonderland after being accused of murdering his classmates. Ganta must do everything in his power to survive while finding a way to clear his name and bring the true culprit he deems the “Redman” to justice.
If you’re in the mood for more action-packed and supernatural-themed books/manga that offer a similar vibe, fear not! We’ve gathered together 10 books/manga to check out when you’ve caught up with Deadman Wonderland. Of course, if you feel we’ve missed any of your favorites, do comment below and let us know!
Tokyo Ghoul – Sui Ishida
Similarities – Characters, Action, Supernatural
Tokyo Ghoul was once a dominant series in the manga and anime world. It took the world by storm with an enticing gothic art style, fascinating cast, and horrifically brutal setting. The story follows Ken Kaneki, a college student who goes on a date with a woman named Rize. He ends up in the hospital and learns he’s become a half-human and ghoul monstrosity.
Kaneki must live with the fact that he can’t return to the life he once lived. Like Ganta, Kaneki is another protagonist who has his life changed after a dramatic encounter with a supernatural figure. He’ll endure severe physical and mental pain caused by this individual but will grow past these issues. Both stories feature intense violence and fascinating design work too.
If you’re interested in another story with a dark world and a protagonist who starts off meek but becomes mature over time, check this out.
Akame Ga Kill – Takahiro
Similarities – Action, Adventure, Dark Settings
Akame Ga Kill is a fascinating fantasy series that bears a resemblance to Deadman Wonderland in certain ways. Both stories center around a protagonist who traverses through a location run by corrupt governmental figures. They’ll be joined by charismatic and slightly chaotic figures who assist with their maturation, confidence, and fighting ability.
Moreover, both tales touch upon themes of revenge and trauma. Akame Ga Kill’s Tatsumi must cope with many of his allies’ deaths. This will push him to change his ways to protect others from similar fates. Like Ganta, Tatsumi receives substantial power boosts over time that’ll lend him assistance in battles against formidable adversaries.
The battles themselves can get gruesome, so it’s best to read this series if you’re okay with explicit imagery and gore.
Elfen Lied – Lynn Okamoto
Similarities – Psychological, Action, Supernatural
Lynn Okamoto’s Elfen Lied is known for being a walking pile of gore and beauty. It takes place at a government building where our protagonist Lucy happens to reside. She’s a Diclonius, a human with strong telekinetic abilities. One day, Lucy goes on a rampage and escapes. However, she ends up bumping her head in the process, resulting in her having a split personality.
She’ll wash ashore on a beach and meet two naive college students who’ll take her in without realizing they are now a part of a huge government conspiracy. Like Deadman Wonderland, Elfen Lied delves into topics involving trauma, death, and human experimentation. Lucy’s alternate personality Nyu evokes the same carefree yet dangerous energy as Deadman Wonderland’s Shiro.
Moreover, both tales can get insanely intense with their depictions of gore. If you want to read Elfen Lied, it’s best to go into it with a full stomach.
Gantz – Hiroya Oku
Similarities – Action, Horror, Psychological
If you’re a fan of Deadman Wonderland’s death game-like premise, then Gantz will satisfy you. Our story follows Kei, a boy who gets roped into a death game. He must fight numerous monsters to test his will to live and improve his decision-making skills. As he completes numerous tasks, Kei develops a killer complex that will change the way he approaches murder.
Deadman Wonderland and Gantz are series known for their lack of lighthearted material. Like Kataoka and Kandou, Oku prioritizes character studies and adores placing their characters in depressing scenarios to give readers reasons to sympathize with them. Both stories contain nightmarish depictions of their characters.
From creepy character expressions and reactions, you’ll be horrified by the content both series’s creators insert into their respective works. Give Gantz a read if you love terrifying battle royale-themed tales.
Ajin: Demi-Human – Gamon Sakurai
Similarities – Themes, Supernatural, Characters
Ajin: Demi-Human is another horrific tale where a human’s life is changed after a traumatic accident. This tale follows Kei, a boy who gets involved in a truck accident and ends up becoming a supernatural being called an Ajin. Like Ganta, Kei cannot return to the life he once cherished and must navigate his world knowing that he has a large target on his back.
Moreover, both tales contain splendid visuals that bring out their story’s respective horror vibes. From the creepy character expressions in Deadman Wonderland to the otherworldly designs of Ajin’s Ajin, you’ll appreciate the level of detail that went into creating these worlds. With its shared theme of morality and survival, Ajin: Demi-Human is a must-read for Deadman Wonderland fans.
Fort of Apocalypse – Yuu Kuraishi
Similarities – Psychological, Horror, Action
Yuu Kuraishi’s Fort of Apocalypse is a zombie-themed horror manga that shares many things in common with Deadman Wonderland. Like Deadman Wonderland, this tale follows a convict who must work together with other inmates to survive. In its protagonist Yoshiaki Maeda’s case, he’ll need to fight off zombies while Ganta must fight off opposing prisoners and beings in his prison.
Nonetheless, both tales harbor enemies with a sensational urge for violence. Kataoka, Kondou, and Kuraishi excel at giving their secondary characters splendid personalities and moments to help them stand toe to toe with their protagonists regarding memorability and intrigue. You’ll adore seeing Ganta and Yoshiaki form truces with their inmates and fight alongside them.
If you’re after another series with a prison setting and supernatural theme, check out Fort of Apocalypse.
Btooom! – Junya Inoue
Similarities – Setting, Action, Themes
Btooom! is another gut-wrenching action series with a similar premise as Deadman Wonderland. It involves its protagonist Ryouta finding himself on an island where he must compete in bloody fights against other unlucky contestants. Like Ganta and Shiro, Ryouta teams up with a female who shares his views. Together, they’ll attempt to flee the island and stop the culprit who sent them here.
Like Deadman Wonderland, Btooom delves into the moral complexities that arise in extreme survival situations. The characters in both series get pushed to their breaking points and must make difficult choices that conflict with their beliefs. This exploration of morality adds depth to both stories’s characters, allowing readers to consider the lengths one would go to in order to live.
With added twists and turns at every corner, Btooom! is a suspenseful roller coaster that’ll keep you hooked.
Doubt — Yoshiki Tonogai
Similarities – Psychological & Horror
Alice in Borderland – Haro Aso
Similarities – Themes, Action, Suspense
Another thrilling and unforgettable survival game story awaits you with Haro Aso’s Alice In Borderland. Like Deadman Wonderland, Alice in Borderland captivates readers with its intense death game-like plot. Alice In Borderland revolves around a group of teens who get transported to a deserted island to compete in a dangerous event.
This mirrors the situation Ganta’s situation in Deadman Wonderland. Furthermore, the characters in both manga must make difficult choices that will force them to confront their own values and beliefs. For instance, Alice In Borderland’s cast will make choices that will test their empathy, compassion, and self-preservation.
This echoes how Ganta is constantly pushed to his limits and must grapple with the notion of harming people. These moral matters add depth to the stories and highlight the complex nature of survival.
Definitely give Alice In Borderland a read if you love death games with well-written characters.
Smokin’ Parade – Jinsei Kataoka & Kazuma Kandou
Similarities – Characters, Supernatural, Action
Deadman Wonderland isn’t the only work from Jinsei Katoka and Kazuma Kandou you should read. Enter Smokin’ Parade is another manga from this duo that’s dark and action-packed. With its grim atmosphere, survival focus, and like-minded protagonists, Smokin’ Paradise will satisfy Deadman Wonderland fans.
In Smokin’ Parade, we follow Youkou, a young man who joins a group known as the Jackalopes who are deadset on hunting monsters called Lords. Like Ganta, Youkou has access to supernatural abilities that’ll assist him in fighting formidable opponents to ensure his survival. This commonality adds to both series’s supernatural aspects and intensifies their stories’ high-stakes nature.
Moreover, Youkou and Ganta are protagonists who are forced to make decisions that blur the lines between good and evil. In Smokin’ Parade, Youkou questions the purity of his actions as he hunts and murders Lords. Similarly, Ganta must test his own moral compass by physically harming fellow inmates for the prison’s fans and higher-ups’ enjoyment.
So there we have it, our 10 books/manga to read after you’re caught up with Deadman Wonderland.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!