Shred Through 10 Other Action-Packed Anime!
Chainsaw Man has been one of the most anticipated shows of the Fall 2022 anime season. With its endless bloodshed, likable characters, and the beautifully animated world, it’s no wonder fans can’t get enough of it. This anime revolves around Denji, a boy whose paying off his father’s debt with his pet sidekick Pochita.
To accomplish their goal, they complete numerous tasks, including slaying devils. All Denji wants is to live a peaceful life. However, his life ends abruptly after the yakuza betrays him for power. This results in Denji’s untimely death, crushing his hopes and dreams. Pochita forms a contract with Denji.
He grants him devil powers, allowing Denji to become Chainsaw Man and another shot at life. Eventually, Denji meets Makima, an elite devil hunter who offers him work and other luxuries in exchange for his services. After accepting her offer, Denji fights alongside other devil hunters to protect their city from devils.
Fear not if you’re having trouble finding anime similar to Chainsaw Man! We’ve discovered 10 alternate shows that’ll give you a similar experience as Chainsaw Man.
Additionally, for each anime we’ve reviewed, we’ve included a link that allows you to view our full thoughts about the series to see if it’s worth your time.
So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet your appetite when you’ve finished streaming Chainsaw Man!
Attack On Titan
Similarities – Dark Worlds & Themes
It’d be hard not to know about Attack On Titan’s immense popularity. Although it used to be worked on by Wit Studio, the anime’s being handled by the same studio that brought Chainsaw Man to life, Studio Mappa. This anime includes excellent plot twists, a captivating narrative, and impeccable animation.
Chainsaw Man and Attack On Titan offer gritty worlds that center around a half-human and beast protagonist. While it doesn’t take Denji as long to unlock his abilities as Eren, these characters utilize their powers in entertaining ways. The fights in Attack On Titan are on par with what you’d find in Chainsaw Man.
Expect to see a lot of violent scenarios take place in this show. While Chainsaw Man has more variety in monster designs than Attack On Titan, the Titans in Attack On Titan evoke a similar sense of fear and angst. If you’re looking for a swell time, check out Attack On Titan.
You can read our thoughts on Attack On Titan in our full-season review here!
Devilman Crybaby
Similarities – Action, Themes, Characters
The Devilman series has gone on to inspire famous works with its captivating tale, intriguing characters, and gritty world. Fans shouldn’t overlook this Netflix reimagining of Go Nagai’s outstanding work. This reimagining is as brutal as the source material and gives fans a refreshing take on Devilman.
Like Denji, Devilman Crybaby’s Akira can transform into the infamous Devilman. He fights numerous demons, each harboring different designs and similar-minded goals. Viewers can expect similar violence in this show, from beheadings to characters breaking crucial bones.
Violence aside, Devilman Crybaby offers some rich dialogue and heartbreaking imagery. Many times in this series, fans will empathize with Akira’s situation. Alongside fighting demons, fans can look forward to seeing Akira struggle to balance his mundane life with his crime-fighting one. Despite its protagonist obtaining superpowers, you’ll see him work to balance his newfound lifestyle with his mundane one.
You can read our thoughts on Devilman Crybaby in our full-season review here!
Parasyte The Maxim
Similarities – Story, Action, Characters
Following the trend of resurrecting old source material for a modern audience, we arrive at Parasyte: The Maxim (Parasyte). Like Chainsaw Man, Parasyte’s Shinichi fights off numerous aliens to protect those around him. To accomplish this task, Shinichi teams up with Migi, who’s a part of the alien race Shinichi must stop.
As the series continues, Shinichi and Migi undergo vast personal growth. Fans will be shocked to see what Migi becomes by the series’ end. This anime excellently develops these characters as individuals and as a team. Fighting aliens aside, this anime offers some interesting side characters that help push Shinichi forward.
The fights in Parasyte can get intense but aren’t as jaw-dropping as the fights you’d find in Chainsaw Man. However, they’re animated well enough to get your adrenaline pumping. Parasyte offers another fascinating tale about fighting supernatural entities; fans shouldn’t overlook it.
You can read our thoughts on Parasyte The Maxim in our full-season review here!
Tokyo Ghoul
Similarities – Characters, Violence, Story
Continuing our trend of hybrid heroes, we follow Kaneki from Tokyo Ghoul. Like Denji, Kaneki experienced a near-death scenario and was saved by beings he’d end up becoming and fighting. This is another anime with a decent narrative, a thrilling world, and gruesome battles.
Tokyo Ghoul was a fine treat for horror and action fans with its vividly gothic art style and visually mind-numbing action scenes. Fans who don’t enjoy bone-cracking or neck-snapping may want to stay away from this show. Kaneki contends with issues outside of fighting other ghouls and mean-spirited officers.
Kaneki will be presented with challenges from his mundane human life that he’ll have to work around. The series does a fine job of delving into Kaneki’s psyche during these moments. Some plot twists and revelations will also bewilder and excite fans. Fans searching for another action-packed and slightly psychological narrative should give Tokyo Ghoul a shot.
Blue Exorcist
Similarities – Characters & Action
Many fans love Blue Exorcist for its dark atmosphere, likable characters, and stellar supernatural fights. Denji and Rin evoke a heroic status and attempt to save anyone from harm. The battles they endure with their enemies are intense. Chainsaw Man leans more into gore than Blue Exorcist does.
Regardless, Blue Exorcist contains enough elements to keep people glued to their screens. Our story revolves around Rin, who gets ambushed by a couple of demons. His life crumbles when he learns that he’s the adopted son of Satan and that his father plans to rise from Hell.
To Satan’s dismay, Rin’s heart isn’t full of hatred. The anime follows Rin’s quest to excel at his exorcist studies while learning how to utilize his demonic powers to defeat his father. The anime revolves around Rin’s development as a person and fighter, but the side characters also receive some attention. This is a demon-slaying adventure people shouldn’t overlook.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Similarities – Supernatural, Action, Characters
From one breakout it to another, Jujutsu Kaisen took the anime community by storm with its stunning visuals, memorable characters, and supernatural aspects. Jujutsu Kaisen’s Yuuji and Gojou exhibit a more appealing master and student relationship than Denji and Makima; these pairings offer some intrigue worth tracking.
Studio Mappa is responsible for Jujutsu Kaisen’s fluid animation and remarkable imagery. Everything about this show looks impeccable and will prevent fans from wanting to seek out another series. At the same time, Jujutsu Kaisen’s pacing may be bothersome for some who want to jump into the action swiftly.
However, once the show gets the ball rolling, it doesn’t intend to stop. This anime offers a unique and complex supernatural battle system akin to Hunter x Hunter’s Nen and Naruto’s chakra structures. This slight inclusion helps the show stand out while giving fans something refreshing.
Deadman Wonderland
Similarities – Violence & Characters
As Deadman Wonderland fans saw Power utilize her blood-like abilities, they immediately recalled Ganta and his allies’ powers. Deadman Wonderland and Chainsaw Man have more things in common besides that slight similarity. Ganta, like Denji, is a character who receives his powers from a supernatural entity.
Ganta will then be placed inside a prison where he must fight foes with powers similar to his own. The fights in Deadman Wonderland are gruesome and have decent enough animation to keep viewers entertained and immersed. Fans can expect most of our characters to suffer grave wounds that make them cringe.
Unfortunately, Deadman Wonderland is one of those anime that didn’t receive a complete adaptation. There are many exciting instances and future arcs from the manga that offer a better ending than what you receive in the anime. If fans can overlook its lackluster ending, they’re in for a swell time with this show.
Hellsing Ultimate
Similarities – Themes & Violence
If fans supernatural stopping organizations and bloodshed, you’ll feel at home with Hellsing Ultimate. Integra Hellsing’s Hellsing Organization offers a similar demeanor as Chainsaw Man’s Public Safety and is backed by one of the strongest vampires known to mankind.
The vampire in question is Alucard, a gun-wielding vampire who’ll destroy anyone who gets in his master’s way. Alucard later recruits a police officer named Seras Victoria, who isn’t worth taking lightly. However, Seras adds a layer of comedy to the series that some fans will find enjoyable and funny.
Chainsaw Man and Hellsing Ultimate’s action scenes are to die for. Fans will enjoy seeing Alucard utilize his vampire abilities and weaponry to murder his foes. The foes in this series range from human priests to ordinary vampires. The story offers some shocking revelations and heartbreaking backstories for some of our cast.
Blood +
Similarities – Supernatural & Violence
Would you like to live a life where you have no memory of a year ago? Saya, the main protagonist of Blood +, is forced into this situation and acquires vampire-like abilities to accompany her excellent swordsmanship. She discovers her powers after meeting a strange man who helps her defeat a blood-craving monster.
This gentleman informs Saya about Red Shield and its goals. This leads Saya to assist Red Shield by exterminating every threatening creature possible. Blood + doesn’t offer the most complex storyline, but the monsters she fights help develop Saya into a formidable warrior and person.
While this is an older work, the show’s setting gives off the same gritty vibes as the locales in Chainsaw Man. Based on the title, fans can expect Saya to engage in brutal conflict with multiple creatures. These creatures have spooky designs and serve as great opponents for Saya.
Claymore
Similarities – Characters & Gore
Are you searching for another show with a character who fights creatures with their own medicine? Look no further than Claymore, a series often regarded as the female version of Berserk. Like Chainsaw Man, Clare tackles multiple threats that’ll give her a gruesome but satisfying challenge.
Clare’s goals feel similar to Denji’s earlier goals before he gets tricked by the yakuza. Clare’s decision to become a Claymore is fueled by her desire to murder the one responsible for ending her master’s life. At the same time, Clare isn’t selfless as she tries to protect the less fortunate from different beasts.
Each enemy has a strikingly horrid design that will send chills down your spine. They have heartless personalities that match their appearances. Clare’s journey evokes growth like Denji’s. Clare will befriend many people who will change her perceptions of life and help her become an excellent fighter. If you’ve enjoyed Chainsaw Man’s disturbing imagery or brutality, I’d suggest giving Claymore a chance.
So there we have it, our 10 anime/TV show alternatives to watch when you’ve caught up with Chainsaw Man!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!