More Fantastical Romances Await You!
Inuyasha is a classic anime series with a passionate fanbase. It may not get as much attention as shows like Dragon Ball, but it left quite an impact on many people who grew up with programming like Toonami. In it, we follow Kagome, who gets sent 500 years into the past when violence was a normal shindig. She’s bewildered by her new environment and gets into a fight with a demon.
This results in a wish-granting jewel shattering into many pieces. To make amends for her accident, she teams up with a canine and human hybrid warrior named Inuyasha. They travel on a quest to reclaim the jewel’s multiple shards before evildoers can get their hands on it. With fun humor and charming romantic elements, Inuyasha dazzled the lives of many anime fans.
Fear not if you’re having trouble finding anime similar to Inuyasha! We’ve discovered 10 alternate shows that’ll give you a similar experience as Inuyasha.
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 Inuyasha!
Kamisama Kiss
Similarities – Characters & Story
Kamisama Kiss is nearly identical to Inuyasha. It features similar character dynamics, and strong romance, and shrouds viewers in a calming atmosphere. This show doesn’t take itself too seriously but it balances its comedy and romance elements well. In it, we follow high schooler Nanami, who isn’t living the best life. She meets a man who offers her a place to stay.
However, Nanami realizes that this place is a rundown shrine and attempts to flee. She gets captured by two shrine spirits and a fox familiar named Tomoe. They mistake Nanami for their former master and refuse to help her escape. Nanami chooses to resume her new divine duties because she doesn’t want to live the poor life she was living.
Nanami accidentally forms a contract with Tomoe and we examine their life together as god and familiar. Her journey won’t be an easy one as there will be many threatening youkai who’ll interfere with their affairs. This is a hilarious endeavor with a lack of ecchi elements. If you’re looking for an extremely lighthearted show with fun characters, give this a shot.
Mysterious Play
Similarities – Themes
Mysterious Play is another show with fantastic Chinese influences. Like Inuyasha, our cast is well-rounded and gets roped into various comedic situations that’ll make viewers laugh and smile. On the other hand, Mysterious Play leans toward its main characters’ romantic affairs more and sheds light on darker subjects to help our cast grow and feel more fleshed out.
Along with some impressive plot twists and tense moments, Mysterious Play is a worthy addition to your watch library. Our tale takes place during a visit to a library. We follow Miaka and Yui as they get sucked into a mysterious book after finding a strange text. In this world, our two meet a powerful young man named Tamahome.
Suddenly, Yui gets taken away by a mysterious light. Miaka asks Tamahome for help, but they run into problems with the land’s emperor Hotohiri. Hotohiri argues Miaka’s a former priestess of the kingdom’s protector, Suzaku. She can get all her wishes granted if she gathers the god’s seven Celestial Warriors. Unknowingly, Yui gets sent to their world and must watch Miaka tackle various trials.
With an evergrowing cast of rounded individuals and some hilarious shenanigans, Mysterious Play is a great show to watch after Inuyasha.
Ranma 1/2
Similarities – Story, Action, Characters
Ranma 1/2 is another noteworthy work from Rumiko Takahashi. It includes some stellar humor, charming romance, and fun action elements. It’s a simplistic story that doesn’t maintain a tight focus. It spends more time fleshing out its characters and the relationships they form throughout the narrative.
The action scenes are on par with what you’d find in Inuyasha. The series feels goofier with its slapstick and situational humor. Therefore, if you’re looking for another romantic and action-packed series with an amusing edge to it, this one’s worth checking out. In it, we examine a martial arts prodigy named Ranma.
He falls into a cursed lake with his father and gains the power to swap genders. Only hot water can transform Ranma back into a male. To make matters worse, Ranma must marry the daughter of a famed martial arts master. The master, Soun, leans of Ranma’s abilities but chooses not to end the planned marriage. Therefore, the anime follows Ranma and Soun’s daughter Akane’s quest to work together in tackling numerous villains and finding suitable lovers.
Demon Slayer
Similarities – Story, Characters, Themes
Demon Slayer is a breakout hit in this modern era of anime. It contains gorgeous visuals, stellar action scenes, and a charming cast. It’s a series that’ll leave quite an impression. The series takes place in a traditional Japanese setting. Viewers will find themselves immersed in its stellar attention to detail in its landscapes and architecture.
Many characters receive time to shine and are given exceptional backstories. The show tackles similar themes of friendship and features excellent sword battles that’ll get your heart pumping. If you’re in search of an incredible samurai anime with mesmerizing monster designs, glorious landscapes, and sharp details, give this one a shot.
Yona of the Dawn
Similarities – Adventure, Fantasy, Action
Yona of the Dawn is a delightful fantasy anime with a beautiful world. It evokes strong adventurous feelings and features a remarkable cast who receive excellent character development. In it, we follow Princess Yona, who lives a great life in her kingdom. This life comes to a halt when a maniacal act of treason threatens to shatter her problem-free palace.
With her friend Son Hak, Yona flees and plans to survive in the wild. This depressing development encourages Yona to train and become a formidable warrior. By the end of her training, she hopes to seek vengeance on those who ruined her incredible lifestyle. Like Kagome, Yona starts off as a novice fighter but becomes more capable as the narrative continues.
Viewers will enjoy the magical journey Yona endures with her friends. She encounters numerous struggles that’ll leave viewers speechless and worried for her well-being. With a strong female protagonist, beautiful animation, and a pleasant soundtrack, you can’t go wrong with Yona of the Dawn.
Dororo
Similarities – Action & Adventure
This is a fun adventure series, and one that elicits a strong response from viewers. It’s a classic tale about a limbless warrior’s quest for revenge and growth. Its protagonist Hyakkimaru is a merciless warrior who travels with his child companion Dororo. These two have great chemistry like Kagome and Inuyasha but maintain a father-son-like bond.
Despite having killing intent, Hyakkimaru isn’t all doom and gloom. He has a brighter side that’ll become apparent to viewers and Dororo. This is a remake of a 1999 series, so it has better visuals and animation. Fans will adore the intricate details implemented into the show’s environments, fight scenes, and character designs.
The demons provide Hyakkimaru with challenging bouts. That said, the fights can get more gruesome than Inuyasha’s bouts in his show. However, the show’s best qualities reside in its adventurous components. You’ll adore seeing our boys grow in maturity and skill. Give this one a watch if you’re looking for a deep samurai anime.
Ruroni Kenshin
Similarities – Swordsmanship & Adventure
Ruroni Kenshin and Inuyasha are classics. Both harbor an excellent understanding of samurai lore and setting. The former series contains mature topics, exhilarating sword battles, and neat realism. While some characters harbor some supernatural aspects to their crafts, Ruroni Kenshin’s fights feel more grounded than Inuyasha’s.
In it, we follow a former killer named Hitokiri. He goes by the name Kenshin now because he wants to remove himself from his previous identity. He vows to never murder again. Before he can start his new peaceful life, Kenshin learns that an individual has taken his former alias and is committing heinous acts.
Alongside a female friend named Kaoru, Kenshin hopes to stop this fake Hitokiri from killing any more people. This series contains some fabulous tension and great animation. Give it a watch if you’re in need of more epic samurai shows.
Tsubasa Chronicle
Similarities – Themes
Tsubasa Chronicle is a grown-up version of Cardcaptor Sakura. It features characters with similar identities but portrays those characters in a more mature light. This anime captures a strong adventure and romantic angle. Like Inuyasha, the show features enough fantastical elements to keep your imagination afloat.
It takes place during Syaoran’s excavation of Clow Country’s mysterious ruins. He meets his winged-friend Princess Sakura, whose wings transform into feathers, and memories vanish. To save Sakura, Syaoran traverses multiple worlds to seek help. He’ll befriend many people from ninjas to magicians.
Like Inuyasha and Kagome, fans will adore seeing Syaoran grow and assist others with their issues. Both shows involve our heroes searching for five mysterious items in hopes to resolve their respective problems. They’re not afraid to shower fans with comedy and you’ll adore the clever jokes inserted in them. Give this one a shot if you’re curious.
Noragami
Similarities – Action & Supernatural
Take on the role of a godly figure who needs to win people over to his or her faith by completing mundane and trivial tasks. Noragami’s protagonist Yato endures a lifestyle like that. Laughter and action abound in this series. It balances its comedy and action segments well and offers strong supernatural elements like Inuyasha.
Yato’s not alone on his quest. He’ll be accompanied by a few friends. Each character has a reason for traveling with him. This anime knows how to subvert expectations and gradually unveils new information about Yato as it continues. The anime’s fights will leave you satisfied with its impressive choreography and sharp visuals.
The show can get deep at times. This mostly occurs whenever we receive a look into our cast’s backgrounds. However, it’s a show that offers enough humorous situations to avoid you feeling too down in the dumps. Give this one a shot if you’re looking for a show with fun characters and great comedy.
Yu Yu Hakusho
Similarities – Supernatural, Action, Adventure
Inuyasha, Dragon Ball Z, and Yu Yu Hakusho are among a portion of shows that won over fans’ hearts in the 90s. These shows contain strong themes of adventure and action. Yu Yu Hakusho offers some romantic tension between Yusuke and Keiko, but it’s not a strong focus for the show.
For those unaware, we follow Yusuke’s adventures in the Spirit Realm. He was tasked with being the realm prince Koenma’s Spirit Detective. Along with his friends Kuwabara, Hiei, and Kurama, Yusuke will encounter numerous foes as he hopes to get another shot at life again. This show features some gruesome battles and terrifying monster designs.
The show features some great slapstick, jokes, and gags. Despite starting off as a hardheaded person, fans will appreciate seeing him grow into a more capable fighter and person by the show’s end. Viewers looking for an action-packed shonen anime with a likable cast should look no further than Yu Yu Hakusho.
You can read our interview with one of the Yu Yu Hakusho Live-Action SFX artists here!
So there we have it, our 10 anime/TV show alternatives to watch when you’ve finished Inuyasha!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!