Believe It!
The anime is about a knucklehead ninja named Naruto who is ostracized for his raunchy personality, prankster antics and having a demon fox inside him because he’s a knucklehead. The story features Naruto and his teammates taking on new missions, fighting powerful enemies, and his journey to becoming his village’s Hokage.
There is no need to worry if you’re watching Naruto this season and can’t find more of the same. We’ve discovered 10 alternate shows that’ll give you a similar experience!
For your reading pleasure, we have included the similarities they all share. 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 the appetite when you’ve finished streaming Naruto!
Black Clover
Similarities – Story & Characters
If you enjoyed the zero to hero storyline presented in Naruto, Black Clover doesn’t disappoint. Naruto and Black Clover set their characters in a historical-like setting, but both series contain action and comedy.
Black Clover heavily leans toward comedy and may not focus on drama as Naruto. Further, Black Clover gives its female characters more screen time than Naruto. Nonetheless, Black Clover borrows many aspects touched upon in Naruto.
The story follows Asta, a boy who dreams of becoming his world’s Wizard King. Considering the worth of such a title, Asta must challenge many rivals and overcome every obstacle that comes his way.
While more comical than Naruto, Asta’s underdog persona and never-giving-up attitude will remind many of Naruto’s character. Black Clover addresses friendship and rivalry to the same degree as Naruto and contains a unique superpower system.
Therefore, if fans loved seeing Naruto go against the odds to reach his goals, Asta’s journey in Black Clover should provide something similar.
One Piece
Similarities – Battle Shonen
While Monkey D. Luffy hasn’t achieved his goal of Pirate King, he reigns supreme in the anime and manga department. One Piece is a series where its characters and adventures are at its forefront.
Each area they visit feels slightly different from the next in economy and design. Something Naruto sometimes lacks since most civilizations feel the same regarding hierarchy.
However, both series feature characters with uncomfortable backstories, supernatural enemies, and lots of violence. They both expand on the historical influences they reference as One Piece bases itself around pirates and ninjas for Naruto.
Even Luffy’s goals of becoming the Pirate King will hit home with those that remember Naruto’s drive to become the Hokage. If action, adventure, motivational characters fit your tastes, One Piece is worth watching.
My Hero Academia
Similarities – Story & Action
My Hero Academia has made a splash in the anime community since its first season, spanning many products, films, etc. It’s an anime with many dramatic and character-driven story arcs that should resonate with Naruto fans.
The story follows Izuku Midoriya, a powerless boy living in a world filled with superheroes and villains with incredibly unique powers. Like his role model, All Might, Izuku aspires to become a hero. After showing All Might his heroic potential, he grants him his powers and admission to U.A. Highschool, where his road to heroism begins.
While My Hero Academia’s U.A. Academy serves as the prime setting for most of the series, the characters endure similar training regimes. The series also features tournament arcs and introduces new villains for Izuku and friends to take down, each more powerful than the last.
For its take on underdog storytelling, superpowers, and memorable cast, My Hero Academia will meet many’s expectations.
Hunter x Hunter 2011
Similarities – Adventure & Violence
Hunter X Hunter is a classic shonen anime with well-written characters and story arcs. The story follows a naive child protagonist who must overcome deadly humans and creatures to attain his dreams of meeting his father and becoming a hunter.
Hunter X Hunter is shorter than Naruto because it contains 139 episodes. While there are many thrilling fights, Hunter X Hunter likes to keep its viewers in suspense while keeping its protagonists’ journey at the forefront.
That’s not to say Hunter X Hunter won’t invoke similar feelings fans gained from Naruto. For instance, themes like revenge, sacrifice, and loss are present in both tales. Hunter X Hunter’s world, characters, and jaw-dropping moments may surprise you.
The God of High School
Similarities – Martial Arts
If the combat and techniques used by the ninjas in Naruto excited you, The God of Highschool wishes to present you with more. This anime fuses modern-day fighting styles with fluently animated scenes that are reality-bending and nonsensical.
The God of Highschool’s world feels slightly minimal, unlike Naruto. Moreover, the whole story revolves around a tournament. At the same time, the character development and progression for most of The God of High School’s cast is well done.
The story follows Jin Mo-Ri, a Taekwando expert who enters “The God of High School” tournament to win a wish that can change his life. Unbeknownst to Jin Mo-Ri, this isn’t a typical fighting tournament.
If glorious fighting scenes and distinct forms of combat suit your fancy, The God of High School invites you to tune in.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Similarities – Story & Characters
Shonen Jump’s new series Jujutsu Kaisen has a captivating story, jaw-dropping combat, and colorful characters. While the story may take a while to grab your attention, it slowly builds up to an impressive conclusion.
The story follows Yuuji Itadori, a boy who ends up in a world with deadly beings called Curses after making contact with a dangerous item. Not only that, but Yuji finds out he has supernatural powers. With no other options, Yuji’s journey will take him on a path of sorcery and brutality.
For the most part, Yuji’s journey will feel similar to Naruto’s as he too must complete various missions and report to a higher authority. Yuji’s various quests contribute to the overarching plot, and they won’t feel like a chore.
Some characters even exhibit various quirks eerily similar to Naruto characters like Kakashi Hatake and Sakura Haruno. If fans are looking for characters, and action like Naruto’s, then Jujutsu Kaisen should satisfy.
Yu Yu Hakusho
Similarities – Action & Comedy
While Dragon Ball Z was the highlight of many childhoods during the Toonami era, Yu Yu Hakusho also shared the spotlight in that regard. With the way its characters handle internal and external conflicts and the dramatic build-up to epic villains, Naruto fans would find enjoyment in Yu Yu Hakusho.
The story follows a boy named Yusuke Urameshi, a delinquent without a care in the world. After Yusuke is in a fatal accident, he meets Koenma, who offers him a chance to live again if he completes a series of tasks. Now a spirit detective, Yusuke must overcome the many deadly obstacles in his way to gain his livelihood back.
Like Naruto, Yu Yu Hakusho features characters with distinct personalities, backgrounds, and abilities. Naruto and Yusuke face relentless enemies who have agreeable motives for their actions, making many ponder.
Yu Yu Hakusho was a treat for those that enjoyed Dragon Ball Z back then and is an anime that will please Naruto fans.
You can read our interview with one of the Yu Yu Hakusho Live-Action SFX artists here!
Bleach
Similarities – Fighting & Characters
Another series under the title “The Big 3,” Bleach is a series many fans love and are excited to see its anime return this year. Known for its stellar character design, epic battles, and unique supernatural powers, Bleach is a worthy shonen series to view after Naruto.
It’s important to note that Bleach may not hit hard emotionally as Naruto in some aspects. Despite that, it makes up for its lack of emotional scenes with a memorable OST and neat animation.
It follows the story of Ichigo, whose family gets attacked by a creature but gets protected by the soul reaper, Rukia, as a result. Severely injured, Rukia asks Ichigo to take her powers to become a Soul Reaper, which he gladly accepts. Now a soul reaper, Ichigo gains new responsibilities involving defeating the Hollows and the hidden villains besides them.
Bleach is a series that revolved around protecting loved ones and overcoming impossible odds. From its outstanding cast of support and main characters to its epic action scenes, it’d be worth it to give it a shot.
Blue Exorcist
Similarities – Characters & Supernatural
If you favored Naruto’s path to acceptance, passion, and accountability, Blue Exorcist wishes to give you something similar in return.
Blue Exorcist follows the story of Rin, a boy with similar issues to Naruto regarding living with a demon inside him, finding approval, and fighting deadly supernatural foes. Rin also has heroic motives like Naruto, as he wants to use his powers for the greater good.
Along the way, fans will see Rin struggle to hold the darkness inside him back as with Naruto and the nine-tailed fox. The supernatural creatures are as unique as the talking animals in Naruto and will provide humor on par with it.
If you’re a fan of the overcoming the evil inside oneself storyline, Blue Exorcist is a significant series to check out next.
Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple
Similarities – Martial Arts & Character Growth
Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple is a series with a simple story that transforms itself into a complex narrative that’ll engage you. With its plot development and extraordinary characters, there’s a lot to love about this series.
Kenichi does have the upper hand over Naruto as each episode from the series has meaning to the overarching story. Even the action scenes will leave you breathless like its fluent animation.
Kenichi Shirahama gets bullied in this story for his weak-mindedness and lack of willpower. Further, he meets Miu Furiniji, who directs Kenichi to a dojo to become a professional martial artist. During his adventure, Kenichi will encounter many heartless enemies that’ll put his newfound mastery to the test.
Kenichi’s story of strength and justice is wonderfully written and filled with activities that’ll keep fans entertained.
So there we have it, our 10 anime/TV show alternatives to watch when you’ve caught up with Naruto!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!