Feeling blood thirsty today? Craving some gruesome scenery? In other words, are you looking for a show to get in touch with your dark, bloody side? Well, I guess you came to the right place, folks.
While I´m sure many of you watched Berserk, it always kept us anticipating in every corner for a similar spectacle to rival it on so many different levels. However, today we´re not going to talk about Berserk, rather about some good anime recommendations that are similar to this grisly masterpiece. We are going to paint it red and black, guys; and, yes it´s going to get ugly up in here, too. Brace yourselves, because we´re counting down our top picks of anime that are no different than Bereserk.
12-Devil May Cry
Based on the video game with the same name, “Devil May Cry,” we trace the story of the demon hunter known as Dante. Being half demon, half human, he uses his trusty sword Rebellion and his two guns Ebony and Ivory to solely fight in his own missions. Dante owns and runs “Devil May Cry,” a business that specializes in hunting down and solving demon-related problems. Oh, yes, did we mention the fight scenes?!
A plentitude of mindless fight scenes, a vivid scenery of gore too. Let me put it this way: the title for this show would probably be more accurate if it were “Dante Stabs Demons in the Face.” How does that sound to you? I bet it´s totally worthy of your precious time.
11-Drifters
Adapted from the manga of the same name, Drifters will initially leave the impact of a dark fantasy tale. The first episodes easily establish its premise as we meet the main protagonists of the show, Drifters. They have a background which is based on historical figures .Throughout the show, you’ll probably designate them more as anti-heroes by their actions more than heroes themselves.
The primary cast composes of Shimazu Toyohisa, Oda Nobunaga, and Nasu Suketaka Yoichi. Thanks to a mysterious man named Murasaki, they are brought together to fight against evil. Also, Drifters are aided by a mysterious group of magicians known as the Octobrists. Get the idea now? Drifters is essentially a dark fantasy war that brings together history’s most infamous figures into one big oddball package. Go for it as a solid substitute for Berserk.
10-Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis
The story revolves around Bahamut, an all-powerful dragon’s revived into the world. When this dragon was alive, its cataclysmic rampage nearly annihilated all life on the planet. This truth forced humans, angels, and demons to form a temporary truce to seal this dragon away forever. From the backlash of the battle, the god Zeus and Satan himself had to sacrifice themselves by sealing their spirits in two pendants to keep his evil at bay.
If the two keys were to merge together, then Bahamut will be reborn, stronger than ever before, and wreck havoc all over again. The show starts off with Mira,a human girl, as she steels one of the keys from the angels, thus beginning the process of Bahamut’s inevitable resurrection. The story is amazing, but, most importantly, easy to understand.
9-Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress
Another anime that can be a great replacement, Kabaneri turns mainly around Ikoma , an engineer who works in the train station, while making his very own gun to eradicate the zombies. Incidentally, a train enters the station with an infected man, and thus, mankind’s main darkest fear became true. That being infections happening left and right within the fortress itself.
This is the perfect chance fo our hero to put himself in a test using his very own weapon. A thing to note is that action is quite predominant in the series, where story and characterization basically take a back seat, although changes a bit in the second half. This also means that there are quite some gory sequences, full with blood, which may be a go-go for you! Am I assuming correctly?
8-Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu
This fantasy piece is a tale of magic and war in a land during middle ages. It deals with Feudal Warfare, more or less. Its focus lies in a number of characters, each doing his role in shaping the world they reside in. The Roland Empire is the country thatb has our main focus here. At its throne lies the striving Sion Astal, a young king.
He has decided to do everything within his power to change his kingdom for the good. Things are looking better than they have been for a while in Roland, however the greatest battle has yet to rage on. For behind the shadows lie assassination attempts to overthrow the king and various conflicts between the neighboring countries.
7-Ajin
The story takes place in a fictional universe where humanity stumbled upon the discovery of a new specie, beings , the Ajin. Having the appearance of normal humans, the Ajins are thought to be immortal, they also possess several superhumanl abilities.
But all that changes when a resurgence of the species occurs in Japan, bringing with it a public agitation that leads us into the plot that unfolds before us today. Kei Nagai is a high schooler who knows very little about Ajin, only having seen them appear in the news every now and then. Students are taught that these beings are not considered as human, but Kei doesn’t pay much attention in class. As a result, his lack of knowledge, or not, concerning this subject proves to be completely irrelevant when he survives an accident that was supposed to claim his life. Then on , we witness his rebirth as an Ajin and the start of his days of torment.
6-Gungrave
Brandon Heat and Harry MacDowel, may not be blood related, however they share a great bond of friendship and brotherhood. One day the harsh realisation makes itself clear to them, as they witness how cruel the world can be. On that day, their lives shift for good, but not for the good. Not to spoil much, the action in this spectacle is plentiful and exhilarating. The story is deep and touching. Love, hate, greed, betrayal, a mixture of feelings that is absolutely not absent. And let me tell you, the ending is wonderful. It brings closure. No cliff-hanger. No ending that leaves you with nagging questions. So just watch it, you won’t be disappointed.
5-Gantz
The last thing that Kei can ever remember is a train running over his body. Now, he stands in a room full of people , with the harsh realisation that he has been resurrection from death. Their revival from death, however, is just a temporary matter unless they undertake the brutal missions that the Gantz assigns. Now Kei is confused more than ever before, where everything he ever knew is put into test.
His life is noteven his; his death will be spat and trampled upon like it´s nothing , again and again. What happens if he does not follow orders? stick around to get a clue. A word for the wise though, this show is full of violence , murder, and everything unholly. Something that the show came to share with Berserk.
4-Basilisk
This is a very dark spin off of a clash between two clans. In their thirsty pursuit to impose their ultimate supremacy and authorits, the Iga and Kouga ninja clans have engaged in a bitter, endless war. But when a ceasefire is ordered by the powerful warlord, Ieyasu Tokugawa, the two clans are forced to hold their arms. Years later, Gennosuke Kouga, heir of the Kouga clan, and Oboro Iga, heir of the Iga clan, have fallen in love. With the hopes of forming an alliance, both clans try to start anew.
That didn´t last for so long however, the flames of hatred are egnited again. A new war is raging on, a blood bath even. Now, the destiny and futur of both clans lay in the hands of the two lovers. Which one is it: Love or loyalty?
3-Elfen Lied
Elfen Lied is based on Lynn Okamoto’s seinen manga series of the same name. The anime follows Lucy, a special breed of human, a Diclonius.” The poor girl is the victim of inhumane scientific experimentation, applied by the government. Once Lucy gets a chance to escape from the lab, she unleashes her internal rage causing a mass murder.
While trying to run away, she sustains a head injury, leaving her with a case of Schizophrenia. However all of that goes unnoticed by Lucy, since she lost her memories too. Unbeknow to her, now the girl lives with two split personas: the harmeless child and the bloody murderer. This is just the beggining for something even bigger, for her life will completely change later on.
2-Claymore
In the realm of Claymore, monsters called “Yoma” roam freely around the land disguising as ordinary humans and eating their guts. In order to combat these evil beings, an organization with no name creates warriors that are human-Yoma hybrids, the titular Claymores. Our narrative follows a particular Claymore named Clare. She travels the land, fighting Yoma and completing missions for the organization.
You quickly learn that there’s a particular Yoma she’s chasing after to take revenge for the death of someone she loved. Unfortunately, the one she’s chasing is a particularly powerful variety called an awakened being. Claymore does have quite a bit that’s good. A lot of the characters are well done, the premise is interesting, the acting is convincing, and the action scenes are awesome.
1-Hellsing Ultimate
In a more than ordinary world, all evil creatures exist, such as vampires and werewolves.
All those creatures freely roam the town, and pray on humans. On the other side of the table thereis Hellsing. The fully dedicated organization fights for the safety of humanity by finishing off all those horendous beings. its head is Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, who spent all her life batteling against all dark forces.
Her ultimate family weapon is the vampire Alucard, who works under her order, eliminating his own kind. He is joined by Seras Victoria , a newly created vampire. As far as bloodbaths go, there’s only a handful of anime that can match Hellsing Ultimate’s brutality. In a nutshell, Berserk could be summed up as a Medieval Hellsing.
This was our list for today, dear friends. We hope this was bloody enough for you. Now, all you´ve got to do is share your favorite titles down below; for we can´t wait to hear from you.
