Naruto is an iconic, unique, outstanding anime, and its end brought quite a sad aura around every fan of it. It has taught us how to appreciate friends and family, help out, and be as nice as we can be. Nothing is ever for certain when it comes to people; never treat someone as an underdog or an oddball. Naruto proved us wrong when it came to not believing in one’s self or your friends’. Thus, finding similar anime to Naruto can be quite troubling, and there are some obvious choices, too. Whether it’s the Nakama deed, the action-pack, or the Ninja way, we all admire a good plot with something a bit nostalgic. So, we did that job for you, and brought you a top 12 list of the different anime that resemble Naruto one way or another!
12. Boku no Hero Academia
Ever since the appearance of Quirks, which portray superpowers that occupy 80% of the world’s population, humanity has changed completely. This 80% left the remainder of the world quirkless, as in without any special powers whatsoever. The majority of the world has a superpower, whether it was controlling the weather, fire, ice, or shapeshifting into a might being. Izuku Midoriya, however, is one of the unlucky people who have no special powers whatsoever.
Izuku Midoriya always appreciated heroes more than anything. In fact, he wanted to become one in the near future. However, his dreams shatter once he learns he belongs to the unfortunate 20% of the population. So, he take notes on heroes instead. Then, his whole life changes once he meets his number one hero All Might. Later on, All Might reveals a secret, that his powers can be inherited, rendering Izuku his successor.
11. History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi
Kenichi Shirahama prefers spending his time on reading self-help books rather than fighting for survival. That earns him a nickname as “Weak Legs.” Then, Kenichi works up the courage to join the karate club in his school, which forces him into fighting with an upperclassman bully. Kenichi, being the peaceful human being he is, considers giving up, but his eyes land on Miu Furinji.
Then, in order to impress her, he joins the dojo she lives at, Ryouzanpaku. There, he goes under vicious training to become one of the strongest. And that he totally does, which places a huge spotlight on him. He catches the attention of some powerful gang of delinquents called Ragnarok. Just like Naruto, he wishes to protect the ones he loves with all the strength he has. That makes up his journey on learning martial arts from the dojo’s resident masters. He takes in any possible fighting art in order to do that.
10. Basilisk
For a long time, two clans have been up each other’s necks, precisely for more than four hundred years. The Iga clan and the Kouga clan’s only savior was because of Hanzo Hattori’s truce; it kept them from an all out war that has always threatened them. Under the order of the Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa, the truce shattered into pieces. A fight for the next Tokugawa shogun’s place, a war clashes between ten ninja from each clan, a fight till death. The winner or the survivor will be ruling for the next thousand years.
However, not all the members in each clan agree on that kind of fight. From the Iga clan, Oboro finds refuge and love in Gennosuke of the Kouga clan. Their fates intertwine in the worst possible ways. Perhaps their love will be the death of them, or maybe the rivalry of these two clans will be abolished because of these two. Or perhaps death awaits.
9. Busou Renkin
The plot portrays the young high school student Kazuki Muto getting killed saving a mysterious girl one night from a monster. Yet, seemingly, he did not die, as he woke up in the school dorm, which left him a bit disoriented and confused, thinking it was only a dream. Later on, he finds out that it was not a mere dream, but a reality when a monster attacks him and his sister. Tokiko Tsumura, the girl he saved that night, tells him it was a homunculus. And he truly died that night saving her, but she revived him by pacing a Kakugane medallion in his chest.
The Kakugane user forms a unique Buso Renkin, which means when the medallion is activated, it takes a certain form based on the user. This Kakugane medallion and its Buso Renkin is the only existing weapon to destroy and abolish these homunculus monsters. Together with Tokiko, her own Buso Renkin, Kazuki joins her in the fight against these monsters and their master.
8. Blue Exorcist
Humans and demons live together alike. Well, more like in their own unique worlds Assia and Gehenna. The only way to travel between these two realms is by getting possessed, just like in any ghost story. In the underworld, or the world of Gehenna, its ruler Satan cannot find the appropriate vessel to possess, rendering him in his world. So, he sends his son, hoping he’ll grow powerful and suitable for his possession.
Blue Exorcist follows the story of Rin Okumura, a seemingly ordinary boy who wants to be an exorcist someday. Rin can be quite troublesome, but what can one expect from the son of Satan. Later on, when he learns that fact from his family, he feels quite troubled by the fact that he is indeed the son of Satan. However, Rin proves to be a much, much sweeter demon than any other by refusing his father’s wishes.
7. Rurouni Kenshin
A legendary assassin who goes by the name Hitokiri Battousai lived in the final years of the Bakumatsu era. He is a merciless killer that brings shivers to whoever mentions his name. yet, he disappeared right after the Japanese revolution started. After his disappearance, the country witnessed peace again, but one mention of Battousai makes their legs go weak.
Surprisingly, the previous assassin abandoned everything he used to do in order to repent his sins. Now, he goes by the name of Kenshin Himura with a personality opposing what he truly was in the past. Kenshin became a cheerful, wandering swordsman with a strong will. He vowed to himself to never shed blood again and protect the weak. One day, he stumbles upon a dojo held by Kaoru Kamiya, who is threatened by a Bouttasai imposter. After helping her, she offers him refuge in her dojo.
6. Katanagatari
Another anime in the Edo-era of Japan cherishes the variety of sword-fighting styles. Shichika Yasuri, however, practices the most unique and important one called Kyotouryuu. Kyotouryuu is a technique in which the user’s own body is the one wielded as a blade. The mysterious seventh head of the Kyotouryuu school Shichika lives quietly due to his exile with his sister. That is until danger comes barging in their territories.
Togame, the ambitious strategist requests the help of Shichika in her mission to collect special swords known as the Deviant Blades. So, interested in her request and her, he accepts, and they both go on a journey. However, their road was not going to be empty, but a very, very bumpy road with fierce wielders with these legendary weapons. In addition, to other power-hungry people who seek to dissolve Togame’s objective.
5. Gray-man
Watching a loved one die at your hands is as painful as it can be, and sometimes, all you can wish for is resurrect them, even if it’s just their corpse. That is the purpose of the mysterious Millennium Earl. To use his mechanical weapons known as Akuma to their best, he makes use of the souls of the dead. Once taken into the heart of Akuma, the soul is forever trapped. The only way for those souls to find relief is using the Anti-Akuma weapon, “Innocence.”
Allen Walker, after years and years of being a disciple of General Cross, he gets sent to the Black Order. Black Order is an organization made up of those who are willing to fight Akuma, the Millennium Earl and become official Exorcists. With his arm as an Innocence and an eye cursed with seeing suffering souls within an Akuma, Allen tries to prevent Millennium’s Earl plot.
4. Fullmetal Alchemist
Once again, losing a loved one, precisely your mother, takes a toll on you. The brilliant alchemist Edward Elric and his brother Alphonse try to resurrect their mother using a forbidden act of human transmutation. However, they did not know of the consequences of this act, as Edward loses one of his limbs while Alphonse loses his concrete body. Then, in order to revive his brother, Edward sacrifices another limb to transfer Alphonse’s soul into a suit of armor.
Later on, Edward, the fullmetal alchemist, goes on a journey with his brother to obtain the Philosopher’s Stone. This said stone apparently can change and overthrow the bounds and limits of alchemy. To gain something, one must sacrifice another of equal value. Edward’s journey looking for this fundamental stone just so he turns his body and his brother’s to normal may not be as he thought it was. He learns the truth of such a stone and the consequences of the dark forces it beholds.
3. Dragon Ball Z
Gokuu and his family lead a peaceful life now after he won the World Martial Arts tournament. Yet, that changes right after the arrival of Raditz, who calls himself Gokuu’s long lost brother. Raditz reveals secrets to Gokuu that shock him to the core. He tells him he belongs to the now extinct powerful race the Saiyan race, and his homeland is completely annihilated. Gokuu’s purpose, after being sent to earth as a baby, was to destroy the planet. However, after suffering from amnesia, his violent nature disappeared and instead got replaced by the complete opposite.
Gokuu refuses to help Raditz, so the opponent warns them of the new found threat that was about to emerge into earth. This threat could throw earth into an intergalactic conflict, possibly shake up the heavens themselves. The war is over seven mystical dragon balls, and survival is for the fittest and the strongest only.
2. One Piece
The infamous pirate that sailed the Grand Line is about to witness his life flashing before his eyes. On the verge of execution and death, Gol D. Roger, known as the “Pirate King” reveals secrets about the world’s most important treasure, One Piece. This causes havoc to wreck on every sailor and citizen there. Thus, a revelation is brought about the Grand Age of Pirates.
The plot revolves around the adventures of the 17-year-old pirate who defies every characteristic of pirates. Instead of the wicked, mischievous persona, Luffy only wants to wander around the world and have fun. Following the footsteps of his hero, Luffy finds a crew to travel around and across the Grand Line. This leads him into mysterious events, battles with strong enemies, and friendship.
1. Fairy Tail
In the world of magic, mages exist and so do guilds. Each guild has its own characteristics and its own strong characters. Fairy Tail is one of them and it exists in the mystical land of Fiore. These guilds take up requests from ordinary people in exchange of money and fame. Unlike any other guild, Fairy Tail believes in friendship, spirit, and family.
Lucy Heartfilia, a young mage searching for celestial gate keys, dreams of joining a guild. In her search, she stumbles upon some complications, which render her useless. Then, comes her hero in shining armor, or rather flame, Natsu Dragneel and his exceed Happy. To her shock, Natsu reveals his guild’s name Fairy Tail to her and invites her to join them.
