As the curtain falls on Attack on Titan, leaving us with a hauntingly dark conclusion, fans find themselves grappling with a void in their hearts. Eren Yeager’s transformation from hero to villain, the devastating success of the rumbling, and the liberation of Eldians from the curse of the Titans mark the end of a remarkable 10-year journey.
Acknowledged as one of the greatest anime series of all time, bidding farewell to Attack on Titan is undeniably a tough pill to swallow. If you, like us are feeling low after the end of the series, we’ve assembled a list of 10 anime shows that share the pulse-pounding intensity, complex characters, and intricate storytelling that made “Attack on Titan” an unforgettable experience.
Whether you’re seeking colossal mysteries, dystopian landscapes, or jaw-dropping plot twists, this compilation promises to fill the titan-shaped void and provide solace for fans yearning for more epic adventures.
1. Jujutsu Kaisen
High school student Yuji finds himself entangled in a nightmarish twist of fate. When faced with the malevolent spirits and grotesque monsters unleashed by his friends, Yuji makes a bold choice to swallow a ghastly, ancient finger in a desperate attempt to shield his companions. Little does he know, this decision binds him to a spirit, forcing him into a journey of becoming an exorcist. To break free from the clutches of this demonic possession, Yuji must undergo rigorous training and consume more of these macabre artifacts. The path to liberation, however, is fraught with danger, making the life of a teenager in this horror anime anything but ordinary.
Like Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen unravels the story of a teenager inheriting extraordinary powers through a peculiar form of self-empowerment, albeit involving a touch of unconventional sustenance. However, unlike the grim, dystopian world of Titans, Jijutsu Kaisen takes a supernatural turn, infusing the horror with a mystical essence that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats
2. Death Note
Embarking on a journey that blurs the boundaries between justice and godhood, a student stumbles upon a mystical notebook with the power to end any life. Fueled by a desire to cleanse the world of malevolence, he initiates a crusade against the forces of evil in order to establish himself as a deity among humanity.
Death Note, often overlooked as a shonen series, delves into profound questions about human morality as it unfolds the story of a high school student wielding a deadly notebook for murder. While Attack on Titan also explores philosophical themes, Death Note distinguishes itself with a narrative that, while intense, is not as harsh.
3. Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress
In the throes of the Industrial Revolution, an ominous force emerges—an insurmountable monster, impervious to defeat unless its beating heart, protected with an impenetrable layer of iron, is pierced. Through its bite, the creature has the power to transform hapless humans into relentless and undead entities, now feared and known as Kabane.
Fans often consider Kabaneri Of The Iron Fortress as the perfect pick for those who enjoy Attack on Titan. In fact, KOTIF draws inspiration from AoT as the narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution, where a deadly virus is claiming lives. The infected transform into monstrous beings, and humanity faces limited options to combat this threat.
4. Vinland Saga
Following the tragic death of his father, young Thorfinn becomes entangled with the mercenary band led by his father’s killer, Askeladd. As Thorfinn bides his time, nursing a burning desire for revenge, he finds himself caught in the web of Askeladd’s political machinations.
Attack on Titan delves into themes of freedom, mortality, and the murky realm of politics, offering a nuanced exploration of these subjects. In contrast, Vinland Saga unfolds as a revenge narrative deeply rooted in realism. Both shows and their overarching objectives diverge, but it is clear that they share similarities in the broader sense.
5. Gurren Lagann
Gurren Lagann unfolds against the backdrop of Earth’s dominion by the Spiral King, Lordgenome. Under his oppressive rule, humanity is confined to isolated subterranean villages. At the heart of the narrative are Simon and Kamina, two spirited teenagers from one such village, determined to defy the status quo and ascend to the surface.
The concept of human societies residing beneath the surface in these villages closely mirrors the setup in Attack on Titan. This similarity becomes even more pronounced as the main characters venture to the outside world, uniting as Team Gurrent to combat their adversaries, drawing parallels with AOT.
6. Goblin Slayer
In the mystical realm of fantasy, brave adventurers converge from distant lands to enlist in the revered Guild. Their quest: to undertake daring contracts in pursuit of both gold and glory. Amidst this group of legends, a novice priestess embarks on her maiden adventure, eager to prove her mettle. However, the young cleric’s initiation takes a turn when her inaugural contract, centered around the seemingly mundane task of dealing with goblins, swiftly unravels into chaos. The forces of danger and dark magic converge upon the unsuspecting party, putting the inexperienced priestess at the forefront of a harrowing ordeal that will test her faith, resilience, and the bonds forged in the crucible of adversity.
Similar to Attack on Titan, Goblin Slayer revolves around a band of unyielding warriors who stand firm in their battle against monstrous foes. Yet, beyond the relentless pursuit of eradicating the goblin menace and safeguarding humanity, the narrative extends its focus to the distinctive evolution of each character. In Goblin Slayer, the story unfolds not only through the visceral combat against terrifying adversaries but also through the profound personal development and transformation experienced by the members of the formidable group.
7. Hell’s Paradise
A contingent of prisoners, shackled by their pasts, finds themselves bound for an island under the watchful eyes of their vigilant guards. As fate would have it, their journey takes an unforeseen turn, leaving them marooned on the mystifying island. Now, both prisoners and guards must forge an unlikely alliance, their survival entwined with unraveling the secrets of the island and confronting the monstrous inhabitants that lurk in its shadows. In this unexpected alliance, bonds will be tested, trust will be earned, and the line between captor and captive will blur as they navigate the terrain of the unknown together.
Both Attack on Titan and Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku share a common theme of individuals battling monsters on a mysterious island. The portrayal of violence and barbarism remains consistent in both narratives despite variations in the protagonists’ motivations and ultimate goals.
8. Berserk
Guts, known as “The Black Swordsman,” is relentlessly pursued by demons drawn to the cursed brand on his neck. His unyielding quest revolves around breaking free from the clutches of this demonic curse, which entwines not only his fate but that of his beloved Casca as well. At the heart of Guts’ journey lies a thirst for retribution against his once-trusted comrade, Griffith. The betrayer, in a quest for power, condemned Guts and their former Band of Mercenaries to a nightmarish existence, tethered to demonic forces.
Much like Attack on Titan, Berserk is a show that doesn’t shy away from abruptly killing off beloved characters, leaving viewers stunned and struggling to process the events. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin each face their own challenges, akin to Guts, as they confront formidable foes of colossal proportions.
9. Claymore
In a realm teeming with perilous entities known as “youma,” Clare, a resilient silver-eyed woman, dedicates herself to a clandestine organization. This group specializes in harnessing the unique abilities of female youma half-breeds, molding them into formidable warriors capable of vanquishing the menacing creatures. Branded as a renegade for her compassionate act of rescuing an orphaned child and the precarious brink of succumbing to her youma instincts during an intense phenomenon known as the “Awakening,” Clare finds herself entrusted with dangerous assignments one after the other.
Both Attack on Titan and Claymore share a common backdrop of a dystopian world grappling with the emergence of formidable adversaries. Amidst the grim circumstances faced by the characters in both series, Claymore, akin to AoT, prominently showcases resilient female characters at the forefront of the narrative.
10. Elfen Lied
As two university students innocently encounter Lucy, an apparently benign young woman, little do they realize that beneath her unassuming facade lies a mutant with a chilling secret—a split personality that transforms her into a remorseless serial killer. Unaware of the impending danger, the students find themselves unwittingly entangled in a sinister web spun by Lucy’s dual nature.
While the similarities between Elfen Lied and Attack on Titan aren’t as much as the other shows on the list, take this as a strong recommendation for watching the show, which is as bleak and relentless as AOT.
Read More: 10 Saddest Anime That Will Make You Cry
