After the skyrocketing success of its manga, Tokyo Ghoul first aired on July 3, 2014, amazing fans with its diabolical opening. From the first to the last episode, Tokyo Ghoul‘s first season stunned fans with its dark storytelling, character evolution, and tragic world.
To this day, fans discuss the greatness of Tokyo Ghoul’s first season and crave something of a similar caliber. To help you find the perfect anime that resonates with Tokyo Ghoul’s dark tone, we have created a list of titles that share similar themes. So, if you’re looking for an anime like Tokyo Ghoul, you’re most welcome till the end.
You Might Also Like:
Top 10 Mecha Romance Anime Like Darling In The Franxx
10: Akame Ga Kill
Akame ga Kill and Tokyo Ghoul share more than just blood-soaked battlefields. Think about it: Kaneki and Tatsumi start as innocent dreamers, only to be thrown into a merciless reality that forces them to fight for survival.
Akame Ga Kill World is also fierce and unbiased, like Tokyo Ghoul, where any important character can be chopped at any moment. Both shows serve up shocking deaths, intense betrayals, and jaw-dropping transformations of their protagonist. If you’re a weeb who wants to see characters as unbiased, like in Tokyo Ghoul, Akame Ga Kill can be a very good choice with just 1 thrilling season.
9: Blue Exorcist
Rin Okumura’s life flips upside down when he learns that he is the son of Satan. Instead of embracing his demonic heritage, he chooses to fight against it, enrolling in an exorcist academy to protect humanity.
For fans of Tokyo Ghoul, Blue Exorcist delivers a similar struggle for identity. Like Ken Kaneki, Rin is caught between two worlds that do not fully accept him. Although it is not as dark as Tokyo Ghoul, if you are looking for something lighter in the category of Tokyo Ghoul, Blue Exorcist can be a choice.
8: Deadman Wonderland
If Ken Kaneki’s transformation is what makes you crave Tokyo Ghoul more and more, then please give a shot to Deadman Wonderland. Ganta Igarashi, similar to Kaneki, begins as an ordinary student before being thrust into a violent reality. He is framed for a crime he did not commit and forced into a sadistic prison where survival means embracing newfound powers.
Both protagonists undergo physical and emotional metamorphosis, driven by pain. However, keep in mind that Deadman Wonderland is a little more intense and takes its time to develop the protagonist. It’s definitely not for impatient weebs who crave quick transformations.
7: Demon Slayer
Heroes fighting monsters is perhaps the most generic form of shonen anime. But if those fights can be delivered more beautifully, a shonen can roar like a Demon Slayer.
Demon Slayer and Tokyo Ghoul may wear different skins, but at their core, they share striking similarities. Tanjiro’s sister becomes a demon, just as Kaneki unwillingly transforms into a ghoul, forcing them to live with identities they never asked for. Kaneki is overwhelmed by moral dilemmas, while Tanjiro fights with utmost kindness. Yet, both face brutal battles, navigate through a catastrophic world, and find their peace.
6: Parasyte The Maxim
If you have loved Tokyo Ghoul even a bit, make sure you watch Parasyte the Maxim before meeting the angel of death. Because these two anime resemble each other in more than a hundred ways.
The world is a dark place in Parasyte, where monsters wear the skin of humans, hunting mercilessly. Both protagonists began as wholesome and turned into sheer prodigies of battle. However, Parasyte isn’t just about gory fights and body horror. It’s a deep, thought-provoking ride that questions morality, evolution, and what it truly means to be human. Unfortunately, both shows become less impactful as the story progresses further and further.
5: Neon Genesis Evangelion
If your stance is that Tokyo Ghoul is emotionally overwhelming, I dare you to watch the classic Neon Genesis Evangelion. Watching Neon Genesis Evangelion, even today, feels like witnessing a psychological horror masterpiece.
This mecha show is about Shinji Ikari, who goes through trauma, isolation, his parents’ negligence, and the crushing weight of expectation. It’s not just about fighting external threats; it’s about the war raging inside his mind, just like Ken Kaneki. If you’re looking for a deep psychological horror roller coaster, Neon Genesis Evangelion is the classic best.
4: Ajin: Demi-Human
In Ajin: Demi-Human, there are species called immortals who are treated as threats to society, much like ghouls in Tokyo Ghoul. Eventually, the main character, Kei Nagai, discovers that he is also an Ajin. From fear of being hunted by the government and tortured for experimentation, his journey mirrors Kaneki’s struggle.
Whereas Tokyo Ghoul leans into tragedy, Ajin focuses on strategy, rebellion, and psychological warfare. Apart from its dark parts, Ajin offers a top-notch mystery that will keep you on your toes until the last episode.
3: Jujutsu Kaisen
If Tokyo Ghoul is a tragic darkness, Jujutsu Kaisen is a high-speed sprint through chaos. Kaneki wakes up as a ghoul, while Yuji Itadori swallows a cursed finger and becomes Sukuna’s vessel, which changes the whole trajectory of his life.
The supernatural underworld, brutal transformations, secret organizations waging unseen wars, and many other things are similar in both shows. However, where Tokyo Ghoul is all about despair and the protagonist’s inner conflict, Jujutsu Kaisen fights back with a protagonist who refuses to crumble.
2: Attack On Titan
Imagine becoming something that you hated the most! Sounds like Tokyo Ghoul, right? Well, Attack on Titan plays the same cruel trick on its protagonist, Eren Yeager.
From a person who hates titans the most to becoming a Titan himself, Eren’s journey begins much like Ken’s. However, it’s another debate that Eren goes through a much more complicated character development. In Tokyo Ghoul, danger lurks in the shadows. In AoT, it’s everywhere, and anyone could betray you. Thus, it’s safe to say that if you like Tokyo Ghoul, AoT can be your next big show.
1: Devilman Cry Baby
Monsters aren’t born -they’re made. Akira Fudo, or Kaneki Ken, is unwillingly transformed into something inhuman. They don’t ask for power, but it consumes them. They don’t want to kill, but the world gives them no choice.
Devilman Crybaby isn’t just a dark anime; it’s an unapologetic masterpiece. The anime follows Akira Fudo, a wholesome boy who merges with a demon to protect humanity. If you think Tokyo Ghoul is the goriest shonen, then just give Devilman Crybaby a try, and you’ll thank me.
