Looking for anime recommendations for what to watch after Berserk? It's rare to find a piece of mature entertainment that remains shocking and engaging after multiple decades, but Berserk does just that. Ever since its 1989 release, Berserk continues to be an excellent action series that pits "The Black Swordsman" Guts against a hellish world. Even with the series' infamous hiatuses, the Berserk fandom remains an active, and patient, community. For that reason, let's take a look at anime similar to Berserk, and rank them with the help of your votes. If you're a Berserk fan who doesn't know what to do with him or herself during the constant breaks, why not try some of the shows on this list? One good anime like Berserk is Claymore, which also follows a powerful swordsman and her comrades as they fight against a world of demons. Other good anime like Berserk include Ninja Scroll, Devilman Crybaby, and Fist of the North Star, which all compare to Berserk in its characters and fight sequences. The following Berserk recommendations embody the series's dark atmosphere, gruesome violence, and captivating characters. If you've seen any of the similar series below, be sure to vote on your favorites so fellow fans know what to watch next, and check them out on your favorite streaming services.
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Ninja Scroll is another 90s anime like Berserk that doesn't shy away from sex and violence. Fans of Guts will love Jubei Kibagami, a wandering swordsman in feudal Japan, who must battle supernatural ninjas and unravel a plot to overthrow the Japanese government, after saving a young woman's life. Even after 25 years, the hyper-violent action scenes of Ninja Scroll remain stunning.
If you're yearning for a mature action series with over-the-top gunplay, look no further than Hellsing Ultimate. The supernatural anime about an all-powerful vampire protecting the world from evil worse than himself is addicting, with its thrilling Nazi-killing storyline and grotesque animated violence. It's a fun periodic alternative to the ancient fantasy world of Berserk, but still shares some great similarities with it.
If you're a Berserk fan, you can't go without watching Claymore. Like Berserk, this series truly captures the elements of a dark fantasy, with a quiet lead and tons of violence and gore. Claymore still has its own unique aspects, though - it's centered around a living weapon named Clare and her journey to seek vengeance.
Berserk fans desiring a long-running action series that's filled with testosterone should give Fist of the North Star a try. Spanning 109 episodes, First of the North Star is a classic anime about a highly-trained martial artist, Kenshirou, and his adventures in a post-apocalyptic world. Kenshiro's trademark head-exploding move and meme-able catchprase of, "You're already dead," make Fist of the North Star a delight to watch. If the nostalgic art style of Berserk and its “go-hard-or-go-home” protagonist are some elements you enjoy, then give this series a try.
Basilisk and Berserk are two anime series engulfed in violence and tragedy, with a cast of characters that you can't help but get attached to. In Basilisk, the love between Gennosuke Kouga and Oboro Iga is put to the test, as their respected clans have re-engaged in war through a battle royale competition and expect one to kill the other. Basilisk's greatest strength is making you care about its unique cast in such a limited time, before they meet their gruesome demise.
Anyone looking for a flashy, yet equally violent alternative to Berserk will be pleased with Afro Samurai. Afro Samurai is a simple revenge story of an African-American samurai seeking the man who killed his father, but what makes the series fun to watch is its gorgeous animation and larger-than-life action sequences. It's an entertaining style-over-substance show that still manages to weave in intense fight sequences that Berserk fans can appreciate.
Older anime fans looking for a mature and thought-provoking story like Berserk will feel right at home with Monster. While lacking the brute force of Berserk, Monster more than makes up for it with its psychological tale of a murderous man raised as the next Adolf Hitler, and the doctor who, regrettably, saved his life. Despite their clear differences, the two series both explore the ugliness of humanity.
Gantz is a mature sci-fi action series that should please any Berserk fans looking for more adult anime. In stark contrast to the medieval setting of Berserk, Gantz takes place in a futuristic afterlife where recently deceased contestants must play a deadly video game, in order to win another chance at life. Gantz features plenty of gore and sex to justify its mature label and similarity to Berserk, but where it really shines is pushing its cast to the brink of insanity.
Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade examines its strong, but broken, protagonist in the same haunting light as Berserk. Both Guts and Kazuki Fuss of the The Wolf Brigade have experienced hell through war; witnessing horrible images no man was ever meant to see. Kazuki's greatest challenge isn't slaying a demon, but reigniting his passion for life. Even though Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade is light on action, Berserk fans will appreciate the mature character-driven story.
In contrast, Akame ga Kill! has more comedic and lighthearted moments than Berserk. Nonetheless, Akame ga Kill! retains the same dark atmosphere with its story about a rag-tag team of mercenaries trying to overthrow a dictatorship government. While not explicitly gory as Berserk, Akame ga Kill! does feature shocking scenes of violence, such as innocent bystanders being crucified or resistant fighters being beheaded and having their freshly cut heads put on display for the public. If you liked the essence of Berserk but want to cool down on the violence, then Akame ga Kill! might be the perfect watch for you.
The Devilman franchise has always been known for its shocking content; originating all the way back to 1987. Devilman Crybaby, the latest entry in the series, is the perfect recommendation for Berserk fans who want the same explicit content, but in a modernized package. The Netflix anime follows Akira Fudo and his demonic alter-ego known as the Devilman, as they go up against Heaven, Hell, and God himself.
As an older-skewing anime series made in the late 90s, Bastard!! has a lot in common with Berserk. Both take place in a gritty fantasy world filled with over-the-top violence and hellish imagery. There is a slight difference in Bastard!!, as the series takes place in a world that has forsaken technology for black magic. It sets the stage for corrupted sorcerers trying to reshape the world in their image, and the monstrous Dark Schneider who must show them the "error of their ways."
As a Shonen Jump action series, Black Clover caters to a much younger audience than Berserk. Nonetheless, Black Clover features a similar medieval fantasy setting, as a young orphan named Asta is trying to become the next "Wizard King." Even though Black Clover deals heavily in magic, Asta makes a name for himself by wielding a gigantic, magic-canceling Demon-Slayer Sword, which is very reminiscent of the giant blade Guts carries around himself. This may be the perfect watch for you if you're looking for a fantasy series that is lighter on the themes as opposed to Berserk.
