Animes Similar To Tokyo Ghoul – In European folklore, ghouls are often depicted as non-living creatures that lurk in the darkness of the night to crawl on the flesh of both the living and the dead.
Tokyo Ghoul, a famous anime series, introduces an interesting twist to this concept. The story begins when the first subject undergoes a rapid and unusual transformation resulting from the overproduction of RC cells, resulting in the release of spores that turn other humans into ghouls.
Despite his awareness of the existence of these supernatural beings, a young man named Ken Kaneki falls victim to a chance encounter with Rize Kamishiro, which causes him severe injuries.
To save his life, doctors performed a unique operation, replacing one of his eyes with Rize’s, making him a hybrid creature. Despite his fear, Ken Kaneki learns to manage his new identity while facing threats from the Counter Ghoul Commission (CCG) and other ghoul-gols.
The riveting storyline within Tokyo Ghoul is undeniably very special, but the anime world offers a more thrilling experience.
This time, we will review some other anime recommendations that offer experiences similar to Tokyo Ghoul that are suitable for watching to fill your free time.
List of Animes Similar To Tokyo Ghoul
1. Parasyte: The Maxim (2015)
In 2015, a sudden invasion by parasitic aliens shook the Earth, infiltrating vulnerable human bodies. These insatiable creatures take over their victims, changing shape in search of unsuspecting prey.
Shinichi Izumi, a sixteen-year-old teenager, falls victim to one of these parasites, but he manages to avoid a takeover of his brain. Instead, the parasite lives in its right hand, creating a unique symbiotic relationship. Together, they must fight off evil parasites determined to exterminate their kind.
Similar to Tokyo Ghoul, the protagonists in both series undergo life transformations that turn them into human predators in different ways, which forces them to adapt to new bodies.
2. Ajin (2016)
Seventeen years ago, Africa witnessed the emergence of a mysterious immortal being known as Ajin. Labeled as a threat to humanity because of their evil potential, they are indestructible. Any Ajin found must be immediately arrested.
Kei Nagai, a high school student who dreams of becoming a doctor, knows little about Ajin. However, after miraculously surviving an accident that was supposed to take his life, he discovers that he is an Ajin, marking the beginning of his suffering.
Alone and on the run, Kei realizes that more conspecifics may be closer than he thought.
Like Tokyo Ghoul, Ajin has a main character who becomes hardened through a life-changing experience. Kaneki becomes a ghoul, while Kei becomes an Ajin. Ghouls have superhuman powers and require human flesh, while Ajin are immortal and can summon black human entities under their control.
3. Attack on Titan (2013)
Centuries ago, humanity was almost wiped out by monstrous Titans, forcing survivors to hide behind the walls of the Great Wall for shelter.
What makes these titans truly terrifying is that their lust for human flesh is not hunger but seems to be more pleasure. To ensure their survival, the remnants of humanity began to live within the defensive walls, resulting in a hundred years without meeting a single titan.
However, that fragile calm is soon shaken when the Colossal Titan manages to break through the supposedly unshakable outer wall, restarting the fight for survival against the man-eating creatures.
After witnessing horrific personal loss from the invasion of these creatures, Eren Yeager dedicates his life to exterminating them by joining the Survey Corps, an elite military unit that fights merciless humanoids outside the defensive walls.
Similar to Tokyo Ghoul, the common theme of the anime series is the struggle for the survival of humanity. The main characters will have to fight for life and gain incredible powers that change their world.
The series also offers intense action, bloody scenes, thrilling battles, and epic powers, but it’s no match for the faint of heart.
Read Also : 15 Best Animes Similar To Attack on Titan
4. Deadman Wonderland (2011)
In 2011, Ganta Igarashi and his friends anticipate an ordinary school trip to the incredible prison-themed amusement park, Deadman Wonderland. They did not know that the day would turn into something terrible.
Their entire class falls victim to a gruesome massacre by a mysterious man dressed in red. Ganta, wrongly accused of the incident, finds himself sentenced to death and locked up in the prison he was supposed to visit.
For Ganta, the nightmare is just beginning. He is thrown into a world of sadistic inmates with mysterious powers, living in constant fear of a deadly necklace around his neck, which can only be slowed down by success in the prison’s deadly games.
To survive in this cruel place, Ganta will have to risk his life, where distinguishing friends from enemies is a difficult task. The goal is to find the mysterious Red Man and clear his name inside Deadman Wonderland.
This thrilling anime explores the transformation of its main characters, just like Tokyo Ghoul. Throughout the show, you will witness their struggle and adaptation to new abilities. Prepare yourself for intense moments, because this horror anime is not for the faint of heart.
5. Shiki (2010)
Living in the peaceful town of Sotoba feels very beautiful, where everyone knows each other. However, tragedy strikes the town when Megumi Shimizu, a young girl with high ambitions, suddenly dies from an unknown illness.
During a hot summer, unexplained deaths spread in the village, prompting suspicion from the town’s doctor, Toshio Ozaki.
Toshio partners with Natsuno Yuuki, an apathetic teenager, and brothers Kaori and Akira Tanaka, both friends of Megumi, to uncover the dark mystery behind the deaths in Sotoba. Their investigation together leads them to a horrifying revelation related to a new family living in the Kanemasa mansion.
Similar to Tokyo Ghoul, Shiki fights for survival by means of cannibalism or transforming others into their likeness, while humans fight for their existence.
This results in a world full of bloodshed and cruelty. In Shiki, discover for yourself who is the true predator and who is the prey in this unique experience.
6. Devil’s Line (2018)
Vampires are among us, hidden within the layers of society. They don’t rely on blood to survive, but extreme emotions can trigger uncontrollable blood cravings, turning them into uncontrollable monsters.
Tsukasa Taira, a 22-year-old college student, accidentally learns of the existence of vampires when his old friend reveals his true identity after a tense encounter with Yuuki Anzai, a human-vampire hybrid.
His friend’s arrest leads Tsukasa to a feeling of attraction with Anzai, who is reluctant to respond to his feelings. However, this unconventional romance may be difficult to maintain as Anzai struggles to contain the part of herself that wants to eat Tsukasa.
If you enjoy the Tokyo Ghoul aspects, chances are you’ll love Devils Line. Similarly to Tokyo Ghoul, the series is striking, as both explore the supernatural creatures that coalesce in society, the organization devoted to hunting them down, and the overall atmosphere that will arouse the interest of Tokyo Ghoul fans.
7. Akame Ga Kill! (2014)
Night Raid is a covert assassination unit of the Revolutionary Army, an insurgency formed to overthrow Prime Minister Honest. His insatiable greed for power and the exploitation of the Little Emperor’s ignorance have plunged the country into poverty, conflict, and ruin.
Although they are experienced assassins, the members of Night Raid understand the weight of taking lives and the inevitable consequences they will face as they ruthlessly eliminate those who stand in the way of the revolution.
Read also: 15 Best Animes Similar To Akame Ga Kill!
Tatsumi, a naive young man from a remote village, joins this group of assassins. He embarks on a journey to help his impoverished hometown and is captivated not only by the principles of Night Raid but also by their unwavering determination.
Like Tokyo Ghoul, Akame ga Kill! A protagonist starts out weak and isolated but eventually becomes stronger, learning the importance of brotherhood. They both rebel against their respective societies and face the harsh realities of their worlds.
Akame ga Kill! and Tokyo Ghoul are adaptations of their manga. If you’ve watched one of them, you should definitely explore the others. If you haven’t watched either, it’s well worth exploring both.
8. Pupa (2014)
Abandoned by abusive parents, brothers Utsutsu and Yume Hasegawa depend only on each other, but their world turns dark when a beautiful red butterfly appears. Unbeknownst to them, a message from the Red Wings announces the appearance of a terrifying virus, the Pupa.
After being completely affected by the pupa’s effects, Yume undergoes a disgusting transformation into a ravenous creature with an insatiable appetite. Meanwhile, Utsutsu undergoes a partial transformation, giving him incredible regeneration abilities.
Determined to fulfill a promise he made to himself years ago, Utsutsu is willing to sacrifice everything to protect his beloved sister.
Just like Tokyo Ghoul, Pupa has a macabre theme and features individuals who transform into flesh-eating monsters, adapting to their new lives.
Although Pupa’s storylines may be somewhat unconnected, Tokyo Ghoul offers a more coherent narrative. If you enjoy Pupa, you will definitely find attractions in Tokyo Ghoul.
9. Death Note (2007)
The human world is filled with brutal murders, petty thefts, and senseless violence, while the world of the God of Death remains ordinary and unchanged. Light Yagami, a brilliant 17-year-old Japanese student, and Ryuk, the sadistic God of Death, share the belief that their world has been polluted.
Ryuk drops his Death Note into the human world for fun, and Light finds it. The first rule looks absurd: the man whose name is written in this notebook will die. However, Light succumbs to temptation and writes the name of a criminal, triggering his first murder.
Similar to Tokyo Ghoul, Death Note has an alluring resemblance. The two protagonists, Light and Kaneki, are students who lose their humanity as their worlds and perspectives change inexorably.
Although the transformation in Death Note is more metaphorical, with Light’s divine complexity and serial killings, it is clear that he lost his humanity.
In contrast, Tokyo Ghoul is more literal, with Kaneki undergoing a physical transformation into a ghoul and struggling to survive in this new state. Both protagonists have supernatural weapons, and both are excellent mystery anime.
While Tokyo Ghoul offers action and blood, Death Note features intricate mind games and intense competition.
Read Also : 15 Best Animes Similar To Death Note
10. Seraph of the End (2015)
In a world ravaged by a mysterious virus that claimed the lives of everyone over the age of 13, humanity finds itself overrun by greedy vampires who had been hiding until the virus appeared. These vampires offer protection to survivors in exchange for their blood donations while subjugating society.
Among the survivors are Yuuichirou and Mikaela Hyakuya, two young boys who, along with other children they consider family, were taken over from an orphanage.
Dissatisfied with their treatment as cattle under the cruel rule of the vampires, Mikaela plots a rebellious escape plan but ultimately fails, leaving Yuuichirou as the sole survivor. He is later discovered by the Moon Demon Company, a military unit that aims to eradicate vampires in Japan.
Owari No Seraph is a must-see on this list. With a vampire theme, approachable characters, and a storyline reminiscent of Tokyo Ghoul, Owari no Seraph is an anime you’d do well to add to your watch list. More than that, there’s a second season, so you’ll have plenty of episodes to enjoy!
11. Psycho-Pass (2013)
The concept of justice and its enforcement have undergone a transformation in the 22nd century. Japan uses the Sibyl System, an objective method of determining the threat level of citizens by examining their mental state for signs of criminal intent, known as their Psycho-Pass.
The inspectors guard the law by subjecting, often with deadly force, anyone who shows even the slightest malicious intent. Along with them are the enforcers, the inspectors, who are already saturated and have become latent criminals, given relative freedom in exchange for performing the inspector’s dirty duties.
In this world, Akane Tsunemori comes with a sincere desire to uphold justice. However, as he teams up with veteran enforcer Shinya Kougami, he soon realizes that the Sibyl System’s judgment is not as good as his fellow inspectors believe.
With her whole world turned upside down, Akane struggles with questions about what true justice is and whether it can be maintained through a system that may already be corrupt.
Both are psychological and mystery series. Like Tokyo Ghoul, Psycho-Pass involves law enforcement, focusing on the point of view of the police, while Tokyo Ghoul offers a point of view from the other side. If you enjoy gore and mystery themes, these two anime series are great choices.
12. Bungo Stray Dogs (2016)
For months, Atsushi Nakajima’s orphanage has been plagued by the presence of a mysterious tiger that only he seems unaware of. Suspected as the cause of this strange incident, 18-year-old Atsushi is abruptly kicked out of the orphanage, leaving him hungry, homeless, and wandering around in the city.
While starving by the river, Atsushi saves an eccentric man named Osamu Dazai from drowning. Dazai is an extreme fan interested in suicide and an occult detective who has been investigating the same tigers that scare Atsushi.
Together with Dazai’s partner, Doppo Kunikida, they solve the mystery, but the solution puts Atsushi in a difficult situation.
Similar to Tokyo Ghoul, Bungou Stray Dogs features two groups of individuals with supernatural traits who engage in conflict. Both series are full of action and often take place in dark alleyways. In Bungou Stray Dogs, the main antagonist,
Ryuunosuke Akutagawa has the ability Rashomon, which is similar to Kagune from Tokyo Ghoul. In addition, the protagonists in both series are new people in their respective groups.
Read Also : 18 Best Animes Like Bungou Stray Dogs
13. Demon Slayer (2019)
After the death of his father, Tanjirou Kamado assumed the responsibility of supporting his family. Despite their simple life in a remote mountainous area, the Kamado family enjoys a relatively quiet and happy life.
One day, Tanjirou decides to go to a nearby village to earn money by selling charcoal. However, as night falls on his way home, he is forced to seek refuge in the home of a strange man who gives him a warning about the flesh-eating demons that lurk in the forest at night.
When he arrives home the next day, a terrible sight awaits—his entire family has been savagely slaughtered. To add to the tragedy, the only survivor is his sister, Nezuko, who has turned into a bloodthirsty demon.
Driven by a burning desire for revenge and an unwavering determination for his only surviving brother, Tanjirou vows to avenge his family’s death.
Similar to Tokyo Ghoul, both series explore the conflict between ghouls and demons against humanity. Some characters experience traumatic events that alter their lives, transforming them from innocence to a dark reality.
The two main characters embark on a journey within a seemingly perfect world that is soon destroyed. There are exciting battles, intense action, captivating music, and amazing animations in both series.
Read Also : 15 Best Animes Similar To Demon Slayer
14. Guilty Crown (2012)
On December 24, 2029, known as Lost Christmas, the Apocalypse Virus spreads across Japan, causing death and chaos. To restore order, the United Nations sent GHQ to contain this outbreak, taking over the country’s political autonomy in the process.
Ten years later, Japan is still under GHQ’s control, unable to escape their authoritarian grip. Frustrated with the state of their country, a resistance group called Funeral Parlor, led by the charismatic Gai Tsutsugami, aims to free Japan from GHQ’s control.
Their plan involves acquiring the Void Genome, which falls into the hands of internet singer Inori Yuzuriha. On his way, he is hunted by GHQ’s Anti-Bodies squad and seeks refuge in a warehouse, where he meets Shuu Ouma, a shy high school student who is a fan of his music.
Like Tokyo Ghoul, Guilty Crown explores the moral complexities of what is right and wrong. They offer an interesting perspective on morality in shades of gray, with Tokyo Ghoul further exploring its darker side. Both series impress with stunning visuals, captivating music, and intense action.
15. Another (2012)
Kouichi Sakakibara, a transfer student, returns to grades 3–3 at Yomiyama North Junior High after recovering from an illness that kept him out for the first month of school. He is attracted to Mei Misaki, a quiet girl with a blindfold whom he met at the hospital during his absence.
Surprisingly, none of her classmates acknowledged her existence, warning her not to get involved with something that shouldn’t exist. Despite their warnings, Kouichi forms a friendship with Mei, leading her to the sinister truth behind her friends’ fears.
Read also: 15 Best Animes Similar To Another
A sinister rumor relates to a former student in grade 3. However, no one wanted to share the full details with Kouichi. Caught in a curse that haunts his class, Kouichi embarks on a journey to unravel the mystery connected to his new friend.
As a series of tragedies unfold around them, it’s now up to Kouichi, Mei, and their classmates to unravel this sinister mystery, albeit at a high price.
Similar to Tokyo Ghoul, Another has supernatural elements, questions the concept of humanity to some extent, provides moments of ferocity, and has very beautiful music.
The main difference is that Another is more inclined towards mystery and horror, while Tokyo Ghoul adopts a darker fantasy theme.
For those of you who love anime like Tokyo Ghoul and are looking for anime similar to Tokyo Ghoul, then the list above is a recommendation for some selected anime similar to Tokyo Ghoul, which you might be able to watch. Thank you very much for reading this article, and see you in the next article. Enjoy watching, and have a nice day.
