Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer quickly became a fan favorite. It features a charming cast of characters with innovative visual designs, creative action sequences, and a realistic setting of early 1900s Japan. Demons, magical swords, mountain castles, and semi-modern Tokyo, including cars and locomotives, are the norm.

Demon Slayer recently concluded its flashy and emotionally-driven second season, and fans are desperate for more. Until the anime's third season arrives in 2023, there are plenty of Shonen series like Demon Slayer to whet an anime fan's appetite. These shows have both stylish animation and heart-stopping fight scenes, and there are a lot to choose from.

Updated on November 24th, 2023 by Sage Ashford: Demon Slayer remains one of the most popular anime in the world. As the series approaches its final season, this list has been updated to reflect changes in CBR's formatting.

20 Jujutsu Kaisen Features Demon Slayers In The Modern World

The cast pose together on the Jujutsu Kaisen Anime Poster
Jujutsu Kaisen
TV-MA
Animation
Action
Adventure

A boy swallows a cursed talisman - the finger of a demon - and becomes cursed himself. He enters a shaman's school to be able to locate the demon's other body parts and thus exorcise himself.

Release Date
October 2, 2020
Cast
Junya Enoki , Yuma Uchida , Yuichi Nakamura , Adam McArthur , Asami Seto
Main Genre
Animation
Seasons
3
Studio
MAPPA
Creator
Gege Akutami
Related
Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Spirits Explained
In JJK, cursed spirits form as the ultimate embodiment of humanity's deepest fears and pent-up negative emotions.

MyAnimeList Score:

8.72/10

IMDB Score:

8.6/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4.5/5

Jujutsu Kaisen took the world by storm after its anime adaptation aired in 2020. Like Demon Slayer, the main cast is part of an organization tasked to fight monsters — or cursed spirits, as they are known Jujutsu Kaisen. After swallowing the finger of an ancient cursed spirit, Yuji Itadori is thrust into this dangerous profession, with the knowledge that no matter what he does, victory will cost him.

Demon Slayer fans are sure to appreciate the anime's extensive cast of characters, each lovable in their own right. On top of that, Studio MAPPA did a brilliant job animating some of the manga's best and unique fights. The anime is action-packed, hard-hitting, and sure to leave a lasting impression on any new viewer.

19 Blue Exorcist Takes On A More Humorous Approach To Fighting Demons

The cast of Blue Exorcist on the anime cover art
Blue Exorcist
TV-14
Action
Drama

After discovering that he's the son of Satan, a young man must join the True Cross Academy in order to master his abilities and defeat Satan himself.

Release Date
April 17, 2011
Main Genre
Anime
Seasons
1

MyAnimeList Score:

7.42/10

IMDB Score:

7.4/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4/5

Blue Exorcist is another action-packed anime that centers around teenage demon hunters. The protagonist, Rin Okumura, is the son of Satan, but this fact only drives his desire to exorcise as many demons as he can.

Despite receiving constant ridicule from his peers, nothing can stop Rin from becoming the most powerful exorcist. Blue Exorcist isn't as dark as Demon Slayer, but fans will surely appreciate its whimsical qualities. It's a series that doesn't take itself too seriously, while still packing a punch.

18 Noragami Explores The Supernatural From The Perspective Of The Gods

MyAnimeList Score:

8.15/10

IMDB Score:

7.8/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4.3/5

Demon Slayer fans are sure to enjoy Noragami. It's a supernatural anime, but it blends comedy into the plot to keep things light-hearted. The series follows Yato, an irrelevant god who strives to amass enough followers to have his own shrine. To do so, he's willing to take on any job for a single 5 yen coin.

While doing his job, a chance encounter with a human named Hiyori turns his world upside down. Agreeing to help Hiyori places Yato on a journey that will delve into his past and help him discover a new path forward. Demon Slayer fans looking for great fight scenes from a lovable protagonist might find Yato a bit quirky, but he'll grow on most viewers quickly.

17 Bungou Stray Dogs Offers Fans A Supernatural Seinen Adventure

MyAnimeList Score:

7.82/10

IMDB Score:

7.8/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4.4/5

For fans who appreciate Demon Slayer's darker themes, Bungou Stray Dogs is a supernatural seinen title that never disappoints. This anime combines mystery with fantasy, creating an engaging story about the Armed Detective Agency versus the Port Mafia and various other criminal organizations.

Almost every character from Bungou Stray Dogs has a unique ability, ranging from tiger transformation to nullifying others' powers. Additionally, Atsushi is a lovable protagonist who learned how to love himself after coming from a tragic background of abuse and abandonment.

16 Golden Kamuy Provides A More Realistic Historical Action Series

Golden Kamuy anime cover with the characters looking skyward
Golden Kamuy
TV-MA
Action
Adventure

In the early 20th century in Hokkaido, Japan, a treasure hunt between various parties takes place for a hidden stash of gold.

Studio
Geno Studios, Brain's Base
Release Date
April 9, 2018
Main Genre
Anime
Seasons
4

MyAnimeList Score:

8.13/10

IMDB Score:

8.1/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4/5

Golden Kamuy is another fantastic recommendation for fans who enjoyed Demon Slayer's historical elements and amazing action scenes. Set during after the real life events of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, placing it in the same timeline as Demon Slayer. Saichi, the protagonist of Golden Kamuy, toils away endlessly as he searches for gold.

This heavy-duty anime has mind-blowing fights that showcase Saichi's uncanny ability to outrun death itself. He still somehow comes out victorious from battles he should have lost. Golden Kamuy will keep fans occupied as they wait for Demon Slayer's next season to air.

15 Rurouni Kenshin's Protagonist Tries To Leave Behind His Violent Past

The cast of Rurouni Kenshin
Rurouni Kenshin
Action
Adventure
Animation

The adventures of a young wandering swordsman who stumbles upon a struggling martial arts school in Meiji era Japan.

Studio
Gallop and Studio Deen
Release Date
January 10, 1996
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll
Main Cast
Mayo Suzukare, Miki Fujitani, Richard Cansino and Dorothy Elias-Fahn

MyAnimeList Score:

8.29/10

IMDB Score:

8.5/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4/5

Related
Anime Fans Say a Rurouni Kenshin Dub "Shouldn't Even Be Happening" After VA Donations
Much of the anime community remains adamant that Rurouni Kenshin's voice actors are morally in the wrong for taking part in the series' English dub.

Set during Japan's Meiji Era, Rurouni Kenshin is a renowned anime franchise by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The titular protagonist was a feared assassin and swordsman known as Battosai, the Manslayer, but later abandons his life of wanton brutality and violence.

Kenshin is now a pacifist and refuses to kill again, only using a reverse-bladed sword that cannot take his opponents' lives. He is much kinder than his reputation would suggest and is an older brother figure like Tanjiro Kamado. Demon Slayer fans will love Kenshin's quest for a peaceful life as his old enemies attempt to thwart him.

14 Attack On Titan Is Demon Slayer's Darker, More Dystopian Cousin

Eren Yeager in his scout uniform on the Attack On Titan Anime Poster
Attack On Titan
TV-MA
Action
Adventure

Original title: Shingeki no Kyojin.
After his hometown is destroyed and his mother is killed, young Eren Jaeger vows to cleanse the earth of the giant humanoid Titans that have brought humanity to the brink of extinction in Attack on Titan.

Release Date
September 28, 2013
Cast
Bryce Papenbrook , Yûki Kaji , Marina Inoue , Hiro Shimono , Takehito Koyasu , Jessie James Grelle
Main Genre
Animation
Seasons
4 Seasons

MyAnimeList Score:

8.79/10

IMDB Score:

9.1/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4.5/5

At first glance, Attack on Titan may seem significantly different from Demon Slayer. The villains, known as Titans, are towering giants causing chaos in a gaslamp fantasy world. But if boiled down to its essentials, Attack on Titan can be described as Demon Slayer's gorier cousin.

This highly complex Shonen anime is so dark it sometimes feels like a seinen. Attack on Titan follows the Survey Corps as they set out to defend the last walled human city against the Titans. However, victory comes at a steep cost. It's a monster-fighting anime to define a generation, and Demon Slayer fans won't want to miss out.

13 The Promised Neverland Is A Fantasy Horror Series About Children Fighting Against Monsters

The Promised Neverland anime characters on a silverware clock
The Promised Neverland
TV-14
Action
Drama

When three gifted kids at an isolated idyllic orphanage discover the secret and sinister purpose they were raised for, they look for a way to escape from their evil caretaker and lead the other children in a risky escape plan.

Studio
CloverWorks
Release Date
January 11, 2019
Main Genre
Anime
Seasons
2
Creator
Kaiu Shirai

MyAnimeList Score:

7.67/10

IMDB Score:

7.8/10

Anime-Planet Score:

3.75/5

The Promised Neverland is another dark fantasy horror-esque anime that Demon Slayer fans gravitate to. Emma, Norman, and Ray are three orphans living happily in a secluded cottage with their "mother," Isabella. Everything seems peaceful, with no dangers and plenty of fun things to do. But the three discover a terrifying secret involving demons and human sacrifice.

The children must do whatever it takes to ensure it doesn't happen to them, but they must also take care not to reveal what they've found. As the first season's story is relatively self-contained, the series is still worth the watch in spite of the infamous second season.

12 Hunter X Hunter Contains Plenty Of Adventures In A Dangerous World

Hunter x Hunter cast gathered together
Hunter x Hunter

Gon Freecss aspires to become a Hunter, an exceptional being capable of greatness. With his friends and his potential, he seeks out his father, who left him when he was younger.

Genre
Adventure, Fantasy, Martial Arts
Language
English, Japanese
Number of Seasons
6
Debut Date
October 2, 2011
Studio
Madhouse, Shueisha

MyAnimeList Score:

9.04/10

IMDB Score:

9.0/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4.5/5

Hunter x Hunter may not have demons, but it's another adventure anime perfect for Demon Slayer fans. Created by one of the most well-known mangaka, Yoshihiro Togashi, Hunter x Hunter easily made itself a staple in the Shonen genre. Gon Freecss wants to be like his father and travels worldwide to become the best hunter.

Like Tanjiro, he ends up gathering a group of eclectic individuals who soon become his closest friends. Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio are all unique characters with a range of powers at their disposal, but it is their endearing camaraderie that makes Hunter x Hunter worthwhile.

11 Fire Force Sees Humanity Struggle For Survival Against Beings Who Control Fire

Fire Force anime cast huddled together
Fire Force

A superhuman firefighter force is formed to deal with supernatural fire incidents.

Genre
Anime
Language
Japanese/English Dub
Number of Seasons
2
Debut Date
July 6, 2019
Studio
David Production

MyAnimeList Score:

7.81/10

IMDB Score:

7.6/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4.1/5

There may not be swords in the Fire Force universe, but this recent anime does share Demon Slayer's monster-hunter-corps concept. ​​​​​​In Fire Force, the world has been rebuilt after an apocalyptic inferno. People who suffer from spontaneous combustion become Infernals. It's up to the firefighters and their priest allies to douse the Infernals' flames and send them to Heaven.

But it's not just about monsters. There's also a grand conspiracy in the works, and hero Shinra Kusakabe is stuck right in the middle. While the series is perfect for Demon Slayer fans, it has much more fanservice than Demon Slayer, which could make or break a new fan's viewing experience.

10 Inuyasha Is Stylistically Similar To Demon Slayer

Cast of Inuyasha posing on the offcial anime poster
Inuyasha
TV-14
Action-Adventure

A teenage girl periodically travels back in time to feudal Japan to help a young half-demon recover the shards of a jewel of great power.

Studio
Sunrise
Release Date
October 16, 2000
Main Genre
Anime
Seasons
7
Franchise
Inuyasha
Creator
Rumiko Takahashi

MyAnimeList Score:

8.20/10

IMDB Score:

8.5/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4.2/5

Rumiko Takahashi's Inuyasha may be stylistically closest to Demon Slayer. Both shows feature a Japanese fantasy setting, magic swords and weapons, stunning landscapes, and vicious demons of all sizes. However, while Tanjiro spends most of his time trying to cure his sister from her demonic curse, Inuyasha instead focuses on a man trying to live with his demonic blood.

The half-demon protagonist Inuyasha roams feudal Japan on his quest to destroy Naraku, the demon responsible for killing his lover and pitting them against each other. He now has a merry band of adventurers who were also negatively affected by Naraku's actions.

9 Bleach Makes Sword Fights As Fun As Demon Slayer

Ichigo Kurosaki ready to fight with cast of characters in Bleach Anime Poster
Bleach
TV-14
Action
Adventure
Fantasy

Bleach revolves around Kurosaki Ichigo, a regular always-grouchy high-schooler who for some strange reason is able to see the souls of the dead around him.

Release Date
October 5, 2004
Cast
Masakazu Morita , Fumiko Orikasa , Hiroki Yasumoto , Yuki Matsuoka , Noriaki Sugiyama , Kentarô Itô , Shinichirô Miki , Hisayoshi Suganuma
Main Genre
Anime
Seasons
17 Seasons
Creator
Tite Kubo
Related
Why Bleach Needs an Empowering Spinoff Story For This Fan-Favorite Character
Rukia Kuchiki's growth in Bleach was impressive, but the best phase of her character arc is still ahead of her, and fans need to see it.

MyAnimeList Score:

7.93/10

IMDB Score:

8.2/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4/5

Bleach is another popular Shonen title with lots of overlap with Demon Slayer. The series stars a teenage boy whose family is threatened by monsters, forcing him to take up swordsmanship to fight the forces of evil. Both anime feature strong Japanese themes and enchanted worlds galore.

Like Demon Slayer, all of its protagonists are meant to be expert swordsmen, and might even be some of the best swordsmen in anime. In fact, all of their fights are built around characters wielding powerful sword techniques, relying on their swords' incredible special skills to win battles. Some of these swordsmen are even capable of using their swords' extra forms to manifest quixotic entities like ice dragons and Buddhist deities.

8 Yu Yu Hakusho Inspired Shonen Anime For Decades To Come

Yu Yu Hakusho Ghost Files poster.
Yu Yu Hakusho
TV-PG

After a teenage delinquent is killed while saving a child's life from an approaching car, the rulers of the underworld send him back to become an "Underworld Detective" investigating demons apparitions in the human world.

Studio
Pierrot
Release Date
October 10, 1992
Main Genre
Anime
Seasons
1
Number of Episodes
112

MyAnimeList Score:

8.46/10

IMDB Score:

8.5/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4.1/5

Yu Yu Hakusho is a supernatural action anime dating back to the early 1990s, but it's a beloved Shonen staple that inspired many elements of both Bleach and Naruto, two modern-day foundational anime. The anime features a high school delinquent with a good heart, Yusuke Urameshi, who is killed in a car accident when he saves a child's life.

Impressed by his good deed, the spirit world hires Yusuke as a Spirit Detective. Yusuke rallies three comrades to his side: his spiritually aware classmate, Kuwabara, the ice and fire demon, Hiei, and the ex-demon thief, Kurama. Together, they solve various issues plaguing the human, spirit, and demon worlds.

7 Avatar: The Last Airbender's Aang Has Boundless Kindness And Potential

Avatar The Last Airbender TV Poster
Avatar: The Last Airbender
TV-Y7-FV
Animation
Action
Adventure
Fantasy

In a war-torn world of elemental magic, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.

Release Date
February 21, 2005
Cast
Dee Bradley Baker , Mae Whitman , Jack De Sena , Dante Basco
Main Genre
Animation
Seasons
3

IMDB Score:

9.3/10

Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender has been a fan-favorite since the early 2000s. The series is considered a Western cartoon by many, but it draws heavily from anime visuals and storytelling methods. Viewers are introduced to a rich, pan-Asian-inspired setting where benders can control one of the four elements, but only the almighty Avatar can wield all four.

The 12-year-old Air Nomad monk and current Avatar, Aang goes on a quest to defeat the villainous Fire Lord and end a century-long war that has ravaged the world. Plenty of action, comedy, and vital life lessons are had along the way.

6 Dororo Focuses On A Man Fighting Demons To Recover Himself

Dororo anime art cover with a boy and a man in a field of wheat
Dororo (2019)

A father in pursuit of power gives parts of his new-born son to a host of demons. Years later, the son battles those demons to regain what is rightfully his.

MyAnimeList Score:

8.25/10

IMDB Score:

8.3/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4.3/5

Affectionately known as the God of Manga, Osamu Tezuka's works are legendary. Various anime and manga producers look to his works for inspiration because they are so timeless. Due to their similarities, Tezuka's anime Dororo would be an excellent recommendation for Demon Slayer fans. Dororo also takes place in a world terrorized by demons.

A greedy feudal lord, desperate to maintain power, makes a pact and uses his firstborn, Hyakkimaru, as a sacrifice. As a result, the child is born limbless and faceless, but survives thanks to a kind-hearted medicine man. Hyakkimaru now wishes to exact revenge on both his father and the demons that ruined his childhood.

5 D.Gray-Man Sets A Demon Hunting Society Loose In A Dark, Gothic World

MyAnimeList Score:

8.01/10

IMDB Score:

7.7/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4.0/5

Related
D. Gray Man: How to Get Started With the Anime and Manga
Though it had a relatively short run as an anime and light novel, the D.Gray-man manga is still going strong, and well worth the time commitment.

D.Gray-Man's setting differs considerably from Demon Slayer's, as it primarily takes place in late 19th-century Europe. However, it checks off many of the same action-fantasy boxes. Viewers meet the tough orphan boy, Allen Walker, who uses the power of Innocence to destroy monsters, also known as Akuma, that suddenly erupt from people.

Allen is a pure-hearted individual like Tanjiro, fighting tirelessly to protect the innocent. He joins an Akuma-hunting organization called the Black Order to vanquish all traces of evil. The gothic-inspired Black Order has branches worldwide, so finding all the Akuma requires Allen to travel extensively.

4 One Piece Offers Masterful Worldbuilding And Character Development

Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sani, Robin, Chopper, Brook, Frankyand Jimbei in One Piece Egg-Head Arc poster
One Piece
TV-14
Animation
Action
Adventure

Follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew in order to find the greatest treasure ever left by the legendary Pirate, Gold Roger. The famous mystery treasure named "One Piece".

Release Date
October 20, 1999
Cast
Mayumi Tanaka , Akemi Okamura , Laurent Vernin , Tony Beck , Kazuya Nakai
Main Genre
Animation
Seasons
1

MyAnimeList Score:

8.71/10

IMDB Score:

8.9/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4.3/5

Cheerful protagonists with well-respected fathers are what One Piece's Monkey D. Luffy and Demon Slayer's Tanjiro Kamado have in common. Their worlds are also brilliantly crafted, with an array of exciting and colorful characters.

One Piece isn't a dark fantasy like Demon Slayer, but it has its serious and impactful moments. One Piece also has more socio-political undertones, and there are plenty of instances where morality is questioned. Nonetheless, it's a fun ride for any Demon Slayer fan looking for adventure.

3 My Hero Academia Is One Of The Biggest Anime Of The New Generation Shonen

Class 2-A leap into battle with the League of Villains on the MHA Anime Poster
My Hero Academia
TV-14
Action
Adventure

Izuku has dreamt of being a hero all his life—a lofty goal for anyone, but especially challenging for a kid with no superpowers. That’s right, in a world where eighty percent of the population has some kind of super-powered “quirk,” Izuku was unlucky enough to be born completely normal. But that’s not enough to stop him from enrolling in one of the world’s most prestigious hero academies.

Release Date
May 5, 2018
Cast
Daiki Yamashita , Justin Briner , Nobuhiko Okamoto , Ayane Sakura
Main Genre
Anime
Seasons
6

MyAnimeList Score:

7.38/10

IMDB Score:

8.3/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4.4/5

My Hero Academia is part of what fans refer to as The New Generation of shonen, alongside series like Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer. Like Tanjiro, Izuku Midoriya is a peaceful protagonist spurred into action. Born without a Quirk, Izuku finds himself at a serious disadvantage in a world filled with superpowered people. Despite this setback, it doesn't dampen Deku's heroic spirit.

His quest begins when the Pro Hero All Might bestows him with his One For All Quirk. Deku then enrolls in U.A. High, a school specializing in training heroes, and he gets his first taste of combat much sooner than expected. However, the villains in My Hero Academia feel oppressed by a society ruled by heroes, adding a few extra layers to this otherwise action-packed narrative.

2 Naruto Sees The Demon Threat Come From The Lead Protagonist

Sakura, Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi sensei and Iruka sensei posing on Naruto Anime cover
Naruto

Naruto Uzumaki, a mischievous adolescent ninja, struggles as he searches for recognition and dreams of becoming the Hokage, the village's leader and strongest ninja.

MyAnimeList Score:

7.99/10

IMDB Score:

8.4/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4.2/5

Like Demon Slayer, Naruto centers around a hero who fights tooth and nail to survive in a cruel world. It has its own combat system based on the stealthy shinobi from Japanese history. Not to mention Naruto has plenty of emotional and dark moments as well.

Instead of a demon sister, Naruto must conquer the demon lying dormant within him, the Nine-Tailed Fox. The Nine-Tails is a gigantic mass of bloodthirst and rage, the same creature that terrorized his village on the night of his birth. Both series have a plethora of life lessons and lovable characters who struggle to navigate their violent worlds.

1 Dragon Ball Offers An Adventure With Non-Stop Action

Cast of Dragon Ball Z leaping towards the camera in Anime Poster
Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball tells the tale of a young warrior by the name of Son Goku, a young peculiar boy with a tail who embarks on a quest to become stronger and learns of the Dragon Balls, when, once all 7 are gathered, grant any wish of choice.

Created by
Akira Toriyama
First Film
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
Latest Film
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
First TV Show
Dragon Ball
Latest TV Show
Dragon Ball Super
First Episode Air Date
April 26, 1989
Latest Episode
Cast
Sean Schemmel , Laura Bailey , Brian Drummond , Christopher Sabat , Scott McNeil

MyAnimeList Score:

7.96/10

IMDB Score:

8.5/10

Anime-Planet Score:

4/5

Mangaka Akira Toriyama is universally renowned for his smash-hit Dragon Ball and its many sequels, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, and more. In this electrifying franchise, muscle-bound heroes fight muscle-bound bad guys and monsters from outer space. Every battle is a titanic clash of will that can alter the very landscape of the planet they're fighting on.

However, this series balances itself out with some truly inspirational characters, such as Goku as well as the family and friendships he creates during his time on Earth. Evil will never win so long as the Super Saiyan heroes have anything to say about it. Demon Slayer fans looking for a nonstop action series can do no better.