Players have thoroughly enjoyed FromSoftware's latest project Elden Ring since its release in February 2022. The game has the difficulty of other Souls games but is presented in a more accessible way that has opened the genre up to more people. Elden Ring offers considerable freedom to players, both in the sense of it being an open-world game, but also due to the sheer volume of weapons and class possibilities.
When a game like this generates such a buzz of excitement, it generally gets players and fans searching for the next thing to sink into. However, this doesn't always have to be another game, as there are plenty of television shows and anime series that will certainly be suitable for those who enjoy Elden Ring.
10 Sword Art Online & Elden Ring Are Both Death Games In Their Own Right
Sword Art Online is arguably one of the most divisive anime of all time. Its popularity is undisputed, and while there are certainly great concepts and episodes, there is a distinct lack of execution in other parts. No matter what happens, there is always at least one moment of trauma or grief per season, with them often stacking up considerably.
The main premise is that Sword Art Online is a virtual reality game that players get trapped in, with death in the game transferring to their real-life selves. With the concept of the anime having a large focus on video games like clearing out dungeons and tough bosses, it is only natural that it would draw comparisons to games like Elden Ring.
9 Re:Zero's Main Premise Embraces Constant Death
At first glance, this might seem like a bizarre comparison, Elden Ring and Re:Zero. However, the connection makes sense because, at their cores, both are about the protagonist dying — a lot. In the case of Elden Ring, the difficulty is a known factor of FromSoftware games, so players know that they will constantly die and have to try again.
In contrast, it takes the protgaonist of Re:Zero, Subaru, a while to become adjusted to the fact that whenever he dies, he resets and is given a chance to do things differently. Re:Zero is one of many isekai adventures, but its brutality and death being a constant occurrence set it apart from many other entries in the genre.
8 Death Is Almost As Frequent In Akame Ga Kill As It Is In Elden Ring
For players that enjoy Elden Ring, the chances are that they enjoy having to overcome the constant fear and risk of death. FromSoftware games are notoriously difficult, meaning that death in these games is often a guarantee.
This is essentially the common theme of Akame ga Kill. It presents an assassination group named Night Raid, who fight to eliminate the bad guys for the good of the people. However, they are constantly opposed and thwarted to the point that the beloved characters are consistently faced with the prospect of death. This chaos has earned criticism over the years, but fans of Elden Ring will likely appreciate the bleak nature of this anime.
7 Jujutsu Kaisen Is A Must-Watch
Since its release in 2020, Jujutsu Kaisen has swiftly risen to be considered one of the most popular anime series. Thanks to its captivating characters and stylish animation, the supernatural dark fantasy show has quickly amassed a cult following. It was even awarded "Anime of the Year" at the 2021 Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
Following the path of the Jujutsu Sorceror, it is shown to be a perilous journey. From the magic to the monsters, known as Curses, Jujutsu Kaisen grips with its combat, which is something that will certainly appeal to fans of Elden Ring.
6 Dorohedoro Wraps Ruthless Brutality In A Nice Comedic Package
Dorohedoro does not hang about in flexing its gruesome animation muscles. It follows Caiman, who has been cursed with the head of a reptile, with no memories of the sorcerer responsible. He vows to cut through every sorcerer in his way in his quest to uncover the truth. However, this brings up some complications.
The world is grim and unforgiving, the fight scenes are sharp and brutal, and all the characters are entertaining and interesting enough to perfectly slot into this overall package. Its mixture of characters have varying levels of magic, with even those that are unable to use it, immediately drawing comparisons with Elden Ring.
5 Berserk Has A Similarly Dark & Unforgiving World
Berserk's anime representation may have been a general disappointment for most compared to the manga's popularity, but it still stands as a pioneer in the dark fantasy genre.
The world has that grim and bleak feeling to it that mirrors that of the Lands Between in Elden Ring. Everything seems to be a threat in both unforgiving worlds, yet it doesn't take away from the stellar worldbuilding. The complex anti-hero protagonist of Berserk, Guts, even feels like he would fit seamlessly into Elden Ring, with all the carnage that he could get stuck into.
4 Claymore Is A Brutal Anime That Mirrors Aspects Of Elden Ring
Claymore is another stellar example of a bleak anime, full of gritty combat, death and despair. Like Berserk, its anime adaptation was never quite able to do justice to the exceptional manga but not for the same reasons. It was generally well-received. With the anime airing back in 2007, many fans were left disappointed when it was canceled after just 26 episodes.
The world and characters are such that fans of Elden Ring will likely connect with and enjoy the limited experience. With her prowess for hacking and slashing, Clare is another protagonist who could easily fit into Elden Ring.
3 Attack On Titan Also Has The Tension & Horrifying Enemies In An Unforgiving World
Attack on Titan is undoubtedly one of the most popular anime of all time, and it is easy to see why. Set in a horrific world full of terrifying monsters known as Titans, every episode is full of dread and tension.
This feeling that the stakes are always too high is replicated in most of FromSoftware's games, but Dark Souls and Elden Ring especially. There are countless grotesque monsters in Elden Ring that move in unnatural ways in terms of speed or general logistics that will instantly draw comparisons to the Titans. Exploring the unknown is treacherous in both worlds.
2 Hellsing Ultimate Is Another Dark World Full Of Danger
As with most shows, movies, or games that focus on vampires as a serious threat, Hellsing Ultimate presents a hellish world with death around every corner. It is not a suitable world for humans to thrive and survive in, which gives it direct comparisons to FromSoftware's Elden Ring.
Hellsing Ultimate is only a few episodes of carnage, but it's generally rated much higher than the standard Hellsing anime series. Not everybody is sold on the plot, but similar things could potentially be said about Elden Ring. Regardless, it is certainly well worth a watch for those after a gritty experience from a show.
1 Devilman Crybaby Is An Extreme Dark Fantasy Anime To Check Out
Devilman Crybaby is known to deliver brutal and grotesque concepts in a bizarrely beautiful way. It does well to highlight how dangerous both humans and demons can be, showcasing them both at their absolute worst.
This chaos and carnage is applicable to the fights than ensue in Elden Ring. Players encounter numerous horrific and scary monsters that want nothing more than to kill and eradicate. The powers of the Devilman that are showcased in the anime are not too dissimilar to some of the builds that can be constructed in Elden Ring.