The first season of Demon Slayer did more than enough to bring the franchise’s popularity to an unprecedented level. While the Feudal/Edo-period Japan setting had already pulled in many fans, the anime’s memorable cast of villains, the nuanced journey of its main character, and, of course, the breathtaking animation truly raised the bar for action-shonen anime adaptations.
First, the Mugen Train movie, and then the latest Infinity Castle Part 1 movie from the trilogy, shook the global box office. But now, if you’re already caught up with the entire series and want to watch other anime with similar themes, then the following 15 series would be the perfect recommendations for you.
1. Dororo Offers an Epic Historical Journey of a Swordsman
One might say Dororo is the closest to Demon Slayer in terms of the overall vibe and storyline. The MC here is also on a years-spanning journey to collect what he has lost and reclaim what belongs to him, in a world inspired by feudal-era Japan. He must travel across different lands, defeating demons to rediscover his humanity. And in his journey, other people give him company. Last but not least, the aesthetic sword fights in this anime are quite on par with Demon Slayer‘s.
2. Blue Exorcist’s MC Has a Similar Origin of His Powers
Though it’s set in a modern timeline, Blue Exorcist shares some core narrative themes with Demon Slayer. First of all, both protagonists are kind-hearted teenagers, but their powers? They originated solely for one purpose: defeating demons. Also, similar to Demon Slayer, Blue Exorcist‘s MC joins a specialized organization dedicated to eliminating supernatural threats. There is also a similar training arc, revolving around a lovable cast of characters that any Demon Slayer fan would enjoy. Therefore, you should definitely add it to your watchlist.
3. Jujutsu Kaisen Is the Modernized Version of Demon Slaying
Turn the setting to urban Japan, rename the demons as curses, and the overall feeling of watching Jujutsu Kaisen would be quite similar to Demon Slayer. In fact, both are technically action shonen, which already brings many shared tropes. But the thing is, you might end up enjoying Jujutsu Kaisen even more because it has an unmatched cool aesthetic that Demon Slayer slightly lacks. Plus, the characters can feel more relatable in Jujutsu Kaisen as they are comprised of high school students in modern Japan, which is all the more reason why you must watch this anime.
4. Rurouni Kenshin Fuses Swordsmanship with Japanese History
The historical Japan setting and the storyline revolving around master swordsmen should be enough to catch any Demon Slayer fan’s eye. But what’s specifically great about Rurouni Kenshin is that some of its character writing and philosophical themes in certain arcs really push it forward and give it a unique identity. However, at the end of the day, the anime is also about killing evil and protecting the weak. The MC, however, refuses to kill unless it’s absolutely necessary.
5. Claymore Is Targeted for a More Mature Audience
Claymore is technically Demon Slayer, but with darker themes and aimed at a more mature audience. The main plot of Claymore also follows an organization tasked with killing shape-shifting monsters. And these monsters, in fact, used to be humans at some point. Sounds quite similar, right? Even the fights are iconic and filled with tragic backstories that Demon Slayer fans would enjoy. But the overall narrative of Claymore, especially the revelations regarding the origin of these monsters and the characters’ motivations and goals, is just a lot more sinister.
6. Hell’s Paradise Perfectly Captures the Feudal Japan Vibes
As one of the rare cases, Hell’s Paradise’s plot itself is quite unique, and almost anyone can enjoy it. But even more so for Demon Slayer fans, because it has similar feudal-era Japan vibes and classic sword fights mixed into it. Still, the narrative actually revolves around a grand adventure to an unexplored island filled with creatures beyond human comprehension. Thus, the action gets crazy in this anime. So, Demon Slayer fan or not, it’s definitely a must-watch on the list.
7. Inuyasha Delivers a Similar Tale Around Supernatural Folklore
Inuyasha has a narrative very similar to Demon Slayer‘s. For instance, the main character, Inuyasha, travels across Japan to hunt down monster-like creatures, and in the process, he makes new allies and goes on many side quests. The overall plot may feel much larger in Inuyasha, but some may say Demon Slayer has a clearer goal in its storyline. Still, each encounter in Inuyasha, even with the villains, feels quite similar. No one is purely evil in this show, and most characters have a tragic backstory that supports their sins to some extent. Thus, you’d better give it a try.
8. Basilisk Focuses on Rival Ninja Clans With Similar Tones
Now let’s move on from fighting demons and monsters for a while, because Basilisk is actually about fighting rival ninja clans! But despite the thematic difference, Demon Slayer fans would absolutely enjoy this anime because of how beautifully choreographed and unique the sword fights are. One may argue that the fights are more dynamic than those in Demon Slayer. Plus, there is, of course, great character writing and tragic storytelling, and it ties everything together really well.
9. Samurai Champloo Is Best at Capturing Edo-period Japan
If you want pure aesthetic swordplay at its finest, ignoring the other aspects of Demon Slayer, then Samurai Champloo is what you need to check out next. The anime may be episodic, but the emotional nuance can still be felt throughout. However, as already said, when it comes to raw sakuga animation with swords, we can hardly come up with another anime that beats Samurai Champloo in sheer aesthetics. Plus, the anime also has a chill atmosphere that you might enjoy.
10. Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Has Equally Gross Monsters
If you’re a sucker for Demon Slayer’s adrenaline-filled action and stunning visuals, then Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is another must-watch for you. In fact, some people even compare the anime to Attack on Titan because of certain thematic parallels. Still, as a zombie-apocalypse-centered storyline, this anime has carved out its own identity. Also, the zombies in the anime have such a grotesque design that they can remind you of some Demon Slayer villains.
11. Bleach Laid the Foundation for Anime Involving Swordplay
Cool animation, a detailed power system revolving around swordplay, and a protagonist’s grand adventure – all of these aspects of Demon Slayer might not have been as popular if Bleach never existed. As one of the Big 3 anime of all time, Bleach helped define this particular subgenre of anime, where the narrative is focused around swords and supernatural battles. Plus, Bleach also tells a centuries-spanning, rich lore. Therefore, if you loved Demon Slayer, then you must not miss out on what is considered one of the greatest anime of all time, Bleach.
12. Noragami Has Rich Character Drama With Similar Themes
Noragami has a rather wholesome approach to the whole supernatural action genre. Instead of demons, it features corrupted spirits that threaten our real world. But the MC here is a wannabe god who often tries to save his enemies rather than simply kill them. Sounds like something Tanjiro would do too, right? But at the same time, Noragami has a chill slice-of-life vibe as it’s set in modern Japan. That said, when it’s time to get serious, the anime never disappoints with its animation and action.
13. Katanagatari’s Weapon-Based Combat Is a Must-Watch
The title of the anime, Katanagatari, itself contains Katana; Katana + Monogatari (story). So, it basically means a story revolving around katana, which is one of the core selling points of Demon Slayer as well. Living up to its title, the anime really excels at its weapon-based combat. Each opponent has a distinct fighting style that makes it all the more enjoyable. Plus, some of the character dialogues are so well written that they can even feel better than Demon Slayer at some points.
14. Drifters Is for Those Who Love Brutal Sword Fights
Rather than feudal Japan, Drifters is set in an alternate fantasy world. But that doesn’t steal away its appeal for Demon Slayer fans. Because at the end, it’s another anime with absolutely unhinged sword fights. Big swords clashing with each other, wielded by larger-than-life characters, will certainly get your adrenaline rushing. The plot may not be where the anime shines the brightest, but the overall show can still be a really solid watch for Demon Slayer fans in particular.
15. Blood-C Is Focused Around Monsters That Prey on Humans
Another anime with a really cool art style, sword fights, and an overall aesthetic that appeals to many fans is Blood-C. It is essentially a supernatural action series where the MC’s goal is to protect her town from man-eating monsters. Yep, that’s quite similar to the demons from Demon Slayer, right? Also, since this anime features a female protagonist, it brings a breath of fresh air into the mix. Another thing that Blood-C has an edge over Demon Slayer is its much darker storyline.
| ANIME | IMDb RATING (as of July 7, 2026) | WHERE TO WATCH |
| Dororo | 8.2/10 | HIDIVE, Prime Video |
| Blue Exorcist | 7.4/10 | Crunchyroll |
| Jujutsu Kaisen | 8.5/10 | Crunchyroll, Netflix |
| Rurouni Kenshin (1996) | 8.5/10 | Buy physical copies/DVD sets |
| Claymore | 8.0/10 | Crunchyroll, Apple TV |
| Hell’s Paradise | 8.1/10 | Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu |
| Inuyasha | 7.9/10 | Prime Video, Netflix |
| Basilisk | 7.8/10 | Crunchyroll, Prime Video |
| Samurai Champloo | 8.5/10 | Crunchyroll, Prime Video, Apple TV |
| Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress | 7.2/10 | Crunchyroll, Netflix |
| Bleach | 8.2/10 | Hulu |
| Noragami | 7.8/10 | Crunchyroll, Apple TV |
| Katanagatari | 7.7/10 | Buy Blu-ray or DVD sets |
| Drifters | 7.5/10 | Hulu |
| Blood-C | 6.2/10 | Buy Blu-ray or DVD sets |
Of course, the overall plot and setting can be vastly different, but the fundamental aspects that make Demon Slayer so popular are present in these anime as well. What are your thoughts on it? And do you have any other anime recommendations for fellow Demon Slayer fans? Feel free to share them in the comments below.
