Demon Slayer set a new standard for anime when it burst onto the scene. The combination of Ufotable’s breathtaking animation, emotional storytelling about family bonds, and spectacular sword combat created something special. Now that you’ve witnessed Tanjiro’s journey, you’re probably wondering: what else can possibly compare?
Good news—while Demon Slayer is unique, plenty of anime capture similar elements that made you fall in love with it. Whether you’re chasing stunning visuals, demon-slaying action, historical settings, or heartfelt character journeys, this list has you covered.
Our Top Picks
1. Jujutsu Kaisen
- Episodes: 48+ (ongoing)
- Genre: Action, Supernatural, Horror
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
- Why Watch: If Demon Slayer’s demon fights hooked you, Jujutsu Kaisen’s curse battles will feel like home. MAPPA delivers animation that rivals Ufotable’s best work, and the supernatural combat is endlessly creative. It’s darker and edgier, but the quality matches Demon Slayer beat for beat.
2. Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
- Episodes: 52 (Complete 2026)
- Genre: Action, Supernatural, Adventure
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll / Hulu / Disney+
- Why Watch: The triumphant return of Bleach features sword combat that matches Demon Slayer’s spectacle. Soul Reapers slaying supernatural threats with unique weapons and abilities? It’s a spiritual sibling in many ways. The TYBW arc features Bleach at its absolute best.
3. Chainsaw Man
- Episodes: 12+ (ongoing)
- Genre: Action, Horror, Dark Comedy
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
- Why Watch: Devil hunters fighting devils—swap demons for devils and you’ve got similar supernatural action. MAPPA’s animation is gorgeous (that chainsaw choreography!), and while it’s gorier and weirder, the core appeal of humans versus monsters remains. Warning: it gets wild.
4. Dororo
- Episodes: 24 (Complete)
- Genre: Action, Supernatural, Historical
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll / Amazon Prime
- Why Watch: Set in feudal Japan, Dororo follows a young man hunting demons to reclaim his stolen body parts. The historical setting, demon-slaying action, and emotional core mirror Demon Slayer’s appeal. It’s darker and more melancholic, but beautifully crafted.
5. Fate/Zero
- Episodes: 25 (Complete)
- Genre: Action, Fantasy, Thriller
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll / Netflix
- Why Watch: Also animated by Ufotable, Fate/Zero matches Demon Slayer’s visual excellence. Epic battles between legendary heroes, masterful storytelling, and some of the best action sequences in anime history. If you love Ufotable’s work, this is essential viewing.
6. Kimetsu Academy (Demon Slayer Spinoff)
- Episodes: OVAs included with main series
- Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
- Why Watch: Miss the characters but want something lighter? The Kimetsu Academy shorts reimagine the cast in a modern school comedy setting. It’s pure fanservice (the good kind) and hilarious if you love the characters.
7. Rurouni Kenshin (2023)
- Episodes: 24+ (ongoing)
- Genre: Action, Historical, Drama
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
- Why Watch: The classic samurai story got a gorgeous modern remake. Like Demon Slayer, it features a gentle protagonist with a violent past using his sword skills to protect the innocent. Historical Japan, beautiful sword fights, and heart—what’s not to love?
8. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- Episodes: 64 (Complete)
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll / Netflix / Hulu
- Why Watch: Brotherhood shares Demon Slayer’s perfect balance of action, humor, and emotional gut-punches. The sibling bond between Edward and Alphonse echoes Tanjiro and Nezuko’s relationship. Often called the greatest anime ever made for good reason.
9. Inuyasha
- Episodes: 167 + 26 (Final Act) (Complete)
- Genre: Action, Fantasy, Romance
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll / Netflix / Hulu
- Why Watch: The classic demon-slaying adventure that paved the way for shows like Demon Slayer. A half-demon hero, supernatural threats, and a journey across feudal Japan. It’s longer and older, but the DNA is clearly there.
10. Blue Exorcist
- Episodes: 37+ (ongoing)
- Genre: Action, Supernatural, Fantasy
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll / Hulu
- Why Watch: The son of Satan becomes an exorcist to fight demons—talk about family drama. Blue Exorcist features demon-slaying action, supernatural training arcs, and a protagonist determined to prove himself despite his cursed heritage. Sound familiar?
11. Fire Force
- Episodes: 48 (Complete)
- Genre: Action, Supernatural, Sci-Fi
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
- Why Watch: Firefighters with superpowers fighting spontaneous human combustion. The animation is stunning (by David Production), the action is creative and fluid, and it shares Demon Slayer’s mix of serious supernatural threats and lighter character moments.
12. Samurai Champloo
- Episodes: 26 (Complete)
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Historical
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll / Hulu
- Why Watch: A stylish samurai journey with incredible sword fights and unforgettable characters. The hip-hop aesthetic sets it apart, but the core appeal—skilled swordsmen cutting through enemies in historical Japan—will resonate with Demon Slayer fans.
Quick Comparison Table
| Anime | Episodes | Similar Elements | Best For | |——-|———-|——————|———-| | Jujutsu Kaisen | 48+ | Animation, supernatural combat | Modern demon-slaying action | | Bleach: TYBW | 52 | Sword combat, supernatural | Epic sword battles | | Chainsaw Man | 12+ | Devil hunting, MAPPA visuals | Edgier monster hunting | | Dororo | 24 | Historical Japan, demons | Darker feudal demon-slaying | | Fate/Zero | 25 | Ufotable animation, epic fights | Visual spectacle lovers | | Rurouni Kenshin (2023) | 24+ | Samurai, historical, heart | Classic sword drama | | FMA: Brotherhood | 64 | Sibling bonds, adventure | Perfect storytelling | | Inuyasha | 193 | Feudal Japan, demon combat | Classic demon-slaying | | Blue Exorcist | 37+ | Demon-slaying, training | Supernatural academy | | Fire Force | 48 | Animation, supernatural | Flashy supernatural action | | Samurai Champloo | 26 | Sword fights, historical | Stylish samurai adventure |
How We Chose
We analyzed what makes Demon Slayer special and found anime that share these elements:
Visual Excellence: Animation quality that can stand alongside Ufotable’s masterwork. Fluid action, beautiful effects, cinematic presentation.
Supernatural Combat: Fighting demons, devils, curses, or other supernatural threats with special abilities and weapons.
Historical/Traditional Settings: Feudal Japan, sword combat, traditional aesthetics that echo Demon Slayer’s Taisho-era setting.
Emotional Core: Stories driven by family bonds, protecting loved ones, and characters with genuine heart beneath the action.
Training and Growth: Protagonists who develop their skills, learn new techniques, and overcome increasingly powerful enemies.
Start Your Journey
For animation quality: Jujutsu Kaisen and Fate/Zero match Demon Slayer’s visual standards beautifully.
For historical Japan: Dororo and Rurouni Kenshin (2023) offer similar settings with demon-slaying or samurai action.
For sibling stories: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood captures that same bond Tanjiro shares with Nezuko.
For supernatural action: Bleach: TYBW and Blue Exorcist deliver satisfying monster-fighting adventures.
For completed stories: Dororo, FMA: Brotherhood, and Samurai Champloo offer complete narratives you can binge without waiting.
Demon Slayer may be one of a kind, but these series prove there’s plenty more incredible anime waiting for you. Happy hunting!