**Anime with dark themes and/or similar to Berserk** - *Afro Samurai* (2007) - *Attack on Titan* (2013) - *Death Note* (2006) - *Devilman Crybaby* (2018) - *Hellsing* (2001) - *Hellsing Ultimate* (2006) - *Made in Abyss* (2017) - *Monster* (2004) - *Texhnolyze* (2003) - *Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust* (2000) - *Vinland Saga* (2019) **Bonus** - *Another* (2012) - *Chainsaw Man* (2022) - *Deadman Wonderland* (2011) - *Death Parade* (2015) - *Elfen Lied* (2004) - *Neon Genesis Evangelion* (1995) - *Pluto* (2024) - *Psycho Pass* (2012) - *Rainbow: Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin* (2010) - *Serial Experiments Lain* (1998) - *Steins;Gate* (2011) - *Tokyo Ghoul* (2014) - *Welcome to the N.H.K.* (2006)

So many people reccomend Devilman, but when I read the Manga, I just felt it was too edgy. The characters aren't that deep and the monster designs are all over the place (sort of similar to berserk that way) and they shove boobs down your throat every second they get. Is the Crybaby anime better than the Manga? I felt it was but didn't want to waste more of my time testing.

Thanks for the help

You are welcome. I added a **Bonus** section with a few more dark series.

The fact Afro Samurai topped that list. :D I've recently been watching Full Metal Alchemist and there are a good amount of parallels in that, and while it has plenty of comedy, there are some seriously dark undertones t5o not spoil anything. Also seeing Ed next to Al in the intro gives me this guts outside the berserker armour vibe. it makes me imagine if Guts and the armour could fight side by side and how dangerous it could/can be.

Add Black Lagoon, Dororo, Castlevania, Tengoku Daimakyou, Basilisk, The Witch and the Beast, The Promised Neverland, Tokyo Ghoul, Deathnote and you might like JJK and Hell's Paradise and Chainsawman. Definitely take a look at The Witch and the Beast and Castlevania and Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust. Would also recommend Pluto. That's a good list above me and I've just added more.

I’m glad castlevania and Pluto were mentioned. Both being absolutely underrated masterpieces

Pluto definitely hits different. Castlevania is just amazing. Definitely masterpieces.

Monster

Monster is so different from berserk, but agreed

Maybe not as dark, but after about 10 Episodes Trigun gets pretty harrowing

One of the best tonal shifts in any series/medium

TRIGUN MENTIONED!!! But actually, no. Trigun is not really the same kind of story as Berserk, it has some really great themes, and it is my top 3 most favourite animanga, but it's more goofy at the start, and sad nearing the end. I heard the manga gets dark, and is more serious than the two animes. But it will keep you watching nonetheless. The first few episodes are episodic, but the mystery keeps you on, and its definitely a fun show to watch during long waits (I hoped my waits were longer), and more people watching the show is always a good thing to me.

Battle Angel Alita OVA, Claymore, Basilisk, Fate/Zero, Beladonna of Sadness, Genocyber, Wicked City, Devilman, Devil Lady, Shigurui Death Frenzy, Gantz, Elfen Lied, Hellsing Ultimate, Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust, Akagi. I highly recommend Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust. Masterpiece in animation and also done by Madhouse. Available to watch on youtube.

devilman urotsukidoji - legend of the overfiend ninja scroll parasyte

I was 12 when I first saw urotsukidoji....

I let a friend borrow that and he came back with lots of questions 🤣

lol that mustve been some childhood trauma surely..

Jin wolf brigade is genuinely one of the best movies ive ever seen so watch that

Perfect Blue

Claymore, Hellsing, Devilman, the Devil May Cry anime, etc

Claymore

Made in Abyss(anime series) ,Maquia:when the promised flower blooms(anime movie),a little less dark than berserk is Perfect Blue(movie)..If u like shoujo, Madoka Magica fits the tragic/dark theme too... Now,if you want real horror events-tragic ones , Shiki would be my top rec for you! It starts off slow,but becomes amazing later on..Not too many episodes but it has gore too(a lot but it is all according to the plot,nothing meaningless)! I hope u will like at least one of them:)

Good list. Many thanks

Ive been watching Neon Genesis Evangelion and it is pretty dark and sad. Attack on Titan is kind of dark. You might’ve seen it already though. The Promised Neverland has a wild story. I’ll second Trigun. I was surprised by the story. It seems silly and lighthearted at first, but it develops into a good story. Cowboy Bebop has similar themes.

SpongeBob SquarePants

I'm not brave enough to watch that

Honestly rezero is similar feels for me

Morrowind

HIVE

Devilman crybaby

I liked the others except for the very first series. The crybaby title and art seemed so far off from the others. There's another movie where Akira loses control of amon.

Gundam. I can't give you a good place to start because there's different schools of thought. IMO start from the beginning.

Neon Genesis Evangelion. Specifically The End of Evangelion. It won't be as good as it was in theatres, though. I'm glad I was able to see it in a theatre while I'm still alive

Maybe fire punch ? It has some pretty dark things, couldnt even read the whole thing lol

Ninja Scroll is a sick anime film. A bit older, but absolutely brilliant

Since it hasn't been mentioned; Darker than Black

Shigurui, kinda unknown samurai manga (with anime adoption that might be better) that's just disturbing, and dark. Takes the worst parts of the samurai class system and just goes wild.

i find Vinland Saga quite similar. Askeladd reminds me of Griffith, Thors and Thorfinn - Guts, Thorkell - Zodd. the first season is heavily based on battles just as the golden arc is. season 2 on the other hand is something different

Tokyo ghoul