Top 10 Best Anime Like Attack On Titan

Attack on Titan has left an indelible mark on the anime world with its intense battles, complex characters, and haunting themes of survival and sacrifice. As fans bid farewell to this epic saga following its conclusion in 2023, many are searching for anime that can evoke similar emotions. So, What are some animes like Attack On Titan? The answer is yes. If you’re a fan of Attack on Titan, this post is for you. Let’s explore the top 10 best anime like Attack on Titan in the post below.

1. Kabaneri Of The Iron Fortress

Picture feudal Japan, reimagined with gears and steam, now overrun by a relentless zombie apocalypse. Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress throws humanity into a desperate fight for survival, huddled within walled cities and rumbling armored trains.

From the visionary director of much of Attack on Titan, Tetsuro Araki, comes Kabaneri, a series that crackles with a familiar intensity, making it a must-see for AoT fans. Expect a relentless onslaught of stunning animation and fluid, impactful action sequences that can stand toe-to-toe with the best. While the story’s momentum may ebb, Kabaneri remains a visually spectacular and highly entertaining journey.

2. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the top 10 best anime like Attack on Titan of all time. It only had one season but has lived on through manga adaptations, video games, and reboot movies. The last of which can be streamed on Amazon, whereas the original series is on Netflix.

NGE takes place in a future wherein angels keep attacking Earth and the only ones who can stop them are angsty teenagers in giant mechs. It has a lot of themes shared with Attack on Titan (child soldiers being the most obvious), and both shows dive into the psyches of their heroes and antagonists. Similar to AoT, NGE initially seems to be a fairly conventional mecha anime, only to steadily become more character-driven and psychological. By End of Evangelion, the story is fully transformed into a surreal nightmare.

3. NieR:Automata Ver1.1a

Based on PlatinumGames and Yoko Taro’s acclaimed action JRPG, NieR:Automata Ver1.1a adapts the original game’s story while introducing its own twists. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the anime explores themes of war, identity, and existentialism through the conflict between androids and alien-created machines. Humanity created androids to reclaim Earth from invading machines, but as time passed, the truth behind this war became far more complex.

Is one of the best anime like Attack on Titan, NieR:Automata Ver1.1a masterfully blends action, drama, and mystery. The emotional bond between 2B and 9S serves as the heart of the narrative, grounding the story despite their roles as android soldiers. For viewers unfamiliar with the game, the anime delivers an engaging experience filled with unexpected reveals and philosophical depth.

4. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

An all-time (modern) classic, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood sits alongside Attack on Titan as a staple gateway anime, arguably even dethroning older series like Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, and Cowboy Bebop. The show is of such high quality that it is basically an automatic recommendation for any anime fan, be it newcomers who are looking to sample the medium’s offerings or people who have been around for years but have yet to experience the Elrics’ adventure.

That said, FMA:B and AoT share more things in common than just mainstream appeal. Both series explore human experimentation, obsession, and grief. While not always the focus, they also envision complex political climates and touch upon philosophical themes. Last but not least, both anime have fantastic characters, action, world-building, and animation.

5. Gurren Lagann

Gurren Lagann explodes onto the scene as a high-octane mech anime set in a world where the surface belongs to the Beastmen – powerful, animal-featured humans who command their own colossal war machines. Humanity, forced into the depths below, lives a life of quiet desperation. However, the embers of defiance are stoked, and a bold uprising sees them burst forth, determined to wrest control of the surface.

Though the initial setup might resonate with the themes of anime like Attack on Titan, Gurren Lagann isn’t content with the familiar. It detonates a narrative bombshell near the end of its first act, sending the story hurtling in an unforeseen direction. The true nature of the Beastmen, it becomes clear, is far more complex and surprising than their bestial appearance implies.

6. The Promised Neverland

While the second season of The Promised Neverland received mixed reviews, the first season remains a standout, delivering a gripping and self-contained story. Set in an idyllic orphanage overseen by the seemingly kind “Mother,” the anime quickly reveals its sinister premise: the children are being raised as food for demons. When two of the brightest orphans, Emma and Norman, uncover this horrifying truth, they rally their peers in a desperate struggle to escape before their fate is sealed.

Much like Attack on Titan, The Promised Neverland masterfully builds suspense and maintains a looming sense of dread. The intense survival narrative, paired with its emotional depth and clever twists, makes the first season a must-watch for fans of dark and thrilling anime.

7. Saga Of Tanya The Evil

Before Attack on Titan: The Final Season, recommending Saga of Tanya the Evil to fans of shonen anime might have seemed unlikely. However, AoT’s evolution into a darker, morally complex narrative has made comparisons between the two more fitting. Both anime delve into themes of warring nations, feature aesthetics inspired by World War-era settings, and center on protagonists willing to commit ruthless acts to achieve their goals.

Unlike the moral ambiguity surrounding Eren Jaeger in AoT, Saga of Tanya the Evil is more straightforward in its portrayal of its protagonist. Viewers are meant to side with Tanya, despite her selfishness and unforgivable actions, which earn her the “evil” moniker. Tanya’s unapologetically ruthless nature sets her apart from Eren, making her character even more chilling and compelling.

8. Deca-Dence

Another world shattered, another alien dominion: Deca-Dence paints a familiar post-apocalyptic canvas, yet with a striking centerpiece – a gargantuan, nomadic city that serves as humanity’s refuge. From this colossal crawler, hunters soar into the ravaged wilds, battling alien entities with jetpack-like contraptions that eerily mirror the iconic ODM gear from Attack on Titan.

First glances might suggest a mere echo of familiar battles, but Deca-Dence, akin to Gurren Lagann, swiftly pulls the rug out from under expectations. A significant twist, revealed with surprising alacrity, redefines the entire narrative. To safeguard the delicious shock of discovery, its details will remain veiled in secrecy.

9. Seraph Of The End

Seraph of the End is about the world being taken over by vampires. There is a small resistance trying to fight back, but most of society’s members are brought up like livestock for these vampires to feast on.

It has vibes of Attack on Titan, including friendships being torn apart due to two sides not cooperating with each other. The only bad part is that there hasn’t been a season since 2015 with no word of any more coming anytime soon. Thankfully, the manga is still ongoing.

10. Black Bullet

Attack on Titan and Black Bullet share striking similarities, both depicting humanity on the brink of extinction, forced to live behind protective barriers to fend off overwhelming threats. In Black Bullet, these threats take the form of monstrous insects called Gastrea, and the only ones capable of fighting them are children born infected with the Gastrea virus.

While Black Bullet doesn’t reach the narrative depth or acclaim of Attack on Titan, it offers entertaining action, two engaging leads, and a fascinating world. However, the anime only scratches the surface of Shiden Kanzaki’s light novel series, leaving much of its story unexplored. Despite its limitations, fans of AoT’s survival themes and apocalyptic setting may find Black Bullet an enjoyable watch.