10 Twisted Anime Like Gleipnir You Shouldn’t Miss
If you’re here, you probably finished watching Gleipnir and thought: What did I just watch—and why do I want more? That’s the thing about dark, twisted anime with freaky transformations, psychotic waifus, and deadly games—they mess with your head, but in a good way. Gleipnir gave us a weird cocktail of body horror, mystery, and dysfunctional romance that’s hard to forget.
So, if you’re looking for anime that bring the same chaotic energy, disturbing plots, and emotionally intense characters, you’re in the right place. Here are 10 anime like Gleipnir you shouldn’t miss—ranked from number 10 to the absolute must-watch at number 1.
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10. The Future Diary
Ever wanted to see what would happen if people had smartphones that could predict the future and were forced into a deadly battle royale? That’s The Future Diary in a nutshell.
Just like Gleipnir, it features a protagonist who starts off as a total pushover—Yukiteru, the soft-spoken diary owner. But what really hooks you is Yuno Gasai, the iconic yandere queen with pink hair, a bloodlust, and an unhealthy obsession with Yukiteru. She’s like Claire Aoki dialed up to 100.
Expect mind games, brutal deaths, and teenage trauma wrapped in a high-stakes survival game. If you liked Gleipnir’s themes of manipulation and escalating madness, The Future Diary will feel like coming home.
9. Darwin’s Game
Imagine receiving a mobile game invite, accepting it, and suddenly being part of a life-or-death battle with real powers. That’s Darwin’s Game.
Our main guy, Kaname, is clueless at first—just like Shuichi from Gleipnir. But when he gets dragged into the deadly world of players fighting for survival, things escalate fast. His partner? A deadly, beautiful girl named Shuka who shares major Claire Aoki vibes: cute but absolutely unhinged.
The show mixes teamwork, betrayal, and strategy with explosive fights. Plus, both anime have slick animation and killer soundtracks. The difference? Darwin’s Game is a bit more action-heavy and toned down on the ecchi. So, if you want Gleipnir-style chaos but with fewer awkward fan-service moments, this one’s for you.
8. Parasyte -the maxim-
You’ll find a lot in common between Parasyte and Gleipnir. Both protagonists—Shinichi and Shuichi (even their names are similar!)—are shy, bespectacled nerds who suddenly get transformed after encountering alien lifeforms.
But while Shuichi turns into a monster costume, Shinichi’s hand gets hijacked by a snarky alien parasite named Migi. As they’re forced to coexist, Shinichi slowly loses his humanity—just like how Shuichi struggles with his monstrous side and Claire’s manipulative control.
Parasyte doesn’t hold back on gore, ethical dilemmas, or psychological tension. If you loved the eerie tone and alien mystery of Gleipnir, Parasyte is a natural next watch.
7. Darling in the FranXX
Okay, Darling in the FranXX may look like your typical mecha anime at first glance, but dig deeper, and you’ll find twisted relationships, control issues, and metaphors for adolescence and identity—sound familiar?
In this world, boys and girls literally pilot giant mechs together, syncing their minds and bodies in ways that are both intimate and emotionally raw. It echoes Shuichi and Claire’s connection when she climbs inside him to fight (yes, that happened).
Zero Two, the seductive, wild pilot, also gives off strong Claire energy—bold, possessive, and unpredictable. If you’re into psychological subtext and emotionally turbulent partnerships, FranXX hits the spot.
6. Dorohedoro
Dorohedoro is what you get when you throw Gleipnir into a blender with a heavy dose of madness and dark humor. Set in a grimy city called Hole, it follows Caiman, a man with a reptile head and no memory of who turned him into a lizard. Sound weird? It gets weirder.
Like Shuichi, Caiman’s on a quest for answers, tangled in a world full of bizarre powers and violent factions. But unlike Gleipnir’s slightly grounded story, Dorohedoro is unpredictable chaos. One moment you’re laughing, the next there’s a massacre.
And the animation? Insanely stylish. If you liked Gleipnir’s body horror and “WTF moments,” Dorohedoro will feed your twisted soul.
5. Btooom!
Stranded on a tropical island. Armed with explosive bombs. Forced to kill or be killed. That’s Btooom! for you.
The vibe is straight-up survival horror, like Gleipnir, but with more explosions. The protagonist, Ryouta, is a hardcore gamer thrown into a real-life version of his favorite game, where players must collect chips from fallen enemies to escape.
There’s betrayal, romance, and plenty of close calls. If you enjoyed the high-stakes atmosphere of Gleipnir’s survival game setup, Btooom! will keep you on edge.
4. Cencoroll
Minimalist but hauntingly beautiful, Cencoroll is a hidden gem. The story follows a boy with a shape-shifting creature and a girl who gets pulled into his strange world.
Just like Gleipnir, it plays with the idea of controlling bizarre monsters and forming unusual bonds. The monster designs are equally weird, and the low-key aesthetic adds a dreamlike quality to the whole experience.
It’s short, sweet, and delightfully strange. If you’re into the mystery and creature design aspects of Gleipnir, Cencoroll is a must-watch.
3. Eden of the East
Mystery? Check. Amnesia? Check. A special phone that gives you god-like powers? Yep, that too.
Eden of the East centers around a guy who wakes up naked outside the White House with no memory but a phone loaded with billions in digital currency. As he tries to uncover the truth, he meets a girl who gets wrapped up in the conspiracy.
Though it’s more grounded and less violent than Gleipnir, both share themes of memory loss, secret organizations, and unraveling hidden truths. If you liked the cerebral aspect of Gleipnir’s mystery, Eden of the East will keep your brain engaged.
2. Battle Game in 5 Seconds
Boom—you’re suddenly yanked from your everyday life and forced into a brutal competition with supernatural powers. Sounds like Gleipnir? That’s because Battle Game in 5 Seconds follows a very similar setup.
Both anime involve mysterious organizations, death matches, and protagonists who rely more on wit than brute strength. Akira, the main character, is a genius who uses mind games to survive, much like how Shuichi and Claire outthink their enemies rather than overpower them.
Add in some blood, betrayal, and powers with insane variety, and you’ve got a thrilling ride. If you love your battles with a side of brainpower, this one’s a no-brainer.
1. Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man is pure chaos—and that’s why it sits at number one.
Denji, the protagonist, fuses with his pet devil and becomes literally Chainsaw Man. He’s broke, hungry, and driven by very basic desires (yes, boobs included). If that doesn’t scream Gleipnir-level weirdness, I don’t know what does.
This anime is drenched in blood, stylishly animated, and packed with monstrous fights. And then there’s Power—a waifu with violence in her veins and no sense of personal boundaries. Her relationship with Denji is raw, messy, and totally reminiscent of Shuichi and Claire.
Chainsaw Man is unhinged in the best possible way, blending comedy, horror, and emotional gut punches. If you only pick one anime from this list, make it this one.
Conclusion
There you have it—10 twisted anime like Gleipnir that will mess with your mind, punch you in the gut, and leave you begging for more. Whether it’s insane monster fights, death games, or psychologically messed-up waifus, these shows bring the chaos just like Gleipnir did.
So grab your popcorn (and maybe a therapy session), because things are about to get wild. Happy watching! 🎬🔥
