10 Anime Like Tokyo Ghoul That You Should Watch
If you’re a fan of Tokyo Ghoul, chances are you’re looking for anime with dark themes, intense action, and psychological depth.
This list of 10 anime like Tokyo Ghoul will introduce you to series that share similar elements, whether it’s a protagonist struggling with a monstrous side, thrilling battles, or deep emotional storytelling.
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10. Seraph of the End
| Original title | Owari no Seraph |
| Genres | Action, Drama, Fantasy |
| Release Date | 2015 |
Both Tokyo Ghoul and Seraph of the End follow protagonists who undergo painful transformations and fight against monstrous enemies.
In Seraph of the End, a mysterious virus wipes out most of humanity, leaving vampires to dominate the world. Yuichiro Hyakuya, the main character, is driven by revenge against vampires who enslaved and slaughtered his family. His best friend, Mikaela, becomes a vampire, creating an emotional and tragic dynamic similar to Kaneki and Hide in Tokyo Ghoul.
Like Kaneki, Yuichiro finds himself caught in a war between two sides—humans and vampires—while struggling with his own identity. The anime explores the blurred lines between good and evil, much like Tokyo Ghoul questions who the real monsters are.
9. Death Note
| Genres | Supernatural, Suspense |
| Release Date | 2006 |
Although Death Note doesn’t focus on supernatural creatures, it shares Tokyo Ghoul’s psychological intensity.
Both anime revolve around a protagonist who stumbles upon a dangerous power that changes their life forever. Light Yagami finds the Death Note, which allows him to kill anyone just by writing their name, while Kaneki unwillingly becomes a half-ghoul.
As both protagonists transform, they must navigate a world where they are hunted by law enforcement. Tokyo Ghoul has the CCG chasing down ghouls, while Death Note features the brilliant detective L tracking down Kira. Both series explore moral dilemmas, power struggles, and the psychological burden of their choices.
8. Pupa
| Genres | Fantasy, Horror, Suspense |
| Release Date | 2014 |
Pupa is one of the most disturbing anime on this list, sharing Tokyo Ghoul’s themes of body horror and hunger for human flesh.
The story follows siblings Utsutsu and Yume Hasegawa, who are infected with a virus that turns Yume into a flesh-eating monster. Utsutsu, much like Kaneki, is forced to endure immense suffering, sacrificing himself to keep his sister alive.
Like Tokyo Ghoul, Pupa delves into grotesque transformations, psychological torment, and the struggle to retain humanity despite becoming a monster. If you’re looking for an anime with extreme horror elements, Pupa is a twisted ride you won’t forget.
7. Akame ga Kill!
| Genres | Action, Fantasy |
| Release Date | 2014 |
Much like Kaneki, the protagonist of Akame ga Kill!, Tatsumi, is thrown into a violent conflict he never intended to be part of.
Tatsumi joins Night Raid, an assassin group fighting against a corrupt empire. The anime is packed with brutal battles, shocking deaths, and emotional weight, much like Tokyo Ghoul. Both series explore the moral gray area of killing and the emotional burden of violence.
If you enjoyed Tokyo Ghoul’s high-stakes battles and tragic character arcs, Akame ga Kill! will keep you hooked.
6. Devils’ Line
| Genres | Action, Drama, Romance, Supernatural |
| Release Date | 2018 |
If you loved the dark romance between Kaneki and Touka in Tokyo Ghoul, then Devils’ Line might be a great pick for you.
Both anime revolve around a world where supernatural creatures (ghouls in Tokyo Ghoul and vampires in Devils’ Line) struggle to coexist with humans. The protagonist, Anzai, is a half-vampire who tries to suppress his bloodlust, much like Kaneki struggles with his ghoul instincts.
However, Devils’ Line leans more into romance than Tokyo Ghoul, focusing on the relationship between Anzai and a human girl, Tsukasa. The psychological tension, moral dilemmas, and inner conflict mirror Kaneki’s journey, making it a compelling alternative.
5. Shiki
| Genres | Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense |
| Release Date | 2010 |
Shiki and Tokyo Ghoul both challenge the idea of who the real monsters are.
The story of Shiki takes place in a small village where people start dying mysteriously. As the truth unfolds, it becomes clear that vampires, or “Shiki,” are behind the deaths. But as the villagers fight back, the lines between victim and monster blur.
Like Tokyo Ghoul, Shiki gradually shifts perspective, showing both the human and the monster sides of the conflict. It asks deep philosophical questions about morality, survival, and the fear of the unknown. If you enjoyed Tokyo Ghoul’s dark themes and emotional depth, Shiki is a must-watch.
4. Deadman Wonderland
| Genres | Action, Sci-Fi, Supernatural, Suspense |
| Release Date | 2011 |
Both Tokyo Ghoul and Deadman Wonderland thrust their main characters into a nightmarish world where they must fight to survive.
Ganta Igarashi, the protagonist of Deadman Wonderland, is falsely accused of mass murder and sent to a brutal prison where inmates must fight in deadly games for survival. Much like Kaneki, Ganta undergoes a traumatic transformation, gaining supernatural powers he never wanted.
The two anime share a gritty atmosphere, intense battles, and a protagonist who is forced to embrace his monstrous side to stay alive. If you liked Tokyo Ghoul’s brutal fights and tragic storytelling, Deadman Wonderland won’t disappoint.
3. Attack on Titan
| Original title | Shingeki no Kyojin |
| Genres | Action, Drama, Suspense |
| Release Date | 2013 |
While Attack on Titan and Tokyo Ghoul may seem different at first, they share many similarities in tone, themes, and storytelling.
Both anime follow protagonists—Eren Yeager and Kaneki Ken—who start as ordinary individuals but are transformed into something inhuman. The enemies in each series, Titans and Ghouls, are initially depicted as mindless monsters, but as the story progresses, the lines between good and evil blur.
With dark themes, intense battles, and shocking plot twists, Attack on Titan is a must-watch for Tokyo Ghoul fans.
2. Ajin
| Genres | Action, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural |
| Release Date | 2016 |
Ajin shares Tokyo Ghoul‘s themes of persecution, survival, and morality.
The story follows Kei Nagai, who discovers he is an Ajin—a type of immortal being—after a near-fatal accident. Like Kaneki, he is suddenly thrown into a world where he is hunted by the government and feared by society.
Ajin features brutal action, psychological depth, and a protagonist who must embrace his new identity to survive. If you liked Tokyo Ghoul’s exploration of identity and discrimination, Ajin is worth watching.
1. Parasyte: The Maxim
| Original title | Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu |
| Genres | Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Suspense |
| Release Date | 2014 |
If you’re looking for the closest match to Tokyo Ghoul, Parasyte: The Maxim is the perfect choice.
Both anime feature a male protagonist who partially loses his humanity after an encounter with a monstrous being. Shinichi Izumi, like Kaneki, struggles to maintain his human side while dealing with his newfound abilities.
Both series explore themes of identity, morality, and survival, with intense action sequences and psychological depth. If you loved Tokyo Ghoul, Parasyte is a must-watch.
Conclusion
If you’re craving more dark, action-packed anime with psychological depth, this list of 10 anime like Tokyo Ghoul is a great place to start. Whether you’re drawn to tragic protagonists (Ajin, Seraph of the End), thrilling battles (Attack on Titan, Deadman Wonderland), or deep philosophical themes (Shiki, Parasyte), there’s something here for every Tokyo Ghoul fan.
Which anime on this list have you seen? Let me know your favorites!
