15 Anime to Devour if You’re a Berserk Fan

Much like Berserk, Monster dwells in the darkest corridors of the human heart. When a renowned neurosurgeon chooses to save a young boy over the town mayor, he spirals into a nightmarish journey as the boy grows up to be a ruthless serial killer.

As he embarks on a quest to stop his creation, the lines blur between who is the monster and who is the man. It’s a psychological rollercoaster that satisfies your cravings for the complex character arcs and moral dilemmas that define Berserk.

Don’t be fooled by Made in Abyss’s seemingly cute characters and colorful aesthetics. This anime tells a grim tale of exploration and survival that parallels the dark narrative of Berserk.

As Riko, our young protagonist, delves deeper into the mysterious Abyss in search of her mother, she faces terrifying creatures and harsh truths. It’s an innocent journey-turned grim survival tale that can quench any Berserk fan’s thirst for intense narratives and thought-provoking themes.

If you loved the sword-fighting scenes in Berserk, then Samurai Champloo is a refreshing treat. While lighter in tone, the series offers thrilling samurai duels, memorable characters, and a unique fusion of Edo period setting with modern hip-hop culture.

Like Berserk’s Band of the Hawk, our main trio embarks on a quest full of danger, humor, and unexpected alliances. As the series unfolds, the characters grapple with their pasts and the trials of their journey, much like Guts does in his epic saga.

Psycho-Pass is a step away from the medieval fantasy settings of Berserk, but its dark themes and exploration of morality are spot on. Set in a future where the state can quantify a person’s propensity for crime, our protagonist, Akane Tsunemori, grapples with the ethical implications of this system.

Like Guts, Akane finds herself in morally grey situations that force her to question the nature of justice and humanity. Its hard-hitting social commentary and suspense-filled narrative make Psycho-Pass a must-watch for fans craving the philosophical depth of Berserk.

When you think Berserk, you think dark fantasy, and that’s exactly where Goblin Slayer takes you. The protagonist, known only as Goblin Slayer, dedicates his life to exterminating goblins, driven by a past tragedy.

The series, like Berserk, is filled with intense battles and disturbing realities, bringing forward the grimness of a fantasy world at war. If you enjoyed Guts’ quest, you’d find a kinship in the Goblin Slayer’s singular purpose and relentless drive.

Berserk’s grim atmosphere is something that Tokyo Ghoul mimics quite well. It takes you into a world where ghouls—human-eating creatures—live hidden among humans.

After an encounter with a ghoul leaves Kaneki, the protagonist, half-ghoul, and half-human, he grapples with his new identity and the horrific reality of his world. Like Guts, Kaneki’s struggle for survival in a world that rejects him is a gripping tale that will captivate Berserk fans.

Parasyte: The Maxim features alien parasites invading Earth and taking over human hosts. When Shinichi, our protagonist, prevents a parasite from taking over his brain, it instead takes over his right hand, forcing them to coexist.

The series delivers on the horror and gore that fans of Berserk crave. Moreover, it explores the concept of humanity and morality, much like Berserk does with Guts. Shinichi’s struggle to retain his humanity while dealing with a dangerous alien parasite provides a compelling narrative that echoes the trials faced by Guts.

If you appreciated the psychological aspects of Berserk, you’d be hard-pressed to find an anime that delves deeper into the human psyche than Devilman Crybaby. When Akira, our mild-mannered protagonist, gets possessed by a demon but retains his human consciousness, he struggles to protect humanity while battling his newfound violent urges.

The series explores the line between humans and monsters, reminiscent of Berserk’s exploration of the human-demon boundary. With a potent mix of violence, horror, and a deep psychological narrative, Devilman Crybaby demands your attention.

Dororo takes the fundamental essence of Berserk’s narrative and places it in Sengoku-era Japan. After a pact with demons leaves Hyakkimaru limbless and senseless at birth, he embarks on a journey to reclaim his stolen body parts by hunting down the demons that took them.

Sounds brutal? You bet. Like Guts, Hyakkimaru battles against his fate, carving a bloody trail through demons and humans. Rich in action, moral complexities, and atmospheric storytelling, Dororo is a feudal-era parallel of Berserk.

Did you like the supernatural elements in Berserk? Then you’ll love Hellsing Ultimate. This anime features a vampire-hunting organization led by the immortal Alucard, who battles the supernatural forces threatening England.

Hellsing Ultimate’s narrative is brimming with dark humor, unapologetic violence, and epic showdowns reminiscent of Guts’ conflicts. It raises similar moral and philosophical questions while drenching its viewers in gore. It’s a different era, a different monster, but the thrill remains the same.

If you reveled in Guts’ relentless war against the Apostles, then you’ll appreciate Tanjiro’s crusade against demons in Demon Slayer. On his quest to turn his demon-turned-sister back to human, Tanjiro grapples with horrifying demons and the harsh reality of his world.

The detailed feudal Japanese setting, remarkable storytelling, and visually stunning swordplay make this a worthy follow-up to your Berserk obsession. Demon Slayer delivers a good balance of dark themes and hope, akin to moments of reprieve in Berserk’s otherwise grim world.

Attack on Titan doesn’t just wear its dark themes on its sleeve; it embroiders them into its very fabric. Imagine living in a world where humankind is on the brink of extinction, trapped within enormous walls by gargantuan man-eating creatures.

This anime serves up despair in heaps, similar to the atmosphere in Berserk. Like Guts, Our protagonist, Eren, has a monumental task that calls for great sacrifices. With spectacular action sequences and gut-wrenching plot twists, Attack on Titan will keep you on the edge of your throne, just like Berserk does.

If you thought Berserk was merciless, brace yourself for Vinland Saga, an epic that transports you into the brutal era of Vikings. Like our beloved Black Swordsman, the protagonist Thorfinn chases revenge in a world drowning in war and chaos.

The series delivers a detailed historical depiction and doesn’t flinch from showcasing the harsh realities of the Viking Age. It shares Berserk’s complex moral quandaries, evocative character arcs, and mind-blowing battle sequences. And like Guts, Thorfinn’s journey is a relentless pursuit of something beyond his grasp.

When the bloodlust of Berserk’s world left you hungering for more, Claymore is the buffet you’re craving. Set in a dark, medieval-inspired realm, Claymore introduces you to silver-eyed witches, human-yoma hybrids whose sole purpose is monster slaying.

Like Berserk, it doesn’t stop depicting the grisly reality of battle. Themes of existential struggle and the thin line between humanity and monstrosity echo Guts’ narrative. Watch as Clare, our protagonist, journeys through a world filled with monstrous creatures and poignant sacrifices. Bring your battle axe; you’re going to need it.

Hailed as ‘Berserk with guns,’ Gungrave, a video game turned anime, parallels the narrative of our main protagonists, Guts and Brandon Heat, aka ‘Grave.’ Both protagonists begin as calm souls, only to transform into darker versions of themselves, spurred by betrayal and loss.

Their unwavering devotion to their love interests— the sole carriers of meaning in their respective worlds—underscores their shared narrative. Fueled by a thirst for revenge, Guts, and Grave wield incredibly powerful weapons and exhibit a ruthless drive to achieve their ends.