The biggest challenge of any anime fan is finding something worthwhile to watch once you’ve finished your favorite series. Of course, there’s no shortage of good anime series out there, but that doesn’t mean they’ll all have the exact characteristics you’re looking for. Genre, characters, plot, world-building, and art style are all factors in what can make an anime standout from the rest; fortunately, while no two anime are the same it isn’t impossible to discover a handful that are similar enough to check all the boxes.
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Bleach is considered one of the “Big Three” in shonen anime, alongside One Piece and Naruto. The series was known for its influence and popularity during the show’s original run, and there’s no denying how Bleach impacted the fantasy battle shonen genre. With so many fans and so much time having passed since the original series ended, Bleach left behind a hole to fill in many people’s watch/reading lists. For those out there who would love to start a series with similar themes and tone to Bleach, I recommend checking out this list for anime recommendations that you may enjoy.
7) Gintama
Gintama is one of the oldest anime on this list, but it’s absolutely a must-watch for fans of science-fiction adventure-style anime shows. The series is set in Edo-period Japan and takes on the samurai action of similar shows set in this time period; however, Gintama learns far more into satire, often making commentary on familiar tropes in the genre and in society. There’s plenty of comedy and laughs, but the show doesn’t miss the chance to deliver serious character arcs that give the series substance. Common themes the show navigates are the importance of establishing bonds, redemption, holding onto hope, and self-acceptance.
In Gintama, the setting takes place in a fictionalized historic Japan that’s been taken over by a race of aliens called the Amanto, who have proactively banned the use of samurai weapons. Gintoki Sakata is our main character, a former samurai who is now the head of a local business handling any odd job for money. Gintoki is joined by two work partners in his tasks, ranging from minor inconveniences to major crises that must be handled. In a new world rejecting Gintoki’s former way of life, he must hold onto the samurai values that he held dear while carving a new place in the world for himself.
6) Black Clover
Black Clover is a fantasy action anime series that explores the reality of a magically integrated society. The series currently has one continuous season of about 170 episodes, and has been renewed for an official second season for 2026. With numerous fight scenes and training arcs, Black Clover’s real strength is the navigation of prejudice and classism within its fantasy setting. The main message of the show can be described with themes such as perseverance, the importance of dreams, pursuing your goals, and strength in unification.
The story of Black Clover takes place in a world that favors the ability to perform magic above all else. Asta, an orphan with no magical abilities, dreams of one day holding the honored title of Wizard King, which goes to the most powerful mage alive. Despite his lack of power, Asta decides to join the Magic Knights, a defensive unit employed in the kingdom to maintain the balance and deal with any issues. His situation changes when Asta manages to summon a five-leaf grimoire that grants him the ability of anti-magic, a power that is extremely rare in the world and may allow Asta the chance to truly achieve his goals.
5) One Punch Man
One Punch Man is a highly acclaimed anime that flips the superhero genre on its head and delves into what the true definition of heroism means. The series first debuted back in 2015 and has two total seasons, with Season 3 scheduled to release in October 2025. One Punch Man is unique for its sharp, polished animation style, subversion of popular tropes, and intriguing character development. It looks closely at the dangers of a society that values heroics without true meaning behind the actions and the emptiness of performative good.
The series follows Saitama, an all-powerful superhero who is so strong that he can defeat most enemies with a single punch. Despite his strength, Saitama grows bored and disillusioned with his abilities due to a lack of challenge. This leads him to join the Hero Association, created to protect humanity from the ever-growing threat of monsters and aliens plaguing the world. Alongside his new companion and pupil, Genos, Saitama fights newly presented threats while searching for a new purpose in a life that he finds tedious and lacking.
4) Blood Blockade Battlefront
Blood Blockade Battlefront (alternatively known as Kekkai Sensen), is a battle shonen anime released in 2017. The show was praised for its comedic, quirky storyline, captivating character roster, and unique animation style. If you’re looking for a lighthearted, funny anime with plenty of action sequences, then Blood Blockade Battlefront will be right up your alley. In a genre saturated with dark themes and grim arcs, it’s refreshing to watch a show that doesn’t take itself or the topics it presents too seriously.
The plot line of Blood Blockade Battlefront is set in a world where a portal opened up, creating a link between the demon realm and the human world. In this new world, our protagonist Leonardo Watch, a photographer, gains All-Seeing Eyes that allow him to analyze, notice, and observe far more than the average person. This newfound power has recruited Leo into Libra, a vigilante group that tasks itself with protecting the city from the supernatural creatures plaguing the streets as a result of the merging worlds. Leonardo must work with Libra to protect humanity from the numerous threats presented, such as vampires, demons, and a dangerous group called The Thirteen Kings.
3) Dororo
Dororo is an often-overlooked dark fantasy anime that came out in 2019. The show has only one season with a total of 24 episodes. Dororo takes the concept of a dynamic duo to the next level; the bond between our two main characters is the driving force behind the heart of the series. While the anime is definitely great in the action department, the show doesn’t lack in serious topics either, such as the dangers of seeking revenge, humanity, the consequences of war, and the cycle of life.
The show Dororo primarily follows Hyakkimaru, a traveling ronin whose body parts were used in a sacrifice by his father to appease demons that might grant him power. Hyakkimaru hopes to reclaim his body by traveling across a demon-riddled Japan and slaying any demons that cross his path. Along the way, he meets orphan Dororo, a young thief who decides to stick with Hyakkimaru throughout his mission. The two form a strong bond as they cross the country side by side, experiencing danger from demons and humans alike.
2) Hellsing
Hellsing is the forerunner for so many supernatural, dark fantasy anime that would debut in later years. Released in 2001, Hellsing had a total of 13 episodes; despite its relatively short run, it remains an iconic series, mainly due to Alucard being such a compellingly written main character. Even with its older animation, the series has a dark, grim tone and organic pacing that can’t be replicated ( if you want a series with newer animation and a faithful adaptation, though, definitely watch Hellsing Ultimate).
In Hellsing, the existence of monsters such as vampires is an irrefutable fact. The Hellsing Organization operates in England with the express purpose of hunting down and killing supernatural threats to humanity. Alucard, an ancient vampire with immense skill and power, works for Sir Integra Hellsing, who fronts the Organization, carrying out many of her orders with ease and acting as a living weapon. In the company of his new fledgling vampire, Seras Victoria, Alucard must uphold the orders his job demands while helping to combat a new group named Millennium, a resurgence of Nazi warmongers who seek to create chaos through the emergence of vampires.
1) Burn the Witch
Burn the Witch was the most obvious choice to include in this list; not only was it written by Bleach’s creator, Tite Kubo, but the film takes place in the same universe as Bleach. Specifically, Burn the Witch is set in Reverse London after Bleach’s final arc ends, twelve years in the future. It’s important to note that Burn the Witch is technically a film (sometimes viewed as three episodes), though a second season was potentially greenlit for the future. Regardless, it’s absolutely worth a watch for megafans— much like its predecessor, the show deals with topics like duty, the spectrum of morality, and magical systems incorporated into government.
The show follows two witches, Noel and Ninny, who work for the Wing Bind Organization. They reside in Reverse London, a parallel version of the city that exists to harbor magical creatures such as dragons. The duo is tasked to guard over a Balgo Parks, a Dragonclad, essentially an individual who attracts strong dragons like a beacon. Much of Burn the Witch takes a closer look at Kubo’s universe from a new perspective, exploring the magical world’s effects on the non-magical and how individuals interact with the fantastical.
Have you seen any of the anime picks from this list? Tell us in the comments which series you think compares to Bleach the most!
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