5 Anime to Watch If You’re a Fan of KPop Demon Hunters

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You’ve probably heard of KPop Demon Hunters if you follow what’s popular in media. This Netflix film was a big hit, becoming more successful than many well-established franchises and quickly gaining fans around the world. It’s a great example of how animated movies can really grab an audience, blending supernatural action, the appeal of K-Pop groups, and compelling emotional stories.

Ugh, it’s the worst when you finish a show you absolutely love and then spend forever trying to find something that hits the same way, right? So many things in the same genre just… don’t feel the same. With KPop Demon Hunters, that’s especially true! It’s packed with such specific, fun pop culture stuff and has such a unique vibe. That’s why I put together this list – five anime that I think capture at least some of that same energy and feeling. Hopefully, this will save you some time and help you find your next obsession!

5) The Apothecary Diaries

Since its release in 2023, The Apothecary Diaries has become a favorite among anime fans. A second season aired in early 2025, and a third is planned for next year. The show is known for its beautiful art style and animation, which give each scene a painted look. It’s a captivating blend of mystery, drama, and romance, all set in a fictional world inspired by imperial China.

The Apothecary Diaries takes place in the royal court of the Country of Li. The story follows Maomao, a skilled apothecary who unexpectedly finds herself serving the imperial harem after being brought from a local red-light district. Her expertise, especially with poisons, quickly gains the notice of powerful nobles, drawing her into the complex world of court politics and intrigue. A standout feature of the series is Maomao’s unintentional humor, which provides a welcome lightness to a story that also explores serious themes like gender and social class.

4) Wonder Egg Priority

Released in 2021, Wonder Egg Priority is a recent take on the magical girl genre. The 12-episode anime stands out for its mature themes, diving into difficult topics like mental health, trauma, suicide, and self-sacrifice. Beyond its darker side, the series also emphasizes the strong friendships between girls, a quality it shares with KPop Demon Hunters.

Wonder Egg Priority begins with Ai Ohto, a reclusive and deeply sad girl grieving the unexpected suicide of her close friend. While wandering, she finds a mysterious capsule toy machine and wins a ‘Wonder Egg.’ She opens this egg in a dream, which transports her to a strange world. There, she joins a group of girls tasked with battling monsters that represent the pain and trauma of others. Their mission is to save girls who are struggling with similar issues in the real world, with the promise that if they succeed, Ai’s friend will be revived.

3) Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a highly popular anime that redefined the magical girl genre. First released in 2011, it has grown into a large franchise including movies, comics, and video games. The show is notable for its adorable art style, which stands in contrast to its mature themes of mental health, self-sacrifice, and the loss of innocence. A key element of Puella Magi Madoka Magica is the strong friendship between the central characters and how their destinies become intertwined.

The anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica starts with Madoka Kaname, a typical middle schooler, meeting Kyubey, a mysterious creature. Kyubey offers her and her friends the chance to have any wish granted if they agree to fight witches. However, Madoka doesn’t realize the dangerous cost of this battle, or that the sacrifices made by magical girls are actually what keep the universe from collapsing.

2) Demon Slayer

Over the last ten years, Demon Slayer has become one of the most popular and highly-regarded anime series. It includes both a television show and several successful movies, all of which have received positive feedback from viewers. Beyond its stunning and fluid animation, Demon Slayer explores meaningful themes like finding forgiveness, the struggle between good and evil, and the importance of family. While it shares some similarities with the film KPop Demon Hunters, the anime truly stands out due to its focus on striving for a better world and recognizing the good in everyone.

The story centers around Tanjiro and Nezuko, brother and sister who live a peaceful life in historic Japan. This tranquility is shattered when Tanjiro returns home to a horrific scene: his family has been murdered, and Nezuko has been turned into a demon. Determined to avenge his family and save his sister, Tanjiro embarks on a rigorous journey to become a Demon Slayer, striving to find a cure for Nezuko before she’s lost forever.

1) Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End

Released in 2023, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is quickly becoming one of the most beloved fantasy anime of the last ten years, with a second season already planned for next year. The show stands out for its beautiful, storybook-like animation, incredibly detailed world, and relatable, well-developed characters. It’s a series that thoughtfully examines themes of time, friendship, human relationships, and finding yourself.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End begins after the heroes defeat the villain, leaving them to figure out what comes next. They agree to reunite in fifty years, a plan that seems simple enough for Frieren, an elf who ages very slowly. However, Frieren soon realizes the impact of this difference as she travels, confronting the pain of loss and understanding that while time may not matter to her, it’s incredibly precious to the humans she cares about.

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2025-11-04 18:14