7 Great Dark Fantasy Anime for Fans Who Love Berserk, Ranked

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I’ve always felt that Berserk is one of the most impactful anime ever made. It’s famous for its intense violence, sure, but what really stays with you isn’t what happens, but why. It digs deep into the characters’ pain, how they struggle with their morals, and the desperate fight to hold onto their humanity in a world that seems to have abandoned any sense of goodness. That’s what gives it such a powerful, lasting impression.

Many modern dark fantasy stories were heavily influenced by Berserk, particularly its complex characters and the idea that strength and sadness often go hand-in-hand. However, despite numerous attempts to copy it, few series have managed to capture the same blend of stunning visuals and profound sense of hopelessness. Berserk continues to be the standard by which all other dark anime are judged.

7. Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan centers around Eren Yeager, who vows to eliminate all Titans after witnessing his mother’s death at their hands when they invade his city. What begins as a terrifying fight for survival soon evolves into a complex story of political maneuvering. Fans of Berserk will notice striking parallels, as both series explore the loss of hope and strong beliefs. While Guts in Berserk endlessly battles against a cruel destiny, Eren in Attack on Titan fights against a corrupt system and, in a chilling turn of events, begins to resemble the very enemies he initially despised. Both characters are shaped by intense trauma and driven by an unwavering determination to keep fighting, even when finding peace seems out of reach.

6. Tokyo Ghoul

I’m completely hooked on Tokyo Ghoul! It starts with Kaneki, this really relatable college student, and his life gets flipped upside down when he meets a girl who’s actually a ghoul. Then, things get intense – he ends up with her organs, turning him into a half-ghoul, half-human. It’s a brutal struggle because he’s caught between the human world and the ghoul world, both of which hate each other. He has to hide who he is from his friends while dealing with these new, terrifying urges. What really gets me about Tokyo Ghoul isn’t the action or the horror, though – it’s how it dives deep into what makes us us, and asks if having power is worth losing your humanity. If you’re a Berserk fan like me, that question will hit you hard.

5. Hellsing Ultimate

In a monster-filled world, Hellsing Ultimate suggests that sometimes, the heroes are just as terrifying as the villains. This darkly gothic anime doesn’t shy away from violence and insanity. The story follows Alucard, an immortal vampire who works for the Hellsing Organization, a secret British group led by the cool and collected Integra Hellsing. Together, they protect humans from supernatural dangers, particularly vampires and other undead creatures. Hellsing Ultimate isn’t about finding forgiveness or understanding; it’s about crushing enemies and preserving a fragile sense of humanity. That’s why fans of Berserk will likely enjoy its intense and bloody world.

4. Vinland Saga

Vinland Saga centers on Thorfinn, a boy from Iceland whose peaceful life is destroyed when his father, a famous warrior, is killed by hired soldiers. Driven by a desire for revenge, Thorfinn becomes part of the group responsible, and is forced to mature quickly among dangerous criminals and powerful leaders. The story starts as a simple quest for vengeance but evolves into a much more complex and heartbreaking narrative. If you enjoy Berserk, you’ll appreciate this realistic and tragic tale that still manages to find moments of hope amidst the darkness.

3. Goblin Slayer

The anime Goblin Slayer starts with a shockingly violent opening, immediately establishing its grim tone. Like Berserk, it emphasizes that the darkness in its world isn’t just a theme – it’s a harsh reality. Goblin Slayer stands out in the dark fantasy genre because it realistically portrays the sacrifices and consequences of being a hero. The story centers on an adventurer known only as Goblin Slayer, who has devoted his life to wiping out goblins, and through his perspective, even these seemingly weak creatures become terrifying threats.

2. Claymore

Claymore is a dark fantasy anime that combines exciting sword fights and magical battles with a sense of deep sadness and hopelessness. The story centers on female warriors called Claymores, who are part human and part monster, and tasked with hunting down creatures similar to themselves. Like the powerful figures in the anime Berserk, a mysterious organization in Claymore secretly controls events, using people’s pain to create stronger weapons. While Claymore might not be as grand in scope or intensely psychological as Berserk, it explores similar themes of tragedy and loss. If you enjoy the story of Guts and his struggles, you’ll likely find Clare’s journey equally compelling.

1. Devilman Crybaby

Directed by Masaaki Yuasa and inspired by Go Nagai’s original 1972 manga, Devilman, the 2018 anime Devilman Crybaby is a visually striking and emotionally intense take on the end of the world – and what it means to be human. While different from the more grounded Berserk, it matches its raw emotional power, and might even be more overwhelming. Though bleak and cynical, Devilman Crybaby is surprisingly heartfelt. For those who enjoy Berserk, this anime is a rare modern example that explores similar themes – not by celebrating pain, but by demonstrating that even in total destruction, human connection and feeling persist.

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2025-11-11 20:21