Here are ten anime recommendations to watch before the highly anticipated “Kagurabachi” anime adaptation is released.
These picks range from recent dark fantasy sensations to classics with strong swordplay and supernatural themes. Each of these will immerse fans in the kinds of worlds and storytelling that Kagurabachi promises to deliver when it arrives, potentially in 2026 or later.
Jujutsu Kaisen
“Jujutsu Kaisen” isn’t just another supernatural punch-fest it’s electric, surging from the first moment Yuji steps into the unknown. Every fight feels huge because the stakes are personal, whether it’s a friend’s life or a massive curse run amok.
The dynamic between teacher and students, the playful weirdness, and the way trauma and laughter tangle together is just so compelling—I found myself always hungry for the next exorcism showdown. If you love sharp animation and worlds where darkness is both literally and metaphorically real, this one’s a thrill ride.
- Seasons: 2
- Episodes: 47 (as of 2025)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
“Demon Slayer” isn’t just famous for its stunning visuals—though, yes, it has some jaw-dropping fights but for how genuine Tanjiro feels as a hero.
He’s not just swinging a sword; he’s fighting because he loves, and that nurtures every scene, from the quietest forest to the loudest battle.
The music swells, the animation flows, and you can’t help rooting for his fragile family. It’s the perfect mix of heart and spectacle and handles pain and hope equally well.
- Seasons: 4
- Episodes: 63 (TV) + movies
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, JioCinema, Amazon MX Player
Bleach
The return of Bleach was a tidal wave of nostalgic but somehow even cooler. This latest arc ramps up the violence, the betrayals, and gives us that catharsis fans have craved for years. The way the new and old generations clash feels earned, and watching Ichigo mature and struggle with both power and loss is classic shonen at its best. There’s a bold confidence to the storytelling here that feels rare.
- Seasons: 17
- Episodes: 390+
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
No anime as densely packed as “Brotherhood” manages to stay so emotional. The Elric brothers’ journey is haunted by their own mistakes, but peppered with true kindness and innate humanity.
The world feels as alive as our own, and every arc pulls you into a new, sometimes terrifying, sometimes beautiful, chapter of alchemy and philosophy. Few shows balance epic spectacle with sobering questions about morality and sacrifice like this one does.
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 64
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime
Solo Leveling
This one’s for the gamers and the dreamers, the underdog fantasy done to perfection. There’s something exhilarating about Jinwoo’s transformation from zero to hero, and the cold, digital game world setting is just different enough to make every boss battle feel new.
The animation is as slick as the main character’s new powers, and the story never loses sight of its revenge core. If you’ve ever wanted to level up and break free, you’ll get why this is so addictive.
- Seasons: 2
- Episodes: 38 (as of 2025)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man is for those who want their anime raw, surreal, and drenched in actual blood. The premise is wild and doesn’t pull punches Denji is desperate, silly, relatable, and just a bit monstrous.
It’s a wild mix of anarchic action and unexpectedly vulnerable characters. Watching Denji stumble toward meaning, even when covered in gore and loss, is a special kind of messy, chaotic fun.
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 12 (more in production)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
Attack on Titan
This series is a juggernaut, emotionally brutal and endlessly ambitious. From episode one, it screams that no one is safe, and it actually means it. The twists hit hard, the paranoia is real, and the visuals are as powerful as the themes.
Every season raises the bar, and it turns the simple concept of “humans versus monsters” into a layered tragedy about freedom, cycles of violence, and what it truly means to fight for survival.
- Seasons: 4
- Episodes: 90+
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime
Dororo
There’s an aching beauty in “Dororo.” It’s a road trip through hell, following a cursed boy and a brash child across Japan’s ruin and mysticism.
It’s dark, eerie, but also very human every demon slain has a cost and a story. The artistry here is deeply atmospheric; if you crave something haunting but not hopeless, this one hits hard.
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 24
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal
Often called a masterpiece OVA, “Trust & Betrayal” is somber, gracefully animated, and stays with you long after it’s over.
The story of Kenshin’s evolution from feared assassin to humble wanderer is heartbreaking and nuanced. If you think sword anime is just about flashy moves, this will show you how much emotion this genre can hold when done right.
- Seasons: 1 (OVA)
- Episodes: 4
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu, Amazon Prime
Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku
A ninja on death row and a samurai executioner what could go wrong? “Hell’s Paradise” is moody, mesmerizing, and utterly unpredictable.
Every episode is packed with unsettling creatures and strange, philosophical dilemmas. It manages to be horrifying, thoughtful, and even occasionally hilarious in the face of death. There’s nothing else quite like it right now.
- Seasons: 1 (second in production)
- Episodes: 13 (as of 2025)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
All these anime don’t just set the stage for Kagurabachi, they show why the genre remains so magnetic. Each series balances spectacle with deep emotion, giving you something to daydream about and something to feel, all before Kagurabachi unsheathes its own adventure.
