The ONLY 12 Anime Like Attack On Titan You Should Start Watching

Attack On Titan starts off with a dramatic introduction. Or I should say – it “ends” the 1st episode as tragically as possible.

The main characters are stuck hiding behind wall-maria, before everything gets chaotic.

In the same way, the anime shows I’ll be mentioning have similar themes running through all of them.

Especially in terms of violence, perspective, characters types and the unfairness of each world the character is forced to deal with.

Let’s get started.

Anime Like Attack On Titan:

1. Black Bullet

Black Bullet, just like Attack On Titan, has a similar theme it focuses on. An “outside threat” with the power to make humans extinct, if they do nothing to change it.

In Black Bullet, these creatures are called “Gastrea”. In an attempt to fight back against the Gastrea, the Civil Security group is formed.

The main differences between Attack On Titan is the main characters personalities and attitudes.

But one common thing is the main characters beliefs for “a better world” and the male-female duo you see with Mikasa and Eren.

2. Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist seems like a foreign anime all together, when you look at it on the surface. But in reality – the main characters personalities and goals share similar themes.

Edward Elric and Alphonse make a mistake in trying to “revive their dead mother”. And they’re punished for it.

Edward loses an arm, and Alphonse loses his entire physical body. Which is replaced with a body made of metal with his “soul” inside it.

Beyond that – the main characters are on a mission to make a difference in the world. With Edward being the louder, more aggressive character.

Just like Eren Jaeger.

3. Tokyo Ghoul

In Attack On Titan – Eren has a secret that he himself is unaware of.

This secret helps him battle titans, giving him and the soldiers a decent advantage in protecting humanity.

In Tokyo Ghoul – it’s slightly different. Since the world is overrun with Ghouls, and the main character becomes a ghoul himself.

But the experiences and struggles each main character faces is what ties AOT with Tokyo Ghoul.

4. High School Of The Dead

High School Of The Dead is exactly as it sounds. The high school of the main characters becomes infested with zombies. So they’re forced to ditch it.

Almost all their friends die-off and become zombies.

The similarities between this and AOT is obvious: an outside threat that NEEDS to be eliminated.

One major difference you should keep in mind is – there’s a suffocating amount of fan service and “Ecchi” episodes in High School of The Dead.

So it may or may not keep you interested.

5. Shiki

Shiki is nowhere near as dramatic for its action and fantasy elements.

Shiki is based in a village that’s cursed after all. So you don’t see much beyond the village and everything that happens within it.

But the thread that ties Shiki And Attack On Titan together, is the emerging threat that puts the villagers lives in danger.

Attack On Titan takes a “dramatic” approach to kick-start the anime, so you know what you’re getting without beating round the bush.

But Shiki takes a “slow” approach, with the series getting more violent, crude and disturbed as the anime makes progress.

6. Kabaneri Of The Iron Fortress

Kabaneri of The Iron Fortress is produced by Wit Studios… The same studio behind Attack On Titan.

Knowing this – it shouldn’t be surprising why both anime are so similar.

In this anime – you have a female and male protagonist. Just like Attack On Titan. And one of the main characters is infected, making him more powerful.

No different to Eren Jaeger.

The main difference is the creatures called “Kabane”, which is a cross between a zombie and some sort of demon.

But I feel both anime are unique enough to “not” be too similar. Plus the animation is stunning, as you’d expect from WIT Studio.

7. Owari No Seraph

Owari No Seraph is another series made by Wit Studio. They seem to love the theme of “an outside threat” trying to destroy the world, eh?

Yuichiro Hyakuya is like a less aggressive version of Eren Jaeger. But he’s unique enough to stand out and feel different.

Like Eren, Yuichiro has a tragic past and a lust to destroy the same creatures that caused him so much pain.

In the case of Owari No Seraph, the “threat” is an army of vampires who are intent on running the world. And turning humans into their “live-stock” to feed on them.

Relevant: The Greatest Anime Shows Like Owari No Seraph

8. Claymore

Produced by Madhouse, Claymore is what happens when you take an action series and turn into an “all female” blood-fest.

The violence, just like AOT, isn’t for the faint-hearted. And should never be watched while kids are around.

A type of human called “Claymore” which are half-human, half demon, are created to destroy full-demons called “Yoma”. But what happens along the way for the protagonist, and support characters is nothing short of depressing.

9. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Gurren Lagann is the “less” violent, bloody version of Attack On Titan. It’s also one of the most famous Mecha series in the history of anime, made by the same studio as Neon Genesis Evangelion.

The main characters are stuck underground, constantly told to avoid trying to escape or leave the surface. Just like how everyone deludes themselves into believing the “wall” will protect them from titans in AOT.

But just like AOT, there’s one character who believes in something bigger and better in the world.

His name is Kamina.

He’s the star of the show, along with Simon the digger who later becomes more confident in himself.

10. God Eater

Produced by Ufotable, the same studio behind Fate Zero And Fate Stay Night.

God Eater is adapted from video games. It takes the average horror series, and turns it into a super-realistic CGI with violence that will shock you to the bone.

And if you’re hesitant to watch it because it’s CGI – don’t worry. This is one of the best CGI shows I’ve seen that doesn’t look awful.

The main threat in God Eater is a beast called “Aragami”. A creature the main character is determined to destroy with a vengeance (see the resemblance?)

11. Akame Ga Kill

Akame Ga Kill is a “human” version of Attack On Titan. That’s one way to think about it.

The main threat here is the corrupt capital and the government who runs it.

Taxes are so high it’s impossible to make money. Villages are made poor because of it. And anyone who opposes these ideals is beheaded in broad day light.

So an assassination group is formed called Night-Raid. A group of assassins determined to create a revolution (which is what the people want) so they can put an end to all the corruption.

If it’s action you want, there’s almost no anime that can’t compare.

And best of all: there’s no plot armor or other nonsense seen in everyday Shounen anime.

12. Elfen Lied

And then there’s Elfen Lied.

This anime is the opposite of Attack On Titan. Instead of humans fighting against titans to save humanity, in Elfen Lied – the main character is the victim.

Lucy is an experiment who escapes the clutches of the laboratory she’s raised in. And now the world (the government) is on the hunt to kill Lucy.

Elfen Lied is a dark example of an “unfair world” drenched in hypocrisy and detestable human morals.

The way the story plays out is similar to Attack On Titan, except you’re seeing it from the “titans” perspective instead.

Honorable Mentions