Ever since MAPPA unleashed the inaugural season of Jujutsu Kaisen in 2020, the series has maintained an iron grip on global pop culture. Currently in its third season, the anime continues to push the boundaries of Gege Akutami’s original manga with a bold, experimental flair. Akutami’s sprawling dark fantasy masterfully subverts battle shōnen tropes, grounding its supernatural conflict in a world where suppressed human trauma manifests as “Cursed Energy,” giving rise to lethal entities known as Curses.
At the center of this chaos is Yuji Itadori’s tragic odyssey. As the unwilling vessel for the King of Curses, Yuji navigates a ruthless society that views young sorcerers as nothing more than expendable cogs in an ancient, uncaring machine. This poignant character study, paired with MAPPA’s breathtaking production values, has propelled Jujutsu Kaisen to record-breaking heights.
While every battle shōnen possesses a unique soul, many share the DNA of meticulous power systems and grand world-building. Series like Naruto and Bleach set the gold standard for tactical combat, yet they occupy entirely different aesthetic spaces. When searching for the “next” Jujutsu Kaisen, titans like Hunter x Hunter and Demon Slayer are obvious picks, but there are deeper cuts—like the gritty Dororo or the high-octane The God of High School—that capture its specific intensity. If you’re looking to fill the void left by Cursed Energy, here are 10 anime that should be at the top of your watchlist.
1
Hell’s Paradise
Image: MAPPA/Crunchyroll
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
In the world of the shinobi, honor is usually the currency of choice, but Gabimaru the Hollow operates on a different frequency. Sentenced to death after a betrayal, Gabimaru is offered a reprieve: travel to the legendary island of Shinsenkyō and retrieve the Elixir of Life. This “paradise,” however, is a nightmare of biological horrors and eldritch abominations. To survive, Gabimaru must forge alliances with other convicts and master “Tao,” a primordial life force, to battle the near-godlike Tensen.
Gabimaru’s driving force is refreshing in its simplicity—he just wants to return home to his wife. While his motivation is deeply personal, the action remains quintessential MAPPA: visceral, kinetic, and visually stunning. The series juxtaposes grotesque creature designs with lush, vibrant landscapes, creating a surreal atmosphere that sets it apart from its contemporaries. Hell’s Paradise is a dark, philosophical journey that fans of JJK’s mature tone shouldn’t overlook.
2
Blue Exorcist
Image: A-1 Pictures/Studio VOLN
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Blue Exorcist leans into the weight of destiny and religious mythology to build its supernatural landscape. The story centers on two planes of existence: Assiah, the realm of man, and Gehenna, the demonic world of Satan. When Rin Okamura discovers he is the literal son of the devil, he decides to defy his heritage by becoming an Exorcist. Enrolling in the True Cross Academy, Rin must hide his infernal identity while training to slay the very creatures he’s related to.
While it shares a basic “son of a demon” premise with series like Devil May Cry, Blue Exorcist remains firmly rooted in the battle shōnen tradition. It excels at the “magical school” dynamic, balancing heavy themes of grief and abandonment with comedic fraternal bickering between Rin and his straight-laced twin, Yukio. It’s a classic coming-of-age story wrapped in blue flames and gothic imagery.
3
Mob Psycho 100
Image: Studio Bones
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama is a mild-mannered middle schooler who happens to be the most powerful esper on Earth. Created by ONE, the visionary behind One Punch Man, Mob Psycho 100 is a masterclass in visual storytelling. Unlike many protagonists who crave power, Mob fears his own, keeping his emotions under a strict “limit” to prevent a catastrophic psychic outburst. To navigate his strange life, he works for Arataka Reigen, a charismatic fraud who uses Mob’s genuine powers to maintain his fake exorcism business.
The series is a beautiful exploration of emotional intelligence. Mob’s struggle isn’t just about defeating villains, but about learning how to be a person. When he does finally reach “100%,” Studio Bones delivers some of the most psychedelic and inventive animation in the history of the medium. It’s heart-wrenching, hilarious, and visually unparalleled.
4
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Image: Studio Bones
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Widely regarded as one of the greatest stories ever told in the medium, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a profound examination of the cost of ambition. Following the law of equivalent exchange, brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric lose their physical forms after a forbidden attempt to bring their mother back to life. Their subsequent quest for the Philosopher’s Stone leads them into a vast political conspiracy that threatens their entire world.
Produced by Studio Bones, this adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa’s manga is flawless. It balances high-stakes alchemy battles with crushing emotional beats and philosophical debates on war, sacrifice, and humanity. Much like Jujutsu Kaisen, it features a rich ensemble cast where every character, from the noble Roy Mustang to the monstrous Homunculi, feels deeply realized and essential to the narrative tapestry.
5
Soul Eater
Image: Studio Bones
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Atsushi Ohkubo’s Soul Eater is a vibrant, Tim Burton-esque take on the battle shōnen genre. Set at the Death Weapon Meister Academy, the story follows pairs of students: “Meisters” who wield weapons, and the “Weapons” themselves, who are humans capable of transforming into armaments. Maka Albarn and her partner, the scythe-boy Soul Eater, are on a mission to consume 99 evil souls and one witch’s soul to elevate Soul to the status of a “Death Scythe.”
With its high-energy combat and gothic aesthetic, Soul Eater is a stylish feast for the eyes. While it leans more toward dark comedy than JJK, its power system—based on the resonance of souls—is equally intricate. The only caveat is the anime’s conclusion, which diverged from the manga and feels somewhat abrupt. Despite this, the journey is filled with memorable characters like the symmetry-obsessed Death the Kid and the legendary Excalibur, making it a must-watch for fans of supernatural action.
6
Chainsaw Man
Image: MAPPA
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man is the spiritual sibling to Jujutsu Kaisen, and not just because they share a studio. Both stories revel in subverting genre expectations through visceral violence and existential dread. Denji, a boy who fuses with his chainsaw-demon dog Pochita, is far from a traditional hero. He’s a desperate kid driven by basic survival and a yearning for intimacy, who gets swept into the brutal world of Public Safety devil hunting. The sheer cinematic impact of Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc further cements the franchise’s status as a modern powerhouse.
MAPPA brings a gritty, prestige-TV feel to the series, with fluid animation that emphasizes the raw terror of the Devils. But beneath the blood and high-octane fights lies a deeply tragic core. Chainsaw Man explores how power systems exploit the vulnerable, using the dreams of children as fuel for a machine that offers no real way out. It’s a dark, unapologetic ride that perfectly complements the themes of JJK.
7
Blood Blockade Battlefront
Image: Studio Bones
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Imagine New York City as an interdimensional melting pot where eldritch aliens and humans live in a precarious, chaotic peace. This is Hellsalem’s Lot, the setting of Blood Blockade Battlefront. Our protagonist, Leonardo Watch, is a kind-hearted boy who gains the “All-Seeing Eyes of the Gods” at a devastating personal cost. He joins Libra, a secret society of superpowered individuals dedicated to preventing the city’s total collapse.
The series is a high-octane, stylistic explosion of creativity. Leonardo isn’t a powerhouse; he’s a witness and a moral compass in a world that has gone mad. Studio Bones brings Yasuhiro Nightow’s frantic art style to life with incredible fluidity, making every battle feel like a kinetic event. It’s eccentric, heart-filled, and utterly unique, offering a different flavor of urban supernatural action.
8
Yu Yu Hakusho
Image: Studio Pierrot
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
You cannot discuss modern shōnen without paying homage to Yoshihiro Togashi’s Yu Yu Hakusho. Long before Yuji Itadori was eating fingers, Yusuke Urameshi was the original delinquent-turned-supernatural-protector. After dying in an act of uncharacteristic selflessness, Yusuke is resurrected as a “Spirit Detective,” tasked with protecting the human world from malevolent spirits and demons. It is the definitive blueprint for everything that followed, from power systems to tournament arcs.
While it follows the traditional Hero’s Journey, Yu Yu Hakusho remains timeless because of its character writing. The chemistry between Yusuke, the stoic Hiei, the elegant Kurama, and the loyal Kuwabara is the gold standard for anime ensembles. It might lack the postmodern cynicism of Jujutsu Kaisen, but its heart and high-stakes battles are just as compelling today as they were in the 90s.
9
Dorohedoro
Image: MAPPA
Where to watch: Netflix
For those who love the “weird” side of anime, Dorohedoro is a visceral delight. Set in the Hole, a decaying industrial wasteland, the story follows Caiman, a man with a lizard head and no memory of how he got it. He hunts sorcerers who use the residents of the Hole as test subjects for their magic, sliding their heads into his mouth so the mysterious man living in his throat can identify them. It’s as insane as it sounds, and twice as much fun.
Despite its gritty, post-apocalyptic setting and hyper-violent combat, Dorohedoro is surprisingly whimsical. It’s filled with dark humor, fantastic character dynamics, and a genuine love for its bizarre world. It avoids the preachy moralizing often found in the genre, instead opting for a surrealist journey that feels entirely original. With a second season finally on the horizon, there’s no better time to dive in.
10
Parasyte: The Maxim
Image: Madhouse
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Parasyte: The Maxim is a cerebral sci-fi horror that dives deep into biological existentialism. When parasitic aliens arrive on Earth to take over human brains, high-schooler Shinichi Izumi narrowly prevents one from reaching his head. Instead, the parasite, Migi, matures in his right hand. This creates a symbiotic relationship similar to the Venom and Eddie Brock dynamic, where two incompatible species must learn to share a single life to survive.
The series is much more than a body-horror thriller; it’s a philosophical inquiry into what defines a “soul.” As Shinichi loses his humanity to the parasite’s influence and Migi begins to grasp human emotion, the lines between hero and monster blur. Like Jujutsu Kaisen, it deals with the heavy responsibility of power and the isolation that comes with being a protector in a world that doesn’t understand your burden. It’s a dark, thought-provoking masterpiece from Studio Madhouse.
Source: Polygon
