Tired of Waiting For Chainsaw Man’s First Movie? These 8 Anime Will Scratch Your Itch
Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc finally received an official United States release date: October 29, 2025. As the film’s US release looms closer, many fans feel they cannot wait another moment for the next installment of Chainsaw Man, since the franchise’s last anime season ended on December 28, 2022, leaving viewers without an update to the anime series for almost three years.
It is thrilling that more Chainsaw Man content will be available very soon, but the wait is not over yet. In the meantime, these eight anime series are awesome alternatives that contain many of the elements that make Chainsaw Man such a fan-favorite, such as action-packed fights, comradery between friends, and horrifying villains that strike terror into watchers’ hearts with every new appearance. While anticipating the long-awaited Reze Arc movie, these eight animes will make the wait less unbearable.
8
Dandadan
Based on the Original Manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, Produced by Studio Science Saru
Dandadan’s anime adaptation has only been around since October 2024, but it has already proven to be one of the most thrilling shonens ever. Momo Ayase has psychic abilities, and when her classmate, Okarun, suddenly becomes possessed by the powers of a vengeful spirit named Turbo Granny, the two students form an unlikely team to attempt to save Okarun and others from Turbo Granny’s havoc.
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The bond that gradually grows between Okarun and Momo is somewhat like the relationship between Denji, Chainsaw Man’s protagonist, and Power, the Blood Fiend. Both Okarun and Momo and Denji and Power did not get along well at first and were forced together through life circumstances outside their control, but over time, began to genuinely care for one another and even willingly risked their lives for each other’s sake. The humorous banter between Okarun and Momo is also endearingly similar to Denji’s and Power’s.
7
Jujutsu Kaisen
Based on the Original Manga by Gege Akutami, Produced by MAPPA
Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the best shonen series of all time, backed up by both fans’ raving reviews and the multitude of awards and high ratings it has received over the years. Jujutsu Kaisen deserves a spot on any anime fan’s watch list, but Chainsaw Man lovers in particular will most likely adore the series because of the resemblances between the two. In Jujutsu Kaisen, Cursed Spirits torment humanity, while in Chainsaw Man, Devils take that role. Both animes are action-heavy, with almost every episode containing another intense hero vs. villain clash.
The stakes are sky-high in either series, and major character deaths are not uncommon in Jujutsu Kaisen or Chainsaw Man. Jujutsu Kaisen’s humor is more prevalent than Chainsaw Man’s, but the friendships between Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara and the one between Denji and Power are characterized by silly pranks and hilarious jokes that lighten up an otherwise dark and dismal storyline. Both Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man have everything an ideal shonen needs: humor, drama, action-packed battles, and memorable characters, which is why they are two of the top shonen animes of the modern day.
6
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes
Based on the Original Manga by Hideyuki Furuhashi, Produced by Bones Film
My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is the prequel to My Hero Academia, and it leaves Deku behind in favor of an all-new protagonist, Koichi Haimawari. Koichi’s Quirk is not mighty enough for him to be admitted into a Hero Course, even though he has the desire to save others, so rather than relinquish his hero dreams forever, Koichi chooses to be a vigilante instead, along with Knuckleduster, who is Quirkless, and Pop Step, who also has a lower level Quirk.
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Because it is so new and thrilling, now is a better time than ever to check out My Hero Academia: Vigilantes as it is actively releasing new episodes each week. Vigilantes is definitely darker than the original My Hero Academia series, since it covers those heroes who are not affiliated with Hero Society and choose to work behind-the-scenes instead, often getting into dangerous situations for the sake of rescuing innocent people. Chainsaw Man is also considered a darker shonen than most, and although Denji does officially work as a Devil Hunter, many of his fights are quite like those pictured in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes between vigilante heroes and the villains they bring to justice.
5
Parasyte: The Maxim
Based on the Original Manga by Hitoshi Iwaaki, Produced by Madhouse
- Release Date
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2014 – 2015-00-00
- Directors
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Ken’ichi Shimizu
- Writers
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Shoji Yonemura, Shinzô Fujita
The concept of parasitic relationships is explored in both Chainsaw Man and Parasyte: The Maxim, a lesser-known gem in the anime world. Parasyte: The Maxim follows Shinichi Izumi, who one day becomes infected with a parasitic creature named Migi that begins controlling his body and attacking humans. Shinichi and Migi are often at odds, but Migi’s powers do make Shinichi stronger, which is also a benefit that Denji’s Chainsaw Devil powers offer.
When Denji was near death after being attacked by the Yakuza, his trusty dog, Pochita, merged with his heart and thus, turned Denji into the Chainsaw Devil and saved his life. Both Shinichi and Denji experience parasitic relationships, although Denji’s bond with Pochita is more affectionate than Shinichi’s with Migi. Shinichi and Denji are also both around the same age and struggling to thrive in the world while also coming to terms with unfamiliar new powers, so Parasyte is sure to entice Chainsaw Man fans.
4
Dorohedoro
Based on the Original Manga by Q Hayashida, Produced by MAPPA
MAPPA’s Dorohedoro is often compared to Chainsaw Man, and it is not difficult to see why. The anime’s main characters are Nikaido, a restaurant owner with magical powers, and Caiman, who was once a human but was unfortunately turned into a half-human, half-lizard hybrid. Nikaido and Caiman work together to restore Caiman’s humanity, and along the way, Nikaido’s Devil powers certainly come in handy.
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Both Chainsaw Man and Dorohedoro include humans who can turn into Devils temporarily. Nikaido can harness her Devil Form for short periods of time, while Denji can do the same with his Chainsaw Devil state. The fights in both Dorohedoro and Chainsaw Man can be quite gory and violent, giving both animes a more grim, dismal feel than the typical shonen anime that is often more lighthearted.
3
Hell’s Paradise
Based on the Original Manga by Yuji Kaku, Produced by MAPPA
Since it was produced by the same studio, MAPPA, Chainsaw Man and Hell’s Paradise’s visual similarities are very apparent, with the backgrounds and character designs of both series almost resembling one another. Hell’s Paradise follows a group of prisoners who hunt for the elusive Elixir of Life in a last-ditch effort to be pardoned for their crimes. Although its plot is different from Chainsaw Man’s, the battles are every bit as dramatic.
On the island where the Elixir of Life is located, dangerous monsters called Mōnshins and Sōshins roam, and the series’ characters primarily fight against these creatures, who are not so different from Chainsaw Man’s Devils. Because both animes share a common atmosphere of terror, if someone enjoys the experience of watching Chainsaw Man, they will likely also find some enjoyment in viewing Hell’s Paradise.
2
Tokyo Ghoul
Based on the Original Manga by Sui Ishida, Produced by Pierrot
Tokyo Ghoul and Chainsaw Man both share a fairly similar premise, with one involving ghouls and one involving devils, making them more alike than they may seem initially. In Tokyo Ghoul, Ken Kaneki inadvertently merges with a ghoul, much to his dismay, becoming a more powerful hybrid of human and ghoul. A similar plot point appears in Chainsaw Man, when the protagonist Denji merges with his dog, Pochita, and becomes connected with the Chainsaw Devil.
Aside from this obvious shared characteristic of two young male protagonists developing supernatural powers overnight, the darker feel of both Tokyo Ghoul and Chainsaw Man also links the two anime series. Tokyo Ghoul’s animation is stunning, and it also contains horror elements and gruesome deaths, two major aspects of Chainsaw Man. Finally, Tokyo Ghoul’s life lessons and moral quandaries that arise after Kaneki’s transformation give viewers many themes to ponder while watching, cementing Tokyo Ghoul as an anime classic.
1
Solo Leveling
Based on the Original Web Novel by Chugong, Produced by A-1 Pictures
Of all the new anime series that debuted last year in 2024, Solo Leveling was arguably the largest breakout hit, based on the 2016 manga of the same name. Solo Leveling follows protagonist Sung Jinwoo, who is fiercely determined as he pursues becoming the top-ranked Hunter in his world. Hunters range from E-rank at the bottom to S-rank at the top, and Jinwoo started at the lowest rank. With each new dungeon victory, Jinwoo advances one step closer to being the best.
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A series like Solo Leveling that is centered around ranking up and defeating stronger villains with each new battle is remarkably similar to Chainsaw Man, because Denji also continually fights more and more intimidating opponents as Chainsaw Man’s story advances forward. Both Solo Leveling and Chainsaw Man boast some of the best fights in anime, so for anyone missing Chainsaw Man, Solo Leveling is well worth a watch.
