9 must-see animes if you enjoy soulful games

The popularity of Soulslike games has skyrocketed over the past decade. FromSoftware's 2009 title devil's soul It's often cited as the game that started it all. dark soul A trilogy that continues the momentum of 2015 Bloodborne It has reached legendary status in the community. These action titles are known for being frustratingly difficult, often requiring players to die dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of times during their run to learn the content and find ultimate victory. Save points are scarce and stress is high, but despite this, the genre is still going strong without stopping.

Many Soulslike titles feature dark fantasy settings, and while this isn't necessary, it's somewhat expected. Those who want to tone down their controllers a bit but still want to get their genre fix have plenty of anime series to choose from, and many of the series on this list are somewhat lesser known or often forgotten. Some feature brutal combat, high stakes, and massive bloodshed, while others are filled with what can simply be described as a 'soulful atmosphere'.

Grimgar, Ashes and Visions

One day, a group of people wake up in an unfamiliar land with no memories. Immediately in danger, the party must battle monsters and deal with frequent deaths, and although it appears to be a game world, those who die are gone forever. Unlike many other dark fantasy isekai series, there are no traditional OP anime characters here, just unprepared teenagers desperately trying to become stronger physically and emotionally in search of answers.

It is an adaptation of Ao Jumonji's light novel series. Fantasy Grimgar and AshThis 2016 animated series has often been applauded for its animation quality and dark themes such as sadness and the psychological effects of violence. At a time when isekai anime series were scarce, Grimgar, Ashes and Visions It stands out from many of its peers by being more realistic and gritty. For Soulslike fans, its world and lore fit perfectly.

claymore

Nothing better captures the atmosphere of a Soulslike game. claymore. The series is set in a fictional medieval world featuring fearsome, man-eating humanoid shapeshifting robots called Yoma. A strange group known only as The Organization seeks to fight these monsters by creating human-yoma hybrids, and these female warriors take on these risks in exchange for a fee. As the title suggests, they fight with claymore swords, and each warrior has their own unique fighting style or supernatural abilities. After rescuing a young boy named Raki from Yoma, a hybrid named Claire agrees to take him in as a companion.

The 26-episode series, released in 2007, was inspired by Norihiko Yagi's manga series of the same name serialized in Monthly Shonen Jump. The action-packed fight scenes and unique world-building have made it a cult classic, and interestingly enough, a live-action TV series is currently in development at CBS Studios with Shueisha attached to produce. It's unclear whether this will be as brutal and violent as the animated release.

tokyo ghoul

In an alternate version of Tokyo, humans coexist with beings called ghouls, who look human but must eat human flesh to survive. College student Ken Kaneki is transformed into a half-ghoul after coming into contact with one of these creatures, putting him in a difficult and very upsetting situation. While making every effort to maintain his humanity, he must hide his true identity from those closest to him and find a way to bridge the gap between humans and ghouls. Full of drama, body horror, and dark themes. tokyo ghoul It's a shoo-in for Soulslike lovers.

It runs for 3 seasons, tokyo ghoul Excellent adaptation of the manga. Those of you who are interested in dark fantasy and want to dive deeper into Ken's story should also consider picking it up. tokyo ghoul Because comics take more time to delve into the protagonist's psyche and don't censor unnecessary violence. Additionally, a live-action film was released in 2017 and received favorable reviews.

fierce

For many readers, fierce I think it came about when ‘Soulstrike’ and ‘Animation’ were added to the same title. Inspired by Kentaro Miura's legendary dark fantasy manga series and adapted into an anime in 1997, it tells the story of Guts, a swordsman who embarks on a difficult journey to seek revenge on Griffith, the leader of a mercenary group called the Hawk's Resolve. The series' themes, which range from the true meaning of free will to the more horrific aspects of human nature, have made it one of the most highly acclaimed animated series of all time, and has become known as one of the most influential works in the realm of dark fantasy.

during fierce The manga series, which began serialization in 1989, is still ongoing, but Miura's sudden death in 2021 brought his friend and fellow artist Koji Mori to power. The 1997 animated series is a must-see for Soulslike fans, but the recent 2016 adaptation continues to be the butt of numerous jokes due to its poor production quality, subpar use of CGI, and bizarre music choices.

wolf rain

Those who watched Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup in 2004 will love this one. wolf rain. The post-apocalyptic dark fantasy series focuses on an ancient legend that claims that when the end of the world comes, a place known simply as Paradise will appear, but only wolves will know how to find it. Most people believe that wolves became extinct hundreds of years ago, but this is not true. Wolves fool themselves into thinking they are humans. Lone wolf Kiba smells intoxicating and is dragged to Freeze City. Here he discovers three more members of his own species, and the three begin to search for a way to find the Promised Land.

wolf rain It has long been praised for its character dynamics, heavy themes, and especially its beautiful soundtrack. cowboy bebop and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex fame. The desperation that Kiba, Tsume, Hige, and Toboe feel is evident in almost every scene, and it's precisely that pain and willingness to face danger that makes this series feel like a good fit for Soulslike fans.

Bahamut's Wrath

Dark fantasy animated series Bahamut's Wrath It is set in a world where gods, demons, and humans live together. Long ago, the dragon Bahamut tried to destroy the land, but all races came together to blockade the land. The key used to open this seal was split in half, with one half given to the gods and the other to the demons, ensuring that Bahamut would never threaten the world again. 2000 years later, a woman named Amira arrives on a peaceful day with half of the Keys of the Gods in her hands. Searching for her lost mother and with the help of two bounty hunters, Amira travels the land, encountering those who seek to seal away the dragons and those who seek to revive them for nefarious purposes.

This is the first season of , which is full of dense stories and acclaimed characters. Bahamut's Wrath It is especially loved by dark fantasy fans. The series is produced by MAPPA and maintains the same animation quality as other releases such as: Do a jujutsu and Chainsaw Man. Those who enjoy the show might be interested in picking up the digital card battle game that inspired it, but unfortunately an English version doesn't currently exist.

goblin slayer

At first glance, goblin slayer It's like any other dark fantasy adventure series. In the mythical world, adventurers flock to join guilds, eager to form stronger and more complete contracts to earn both gold and praise. The young priestess is delighted to finally have the opportunity to join her first party, but things quickly take a turn for the worse when goblins attack her disgustingly. The girl watches in horror as her friends are killed or assaulted, but is soon rescued by a man named Goblin Slayer, a man who loathes the creatures with all his heart and seeks to eradicate them all from existence.

In many animation circles, goblin slayer It is an object of controversy and contempt. The dark themes and graphic violence blinded many people seeing it for the first time. Because at first glance it doesn't seem particularly unpleasant. But this brutality is one of the reasons Soulslike fans want to give it a chance, despite the negative feedback it received in the years following its release.

Made in Abyss

It is an adaptation of Akihito Tsukushi's manga series. Made in Abyss It follows Riko, an orphaned girl who lives near a giant hole that goes deep into the ground. Known as the Abyss, this massive crater is filled with the remnants of long-lost civilizations and attracts all kinds of people looking to unearth untold treasures. But a curse falls on those who dare to step into the abyss, and the deeper you go, the more severe the effects become. Rico's mother disappeared down a hole years ago, and now the young girl is trying to follow in her footsteps. There she meets a boy who is half human, half robot, and her true adventure begins.

Considered by many communities as one of the best anime series of the 2010s. Made in Abyss It continued to impress fans and critics alike, applauding its adventurous spirit, moving drama, and soundtrack. The darker, more disturbing aspects will appeal to those who don't shy away from difficult situations or stressful exploration, and the world-building is second to none. In the West, more live-action adaptations are in the works. Made in Abyss The film has been greenlit in 2021.

Kill Akame!

Inspired by the popular shonen manga series, akame ga kill It tells the story of Night Raid, a secret revolutionary assassination unit. This is an organization that seeks to overthrow Prime Minister Ernest, who is known only for his lust for power and greed while the people are starving and struggling. Tatsumi is a new member of the Assassins who leaves his remote village to help his people, and over time he learns what it means to kill, becoming stronger in a world full of blood.

The series focuses on the effects of corruption and how murder, even when seemingly justified, gnaws away at a person's soul. Each side fights for what they believe is right, and it's up to each character to make the decisions. Souls fans will appreciate the focus on the reality of death and the feeling of running into enemy territory for nothing if you take one wrong step. There's a bit of random comedy involved, but at the end of the day, akame ga kill It is a dark fantasy series with bite.