Summary
Popularanimecan take many forms, from serious shows about adult topics, to more lighthearted slice-of-life series. No matter what you want, there is probably a hit anime out there for you. One that has captured the hearts of its audience is none other than 2024’s Dandadan.
An anime with some pretty spooky and sci-fi elements, Dandadan approaches it all with a sense of humor and some pretty slick visuals. No matter what made you fall in love with Dandadan, there are other anime out there for you to enjoy.
Updated July 31, 2025, by Zackary Wiggs:It isn’t often a new anime comes around and becomes a favorite overnight, but it seem like Dandadan has done it. From its bright-colored art style, especially in the fight scenes, to the weird and wacky characters that inhabit the world that Dandadan has set up for its audience. As new anime come out, more pull from its success, and as its success grows, more fans have drawn comparisons to it and other anime. If you’re still waiting for the next season to come out, then there are some great similar anime to binge, from anime about adventures in space, demon slaying, and wacky takes on feudal Japan.
Released
1998
A classic through and through. While Cowboy Bebop may not have been the first anime out there to balance difficult themes with great humor, it did so at all new levels. Which is something that it and Dandadan definitely have in common.
True enough, there’s no weird aliens or demonic yokai in Cowboy Bebop, but the wide cast of characters and surprisingly heart-rending moments are something that any Dandadan fan will instantly fall in love with. It’s a lot to bring into a story about a group of random space bounty hunters, but the result is something definitely special.
2019
The spirits and demons in Dandadan make for compelling antagonists from episode to episode, but it isn’t the only anime to look to the spiritual world for ideas on enemies. Demon Slayer is another modern take on the anime genre, and one that has made itself plenty of fans since its release.
Following a recently orphaned boy, Tanjiro Kamado, the anime shows his journey in its entirety, from confused young kid, to a demon slayer of legend. It’s not all about him though. It has some of thebest side characters in anime, from a person wearing a boar’s head with homemade serrated swords, to a demonic sister. It’s an anime that’s just as much eye candy as it is heartfelt storytelling.
2006
Wacky is definitely one of the main words that you could use to describe Dandadan. However, the creators didn’t invent the idea of a wacky and humorous anime series by any means. Neither did the people behind Gintama, but they sure do know how to do it well.
A futuristic Japan that’s actually an alternate history full of aliens is the setting that Gintama throws you into, and it does so in pretty short order too. The story follows Gintoki, a samurai who does odd jobs to make a living. It’s a wild story of hijinks, oddities, and ideas you won’t see anywhere else.
2024
Anime about vicious gangs and criminals are fairly common. However, Sakamoto days puts a new twist on the idea. It has some of the same humorous notions about plot and character development that Dandadan is known for, and person with psychic powers… for some reason.
It’s part gang-related action, but mostly slice-of-life anime. The main character was once the deadliest assassin in the area, but after meeting the woman of his dreams, he settled down to start a convenience store. No one seems quite content to leave him be though, which causes plenty of hilarity, and some tense moments too.
Another modern anime that has gained quite the following, Solo Leveling has more in common with series like Overlord and Dungeon Meshi, but it is still well worth your time if you’re looking for something to fill the gap between Dandadan seasons.
Solo Leveling is an anime that knows action, but what else would you expect from a show about dungeons full of devious monsters? It’s a stroy of redemption, strength, and it has plenty of action-packed moments. If you were a fan of the high-octane fight scenes of Dandadan this one will probably be your speed.
Another anime from 2024 that balances sharp visuals and a humorous approach to some interesting issues, Chainsaw Man hit top ten new anime lists around the world for its tone and smooth animation.
Following a young man with nothing to lose, his life changes when he makes a pact with the chainsaw devil. From there he must consider his new goals, few of which are serious, and even become an important member of a world organization. If you like the humorous combat of Dandadan, then this is a great next step in your anime adventure.
2020
An anime that was well-received thanks to its futuristic setting and unique art style, Dorohedoro takes a more serious tone than Dandadan, but it isn’t without its absurd moments. But, what else would you expect from a show about a main character with a caiman’s head?
A futuristic world full of sorcerers, street punks, and oddities all drawn in a gritty and often gory art style are the tenets of what draw in new viewers to Dorohedoro. That’s not all though; beneath the surface is a surprisingly detailed plot and some memorable characters to boot.
Some anime like to go all-out in the binary of whether to be serious or more humorous. Some, though, like Jujutsu Kaisen, like to toe that line more thoughtfully. If you weren’t completely sold on the comedy of Dandadan then this may be a nice change of pace.
While it is more about heartfelt moments and some pretty stylish battles, it isn’t devoid of funny moments, especially with a fairly wacky cast. The first episode’s plot alone is enough to hook you, even if the main character is a bit off-putting.
Dandadan is all about dealing with the supernatural, or psuedo-scientific parts of the world around you, which is something that it and Kaiju No. 8 have in common.Kaiju have been an important part of animefor decades, but none have done it quite like this series.
A young boy on the cleanup crew of the Kaiju Extermination Force evolves some impressive new abilities after he consumes part of the creature he was meant to dispose of. It’s an absurd tale, but one that leans into action anime quite a bit if you need some more adrenaline.
A far more serious look into what happens when a high school student gets supernatural powers, Bleach is not without its humor from time to time, but it’s usually more about saving the world and sword fights.
You’ve probably heard it before: a young student’s life is changed when he unlocks secret powers he uses to save the world from a dark threat. But Bleach takes it to whole new levels with an interesting cast, impressive combat, and often-updated visuals.
There are a handful of plot arcs that range from beach-episode filler to high-octane combat, so there is plenty to see in this long-running series.
