The 16 Best Anime Like 'Hunter x Hunter' and Where You Can Watch Them

Honestly, Naruto needs no introduction. This iconic anime has been around since 2002 and has been a global sensation, even spawning ramen shops that specialize in the titular character’s favorite dish. It’s first on this list because, if you haven’t seen it yet, what are you doing? Even experienced viewers might not know, however, that Naruto has actually drawn inspiration from Hunter x Hunter. The creators of both series, Masashi Kishimoto and Yoshihiro Togashi, are close friends and have been known to share ideas, leading to similarities between their works.

One example of such similarity is between the "Uchiha Clan" from Naruto and the "Kurta Clan" from Hunter x Hunter. Both clans were once powerful and influential but were ultimately wiped out, leaving only one survivor. In both cases, the character attains significantly enhanced powers when their eyes turn red, with Kurapika's "Chain Jail" ability reflected in Sasuke's "Sharingan." Also, Rock Lee is the most blatant copy of Zushi from HxH ever, but we’ll let it slide Kishimoto.

Jujutsu Kaisen was one of the newer anime to take fans by storm when it was initially released in late 2020, whose popularity was likely fuelled by the pandemic. That’s not to say it isn’t an incredible show, though. Based on the manga of the same name by Gege Akutami, Jujutsu Kaisen perfectly straddles the line between familiarity with Shounen tropes and a fresh take on the genre. The story follows Yuji Itadori, a student with seemingly inhuman physical capabilities. From there, you know how it goes. He gets insane powers and takes on various villainous creatures, but somehow the whole show feels like it's executed just a notch above the rest. It’s well worth a watch, and there’s a fantastic movie to watch after.

The Seven Deadly Sins is a fantasy adventure anime based on Nakaba Suzuki's manga, which follows Meliodas, the leader of a disbanded group of knights known as "The Seven Deadly Sins." Each of the sins possesses enormous power and skill, with unique abilities that allow them to work with (or sometimes against) each other. Meliodas and the Seven Deadly Sins are enlisted by princess Elizabeth to help her reclaim her kingdom from the "Holy Knights," a caste of warriors once tasked with protecting the land who have usurped control and taken over. The Seven Deadly Sins is a show full of constant conflict and betrayal so if that’s up your alley maybe it’s for you. There was also quite a bit of finding members of the group and reuniting them with each other, which always makes for heartwarming–or tense–moments.

Made in Abyss is an intriguing anime that I think would appeal to fans of Hunter x Hunter. The series appears lighthearted at first glance, but will often veer into unexpected and extremely dark directions on a dimeThe juxtaposition of the cutesy animation style with the horrifying contents of the show make for a thrilling watch. The abyss, the anime's setting, is one of the most mysterious and perilous locations in anime, and it is truly one of the most creative worlds you'll find on television.

Riko, the main character, plunges into the depths of the abyss in her mother’s footsteps with the goal of becoming a famed white whistle, the show’s term for elite cavers. Along the way, she meets a half-human half-robot, Reg, and together they face numerous challenges, ranging from dangerous creatures to complex puzzles that require quick thinking to solve. I guarantee you’ll be frustrated by how short this show is, and then watch the movie, and then crave more for the rest of your days.

Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic is a fantastic show if you want to watch your dungeon crawlers instead of playing them. The main character of the show, Aladdin, travels through various dungeons, discovering ancient artifacts and forming new relationships with the people he meets along the way. Many of the storylines and arcs from the show are based on the tales from One Thousand and One Nights, specifically about Aladdin, Ali Baba, and Sinbad. 

Despite being a fantasy series with an emphasis on action and adventure, Magi delves deeper than most anime into issues such as slavery, inequality, and imperialism. The anime visualizes the rich and fascinating world of Middle Eastern folk tales and illustrates them in a way that is perfect for casual viewing.

No Game No Life is a similar anime to Hunter x Hunter and is pretty underrated in my opinion. It revolves around two siblings, Sora and Shiro, who form the undefeated online gaming duo known as Blink. The pair are swept into another world known as "Disboard" by a magical being known as Tet, where they are required to win games against other races with the ultimate goal of challenging Tet for rulership of all of Disboard.

One of the biggest joys of watching the show is the unraveling stories of cunning and wit, as the pair of siblings weasel their way into victory over their opponents with every game they play. The animations and character designs are phenomenal but definitely be warned if low-brow anime humor is something you’d like to steer clear of.

My Hero Academia, created by Kohei Horikoshi, is a hugely popular anime series around the world. The story takes place in a world where superpowers are normalized, and everyone is born with a unique “quirk” that grants them some kind of supernatural ability. Izuku Midoriya, the main protagonist, is born without any powers but wishes desperately to be like his idol All Might, the most powerful superhero of all time. Midoriya's journey is followed as he enrolls in U.A. High School, a prestigious school for heroes, and eventually develops his own quirk.

MHA follows a pretty rigid line of good and evil, with characters like All Might and Midoriya having very distinct arch nemeses who are obvious counterparts in terms of abilities and motivations. That being said, simplicity is often better and makes for a great vehicle to tell deeper stories.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, created and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki, has one of the largest fan bases of any show and has been adapted into an anime series several times over the years. Each season is about a different generation of the Joestar family, who have the ability to summon Stands, which are powerful entities that manifest from the spirits of their users.

The "Stands" are frequently used in battles with other Stand users, and each Stand has its own unique ability with its own set of rules and limitations. Hilariously, the villain in each season is always Dio Brando in some way or another. He is the direct antagonist in the first few seasons and somehow influences the plot in every season thereafter. JoJo is by far the most memeable anime out there and is an absolute treat to watch.

Many consider Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood to be an all-time classic. The show explores themes like the consequences of power and the cost of redemption, which are illustrated perfectly right at the beginning when brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric attempt to use alchemy to try to resurrect their deceased mother. They end up losing their bodies as a result, with Edward losing several limbs and Alphonse his entire body. In their quest to reclaim their original bodies, they uncover a conspiracy that extends beyond their personal objectives, forcing them to confront deep secrets about their reality.

Fullmetal Alchemist’s world is an incredible adaptation of our own, where alchemy reigns supreme over science. The series is a remake of the original Fullmetal Alchemist but stays truer to the manga. It was praised for its faithful adaptation and higher-quality animation and expanded the universe by introducing new characters and storylines.

One Piece is on the level of shows like Dragon Ball and Naruto when it comes to notoriety. Monkey D. Luffy, a young pirate, aspires to be the Pirate King and discover the "One Piece" treasure. In my opinion, he is arguably one of the most charismatic leads in any anime, whose goofy demeanor is contrasted even more when gut-wrenching scenes happen in the show.

The length of the anime (with 1,051 episodes and running) may be intimidating to some, as it is the longest-running anime on this list. However, the show’s extremely defined arcs make it relatively easy to hop in and out as you please when you finish an arc and come back later when you’re ready. One Piece is one of those shows that just always has been a part of my life, and always will be.

Fans of Hunter x Hunter will undoubtedly enjoy Yu Yu Hakusho, a masterpiece also created by Togashi. Yu Yu Hakusho was created in the early 90s, so if you’re into old anime aesthetics the show is even more perfect for you.

The story of Yu Yu Hakusho revolves around Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent whose life completely changes when he sacrifices his life to save a young boy from being hit by a car. His death is so premature that the afterlife has not yet found a place for him in either heaven or hell. Subsequently, Yusuke returns as a detective for the underworld, where his work involves solving mysteries centered around demons that are unleashed into the human world.

Yusuke is also definitively one of the most stylish anime characters in the game.

Dr. Stone centers around boy genius Senku Ishigami, who wakes up thousands of years after humanity was petrified by a mysterious light. Hilariously, he survives this ordeal by counting the seconds while he is petrified. With the help of his childhood friend, Taiju Oki, who he manages to revive, Senku sets out to rebuild civilization from scratch using science and technology. 

Dr. Stone’s development is a real joy to watch as the characters try to recreate modern technology in a post-apocalyptic world, Minecraft style. They discover pockets of human civilization that have somehow persevered through petrification, and throughout the story, they uncover deep secrets about what really happened.

The Promised Neverland is a thrilling anime that hooks its viewers with its gripping story and intense atmosphere. It explores darker themes than even the "Chimera Ant" arc of Hunter x Hunter, with children being hunted by demons without the safety net of Nen to protect them. The show's world-building is excellent, with each new revelation leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.

Emma, the protagonist of The Promised Neverland, is the backbone of the show. She’s an excellent strategist, and her intellect, combined with her physical abilities, makes her a formidable opponent against demons. I’m always a sucker for shows where intelligence plays a role in a successful battle rather than sheer power, and The Promised Neverland definitely centers around the children’s wits rather than their physical strength.

Dororo is an anime series about a young orphan named Hyakkimaru, who was born without limbs, eyes, ears, a nose, or skin due to a pact his father made with demons (I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream, anybody?). He’s saved by a doctor who gives him prosthetic limbs and sets out on a quest to defeat the demons and regain his (literal and figurative) humanity. Along the way, he meets a thief named Dororo who becomes his traveling companion. 

The odd premise and well-executed storyline have earned it critical acclaim, and if you’re into samurai slasher-type shows you’ll definitely enjoy it. There are a few episodes in the middle that slow down a bit (one with very questionable animation quality), but the latter half of the show is awesome and honestly makes everything worthwhile.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba premiered in early 2019 and received a spectacular reception from both fans and critics alike. The adaptation by Ufotable was precisely what the show needed, and the animation is truly a testament to what is possible with modern techniques. I’ll admit, the story is a bit simple and straightforward, but it creates the perfect canvas for the show’s strong points to truly shine.

Demon Slayer follows Tanjiro, a young boy who lives in a world where demons lurk in the shadows with humans. His peaceful life is shattered when his entire family is murdered and his sister is transformed into a demon by one of the most powerful demons, Muzan Kibutsuji. Unlike any other demon, his sister Nezuko is able to control her desire for human blood, leading to conflicts with other demon slayers who do not believe that she should be alive. Despite all of this, Tanjiro seeks to restore his sister to normal, having to contend with demons and other demon slayers alike.

Mob Psycho 100 is made by the famed creator of One Punch Man, ONE. Shigeo Kageyama, also known as "Mob," navigates a world of spirits and espers, accompanied by his hilarious but trustworthy mentor Reigen. On the surface, Mob may appear to be an unremarkable, quiet middle school student, but he is a deeply anxious person trying to manage his unique abilities as arguably the most powerful esper in the world. The show's portrayal of mental health is also commendable, as it addresses Mob's struggle with anxiety and self-worth in a sensitive and realistic way. 

Studio Bones, the same studio that produced the animation for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Bungo Stray Dogs, created Mob Psycho 100's distinct animation style, which features a blend of different animation techniques, including traditional 2D animation, CGI, and even live-action footage. Their artistic approach has received critical acclaim and sets the show apart from other anime. I would argue that the most recent season of Mob Psycho 100 is one of the best anime I’ve ever watched, and I remember saying that for each of the previous seasons too.

Mob also has a pretty solid position on our list of the strongest anime characters of all time.