8 Must-Watch Anime for Fans of Castlevania

Castlevania has become a popular anime series with its dark gothic aesthetic, vampire hunting action, and complex characters. It has amassed a large fanbase. If you're a fan looking for more anime series with a similar vibe, here are 9 of the best anime to watch if you like Castlevania.

These anime series feature dark fantasy worlds, vampire protagonists/antagonists, gothic architecture, intense action sequences, and multifaceted characters dealing with internal conflicts. Like Castlevania, they offer a journey into grim, macabre universes filled with supernatural forces.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion and is not ranked in any particular order.

9 anime series that echo the Castlevania experience

1. Hellsing

Hellsing (Image via Gonzo) - 1. Hellsing - 9 anime series that echo the Castlevania experience

If you're searching for a series like Castlevania, Hellsing is a great choice. This dark fantasy OVA focuses on the Hellsing organization led by Integra, protecting England from vampires and other dangerous beings. The story revolves around Alucard, a formidable vampire working for Hellsing.

Devil May Cry is another popular video game that fans of Hellsing may enjoy. The game features demon hunting, stylish combat, and a dark, edgy atmosphere that is reminiscent of Hellsing. The protagonist, Dante, is a demon hunter with a cool and charismatic personality, similar to Alucard from Hellsing. Devil May Cry also delves into the supernatural world and the battles between humans and demons in a modern urban setting.

Devil May Cry (Image via Madhouse) - 2. Devil May Cry

Devil May Cry (Image via Madhouse)

This anime adaptation of the well-loved video game series is famous for its intense action and unique style. The main character, Dante, works as a mercenary and utilizes his demon-fighting skills to tackle risky assignments related to supernatural entities.

Dante wields a large sword and two pistols, effortlessly defeating crowds of demons in stylish, fast-paced battles. Just like Trevor and Sypha from Castlevania, Dante brings a lot of confidence and expertise to his missions hunting monsters.

Vampire Hunter D

Vampire Hunter D offers a captivating blend of creepy, Gothic settings and a diverse range of demons that can also capture the interest of fans. If you enjoy watching arrogant demon hunters facing off against evil creatures using extraordinary weapons and abilities, Vampire Hunter D is a fantastic choice.

Vampire Hunter D (Image via Madhouse) - 3. Vampire Hunter D

Vampire Hunter D (Image via Madhouse)

This dark sci-fi/fantasy OVA series follows the adventures of D, a brooding, half-vampire demon hunter for hire. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, D slays various supernatural foes like vampires, mutants, and demons with his formidable combat skills and weaponry.

Like Castlevania's Belmont clan, D comes from a long lineage of esteemed vampire hunters. Fans of the Gothic horror aesthetic and vampire hunting action can find plenty to love in D. He himself bears similarities to Alucard as a half-vampire grappling with his identity.

4. Blood+

Blood+ (Image via Production I.G) - 4. Blood+

If you're searching for an anime series featuring a powerful female vampire hunter, check out Blood+. The story revolves around Saya, a high school student who discovers she belongs to a family of vampire hunters with unique blood abilities.

As a vampire hunter, Saya awakens to use her katana, transformed by blood, in fierce battles against chiropteran creatures. While uncovering forgotten memories and the story of her origins, Blood+ skillfully blends vampire-hunting action scenes with compelling character drama.

The show's Gothic visual style and Saya's internal conflict with her identity as a vampire-like being draw parallels to the themes and aesthetic of Castlevania.

5. Trinity Blood

Trinity Blood (Image via Gonzo) - 5. Trinity Blood

Trinity Blood, an anime series, is set in a post-apocalyptic future where vampires and humans are in a constant battle for control. The show shares similarities with Castlevania in terms of its storyline and themes. The main character is Abel Nightroad, a vampire who is a member of a special ops group in the Vatican. Abel's mission is to prevent conflicts between vampires and humans from escalating.

Abel, with his crusnik nanomachine powers, can transform to fight against dangerous vampiric enemies. Like Alucard and other dhampirs, Abel struggles with his vampiric abilities and his place in the world while striving to defend both humans and vampires.

Trinity Blood captures the essence of Castlevania with its dystopian Earth setting, Vatican politics, and intricate relationships between humans and vampires.

6. Hell Girl

Hell Girl (Image via Studio Deen) - 6. Hell Girl

Hell Girl, created by Studio Deen, tells the story of a mysterious girl named Enma Ai. She is not a demon, but rather a guide who transports souls filled with hatred to Hell. The show revolves around Ai's encounters with different people who seek her help using a website known as "Hell Link."

Each unsettling story in Hell Girl ends with Ai seeking revenge on behalf of the person who has been wronged. Despite not being centered around hunting vampires or demons, the show still captures a Gothic horror atmosphere and features morally ambiguous characters.

Similar to Alucard from Castlevania, Ai struggles with her duties and the moral implications of her retribution against wrongdoers. Fans of Castlevania's dark themes may also appreciate the anthology-style supernatural horror of Hell Girl.

7. Claymore

Claymore (Image via Madhouse) - 7. Claymore

In a dark medieval world, shapeshifting demons known as Yoma terrorize the land by feeding on human flesh. To protect humanity from this threat, a mysterious organization has developed Claymores - beings who are part human and part Yoma - to hunt down and eliminate these demonic creatures.

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress

In this anime, we follow the story of Clare, also known as Claymore, as she embarks on missions to hunt down Yoma creatures. Just like Castlevania fans enjoy watching vampire hunters in action, Claymore's focus on a female protagonist fighting demonic beasts will surely captivate them. Moreover, Clare's journey mirrors that of Hector from Castlevania, as they both struggle with their humanity after being turned into creatures that must battle their own kind.

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress (Image via Wit Studio) - 8. Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress (Image via Wit Studio)

If you're craving more steampunk horror action, look no further than . Set in feudal Japan, the series follows Ikoma, a protagonist who becomes a Kabaneri - a hybrid with human and Kabane traits - after getting infected by the zombie-like beings known as Kabane.

Now a powerful half-zombie battlesuit inventor, Ikoma joins forces with other survivors to fight against the Kabane threat. Just like Castlevania's dhampir warriors, Ikoma finds himself straddling two worlds, battling to protect humans from the bloodthirsty monsters. Kabaneri's mix of supernatural horror, steam-powered technology, and intense action mirrors Castlevania's unique style.

9. Demon Slayer

Demon Slayer (Image via Ufotable) - 9. Demon Slayer

A must-have addition to any list of Castlevania anime alternatives is Demon Slayer. The story follows Tanjiro, a young boy who undergoes intense training to join the Demon Slayer Corps in order to save his sister Nezuko, who has been turned into a demon after their family was slaughtered.

This historical dark fantasy anime, Demon Slayer, showcases intense demon battles, supernatural abilities, and a complex bond between two siblings at odds. Fans who love dynamic demon-hunting fight scenes will enjoy watching this show.

Viewers will be thrilled by Tanjiro's impressive swordsmanship and acrobatic combat techniques as he faces off against monstrous foes. Nezuko's internal conflict mirrors the challenges Sypha and Alucard encounter in coming to terms with their dhampir heritage.

Conclusion

Castlevania has established itself as a modern anime masterpiece, thanks to its impressive animation, complex characters, and the seamless mix of Gothic horror and intense action. If you're looking for more excitement in the realm of vampire hunting or epic battles against demons, the anime recommendations mentioned above provide captivating dark fantasy settings for you to explore.

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Editor's P/S:

The article provides a comprehensive list of 9 anime series that offer a similar experience to Castlevania, catering to fans who enjoy dark fantasy worlds, vampire protagonists/antagonists, gothic architecture, intense action sequences, and multifaceted characters. The writer has carefully selected each anime based on its adherence to these criteria, ensuring that readers will find options that resonate with the unique atmosphere and themes of Castlevania.

The article is well-written and engaging, providing brief summaries of each anime's plot, characters, and similarities to Castlevania. The inclusion of captivating images further enhances the reader's understanding and interest in each series. Overall, the article serves as a valuable resource for fans of Castlevania seeking new anime to explore within the same genre and aesthetic.