Soul Eater is a beloved show among shonen enthusiasts for its unique art style and captivating storytelling. The plot is easy to follow, with magic elements that add intrigue. One of the show's strengths is the seamless blend of action and comedy, providing a balance to emotionally intense or violent scenes.
Fans of Soul Eater often seek out similar titles that offer a comparable experience. While it's important to note that there are no shows that exactly replicate Soul Eater, there are some that share certain qualities, making them worth checking out.
Bleach and nine other anime series similar to Soul Eater
1) Bleach
Main characters of the Bleach series (Image via Studio Pierrot)
The storyline of Bleach bears a striking resemblance to Soul Eater, as both anime series revolve around shinigami who dedicate themselves to purging the world of malevolence in order to restore its equilibrium. Magic and adrenaline-pumping battles form integral components of both shows.
The story of Bleach follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a young man who reluctantly takes on the role of a substitute soul reaper when his life is saved by Rukia Kuchiki, a fellow soul reaper. Although Bleach is a larger series than Soul Eater, it has now reached its final chapter. You can watch Bleach on streaming platforms like Disney+, Hulu, Crunchyroll, and Netflix.
2) Blue Exorcist
Protagonist of Blue Exorcist (Image via A-1 Pictures)
This anime is often considered one of the closest in similarity to Soul Eater. Like Soul Eater, Blue Exorcist features demons that are defeated. Additionally, there is a training academy for students to learn combat, which is also quite comparable.
Blue Exorcist also incorporates a generous amount of comedy, which is sure to entertain anime viewers. The story centers around Rin Okamura, who discovers that he and his twin brothers are the offspring of Satan himself. Not only are they his children, but they also inherit most of Satan's powers. However, instead of using their power for evil, Rin decides to become an exorcist and use it for good.
Streaming Platforms: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Crunchyroll
3) Shaman King (2021)
An image from Bridge showcasing the 2021 anime reboot of Shaman King.
Soul Eater and Shaman King differ significantly when it comes to their overall storylines. Nevertheless, a common thread between these two series is the presence of supernatural elements. Both feature ghosts, demons, and spirits, as well as a similar utilization of comedy that adds to their appeal.
The storyline centers around shamans, individuals with the ability to communicate with ghosts, spirits, and deities. These shamans participate in a competition called the Shaman Fight, held every five centuries, where they face off against one another. The victor of this contest is awarded the prestigious title of Shaman King.
Streaming Platform: Netflix
4) My Hero Academia
Main characters of My Hero Academia as seen in the anime (Image via Bones)
The initial portion of My Hero Academia strikes a commendable harmony between humor and superb action. Moreover, the notion of a school nurturing gifted individuals in the art of combat is similarly present in Soul Eater.
Centered around Midoriya, My Hero Academia unravels the story of a young student devoid of a "quirk" in a society where it is the norm. However, through a peculiar twist of fate, he acquires the abilities of his childhood idol, a revered hero, and battles against malevolence to safeguard those dear to him.
Streaming Platforms: Disney+, Hulu, and Crunchyroll
5) Fairy Tail
The characters from Fairy Tail, as depicted in the anime series (Image via A-1 Pictures Satelight, Bride, and CloverWorks).
Both Fairy Tail and Soul Eater incorporate a plethora of magical elements and emphasize the significance of companionship. When watching these shows, viewers experience a strong sense of camaraderie, making Fairy Tail particularly enjoyable, especially for those who are familiar with Soul Eater.
The story revolves around Lucy Heartfilia, a young girl with aspirations of becoming a member of the renowned Fairy Tail guild. Her dream becomes a reality when she crosses paths with Natsu "Salamander" Dragneel, an infamous and mischievous member of the guild. Catch this show on popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll, and Funimation.
6) D.Gray-man
A still from the D.Gray-man anime series (Image via TMS Entertainment)
This show is another addition to the list, bearing a striking resemblance to Soul Eater in terms of the plot and story elements. Both titles delve into the themes of corrupted souls and shinigami, which serve as key focal points in their respective series. However, D.Gray-man takes on a bleaker and more somber tone, lacking in frequent comedic relief.
The storyline revolves around a dedicated group of exorcists striving to rid the world of akumas, malevolent souls that bring havoc and fear. Among the exorcists, one possesses a remarkable ability to discern between a regular human and an akuma.
Streaming Platforms: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime, Funimation
7) Noragami
The Noragami anime series, depicted in the image by Bones, showcases a captivating blend of supernatural elements. Notably, when compared to D.Gray-man, Noragami achieves a commendable equilibrium between comedy and action. Moreover, both Noragami and Soul Eater exhibit exceptional animation styles and exquisite artwork. Additionally, these shows intriguingly incorporate weapons that manifest in the form of human beings.
Fans of Soul Eater will undoubtedly find this aspect of the show fascinating. Noragami revolves around a lesser deity longing for a dedicated shrine in his honor. In his quest, he forms a partnership with a young human girl, aiming to gain enough recognition from humans to eventually have a shrine built in his name.
The show is available for streaming on popular platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll.
8) Black Clover
Members of the Black Bulls guild in Black Clover (Image via Studio Pierrot)
The anime series Black Clover shares similarities with both Soul Eater and Fairy Tail. It falls under the typical shonen genre and revolves around magic, while also offering plenty of comedic moments. Asta, the protagonist, resembles Midoriya from My Hero Academia as he is born without magic in a world where magic is highly valued.
To compensate for this, Asta obtains an anti-magic sword that has the ability to nullify any magical attack. He enrolls in an academy that houses various guilds, where he diligently trains to enhance his combat abilities. As the story progresses, Asta finds himself facing off against some of the most powerful and malevolent mages in the world.
Streaming Platforms: Hotstar, Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll, and Funimation
9) Puella Magi Madoka Magica
The anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica showcases its main characters in a captivating manner, with Shaft and Aniplex capturing their essence beautifully.
One notable similarity between Soul Eater and Puella Magi Madoka Magica is the shared eerie ambiance, which is complemented by the presence of compelling villains. This aspect is sure to resonate with any devoted fan of Soul Eater. Both anime narratives follow groups of girls leading ordinary lives, until they unexpectedly encounter a mystical feline.
Granting them one wish, the girls are transformed into magical warriors, dedicated to battling witches. This captivating story delves into their ongoing battles and the constant risks they take, as their lives are consistently put on the line.
Available on streaming platforms: Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Crunchyroll.
10) Jujutsu Kaisen
Gojo Satoru as seen in the Jujutsu Kaisen anime series (Image via MAPPA)
Jujutsu Kaisen revolves around supernatural elements like curse energy and cursed spirits. The series features a prestigious academy where students receive rigorous training under the guidance of powerful sorcerer mentors. Alongside its intense battles, Jujutsu Kaisen incorporates humor to create a balanced viewing experience.
With the distinct animation style of MAPPA, Jujutsu Kaisen surpasses Soul Eater's quality. The storyline follows a young boy who unintentionally releases the formerly dormant King of Curses. In order to rectify the chaos he unintentionally caused, he is compelled to become a jujutsu sorcerer and protect society.
Here are some shows on streaming platforms (Hotstar, Disney+, and Crunchyroll) that bear similarities to Soul Eater. Although each anime has its own distinctiveness, they all exhibit certain character tropes and plot elements reminiscent of the aforementioned show. In general, these shows boast captivating plots and impressive animation, guaranteeing an enjoyable viewing experience.
Stay tuned for more anime and manga news as 2023 progresses.
Editor's P/S
As a Soul Eater fan, I am always on the lookout for new anime series that can give me the same level of enjoyment. I am happy to see that there are so many great recommendations on this list.
I am particularly interested in Bleach and Blue Exorcist, as they both seem to have a lot of similarities to Soul Eater. I am also intrigued by Shaman King and My Hero Academia, as they both have unique and interesting premises. I will definitely be checking out all of these series in the near future.