With the upcoming release of the latest season of Demon Slayer, the anime community is more than excited to finally get to see the return of this amazing series. In the same breath, however, we know that not everyone is a fan of this shounen series and would rather be watching something else. What's more, some fans would rather binge-watch the brand-new season rather than wait for weekly releases, needing something to check out in the meantime.
Fortunately, no matter the anime fan you are, we have something for you if you don't want to watch Demon Slayer this weekend — or just want something new to watch as you wait for other amazing titles to arrive later this year! Here are the five best anime to watch instead of Demon Slayer.
At its core, Demon Slayer is an action-packed shounen series full of overpowered characters and a determined protagonist who the show would be nothing without. If this is what you're into, we recommend checking out Attack on Titan or Devilman Crybaby.
Attack on Titan
Where to stream: Crunchyroll
Easily one of the most popular anime titles of all time, Attack on Titan earned its spot in shounen for telling a riveting story about Eren Yaeger, a young boy hellbent on changing his world that is ruled by human-eating Titans.
Eren knows vengeance more than anyone, as he watches his mother get eaten by a Titan. In this sense, he is very similar to our Demon Slayer protagonist Tanjiro Kamado. But where Tanjiro and Eren differ is that Eren understands that he can't bring about peace without shedding blood. Hence why Eren ends up taking a darker route than Tanjiro probably ever would.
If you're someone who prefers a more realistic view toward apocalyptic-like events or terrifying monsters who only seek to feast, then Attack on Titan may be more your speed.
Devilman Crybaby
Where to stream: Netflix
Human-eating devils run amok in this world, showing that, in the end, only the strongest truly survive no matter if it's a supernatural being or an innocent human who has obtained supernatural powers to ward off formidable foes.
Devilman Crybaby is a rollercoaster ride of an anime where you won't feel like you're able to breathe until the very last episode. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, especially during its fight scenes since you know both parties are fighting to the death with all their might. The same sentiment can be felt when you watch Demon Slayer, but in this anime, it is far more pronounced.
Lastly, Devilman Crybaby is far more nuanced than Demon Slayer. It's intended for more mature audiences so it deals with very mature topics that you may not see too often in an anime. In many ways, this anime is on the farther side of the shounen spectrum, but, nonetheless, if you are an older shounen fan, we recommend you give it a try.
Another aspect of Demon Slayer people tend to love is its animation.
Without a doubt, watching this anime will leave you in awe of the people who have come together to create such a visual masterpiece. And if you're someone who appreciates a great aesthetically pleasing show, then you'll be happy to hear that there is far more visually stunning anime where that came from. The first two that come to mind are Mob Psycho 100 and One Punch Man.
Mob Psycho 100
Where to stream: Crunchyroll
Mob, the protagonist of Mob Psycho 100, is a lot like Tanjiro because they are both kind souls with so much love to give. They both are very gentle human beings who wouldn't even hurt a fly and yet life hands them the worst cards, forcing them to put down the niceties and put someone in their place.
Because of the constant blows life throws, Mob, like Tanjiro, engages in many showdowns, each of which is very beautifully animated to not only showcase just how ferociously our main character is but to also emphasize how much the creative hands behind the scenes understand these characters and the emotions they feel in the moment.
Having both story and animation be two things that carry an anime is no easy feat. All the more reason why Mob Psycho 100 is the perfect substitution for Demon Slayer.
One Punch Man
Where to stream: Hulu
Most anime fans think of Saitama from One Punch Man when they think of overpowered protagonists. This is a great thing because that is what the anime was always trying to achieve. However, making such a seemingly weak character look strong takes more than just saying he's strong, it also includes showing it.
From the characters all the way to the monsters, One Punch Man does a marvelous job of animating every aspect of the story to ensure that viewers feel the intensity of every moment. Even in the comedic scenes where there is little to nothing going on, you'll find something that catches your eye and leaves you shocked that the production team paid so much attention to detail.
The story of this anime is slightly different from Demon Slayer since Saitama is a crime-fighting, monster-punching individual by choice, but when it comes to that determination that is so strong no man or entity can break it, we have to say that Tanjiro and Saitama see eye to eye.
Last but not least, what people often remember the most about Demon Slayer are the well-written characters; characters written so well that you'll find yourself feeling sympathetic toward the enemy demon you were just praying to lose.
Another anime that fits this bill is Vinland Saga!
Vinland Saga
Where to stream: Crunchyroll
Where in the world would we be without Vinland Saga to teach us that the way we start isn't always the way we finish? The same lesson that we often find Demon Slayer teaches us, too.
Vinland Saga is a masterpiece of an anime that puts us in a world full of war and lies. Throfinn, the series' protagonist, is at the center of it all, trying to make sense of the cruel world as a young, innocent boy. He grows angrier and angrier as the world continues to take from him. So much so that he grows hungry with the need to kill.
As a young boy, his desire to settle the score is strong. Yet, as an adult, he learns that being angry does him no good nor does killing. This is something you can see Tanjiro learn in his times when he feels that it's easier to address something with brute force as opposed to kindness. Nevertheless, he presses on to be the kindest version of himself and, oftentimes, it pays off.
Hopefully, one of these anime titles is right up your alley. If so, be sure to head to any of the above streaming services to catch every second.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc premieres on Crunchyroll this Sunday, May 12, 2024.