One of the most popular and critically acclaimed anime titles of all time, Attack on Titan, fully deserves to be called a generational masterpiece. For an entire decade, it held fans in suspense with the many unpredictable turns of its plot, weaving an intricately planned dark fantasy epic that is equal parts exciting, thematically complex, and emotionally charged.
It’s not surprising that many believe Attack on Titan to be the best anime series ever created. However, in a lot of aspects, there are certainly anime titles that surpass it. These brilliant shows share some commonalities with Attack on Titan and, ultimately, beat the iconic series at its own game.
1 Vinland Saga’s Tale of Revenge Evolves in Unexpected Ways
Unfolding in the ruthless, war-torn setting of Viking Age Europe, Vinland Saga begins as a gruesome quest for vengeance, yet gradually transforms into a character-driven exploration of war, cycles of violence, redemption, and the importance of forgiveness. On top of both being spectacular, visually stunning action shows, Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga share many thematic similarities, yet their characters, despite starting from similar points, end up evolving completely differently.
Vinland Saga is considerably more grounded in reality, both in its setting and narrative development. Large-scale conflicts in the series are mostly just backdrops for phenomenally in-depth, profound character journeys, with nuanced emotions given ample room to breathe. Through a brutal, blood-soaked story, Vinland Saga manages to weave a message of peace and compassion that has a lasting, profound impact.
2 Monster’s Thriller Narrative Hides Unprecedented Philosophical Depth
Whereas Attack on Titan integrates a reflective story about moral ambiguity and humanity’s capacity for cruelty and violence into an action-packed, fantastical epic, Monster explores many of the same themes within a far more realistic, grounded narrative. A story of a serial killer and the doctor who saved his life engaging in a tense, subversive cat-and-mouse game, Monster is one of the most brilliantly written and psychologically profound anime series ever created.
Monster’s slow-burn thriller plot acts as the perfect framework for thought-provoking character examination, with every member of the series’ cast feeling distinctly human and multifaceted. Monster prides itself on intricate, meticulous storytelling, and the payoffs to its elaborate plotlines often rival, and even surpass, Attack on Titan’s best narrative turns.
3 Hunter x Hunter Set the Standard for Long-Running Shonen Series
When it comes to long-running shonen titles, many point to Hunter x Hunter as the gold standard of quality. While the series begins in a rather generic, lighthearted way, it doesn’t take long to develop into something extraordinary that surprises viewers with every arc and never stops evolving.
The main characters of Hunter x Hunter never feel like the “chosen heroes” of this world – they are simply a small part of an expansive, vibrant universe in which everyone has their own agenda. In terms of worldbuilding, the intricacy of its power system, and plot diversity, Hunter x Hunter has few rivals within the shonen demographic, and even Attack on Titan, despite having a grander overarching narrative, doesn’t surpass it in these aspects.
4 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Perfected the Shonen Adventure Formula
While undeniably well-planned, Attack on Titan definitely has some low points, and its greatness is far from consistent.Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, however, is revered as one of the most stellar-structured shonen adventures in anime history, relentlessly praised for its streamlined storytelling that keeps viewers engaged for the entirety of the series’ 64-episode run.
The story of the Elric brothers and their search for the mythical Philosopher’s Stone unfolds in a manner that leaves no loose plot threads behind. Every character has a rewarding development arc, the plot escalates in a satisfying and narratively exciting manner, and the story maintains an excellent balance of riveting adventures and darker, more thought-provoking ventures that address themes of government corruption, the harrowing consequences of war, and the inherent value of human life.
5 Gintama Is More Than Just a Mindless Sci-Fi Comedy
At first glance, Attack on Titan and Gintama seem as different as night and day. One is a tense dark fantasy thriller, while the other is famous as an over-the-top sci-fi comedy. However, there is a reason why Gintama has so many passionate fans who claim it to be an unrivaled masterpiece, as, when it puts the humor aside, Gintama is capable of reaching unimaginable heights of evocative, dramatic storytelling.
Humor lies at the heart of Gintama’s appeal; yet, the episodic comedic vignettes gradually develop its world and characters to be considerably more complex than meets the eye. When the story calls for it, Gintama dives into impressively high-stakes, emotionally stirring plots filled with intense action, heart-rending emotion, and profound thematic depth that defy the conventions of shonen storytelling.
6 Cowboy Bebop’s Genre-Bending Vignettes Culminate in an Unforgettable Tragedy
A truly great anime storyline doesn’t always need dozens of episodes to leave a lasting impact. As an original anime that condenses its story into just 26 “sessions,” Cowboy Bebop is rightfully revered as one of the medium’s all-time classics – one many regard as far greater than any modern long-running hit, like Attack on Titan.
Cowboy Bebop’s space adventure is a masterful blend of influences and genres; it can effortlessly hop between comical cosmic heists, neo-noir horror, and grounded human drama. However, tying these disjointed vignettes together is a remarkably grounded story of people trying to run away from their pasts, which deeply examines existential loneliness, grief, and the futility of trying to ignore one’s unresolved history.
7 Jujutsu Kaisen Is a Far Better Action Spectacle Than Attack on Titan
While many gravitate towards Attack on Titan due to its thematic depth and storytelling brilliance, many also acknowledge the series as a top-tier action spectacle. However, in this department, it is clearly surpassed by a masterpiece from the same studio: Jujutsu Kaisen. While far more narratively simple, Jujutsu Kaisen is a true feast for the eyes when it comes to gorgeously animated, stellar-choreographed action.
JJK approaches every battle like a cinematic showdown with sky-high stakes, commonly going wild with experimental direction and movie-quality animation that makes encounters utterly mesmerizing. Thankfully, Jujutsu Kaisen is not just a pretty to look at. It keeps viewers engaged with an exceptionally intense dark fantasy storyline that would appeal to Attack on Titan fans with its ruthlessness and fast pace.
8 Neon Genesis Evangelion Transforms Mecha Action Into a Psychological Nightmare
In terms of its action style and anti-war messaging, Attack on Titan shares many similarities with “real robot” mecha anime. As the most influential mecha title of the 1990s, Neon Genesis Evangelion uses the mecha framework to explore a much more poignant, emotionally challenging narrative: an interrogation of the troubled inner lives of teenage pilots forced into heroic roles during an impending apocalypse.
While Attack on Titan certainly does not shy away from depicting trauma and inner turmoil, Evangelion’s character exploration feels considerably more raw and emotionally stark. Despite the world-ending scope of its story, Evangelion remains remarkably intimate, and the personal connection so many fans have established with its narrative has allowed it to stay relevant for over 30 years.
9 Berserk Had a Tremendous Influence on the Entire Dark Fantasy Genre
A masterpiece of truly remarkable leverage and reach, Berserk has influenced most modern dark fantasy anime and manga, including Attack on Titan. In terms of tone, Berserk embraces the darkness even more, centering its story around the vengeance quest of a deeply traumatized, morally ambiguous hero surviving in a world soaked in horror and perpetual suffering.
The only thing Attack on Titan obviously has over Berserk is the completeness of its adaptation. Despite its status as a timeless dark fantasy classic, Berserk has never had a proper adaptation, with the closest the series has ever gotten to a high-quality anime rendition being the incomplete 1997 TV series.
10 Legend of the Galactic Heroes Develops an In-Depth Conflict Between Ideologically Opposing Space Nations
Despite one series taking place in a fantasy world of man-eating monsters and the other unfolding in a distant space-faring future, both Attack on Titan and Legend of the Galactic Heroes evolve into military dramas that pit two sides against each other in an ideological conflict without a clear resolution. However, the way the latter develops its central dispute is far more nuanced and thematically complex.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes is a dense political drama that unfolds akin to a chronicle of a real-life war. Abandoning all anime clichés, it focuses on grounding its story in realistic ideological conflicts without clear moral judgment, forcing viewers to understand both sides and draw their own conclusions about which is more justified in their cruel actions.
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