Animehas proven to be one of the mostversatile and experimental genresof cinema, telling a broad variety of stories with surprisingly profound themes, all without losing touch with its commercial audience. Among the many such shows that the genre has to offer viewers,Vinland Sagahas proven to be a major hit in recent time. An anime set in a real historical context,Vinland Sagatells a story of revenge and spiritual transformation in the war-torn setting of medieval England, following a young Viking as he goes on a journey to kill his father’s murderer.
The show captivated audiences with two drastically different approaches: with a stylistically brilliant action saga in the first season, and the emotionally poignant story of self-discovery in the second. With a third season officially in the works, fans are eager to experience such a poignant cinematic experience yet again. And if you’re one such fan, then we have 15 of the best anime likeVinland Sagato watch next.
15Attack on Titan (2013-2023)
Attack On Titan
Attack on Titanis one of the most iconic anime sagas to be released in the past decade, telling a story about war and its fallouts through a sweeping, expansive story that leaves viewers in awe. The plot centers around the existence of giant, man-eating monsters named Titans that suddenly appeared in the world one day, pushing humanity to the brink of extinction. The surviving humans live within a single community that is protected from Titans by giant walls.
How It’s Like Vinland Saga
Attack on Titanis the first and most obvious show that features the same unflinching look at war that is found inVinland Saga. Nowhere else will you find a more thought-provoking exploration of the morality of war. Throughout its four-season run, it showcases the perspective of every single side that is involved in the war in a way that thoroughly humanizes them. The anime forces you to internalize the worries and concerns of every single side in a truly compelling way.Stream on Hulu or Crunchyroll
14Blue Eye Samurai (2023-Present)
Blue Eye Samurai
The Netflix seriesBlue Eye Samuraiquickly became a fan favorite upon releasing in late-2023. A visually stunning animation style made it quite easy to enjoy as it portrayed a nigh-invisible woman warrior on a bloody quest of revenge. The show follows the journey of Mizu, a woman of mixed race born at a time when mixed-race people were shunned and severely ostracized. Teeming with hatred for the man who gave her this life, Mizu goes on a search for the four white men in Japan, certain that one of them is her father.
While the animation and action sequences inBlue Eye Samuraiare some of the best all around, the thing that kept viewers glued to the screen was the complex historical setting and its well-rounded characters. LikeVinland Saga, the show has some compelling and unique writing that seamlessly paves the way for various themes to naturally express themselves, without taking away from the riveting revenge plot.Stream on Neflix
13Dororo (2019)
Dororois one of the better-knownrevenge anime showsin recent years, known for its unique storyline. Based on an old manga series from 1967, the show begins with the birth of its protagonist, Hyakkimaru. Born to a feudal lord, he is doomed to certain death right upon birth when his father trades his body parts to 12 demons in exchange for prosperity in his region. Thankfully, the abandoned Hyakkimaru is rescued by a doctor who gives him prosthetic limbs. He eventually finds out the story behind his birth and sets out on a journey to recover his lost body parts from the demons who took them.
Dororomakes for an emotionally challenging watch, much likeVinland Saga, as it is full of heart-rending scenes where characters come face-to-face with their helplessness. The physical limitations of Hyakkimaru is a major source of these moments, because while his prosthetic limbs allow him to be a fearsome warrior, he is still incapable in many ways. However, there are also character arcs in the show where we see harrowing instances of personal sacrifice.Stream on Prime Video
12Rurouni Kenshin (1996-1998)
Rurouni Kenshinis a classic entry amongthe best samurai-themed anime, following the journey of a legendary former assassin as he seeks to atone for his violent past by helping people. The series follows the exploits of the swordsman formerly known as Hitokiri Battosai, after he vows to never take another human life and use his skills to help others.
Rurouni Kenshinwas rebooted as a new series in 2023, and while the new version has its merits, the original is still a very rewarding watch. The vintage animation style, dramatic voice performances, and evocative soundtrack make for a somber tone that gels quite well with the story’s central theme. Every single action scene is underlined by a deep emotional note, as each fight in the show has strong implications for the hero’s spiritual journey. It makes for a different kind of tension as the stakes remind you strongly of Thorfinn inVinland Saga.Stream on Hulu
11Berserk (1997-1998)
Of all the mind-bendingly disturbing content that anime has to offer,Berserkhas to be the most infamous. The consensus is thatBerserkis best enjoyed in the original manga form. However, a few animation adaptations exist, of which the first is widely considered to be the best.Berserkfollows the journey of a warrior named Guts as he seeks revenge against his former brother-in-arms, Griffith, for a traumatic incident that caused the death of their entire band of mercenaries.
Alongside an intensely captivating and gory animation style, there is a fair number of disturbing plot elements that make this anime such an unforgettable watch. The 1997 show covers the Golden Age arc from theBerserkanime, which neatly summarizes the backstory that puts Guts on his quest for revenge, including the infamous Eclipse incident that has burned a hole through the hearts of many manga fans. This show hides no spiritual theme beyond its shock value; but the matchless emotional quotient, the gory action sequences, and the medieval aesthetic are some elements that giveBerserksome parallels toVinland Saga.Not Currently Available to Stream or Purchase
Related:15 Animes That Stayed True to the Manga
10Castlevania (2017-2021)
Castlevania
Castlevaniais a solid anime on Netflix. Based on the classic video game series by Konami, the show is a classic action fantasy full of vampires and Medieval warfare. The series follows the exploits of famed vampire hunter Trevor Belmont and his small troupe of super-powered friends as they go up against powerful rulers of the vampire species.
The neatly set-up fantasy plot ofCastlevaniacan prove somewhat deceptive at first glance because there is more to the show than meets the eye. Besides the eye-catching animation and fun action sequences, what makes this show work so well is its well-written characters, much likeVinland Saga. The violence and warfare of each season is secretly driven by strong human emotions on the villains’ part, whether it is revenge or the fear of death. The moments when the show elaborates upon these motivations are undoubtedly one of its strongest.Stream on Netflix
9Devilman Crybaby (2018)
Nihilistic is the word that is most commonly used to describe the devastating impact thatDevilman Crybabyhas on its viewers. The series employs a unique, experimental visual style that is part retro anime andpart fever dream, telling a story about humanity’s fight against demons.
Aside from a genuinely mind-bending finale, the emotional impact thatDevilman Crybabythrusts upon you comes in the form of a thousand cuts across its 10 episodes. There are the idle moments of shocking tragedy, not unlikeVinland Saga, but also the myriad demonstrations of casual cruelty that humans are capable of in the face of fear and paranoia that add up to the penultimate ending. It is a bleak meditation that stays with you for a long time afterward.Stream on Netflix
8Tokyo Ghoul (2014-2018)
Tokyo Ghoulis a popular fantasy anime that initially appeared as a run-of-the-mill action series with its engaging power system. The series, however, eventually took a dark turn as it subjected its protagonist, Ken Kaneki, to a variety of traumatic shocks that changed him fundamentally. The show takes place in a world where ghouls secretly coexist alongside humans, preying on them to survive.
Tokyo Ghoulbegins as a conventional dark fantasy anime, but ends up changing its focus to the heart-rending character arc of Ken Kaneki. Ken’s fundamental motive is one of survival: his desperate desire to stay alive in a dangerous world, and his need to protect those close to him, pushes him to go through numerous transformations both internally and externally.Stream on Hulu or Crunchyroll
7Golden Kamuy (2018-Present)
Golden Kamuyis an adventure anime series that defies most anime categorizations, telling its story on its own terms, cherishing the moments between the action and the intricacies of its historical setting. The show takes place after the Russia-Japan War, following the war veteran Saichi Sugimoto as he hunts for a secret treasure in the country, following a story told to him by an old man.
The focus on the historical setting and the theme of war putsGolden Kamuyin a small group of anime shows to explore this topic, a group that also featuresVinland Saga. While the tone ofGolden Kamuyis positive and life-affirming, the series elaborates on various aspects of post-war life through its story, acting as a snapshot of Japanese Ainu culture.Stream on Crunchyroll
6Code Geass (2006-2008)
One of the bestanime protagonists of all timecomes fromCode Geass, a thought-provoking war story masquerading as a mecha anime. This series is renowned for its brutal and realistic exploration of actions and consequences, with a protagonist who is as gray as can be. Set in a world ruled by three megastates,Code Geassfollows the journey of the exiled prince Lelouch as he wages a war simply to take revenge against his father, the King of Britannia, for ignoring the murder of his mother.
The narrative ofCode Geassis strongly driven by the chain of consequences borne by Lelouch’s actions, similarly toVinland Saga. The show equips him with some major flaws in judgment, blinding him in the desire for revenge and giving him an exaggerated sense of his own abilities. As he puts into effect one ambitious plan after another, he eventually finds himself facing off against everyone he held dear, burning alone in the fire of hatred.Stream on Crunchyroll
