12 Anime Like Devil May Cry You Must See

Netflix’s ‘Devil May Cry’ is an adult anime action series created by Adi Shankar and Alex Larsen, based on the Japanese video game franchise of the same name by Capcom. It follows Dante, a demon hunter for hire, a cambion born to a human mother and the demon knight Sparda. As a mysterious figure known as the White Rabbit attempts to unleash a demonic invasion on Earth, Dante becomes embroiled in a violent conflict driven by revenge and destruction. At the same time, he is pursued by the government organization DARKCOM under Vice President William Baines and clashes with Mary Ann Arkham.

Driven by the loss of his family, Dante uses his supernatural abilities to confront the growing threat posed by demonic forces. His fights unfold on an epic scale as he faces unforeseen threats while dealing with his own insecurities. With his own future and those of others around him hanging in the balance, Dante must find the strength to win. You may enjoy this list of anime similar to ‘Devil May Cry’ that are intense and riveting.

12. Black Blood Brothers (2006-)

‘Black Blood Brothers’ revolves around the vampire warrior Jirou Mochizuki, known as the “Silver Blade,” as he travels to the Special Zone with his younger brother Kotarou. The area serves as a protected place where humans and vampires coexist peacefully. Their arrival coincides with rising conflict between human forces and vampire migrants, while surviving members of the Kowloon Children attempt to enter the Special Zone. As an old enemy’s conspiracy begins to surface and Kotarou is abducted, Jirou is forced back into battle to protect his brother and those close to him. Directed by Hiroaki Yoshikawa, the action horror series is based on the eponymous light novel series written by Kōhei Azano and illustrated by Yuuya Kusaka. Akin to ‘Devil May Cry,’ it features demonic entities, battle-hardened warriors, global threats, and complex characters.

11. Devilman Crybaby (2018)

‘Devilman Crybaby’ is a fantasy series created by Gô Nagai, based on his manga series ‘Devilman’. It chronicles the actions of Akira, a sensitive teenager whose life changes after his childhood friend Ryo reveals that ancient demons have returned to reclaim the world from humanity. In order to fight them, Akira merges with a demon and becomes Devilman, a being that possesses demonic powers while still retaining a human heart. As fear of demons spreads, society descends into paranoia and violence. Akira becomes involved in a brutal conflict while trying to protect humanity and other demon-human hybrids like himself. Along the way, he is forced to confront the increasingly blurred divide between humans and monsters. The show explores the differences between species, large-scale fights, and conflicting loyalties, and courageous heroes, much like ‘Devil May Cry.’

10. Tokyo Ghoul (2014)

‘Tokyo Ghoul’ takes place in a world threatened by flesh-eating ghouls who closely resemble humans and secretly exist within society. Ken Kaneki, a quiet college student, unexpectedly becomes connected to this hidden world after meeting Rize Kamishiro, a woman who appears to share his interests. Their encounter takes a deadly turn when Kaneki discovers Rize is a ghoul. Following a tragic incident, he survives after receiving an organ transplant from her, causing him to become a human-ghoul hybrid.

As his body undergoes disturbing changes, Kaneki struggles to hold onto his humanity while caught between violent ghouls and the government forces pursuing them. Helmed by Shûhei Morita, the horror thriller series is based on the manga series of the same name, written and illustrated by Sui Ishida. It shares similarities with ‘Devil May Cry’ in that it delves into a brutal conflict between different species, layered moral standards, and adrenaline-fueled action sequences.

9. Kekkai Sensen (2015-2017)

‘Kekkai Sensen’ or ‘Blood Blockade Battlefront’ is a Yasuhiro Nightow creation based on the manga series he wrote and illustrated. The action series unfolds in Hellsalem’s Lot, a city formed after a gateway between worlds opens, allowing humans and supernatural beings to coexist. To prevent disorder from overtaking the city, a secret organization known as Libra operates behind the scenes to maintain balance. The narrative follows Leonardo Watch, who arrives in the city after obtaining a mysterious ability that allows him to perceive things others cannot. He gains this power at the cost of his sister’s eyesight and hopes to understand it as he searches for a way to help her. As Leonardo becomes involved with Libra, he is pulled into increasingly strange and unpredictable events. Leonardo’s struggles and adventures capture the essence of Dante’s complex journey in ‘Devil May Cry.’

8. Claymore (2007)

‘Claymore’ or ‘Kureimoa’ is set in a world threatened by shape-shifting creatures known as youma, beings that survive by feeding on humans. It deals with Clare, a silver-eyed warrior known as a Claymore, part of an organization that creates half-human, half-youma fighters to eliminate the shape-shifters. After a youma destroys the family of a boy named Raki, Clare saves him. With nowhere else to go, Raki begins traveling alongside Clare as she moves from town to town hunting youma.

During their journey, more is revealed about the organization behind the Claymores and the dangers its warriors face. As Clare continues taking increasingly dangerous missions, she also pursues a personal path of revenge tied to her past. Norihiro Yagi is the creator of the body-horror series, based on the eponymous manga series he wrote and illustrated. The show, akin to ‘Devil May Cry,’ is about conflicting loyalties, redemption, and the courage needed to handle threats greater than imagined.

7. Blood+ (2005-2006)

Penned and helmed by Junichi Fujisaku, ‘Blood+’ is a horror thriller series about Saya Otonashi, a seemingly ordinary high school girl. Aside from her inability to remember anything beyond the previous year, life appears peaceful until she is attacked by a creature that feeds on human blood. During the encounter, a mysterious man named Haji intervenes and awakens a hidden power within her. After discovering the truth about her abilities, Saya becomes connected to Red Shield, an organization dedicated to destroying monstrous creatures capable of disguising themselves as humans. As Saya fights alongside Haji and Red Shield, she begins uncovering secrets tied to her forgotten past and the long-running conflict surrounding these creatures. Through its depiction of monsters, deadly battles, supernatural skills, and the courage of warriors, the show is spiritually linked to ‘Devil May Cry.’

6. Trinity Blood (2005)

‘Trinity Blood’ takes place after an apocalyptic conflict and unfolds in a world divided between humans and vampires called Methuselah. While humans form the Vatican Papal State, the vampires belong to the New Human Empire, with extremist groups attempting to reignite war between the two sides. To counter growing threats, the Vatican establishes the AX unit to investigate vampire-related incidents and preserve peace. Among its members is priest Abel Nightroad, a calm and powerful vampire hunter.

Alongside Sister Esther Blanchett, he becomes involved in uncovering conspiracies and hidden forces that threaten the fragile balance between the factions. Directed by Tomohiro Hirata, the action drama series is based on the light novels written by Sunao Yoshida and illustrated by Thores Shibamoto. Akin to ‘Devil May Cry,’ the show centers on a bilateral conflict, with each side represented by fighters dealing with their own issues. The visual elements and the character dynamics connect the shows on a deeper level.

5. Blue Exorcist (2011)

‘Blue Exorcist’ or ‘Ao no ekusoshisuto’ is a dark fantasy series directed by Tensai Okamura, based on the manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Kazue Kato. The narrative revolves around a world divided between Assiah, the realm of humans, and Gehenna, the realm of demons. Although the two worlds are meant to remain separate, demons continue crossing into Assiah by possessing living beings. To fight these threats, humans known as exorcists dedicate themselves to battling demonic forces.

Rin Okumura is a troubled teenager whose life changes after he learns that he is the son of Satan, the ruler of Gehenna. After demons attack and his foster father sacrifices himself to protect him, Rin refuses to follow Satan’s plan to conquer Assiah. Instead, he chooses to train as an exorcist alongside his brother Yukio, determined to fight demons and seek revenge. The show complements ‘Devil May Cry’ by dealing with a high-level war between two dangerous groups, and commenting on the personal lives of those with the ability to hunt demonic forces.

4. D.Gray-man (2006-2008)

Created by Katsura Hoshino, ‘D.Gray-man’ follows a world threatened by the Millennium Earl, a mysterious figure who creates mechanical weapons called Akuma by trapping the souls of the dead inside them. The dark fantasy series centers on Allen Walker, a young exorcist with a cursed eye that allows him to see the suffering souls within Akuma. He joins an organization dedicated to fighting the Millennium Earl and stopping his plans against humanity. Allen works alongside other exorcists as he uncovers mysteries connected to both the enemy and his own past. The show is based on the eponymous manga series written and illustrated by Katsura Hoshino. Allen’s overwhelming struggles and attempts to find balance and peace in a chaotic world full of deadly creatures reflect Dante’s journey in ‘Devil May Cry.’

3. Garo: The Animation (2014-2015)

‘Garo: The Animation’ or ‘Garo: Honoo no kokuin’ takes place in the Valiante Kingdom, where the ruling authorities carry out brutal witch hunts against people accused of using witchcraft. Many of those targeted are actually Makai Knights and Alchemists, protectors who defend humanity from demonic beings known as Horrors. Leon Luis, a teenage Makai Knight, inherits the legendary armor of the Golden Knight Garo from his mother after her death.

While training under his father, Leon becomes involved in investigating the increasing Horror activity in the kingdom, which may lead him towards unexpected consequences. Helmed by Yuichiro Hayashi, the action series is based on the Japanese live-action series ‘Garo.’ The show is spiritually connected to ‘Devil May Cry’ in that it digs deep into the psychological and physical effects of prolonged warfare and the sacrifices needed to secure victory against deadly forces in an unpredictable world.

2. Chrono Crusade (2003-2004)

Created by Daisuke Moriyama, ‘Chrono Crusade’ is set in 1928 NYC, where the rise of demonic beings known as Sinners threatens society amid economic prosperity. To fight these creatures, a religious organization operates through specialized exorcists assigned to eliminate demonic threats. Among its members are Sister Rosette Christopher and her partner Chrono, who are both driven by painful pasts, particularly Rosette’s search for her missing brother Joshua, who was taken by the demon Aion.

As they continue battling increasingly powerful enemies, Rosette and Chrono become drawn deeper into hidden truths connected to Joshua’s disappearance and their own shared history. The action drama series is based on the manga series written and illustrated by the aforementioned creator. The show explores the dread of demons, the role of human beings in handling supernatural threats, the consequences of war, and the element of redemption, akin to ‘Devil May Cry.’

1. Hellsing Ultimate (2006-2012)

‘Hellsing Ultimate’ is a fantasy action series about Hellsing, a secret organization supported by the British government to combat vampires and other supernatural threats. Leading the group is Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, who commands its operations against the growing undead presence. Hellsing’s greatest weapon is Alucard, an immensely powerful vampire who works for the organization by hunting and exterminating others of his kind. Alongside him is Seras Victoria, a former police officer turned vampire who struggles to accept her new existence while serving the organization.

As vampire activity escalates, Integra and her allies uncover the return of a group secretly preparing to plunge the world into large-scale conflict. Kohta Hirano is the creator of the show, which is based on the eponymous manga series he wrote and illustrated. The show shares similarities with ‘Devil May Cry’ due to its portrayal of the life of fighters dedicated to a dangerous task, the activities of supernatural creatures, the efforts of secret organizations, and the elements of redemption and justice.