Kemono Jihen dwells deep into the yokai genre which has not been done recently in an anime. The very first episode of Kemono Jihen grabs the viewer’s attention and sets up mysterious and gritty situations, right in the beginning. Kemono Jihen is the story of a detective, who specializes in occult, befriends a village boy while investigating a mysterious case of animals being killed randomly. Kemono Jihen begins in a village setup and transitions into a metro city like Tokyo, right in the second episode, which might sound odd but it is so not. Animation is done very well and the characters are very well setup.
Now we have brought you a list of top 11 anime/manga like Kemono Jihen, which are mysterious, have the same fabric as Kemono Jihen, which have some supernatural element to them, have dark undertones and justify the supernatural genre.
11. Hamatora The Animation
Just like Kemono Jihen, Hamatora The Animation follows the story of mysterious murders of people who are known as “Minimum Holders”, who have some special supernatural powers. Hamatora The Animation follows the story of Nice and Murasaki, who are tasked to unravel the mystery of the murders and what they find about themselves while investigating that case. Just like Kemono Jihen, it has comedy along with suspense and thrill. But unlike Kemono Jihen the starting is somewhat slow and also has some filler episodes.
The animation is not the best out there, despite the fact that ‘Animation’ is in the name. But the story, the intrigue is very much interesting. It is mostly character-driven rather than plot-driven. The story presents quite good conflicts of good vs. bad and makes for a thought-provoking anime. Despite its flaws, the anime is worth watching, especially if you liked Kemono Jihen.
10. In/Spectre
Kotoko Iwanage was a little girl when she became the mediator between youkai and humans. Whenever Youkai wants to solve something about humanity and supernatural spirits, they contact Kotoko. Kotoko approaches her crush Kurou Sakuragawa, a university student who just had a breakup, with an intention of having a relationship with him someday. Kurou and Kotoko embark on a journey of fighting the spirits and unraveling the mysteries and becoming stronger by the day. Both Kemono Jihen and In/Spectre show deep bonds between characters and their character arcs.
Both have the underlying comic tone along with the supernatural element. Both animes unravel their mysteries slowly while throwing the audience right where the chaos is, right from the beginning. In/Spectre is not visually very informative rather dialogue-based, we have to pay attention to every dialogue as a viewer to get the meaning, it is intriguing for some and put off for others. So, if you like the genre then you can definitely give In/Spectre a watch.
9. Kyoko Karasuma: Detective of the Asakusa Police Department
It is the only manga out of the slot that is set in the future, precisely in 2050, Tokyo. It is related to Kemono Jihen in the sense that it also deals with monsters, ogres’ etcetera. And like Kemono Jihen the monsters are living with the humans, like humans fed up of fighting with them. Like Kabane we follow the story of Kyoko Karasuma, a teenage girl who has the ability to fight the monsters so she joins the Asakusa Police Department.
The character development is very good and also the relationships feel very real. The art in the manga is very beautiful and conveys emotions appropriately. Like Kabane, Kyoko also explores her strengths, weaknesses and discovers herself while on the journey to fight the monsters. The character arc does not feel forced and justifies the doings of the characters and their journey. If you like to read the manga then this is it for you, if you also liked Kemono Jihen.
8. The Eccentric Family
This is a slice of life anime that is set up in modern-day Kyoto, where we follow the life of shape-shifting Tanuki who live among humans. Their relationship with humans seems to be all hunky-dory from the outside but it is so not. If you love the bond shared by everyone at Inugami consultancy agency, how they depended on each other for help and support then you are going to love it. We follow the story of Yasaburou, a shape-shifting tanuki, and Benten, a human.
The tension, intensity, and conflict presented in this anime are very true to life. It all makes the world created even more real and characters more relatable and incidents more emotional. The animation on this show is worth appreciating. The anime is not all intense, it has comedy, silliness at the perfect place in the perfect amount. The most beautiful part of this anime is the relation every character builds, we end up rooting for the relationship of characters just like in Kemono Jihen.
7. Noragami
Have you ever seen a helpless god? Well, Yato is one. Yato is a minor deity who wishes to have millions of worshippers but he is quite useless. After his weapon partner left him because of his uselessness, he is looking for a new partner, when he finds Hiyori Iki, who saves his life and now her soul is loose and can leave her body whenever she wants. Just like Kemono Jihen, the animation here is eye candy, and also the world it is set up in, is also very beautiful. The interpersonal relationships developed in Noragami are very well defined and structured, just like Kemono Jihen.
There are multiple storylines, like that of Hiyori, Yato, and Yukine, each of them has its own set of problems but their destinies now are entangled with each other. Just like Kemono Jihen, it is also character-driven. All the characters have their own qualities and flaws, they complement each other rather than overpowering. If you loved the intricate world-building in Kemono Jihen and also want some more drama then this anime is for you.
6. Bungo Stray Dogs
This show is most likely to give you Kemono Jihen vibes while watching it. Bungo stray dogs also feature a boy who has supernatural powers and due to his very different nature, he stands out and is even thought to be behind the strange incidents taking place around him. Just like Kabane, Atsushi also meets an eccentric man who is going to change his life forever and is also associated with a detective agency which deals with supernatural phenomena. But it is different in a way from Kemono Jihen that the story is treated differently and it’s also presented for a different palate.
The drama and comedy are a little bit heightened in Bungo Stray Dogs but a little bit more balanced in Kemono Jihen. Unlike Kemono Jihen, Bungo Stray Dogs takes its time to grow on you and develop, it is only after 2-3 episodes that you connect with Bungo Stray Dogs whereas Kemono Jihen grabs attention immediately. The animation is commendable and also the sound design is very good. So, you must definitely give Bungo Stray Dogs a try if you like heightened emotions and love Kemono Jihen.
5. Toilet-bound Hanako-kun
Don’t be misled by the name, it is anything but toilet humor. Every place has an urban legend, folklore and one such folklore is famous in Kamome Academy, it is of Hanako-san. Hanako-san is called upon by many daring students but to no avail. One day Nene Yashiro summons Hanako and one thing leads to another and now she is stuck in a supernatural world and is now an assistant to Hanako-san. Both Kemono Jihen and Toilet bound Hanako-kun to deal with supernatural phenomenon involving young teens.
Both of them have dark and comic undertones and dwell deep within the mystery of the characters and also the story itself is very intriguing. In both the anime characters are not black and white, they have shades of grey, they don’t feel on the surface, characters have depth and various underlying motives. The comic timing in Toilet Bound Hanako-kun is perfect and not out of place. Just like Kemono Jihen it takes risks in storytelling and doesn’t hide its intentions from the very first episode. It’s recommended despite the fact that you liked Kemono Jihen or not, it’s a must-watch.
4. Mob Psycho 100
Mob Psycho 100 is a little bit more easy-going and comedic than Kemono Jihen, but they both deal with kids who are misunderstood and feared but have immense supernatural powers and train themselves to control the power under the guidance of a mentor who understands them. While Kemono Jihen is intense and serious but Mob Psycho 100 doesn’t take itself so seriously. Both Mob and Kabane have similar struggles of fighting the demons and saving their loved ones, but both the stories serve different purposes. It’s very exciting and fun, it’s not so gritty. It’s a fun ride and you will enjoy most of it.
The mentors in both Kemono Jihen and Mob Psycho 100 are not so similar other than the fact that they both accept Kabane and Mob as their honorary students and help them. Inugami is a detective who genuinely cared for Kabane and got attached to him the day he met on the other hand Reigen is a con man who at first used Mob for his own benefits but later on developed the care and attachment for him. If Kemono Jihen was too intense for you then Mob Psycho 100 is the show for you.
3. Tokyo Ghoul
The first thing that comes to mind that relates to Kemono Jihen the most is Tokyo Ghoul. Tokyo Ghoul is not only setup in Tokyo, just like Kemono Jihen but also because it deals with a half ghoul boy. Although they are quite different from each other in storytelling but they have similar setup and intrigue to them. Tokyo Ghoul is a bit more stylized and dramatic on the other hand Kemono Jihen is toned down in comparison to that. But what they do the same is, that they both make you root for the most heinous people, who eat humans.
Both Kemono Jihen and Tokyo Ghoul have supernatural undertones and both of them deal with conflicting emotions of 2 similar people- Kaneki Ken and Kabane Kusaka. The only difference they have is that Kaneki Ken is not born half-ghoul rather circumstances made him that on the other hand Kabane Kusaka is born half-ghoul. So definitely watch Tokyo Ghoul if you liked Kemono Jihen and if Kemono Jihen feels a little bit mellow then Tokyo Ghoul will not disappoint you.
2. Mononoke
The only thing common between Mononoke and Kemono Jihen is the supernatural genre, but Mononoke is an anime worth mentioning. The story follows the adventures of a mysterious occult specialist ‘Medicine Seller’ who travels across Japan with only one aim- to kill the spirits known as ‘Mononoke’. But the medicine seller can’t just kill the spirit that easy, first, he has to learn the ‘Shape’, ‘Truth’ and ‘Reason’ of the spirit, then only he will be able to kill it off. The journey of the medicine seller is full of exciting mysterious elements. After every 2-3 episodes we meet a new spirit and the medicine seller has to learn about it to kill it off, which makes for a very interesting premise.
The anime will keep your attention only on it till the last moment, the last arc. There is never a dull moment because every time the anime surprises us. The art is unique, different from regular, which can put some people off but some might find it gorgeous, but watch this for the story, the characters, and the world it creates. This is an anime that should be on your watchlist.
1. Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen is definitely a breakout anime, with many possibilities of where it can go in terms of story as well as a lot of potentials. Jujutsu Kaisen is set up in the present world like Kemono Jihen and also it deals with two overpowered individuals who with their friends try to fight the spirits. Both Inugami and Gojo Satoru are powerful and able mentors who help their students to the best of their abilities.
Just like Kemono Jihen, Jujutsu Kaisen will grab your attention right from the beginning. The viewer is thrown between the chaos, right from the first episode. The animation in Jujutsu Kaisen is very beautiful and the sound design is even better. It’s a feast for your eyes and ears. The characters are very lovable and have depth to them. Both Jujutsu Kaisen and Kemono Jihen have been released at the same time and both have lots of mysteries to unravel and lots of possibilities for where their story can lead up to. You should definitely give Jujutsu Kaisen a watch, you will be in love with it.
That’s all folks, these were the must-watch anime & manga like Kemono Jihen according to us. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section. Tell us which of these anime have you seen and which according to you is the most similar? Also check out:-
- Top 10 Anime/Manga Similar to Demon Slayer – Kimetsu No Yaiba
- Top 13 Anime/Manga Similar To Jujutsu Kaisen
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