Bungou Stray Dogs, a perfect blend of suspense and comedy, is the fan-favourite of many across the world. A chaotic yet addictive blend of mystery, action and comedy appealing to old and new viewers alike, Bungou Stray Dogs’ success spanned from 2016 to 2019 along with the production of the movie, Bungou Stray Dogs: Dead Apple in March 2018.
Following the fifth season finale in September 2023, the anime’s official Twitter Account thanked fans for their continued support and concluded by stating that the anime was “not finished yet!!”. But until then, to spend your wait reminiscing about what you love, here are some related anime recommendations you might enjoy!
11 Anime Like Bungou Stray Dogs
1. Durarara!!
- Author: Ryougo Narita
- Genre: Action, Suspense, Fantasy
- Episodes: 60
Durarara!!, shortened to Drrr!! is the story of a dullahan working as an underworld courier in Ikebukuro, an internet-based anonymous gang called the Dollars, and the chaos that unfolds around the most dangerous people in Ikebukuro.
A dullahan is a legendary creature in Irish folklore, depicted to be a headless rider, on a black horse, who carries his own head held high in his hand or under his arm. The stories of each intertwined in a net of mayhem and madness.
Durarara!! shares a similarity with Bungou Stray Dogs with their character dynamics, back-and-forths between light slice-of-life humour and serious action scenes, split characters and group factions, and supernaturals. Both the main characters, Atsushi and Mikado, are inexperienced who grow in their experiences with their new friends.
The main supporting characters, Dazai and Kida are light-hearted, humorous, but also have dark pasts and experiences in them. They also are protectively brotherly towards the main character.
2. Vanitas no Karte
- Author: Jun Mochizuki
- Genre: Dark Fantasy, Supernatural
- Episodes: 24
The Case Study of Vanitas is set in a fictional 19th-century Paris and contains vampire and steampunk thematics. The story focuses on the young Vanitas and the vampire Noé Archiviste in Vanitas’s quest to heal cursed vampires through his grimoire called ‘The Book of Vanitas.’
Both the anime are produced by the same studio. The vibe the paired protagonists give is similar: lean brains and bulky brawn. Both are more about the action than the lore, so much so that we get thrown into the story and everything is spectral. There is also the element of mystery.
3. Tokyo Ghoul
- Author: Sui Ishida
- Genre: Dark Fantasy, Supernatural Thriller
- Episodes: 48
Tokyo Ghoul is set in an alternate version of Tokyo where humans co-exist with ghouls, beings who look like humans but can only survive by eating human flesh. Ken Kaneki, is a college student who is transformed into a half-ghoul after an encounter with one of them. He navigates through the complex social and political dynamics between humans and ghouls while struggling to maintain his humanity.
Tokyo Ghoul and Bungou Stray Dogs are both series which have two groups of people who aren’t entirely human fighting against each other. Each series has a lot of action that takes place in alleyways. In Bungou Stray Dogs, the main villain, Ryuunosuke Akutagawa, has the ability Rashomon, which is fairly similar to the Kagune from Tokyo Ghoul.
4. Noragami
- Author: Adachitoka
- Genre: Action, Supernatural, Fantasy
- Episodes: 25
Hiyori Iki, our beloved heroine, is a normal middle school student until she gets involved in a bus accident. This incident causes her soul to frequently slip out of her body, and she becomes aware of the existence of two parallel worlds: the Near Shore, where regular humans and creatures reside, and the Far Shore, where demonic beasts called ‘Phantoms’ and human souls linger.
Through her soul, she meets the strange, nameless God without a shrine, Yato. Yato is determined to make a name for himself. Alongside Yato’s Regalia, a weapon forged from the spirit of a deceased human’s soul, named Yukine, the trio go on many adventures struggling with their friendship, identity, and pasts.
Like Noragami, the protagonists are wanderers. The two anime are pretty dark with good fights, and are pretty funny as well. They also have interesting powers.
5. Kekkai Sensen
- Author: Yasuhiro Nightow
- Genre: Action, Science fiction
- Episodes: 24
The story revolves around a young photographer named Leonardo Watch, who obtains ‘the All Seeing Eyes of the Gods’ at the cost of his sister’s eyesight. After the incident, Leonardo moves to the city of Hellsalem’s Lot to join an organisation known as ‘Libra’ to fight several monsters as well as terrorists.
A great recommendation for a Detective series, Kekkai Sensen has a robust storyline and with the mixture of excellent action sevens and fine comedy. Kekkai Sensen is placed in its focal point in a city, much like Bungou Stray Dogs.
6. Boku No Hero Academia
- Author: Kohei Horikoshi
- Genre: Adventure, Science Fantasy
- Episodes: 113
In a world where superpowers called ‘Quirks’ have become commonplace, Izuku Midoriya, a boy who was born without a Quirk, dreams of becoming a superhero himself. He is scouted by the world’s greatest hero, All Might, who bestows his Quirk to Midoriya after recognising his potential, and helps to enrol him in a prestigious high school for superheroes in training, UA.
Both shows deal with quirky characters with special powers. Fans call Bungou Stray Dogs as ‘BNHA with guns’.
7. Psycho Pass
- Author: Gen Urobuchi
- Genre: Crime, Cyber Punk, Psychological Thriller
- Episodes: 22
Set in a dystopia of the Sibyl System’s governance of Japan, the plot follows the young woman Akane Tsunemori. She is introduced as a novice Inspector assigned to Division One of the Public Safety Bureau’s Criminal Investigation Division, in charge of solving crimes with latent criminals, Enforcers.
After learning how the system is abused by the inspectors and enforcers, she begins to have a moral dilemma as an honest, virtuous woman who now sees the flaws in upholding law that determine one’s right to live.
Similarities between the two anime include that they are both detective series with main characters having a villain they wish to take down and both the anime have well-rounded characters.
8. Banana Fish
- Author: Akimi Yoshida
- Genre: Drama, thriller
- Episodes: 24
Set primarily in New York City in the 1980s, the series follows street gang leader Ash Lynx as he uncovers a criminal conspiracy involving “banana fish”, a mysterious drug that brainwashes its users. Raised within the mafia by godfather Dino Golzine, Ash Lynx had a troubled history that continues to haunt him even as a 17-year-old young man. In the course of his investigations, he encounters Eiji Okumura, a Japanese photographer’s assistant with whom he forms a close bond.
Both deal with Mafia-related scenarios with mostly male cast of characters. There is also a great emphasis on literature.
9. Charlotte
- Author: Maeda Jun
- Genre: Comedy, drama, Supernatural
- Episodes: 13
The story takes place in an alternate reality where a small percentage of pubescent children manifest superhuman abilities upon reaching puberty. A focus is placed on Yuu Otosaka, a high school boy who awakens the ability to temporarily possess others, which brings him to the attention of Nao Tomori, the student council president of a school founded as a haven for children with such abilities.
The characters in both the anime have supernatural abilities and gather members to join groups. They also have a similar tone in their plot, occasionally having a darker side. Charlotte is a great watch with well-rounded characters, with an intricate plot and a great ending all in a span of 13 episodes.
10. Hamatora
- Author: Yukino Kitajima
- Genre: Adenture, Mystery, Supernatural
- Episodes: 12
The series takes place in the year 2014 when selected humans called Minimum Holders have been discovered to possess supernatural abilities. The story focuses on Minimum Holder Nice who forms a detective agency called “Hamatora” based in Yokohama and he starts gathering a large number of allies such as his partner Murasaki and assistant Hajime as well as enemies including several criminals. Both series involve detective agencies with people who have extraordinary abilities.
11. Great Pretender
Author: Ryota Kosawa
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Episodes: 23
Makoto Edamura proudly calls himself ‘Japan’s Greatest Swindler’ until he meets a Frenchman, Laurent Thierry, who is far more skilled and loses terribly at attempting to swindle him. To prove himself, Makoto travels with Laurent to the West Coast and challenges him to a contest challenging who can be a greater con man.
They both have the theme of misfits doing work, taking gangs in their respective style. Great Pretender follows Edam and Laurent in their con artist schemes and Bungou Stray Dogs follows Atsushi and Dazai in helping with detective work and keeping Yokohama in balance.
Final Words
Bungou Stray Dogs is an enthralling experience with the legendary writers of the past, a thrilling sensation with their loveable and fascinating characters and engaging plot. A wild ride that Dazai and Atsushi took us on will be recreated in these amazing recommendations loved by many. Thus, if you’re done with the riveting season 5 of Bungou Stray Dogs and are looking for more, we’ve got you!
