10 Anime to watch if you love Hunter x Hunter

Hunter x Hunter fans know the struggle of finding something that matches its brilliance. Togashi’s Hunter x Hunter raised the bar with its deep Nen system, layered characters, and fights that favored strategy over brute force. The series alters typical shonen directions into something genuinely refined and unexpected.

Finding deserving successors means looking past surface-level similarities to find series that share Hunter x Hunter’s core DNA. These ten anime recommendations prioritize strategic depth, character development, and storytelling innovation over flashy action sequences.

1. Yu Yu Hakusho: The spiritual detective's journey

Genkai vs. Shishiwakamaru during Dark Tournament Saga (Image Source: Studio Pierrot)

Assembled by the same mastermind behind Hunter x Hunter, Yoshihiro Togashi, Yu Yu Hakusho operates as the ideal spiritual precursor to Gon’s adventures. The series follows Yusuke Urameshi, a delinquent teenager who becomes a Spirit Detective after a life-changing encounter with death. This well-loved shonen showcases Togashi’s trademark style—smart storytelling and meaningful character development that fans truly admire.

What makes Yu Yu Hakusho immensely appealing is its ingenious tournament arc structure and power system that directly influenced Hunter x Hunter’s Nen abilities.

2. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stand power supremacy

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series (Image Source: David Productions)

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure revolutionized anime with its unique Stand power system, which shares remarkable parallels with Hunter x Hunter’s Nen abilities. Each Stand has precise rules, restrictions, and conditions that create cerebral battles requiring strategic thinking rather than brute force.

This series masterfully combines creativity with tactical warfare, making every fight a puzzle to solve. Its emphasis on creative problem-solving and unconventional battle strategies mirrors Hunter x Hunter’s approach to conflict resolution.

3. Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku's deadly island adventure

Gabimaru kills one of the condemned criminals (Image Source: Studio MAPPA)

Hell’s Paradise brings similar vibes to Hunter x Hunter, with its perilous journeys and high-stakes survival challenges. The anime follows convicted criminals who must recover an immortality elixir from a sinister island loaded with supernatural threats. The story builds tension much like the Greed Island and Dark Continent arcs, as characters face unknown lands full of danger.

The series excels in crafting morally complex characters who must survive against overwhelming odds while forming unlikely alliances.

4. Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed energy mastery

Itadori as seen during the Shibuya Incident (Image Source: Studio MAPPA)

Jujutsu Kaisen’s creator openly cites Hunter x Hunter as a major influence, and this impact is evident in every aspect of the anime. The series features a precise power system based on cursed energy manipulation that rivals Nen in complexity and originality. Characters must master their capabilities while understanding intricate rules that govern their supernatural powers.

Its approach to character growth and moral ambiguity strongly reflects Hunter x Hunter‘s storytelling philosophy. Jujutsu Kaisen presents heroes who aren’t purely good and villains with understandable motivations.

5. Fullmetal Alchemist: Alchemical truth seekers

Edward and Alphonse from the series (Image Source: Studio Bones)

Fullmetal Alchemist delivers a meticulously constructed world where alchemy works under strict scientific codes, echoing Hunter x Hunter‘s methodical approach to Nen. It follows Edward and Alphonse Elric’s quest to restore their bodies after a forbidden alchemical experiment goes wrong.

The series expertly balances action with deep philosophical themes about sacrifice, ethics, and the cost of power. Its intricate plot and character development offer the same satisfying narrative depth that Hunter x Hunter fans cherish.

6. Black Clover: Magic Knights' determination anime

Asta and Yami as seen in the series (Image Source: Studio Pierrot)

Black Clover offers the underdog narrative that resonates with Hunter x Hunter’s themes of overcoming natural limitations. Asta, born without magical abilities in a world where magic defines social status, proves that hard work and strategic thinking can surpass inherent disadvantages.

This anime features clever magic systems and tactical battles that reward intelligence over raw power. Its exploration of diverse magical abilities and their creative uses delivers the same sense of wonder and strategic complexity that defines Hunter x Hunter’s power system.

7. Tokyo Ghoul: Supernatural survival horror

Ken Kaneki as seen initially in the series (Image Source: Studio Pierrot)

Tokyo Ghoul presents a dark, urban fantasy world where humans and ghouls coexist in a fragile balance of predator and prey. Protagonist Ken Kaneki’s transformation from ordinary human to ghoul creates a compelling character arc reminiscent of Hunter x Hunter’s psychological intensity.

It excels at crafting morally gray situations where characters must prioritize survival over morality.

8. Tower of God: Climbing toward dreams

Major characters for the series (Image Source: The Answer Studio)

Tower of God introduces a mysterious tower where climbers pursue their deepest desires, building an adventure structure akin to Hunter x Hunter. Bam enters the tower to find his friend Rachel, facing various trials that demand both strength and intellect.

The series features a complex power system called Shinsu, which operates under specific rules and limitations similar to Nen’s detailed mechanics.

9. Bungou Stray Dogs: Literary supernatural abilities

Dazai Osamu from Bungou Stray Dogs (Image Source: Studio Bones)

Bungou Stray Dogs blends supernatural powers with literary references, creating an intriguing anime that appeals to Hunter x Hunter fans seeking philosophical and thematic richness. The characters are based on famous authors whose abilities reflect their literary works.

This inventive approach to power systems enables strategic battles requiring cultural insight and tactical skill. Its focus on investigation and mystery-solving mirrors Hunter x Hunter’s analytical style.

10. Kekkai Sensen: Blood blockade battlefront

Leonardo as seen in the anime series (Image Source: Studio Bones)

Kekkai Sensen blends magic and madness in a chaotic version of New York, where monsters and people live side by side. The anime follows Leonardo Watch as he joins an organization committed to maintaining peace between different species. This premise creates opportunities for innovative battles and strategic thinking that Hunter x Hunter fans will enjoy. The series excels at counterbalancing serious themes with moments of humor and character development.

These anime suggestions present the ideal blend of strategic combat, complex characters, and worldly storytelling that Hunter x Hunter fans desire. Each series offers unique segments while maintaining the intellectual depth that makes Hunter x Hunter a timeless masterwork.

Edited by Ritika Pal

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