Chainsaw Man is a fantastic series to read, no matter what kind of genre you prefer. And if you have caught up with the latest chapters, here are some of the best manga like Chainsaw Man you can pick up while you wait for new chapters to drop!
To both our joy and regret, in the world of manga, we can usually find series that are similar to one another. Sadly, this can be a disadvantage, especially if bad series copy each other to create similar content. But when a good series becomes the inspiration for another good series, we usually rejoice from the occurrence.
With the popularity of Chainsaw Man’s manga and the fact that it got an anime adaptation, more and more people are enjoying this fantastic title. But once they finish reading it, with it being relatively short compared to other series, they might want to read something similar to satisfy their content needs. Thus, we came up with a list featuring manga similar to Chainsaw Man for those wishing to indulge themselves in reading even more awesome content!
But what are we looking for? Well, for instance, a dark premise that is not afraid of showing blood and being ruthless, alongside action and perhaps some touches of dark fantasy and supernatural!
Best Manga like Chainsaw Man in 2022
17. Kemono Jihen
Kemono Jihen, which can be translated to monster incidents, is a shonen manga that involves the world of Yokai, beings that can be described as supernatural entities or apparitions of Japanese folklore.
Thus, the series follows the steps of Kabane Kusaka, a young 13-years old child who is overworked by his aunts and who believes his parents left him behind. He’s frequently avoided by others and called Dorotabe since he’s always working in the mud.
After a series of supernatural incidents start haunting the town, a detective named Inugami presents himself and receives the help of Kabane in attempting to solve the situation. While dealing with the source of the incidents, it is revealed that Kabane is half-ghoul, and his powers and instincts are being sealed by a necklace he holds, a gift from his parents. He decides to learn more about the necklace, and himself, following Inugami to Tokyo to help him with his detective agency.
16. Claymore
Claymore is a fantastic example of what a series involving dark fantasy should be like. The series introduces a medieval world being tormented by beings known as Yoma, a natural predator of humankind, and the Claymores, mercenaries belonging to an organization that managed to create hybrids between Yomas and human beings, granting them incredible abilities.
According to the series lore, Claymores can only be female, and there can only be 47 members per generation, with each Claymore holding a particular number representing its strength. The series follows Claire, the weakest Claymore of her generation, and Raki, a young kid she saved during one of her jobs.
What’s so good about this series, in particular, is how it handles power levels between its characters and the fact that the main character grows stronger throughout the whole series as more powerful enemies appear. Very typical for a shonen series, but pretty interesting nevertheless!
15. Tougen Anki
Tougen Anki follows the story of Shiki, who is the heir of the blood of the Oni, Yokais, that could be described as Ogres, known for being violent and ruthless. Unaware of this fact, Shiki lived his life while in the care of his adoptive father, who hid the fact from him. However, one day, an Oni Hunter, a member of the Momotarou Corporation, attempted to kill Shiki.
After a fight broke out, Shiki released all of his Oni powers, which involved blood manipulation, and fought the hunter. Sadly, things didn’t go as he would like, losing his father in the process. In the last moments, his father made him promise to become stronger, to defeat any hunter he would face, and to beat his own Oni blood.
14. Hunter x Hunter
In a short synopsis, no one can describe the legendary series, Hunter x Hunter. Surely, you can get a grasp of its premise by reading one, but it is, beyond any doubt, something you have to read, no matter what! Sadly, the series is known for being on hiatus, so you might want to have something at hand for when you reach its final chapter.
The series follows the world of hunters, capable individuals who have received their hunter license after countless trials and tests, including an annual hunter examination hosted by hunter elites. These hunters are capable of adventuring to unknown places and rank up as they add achievements to their history.
The main character, Gon, dreams of becoming a hunter like his father, Gin, who is also a hunter. In his travels, Gon befriends Kurapika, a man who only aims to avenge his clan; Leorio, who wants to become a hunter to pay for medical school; and Killua, a member of a family of assassins who decided to escape their legacy. Together, they will face many challenges, including the hunter examination at the beginning of the series.
13. Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba
Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba is pretty famous now, but many people don’t know that the manga series has already finished, making it an excellent reason to start reading it to enjoy the whole series!
The series revolves around Tanjiro, as he sadly encounters his family murdered after coming back from work, and his little sister, Nezuko, turned into an aggressive demon. As Tanjiro tries to confront Nezuko while trying to make her regain her humanity, a demon slayer known as Giyu Tomioka tries to kill her. Of course, Tanjiro does his best to protect her, eventually being protected by Nezuko as she regains some of her consciousness.
Captivated by the situation, Giyu decides to give both of them a chance. He sends Tanjiro to a training ground where he begins training to become a demon slayer to find a cure for Nezuko and defeat the person who caused everything, Muzan Kitsubuji, the originator of all demons.
12. Gantz
Gantz is a dark sci-fi story, well known in the community for being one of the most remarkable series you can find. It is also already finished and has many chapters, so you can expect to enjoy the journey considerably!
This manga series tells the story of both Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato as they sadly die trying to save a drunk homeless person from being stomped by a train. After dying, they suddenly find themselves in an apartment surrounded by other people and a large black sphere known as Gantz.
Gantz claims that their lives belong to him and that they must be part of a hunting game if they want to buy their freedom. After providing them with suits and weapons, they are transported to another location, where the hunt begins. They didn’t know they would be hunting dangerous aliens who are capable of killing them without mercy!
11. Ayashimon
There’s something you have to know before starting this one, and it is the fact that it was sadly axed, with only 25 chapters released. Although its story left much to be desired, the manga itself was pretty good and had a fascinating premise and beautiful drawings.
The series revolves around Maruo, a youngster who enjoys fighting and dreams of becoming a superhero. Since he’s really strong, he’s constantly disappointed in fighting people until the day he meets Urara, a member of the Yakuza of the Yokai world. Urara recruits Maruo as her underling, and they will try to recover what she lost – the throne of the biggest Yakuza clan of Tokyo.
10. Jagaaaaaan
This one can be described as a supernatural title, with a sprinkle of dark humor, gore, and many adult topics. It also has a very peculiar main character, and the series showcases his development throughout the journey. This series is often acclaimed by its fans as one of the best you can find in the media and is one of the best manga like Chainsaw Man, in my opinion!
Jagaaaaaan follows the monotone daily life of Shintarou Jagasaki, a police officer who does his job responsibly but is often filled with dark thoughts about other people. One day, while on a train, he and the passengers are attacked by a monster, and he tries to shoot it with his gun, but his fingers are cut. This seems to trigger something within him, almost like an infection, as he grows new fingers capable of shooting energy.
9. Berserk
This couldn’t be a list without mentioning the legendary series Berserk. Although the series underwent a hiatus following the author’s demise, it is now being continued, and I would dare to say it is one of those manga series you absolutely must read, regardless of whether you like the dark fantasy genre or not.
The series first introduces Guts as he adventures to find dark beings known as apostles, demons that hide within society, all to achieve his revenge. Guts breezes easily through his enemies by wielding a sword too big to be called a sword and a prosthetic arm with a hidden cannon and a crossbow. He ends up saving Puck, an elf who helps him during his adventures, healing his wounds and ensuring he doesn’t stray too much from the right path.
After some chapters, however, the series tells the tale of Guts’ past and how he became a member of the Band of the Hawk, led by Griffith, a man he considered his friend. This arc would be known as the Golden Age and is often described as the beginning of the end.
8. Kaiju No. 8
Kaiju no. 8 is another excellent manga like Chainsaw Man, with beautiful art and a very interesting story revolving around the existences known as Kaiju, gigantic creatures who often threaten society as we know it. In the world introduced by this title, Kaiju constantly attack Japan and are dealt with by the Japanese Defense Force.
Kafka Hibino aimed to join the Japanese Defense Force, just to end up joining Monster Sweeper Inc. instead, an organization that handles the cleaning after a Kaiju is defeated. While recovering after one of his jobs, he’s attacked by a talking fly, which enters his body through his mouth. This immediately turns him into a Kaiju, and a strong one at that. He eventually earns the title of Kaiju No. 8, the first Kaiju to ever escape the grasp of the Japanese Defense Force.
7. Hell’s Paradise – Jigokuraku
Gabimaru, often referred to as Gabimaru the Hollow, is the greatest ninja and assassin of Iwagakure, a village that raises ninjas from birth. The story of Hell’s Paradise – Jigokuraku starts with him about to be executed by Sagiri, a member of the Asaemon clan, a clan of executioners.
This execution attempt fails as Gabimaru, almost subconsciously, does his best to remain alive, all for the sake of meeting his wife once again. Sagiri decides to make a contract with him to grant him another chance to meet his wife – traveling to Shinsenkyo, a realm of fantasy where an elixir is believed to be, one that gives immortality.
However, multiple death row inmates will join the journey, accompanied by their respective executioners, all members of the Asaemon clan, and the one pair to find the elixir first wins.
6. Fire Punch
This title has a great world-building, introducing a world that was completely frozen by an entity known as the Ice Witch. The witch, as well as many others, enjoy something known as blessings, supernatural powers that allow them to achieve the impossible.
For instance, the main character of Fire Punch, Agni, has an immortal body that regenerates any wound. Luna, his little sister, also enjoys the same blessing to a weaker degree. Using their blessing, they cut their own bodies to provide meat to the hungry members of their community.
One day, their village is visited by a group of armed soldiers led by a blessed one known as Doma. Unapproving of their acts of cannibalism, Doma decides to kill the whole village with his power, which is “A Flame That Burns Until Death.” For Agni and Luna, this is a slow and torturous way to die, but Luna asks Agni to live. Thus, Agni burns for years and years, all to eventually kill Doma for what he did to his sister.
Since Fire Punch is created by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the author of Chainsaw Man himself, I would say you should definitely read this manga if you liked Chainsaw Man!
5. Gachiakuta
Gachiakuta has a pretty interesting story, with some of the best art you can find in the media. It’s relatively new, so you can only find a few dozen chapters. Even then, it’s definitely worth jumping on the train this early on into the series!
This one has a world where the poor and the rich are heavily disconnected, with poor people living off the trash of the rich people. This includes the main character, Rudo, who earns a living by stealing trash. Often ostracized by his own community for being the son of a murderer, he at least is taken care of by Regto, a man who took him under his wing.
While returning after talking with the only person who seems to treat him like a human, Rudo finds an injured Regto and is quickly framed as the murderer of the occasion and sent to the abyss, where he meets Engine, a janitor and the person who saves him from the beasts that lurk the hellish place.
4. Dandadan
This one is a weird manga series but in a good way. It has romance, action, supernatural, and sci-fi, all combined. It’s also beautifully drawn, and to be honest, it promises a lot.
Dandadan has two main characters – Momo, who knows for sure ghosts exist but doesn’t believe in the existence of aliens, and Ken, often referred to as Okarun, who doesn’t believe in ghosts but does believe in aliens. The fact is – they both exist, and both of them are affected by it. Momo awakens esper-like sci-fi powers similar to Telekinesis after being abducted by aliens, while Turbo-Granny, a very powerful Yokai, possesses Okarun.
If you want to read a manga packed with action, tons of comedic moments that don’t feel forced, interesting characters, and sweet character dynamics, start reading this series right now!
3. Tokyo Ghoul
A world where ghouls, much stronger beings than humans while pretty much looking alike, hide in society, as a result, is presented in this series. These ghouls can only eat human flesh. Thus, they have to work their way around society to survive and are constantly hunted by the Ghoul Countermeasures Bureau, or CCG, primarily since many ghouls are known for straight-up murdering people.
The story of Tokyo Ghoul follows Ken Kaneki as he is sadly violently placed in the world of Ghouls after being turned into one, following an accident as he was being chased by one of the most vicious ghouls of Tokyo. He will have to learn how to survive, including learning to eat human flesh while also holding on to his humanity and not giving in to the murderous ghoul tendencies.
2. Dorohedoro
Explaining Dorohedoro can undoubtedly be difficult, but I can say that it is a story involving combining the dark-fantasy and horror genre with the steam-punk genre. It has different worlds, with one of them being the Hole, where our protagonist lives, and the sorcerers’ world.
Sorcerers constantly go to Hole to abduct people and use them for experiments, and Caiman, the main character, hunts them down. The thing about Caiman is that he’s a person with the head of a lizard, and within that lizard, another being resides. He’s trying to hunt sorcerers to know how he got to that point since it is undoubtedly the job of one of them, and he doesn’t have any memories of his past. And trying to stop him, elite sorcerers decide to hunt him down.
1. Jujutsu Kaisen
Of course, Jujutsu Kaisen would be at the top of this list; as one of the most popular series right now and the best manga like Chainsaw Man, you can only expect greatness from this particular title.
The series has multiple characters, with the main character named Yuuji Itadori. He’s a very athletic person, fast enough to run faster than a car, and a member of the occult club. During one of their meetings, the occult club members uncover a cursed object, one of the fingers of Sukuna, the king of curses. After uncovering such a powerful cursed object, they find themselves surrounded by several cursed spirits.
To save them from the occurrence, Yuuji swallows the finger, turning into Sukuna’s vessel and gaining incredible powers. Sadly, after this event, the sorcerer organization that deals with curses and monsters decides to execute him.
Yuuji befriends many characters throughout the series, including Megumi, the person who warned him of Sukuna’s curse; Gojo, the strongest sorcerer and the one who decides to save Yuuji after he’s condemned to execution; and Nobara, a very confident woman who wants to earn a lot of money through her job as a sorcerer.
Conclusion
As you can see, similarities can be good, and this list is, without a doubt, proof of that. If you want to read something as good as Chainsaw Man, I definitely recommend giving these series a try. Of course, I would also recommend checking how many chapters they have released so far, so you have a solid idea of what you are getting into!
Those were some of the best manga like Chainsaw Man at the moment, so pick up any one of the titles from the list, and you are bound to have a good time reading them!