Ever wanted to see a version of Twilight that actually writes supernatural romance realistically? Devils’ Line might just be right up your alley. Instead of sparkling, socially awkward bloodsuckers, this anime adaptation is about what it would really be like if a vampire and a human fell for each other. Here’s seven anime like Devils’ Line if you’re looking for something similar.
Anime Like Devils’ Line
Tokyo Ghoul
In this fictional version of Tokyo, the land has been overrun by vicious ghouls. Just like in Devils’ Line, the streets are run by fear, with few citizens in Tokyo Ghoul able to actually live normal lives because of the constant dread of ghoul attacks.
What’s interesting about Tokyo Ghoul is that it takes a similar, yet opposite direction regarding its supernatural subject matter. Whereas Devils’ Line sees Anzai struggle to protect Tsukasa from other vampires and his own urges, Tokyo Ghoul’s main character Ken Kaneki is unwillingly turned into a half-ghoul by his love interest.
Kaneki’s transformation leads to having come to understand the ghoul’s society, learning how to control his urges and blend in. Instead of hunting his kind, he assimilates into their culture, while keeping a hold on his human nature as well.
While this anime is far more graphic and less romantic, the themes of inner struggle and natural instincts are both identical.
Anime Like Devils’ Line
Claymore
In Claymore, we are taken to a world that is plagued by a humanoid race of shapeshifters that feed on humans. Instead of the modern world, this anime is based in medieval times, on an island run by a mysterious group called The Organization.
To protect the world from these demons, The Organization breeds female warriors that possess dark magic, known as Claymores. Similar to Yuuki’s role as a member of the F squad, these warriors are tasked with defending each district from Yoma. Just like how Anzai is a half-vampire, Claymores possess the same demon energy, Yoki, that the Yoma do. Because of this, those who use too much of this dark magic run the risk of becoming demons themselves.
The moral of gaining power but knowing how to control it, along with the similarities in demon oriented mythology, really help bridge the time gap that otherwise separates these two shows.
Anime Like Devils’ Line
Devilman: Crybaby
One of the newest, and arguably most trending, anime on this list, Devilman: Crybaby follows Akira Fudo. This young man is a unique protagonist, as he is very sensitive, so much so that he cries at the sight of others in pain. After agreeing to help his childhood best friend, Ryo Asuka, stop an ancient race of demons from taking over the earth, Fudo merges with a devil in order to save his friend.
Fudo now possesses a devil inside him, along with scary new powers. Akira has to suppress his bloodlust, but the devil inside of him really wants to come out and feast, much like Yuuki. But while Anzai may not be as big of a crybaby as Fudo is, he also isn’t nearly as violent. Devilman Crybaby takes the gore of Devils’ Line and cranks it up to 11, pouring on buckets of blood in insane fight scenes.
This is an excellent choice if you’d like to explore similar themes, mixed in with a lot more hyper-violent action.
Anime Like Devils’ Line
Psycho-Pass
Romance is an integral part of the themes and characters of Devils’ Line, but sometimes you just want a little more mystery. While Psycho-Pass doesn’t possess the same mystic, monster inundated setting, the murder mystery stories have a considerable crossover.
Psycho-Pass follows Akane Tsunemori, a young inspector who joins the special police force to catch criminals using a special system called Sibyl. This futuristic method reads and calculates thoughts to determine right from wrong, all based off of humanity’s mental conditions. Alongside using this method to place people in specific jobs, Sibyl analyzes mental states. This reveals suspected future criminals based on readings alone.
Like other anime on this list, this crime fiction puts an even heavier focus on the maturity that Devils’ Line often breaks the surface of in its scenes. Couple this all with the cyberpunk flavor and some interesting characters and you’ll have no trouble understanding why this is a must watch.
Anime Like Devils’ Line
Hellsing Ultimate
How do you combat monsters that look to ravage anyone and anything in their path? You unleash a monster of your own.
Hellsing Ultimate tells the story of an organization’s mission to save the world from the creatures trying to devour it. In order to do so, the company’s leader, Integra Hellsing, unleashes an all-powerful vampire known as Alucard. Using guns, mystical powers, and a sarcastic attitude, this immortal monster deals out gallons of blood-soaked mayhem.
Along his path of constructive destruction, Alucard takes on an assistant, Seras Victoria. Their relationship is somewhat different from Tsukasa and Anzai’s, closer to that of a master and student. Still, the circumstances surrounding their situations and the bonds they create are very similar.
Seek out Hellsing Ultimate if you enjoy the gruesome aesthetic of Devils Line but also don’t mind that the tone is a bit serious and brooding.
Anime Like Devils’ Line
Blood+
Love it or hate it, you can never go wrong with the chosen one trope in fiction as the basis for a compelling narrative. In Blood+, a young anemic amnesiac schoolgirl by the name of Saya Otonashi has her world turned upside down following an attack by a bloodsucking bat-like creature, a Chiropteran. But instead of falling prey to the monster, she finds out she is the only one that can defeat them.
With the assistance of her special blood, trusty katana, and allies, Otonashi sets off on a quest to rid the world of these monsters and find out more about her mysterious past. Comparison wise, Blood+ will obviously draw you in based on the vampire side of things. What you’ll end up sticking around for is the exploration of the effects these situations have on both sides of the spectrum, in terms of the concepts of vampire natural instincts and immortality.
Anime Like Devils’ Line
Netflix’s Castlevania
Another anime still in its infancy, but also one that comes with significant brand recognition. Netflix’s Castlevania is a flashy, gore-laced action romp. But while it has gore and monsters, you may be wondering what parallels the new series has with Devils’ Line. Part of that answer lies within the romantic nature of the show’s premise.
At the start of this Netflix series, Dracula is approached by a woman a young woman named Lisa. Despite his intimidating mannerism and fearsome reputation, Lisa isn’t scared off by the vampire. The two eventually fall in love and marry.
Shortly thereafter, the church and its townspeople burn Dracula’s wife at the stake for being a witch. In a mournful rage, the vampire unleashes an endless horde of demons upon the land, ones who kill without prejudice.
While this love story isn’t the focus here, the romance and its effect on the story are the foundation.
Published: Oct 8, 2018 07:54 am