10 Shows & Movies Similar to Dororo (2019)

Description: Ninja Scroll shares Dororo's dark, violent tone and feudal Japan setting filled with supernatural threats. Both feature protagonists battling against demonic forces and corrupt human adversaries. The animation style in both emphasizes gritty, visceral combat and morally complex characters.

Fact: Considered one of the most influential anime films of the 1990s. The film was originally intended to be part of a trilogy. Many modern anime creators cite Ninja Scroll as a major influence on their work.

Description: Like Dororo, Samurai Champloo combines historical Japan with unconventional elements (hip-hop culture in Champloo, supernatural elements in Dororo). Both follow a group of warriors on a journey, featuring episodic storytelling with an overarching narrative. The protagonists in both series are skilled but flawed warriors searching for meaning.

Fact: Directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, who also created Cowboy Bebop. The soundtrack blends traditional Japanese music with hip-hop. The fight choreography was inspired by real samurai techniques but exaggerated for stylistic effect.

Description: Basilisk and Dororo both explore the brutal realities of war and the supernatural in feudal Japan. They feature rival factions with extraordinary abilities, tragic romances, and graphic violence. The visual style in both emphasizes the beauty and horror of their respective worlds.

Fact: Based on a novel by Futaro Yamada, who also wrote the Ninja Scroll novel. Features two clans with 10 warriors each, all with unique supernatural abilities. The series was remade in 2018 as Basilisk: The Ouka Ninja Scrolls.

Description: Vinland Saga and Dororo both follow young warriors shaped by violence, seeking purpose beyond revenge. Both are historical action dramas with philosophical depth, exploring the cycle of violence and what it means to be human. The animation quality in both is exceptionally high, with detailed period settings.

Fact: Based on the award-winning manga by Makoto Yukimura. The series shifts from pure action to more philosophical themes in its second season. Features authentic Viking culture and warfare research.

Description: Moribito shares Dororo's focus on a protective warrior and a special child in a historical fantasy setting. Both explore themes of destiny, sacrifice, and found family. The animation in both is cinematic, with particular attention to natural environments and realistic combat.

Fact: Based on the first novel in Nahoko Uehashi's Moribito series. Features one of anime's most well-developed female warriors in Balsa. The water animation sequences were particularly praised for their realism.

Description: While set in different eras, both Attack on Titan and Dororo feature humanity fighting against monstrous threats. Both protagonists begin their journeys due to personal tragedy and must confront difficult moral choices. The series share a dark tone and themes of survival against overwhelming odds.

Fact: The manga sold over 100 million copies worldwide. The distinctive animation style was achieved using a combination of 2D and 3D techniques. The series' popularity led to numerous international collaborations and parodies.

Description: Goblin Slayer shares Dororo's dark fantasy elements and focus on a single-minded warrior battling inhuman creatures. Both protagonists are driven by trauma and operate outside normal societal structures. The series don't shy away from graphic violence and the psychological toll of constant combat.

Fact: Controversial for its graphic first episode. The protagonist's single-minded focus on goblins became a popular meme. Features tabletop RPG-inspired worldbuilding and mechanics.

Description: Similar to Dororo (2019), Demon Slayer features a protagonist on a quest to reclaim their humanity while battling supernatural forces. Both series blend historical settings with dark fantasy elements, and explore themes of family, sacrifice, and redemption. The animation style in both is highly detailed, with fluid action sequences and striking character designs.

Fact: Demon Slayer broke multiple box office records in Japan, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time in the country. The series was inspired by Japanese folklore and traditional ukiyo-e art. The protagonist's sword techniques are based on real water breathing forms from Japanese swordsmanship.

Description: Like Dororo, Shield Hero follows a protagonist who starts at the lowest point and must fight against both monsters and human prejudice. Both explore themes of betrayal, perseverance, and gradual redemption. The fantasy settings in both incorporate Japanese cultural elements.

Fact: Part of the isekai (another world) genre but with darker themes than most. The light novel series has sold over 3 million copies. Features an unusual protagonist who specializes in defense rather than attack.

Description: Like Dororo, Afro Samurai follows a lone warrior on a quest for vengeance in a stylized historical setting. Both protagonists are marked by tragedy and wield unique weapons. The series blend traditional samurai elements with modern influences (hip-hop in Afro, dark fantasy in Dororo).

Fact: Starred Samuel L. Jackson as both Afro and his comic relief sidekick. The soundtrack was composed by The RZA from Wu-Tang Clan. Was one of the first anime series produced specifically for American audiences.