10 Shows & Movies Like Primal (2019)

Description: Samurai Jack shares a similar visual storytelling style with Primal, relying heavily on action sequences and minimal dialogue to convey emotion and narrative. Both shows feature a lone warrior navigating a harsh, often surreal world, emphasizing survival and revenge. The art style in both is highly stylized, with a focus on dynamic animation and atmospheric settings.

Fact: Created by Genndy Tartakovsky, who is known for his unique animation style. The series won four Primetime Emmy Awards. The show was originally intended to have a conclusive ending but was revived in 2017 for a final season.

Description: While The Boondocks is a comedy, it shares Primal's use of stylized animation and its focus on social commentary. Both shows use their visual styles to enhance their storytelling, and both feature protagonists who are outsiders navigating a hostile world. The tone in both is often bleak, though The Boondocks uses humor to offset its darker themes.

Fact: Based on the comic strip by Aaron McGruder. The show has been praised for its sharp satire and social commentary. It has a dedicated cult following.

Description: Samurai Champloo shares Primal's focus on action and survival, though it blends these elements with humor and a more relaxed tone. Both shows feature skilled warriors navigating a dangerous world, and both use their animation styles to create a unique, immersive experience. The storytelling in both is lean and direct, with a strong emphasis on visual storytelling.

Fact: Created by Shinichirō Watanabe, the director of Cowboy Bebop. The show blends hip-hop culture with samurai action. It has been praised for its soundtrack and animation style.

Description: Seis Manos, like Primal, is a violent, action-packed series with a strong emphasis on martial arts and survival. Both shows feature protagonists who are skilled fighters navigating a dangerous world, and both use their animation styles to create a visceral, immersive experience. The tone in both is dark and intense, with a focus on personal vengeance.

Fact: Created by the same team behind Castlevania. The show blends Mexican culture with martial arts action. It features a diverse voice cast.

Description: Vinland Saga and Primal both explore themes of vengeance, survival, and the brutality of human nature. Both shows are set in historical (or pseudo-historical) settings and feature protagonists who are shaped by violence. The animation in both is highly detailed, with a strong emphasis on realism and physicality.

Fact: Based on the manga by Makoto Yukimura. The series is known for its historical accuracy and deep character development. It has been praised for its mature storytelling and complex themes.

Description: Arcane shares Primal's emphasis on visual storytelling and its dark, gritty tone. Both shows feature protagonists who are shaped by trauma and violence, and both use their animation styles to enhance the emotional impact of their stories. The world-building in both is rich and immersive, with a focus on creating a believable, lived-in world.

Fact: Based on the League of Legends universe. The show took six years to produce. It has been praised for its animation quality and character development.

Description: The Legend of Vox Machina, like Primal, features a group of warriors navigating a dangerous world filled with mythical creatures and brutal conflicts. Both shows blend action with deep character development, and their animation styles are highly dynamic, with a focus on fluid movement and detailed fight choreography.

Fact: Based on the popular Dungeons & Dragons web series Critical Role. The show was funded through a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign. It features the original voice cast from the web series.

Description: Attack on Titan and Primal both explore themes of survival against overwhelming odds, with a focus on visceral, brutal combat. Both series feature a relentless, often bleak tone, and their protagonists are driven by deep personal losses. The animation in both shows is highly detailed, with a strong emphasis on movement and physicality.

Fact: Based on the manga by Hajime Isayama. The series has been praised for its complex characters and intricate plot. It has become one of the best-selling manga series of all time.

Description: Castlevania shares Primal's dark, gothic aesthetic and its focus on intense, bloody action sequences. Both shows feature protagonists who are skilled warriors fighting against monstrous foes, often in a world that feels ancient and mythic. The storytelling in both is lean and direct, with a strong emphasis on visual storytelling.

Fact: Based on the popular video game series. The show was one of Netflix's first original anime productions. It has been praised for its voice acting and animation quality.

Description: Afro Samurai and Primal both feature lone warriors on a quest for vengeance, with a strong emphasis on brutal, stylized combat. Both shows use minimal dialogue, relying instead on their visuals to tell their stories. The animation in both is highly detailed, with a focus on dynamic action sequences.

Fact: Starring Samuel L. Jackson as the voice of Afro. The show was inspired by hip-hop culture. It has been praised for its unique blend of action and philosophy.