Jujutsu Kaisen quickly rose to become one of anime’s most popular and influential modern shonen titles. With its dark storyline, memorable characters, and intense action sequences with stunning animation, fans have often cited it as one of the best titles to enjoy. As anticipation builds for its next season, premiering in January 2026, audiences are seeking other titles to explore.
Luckily for fans, there is no shortage of anime titles that rival or even surpass Jujutsu Kaisen, whether in terms of story, themes, animation, or characters. These stories offer audiences a thrilling storyline and unforgettable arcs that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. As Jujutsu Kaisen fans await season three, these anime are some that can’t be missed.
To Be Hero X
To Be Hero X is a Chinese anime, also known as donghua, and takes place in a world where Trust Values grant a person heroic powers. The higher the number becomes, the greater their abilities. To Be Hero X is unique in that it follows several top heroes as they balance public faith, perception, and corrupt or manipulative hero commissions.
The series blends eye-catching action sequences with psychological depth, exploring how heroism can both inspire and destroy. To Be Hero X keeps viewers hooked through emotionally driven arcs, stunning animation, and a groundbreaking interactive feature that allows viewers to influence the second season by voting for their favorite characters, making the series among the most influential modern anime to date.
Blue Exorcist
Blue Exorcist follows Rin Okumura, a challenged teenager who suddenly discovers he is the son of Satan and a wielder of the frightening blue flames. After a tragedy strikes close to home, Rin resolves to join True Cross Academy to become an exorcist and fight against demons and destroy his father once and for all.
With a memorable cast and world-building, the series stands out for its supernatural battles and heavy emotional depth that grows more intriguing with each season. Fans of Jujutsu Kaisen will respect the series for its immediate, high-stakes threats and ability to mix heart and humor with intense action.
Fate/Stay Night
Fate/Stay Night centers around a deadly Holy Grail War, a secret tournament where mages summon heroic spirits from history to battle for a wish-granting artifact. An ordinary high school student, Shirou Emiya, becomes an unlikely participant in the fifth war after he accidentally summons the Servant Saber.
The series is the first installment in a long and intriguing franchise, covering three distinct story routes from the original visual novel: the Fate route, the Heaven’s Feel route, and the Unlimited Blade Works route. Fate/Stay Night also received an additional adaptation through Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works, which adapts only one of these three routes.
The franchise is known for its intricate plots, well-developed characters, and its complex magic system. Every Servant has their own unique combat style and personality, keeping the characters and viewers on their toes. Along with powerful themes of sacrifice, heroism, and idealism, Fate/Stay Night remains an anime classic that can’t be missed.
My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is set in a world where nearly everyone is born with a Quirk, a unique superpower, and where heroes have become a legitimate profession. The story follows Izuku Midoriya, a Quirkless boy who dreams of becoming a hero. After a fateful encounter with the world’s greatest hero, All Might, he inherits his power of One For All.
As he attends U.A., a high school dedicated to training future pro heroes, he discovers that hero society has many flaws and fights to stop villainous threats from destroying an increasingly fragile society. With themes of perseverance, morality, and the true meaning of heroism, My Hero Academia has rightfully become one of the most popular modern anime.
The series is filled with intense battles, unforgettable and well-crafted characters, and a storyline that digs into what heroism is in a society that has grown dependent on these pros. Similar to Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia is considered part of the New Gen Big Three by many fans around the world.
Hell’s Paradise
Hell’s Paradise centers on Gabimaru the Hollow, a skilled ninja condemned to death but offered a chance at a pardon. Along with several other convicts and their executioners, they were taken to an island known as Shinsenkyo in order to find and retrieve the Elixir of Life, which is said to grant immortal life.
Traveling through a monster-filled island with dangers unlike anything encountered before, Gabimaru and his companions must come together to survive. Packed with intense action and deep psychological themes, this Netflix anime series keeps viewers hooked from start to finish. Fans of Jujutsu Kaisen who enjoy darker storylines and moral complexity would find Hell’s Paradise to be a thrilling, must-watch experience.
Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man centers on Denji, a young man burdened by debt who merges with his pet devil Pochita after a fatal attack from a Zombie Devil, turning him into the titular Chainsaw Man. Denji then joins the Public Safety Devil Hunters after being recruited by Makima and is tasked with hunting devils on behalf of the government.
As he fights to survive in a brutal world, Denji forges new bonds with friends and allies while exploring his own desires and fears. Chainsaw Man is filled with rich characters that add complexity to the story, featuring intense combat, dark humor, and moments of genuine vulnerability that make the series stand out.
Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer follows Tanjiro Kamado, a young boy living in peace with his family until a demon slaughters all but one of his sisters, leaving her transformed as a demon. Determined to avenge his family and find a cure for his sister, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps to hunt down Muzan Kibutsuji, the progenitor of all demons.
The series is best known for its stellar animation from Ufotable and emotional arcs that humanize even the villains in the series. Many fans consider Demon Slayer to be part of the New Gen Big Three and has broken numerous records in Japan and around the world, particularly surrounding its first Infinity Castle film installment.
Yu Yu Hakusho
Yu Yu Hakusho centers on Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent who unexpectedly died while saving a child from an oncoming car. He’s given a second chance at life as a Spirit Detective and tasked with investigating supernatural happenings and battling against demons. While taking on these missions, Yusuke trains, grows, and learns to navigate both the human and spirit realms.
As Yusuke begins to face increasingly powerful enemies, he bonds with new allies like Kuwabara, Kurama, and Hiei, each with their own unique history and skills. Their teamwork, rivalries, and personal struggles all add to the story, keeping viewers engaged. With a mix of humor, suspense, and action, Yu Yu Hakusho remains a classic anime that’s a must-watch.
Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z continues the story of Goku and his friends as they defend Earth from increasingly powerful and dangerous threats, including intergalactic tyrants to bioengineered androids and universe-threatening powers. The story is renowned for its epic battles and transformations, personal growth, and the legendary rivalry between Goku and Vegeta.
Dragon Ball Z is a staple in the anime world and has inspired countless creators and fans alike with its thrilling adventures. Fans from around the world have been captivated by the intense combat and cast of lovable characters. As a series that constantly pushes past limits, Dragon Ball always has something exciting to offer viewers.
Naruto
Naruto follows the titular character Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja who was ostracized by his village for housing the Nine-Tails Fox spirit within his body. To gain the recognition and respect of his people, Naruto aspires to become the Hokage, the village’s leader.
Training relentlessly to reach his goal, he becomes part of Team 7 and begins to form strong, meaningful connections with those around him. As he and his teammates, mentors, and rivals face dangerous trials and threats, Naruto’s journey begins to take shape as he grows alongside his comrades.
With themes of loyalty, perseverance, and ambition, Naruto stands as one of the greatest anime ever created and has earned its place in the Big Three, alongside One Piece and Bleach. The series is best known for its thrilling combat, character development, and unforgettable antagonists and supporting cast that bring the series to life.
