The 15 Disturbing Anime To Watch If You Loved Akira

Akira is undeniably one of the biggest cults in the anime scene, especially in the futuristic and Sci-Fi genre but also across the entire medium.

Its dystopian themes are both fascinating and disturbing, and its plot is crafted to perfection, with stellar action scenes.

And that’s why we know that if you have watched Akira, you might be searching for similar anime to evoke those same feelings.

Look no further, as we have curated a list of the best anime like Akira, and trust us when we say that some gems await you.

15. Genocyber

Genocyber, while a somewhat different anime from Akira, shares with the latter the theme of the protagonist escaping from captivity and becoming a killing machine.

This common theme makes it a solid choice on this list, despite differences in genre and plot.

Cenocyber is a story with a cyberpunk heart, in which large private corporations threaten the newly found peace among the nations of the world.

The Genocyber is a terrifying war machine that combines the strength of two sisters with psychic powers. A robot capable of destroying our planet.

14. Venus Wars

Venus Wars has quite different premises than Akira, but we still recommend it for its strikingly similar vibes.

This is because like Akira, Venus Wars is set in a dark, dystopian future and tells a story of war and chaos, with coming of age elements.

The story is set Venus in the year 2089 of Earth’s era, or year 72 according to the planet’s new calendar, inaugurated when the first Earth colonists moved there following an event that rendered Earth uninhabitable.

But despite the catastrophic event that led to this relocation, peace remains an elusive goal on Venus, as the planet is divided into two enemy nations, Aphrodia and Ishtal.

13. Ninja Scroll (Movie)

Ninja Scroll is recommended mainly because like Akira is an iconic anime movie despite the two opposite settings as one is set in the future and one in the past.

Both are also two stories full of violence, gore, and plot twists.

The narrative revolves around the journey of the wandering ninja Jubei Kibagami, a skilled warrior who becomes entangled in a battle against the Demons of Kimon.

These demons are led by the immortal Genma, who seeks to execute a sinister plan to conquer Japan.

12. Black Magic M-66

Black Magic M-66 is an underrated anime that, like Akira, exceptionally deals with dystopian and Sci-Fi themes in a futuristic setting.

It also incorporates quite a few political twists, making it a worthy addition to your watchlist.

At the beginning of the story, a military transport helicopter crashes during a storm, carrying two M-66 combat robots.

The protagonist is Sybil, a freelancer who regularly monitors military frequencies for work. Upon learning about the incident, she hurriedly heads to the crash site, only to find that the capsules containing the robots are empty, and the robots have vanished.

But is it truly just an accident, or is there more to the situation than meets the eye?

11. Elfen Lied

Elfen Lied is an anime more focused on gore and controversial elements than Akira, but it still fits nicely on this list.

This is because like Akira it has Sci-Fi themes centered on experiments and secret laboratories, so you may find some similarities between the two.

The story starts in a lab where Diclonius, a race of beings with special abilities, are subjected to brutal experiments to make them lethal weapons.

The events begin to move with Lucy, one of the Diclonius, escaping the base, but after suffering a violent head injury, she loses her memory.

She is later found by a boy named Kota with a connection to her past, and that’s where the plot begins.

10. Steamboy

Steamboy is another movie produced by the same team as Akira, so you will find a lot of similarities in terms of animation and character design.

Be warned though: the story and setting are totally different.

The plot is set in an alternate Victorian England of 1866 and the protagonist is Ray Steam, the son of a famous inventor.

One day, Ray receives an orb from his grandfather that appears seemingly useless, but, in fact, soon makes him the target of the Ohara Foundation in a dangerous plot.

9. Devilman Crybaby

Akira and Devilman might not seem immediately similar, but they share more similarities than one might think.

While their settings are entirely different, both series feature characters who gain special powers and use them in different ways based on their morals.

Additionally, both are action-packed and incorporate psychological themes that encourage the viewer to reflect on what they just witnessed.

The protagonist, Akira, is too good of a boy, always reasoning things out, which leads to him receiving the nickname Crybaby.

Not so with Ryo, his best friend who is more fearless and arrogant, and by whom he gets carried away. One day, Akira is persuaded to go on a Sabbath, which turns out to be a full-blown satanic ritual to attract demons.

Everyone is possessed, including Akira, who nevertheless manages to control the beast through his gentle spirit. The result is Devilman, a man-devil with supernatural powers dedicated to the protection of humanity.

8. Freedom

Freedom can be seen as essentially Akira with a setting in space, so it’s unlikely that you’ll dislike it if you enjoyed Akira.

Both are Sci-Fi anime rich in mystery, packed with action, twists, and fantastic animation, making them perfect to watch one after the other.

Takeru resides in the city on the moon called Eden along with his friends Bismarck, Taira, and Kazuma. Eden is a seemingly perfect technological paradise created after a disaster rendered Earth uninhabitable.

But their perceptions changes when the group discovers a message from Earth, and they come to the startling realization that the planet is not only healthy but also inhabited.

This discovery raises numerous questions, sparking curiosity among them: why did they lie to them, and what is actually Bismark?

7. Memories

Memories is another anime movie made by the same team and producer as Akira, so you will encounter similar animation and character design here as well.

Both also share themes regarding technological advancement and its associated risks, making it a fantastic choice for you if you liked Akira.

This movie is divided into 3 distinct stories, each with its plot:

The 1st episode recounts the adventure of four astronauts who respond to an SOS and become trapped in a dream-like journey.

In the 2nd episode, an employee of a pharmaceutical industry accidentally ingests an untested product, leading to strange consequences.

And last, the 3rd episode offers a glimpse of a fictional world perpetually at war, set in a creepy dystopian landscape.

6. Metropolis

Metropolis is another highly praised Sci-Fi movie that shares big similarities with Akira.

Let’s start by saying that both movies primarily delve into complex political entanglements resulting from the rapid advancement of technology, incorporating Sci-Fi themes and elements such as robots and androids.

Additionally they showcase very similar animation styles, so watching Metropolis would be a worthwhile choice if you enjoyed Akira.

The protagonist is private investigator Shunsaku Ban, who accompanied by his nephew Kenichi, travels to the city-state of Metropolis to investigate an alleged human organ trafficking operation.

But this is just the beginning of a complex web of mysteries that will soon unfold.

5. Serial Experiments Lain

Akira and Serial Experiments Lain, in addition to both being two of the best Sci-Fi anime ever created, share other significant similarities.

Both series deal with the theme of technological advancement and the overwhelming consequences of absolute power, and while Akira is more focused on action, Serial Experiments Lain delves into philosophy and psychology.

The story starts with the tragic suicide of Chisa Yomoda, a high school girl.

This event seems to elicit a little reaction from those around her until some of her classmates start receiving messages claiming that Chisa is still alive and has found freedom in the Wired, a virtual world.

One of the recipients of these messages is Lain Iwakura, a quiet and introverted 14-year-old girl who embarks on an investigation into this event.

4. Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade

Jin-Roh is a semi-niche pick and perfect for fans of Akira and those who enjoy thought-provoking Sci-Fi anime with moral and ethical themes.

Similar to Akira, it explores themes of loyalty, identity, and government control in a fantastic dystopian setting, so don’t miss out on this one.

The plot takes place in an alternative version of Japan during the ’50s where a fascist government reigns and revolves around the protagonist Kazuki Fuse, who is a member of the Kerberos Panzer Cops.

Kazui’s inner self is put to test when he refuses to shoot a young terrorist that ends up detonating a bomb in front of him. She killed herself in the process and damaged the reputation of the Kerberos.

He visits the girl at the cemetery and meets her sister by chance. The 2 begin to develop a weird and complex relationship.

Meanwhile, a sinister conspiracy is brewing deep in the labyrinth of the police system, pitting a secret group of extremists against the politically inclined bureaucrats of the police force.

3. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a simply perfect anime to watch if you are a fan of Akira, and not just because both are considered two of the best Sci-Fi anime ever.

Both Akira and Neon Genesis Evangelion are renowned for their complex storylines that delve into the consequences of technological advancement and the nature of humanity, highlighting the dangers of unchecked power.

While Akira focuses on corrupt governmental actions, Neon Genesis Evangelion portrays organizations with hidden agendas. highlight the dangers of unchecked power.

Created by Hideaki Anno and the Gainax studio in 1995, the anime portrays a world under attack by mysterious cybernetic entities known as Angels that threaten the peace of humanity.

To fight them, the Special Agency Nerv uses special mechas called EVAs. The protagonist, Shinji Ikari, is hired by this group to pilot one of the robots, EVA 01, and attempt to end these attacks.

2. Psycho-Pass

Psycho-Pass is another anime that aligns perfectly with Akira, as it presents a dystopian future where an authoritarian government exerts control over its citizens, similar to Akira’s oppressive governmental power.

The difference instead, even if it’s only a detail, lies in the settings of the two series, as Akira is set in a post-apocalyptic world, whereas Psycho-Pass takes place in a semi-utopian society.

Psycho-Pass is set in a futuristic society where it is possible to monitor and control an individual’s mental state and personality.

With those data, it can be assessed the probability of a person committing a crime or not, the so-called Crime Coefficient, and arrest the individual before the crime is even committed.

1. Ghost in the Shell

Akira and Ghost in the Shell stand as prime examples of anime in the Sci-Fi genre, both featuring a dark, futuristic setting in a gritty metropolis.

They share common ground in exploring the theme of technology and its moral complications in the future, along with discussions on identity, a prevalent topic in Sci-Fi/cyberpunk anime from the 1980s/90s.

But when it comes to differences, Akira is more action-oriented, while Ghost in the Shell has a stronger focus on mystery and philosophy.

This movie follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a member of Public Security Section 9, in the year 2029, and an incredibly skilled agent and fighter.

She is tasked with investigating a case involving a powerful hacker, the Puppet Master, who leaves victims without memories. But as she delves deeper into the case, things get more complicated with other factions getting involved.

Along the way, Motoko is forced to confront some deep philosophical questions about her existence. As she learns more about the Puppet Master, she realizes that they hold the answers she’s been searching for.