The Witcher has exploded in popularity over the last two years, with the new Netflix series bringing to life the morbid world of Andrzej Sapkowski’s books. A world filled with monsters, humans with questionable morals that make them seem like monsters, and the titular monster slayers. Following the Witcher Geralt on his journey to save the world from beasts, politics, and mages, creating a bloodbath on the way has proven popular enough for a second season to land in December 2021, with Netflix committing to a seven-season plan with spin-offs galore.
Given The Witcher’s growth in popularity, we thought we would take a look at some anime recommendations to help fill the monster bloodbath-shaped hole while we wait for more of Henry Cavill’s (Geralt) double sworded choreography.
1. Drifters
- Episodes: 12
- Aired: October 2016 - December 2016
Drifters is a bloodbath of an anime seeing historical figures transported to a strange plane of existence populated with monsters, bandits, and an evil empire seeking domination of the continent at the expense of elves and demihumans reminiscent of The Witcher’s Nilfgard.
A violent anime, Drifters, will also captivate fans of The Witcher with the political scheming and machinations as they form different alliances to survive in a new world or gain newfound power. Drifters is sure to scratch the itch of human underhandedness and questionable morals left by The Witcher.
2. Castlevania
- Episodes: 4
- Aired: July 2017
Steeped in Eastern European mythology of vampires, political plots, and a family of certified hunters, there is a lot to enjoy in Castlevania for fans of The Witcher. Much like the three main characters of The Witcher, Castlevania follows vampire hunter Trevor Belmont, the witch Sypha Belnades, and Alucard, the son of Dracula.
The three embark on different journeys to face against the evils of vampire-infested medieval Europe, with their paths crossing in conflict and teamwork.
Morbidity follows all the human inhabitants of Castlevania’s depiction of medieval times, but sparkles follow our main cast as they show flashes of brilliance against mythical historical figures like Dracula Vlad Tepes. Much like The Witcher, our leading trio offers interactions that keep the audience wanting more, especially the chemistry between Trevor Belmont and Alucard emulating Geralt and Jaskier’s tomfoolery.
3. Claymore
- Episodes: 26
- Aired: April 2007 - September 2007
A young woman with enhanced powers through supernatural means, destined to hunt monsters and defend humanity. If this tagline alone doesn’t catch the eyes of Witcher fans, then nothing will. Clare, our superhuman with cat-like eyes also swings a claymore against supernatural “youma” demons, much like Geralt does throughout The Witcher.
Fans of Ciri in The Witcher series will enjoy Clare’s character as we explore her role as a Claymore, fighting beasts and struggling to navigate a world that distrusts those who save people from apparitions. Sword swinging, blood pouring, and eyes gleaming, Claymore is the closest anime has come to The Witcher series thus far.
Final Thoughts
The Witcher has grown in popularity quickly since the release of the Netflix series, and it is only a matter of time until we get more adaptations about monster slaying. Netflix has released Nightmare of the Wolf, a Witcher anime movie, and has announced an animated series to come in the future, but we hope our recommendations keep you going until then! Have you watched any anime like The Witcher? What are your recommendations? Let us know in the comments!
Author: Lewis Williamson