What makes Squid Game so enjoyable—and kind of realistic—is that the main “hero” isn't a tough guy or even that resourceful. Lee Jung-jae is essentially a loser who has allowed bad decisions to crash his life into the ground. That’s why Kaiji:Ultimate Survivor is perfect on a list of similar anime to Squid Game as the main hero is like Lee.

Kaiji Itou ends up with a huge debt from a bad choice he made and now has to participate in a hellish illegal gambling game to repay what he owes. Kaiji will need to use what sneaky skills he’s earned in his life to undermine other players but will also need to avoid their attempts at doing the same to him! Squid Game and Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor are quite similar and if you can get past the “strange” character designs, we know you’ll love this anime.

Makoto Naegi finds himself deemed the Ultimate Lucky Student after winning a chance at joining a prestigious school Seems kind of similar to another “lucky” guy from Squid Game right? Unfortunately, Makoto quickly finds his luck to be anything but good when he’s trapped inside a deadly school with a white/black bear—Monokuma—telling him and the others that they are about to either be trapped in the school forever or kill one another till there is only one left.

Danganronpa: The Animation is an anime adaptation of a hit video game franchise and it shows just how cruel humanity can be when pushed to their absolute limits. Just like Squid Game, bonds are forged, friendships are broken and survival takes a lot of luck and just the right amount of hope.

Easily the more tame series on our list, No Game No Life takes the concept of playing various games to a whole new level. Sora and Shiro are siblings who get teleported to a strange fantasy world where playing games is how you resolve every issue imaginable. Death isn’t a concept like in Squid Game but the way that No Game No Life makes even simple chess games/card games feel like they have high stakes is impressive. If you need a break from blood, death, and horrible people for a bit but still want that Squid Game feel, then we recommend checking out No Game No Life and the prequel movie—No Game No Life: Zero—when you can!

Imagine a school where grades are the least important thing. Instead, money is what determines a person’s value/status. Enter Kakegurui, where various young men and women compete in card games and other high stakes events to earn more money and more prestige. Akin to Squid Game, Kakegurui loves to tease the audience with how money drives people wild and sometimes drives their very existence. Plus, for those who need some sexy ladies, Kakegurui’s main girl—Yumeko Jabami—will please your eyes with her massive oppai and tantalizing curves. Games are fun but we otaku need our ecchi from time to time.

Hands down the most similar to Squid Game—minus the prize amount gained if you win/survive—is Death Parade. In Death Parade, strangers awaken in a strange bar with an even stranger bartender telling them they must play a random game to “leave” the bar. The audience quickly discovers that these games aren’t normal as they are all altered to include consequences like pain when you lose a round. Death Parade isn’t all about just random games, though, as this series examines the various worlds of different individuals and how decisions have led them to either become good people or wicked ones. We honestly consider Death Parade to be an amazing series and think those who love the twists and turns of Squid Game will love this anime too.