Ages ago the fearsome power of Bahamut threatened the realms of the humans, demons, and gods. In a great battle, which had each race working together, Bahamut was successfully locked away. The key to Bahamut’s imprisonment was then split between the god’s realm and the demon’s realm, but now the key in the god’s realm has been stolen.

Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis is an enjoyable romp through a medieval fantasy world that has it all: gods, angels, demons, magic, and, most importantly, dragons. One of the key qualities of the show lies in its back and forth between the protagonist, Favaro, and the man that continuously attempts to capture him, Kaisar. Not only do their escapades provide numerous opportunities for great dialogue, but amazing action as well.

The main similarities between these shows are their art styles (especially its inclusion of CG), their pacing for action, and their willingness to include mythological elements. The combination of such aspects allow both shows to capture the viewer’s attention immediately and maintain their interest throughout. As each show was created by Mappa, such parallels should not come as a surprise. There is also quite a bit of government corruption that acts as a major catalyst for the destruction happening in each world.

Have you followed Clare into the depths of humanity’s darkest aspects? If not, then it is about time you familiarize yourself with this anime. Claymore is a dark fantasy series that takes place in a world where yoma, demons that feed on humans, can easily blend into society. In order to protect ordinary humans, Claymores, or half-human half-yoma warriors, constantly put their lives on the line despite being detested by society at large. What drives Clare, a Claymore who is only 1/4 yoma and considered weak among her peers, forward is the focus of this dark tale.

This entry shares Garo’s focus on hunting demons and its unflinching gaze at gore. It is one of those shows that does not mind upsetting the stomach of its viewers. However, what’s beautiful about this rather grotesque aspect is that it fits the tone and overall atmosphere of the anime. Rarely does the landscape of a city or a forest or a mountain actually seem bright. Everything always feels like it is cast in shadows, which makes sense in a world where the good guys rarely seem to win.

So maybe it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Garo and Claymore share the same head writer, Yasuko Kobayashi, who has penned quite a few dark fantasies. This could explain why revenge plays a massive role in each show. Though Clare didn’t lose a mother, she did lose a mother figure at an extremely young age and her main target is the one responsible, just like Leon. Albeit, Kobayashi was only adapting Claymore from its manga format when she was working on that project. Perhaps one could assume that the impact revenge had in Claymore influenced Kobayashi’s own writing. It could also explain why the nightmarish monsters in both shows are able to adapt and hide in plain sight of humans.

When a show has each episode titled with “kill” someone, you know you are in for a bloody good treat. Akame ga Kill! does not only meet expectations in this regard, but exceeds them as it portrays a band of assassins, Night Raid, challenge the corrupted government of the Empire. With weapons known as Imperial Arms equipped to each side, no one is safe. However, it is safe to say that few shows have the power to leave you as devastated as this one will.

You’re probably seeing a trend that the entries are mainly set in a medieval-type fantasy world where things are not the best. This setting once more allows for a corrupted government to make the good guys seem like public enemy number one. Thus, it is the responsibility and goal of our heroes to take out the reigning government. What’s particularly similar to these two anime is the sense of loss that is inherent within the story, even though they tackle it differently. While the weight of Leon’s mother’s death pervades the beginning atmosphere of Garo, Akame ga Kill cuts deep and with precision that the only way to get over a loss is to start the next episode. They also have comedic relief present in a lot of episodes to keep their audience slightly sane. However, Akame ga Kill! definitely incorporates humor much more heavily, while Garo saves such moments for the lusty and witty German.

Plus, there is one shared aspect that you can’t ignore. In each there are god-like armor sets that give characters incredible power and endurance. Though a lot of Akame ga Kill! characters don’t necessarily rely on armor, it’s the protagonist who happens to have the godliest of armors.

Humanity has been decimated to the brink of extinction by the appearance of Titans. The human race’s last stronghold is a place guarded by three massive walls that have kept people safe for years. However, when a colossus Titan breaches the outer wall, mayhem ensues. Humankind’s last hope to reclaim the city, if not just to stay alive, are the men and women who comprise the Survey Corps. They are the only ones who have the power and skill to kill the Titans.

I’m starting to realize that quite a lot of anime kill off the mother of the protagonist. Nonetheless, both of these shows decided to take it one step further and have a particularly brutal death in store for the loving mother. In Garo, Leon’s mother, Anna, is burned at the stake. In Attack on Titan, Eren’s mother, Carla, is eaten alive. Few shows are willing to be this cruel. However, the graphic death of a mother is not the only analogy between these two shows.

Both protagonists share a lot of the same qualities and tendencies. They are short-tempered, driven by revenge, and ridiculously stubborn; which is possibly the most useful trait for each of them. They also have some unique special abilities that allow them to conquer their trials and (Attack on Titan spoiler if you don’t read the manga) were given to them by their parents. Each show also has a very complex governing system that is inherently corrupt and will happily mislead the people to stay in control.

Back in 2006, Code Geass blew people away as it set Japan in a futuristic world where it had become a colony, otherwise known as Area 11, to the Britannia Empire. Under Britannia rule, the Japanese, derogatorily called Elevens, had been subjugated and demeaned to the point that rebellious factions began to grow. It is in this environment that an exiled Imperial Price of Britannia, Lelouch, gains the power of Geass and decides to strike back at his royal lineage.

I know what you’re thinking. How does a highly-stylized mecha set in a completely different time period have anything in common with Garo? Most will agree that the style of artwork and sequencing of fight scenes have little to nothing in common. It also breaks the medieval fantasy trend we just had going. However, it picks up on a trending plot point in this type of world, which then sets up thematic similarities between the two.

Once again, the mother of the protagonist in each was murdered and thus our heroes have spent their lives nursing a grudge while living at the outskirts of society. Pushing Leon and Lelouch forward at the beginning is their desire for revenge. Both also chase this vengeance to the point that their characters lose sight of their morality. Oh, and there’s one more suggestive similarity between the two. They both have names that start with “L”. Coincidence? We think not.

Kinema Citrus’s supernatural shounen, Code:Breaker, follows the assassination work of a government group known as Code Breakers. Its main force is comprised of six highly-skilled fighters with supernatural abilities. During one of his assassinations, Oogami Rei is spotted by the civilian Sakurakouji Sakura. After witnessing the event and meeting Rei in person, Sakura makes it her mission to remove Rei from the path he has been walking for so long.

Code:Breaker’s setting doesn’t have much in common with Garo, but its thematic schemes and awesome fight scenes are on point with what Garo has to offer. Both heavily rely on the main character’s personal brand of justice to drive parts of the story forward. It’s also this brand of justice that brings to question their moral compass and defines their one-track attitude towards what must be done. Leon and Rei also happen to share allies who try to resolve the inner conflicts they face.

One of the more gratifying aspects of each anime is the heavy action, which is tied to the need for revenge. Although Rei isn’t particularly guided by revenge like Leon is, the idea of getting your due in blood plays a huge role in Code:Breaker’s overriding plot. Few would argue that the consequences and inner decay of revenge act as the primary conflict within each.