Kemono Jihen is literally an anime about ghouls living in Tokyo, so this is a pretty obvious pick, but Tokyo Ghoul nonetheless serves as a great companion piece because it tackles similar subject matter in a very different way. Ken Kaneki was made into a ghoul against his will instead of being born that way and has no magical stone to suppress his hunger for flesh like Kabane does. His story is highly stylized and melodramatic, which is great if you were big into emo bands and Hot Topic in high school, but not so much if you’re looking for a coherent and logical narrative. Still, Tokyo Ghoul’s particular brand of over-the-top grimdark insanity has made it a memorable part of anime history, so give it a try if Kemono Jihen is sometimes a bit too mellow for your tastes.

When abused orphan Atsushi Nakajima realizes that the destructive tiger spirit plaguing his mind is actually a supernatural ability he can learn to control, a strange man named Osamu Dazai drafts him into the Armed Detective Agency – a secretive group of crime-fighters (all of whom are named after famous literary authors) that takes on cases too violent or difficult for the police to handle themselves. Bungo Stray Dogs has a similar balance of comedy to drama as Kemono Jihen, although it hits more extreme ends of the spectrum rather than striving for a consistent tone. The character designs and action scenes are also very stylish, as would be expected of Studio Bones. It’s a wild ride for sure, but one worth taking if you like what you see in the first few episodes.

Don’t be fooled by the odd title – Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun is anything but a scatological comedy. It’s actually a heartfelt tale about a ditsy occult nerd named Nene and her odd partnership with the mischievous ghost Hanako-kun, who conscripts her to help solve the unusual supernatural problems happening at school. The animation style feels like a beautifully painted pop-up book (in the best possible way) and every character has more going on under the surface than you’d expect, so it’s easy to get lost in this anime’s enchanting atmosphere. For a more shoujo-tinted take on Kemono Jihen’s subject matter, give this criminally underrated show a shot!

The members of the Inugami Strangeness Consultancy Office live together, eat pizza together, and rely on each other like a family. If you love this aspect of Kemono Jihen as much as we do, then you’ll adore The Eccentric Family! This vividly colorful slice-of-life anime follows a family of shape-shifting tanuki in an alternate version of modern Kyoto where supernatural creatures live alongside humans in a complicated relationship that isn’t always as peaceful as it seems. It’s nowhere near as cutthroat as something like Beastars, but the subtle tension that exists between protagonist Yasaburou and his human friend Benten makes their bond and the world itself seem that much more real. Check it out!

Shinto gods are in charge of slaying monsters and protecting wandering spirits in modern-day Japan, but small-time god Yato has no shrine and barely any worshippers to his name, so he can barely make ends meet. Just when he has hit rock bottom, he contracts a new spirit companion – an abrasive teen named Yukine – and meets a caring human girl named Hiyori. Together, these three unlikely friends keep their city safe and try desperately to understand one another before irreparable damage can be done. This is another Bones production, so naturally, the animation is eye-catching and flows beautifully – Kemono Jihen fans will love the monster designs and richly detailed urban environments just as much as the interpersonal drama that echoes storylines like the odd friendship between Kabane and Kon. Don’t pass up the chance to witness this classic for yourself!

Mob (so nicknamed because he doesn’t stand out much) is a young teen with extraordinary psychic powers, but refuses to rely on them because he’s afraid of hurting others. He works for a self-proclaimed psychic named Arataka Reigen at the Spirits and Such Consultation Office, where he ends up doing most of the exorcising work because his boss is actually just a conman. But when real trouble comes to Seasoning City, Mob has to come out of his shell to save the day. We wouldn’t be at all surprised if Kabane and Inugami’s relationship was inspired by Mob and Reigen – Inugami does actually have supernatural powers instead of faking them for a profit like his counterpart, but both men are similarly devoted to helping their honorary children understand their abilities and believe in themselves. Mob Psycho 100 is also one of the most visually stunning and surprisingly emotional anime of the 2010s, so it’s well worth your time if Kabane and Inugami are your favorite characters in Kemono Jihen.