Humans were almost killed to extinction, many centuries ago, by the massive humanoid beings known was titans, who seem to eat humans for sport. This created fear that drove humans into hiding behind massive walls, erected to keep the Titans out. A century passed since the walls were erected and the humans have lived in relative peace, but one day, their fragile peace is destroyed by a colossal titan who breaks through the outer wall, allowing other titans to enter the first circle. With the loss of someone dear to him, Eren Yeager vows to protect mankind from the hands of the titans by joining the Survey Corps, a military unit who ventures beyond the walls to kill the titans. However, with this decision, Eren soon learns there’s more to him than he ever knew before.

If you weren’t expecting it, then you’re insane because there’s no way we wouldn’t include Koutetsujou no Kabaneri on our list! Ikoma and Eren Yeager share the same ambitious ideals, hoping to help the humanity by destroying the monsters that plague their world despite their own inadequacies. In contrast to the Tsuranukizutsu are the blades that Eren must use to cut into the titans. Instead of a locomotive, Eren uses a 3D maneuver gear. There seems to be no end to how similar Koutetsujou no Kabaneri is to Shingeki no Kyojin, but the biggest similarity of all can be found once you start watching. Enjoy!

Bearing the resemblance to humans, blood thirsty ghouls have blended into society in the city of Tokyo, feasting on the flesh of unsuspecting humans. The presence of these vicious ghouls has led the humans in Tokyo to live in constant fear. It is here that we meet Kaneki Ken, a shy bookworm, who has finally asked out his crush, Kamishiro Rize, a girl who seems to love books as much as he does. Unfortunately for Kaneki, Rize is not who she seems. It is because of Rize that Kaneki finds himself a half-ghoul and half-human, struggling to fit into society.

Taking another setting in which humans live in fear of a monstrous entity, Tokyo Ghoul is an anime not to be missed. Tokyo Ghoul shows us the two sides of society: one of humans and the other of ghouls. Humans kill ghouls in order to survive, but ghouls consume humans in order to live. Is there a real difference? While both parties fight for their own survival, we witness that both sides have their downfalls, but it brings into question the morality of the situation at hand.

Much like in Koutetsujou no Kabaneri, where Ikoma faces discrimination as a Kabaneri, half human/half kabana, because people only see the side that harms humanity, many ghouls face discrimination merely for what they are. Tokyo Ghoul is an anime about monsters, but in the end, who is the real monster?

By the year 2021, humans have been driven behind walls by the infectious virus “Gastrea” that has cost mankind many lives. Gastrea monsters can only be killed by a weapon made out of a special metal called Varanium. Although many efforts have been made to protect mankind from Gastrea, female children are born infected, thus they are given the title “Cursed Children”. However, it is these Cursed Children that have the power to fight Gastrea monsters. The Cursed Children, as Initiators, team up with a Promoter, someone who is meant to lead and protect them, to defeat the Gastrea monsters the plague mankind. It is in Black Bullet that we follow Satomi Rentaro and his Initiator, Aihara Enju, as they fight together to help mankind.

Another powerful anime to catch is Black Bullet, which may not seem similar to Koutetsujou no Kabaneri at first due to its cute art style, but let’s take a deeper look into the anime. Both Black Bullet and Koutetsujou no Kabaneri are set in worlds facing imminent doom from monsters that are destroying the human race. However, the only ones who can save the humans are half human/half monsters as well as humans equipped with specialized weapons. While Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is still new, we get to witness in Black Bullet how Cursed Children are treated regardless of how they can help humanity.

Black Bullet shows us how fear can turn anyone into a monster, more so than the actual “monsters” that the Cursed Children are viewed as. In Koutetsujou no Kabaneri, we see how the humans react upon seeing a kabaneri. In Black Bullet, we see the actions of humans who are ruled by fear and ignorance.

If you could never die, what would you choose? Seventeen years ago, Ajin were discovered on the continent of Africa. It is said that Ajin possess supernatural abilities and are immortal, however they bear the resemblance to humans. Just what was the purpose of Ajin? Although Ajin have been reported internationally, many people do not believe they exist, believing them to be a rare entity that you only hear of in passing. That’s how it starts for our protagonist, Kei, but soon, Kei will find himself more involved with Ajin than he ever imagined.

Ajin is a recent anime from winter 2016 that’s turning heads as it takes a look at the darker side of humanity. Much like the humans in Koutetsujou no Kabaneri, humans in Ajin are quick to turn in anyone who is deemed an Ajin, although it is for personal gain rather than personal safety. Yet, it is in both series that we get to see the weakness in many humans as they cower from an unknown being, in favor of their own greater interest despite the good that person may have had in their lives. Watch as good people fall and how they manage against the discrimination and fear.

It is the year 2071 and the world is nearly in ruins thanks to the monsters only known by Aragami. Fenrir was founded to destroy Aragami with the help of “God Arcs”, which are weapons created from the cells of Aragami. Once, God Arcs could only be kept in one form, but new God Arcs have been created capable of changing forms from a gun to a blade. And their wielders are known as God Eaters.

Yet another anime that is not to be missed is God Eater, an anime that plays off the similar plot line of a post apocalyptic world where humans are fighting for survival against monsters, the Aragami. We have a main character, Lenka, who is driven to eradicate the monster menaces that are the Aragami. To fight against the Aragami, however, one must be armed with a God Arc, which is created specially in order to kill Aragami. If you’re looking for an anime that is similar to Koutetsujou no Kabaneri with its post apocalyptic setting and struggle for survival, yet incorporates more militant tactics, you may want to give God Eater a try.

Every human older than the age of 13 has been wiped out by a mysterious virus allowing vampires, who once hid, to enslave the human race. In exchange for their blood, the vampires promise to protect the remaining humans. It is here that we meet our protagonists: Hyakuya brothers Mikaela and Yuuichirou who have bonded together with other children to create a makeshift family. Dissatisfied with the way humans are treated as livestock by their vampire overlords, Mikaela begins to think of a means to escape. The plan ends in massive manslaughter only to have Yuuichirou survive and find a place amongst the Moon Demon Company, a militia with the goal of eradicating the vampires from Japan. In an effort to avenge his family, Yuuichirou has worked hard to join the Japanese Imperial Demon Army, but little does he know what awaits him.

Owari no Seraph is another anime that is set in a post apocalyptic world, however humans do not face imminent death. Rather, they live their lives as cattle to be feasted upon by their vampire protectors. Yuuichirou is our ambitious hero with dreams of saving the world from the grasp of the vampires, but he can only do so with the use of specialized weaponry created to kill the vampires. Yes, there is no doubt that Owari no Seraph is much like Koutetsujou no Kabaneri, but it does not feature a single protagonist who experiences both sides. Instead, we have two protagonists who are able to show us, without discrimination, how both the vampires and the humans operate. We get to see how both parties take on this war for humanity, but you can only find out by watching.