Goku Son is a boy who lives all alone in the forest, until a girl named Bulma finds him during her search for the infamous “Dragon Balls.” And to Bulma’s surprise, Goku happens to have one of these Dragon Balls in his possession! However, Goku refuses to part with the magical artifact, so the two make a deal – Goku will travel along with Bulma on her journey to find the rest. As they continue to adventure, they will make new friends and add new companions to their group. Yet their search for the powerful Dragon Balls will attract all sorts of dangerous foes, ones who would use the mystical powers of the Dragon Balls for great evil…

You can’t find a better start to our list than one of the most well-known anime series of all time! Dragon Ball shares a lot in common with Saiyuki Reload Blast, not the least of which is two characters with the same name and fighting style. Viewers will get to enjoy a long-running series of adventures, where the characters experience epic fights between periods of relaxing and training. If you love the contrast of battle sequences with sections of humor in Saiyuki Reload Blast, you will find plenty of that with Dragon Ball, although the fights of Dragon Ball are definitely more drawn out. And the extended concept of a journey toward a far-off end goal is certainly something the two series share as well!

Kagome Higurashi is a 15-year-old girl who gets dragged into a cursed well at her family’s Shinto shrine, bringing her 500 years into the past. Kagome ends up with the Shikon Jewel, a wish-granting object that is reborn inside of her. After a demon shatters the jewel, Kagome asks Inuyasha, a hybrid dog-demon human, to help her gather the shards and keep them safe. As Kagome and Inuyasha journey, they meet a few other unlikely companions that will help them along the way. Can Kagome and her friends gather all the pieces of the Shikon Jewel before any evil powers find them?

You can easily trace the similarities between InuYasha and Saiyuki Reload Blast. The feel of both shows align; with a more ancient setting, a prolonged adventure, and plenty of battles with demonic forces. InuYasha even has that old-school art style that Saiyuki Reload Blast has continued to hold on to! Characters in both shows also share the demon-human hybrid complexity in a few of their party members. And if you loved Saiyuki Reload’s extended story, you’ll have plenty of episodes to enjoy with InuYasha!

Guts is on a never-ending journey to defer his own destiny, as he is branded to die and chased by demons wherever he goes. Taking the blade known as Dragonslayer, Guts sets out to find and destroy the one man who is responsible for his plight. He certainly did not expect to find allies along the way. But Puck, a tiny elf; and Isidro, a thief who seeks an apprenticeship with Guts, prove to be invaluable companions. The group will face more danger than they could have ever expected as they move along their perilous journey.

Berserk and Saiyuki Reload Blast both include the same epic fight sequences, complete with well-animated gore. However, viewers be warned – Berserk is a lot more violent than Saiyuki Reload Blast. This is because Berserk’s themes are generally darker and bloodier, where Saiyuki Reload tends to have quick fights with an overpowered main party. Yet Berserk is another long journey in the making, with the style given to Saiyuki Reload Blast’s character design being embraced by Berserk’s series as well, even though Berserk’s newer series delves into 3D animation. In addition, the element of demonic evil is present in both series. If you’re in need of something a bit darker after Saiyuki Reload Blast, Berserk is a good alternative for you!

When Fuu Kasumi, a clumsy waitress, is in need of a samurai to defend her, she turns to the unruly Mugen for help. Mugen easily defeats Fuu’s enemies with his unusual fighting style, but he quickly challenges the ronin Jin to another fight. They end up destroying the tea shop where Fuu works and getting themselves on the block to be executed! Ironically enough, it is Fuu who rescues the two from their fate. Fuu asks Mugen and Jin to be her bodyguards on a journey in exchange for their rescue, as she searches for one specific samurai who hasn’t been seen in years. The two men reluctantly agree, although they barely manage to keep themselves from killing one another. Thus this unusual trio sets out on their most epic journey yet, across a strange version of Edo-era Japan.

Samurai Champloo is one of the most entertaining and fun adventure tales of all time. From the very first episode, you get the feel of how quirky and epic Samurai Champloo can be. The fight sequences are powerful, done in a rapid and fluid style that reflects the hip-hop soundtrack accompanies them. Samurai Champloo follows the same “epic journey” concept that Saiyuki Reload Blast includes, with a group of companions fighting off danger and humorously searching for their next meal along the way. Even the slightly off-base historical settings are comparable!

Shichika Yasuri uses the most unique sword-fighting style in all of Edo-era Japan – that of Kyotouryuu, where the user’s own body becomes a blade. As the seventh head of his school, Shichika lives his life quietly with his sister Nanami. But when the strategist Togame comes into their lives, Shichika is in for the adventure of a lifetime! Togame is searching for the twelve “Deviant Blades” for the shogunate, and invites Shichika to help her. Shichika decides to come along, although he is more interested in Togame herself rather than her quest. Thus begins the duo’s quest, which will be rife with struggle and growth as they fight those who wield the Deviant Blades, as well as other powerful enemies.

Half of what draws people to Saiyuki Reload are the epic fight scenes, though they can sometimes be short. That’s why Katanagatari is a great match for those who love Saiyuki Reload Blast. Not only is it set in an unusually-fused historical setting, but Katanagatari has plenty of exciting battles to be had! And, of course, the theme of a long journey for the main party is constant. A rather short anime, Katanagatari is an easy watch for those looking for something in between Saiyuki Reload Blast episodes.

Princess Yona lives a peaceful and sheltered life, separate from the stresses of ruling a kingdom - until the day that the king is murdered. Forced into hiding with her bodyguard and close friend Son Hak, Yona discovers the world is a much darker place than she had first thought. Her cousin betrayed their family, and their kingdom of Kouka is not the place Yona had envisioned. Yona must grow up quickly and find a way to restore her kingdom to its rightful state, all while fleeing from the new king’s forces. Can Yona move past the naivety of her childhood and bring Kouka back to the place it once was?

Wrapping up our list is a classic coming-of-age anime with plenty of exciting action and an older historical feel. Akatsuki no Yona mimics Saiyuki Reload Blast in this manner, matching it well in terms of both feel and plot design, with the journey of Yona and friends being quite similar to that of the Sanzou party. While Akatsuki no Yona doesn’t have the same amount of comedic relief that Saiyuki Reload Blast does, it still has a few funny moments to make the episodes not entirely dark and depressing. Akatsuki no Yona has fewer episodes to devour, yet the storyline and battles make it well worth your time! We recommend you pick up this anime – you won’t regret it!