Biomega takes place in the future where mankind has attempted to colonize Mars. It soon fails, however, and the expedition unleashes a virus that’s carried back to Earth. Now, the majority of humans have been turned into drones, zombie-like beings that attack the living. Zouichi Kanoe, an employee at Toha Heavy Industries (a reference to BLAME!), and his AI partner must search for a possible solution to the N5S infection: Ion Green, the only person to have adapted to the virus.

At the top of the list, Biomega is another work made by Tsutomu Nihei. A lot of similarities are apparent--similar art style, an emphasis on vast architecture, and a focus on action scenes. Even character similarities are there with both BLAME! And Biomega having gun-wielding protagonists who speak better by pulling a trigger. While this work focuses more on horror, a lot of the sci-fi elements remain, making it an easy recommendation for BLAME! fans.

Hayashida is the former assistant of Nihei, and her most known work is Dorohedoro. In this story, the protagonist is Kaiman, a man with a lizard head. Seeking revenge for the magic user who transformed him, he hunts after a fuzzy memory in a desperate attempt to find a cure. Together with his friend, Nikaidou, they hunt after dangerous magic users.

Dorohedoro is an interesting contrast from Tsutomu Nihei’s works. Choosing to focus more on a pencil sketch style rather than Nihei’s strong ink tones, the illustrations blossom through Hayashida’s unique take on fantasy. The immersive setting of the “Hole,” a lawless city where citizens are victims of magic users, helps illustrate a common thread between BLAME! And Dorohedoro: autonomous characters with their own specific goals. Lively and hilarious, both antagonists and protagonists weave an interesting fabric of grisly action and comedy. If you enjoyed BLAME! for its action, impressive background design, or character variety, Dorohedoro is worth a read.

Gantz is about a mysterious black sphere that gathers people after death. Using foreign, futuristic technology, these people are now forced to fight against aliens and monsters in a deathmatch with no foreseeable end. Instead of an afterlife awaiting the characters or a god, difficult trials face the characters, making characters question their own worth or existence.

Gantz is another big title amongst sci-fi manga. Gantz, similarly to BLAME!, takes some of its appeal from its mystery. The story starts off without any explanation about why Gantz, the black ball, summons the dead. Focusing less on plot and more on characters, the amount of missions characters go through leave many dying--this time permanently. Gorey action sequences permeate the series with a rich variety of new protagonists and villains. Those who found BLAME!’s action, character variety, or sci-fi technology interesting might want to invest in another sci-fi hit.

Gon’s story is simple and episodic. Each chapter, Gon, a tiny dinosaur, encounters different animals in the wilderness, and he either befriends them or competes against them. Survival of the fittest is law of the jungle, but even so, the mightiest animals are flustered by the whimsical, arrogant tiny Gon. Gon becomes notorious through his ridiculous interactions with the animal kingdom in this strikingly simple but well-executed story.

Taking manga to its visual extreme, Masashi Tanaka has constructed a story built purely through images. Throughout the entire series, not a single word is spoken. Instead, carrying Tanaka’s belief, the images are their own form of communication. Each panel is rich with environmental detail. Animals also have rich expressions, surprising readers on how far the manga can communicate purely through visuals. While this choice is a peculiar one if you were fascinated by how BLAME! conveyed its story through its environment and limited text, Gon is a stunning example when manga focuses heavily on its visual elements.

Beneath the floating city of Tiphares rests the scraps of civilization. Aptly named, the Scrapyard, both humans and cyborgs live in this city. One day, a bounty hunter and former doctor finds the remainders of a cyborg. Taking an interest in it, he rebuilds it and raises it back from the dead. Henceforth, the mysterious Alita is reborn.

Battle Angel Alita is the second sci-fi classic to make the list. It’s a story about finding identity despite limitations. The Scrapyard where metal parts (and people) are left behind is contrasted with the floating city, Tiphares, an overwatching sitting where the social and economic differences are as far as the distance.

One of the major hallmarks of the story is the distinct segments in the story. These sections help give better insight into character backstories or develop Alita’s identity in new ways, pushing the story in a new direction while maintaining its tone. Similarities to BLAME! are the illustrious and immersive settings, the talented execution of the action, and the array of interesting characters. If you’re interested in sci-fi, there’s a lot of reason to check out this classic!

Taking place after a war, people have begun to modify their bodies. These people are called Extends, living human weapons. Inui Juuzou is one such Extend, but unlike the others, he cannot recall his life before his body transformed. Juuzou works as a detective, taking on cases that slowly move him further to understanding his identity.

No Guns Life is an interesting mix of sci-fi and noir. Its art style is gorgeous, and borrowing from noir ideas, the mystery of Juuzou’s past creates an interesting paradox. It helps keep him unknown and drives the plot forward, but it roots him in familiar conventions, harking back to film noir.

BLAME! And No Guns Life both have intriguing settings, especially if you’re curious about a cyber-noir setting. The action is also a highlight within the manga--a pretty obvious focus, especially when the main character’s head is a literal gun. Lastly, the plot is something that takes the second stage to the previous two, allowing for the unique characters and setting to drive reader interest. No Guns Life is a good example of how settings can both influence story and bring out appealing characters.