One year before the influential anime, Soul Eater, the main characters are enrolled at Death Weapon Meister Academy. Those born with the power to wield powerful weapons attend this academy and train to become warriors that are capable of defeating even the world’s worst and most powerful foes. Underdogs Meme Tatane and Anya Hepburn will soon grow to realize their power, understand the essence of their strength and overtake their classmates.

Soul Eater NOT! is a coming of age anime that helps people to realize their own powers in the face of death. Those looking to overpower even the most influential and powerful of adversaries will enjoy this anime because of the underlying talent displayed in those who seem to be at the bottom of the class. Each person has hidden talents, but it takes great skill to grow beyond people’s expectations and rise to the occasion. While shinigami are not apparently present in this anime, their influence is all around them. Death Weapon Meister Academy was founded by one of the most powerful Shinigami around, Death. The students train under the practices of the shinigami and learn to face their fears and build their characters around the shinigami.

Final words can be important, whether it is a simple statement or words of regret or wisdom. There are many meanings behind the last breath and chosen words. Fumika carries these words to the living and helps them move past the death of the person who spoke them. Fumika is more than he appears though and his silent demeanor is holding a much darker secret.

Shigofumi is an incredibly sad anime about the passing of people and how it affects both the living and the dead. Fumika plays a very important role in this exchange and he has a dark secret. Shinigami are not portrayed as beings to be feared in this anime but rather beings of wisdom that must fulfill their duties and help the dead and the living move on to a more peaceful future.

What would it be like to be able to see how close people were to their deaths? Michiru Kita does and she soon learns of a much darker world that even two of her classmates are a part of. By combining their abilities, they seek to eradicate the zombies and make the world a safer place.

Nothing comes without a price and cheating death is no exception. By being granted with “Shinigami Eyes,” Michiru Kita is able to help her classmates Chika Akatsuki and Shita Tachibana. The three must think of life beyond themselves and how they can help with the gifts that they have been given. Responsibility is paramount in this anime and helps to make it inspiring and impactful.

After the heroic rescue of a young boy at the expense of his own life, Yuusuke Urameshi is given the option of coming back to life upon the completion of a series of tasks. With the guidance of the Shinigami Botan, Yuusuke must make it past the tasks and return to the world of the living to work as a Spirit Detective.

For those of you looking for an anime more in the shonen genre that has a lot of fighting, this one is for you. The mix of Shinigami and supernatural influences make for an entertaining anime that will make even the most unexpected viewer have a binge-worthy experience.

Death isn’t spooky and filled with supernatural creatures in every anime. For Shinigami, Tsuzuki Asato, death is just filled with endless paperwork and an unhappy work environment. Despite his dull work/life balance, he finds amusement and happiness with his new partner, Kurosaki Hisoka. Together, the pair will confront both their past and their future together.

This entertaining anime about two less than stellar Shinigami will have you both laughing out loud and on the edge of your seat. Yami no Matsuei will take you to a world where death isn’t dark and ominous but boring and mundane. It is the perfect bridge if you are looking for an anime both suspenseful and comedic.

Living with regret from not telling Eichi Sakurai how she feels for him, Mitsuki Kouyama years for her feelings to eventually reach him. Her longtime dream of becoming a singer is cut short when she is diagnosed with throat cancer. Just when she is told she only has a year to live, two Shinigami appear to help her realize her dream.

Full Moon wo Sagashite is a tale about death in the sense that it motivates people to live their life to the fullest. The characters help the viewer to realize life’s fleetingness and while it is incredibly depressing, it motivates us to live our best life. The uniqueness of Mitsuki encourages us to keep going no matter what the cost.

Within the four walls of Shiyo Academy, a deep secret is passed around, a rumor that the dreaded Boogiepop has returned. Boogiepop targets the school because she attacks young people at the height of their beauty and all the students fear that they must soon face death. Between periods of dormancy, everyone thinks their safe but when she wakes up it is a period of hysteria for everyone in the city.

If you are looking for a grimmer view of Shinigami, Boogiepop wa Warawanai is for you. It has the dark streets out of a horror story and makes you fear what might be lurking in the darkness. This anime is one to get you in the Halloween spirit and dread going to sleep at night.

After your death comes a judgement day where the Shinigami and bartender, Decim, judges you based on a gruesome game. This monotonous job has gotten to him as he no longer receives any enjoyment or fulfillment from his work. Doubts enter his mind when he meets a certain young woman who makes him question everything he knows.

Decim is an interesting character philosophically because he must judge a person’s whole life based off of only a few minutes to decide their ultimate fate. He is never strictly called a shinigami in the anime, but he is the bringer of greatness or the absence of it. If you are looking for an anime that really makes you think, this is it.

Ichigo Kurosaki has a seemingly normal life, that is until his life is uprooted by an attack from a Hallow. In order to protect his loved ones Ichigo agrees to take on the responsibility of a Soul Reaper (or a Shinigami as we know them). As Ichigo grows in strength, he eliminates the Hollows that threaten his town.

Bleach offers us a more personal look into the life of a Shinigami. Ichigo Kurosaki allows us to see the regular human struggles as well as being involved in a world that is outside the normal realm of human experience. Bleach brings actors such as friendship, humility and revenge to the front of our minds.

When normal high school student, Light Yamagi receives a notebook with special powers from a Shinigami, he knows that it is his opportunity to change the world. With the ability to write just a name, Light is given the power of a God to inflict justice on whomever he deems fit.

The Shinigami Ryuk is one of the most well-known Shinigami in anime and for good reason. His devil may care attitude fits him perfectly and his eternal age causes him much boredom. Ryuk is the most realistic and entertaining Shinigami that we see in anime. Death Note makes the top of our list because of its influential characters and storyline. The incorporation of Shinigami makes for a dark and gruesome anime.

Omishi Mahou Gekijou: Risky☆Safety is a story about three essential characters: Risky, Safety, and Moe Katsuragi. As an apprentice shinigami, Risky is still learning the death trade. Under the guidance of an apprentice angel called Safety, the two are magically joined together. Risky is eager to climb the ranks as a distinguished shinigami, desperately wanting to take the life of Moe, as shinigami hone in on individuals with low spirits, extreme unhappiness and who are deeply depressed. However, Risky’s efforts are halted because Safety somehow seems to lift Moe out of her sadness.

Risky and Safety are an interesting take on the concept of yin and yang, albeit with a twist. Occupying the same form, these two are counterpointed, realizing that death is not in the cards for Moe anytime soon. Collectively, Risky highlights the message that people often fall into dark moments, which appear impossible to come out of. Nonetheless, Safety comes into view after dark times, always there to offer optimism, a different perspective, and an overall new sense of hope. Something we fail to see during despair.

Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai. or So, I Can’t Play H! centers on the outrageous encounters of Ryosuke Kaga as he endures interactions with the fiery, smoking-hot Lisara Restole. Agreeing to let Lisara use some of his “mojo” to stay in this world, Ryosuke later discovers that doing this service was a grave mistake and that Lisara is no ordinary Shinigami. Unlike the average shinigami who draws victims toward death, Lisara wants something else…something more naughty. Feeding off Ryosuke’s lustful thoughts and habits, her list and demands are endless, making life for him all the more difficult. As the two move deeper into their working contract, their feelings and sense of self get lost along the way. In the end, will these two be able to help each other out?

Easily the silliest choice of shinigami anime, So, I Can’t Play H! is definitely an out-of-this-world , supernatural, ecchi rom-com series that boasts tons of amusing moments. A satisfying and enjoyable story to follow, this anime takes on a cheerful and carefree approach to shinigami folktales.

“Eventually, everyone dies.” No matter how much hope they are filled with, or how overflowing with happiness they may be, the grim reapers of fate take our loved ones away. And unfortunately, I am the only one who can see these grim reapers.”

Kuro no Sumika: Chronus is a film focusing on high school student Makoto Nakazono, who has a small dark secret. Ever since Makoto was a small boy, he was gifted with the ability to see grim reapers, taking souls from folks when their time is up. One day, a grim reaper approaches him, interrogating him. In response, Makoto tells him that whether or not he is a grim reaper, there isn’t anything he can do to change things, as nobody would listen or believe him. From that moment on, an ominous being finds a victim in Makoto’s dear friend, Kazuki Horiuchi.

In this movie, the shinigami are portrayed in their most common interpretation; supernatural beings that ferry souls into the afterlife. Watching Makoto navigate through life with this ability is both a blessing and a curse, in that he is able to see when someone is about to die, but can’t do anything about it. An even more unfortunate position for Makoto is that he is unable to divulge his secret, for fear of being labeled crazy. Although the shinigami are just doing their job, we can’t help but feel a sense of fury in their presence.

From the same mind that brought us Inuyasha, Kyoukai no Rinne is a story that revolves around a young gal named Sakura Mamiya and a young human/spirit hybrid named Rinne Rokudou. When Sakura was a child, she inherited the ability to see supernatural entities, but concealed her power to avoid ridicule and criticism. As time has gone by, Sakura learned to live with and bear this skill. One day, she is reminded about her ability when Rinne Rokudou enters her class, demonstrating a similar sight for the supernatural. As a shinigami, Rinne is one that helps ferry souls and spirits into the afterlife, bringing them to their final resting place. While Sakura and Rinne become friends and collaborate their efforts, they present to us the exciting journey we must take from one plane of existence to the next.

A light-hearted, supernatural, rom-com, RIN-NE is definitely an enjoyable anime to watch. Rinne, with heritage from both the human and spirit world, really represents his roots with his appearance, school uniform and ceremonial haori, as well as his personality. Although his shinigami job description calls for him to get these lost spirits where they need to go A.S.A.P., Rinne, instead patiently guides them until they are certain they are ready. As Rinne shows a deep respect for his partner and friend Sakura, their relationship makes this anime a heartfelt series to experience.

Shinigami no Ballad centers on the experiences of a shinigami named Momo. As the Girl God of Death, Momo’s job is to carry souls, taking the lives of those who wish to live, and those who wish to die. In six short episodes, we get to observe the tale of a pure white shinigami, whose hands are dirty with death, yet still remains very childlike.

A sweet and endearing anime, Shinigami no Ballad. offers viewers another perspective of the duties and responsibilities that come with being a god of death and reaping souls. Portraying calm themes and dainty animation, it also reflects on some heavy-hitting issues not normally discussed in anime, such as how to cope with the death of a loved one. Importantly, Momo comes to those who really need the help, reminding them to live life to the fullest, since no one is able to predict death as well as a shinigami.

Boogiepop wa Warawanai: Boogiepop Phantom or Boogiepop Phantom is a psychological, supernatural, mystery centering on events that follow a string of murders occurring five years prior that greatly affected the community. Once again, these similar events have resurfaced, thus impacting citizens anew. Whenever crime and disorder start to climb, rumors of a shinigami known as Boogiepop circulate, particularly among the students of Shinyo Academy. Dark and mysterious, not much is known about him except that he comes and takes you in the dark. Good or evil? That is something Nagi Karima will have to assess for all of us.

“I always feel like somebody's watching me.” Clouded by misconduct, villainy, and evil, Boogiepop Phantom’s story is the most complex on this list, presenting many elements and variables in the plotline. It offers accounts from many perspectives, bringing together the little pieces to make a whole. As high school students begin to disappear, all signs point to the eerie Boogiepop Phantom, as well as other supernatural entities that branch from this character. A challenging thriller thus far on our list, Boogiepop Phantom is one shinigami you do not want to encounter when things go south.

Bleach is centered on the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, an average teenage boy with the ability to see ghosts. As Ichigo encounters an evil ghost known as a Hollow, he meets a Soul Reaper named Rukia Kuchiki, who unfortunately is harmed while trying to protect Ichigo and his family. In order to help rescue his family, Ichigo agrees to take on the role of Soul Reaper. With this responsibility, Ichigo, along with his friends, takes on the challenge of stopping the Hollows that have invaded his town. Furthermore, Ichigo discovers that the secrets and dangers of his town are not just confined to the threat of the Hollows.

In Bleach, shinigami are regarded as guardians for souls entering the process of transmigration. Possessing a great amount of spiritual and supernatural powers, the shinigami purify Hollows and guide Pluses, bringing these lost and tormented souls a sense of peace and closure. In order to save his family, Ichigo took on the powers of a shinigami, making his case a little different from the average shinigami, as Ichigo still remains a part of the human world instead of living in Soul Society.

Soul Eater takes place in a world where people have the ability to turn into weapons and are paired with individuals called meisters who wield them. The Death Weapon Meister Academy, or the DWMA for short, is a school dedicated to teaching these youngsters and was founded by the one and only, Death. This academy educates its students in fighting against the forces of evil called kishin who tyrannically devour the souls of humans. As meister and weapon learn to combat the kishin, they collect every soul after completing their task, absorbing them into a death scythe. As the duo of meister and weapon traverses on their quest, they combat kishin and various evils in order to achieve peace and normalcy in Death City.

In this anime, Death a.k.a. Shinigami-sama is a Death God, a major component to the story, whose duty is to preserve the natural order of things. Eight centuries ago, Death was the leader of a group called the Eight Shinigami Legion after the Demon Weapon race was created. After some success, his own son, Asura who later became the first kishin, betrayed Shinigami-sama. With immortal characteristic as well, Asura was sealed away. In this circumstance, Shinigami-sama created the DWMA, recruiting and preventing the rise of other kishin. As an authority for peace and preservation, Shinigami-sama comes swiftly for those who disturb harmony.

Full Moon wo Sagashite (Searching for the Full Moon) follows the story of a girl named Mitsuki Kouyama, who recently separated from her dear friend, Eichi Sakurai, when he moved to America. With a sense of regret for not being able to tell him how she feels, she moves forward with the promise of fulfilling their dreams: Mitsuki as a singer and Eichi as an astronomer. Although burdened with a condition that affects her singing, Mitsuki nonetheless believes she can accomplish her dream. One day, Mitsuki is startled by some life-altering news as two shinigami, Meroki Yui and Takuto Kira, bring her an unfortunate announcement. Having only a year left to live, Mitsuki and the shinigami duo work as hard as they can to make her a professional singer before time runs out.

Alright, we’re going to say it… #YOLO! Together as the “Green Onion Ramen”, lol, Meroki and Takuto are a fun-loving shinigami duo that do the opposite of bringing death into Mitsuki’s life. When we think of shinigami, we often conjure up images of beings that are dark and evil with selfish motives. However, with this light-hearted anime, Meroki and Takuto bring substance and meaning to Mitsuki’s shortened life. Making sure that Mitsuki becomes a professional singer, Meroki and Takuto push her closer to her dreams, allowing her end to appear more welcoming and accomplished.

The popular anime Death Note follows Light Yagami, a high school student, who one day stumbles upon a Death Note. This Death Note is a notebook enhanced with magical, yet evil power. It was dropped by a shinigami named Ryuk who made his way into the world of the living because he got bored. The notebook’s instructions state the power of the Death Note is invoked once an individual’s name is written down on a page, marking them for death. Additionally, the Death Note can also include fine details e.g., time, date, and how the individual will meet their demise. As an unenthused guy, Light’s intelligent and clever nature is masked. Wanting to find purpose in life, he uses the Death Note as a means to condemn the bad guys to keep them from committing any more harm. Channeling this new ambition, Light discovers his sense of worth in the world.

Death Note shines a huge spotlight onto shinigami legend, with Ryuk as one of the more popularized shinigami out there. In an attempt to escape boredom, Ryuk twists what he does onto humanity, drawing out the most sinister thoughts that a person can pray on, vengeance. As each criminal is written closer to death in this notebook, what Light believes to be justice is no more than a silly, twisted game for Ryuk.