10 Crunchyroll action thriller anime that are better than 'Attack on Titan'

Attack on Titan is one of the greatest anime to emerge in the last 25 years, and there are very few titles that manage to top it completely. What begins as a fairly recognizable tale of survival in an oppressive dystopian world spins out into something larger and more unexpected over time. Indeed, Attack on Titan's ability to surprise viewers is one of the series' biggest strengths. Its twists and turns are unmatched, though they're only part of the reason it became such a phenomenon following its 2013 debut.

Attack on Titan also benefits from an incredible balance of emotional stakes, political intrigue, and intense action — all of which come together to make the adaptation of Hajime Isayama's manga an absolute spectacle on-screen. There are only a few series that can be called better than it fully, and even those will spark debates. There are action anime that manage to surpass Attack on Titan in individual areas, however, and that makes them ideal Crunchyroll binges for fans.

'Demon Slayer'

Ufotable's Series Has Better Animation Than 'Attack on Titan'

Demon Slayer doesn't hold a candle to Attack on Titan when it comes to the depth of its character work and themes. However, visually, it blows the earlier anime out of the water. That's no surprise, as Demon Slayer's animation style offers a unique blend of 2D and 3D visuals, which takes its action sequences to new heights. It's something many studios and series are trying to replicate, but Ufotable's work is difficult to beat. Attack on Titan's action sequences are great, but Demon Slayer's have a flair they're simply lacking. It helps that Demon Slayer's Breathing Styles lend themselves to vibrant face-offs between the characters.

Watch This If: Anyone who enjoys visually stunning action pieces will eat up Demon Slayer, especially once they arrive at the anime's feature films. It's also a great choice for viewers who love dark, tragic storytelling with a few bright spots and bits of humor sprinkled in. It has more hope and levity than Attack on Titan, but it doesn't shy away from loss and violence. It strikes a good balance overall.

Skip This If: If you're looking for the character depth present in Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer probably won't satisfy. Its lineup is charming, but both the heroes and villains can feel formulaic at times. Those who enjoy political intrigue with their high-stakes stories will also not find it here. Demon Slayer is a more straightforward tale of good vs. evil.

'Jujutsu Kaisen'

The Anime's Fight Choreography Trumps 'Attack on Titan's

Jujutsu Kaisen is rapidly becoming one of the most popular modern anime still airing, and there are a number of factors that contribute to its success. Its charming character work and humor, combined with its dark and twisty plot, make it a compelling watch. It's not quite on the level of Attack on Titan when it comes to storytelling and twists — but it does have the former series beat when it comes to fight choreography. Attack on Titan depends on larger-scale showdowns, like Titan vs. Titan fights and battles using the characters' ODM gear. Jujutsu Kaisen excels when it comes to hand-to-hand combat, and it utilizes techniques inspired by real martial arts to bring those sequences to life. It's impressive, and made more so by the top-tier animation and supernatural elements.

Watch This If: Anime fans who enjoy intricate power systems will appreciate Jujutsu Kaisen, and so will those looking for gorgeously wrought action. Anyone who needs a comedy and lighthearted character moments to balance a series' darker ones will also find a great balance of both.

Skip This If: For those who find bloody fights and major losses to be too much, Jujutsu Kaisen is probably a series to skip. Of course, those things will likely be draws for Attack on Titan fans, as the other anime also features plenty of both.

'Chainsaw Man'

The Character Dynamics in 'Chainsaw Man' Are More Interesting

Just one season and a movie into Chainsaw Man, it's already obvious the anime has the same potential as Attack on Titan. But for now, it mostly outshines it when it comes to character dynamics. Don't get me wrong: the bonds featured throughout Attack on Titan are great. They're overshadowed by the larger plot and non-stop action, though, while Chainsaw Man manages to dig into its connections even while moving along with those things. Perhaps it's because the series accomplishes so much with so little. Even the most subtle interactions lend themselves to its character work, whether it's to highlight how much Denji, Power, and Aki really do care for each other — or to hint at how toxic Denji's relationship with a certain someone is.

Watch This If: Chainsaw Man will appeal to fans of action-packed, bloody supernatural anime, but it also offers plenty of depth. Movie buffs will appreciate it, too, as it's packed with allusions to film.

Skip This If: Viewers who veer away from bloody action and crude humor may not enjoy Chainsaw Man as much.

'Vinland Saga'

The Viking Anime Goes Deeper With Its Revenge Story

Like Attack on Titan, Vinland Saga kicks off with a strong focus on revenge. The Viking anime's main character, Thorfinn, is dead-set on avenging his father — a goal he allows to overshadow everything else. His rage and desire to enact justice gives him a lot in common with Attack on Titan's Eren. But while Attack on Titan allows Eren to fully lean into his darkest impulses, Vinland Saga takes Thorfinn's arc in the opposite direction. It gives his quest for revenge more nuance and unpacks what comes after. It's a unique and powerful story in that regard.

Watch This If: If, like me, you're a sucker for a well-crafted revenge story, Vinland Saga will be an enjoyable viewing experience. Just be warned that it does get quieter and more introspective in Season 2 (but it's not entirely without excitement). There's also some great political intrigue here, but it's not on the same scale as the power struggles of Attack on Titan.

Skip This If: Despite having the action and thrills of many fantasy anime, Vinland Saga isn't one. Viewers looking for extraordinary world-building and power systems should look elsewhere. That said, it still has gripping 1:1 fights and battles.

'One Piece'

The Long-Running Anime Wins in Terms of Sheer Scale

Attack on Titan is more tightly paced and plotted than One Piece, which makes it a more obvious go-to for anyone looking to binge a new series. Still, One Piece has it beat when it comes to sheer scale — both referring to its own fictional world and its influence over ours. One Piece takes place in a much bigger, more intricately crafted setting. To be fair, the series does have far more episodes to establish that backdrop than Attack on Titan. It's a masterclass in world-building, and that's not to mention the reach of One Piece's influence in real-life anime spaces. There's a reason it's among shōnen's "Big Three," and it remains more influential than Attack on Titan. It's a series anime fans should experience at least once, just because everyone knows it.

Watch This If: Fans of expansive world-building, large casts of characters, and lengthy binges will find that One Piece is a great choice. It'll keep viewers occupied for quite some time, especially if they're starting at the beginning. It'll also give them a fantasy setting they can fully immerse themselves in (and will actually want to).

Skip This If: Viewers looking for breakneck pacing and tight storytelling will discover that One Piece isn't an easy series to fly through. It's a story that requires patience, but it's worth the investment.

'Parasyte: The Maxim'

The Series Has Similar Themes but Tackles the Personal Fallout Better

Parasyte: The Maxim doesn't have the viral fame Attack on Titan does, but the 2014 anime begins with a surprisingly comparable premise. As such, it grapples with similar conversations, just on a smaller scale. The 24-episode series sees humans facing monstrous creatures who threaten the very future of humanity, just like the Titans do in Attack on Titan. Parasyte: The Maxim is more compact, however, and it tackles the personal fallout of such a struggle better. While Attack on Titan expands its story over time, Parasyte: The Maxim sticks to a smaller setting and unpacks the psychological experience of its protagonist as he merges with a monster. It makes for a compelling character study within a survival story.

Watch This If:Attack on Titan fans who love analyzing its themes, but might have liked to dig into the characters' psyches more often, will no doubt enjoy Parasyte: The Maxim. It's also a solid pick for fans of body horror.

Skip This If: Those grossed out by body horror will probably want to skip Parasyte: The Maxim. Additionally, anyone looking for the epic stakes and heavy action of Attack on Titan should probably steer clear.

'Mob Psycho 100'

The Character Writing in Studio Bones' Supernatural Series Shines

Attack on Titan benefits from a large cast of characters, and the vast majority of them are both interesting and complex. It achieves that level of depth with its heroes and villains, but it doesn't shine as much as Mob Psycho 100 when it comes to character work. Given that the supernatural series contains slower, more intimate moments throughout its run, it manages to go deeper when it comes to both its main and supporting cast. This makes us care more when they're in danger, even when it's not the Earth-shattering kind Attack on Titan's leads so often find themselves facing.

Watch This If: Mob Psycho 100 is a hopeful coming-of-age story, so it'll appeal to anyone who enjoys those themes, even if they're not necessarily at the age to relate to them. Those tired of common shōnen tropes will also find it's willing to flip many of them on their heads.

Skip This If: Audiences who want non-stop action and darker storytelling probably won't appreciate Mob Psycho 100's humor, slice-of-life elements, and hopeful tone.

'Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion'

The Sci-fi Anime Nails Its Ending Better Than Almost Any Other Series

Attack on Titan's ending is famously divisive, at least in the manga. The anime smooths over some of the biggest wrinkles, but it still has its critics. By contrast, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is widely regarded as having one of the strongest conclusions of any anime. Code Geass's ending forces viewers to look at the entirety of the anime in a new light after the fact. It also highlights its main character's impressive moral complexity, and despite being tragic, feels like a fitting send-off for him and the story as a whole. It has fewer flaws than Attack on Titan's finale, even if the journey there isn't always a step above it.

Watch This If: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellionrefuses to paint its story and characters in black and white, operating mostly in the gray spaces. If that sounds up your alley, you'll enjoy it. It's also perfect for fans who enjoy tense back-and-forths with lots of political maneuvering.

Skip This If: Those hoping for a more traditional tale of good triumphing over evil won't find that in Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion. While it does have mecha action, it also prioritizes its politics and thematic discussions over that.

'Monster'

Monster and Attack on Titan are both thrilling anime, but they fall into entirely different categories — psychological crime thriller and dark fantasy, respectively — making them difficult to compare. Even still, Monster is one of the few series that can actually be considered better than Attack on Titan in terms of its story. Its animation and production quality may show its age, but it tells a seamless tale of redemption that's gritty, realistic, and dives deep into its characters and thematic questions. That depth pushes it a peg above Attack on Titan, even with its steadier pacing and any other flaws. Which series viewers prefer will still ultimately come down to preference.

Watch This If: Viewers who expect good stories to simmer will enjoy Monster, as it takes time getting to the payoff — but the journey is worthwhile when it does. It's also perfect for those who like to be left thinking after finishing a series.

Skip This If: If you're not a fan of more grounded, realistic storytelling, Monster is probably not the right pick.

'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'

'FMAB' Is One of the Few Anime That Can Surpass 'Attack on Titan'

There aren't many anime that outshine Attack on Titan fully, but Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood pulls it off. The series masterfully weaves a tale with high personal and political stakes, and it offers a stunningly detailed power system. It also concludes on a more hopeful note. It accomplishes all of this in fewer episodes, too, taking viewers on a ride that's more impressively paced and pieced together than Attack on Titan. I'm a huge fan of both series, but watching Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood leaves me feeling more satisfied every time. There are also fewer lulls in the middle, which is saying something, since Attack on Titan only dips once or twice during its run.

Watch This If: Anime fans hoping for standout world-building will love Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. So will anyone who appreciates a well-crafted power system. Fans of charming characters and bonds will also fall right into it.

Skip This If: Attack on Titan fans looking for something similarly dark and bleak shouldn't reach for Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. While it certainly has its moments — I'm still reeling over Nina Tucker — it generally has a more uplifting tone.

What do you think, and what's an anime you believe rivals Attack on Titan? Let us know in the comments!