When Noragami entered the anime scene in 2014, it became an immediate favourite with its stunning animation and compelling storytelling. Noragami was released by Studio Bones, following the story of Yato, a displaced war god set in the modern world of the 21st century, and Hyori who is a human who develops the ability to see entities after an incident that separates her soul from her body. From supernatural to action to a hint of romance, the anime Noragami effectively combines a mix of genres successfully. If you are looking for more anime like Noragami with good action, great characters and an engaging storyline, you can check out our recommendations below:
List of 10 Anime Like Noragami
10. Rin-ne (2015)
High school student Sakura Mamiya, who cannot recall the specifics of her encounter with ghosts as a youngster, was able to see them after being taken away for a week. She befriends Rinne Rkudo and the two are put in perilous situations as part of their work as shinigami, guiding the spirits whose troubles bind them to Earth to the wheel of reincarnation, a massive wheel of red rays that revolves in the sky.
Almost exactly the same thing happens here as it does to Hiyori when she meets Yato. Rinne, like Yato, spends his days in abject poverty while resolving other people’s issues in exchange for spare coins. The storylines of this anime and Noragami are surprisingly similar given the difference in tone. If you are looking for more light-hearted versions of anime like Noragami, then Rin-ne might be a good next option for you.
9. Blood Lad (2009)
Yuuki Kodama is the author and illustrator of the supernatural manga Blood Lad. In this anime, a carnivorous plant kills Fuyumi Yanagi, a high school student when she wanders into the Demon World and the whole story begins from there. After that, it is up to Staz Charlie Blood, a formidable vampire ruler who also happens to be an otaku, to assume responsibility to revive Fuyumi. Despite the fact that many parts are comedy, the series also has supernatural elements and action.
Note that the first episode of Noragami served as the basis for this particular recommendation. The conflict in both anime is similar in that the girl is helped by the protagonist so she can return to her world. Yato shares certain characteristics with Staz, including pale skin, black hair, and a laid-back demeanour. So, if it is a character like Yato you’re looking for and anime similar to Noragami, then you can give Blood Lad a watch.
8. Beyond the Boundary (2013)
Written by Nagomu Torii and illustrated by Tomoyo Kamoi, Beyond the Boundary is a dark fantasy and light romance novel. Akihito Kanbara, a half-human, half-Dreamshade, discovers his classmate is a Spirit World Warrior when he stabs her while attempting to prevent her from killing herself. So that she can feel more confident in herself and avoid having to Akihito for practice, she then enlists his assistance.
These two anime are both well-known examples of a certain subgenre of supernatural tales that has recently become a mainstay of anime, combining a very distinctive supernatural aspect found only in anime and manga with the everyday, relaxing atmosphere of the slice-of-life genre. If you watch more laid-back anime like Noragami, then Beyond the Boundary is the show for you. Take a peek at this fan-made trailer.
7. Blue Exorcist (2011)
Kazue Kato is the author and illustrator of the dark fantasy shounen anime titled Blue Exorcist. The Okumura twins’ lives are irrevocably altered when they learn they are the offspring of Satan. While gaining demonic characteristics like fans and a tail, Rin also obtains the ability to conjure forth destructive blue flames. Despite being the son of Satan, Rin enrols in True Cross Academy to learn from his younger twin brother, an experienced Exorcist, and to battle Satan and gain control over his abilities.
Noragami and Ao no Exorcist both have supernatural settings and share a common ancestry with otherworldly beginnings in modern life. One fateful day after learning more about what is in store for them, the lives of the major protagonists in both stories are irrevocably changed. Both anime contain mystery components that relate to the main characters’ pasts and link to current events. If you’re looking for magic and action in anime similar to Noragami, then give Blue Exorcist a chance.
6.Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun (2020)
We know what the title sounds like, and no, this anime is not about anyone bound to a toilet. Somehow, every school has a local legend, whether it is old ghosts wandering the halls of your school or an old piano that students have heard being played despite it being non-existent. The story of the anime was that the school was built on an abandoned mental asylum and the old toilets supposedly had the spirit of a little girl who had died trapped there. Kamome Academy is no stranger to this, where Hanako-san is the subject of a well-known folktale.
Numerous brave students attempt to contact Hanako-san but to no effect. Hanako is one day summoned by Nene Yashiro, and as events unfold, she finds herself trapped in a world of the supernatural and serving as Hanako-san’s assistant. Noragami and Hanako-Kun, must both handle a supernatural incident involving young adolescents. Both of them are deeply rooted in the mystery of the characters and the story itself, both of which have dark and humorous overtones. If you are looking for more fun and light-hearted anime like Noragami, this one should be an option you can consider,
Also Read: Animated Shows Like Adventure Time
5. The Devil is a Part-timer (2013)
You might also appreciate seeing the literal Devil toil hard at the anime version of McDonald’s if you liked watching the god of calamity scrub toilets for change in Noragami. Satan, the lord of the underworld-turned-lord of the mighty weapon of hunger, aka french fries struggles to make the most number of sales all while trying to stay alive in this cruel age of minimum wage.
Both series put villains who were formerly fearsome into absurd settings to make them seem approachable and human. Both series have humour as well as elements of romance and the complexity of magical politics and provide a great balance between comedy and action, led by main characters based on supernatural entities. Gods like Maou and Yato once lived by using violence against others in order to further their own ends, in a violent and terrifying past. But as we jump ahead to the present, Maou and Yato both show completely different personalities from what they did in the past. Apart from these, the art styles are also similar, and yet fresh. If you want to watch more anime like Noragami, this one should be a great choice.
4. Bungou Stray Dogs (2016)
Bungou Stray Dogs is the show that is most likely to give you your Noragami serotonin. Sango Harukawa and Kafka Asagiri collaborated on this mystery manga. Members of the Armed Detective Agency, which is made up of people with supernatural abilities based on literary characters, are the focus of the plot. They solve mysteries, go about their daily lives, and battle the Port Mafia. Atsushi Nakajima and Osamu Dazai are the main protagonists.
Similar to Noragami, Bungou Stray Dogs centres around an MC who is homeless and a stray and who is not only powerful but is haunted by their blood-stained past in different ways. Not to mention they are both hilarious despite their obvious positions of power. So, if you are craving something that is action-packed and yet has light moments of hilarity in anime similar to Noragami, Bungou Stray Dogs is definitely the watch for you.
3. Kamisama Hajimemashita (2012)
Kamisama Hajimemashita (also known as Kamisama Kiss) is based on the manga of the same name written by Julietta Suzuki. She is known for several other lighthearted shoujo mangas that involve supernatural elements such as Karakuri Odette. This anime debuted in 2012 along with many other shoujo titles. Both Noragami and Kamisama Hajimemashita have similar plots that involve a girl who accidentally falls into the world of spirits and gods, particularly a spirit/god that has a dark/ menacing past. They both revolve around the god character being on Earth.
I loved Nanami’s assertive character and somehow Tomoe sounds like a genuine character, all while being arrogant and insufferable. The main similarity, however, is that they both involve Shrine gods, while Noragami is more into action and comedy while Kamisama has more of a romance theme. Either way, they’re both great representations of Japanese folk culture.
2. Bleach (2004)
Tite Kubo created the ultra-popular supernatural manga series Bleach. Along with Naruto and One Piece, the series was one of the “Big Three” shounen anime in the early 2000s. Ichigo Kurosaki, age 15, takes on the duty of protecting people from evil spirits and leading them to the afterlife after Rukia Kuchiki gives him the abilities of a Soul Reaper and makes him a replacement.
The main protagonist, who is a human, can see ghosts and other creatures. The other primary character shares powers with the other and is unable to fight on their own. The Souls-Bleach concept is also included. Between humans, souls, and the afterlife, there are people. This group includes the primary protagonists. Both strong-weak and weak-strong partnerships exist. Bleach is one of the best shows you can watch if you are looking for more anime like Noragami.
1.Jujutsu Kaisen (2020)
Fragments of the famed and dreaded demon Ryoumen Sukuna were lost and dispersed in a realm where demons prey on unwary mortals. Any demon who takes a portion of Sukuna’s body risks gaining enough power to end the world as we know it. A high school student named Yuuji Itadori ends up being the one who discovers and swallows a finger of Sukuna’s.
Despite the fact that both anime feature several highly entertaining action scenes, the humour in both of them comes out on top. You don’t even have to be an anime fan to know that Jujutsu Kaisen is an awesome show with everything you could ask for: Spirits, curses, spiritual power, cool characters, great animation… you name it, they got it! You can rest assured that your search for anime like Noragami can end here at Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School.
Honourable Mentions:
These are a few anime like Noragami that didn’t make the list, but are definitely worth your time:
1. InuYasha
2. Soul Eater
3. Mob Psycho 100
4. Bakemonogatari
5. Rurouni Kenshin
