Humans and demons have always been separated by two different worlds, humans in Assiah and demons in Gehenna. The only way to travel between the worlds is by possession, which is how Satan, the ruler of Gehenna, wages his war. Blue Exorcist follows Rin Okumura, a somewhat trouble teen and son of Satan. However, while his father wants him to help conquer the human world, Rin decides to become an exorcist to fight him instead.

What looks like your average run-of-the-mill shounen anime with your typical religious-inspired story is enhanced by its animation, characters, and OST. If you were seduced by Blue Exorcist, you are not alone, and these anime recommendations can be just as persuasive.

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For Fans of Dark Shounen

D.Gray Man

After three years training with one of their prestigious Generals that saved him as a kid, Allen Walker is finally ready to join the Black Order, an organization of exorcists that fight Akuma and their leader, the Millennium Earl. With their Innocence weapons, Allen and his fellow exorcist embark on a journey to stop the Earl’s plot of ultimate destruction.

Both stories follow the tales of exorcists that fight demons with special powers for the sake of the world. While Rin has the potential for evil in him, Allen is pushed towards the path of good by unknowingly doing something evil. Both have a slight gothic vibe to them, with D.Gray Man being more so while Blue Exorcist has a little more vibrant of a world.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Talented in the art of alchemy, brothers Edward and Al Elric tried to bring their mother back from the dead, something that goes against all alchemic principles. When things go horribly wrong, Edward loses his left leg and Al loses his whole body, only saved after his brother sacrifices an arm to bind his soul to a suit of armor. Three years later, the brothers set out on a journey to find a mythical relic that may be able to return Al to his body once again. However, throughout their travels, the brothers find themselves pulled into a series of events that threatens everyone.

Both Blue Exorcist take the route of dark fantasy where good and evil are not quite so cut and dry. Both feature religious undertones with strong supernatural and fantasy elements. Both shows also tell the tales of two brothers that tell the story in such a way that it is packed with addicting action scenes.

Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign

After a mysterious virus killed every human over 13 years old, the vampires rose up with a promise to protect the survivors. The only thing they asked in return is donations of blood. For Yuuichirou and Mikaela, they have grown tired of being livestock and pose a daring escape plan. It ultimately fails with only Yuuichirou left alive. However, after joining up with a mercenary company, he swears vengeance on the vampires, no matter the cost.

While the world of Blue Exorcist teeters on the verge of destruction, it has already happened in Seraph of the End. However, both main characters take up the sword in order to take revenge for the family that was stripped away from them. Both feature dark themes, but colorful palates that are done in such beautiful animation.

For Fans of Vaguely Evil Heroes

Blood Lad

Staz Charlie Blood is a powerful vampire that rules the Eastern section of the Demon World. While rumor will tell you he is blood-thirsty and vicious, in reality, he is just a big otaku. While his underlings manage his world, he spends his days mired in anime and manga. However, when a Japanese girl accidentally wanders into his realm, Staz is thrilled, only to be heartbroken by her untimely death. Now Staz vows to resurrect her, but probably because it means he gets to go to the human world.

Do you like your heroes sassy and just a bit vaguely evil? Then Blood Lad is an excellent follow up to Blue Exorcist. While the comedy is somewhat subdued in Blue Exorcist by the battles, it is only enhanced in Blood Lad. Both shows feature great animation that makes the action and comedy you do get all the better.

Demon King Daimao

Dreaming of changing the world for good, Akuto Sai transfers to the Constant Magic Academy, but his simple school life all changes when it is prophesized that he will become the fierce and evil Demon King. Although his school mates now fear him, Akuto will not let his destiny lead him off his path.

Obviously both shows share the similarity of the main characters being incarnations of great evil, but both only want to do good deeds. Sometimes their innate evil gets in the way, but primarily they try their best. However, Blue Exorcist takes itself a little more seriously than Demon King Daimao.

Beelzebub

Ishiyama High is a school full of delinquents, but they have one rule: Don’t cross Tatsumi Oga, the strongest fighter in school. One day, Oga is sitting by a riverbank when he encounters a floating man that splits down the middle to reveal a baby inside. This baby turns out to be Kaiser de Emperana Beezebub IV, the son of the Demon Lord. It turns out raising the future lord of the underworld is more trouble than you’d think.

As you will notice, both series are your average shounen action series featuring the son of Satan. Both have clean and colorful animation and excel in their action scenes and comedy. If you were a fan of Rin’s badass moments, you will get more than a few of them in this show as well.

For Fans of Blood and Humor in Equal Measure

Ushio and Tora

Ushio Aotsuki doesn’t share his eccentric priest father’s beliefs in youkai. However, on a fateful trip to the basement, he encounters a menacing youkai impaled by a spear. This youkai, Tora, begs him to set him free, but Ushio doesn’t give in. However, after a youkai outbreak threatens the lives of those dear to him, he is given no choice. Now Ushio must get Tora to work with him, threatening to seal him with the spear to keep him in check.

Ushio and Tora is essentially if Rin’s demon side and human side were split apart and took on personalities of their own. Ushio wants to do good while Tora wants to be free to do as he pleases. While epic battles are the center of both anime series, you also get a fair bit of the expected comedy when you have good and evil characters together.

Servamp

High schooler Mahiru Shirota dislikes difficult things, but things become a lot more trouble when he rescues a black cat from the middle of the road. Giving him the name Kuro, from that day onwards a contract between Mahiru and the servant-vampire Kuro is born, pulling them both into the war between the other servamps.

Oh, you know, both Servamp and Blue Exorcist tell the same tale. The main character loses their family and learns to fight demons to protect their friends. However, the series are both made special by their unique characters that help make the usual blood and comedy more interesting.

Chrno Crusade

After World War I, monstrous demons began to overrun the world. To combat this menace, the Order of Magdalene was establish from the Catholic Church. This is the story of reckless Sister Rosette Christopher and her demon hunting partner Chrno, who is himself a demon.

Both series feature the battle of exorcists against demons and star a lone demon that works for the forces of good. While Chrno Crusade is a bit older and features animation to attest as such, this is likely the best demons versus exorcist story your will find outside Blue Exorcist.

Did we miss any more good anime recommendations for Blue Exorcist? You know the deal, tell us about it in the comments section below.