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May 28, 2018
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In this world, devils, what they refer to as vampires, live among humans. The majority of humanity isn’t aware of them as they do not differ from humans. A vampire does not even need to drink human blood, but once they taste it or sometimes even see it, they experience such lust and pleasure that they will kill again. Anzai, a half-vampire is part of a secret sub-section of the police force that deals with these rogue vampires that transform and rampage. One day, he saves college student Tsukasa and their fates become intertwined.
Another vampire anime, but at least this isn’t some silly comedy or even generic vampire lore. The vampires are brutal, and it makes their killing sprees a blast to watch. It you want more anime like Devils Line, then look no further.
Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo has become a merciless city where ghouls live amongst humans and feast on their flesh. Their ability to blend in has humans facing danger with every new person they meet. However, one day bookish college student Ken Kaneki finds himself instantly drawn to another avid reader, Rize Kamishiro. Unfortunately, their date doesn’t go quite as planned when she turns out to be a ghoul and tries to devour Kaneki. By a twist of fate, Kaneki is saved, but not without some consequences. Now he must adjust to his new life as half human, half ghoul.
The parallels between these series are particularly easy to point out. Both series are about supernatural man-eaters that live among humans. For the most part, the series focuses on how they control their urges and remain secret. The key differences are here that the characters in Devils Line are more akin to the government agency hunting ghouls than they are to the communities of ghouls in Tokyo Ghoul.
Ajin
Immortal humans known as Ajin first appeared in Africa 17 years ago. While they were labeled a threat to mankind, to many they were just an infrequent news items. However, for Kei Nagai, a high schooler studying hard to be a doctor, he discovers he is an Ajin after being fatally hit by a car. Now on the run from the government that wants to imprison him, Kei must find a way to survive.
Both Ajin and Devils Line follow the lives of monsters living in secret among humanity and trying not to be the monsters that everyone thinks they are. They also feature main characters that are hardly very good guys, but often find themselves thrust into the role instead.
Devilman: Crybaby
Akira has always been a little weak and blends into the background, so when his childhood friend asks for help uncovering devils, he agrees. The pair head to Sabbath where many gather to be debauched and are possessed by devils. When the devils begin to wreck havoc in their new living hosts, Akira agrees to merge bodies with a devil in order to save is friend. Though he now has a voracious devil inside him, he still has the heart of a crybaby.
The key thing to take away from both series is the urges. The devil inside Akira is occasionally difficult to control and thus he struggles to not be a monster. Alternatively, Anzai struggles to overcome his growing lust for blood after getting a taste. They are both struggling to contain the monster within to varying results.
For Fans of Vampire Romance
Blood+
Saya Otonashi lives a dull life as an amnesiac in Okinawa City. However, her forgotten past comes back to haunt her one night when she is attacked by a creature that feeds on human blood. After being saved by a mysterious man, he forced her to drink blood, sending her into a monster-slaying trance.
Often vampire romances in any media are more mushy and broody than dark and bloody. However, that is not the case in either Devils Line or Blood+. Both series are filled with suffering and distinctly different kinds of love. However, it should be noted that the gender roles are reversed in these series.
Vampire Knight
Cross Academy is separated into two classes, the day class and the night class. The day class is filled with normal students while the night class is made up of gorgeous elites. However, what the day students don’t know is that the night students are vampires. This is the tale of Yuuki and Zero, guardians of the night students that keep their secret. While Yuuki is the adopted daughter of the chairman, she is happy to interact with her night student savoir Kaname. Zero, on the other hand, has an intense hatred of vampires.
If you wanted a vampire romance that is less sexually charged, violent, and more Twilight-esque, then Vampire Knight is the Twilight of the anime world. It is distinctly broody and gothic in tone with plenty of blood, but Devils Line takes a darker more mature approach to love.
Dance in the Vampire Bund
Mina Tepes, queen of the vampires, has announced her plans to build a sanctuary of vampires in Japan. However, this has attracted the attention of humans who believe her quest for peace is false. Within the country, Akira Kaburagi lives peacefully, though uneasy of vampires for reasons he can’t recall. One day when he meets Mina, his memories come flooding back, along with the discovery that he is a werewolf that was sworn from birth to protect the vampire queen.
The romance in Dance in the Vampire Bund isn’t quite as serious as it is in Devils Line. However, Vampire Bund’s shounen vibe does afford it some good action. It’s not quite as brutal as Devils Line, but with Akira’s regenerative powers, he takes a lot of damage.
For Fans of Secret Monster Hunters
Blood Blockade Battlefront
Vampires, fishmen, supersonic monkeys – they are all normal residents living alongside humans in Hellsalem’s Lot, formerly known as New York City. When a gate between Earth and the Beyond popped up there three years ago, old NYC became dominated by monsters and now Libra, a secret organization, is tasked with keeping it in order. However, for main character Leonardo Watch, he is no one special, just a hobbyist photographer. However, when he obtains the All-Seeing Eyes of the Gods, he finds himself recruited into Libra.
While Devils Line maintains a distinctly darker tone, Blood Blockade Battlefront has some dark serious moments despite the strange comedy present in the world. While vampires don’t really play a big part, Blood Blockade Battlefront, like Devils Line focuses on an organization trying to keep all the strange creatures of the city in check.
Hellsing Ultimate
In this world, there are monsters that lurk into darkness. Ones waiting to devour everything you are and hold dear. To stem the tide of this darkness is the Hellsing organization. Commanded by Integra Hellsing, its powerful military dedicate their lives to fighting monsters. However, her most powerful weapon is the vampire Alucard who turned against his own kind to protect Hellsing. Now with his vampire assistant Seres at his side, he must battle not only monsters, but anyone that stands in Hellsing’s way.
Do you like humans that seem like no more than a literal bag of blood to be exploded in the most gruesome way? Well, then both Hellsing Ultimate and Devils Line are great watches. However, while the vampires in Hellsing and the organization that controls Alucard are both badass, Devils Line is a little more broody. However, they share a love of visceral gore.
Beyond the Boundary
As the last surviving member of her clan of spirit warriors, Mirai Kuriyama must use her special power of fighting using her blood in order to subdue Youmu, creatures that are the manifestation of negative human emotions. One day at school she happens across Akihito, a rare half-breed Youmu in human form. Immediately trying to kill him, she finds out he is an immortal being and the two strike up an impromptu friendship.
While Devils Line focuses on vampires, Beyond the Boundary is about demons. Both series feature small, secret organizations that fight against them with one or more members technically being what they are fighting against. If you enjoyed the beautiful animation in Devils Line, then by comparison, Beyond the Boundary will blow your eyes out.
Did we miss any more good anime recommendations for Devils Line? Let us know in the comments section below.
