Elfen Lied is an absolutely stunning anime. The weeb community needs more anime like Elfen Lied. Today we have compiled a list for you. This list includes anime similar to Elfen Lied. Elfen Lied is an original Japanese manga. The manga is quite old. It was first published on June 6, 2002. Elfen Lied manga went on for three years. The manga reached its end on August 25, 2005. Over the course of these three years, it collected 107 chapters and 4 specials in 12 volumes. An animated series was announced soon after the manga release. The anime ran from July 2004 to October 2004. The anime has 13 episodes with an OVA.
Elfen Lied, unlike many anime, does not take place in Tokyo. It is set in the city of Kamakura and Kanagawa prefecture. The show revolves around the newly mutated species of Diclonius. This new species look similar to humans but have horn-like protrusions on their head. They also have invisible arms, which are telekinetic called ‘vectors’. Lucy, the main character, is a Diclonius. She is held in an experimental facility. One day she escapes the facility and causes havoc. While doing so, she is injured and develops a child-like personality within herself. This personality is named Nyu.
She is found by Kouta and Yuka, who take her in to tend to her injuries. Soon the trio finds themselves embroiled in a tussle between the government and their hunt for Diclonius.
Darker Than Black
This show is a story about a group simply called the contractors. Ten years ago, before the events of the show began, a difference happened in the space-time continuum. This is named Heaven’s Gate, and it appears in South America and then in Tokyo. During this time, these contractors with special abilities originated. These contractors are hired by various world governments to fight in battles.
After the war, the story begins. It is focused on a Chinese contractor whose code name is Hei. Hei works for Syndicate, a strange organization responsible for the US downfall. What follows afterward is not something we would reveal because it is just too enthralling. The show is filled with suspense, drama, thrill, and great action sequences.
Deadman Wonderland
This show also begins with a catastrophe. An earthquake destroyed Japan. More than half of Tokyo is destroyed and sunk into the Pacific Ocean. Fast forward ten years, and we see our main character Ganta Igarashi. He has no memories of the earthquake and lives a normal life. One day a man covered in blood, also called as the ‘Red Man,’ appears and annihilates every student in Ganta’s class but him. He fixes a red crystal shard in Ganta’s chest.
Ganta is accused of the massacre due to rigged evidence. He is sentenced to death in Deadman Wonderland, a theme park-based prison. Ganta is soon involved in the prison’s activities and awakens a rare power within him. Now he has set out to find the ‘Red Man’ to clear his name and escape the death row. This is a must-watch anime for those looking for blood and gore and a strong story.
Blood+
Set in Okinawa City, near the US Kadena Air Base in 2005, the story is about Saya Otonashi. Saya is an adopted child and suffers from anemia and amnesia. Living a normal life, everything changes when she is attacked by Chiropteran, a bat-like creature who lives off humans’ blood. Saya learns that only she can kill these creatures. Her blood causes these creatures to crystallize and shatter. With her family and friends by her side and with a katana in her hand, she sets out to liberate the world from these creatures. As the story progresses, the mystery revolving around these bats and Saya herself is slowly revealed, which dates as back as the 19th century. On her quest, Saya travels to many countries, including Russia, Vietnam, France, Japan, and the United States.
Ghost Hunt
Ghost Hunt is an anime full of the supernatural and the psychological. If you loved Elfen Lied, you will surely like this anime too. The plot of the show is pretty much straightforward, judging by its name. Mai Taniyama is our main character in this show. Mai joins the Shibuya Psychic Research and begins her adventures of slaying down ghosts.
She makes a number of friends and allies on the way. The anime shows us the paranormal abilities of Mai and all the other characters. Mai has dreams involving the incident they investigate, which helps her further narrow down the investigation. The show follows a lot of twists that will keep you on the edge of your seats and keep you wanting more.
Mirai Nikki
This show is often called Future Diary, so don’t get confused when you are searching for it. The manga of Future Diary has 12 volumes published between 2006 to 2010. Sadly only 11 episodes are available for streaming, but they do not lack anywhere.
Yukiteru Amano is a loner who observes everything around him and keeps a note of it on his phone. His only friend is the god Deus Ex Machina and his assistant Muru Muru. Deus converts Amanos’s phone into a diary that can predict the future of the upcoming ninety days. Yukiteru soon realizes he is part of a game where eleven other diary holders like him are present. The game requires that only one survivor is left who will succeed Deus.
The following game is what makes the show one of the best and most underrated ones. To know about Yukiteru’s fate and the impending apocalypse, you will have to turn on your TV, Laptops (whichever you prefer) and watch this masterpiece.
These are the anime similar to Elfen Lied. These anime have blood, horror, suspense, and psychological thrill, just like Elfen Lied. Do consider adding these to your watchlist!
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