Let’s Talk about the Top 10 Anime where the hero turns into a monster. We’ll also talk about why you should watch these anime. Anime with violent protagonists has been in demand lately, with many fans hoping that their favorite characters go through a super power-up journey and get more vital than ever.
These action-powered genres keep the anime industry intact and exciting for the fans. In action-themed anime, one of the famous characters loved by the fans is the one who turns into a monster.
A Monster is usually regarded with an aggressive demeanor and a grotesque appearance. But it’s just a stereotype that most people imagine, and the monster can be interpreted in many ways. Someone with an extreme intellect level or immortal can also be conveyed as a monster.
If you are fascinated with Monster characters in anime, you have come to the right place as we have curated a list of Top 10 anime where the hero turns into a monster. Or have abilities similar to that context. Here are all the details about it.
10. Kemono Jihen
Kemono Jihen anime is adapted from the same name mangaame name and illustrated by Shou Aimoto. The Story Focuses on Kabane Kusaka, a small-town boy whose life changed when he met Kohachi Inugami. He is a detective from Tokyo City.
One day, Kohachi was hired by the owner of an Inn to investigate the murders. And decapitations of various livestock animals. To help run the business properly, she asked the Detective for his help. When he arrives, he suddenly grasps the situation and notices a boy working at the Inn; that boy is Kabane.
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He asks Kabane to help him investigate the issue; together, they try capturing the deadly creature responsible for the mutilation of the livestock animals. But something much more severe and strange was happening in that town that they weren’t aware of.
Due to some peculiar chain of events, Kabane is killed and later revived by the Detective. What is the secret behind Kabane’s abilities that captured the Detective’s attention?
Well, watch the Kemono Jihen anime to find out. The Reason Kemono Jihen was on the list of Top 10 anime where the hero turns into a monster was due to Kabane.
Kabane is a character that eventually gains excellent power, and his monster transformation is compelling.
- Total Number of Episodes – 12
- You can watch Kemono Jihen anime on Netflix.
9. Devilman: Crybaby
Devilman: Crybaby anime is adapted frommanga written and illustrated by Nagai Go, using the same name. The Story follows the lives of two best friends, Akira Fudou and Ryou Asuka. Akira is known to be weak and cowardly. On the other hand, Ryou is not scared of anything.
Despite their differences, they are best friends and will do anything for each other. They were separated for a while as Akira attended another high school. But they soon reunite, and upon their meeting, Ryou asks a favor of Akira. The Favor was to uncover the secrets behind the devil and help save humanity.
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Devils are real, and they live in human society disguised as humans themselves. And they soon plan on taking down humanity. To stop them, Akira steps forward.
Due to some unfortunate circumstances, he becomes one of the Devil-Man (Human Merge With a Devil). What will happen to Akira? Will he be able to control the devil and save his dearest friends? Well, watch the Devilman Crybaby anime to find out.
The Reason Devilman Crybaby was on the list of Top 10 anime where the hero turns into a monster was due to its animation and grotesque story setting. There are many intense action sequences, and Akira’s transformation into a DevilMan is a significant sight.
- Total Number of Episodes – 10
- You can watch Devilman Crybaby anime on Netflix.
8. Beyond The Boundary
Beyond the Boundary, anime is adapted from manga of the same name, written by Nagomu Torii and illustrated by Tomoyo Kamoi. The story follows Akihito Kanbara, who appears to be an ordinary high schooler.
In reality, he is half Yomu and half human. Yomu is known as a monster that is a manifestation of a human’s emotions. To kill these overpowered Yomu, the Spirit world assigns the duty to the warriors capable of killing them.
One of those mighty warriors is Mirai Kuriyama; she is known to manifest the ability to control blood. Surprisingly, Mirai attends the same school as Akihito; she is a freshman, and Akihito is a sophomore.
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They encounter each other on the rooftop of the school building, and Mirai suddenly attacks Akihito, following her intuition. But to her surprise, Akihito doesn’t die as he is much more potent than Yomu than she apprehended.
So, after a series of misunderstandings and conflicts, both become partners in killing the more powerful Yoma, who are threatening humanity.
Beyond the Boundary was on the list of Top 10 anime where the hero turns into a monster due to the portrayal of character development of Mirai and Akihito’s characters throughout the series.
Their relationship will attract your attention, while Akihito’s final transformation is somewhat of a treat, for which you have to watch the anime.
- Total Number of Episodes – 18 + 1 Movie
- Viewers from the US can watch Beyond the Boundary anime on the HIDIVE streaming site.
7. Gleipnir
Gleipnir anime is adapted from a manga written by the same name and illustrated by Sun Takeda. The Story follows Shuuichi Kagayq, a third-year high schooler whose only dream is to live an everyday life.
Unfortunately for him, it’s impossible as he harbors dark secrets and can transform into a monster. His monster appearance is of a Mascot character, and by changing, he gains super physical strength and an acute sense of smell, just like a bear would.
Shuuichi also doesn’t know the cause of his transformation and why he became someone with this ability. He sometimes uses his ability to save the lives of people in danger.
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One night, he notices a girl trapped in a burning building; without any doubt, he transforms himself and saves her. But in the moment of the heat, he drops his phone there; contrary to this, the girl he saved contacts him the next day and confronts him.
He gets scared as she is very manipulative and wants to know more about monsters as she wants to find someone close to her. Gleipnir was on the list of Top 10 anime where the hero turns into a monster due to Shuuichi.
He is a character that will surpass your expectations and surprise you in every aspect of the story. There are also a lot of fan service episodes that will most likely cheer fans up.
- Total Number of Episodes – 13
- You can watch Gleipnir anime on the Crunchyroll Streaming Site.
6. Overlord
Overlord anime is adapted from the Light Novel of the same name written by Kugane Maruyama. The Story Follows Momonga, a legendary online RPG game Yggdrasil player.
The game is famous for allowing players the freedom to customize any setting. Unfortunately, this game ended in 2138, and the servers were about to Shut down at Midnight.
To enjoy one more last game, Momonga enters the game world into his guild, named “Ainz Ooal Gown.” He talked with his guild mates one last time and also decided to change the setting to include some non-character players.
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He didn’t know that when the clock struck Midnight, he didn’t get logged out of the game system. Instead, he was transferred to a world similar to the game, with his chosen avatar of Demon Lord Momonga.
Accepting his reality, he ultimately tries to take control of this new world with the help of his loyal subjects. Overlord was on the list of Top 10 anime where the hero turns into a monster due to its setting of an Isekai World.
As the story progresses, Momonga gets enraptured in the new world while fighting many new foes and creating new allies.
- Total Number of Episodes – 40
- Viewers from the US can watch Overlord anime on Crunchyroll Streaming Site.
5. Dorohedoro
Dorohedoro anime is adapted from manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Q Hayashida. The Story Follows Caiman, a man who was the victim of a powerful magic deity.
The world is filled with magic users who hold themselves of utter high authority and belittle those who don’t deem fit in their dictionary. They use weak residents of a district named Hole to do experiments.
One of their victims, an unknown magic user, cursed Caiman’s head. The Curse changed his head into a large Reptile’s; it also gave him mighty regenerative powers. However, one of the side effects of the magic is that he doesn’t remember his past life.
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Now, dealing with all this chaos, he enters the world of magic users and tries to find the solution to his problem. Alongside him is Noi, who partners up with Caiman to help him as his only ally throughout his journey.
The Reason Dorohedoro was on the list of Top 10 anime where the hero turns into a monster was due to its characters.
This anime introduces us to a new world filled with many disturbed characters with desolate appearances. The interactions between Caiman and these characters are worth the trouble of binge-ing in one sitting.
- Total Number of Episodes – 12
- You can watch Dorohedoro anime on Netflix.
4. Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files
Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files anime is adapted from the manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi.
The Story follows Yuusuke Urameshi, a 14-year-old boy known as a klutz and a thug by his teachers and classmates at his school. He leads a life of trouble as he likes to get into brawls with his longtime rival, Kuwabara.
But alongside all this, his childhood friend Keiko knows he is a good person. One day, Yuusuke’s life takes a dark turn when he is suddenly killed in a car accident while saving a child.
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He is transported to the spirit world by his guide, Botan, who guides him to Koenma, the powerful son of the Spirit world Ruler.
Koenma tells Yuusuke that if he wants to live, he has to become a spirit detective and solve various paranormal cases recently occurring in the human realm. Seeing the emotional state of his dear mother, his rival, and his childhood friend, Yuusuke decides to live.
And accepts Koenma’s offer. Yu Yu Hakusho was on the list of Top 10 anime where the hero turns into a monster due to its depiction of the Spirit world and monsters in the anime. Yuusuke’s demon transformation will keep you engaged throughout this series.
- Total Number of Episodes – 112
- You can watch Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files anime on the Netflix Streaming Site.
3. Parasyte: The Maxim
Parasyte: The Maxim anime is adapted from the manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Hitoshi Iwaaki.
The story follows Shinichi Izumi, a 16-year-old high school student who lives daily with his family and friends. But one day, this all changes for him when a Parasyte suddenly tries to take over his body.
Parasytes are known alien creatures that have manifested themselves in the human world; they prey on them and make them their host. But the Parasyte that was out to acquire Shinichi’s body could only infiltrate his right hand instead of his brain.
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When Shinichi finds this out, his world falls apart, and he comes up with a plan that can benefit the lives of both his and the Parasyte Migi. But to get acquainted with his new life, Shinichi must conquer his fear of Parasyte.
Protect the ones who are being targeted by other deadly Parasyte beings. The Reason Parasyte: The Maxim was on the list of Top 10 anime where the hero turns into a monster due to its unique take on alien characters.
This anime gives off a very creepy vibe and has a Horror element. Shinichi’s character development is exciting, and his decision’s psychological aspects are worth considering.
- Total Number of Episodes – 24
- You can watch Parasyte: The Maxim anime on Netflix.
2. Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen anime is adapted from manga by the same name, written and illustrated by Gege Akutami. The Story follows Yuuji Itadori, a 15-year-old student who enjoys helping people and caring for his ill grandfather.
He is also a part of an occult club in his college, and he often discusses supernatural occurrences, mostly curses, with his fellow club members as they are the hot topic for the otakus nowadays.
One day, Itadori and his club members are attacked by a Curse, and the only way to save himself and others is to gain the power that can match the level of Spirits.
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Through unfortunate circumstances, Itadori becomes the vessel of Sukuna, a legendary demon, by consuming one of his fingers.
Itadori had become one of the most dangerous high-level curses. The only way he could get out of this situation was to accept a deal made by Satoru Gojo. Gojo is one of the powerful Sorcerers of the Jujutsu High Academy.
The Reason Jujutsu High was on the list of Top 10 anime where the hero turns into a monster was due to its characters. This anime features one of the best cast of characters that are impossible to hate. The animation of this anime is of top quality, and the fight sequences are well-choreographed.
- Total Number of Episodes – 24 + 1 Movie
- You can watch the Jujutsu Kaisen anime on Netflix.
1. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan anime is adapted from manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Hajime Isayama. The story is set in a fictional world where humanity is believed to be under existential threat by the so-called monsters known as Titans.
These Titans are mindless giants that feed on humans. Hundreds of years ago, they wreaked havoc, forcing humanity to barricade themselves within large walls.
Now, in the present time, the story follows Eren Yeager, a 15-year-old boy who suddenly dreamt of Titans attacking his village one day. Later, he met with his friends Mikasa and Armin, and on that day, they all witnessed what humanity dreaded most in their lives.
The Titans appeared after hundreds of years and suddenly rampaged Eren’s Village. Eren witnessed his mother getting killed by one of the female titans. And he swore on that day that he would make them pay and kill every living Titan.
Determined to kill Titans, Eren enrolls in the Survey Corps and trains to become an elite soldier to eradicate Titans. However, due to some fateful events, Eren gets acquainted with a power that transforms him into a Titan Himself.
Is this power a blessing or a Curse for Eren? Well, watch the Attack on Titan anime to find out. Attack on Titan was on the list of Top 10 anime where the hero turns into a monster due to its fantastic story and action sequences. This anime will keep you hooked.
- Total Number of Episodes – 96
- Viewers from the US can watch Attack on Titan anime on Crunchyroll Streaming Site.
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Honorable Mention
Imouto to Sono Yuujin ga Ero
After becoming a tutor for his sister Miu and her friend Riko, Kanata quickly discovers that he is much more popular than he makes himself out to be.