While it’s always hard to pick the next anime to watch, the task becomes even more difficult after watching a captivating anime likeBlack Clover, which has been an international hit series and one of the best modern shōnen. Fortunately,there are several animes that share thematics withBlack Cloverand are equally enjoyable, allowing viewers to hold onto that magic essence for a little longer.
Black Cloveris a fantasy with spectacular battles that is also about overcoming your limits, being part of a group that feels like family, and the difficulty of going against society’s expectations. This set of inspiring themes makes it easy to see why fans are eagerly waiting forBlack Clover’s fifth season. However, there areanimes that share elements withBlack Clover,such as the setting, the magic system, and the protagonist hero who seeks to surpass himself. These animes are a must-watch for every fan ofBlack Clover,as they will keep them just as hooked as when they watched Asta striving to become the next Wizard King.
Bungo Stray Dogs
Cast
Bungo Stray Dogs is an anime series that follows Atsushi Nakajima, a young man with the ability to transform into a tiger. After being kicked out of his orphanage, he joins the Armed Detective Agency, a group of individuals with supernatural powers combating mafia activities and other threats. Set in a fictionalized Yokohama, the series explores the balance between human conflicts and extraordinary abilities.
Bungou Stray Dogsis a seinen anime that mixes action, mystery, and comedy, which makes it enjoyable for shōnen fans, and follows Atsushi, a young orphan who is suddenly dragged into the clashes of power between the Detective Agency and a criminal organization known as the Port Mafia, where each member has a unique ability.
While it isn’t set in the typical magic-based fantasy world, like inBlack Clover,Bungou Stray Dogsshows a wide range of powers, from defensive abilities to different types of attacks and healing, featuring impressive action sequences and impactful battles, and an unusual group of characters with unique personalities and hilarious facial expressions that only add to the comedy of the series. Also, like Asta and his anti-magic, Dazai’s gift, No Longer Human, allows him to nullify his opponents' abilities.
Rave Master
Rave Master follows Haru Glory as he embarks on a quest to find the Rave Stones, which hold the power to vanquish the Dark Bring, stones that bring chaos and destruction. Alongside his friends, Haru aims to restore peace to the world, facing numerous adversaries and challenges on his journey. The series combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and action, set within a richly detailed world.
Even though it isless known thanFairy Tail,Rave Masteris considered Hiro Mashima’s masterpiece, as it presents an entertaining, well-crafted story with intriguing villains and is not so focused on family ties but on a millenary fight for the fate of the world. This way,Rave Masteris a fantasy story in its purest form with a very interesting use of magic, and similarly toBlack Clover, it begins with an inexperienced young man who learns to master a special sword, and he finds more friends and allies.
Both series have very good action sequences and doses of humor and also deep characters with well-developed backstories, which makes it a must-watch for every shōnen anime fan. Also, like Asta’s antimagic sword, one of the forms of Haru’s weapon, the Ten Commandments named Eisenmeteor, takes the form of a giant sword that is able to cut and deflect magic attacks.
Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun
This fantasy series follows fourteen-year-old Iruma Suzuki, who is unexpectedly adopted by a demon and enrolled in a school in the Netherworld. As he navigates life among demons, Iruma confronts personal challenges and embarks on a transformative journey, guided by his demon grandfather, the school’s principal.
AlthoughWelcome to Demon School Iruma-Kunis an isekai about a boy transported to another world after his parents sell him to a demon, which at first glance isn’t related toBlack Cloverbeyond including demons in its plot and thatboth Iruma and Asta are cheerful and kind and don’t possess any form of magic. Both series share the same focus on personal improvement, highlighting the importance of forming bonds with others through many hilarious situations.
10 Funniest Black Clover Moments
With many amusing and quirky characters, Black Clover is one of the most entertainingly funny shonen, and these are its most hilarious moments so far.
This way, it becomes the perfect option for fans who enjoyBlack Cloverfor its easy-to-watch story and its light tone, but without leaving aside the moments of action and emotional development. Additionally, both animes have troublemaking, absurd, and likable characters. Furthermore, while Iruma doesn’t have the same ambition as Asta, both characters count on a special object that allows them to negate magic in some way: Asta with his anti-magic sword and Iruma with his Ring of Gluttony.
The Seven Deadly Sins
The Holy Knights, who supposedly eradicated the “Seven Deadly Sins” after their betrayal of Britannia, overthrow the king ten years later. Princess Elizabeth seeks out the legendary knights to help restore the kingdom’s rightful rule.
InThe Seven Deadly Sins, Princess Elizabeth of the Kingdom of Britain seeks to find an exiled order of knights created with the purpose of defeating demons, known as the seven deadly sins, so that they return peace to her kingdom. The anime is perfect for fans of magic worlds set in medieval times, likeBlack Clover, and both present different magic knight orders.
Additionally, the main character, Meliodas, also resembles Asta in his short stature and buff physique, and although he doesn’t have anti-magic, he has a unique ability that allows him to absorb and return with the double power of any attack.The Seven Deadly Sinswill appeal to any fan of fantasy anime, especially to those who like traditional chivalry adventures and Arthurian legends mixed with a unique twist of magic and demons and a fair share of romance.
Shaman Kingfollows Yoh Asakura, a shaman capable of seeing spirits and merging his soul with them, as he participates in a tournament to select the strongest one who will become the shaman king. One of the best points of the series, which it shares withBlack Clover, is its likable large cast of characters, as well as one of the best female protagonists in shōnen, Anna Kyoyama.
The characters that join Yoh’s group have different and funny personalities, but each one also deals with their own tragedies, philosophies, and different motivations for which they seek to become Shaman King.Shaman Kingis one of the best shōnen anime of its generation,touching on themes such as redemption, friendship, and teamwork, and even though it starts a bit underwhelming, it gets better the deeper the story progresses.
Fire Force
Fire Force is set in year 198 of the Solar Era in Tokyo, where special fire brigades combat spontaneous human combustion, transforming people into Infernals. Shinra Kusakabe, nicknamed Devil’s Footprints, joins Special Fire Force Company 8 and investigates a fire that killed his family, amid growing threats from a faction creating Infernals.
LikeBlack Cloverwith the Black Bulls,Fire Forceis full of camaraderie, with Company 8 members engaging in battles that showcase some of the best and most creative teamwork. Also, both the Black Bulls and Company 8 don’t have the best reputation and are more like a family than a squad.
Furthermore, while Asta dreamed of becoming a magic knight and reaching the Wizard King position, Shinra aspired to be a hero and help others, in addition to both characters being considered demons and having the same voice actor, which creates an interesting contrast between both franchises. Additionally, althoughFire Forceonly presents fire and heat-based abilities, unlikeBlack Clover’s complex and diverse magic system, both animes feature stunning battles and animation. Moreover, despite Fire Force being considered generic in the beginning, likeBlack Clover,the series only gets better and wilder over time.
Blue Exorcist
Blue Exorcist is an anime series that follows Rin Okumura, a teenager discovering he is the son of Satan. Determined to challenge his demonic heritage, Rin enrolls at True Cross Academy to become an exorcist and protect the world from demonic forces. The show explores themes of identity, family, and the battle between good and evil with a mix of action and supernatural elements.
AlthoughBlue Exorcistis not based on a magic world but in one where humanity’s safety depends on the fight between demons and an exorcist’s organization, which may be more reminiscent of animes likeBleachorD-Gray Man, its protagonist Rin Okumura shares a lot of similarities with Asta, besides both having a typical lively, energetic, and impulsive shonen-like personality.
Both Rin and Asta use a sword as a weapon and were adopted and raised in a religious building along with their rival, in Rin’s case, his biological brother. Both Yuno and Yukio are considered prodigies and have a calm, proper, and cold personality, the opposite of Rin and Asta; however, despite their differences, they share an unbreakable bond, caring for and motivating each other to become stronger. Furthermore,the clash with the demons, which is the central point ofBlue Exorcist, also plays an important role inBlack Clover.
Magiis a series inspired by the traditional tale “One Thousand and One Nights,” a Middle Eastern fantasy that includes geniuses and the dungeons typical of adventure animes. Aladdin is a magi, someone loved by Rukh, who was born to choose a just king to maintain the balance of the world and who starts his journey by meeting Alibaba. Not only doesMagishow an original power system, the Magoi that is born from the rukh, which is comparable to the mana ofBlack Clover,but it also presents a large cast of original and lovable characters.
Additionally,Magihas complex antagonists who are not inherently evil and with goals that make it difficult to label as wrong. It also emphasizes political and military themes, showing war and territorial conflicts as well as the inequality of social classes, presenting slavery and poverty, which makes it a unique anime. Moreover, it also features a protagonist who may initially come as annoying but with a high justice sense that makes it easy to root for him.
InSoul Eater, the story is set in a world of witches and shinigamis, following the fights of three students of the Death Weapon Meister Academy, Maka, Death the Kid, and Black Star, and their weapons, Soul, Tsubaki, and the Thompson sisters, who are learning to become the best technicians and make their weapons gain the title of Death Scythe.
Black Clover: How Asta Sets Himself Apart From Shonen Heroes With an Old Trope
Asta is a fascinating byproduct of a classic shonen archetype, wielding the Stock Shonen Rival trope like nobody’s business in Black Clover.
Soul Eatermixes magic and demons, sharing the charm that madeBlack Cloverso popular, in addition to having protagonists who aspire to reach the top, facing life-threatening battles against powerful villains, such as witches. Also,Soul Eaterfeatures hilarious characters with strange personalities as well as a protagonist as loud and energetic as Asta, Black Star.
In a world where not having magic is considered a crime, Mash Burndead was born without magical abilities. While the clear discrimination could make for a dark series and the premise might seem like a copy of the struggles of other protagonists like Asta and Deku,Mashle actually makes fun of the genre tropes and moves forward with a lot of humor.
Mash resembles Asta in that he trains his body to its limits and uses his super strength to compensate for his lack of magic and also aims to reach the highest position in his society: a divine visionary. However, since Mashle is not only a shōnen anime but a parody, it mainly feels like a fusion ofHarry Potterfor its magic school, withOne Punch-Manfor Mash amusingly resolving every conflict with brute force like Saitama.
