“Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon,” also known as DanMachi, might grab your attention with its title. It’s quite an exciting story with complex characters and unique journeys. Bell, the MC, is a character you can’t help but root for. Despite the suggestive title, the anime isn’t all about romantic pursuits with cute girls. Instead, it is focused on self-improvement.
Once you’ve finished DanMachi, the inevitable bittersweet feeling sets in, but don’t worry. You will find plenty of similar shows in the world of anime. We’ve gathered a list of the “10 best anime like DanMachi” for you to explore.
10. Problem Children Are Coming From Another World, Aren’t They? (2013)
This anime focuses on three amazing teenagers. They have extraordinary psychic powers. They are bored and crave excitement in their ordinary lives. They get invited to a mysterious new world out of the blue where they’ll use their unique abilities in high-stakes games.
Problem Children isn’t all dungeon-dragging, but it does offer a unique and expansive world, like in DanMachi. The difference here is that our heroes begin with different skill levels from the get-go, adding an interesting twist to their adventures.
9. Goblin Slayer (2018)
Goblins may seem small and weak, but don’t underestimate them. They’re a significant threat, and the wise know it. The 15-year-old Priestess learned this the hard way when she joined a group of naive adventurers. Goblins ambushed them, and it was a nightmare.
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But then the Goblin Slayer appeared and saved her. Now, she is by his side. She is determined to wipe these evil creatures (Goblins) off the map. Certainly, Goblin Slayer is darker than DanMachi. But if you’re into fantasy, it’s a solid choice for your watchlist.
8. Tower of Druaga: The Aegis of Uruk (2008)
It’s the Summer of Anu, and this is a golden opportunity for the nation of Uruk to take down the demon Druaga. Rumor has it that during this season, the demons inside Druaga’s tower are at their weakest. So, without wasting any time, the Urukian army charges into the tower.
But inside the tower, they don’t just find demons; they discover a whole city named Meskia. In this city, there are lots of mercenaries and adventurers. People here are all hunting for a hidden treasure perched atop the tower. This anime is like DanMachi because it’s got the same dungeon system and group of people battling for control.
7. The Rising of the Shield Hero (2019)
Naofumi Iwatani is your typical college student until he’s suddenly transported to a bizarre new world. In this world, he discovers The Four Cardinal Heroes. Each hero wields a different weapon to battle the dreaded Waves of Catastrophe. Naofumi gets the title of “Shield Hero,” which is basically the group’s underdog.
He becomes the laughingstock of the town. Naofumi loses trust in everyone and is determined to prove himself. But he soon realizes he can’t do it alone, so he buys a demi-human enslaved named Raphtalia. Join Naofumi and Raphtalia in “The Rising of the Shield Hero” as they take on the Waves and aim for redemption.
6. Log Horizon (2014)
Shiroe is a pro player in the well-known MMORPG Elder Tale. He’s all set and ready to jump into the latest update. But here is a twist – he gets stuck inside the game.
Our MC Shiroe, instead of panicking, takes charge of things. He decided to keep everyone safe and find a way out of this game world. He even got some good friends who admire his skills and leadership. Give “Log Horizon” a shot, and you will experience a mature and captivating adventure.
5. Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash (2016)
If you ever wondered what it’d be like to be transported into a real-life RPG world, Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash brings that dream to life. A group of young people find themselves in a strange place with no memory of their past lives.
They’ve sucked into a fantasy world. The only option they have is to become volunteers for survival. The challenges they face in this series are like what you’d encounter in an RPG world. If you’re an RPG enthusiast, this is your go-to anime.
4. In Another World With My Smartphone (2017)
Our hero, Touya, met an unexpected end by lightning. But to make amends, God stepped in to fix things. God offered Touya a fresh start in a magical fantasy world. Touya had one request: he wanted to bring his smartphone along.
God agreed, and now Touya begins anew with his smartphone by his side. He explores this new world and meets plenty of adorable girls. He also discovers that he has a knack for magic. Much like “DanMachi,” this fantasy anime is about charming girls and a curious hero on an adventure.
3. Overlord (2015)
Momonga is a sentimental gamer who is savoring the final moments of his beloved game, Yggdrasil, as the clock counts down to its shutdown. But the game did not fade into oblivion when the clock struck midnight. Instead, Momonga finds himself conscious within his in-game character. And even the NPCs are alive.
Bewildered, he discovers that his guild hall has been transported to a new world. Now trapped in his avatar, he resolves to conquer this unfamiliar world. This anime begins as a gaming tale but evolves into a unique fantasy adventure. That makes it a must-watch if you are seeking anime like DanMachi.
2. KonoSuba – God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! (2016)
Kazuma Satou is a high school student leading a pretty uneventful life. But that all changes when he dies embarrassingly. He gets an audience with a beautiful but annoying goddess named Aqua. She offers him two options.
The first is to head to heaven, and the other is to get reborn in a gamer’s dream world. Kazuma picks the latter and is tasked with taking down a Demon King. He gets to choose one item to aid him, and he picks Aqua. This is his big mistake because she’s utterly useless.
1. Sword Art Online (2012)
Sword Art Online is one of the big players when it comes to anime that mixes gaming and real life. Imagine you are stuck in a video game with real people, and there’s no easy way out. If you die in the game, you will die in real life, too. It’s definitely intense and dangerous stuff, isn’t it?
If you’re into RPGs, then this anime is your great pick. It also has lots of action, fantasy, and a bit of romance. SAO gives you everything that you could ask for in a virtual world. So, if you’re looking for an anime like DanMachi, Sword Art Online is the way to go.
