And it might be due to its length that (contrary to its theme song) the overall KH plot is not so simple and clean. Despite this, Kingdom Hearts is still an amazing game with a brilliant fantasy/RPG storyline. And it’s a must-play classic because of its unique gameplay combined with the Disney crossovers. So which anime would likely fit bets for fans of the Kingdom Hearts series? Well I’ve got some listed here just for you!
10. Black Clover
At our first entry here, we have a relatively new Shounen title that’s worth the watch. Black Clover not only goes in hard on the fantasy elements (like Kingdom Hearts), but it also focuses on the characters’ interpersonal relationships as well. The story is about an underdog MC trying to become the Wizard King – despite having not even an ounce of mana inside his body. And while Sora has his trusty ol’ Keyblade, Asta has a massive Anti-Magic sword that he uses to fight other wizards. Although sometimes, he also has run-ins with his world’s version of the Heartless — literal demons from hell with an appetite for corruption and destruction. Not necessarily in that order.
9. Bleach
Speaking of the main baddies in Kingdom Hearts… Very few creatures in anime resemble the Heartless and Nobodies better than Hollows and the Arrancar. Simply put, Hollows are soulless and malicious entities that feed on the souls of the dead – and even the living. The Arrancar, on the other hand, are Hollows who have a superior will and intelligence. Much like the Nameless (and somewhat like Organization XIII) they have the ability to retain their human form. And Bleach’s similarities with Kingdom Hearts don’t just end there. I highly recommend this anime because of its similarly fantastic cast of characters, and its lengthy story that’s admittedly just as engaging as what Kingdom Hearts offers (yet far less confusing).
8. My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia is yet another title I’d recommend because of its compelling characters. It also has a simple theme (good vs. evil) that’s somewhat reminiscent of Kingdom Hearts, although it does delve into the concept of gray morality a few times as well. The story is about another underdog-type character named Izuku Midoriya, and how he develops into the best hero he can be. Hence, the series is chock-full of training and fighting scenes — two things that might hit the spot if you’re a fan of the fast-paced action of KH titles. All in all, My Hero Academia is just one of those anime titles that I would recommend anyone to watch. It’s simply that good!
7. Noragami
Noragami is certainly an intense anime with lots of action. But it also has a few heart-warming slice-of-life scenes sprinkled in between. The story focuses on Yato — a “vagabond” god who has high hopes and dreams of having his own shrine and followers. He plans to achieve this by slaying monsters on the side along, with doing odd jobs as his main hustle that only earns him literal cents. As your typical strong-willed MC, he’s determined to make his dreams come true despite – how many bathrooms he has to clean or pets he has to find. Now that’s dedication right there!
6. Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemist (especially Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood) often gets thrown around in the anime community as one of the greatest titles of all time. And for good reason! After all, why would it not be? Each of its cast has depth and character development for days — not to mention its overall plot and storyline is just chef’s kiss. There are very few reasons (if none at all) to not watch this masterpiece of an anime. Especially as an intro for beginners. Seriously, watch the show. You won’t regret it!
5. Naruto
Naruto is more than just a series about a “Chosen One” MC, cool ninjas, and the power of friendship. As far as Shounen anime go, you probably won’t find too much better than the “big 3” (Naruto, Bleach and One Piece). These are the three legendary series that once dominated in anime viewership and manga sales. And when it comes to sheer length, very few Shounen titles can beat this absolute chonker of an anime. Naruto already had a sequel released and a separate spinoff too, on top of already having hundreds of episodes. It has a well-developed yet sometimes overly-complicated plot – which mirrors that of Kingdom Hearts. But it’s not so complicated that I wouldn’t give it a recommendation. If you’ve never seen Naruto before, just keep it in mind for a future binge.
4. Mob Psycho 100
Shigeo Kageyama (the main protagonist of the series) might not look or act in an “MC-like” manner like Sora. But he is still unique in an odd-yet-funny kind of way. At the end of the day, Shigeo as a character isn’t like Sora and Riku at all. He’s just not the kind of person that has a “grand purpose” or an “ultimate goal”. He doesn’t want to defeat bad guys, nor does he want to protect the world from evil. If anything, he just often gets dragged inadvertently into adventures and fights he doesn’t even want to take part in! And despite this MC’s inhibitions, Mob Psycho 100 is still a title I would recommend here – because of its bizarre yet charming humor, and the light-heartedness of its storytelling.
3. Demon Slayer
Being an anime that’s fairly new compared to most titles on this list, I’d say Demon Slayer truly does hold its own. One of its strongest points is that we can really see how each character develops with every passing episode. Naturally, the show explores how the cast’s relationships grow over time as well. And aside from encapsulating the old “acquaintances to best friends” process pretty darn well, Black Clover is also known for its stunning visuals and action scenes. Heck, even the soundtrack of this series is an absolute banger — much like every game that has “Kingdom Hearts” in the title.
2. One Piece
There’s not one anime out there that relies on the “power of friendship” trope more than One Piece. It’s kind of like Kingdom Hearts in that regard, and in a good way. Amongst many other things, One Piece explores the importance of Nakama and how everyone should value and protect them with everything they have. Luffy is an example of this. Much like Sora, he will do anything for his friends. He even risks his life many times, if it means he could save his companions. Kinda sounds just like Sora… In light of having one of the most remarkable main characters ever, One Piece is also one of the OG Shounen titles that I personally rate a 10/10 – and I would recommend everyone give it a watch.
1. Hunter X Hunter
Ah, the wonders of youth. Hunter X Hunter does a much better job than most anime when it comes to tackling this subject matter. And HxH is much like Kingdom Hearts in the sense that it mainly features a younger cast (i.e. Gon & Killua) with so much potential for character development. Coincidentally, HxH and KH are also both targeted towards the younger demographic, with KH going for a wider young audience than HxH – but still. Although I do think that Hunter X Hunter has the edge over Kingdom Hearts story-wise, simply because it’s much easier to follow and it isn’t afraid to dive into some more grown-up themes. If you like a fun, engaging, and fantasy-heavy story like Kingdom Hearts, but you also want a story that’s a tad more mature, then Hunter X Hunter is the perfect anime to try.
