A Selection of Anime for Those Who Grew Up on "Naruto" and Are Looking for Mature Stories in the Spirit of the Beloved Series
A little over 20 years ago the world met Naruto — that loud, stubborn kid from the Hidden Leaf who wanted nothing more than to be acknowledged. For many of us he was less a character and more a companion: stubbornness that kept you moving, occasional silliness, and some lessons you only noticed later. If you grew up with him and now want shows that feel older, grimmer, or simply more complicated, this list gathers titles that scratch similar itches while heading in different directions.
Bleach
Studio: Pierrot Director: Noriyuki Abe Rating: Shikimori — 7.9
Ichigo Kurosaki is a teen who sees ghosts and can’t help but get in over his head. When a shinigami named Rukia intervenes during an attack, Ichigo ends up inheriting her power — and the messy responsibilities that follow. The show leans toward a colder, bleaker mood than many shonen; it doesn’t cheerfully tidy up every tragedy. If you liked Naruto’s big fights and gradual skill growth, Bleach delivers those in spades, but it’s also interested in inner hollowness — literally, in the form of the Hollow inside Ichigo. Expect long arcs, spiritual-energy mechanics, and a tone that can get heavy fast, esp. in the way identity and control are explored.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Studio: MAPPA Directors: Sunghoo Park, Shōta Goshozono Rating: Shikimori — 8.5
Yuji Itadori swallows a cursed finger and becomes the vessel for Sukuna, a monstrous force that complicates everything in his life. He then studies the craft of sorcery at a special school, under teachers who are equal parts mentor and danger. People often pair Jujutsu Kaisen with Naruto — both have sealed power, a powerful mentor, and a crew dynamic — but this one’s rougher around the edges: more sudden loss, more graphic violence, less sentimental padding. It’s fast, stylish, and unafraid to be brutal; if you want stakes that feel permanent, this often delivers.
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Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Studio: Bones Director: Yasuhiro Irie Rating: Shikimori — 9.1
Edward and Alphonse Elric pay a horrific price after trying to resurrect their mother; the attempt rips their lives apart and sends them on a long, obsessive hunt for the Philosopher’s Stone. Brotherhood moves differently from many shonen: it’s less about endless tournament-like battles and more about slow revelations, moral messiness, and consequences that linger. There’s warmth and humor, sure, but also an undercurrent of grief that persists — the kind that makes victories feel earned rather than scripted. For viewers who want a layered plot and emotional weight (e.g., questions about price and responsibility), this is a steady, often wrenching ride.
Chainsaw Man
Studio: MAPPA Directors: Ryū Nakayama, Tatsuya Yoshihara Rating: Shikimori — 8.4
Denji’s wants are plain: food, a bed, debt paid. Life as a demon hunter for the yakuza gives him none of that, until his dog-demon Pochita fuses with him and he becomes Chainsaw Man. The series oscillates between savage violence and blunt, dark humor; it often feels like a shock to the system, in a way that’s refreshing if you’re tired of heroic speeches. Unlike many protagonists who chase lofty goals, Denji’s motivations are almost embarrassingly small and human — which makes his moments of tenderness and terror hit differently. I found that odd mix strangely addictive: messy, loud, and impossible to look away from.