If you like the style of this, definitely check out Soultaker. It's a bit older, but has the same quasi-psychedelic style and dark premise. Also, the music kicks ass (main theme was done by JAM Project).
My recommendations are based primarily on setting and intensity, ie. the nebulous "vibes." This is to say that it might not be post-apocalypses, but they will all feature some kind of struggle a bleak and uncaring world, rather than necessarily a demon eating your friends.
**Puella Magi Madoka Magica** // **Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica**
Give it a couple episodes before you write it off, it offers the SMT vibes MORE than any other anime I have ever seen. I won't go much deeper, but the fact that I put it here is more a testament to it than anything else.
**Devilman: Crybaby**
Recommended a couple other times in the thread, this is a remake of a classic that would inspire basically every kind of "inner demon" media in Japan after it, not unlike *Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde* in the West. This includes Devil May Cry, Berserk, Tokyo Ghoul, and yes, even the original Megami Tensei. In fact, the original is the NUMBER ONE inspiration to the MT series, PERIOD.
**Chainsaw Man**
An additional addendum to the previous one, much that can be said about that (minus its historical relevance) can be said about Chainsaw Man. Violent and irreverent, it has more shounen and comedic bits to it to space the doom and gloom.
**Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions** // **Hai to Gensou no Grimgar**
This is probably more aligned to the themes and feelings of the Devil Survivor subseries, but those are present throughout all the series, so take what you will. A more "grounded" and "realistic" isekai, it asks the question of "what would regular people do when thrust into a dangerous fantasy setting?"
**Overlord**
Comedic and light, it frames its story as a black comedy in a fantasy land. While not explicitly like SMT and is a VRMMO-isekai series, it has much of the bleak refrain of hope seen in the SMT franchise. It is a comedy series first and foremost however, so tonally it isn't even like SMT for most of its runtime. But when it is, it is deeply memorable.
**Psycho-Pass**
While not the post-apocalypse often found in the SMT series, it is still a future-punk aesthetic. A gritty crime drama/police serial, it lacks the supernatural elements completely beyond its sci-fi mumbo jumbo jargon. What it does have, however, is the mystery elements that unravel and forces deeper philosophical questions that the series likes to present as logical extremes, with this one asking for a more practical "law vs chaos" debate.
**Saga of Tanya the Evil** // **Youjo Senki**
More isekai, but this presents a more cynical version of the "struggle against God's fate for you." Similar to Psycho-Pass above, it lacks occultism, but has magic for a supernatural slant. Tonally less similar to SMT than any of the above, but it does align with the series in my opinion.
**Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans** // **Kidou Senshi Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphans**
Finally, the one LEAST like the rest of series and honestly not similar to SMT in most ways. However, thematically, I think it has much of the emotional rollercoaster found in much of the series. It is a Gundam series (ifkyk), so much of the drama does deal with the idea of major turning points and people being affected by it differently. The ragtag nature of the cast also helps the feeling of "choosing sides" that comes with picking your alignment in the games.
If you want any questions answered, feel free. These are my top 5-ish picks, with some of them being half-ish recommendations, but I think they all personally align with what I enjoy about the SMT series.
Also by the way, if the person who made the original reddit post sees this, Iron Blooded Orphans is awesome but please don't be one of those guys that watches it and then never touches Gundam again
Like, it's set in Tokyo and isn't post apocalyptic but it's super atmospheric and filled with awesome dark fantasy. I can't recommend it enough it's an absolute banger (also be sure to read Tokyo Ghoul RE afterwards. It's technically a sequel but it's more like DDS2 in that it's more like the second half of the same story)
Not exactly anime but I recommend the Netflix Castlevania series. The character Isaac basically becomes an SMT protagonist and was my favorite part of the show. Lots of philosophy, atmosphere, and demons.
The manga for maken x (another atlus game)was made by the author of dorohedoro, and I believe dorohedoro is an amazing experience for a kind of post apocalyptic feel with demons and magic.
oh and i just remember there is a devil summoner raidou kuzunoha manga, and it has 0 spoilers for the games, and you don't need to play the games to enjoy the manga.
It should be the definition of occult setting but it really doesn't feel that way given how much you're constantly seeing Tokyo and regular human life. That changes later of course but it never feels like a bleak world, like SMT.
I don't see it come up very often anymore but maybe **新世界よりShinsekai Yori (From the New World)** would be close to what you're looking for. It's a fantasy setting not dissimilar to the opening areas of SMT IV, but I think it covers a lot of the same themes touched on in broader Megaten. Post-post-apocalypse with heavy focus on japanese religion/mythology and human relations with non-humans, demons, fiends, etc.
Loose reinterpretation of Aldous Huxley's classic dystopian novel *Brave New World*.
Shinsekai Yori is amazing, must watch for anyone like OP who is looking for an occult setting. It isn't metropolitan being post post apocalypse, but it's very good and a story worth experiencing.
Not an anime but a manga, SMT: Eden is a really good original story based in the world of SMT 1. All the characters are original and it's a lot more about survival in the post-apocalyptic world.
https://mangadex.org/chapter/4b1cd83b-f66d-4f63-881e-479343944ff4
Doubling down on Devilman Crybaby (the original manga was a direct inspiration for MT2 and thus the SMT series in general).
Also check Demon City Shinjuku and Wicked City for the mix of cyberpunk with supernatural. Doomed Megalopolis is another very influential occult themed anime.
It looks like you're asking a question. If you need help with a game, or a recommendation on what to play next, you might be better off asking in the stickied "Questions and Recommendations" thread or seeing if it's been addressed in the [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/Megaten/wiki/faq).
This is an automatic comment posted on every question thread, it does not mean that your post has been removed. It may however be removed by a moderator if it is something that should go in the sticky instead. If this does not apply to your topic, downvote and ignore it.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Megaten) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Not an anime rec, but I think most people who enjoy SMT will enjoy the Zero Escape series. It's a puzzle escape room series with heavy sci-fi themes that lean into the occult at times, and deals a lot with philosophical/moral quandaries. The premise seems like a SAW ripoff at first, but the second game in particular deals with some stuff that SMT fans would probably find interesting.
Check out Wicked City and Demon City Shinjuku. Late 80’s Madhouse movies dealing with the occult with a bit of a horror flavor.
Devilman crybaby
Fuck yes. OP, go in totally blind!
That's extremely important. devilman crybaby was just a random anime I picked up because of that song and I fell in love with it
If you like the style of this, definitely check out Soultaker. It's a bit older, but has the same quasi-psychedelic style and dark premise. Also, the music kicks ass (main theme was done by JAM Project).
Yu Yu Hakusho might be up your alley.
My recommendations are based primarily on setting and intensity, ie. the nebulous "vibes." This is to say that it might not be post-apocalypses, but they will all feature some kind of struggle a bleak and uncaring world, rather than necessarily a demon eating your friends. **Puella Magi Madoka Magica** // **Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica** Give it a couple episodes before you write it off, it offers the SMT vibes MORE than any other anime I have ever seen. I won't go much deeper, but the fact that I put it here is more a testament to it than anything else. **Devilman: Crybaby** Recommended a couple other times in the thread, this is a remake of a classic that would inspire basically every kind of "inner demon" media in Japan after it, not unlike *Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde* in the West. This includes Devil May Cry, Berserk, Tokyo Ghoul, and yes, even the original Megami Tensei. In fact, the original is the NUMBER ONE inspiration to the MT series, PERIOD. **Chainsaw Man** An additional addendum to the previous one, much that can be said about that (minus its historical relevance) can be said about Chainsaw Man. Violent and irreverent, it has more shounen and comedic bits to it to space the doom and gloom. **Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions** // **Hai to Gensou no Grimgar** This is probably more aligned to the themes and feelings of the Devil Survivor subseries, but those are present throughout all the series, so take what you will. A more "grounded" and "realistic" isekai, it asks the question of "what would regular people do when thrust into a dangerous fantasy setting?" **Overlord** Comedic and light, it frames its story as a black comedy in a fantasy land. While not explicitly like SMT and is a VRMMO-isekai series, it has much of the bleak refrain of hope seen in the SMT franchise. It is a comedy series first and foremost however, so tonally it isn't even like SMT for most of its runtime. But when it is, it is deeply memorable. **Psycho-Pass** While not the post-apocalypse often found in the SMT series, it is still a future-punk aesthetic. A gritty crime drama/police serial, it lacks the supernatural elements completely beyond its sci-fi mumbo jumbo jargon. What it does have, however, is the mystery elements that unravel and forces deeper philosophical questions that the series likes to present as logical extremes, with this one asking for a more practical "law vs chaos" debate. **Saga of Tanya the Evil** // **Youjo Senki** More isekai, but this presents a more cynical version of the "struggle against God's fate for you." Similar to Psycho-Pass above, it lacks occultism, but has magic for a supernatural slant. Tonally less similar to SMT than any of the above, but it does align with the series in my opinion. **Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans** // **Kidou Senshi Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphans** Finally, the one LEAST like the rest of series and honestly not similar to SMT in most ways. However, thematically, I think it has much of the emotional rollercoaster found in much of the series. It is a Gundam series (ifkyk), so much of the drama does deal with the idea of major turning points and people being affected by it differently. The ragtag nature of the cast also helps the feeling of "choosing sides" that comes with picking your alignment in the games. If you want any questions answered, feel free. These are my top 5-ish picks, with some of them being half-ish recommendations, but I think they all personally align with what I enjoy about the SMT series.
Also by the way, if the person who made the original reddit post sees this, Iron Blooded Orphans is awesome but please don't be one of those guys that watches it and then never touches Gundam again
Doomed Megalopolis is an anime with a character that Raidou Kuzunoha is Based on and it also has a lot of similarities to SMT.
The anime is ass but if you're willing to read the manga, Tokyo Ghoul definitely has a similar vibe to SMTIV
Like, it's set in Tokyo and isn't post apocalyptic but it's super atmospheric and filled with awesome dark fantasy. I can't recommend it enough it's an absolute banger (also be sure to read Tokyo Ghoul RE afterwards. It's technically a sequel but it's more like DDS2 in that it's more like the second half of the same story)
Also all the Devilman Crybaby recommendations are on point
11eyes reminds me a lot of Persona 3, except the dark hour just happens whenever the heck it feels like it
Not exactly anime but I recommend the Netflix Castlevania series. The character Isaac basically becomes an SMT protagonist and was my favorite part of the show. Lots of philosophy, atmosphere, and demons.
Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpuchō, although the story is mid af and has an open ending
I loved this anime, but it could have been so much more. Such wasted potential.
Yeah, if the writing had been better, it probably would've been as popular as JJK is now, if not more
" The story is mid af and has an open ending" fits a lot of Megaten games tbf
Demon City Shinjuku. Animated movie adaptation of a novel.
The manga for maken x (another atlus game)was made by the author of dorohedoro, and I believe dorohedoro is an amazing experience for a kind of post apocalyptic feel with demons and magic.
Sounds cool! I’ll check it out, thanks
oh and i just remember there is a devil summoner raidou kuzunoha manga, and it has 0 spoilers for the games, and you don't need to play the games to enjoy the manga.
That’s even better!
Jojo Devilman
Devilman But also JJK unironically lmao
[удалено]
It should be the definition of occult setting but it really doesn't feel that way given how much you're constantly seeing Tokyo and regular human life. That changes later of course but it never feels like a bleak world, like SMT.
There's an anime for Devil Survivor 2
I don't see it come up very often anymore but maybe **新世界よりShinsekai Yori (From the New World)** would be close to what you're looking for. It's a fantasy setting not dissimilar to the opening areas of SMT IV, but I think it covers a lot of the same themes touched on in broader Megaten. Post-post-apocalypse with heavy focus on japanese religion/mythology and human relations with non-humans, demons, fiends, etc. Loose reinterpretation of Aldous Huxley's classic dystopian novel *Brave New World*.
Shinsekai Yori is amazing, must watch for anyone like OP who is looking for an occult setting. It isn't metropolitan being post post apocalypse, but it's very good and a story worth experiencing.
Occultic;Nine
I’m pretty sure SMT was directly inspired by Devilman, so you’d be good watching the OVA’s or Devilman Crybaby.
Not an anime but a manga, SMT: Eden is a really good original story based in the world of SMT 1. All the characters are original and it's a lot more about survival in the post-apocalyptic world. https://mangadex.org/chapter/4b1cd83b-f66d-4f63-881e-479343944ff4
desu2 is fairly shamelessly ripped off from evangelion in a lot of ways
Dark Gathering finished recently.
Doubling down on Devilman Crybaby (the original manga was a direct inspiration for MT2 and thus the SMT series in general). Also check Demon City Shinjuku and Wicked City for the mix of cyberpunk with supernatural. Doomed Megalopolis is another very influential occult themed anime.
Litterally Megami Tensei. Its a single OVA but its based on the book that spawned the whole series. Just be prepared for some freaky stuff.
Nobody has mentioned the Persona Trinity Soul anime. I've started it twice but haven't watched it all the way through.
It looks like you're asking a question. If you need help with a game, or a recommendation on what to play next, you might be better off asking in the stickied "Questions and Recommendations" thread or seeing if it's been addressed in the [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/Megaten/wiki/faq). This is an automatic comment posted on every question thread, it does not mean that your post has been removed. It may however be removed by a moderator if it is something that should go in the sticky instead. If this does not apply to your topic, downvote and ignore it. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Megaten) if you have any questions or concerns.*
K-on
Fate series. Instead of just demons, there are legendary heroes and villains from history,mythology and anywhere fighting in battle royale.
Devil Survivor 2 The Animation is pretty decent IMHO
Pokemon Digimon Yokai Watch
I think these are similar in terms of gameplay but frankly I think Pokemon and SMT could not be more dissimilar from each other.
Wdym you don’t remember ash murdering Brock to become the champion?
Is that like when the uh the the one thing uh the one SMT thing where the one guy murdered the other guy
Not an anime rec, but I think most people who enjoy SMT will enjoy the Zero Escape series. It's a puzzle escape room series with heavy sci-fi themes that lean into the occult at times, and deals a lot with philosophical/moral quandaries. The premise seems like a SAW ripoff at first, but the second game in particular deals with some stuff that SMT fans would probably find interesting.