15 Anime Like Black Lagoon: Gritty, Badass, and Perfect for Mature Audiences

If you loved the arms-dealing chaos of Black Lagoon, then Jormungand is your next stop.

The anime follows Koko Hekmatyar, a charming yet ruthless arms dealer, and her motley crew of bodyguards as they navigate the dangerous world of global arms trading.

The high-stakes action and morally ambiguous decisions in Jormungand mirror the crime-ridden energy of Black Lagoon.

What makes this show even more gripping is the dynamic between Koko and Jonah, a child soldier who works for her despite despising the weapons trade.

Their relationship is layered and tense, much like the morally charged interactions between Rock and Revy.

Jormungand doesn’t shy away from asking tough questions about violence and morality, making it a must-watch for fans of dark, thought-provoking action.

Jormungand info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Spring 2012
• Studios: White Fox
• Genres: Action, Adventure
• Themes: Adult Cast, Military, Organized Crime
• Score: 7.79 (MAL), 7.4 (IMDb)

Watch Jormungand trailer:

Gangsta takes you straight into the criminal underworld of Ergastulum, a city teeming with mobsters, corrupt officials, and ruthless mercenaries.

The story follows two “handymen,” Worick and Nicolas, who take on dangerous jobs for both sides of the law. With its gritty urban setting and morally gray characters, Gangsta captures the same dirty, blood-soaked energy as Black Lagoon.

Nicolas, a deaf fighter with superhuman abilities, adds a layer of depth and uniqueness to the show’s action-packed fights.

The series doesn’t flinch when exploring themes of corruption, survival, and the sacrifices made to live in a brutal world.

Gangsta info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Summer 2015
• Studios: Manglobe
• Genres: Action, Drama
• Themes: Adult Cast, Organized Crime
• Score: 7.41 (MAL), 7.2 (IMDb)

Watch Gangsta trailer:

For fans who enjoy strong female leads and explosive action, Canaan offers a thrilling ride. The story revolves around Canaan, a skilled mercenary, as she battles terrorist organizations and navigates political conspiracies.

Similar to Revy from Black Lagoon, Canaan is a hardened warrior with a tragic past, and her journey is as emotionally gripping as it is action-packed.

The series balances its high-octane sequences with moments of personal reflection, delving into themes of loyalty, vengeance, and identity. The international setting and espionage elements also echo Black Lagoon’s global crime vibe.

Canaan info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: 428: Fuusa Sareta Shibuya de Tokubetsu-hen
• Episodes: 13
• Released: Summer 2009
• Studios: P.A. Works
• Genres: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi
• Themes: Adult Cast
• Score: 7.21 (MAL), 6.8 (IMDb)

Set in a dystopian future where technology and crime collide, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a fast-paced, visually stunning anime that delivers on action and tragedy.

The story follows David Martinez, a young man trying to carve out a name for himself in the merciless world of Night City.

Like Black Lagoon, this anime dives deep into themes of survival and corruption, with characters who navigate morally gray choices in their pursuit of freedom.

The high-octane action sequences and emotional storytelling make it a standout series for fans of gritty, character-driven anime.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 10
• Released: 2022
• Studios: Trigger
• Genres: Action, Sci-Fi
• Themes: Gore, Organized Crime
• Score: 8.61 (MAL), 8.3 (IMDb)

Watch Cyberpunk: Edgerunners trailer:

If you’re drawn to Black Lagoon’s crazy cool action and unrelenting violence, Hellsing Ultimate might be the right anime for you.

This anime dives into the war between vampires, humans, and the Hellsing Organization, led by the fearless Integra Hellsing. At its heart is Alucard, a vampiric antihero whose loyalty to Integra is matched only by his sadistic glee in combat.

Like Black Lagoon, Hellsing Ultimate revels in chaotic action sequences and unapologetically dark themes. The show’s graphic violence and intense storytelling provide the same adrenaline rush, but with a supernatural twist.

Hellsing Ultimate info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 10
• Released: 2006
• Studios: Madhouse, Satelight, Graphinica
• Genres: Action, Horror, Supernatural
• Themes: Adult Cast, Gore, Military, Vampire
• Score: 8.35 (MAL), 8.2 (IMDb)

Gungrave is another anime that dives into the crime underworld, focusing on themes of loyalty, betrayal, and revenge.

The story begins with Brandon Heat, a once-loyal member of a mafia organization, who is betrayed by his closest friend and returns from the dead to seek vengeance.

While it leans into supernatural elements later in the series, its core is a compelling crime drama with emotional weight.

Much like Black Lagoon, Gungrave captures the complexities of its characters’ relationships and the inevitable consequences of living a life steeped in violence.

Gungrave info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 26
• Released: Fall 2003
• Studios: Madhouse
• Genres: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
• Themes: Adult Cast, Gore, Organized Crime, Super Power
• Score: 7.81 (MAL), 7.9 (IMDb)

Set in the Prohibition era, Baccano! weaves together multiple interconnected stories featuring gangsters, alchemists, and immortal beings.

The show’s non-linear narrative style is like a jigsaw puzzle, keeping you engaged as you piece together its secrets. Much like Black Lagoon, Baccano! thrives on its outstanding characters and intense action sequences.

From violent mob clashes to supernatural twists, this anime is as unpredictable as it is thrilling.

Baccano! info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 13
• Released: Summer 2007
• Studios: Brain’s Base
• Genres: Action, Mystery, Supernatural
• Themes: Adult Cast, Historical, Organized Crime
• Score: 8.35 (MAL), 8.2 (IMDb)

Dark, psychological, and emotionally gripping, Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom shares Black Lagoon’s focus on morally complex characters and life-or-death stakes.

The story follows Zwei, a young man brainwashed into becoming an assassin for a mysterious organization, and his growing bond with his equally deadly partner, Ein.

The anime explores themes of identity, free will, and the cost of living a life steeped in violence. Like Black Lagoon, Phantom doesn’t shy away from showing the emotional toll of its characters’ choices, making it a poignant yet brutal watch.

Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 26
• Released: Summer 2009
• Studios: Bee Train
• Genres: Action, Drama, Suspense
• Themes: Organized Crime
• Score: 7.92 (MAL), 7.5 (IMDb)

While Cowboy Bebop might seem stylistically different from Black Lagoon, it shares many thematic similarities.

Following a crew of bounty hunters aboard the spaceship Bebop, the anime blends stylish action, character-driven storytelling, and a melancholic tone.

Spike Spiegel, the show’s charismatic antihero, mirrors Rock’s internal struggle to find purpose in a world that thrives on chaos.

With its jazzy soundtrack, episodic structure, and philosophical undertones, Cowboy Bebop is a timeless classic that appeals to fans of mature, introspective anime.

Cowboy Bebop info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 26
• Released: Spring 1998
• Studios: Sunrise
• Genres: Action, Sci-Fi
• Themes: Adult Cast, Space
• Score: 8.75 (MAL), 8.9 (IMDb)

For fans of crime dramas and revenge tales, 91 Days is a masterpiece. Set during the Prohibition era, this anime follows Angelo Lagusa, a man who infiltrates a mafia family to avenge the murder of his parents and brother.

Much like Black Lagoon, 91 Days thrives on its dark, character-driven narrative and tense atmosphere. Angelo’s journey through the criminal underworld is both thrilling and tragic, as he must grapple with the personal cost of his vendetta.

With its period setting and nuanced exploration of betrayal and loyalty, 91 Days captures the raw emotional weight that Black Lagoon fans will love.

91 Days info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Summer 2016
• Studios: Shuka
• Genres: Action, Drama, Suspense
• Themes: Adult Cast, Historical, Organized Crime
• Score: 7.83 (MAL), 7.6 (IMDb)

If you enjoy anime that blend noir-style storytelling with a supernatural edge, Darker than Black is a perfect pick.

The series takes place in a world where mysterious individuals known as Contractors wield incredible powers but lose their humanity in the process.

Hei, the protagonist, is a masked Contractor working as an assassin, and his moral ambiguity mirrors the kind of antiheroes found in Black Lagoon.

The anime’s espionage-heavy plotlines and brooding atmosphere make it a gripping watch, while its exploration of identity and morality adds a layer of emotional depth.

Darker than Black info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Darker than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha
• Episodes: 25
• Released: Spring 2007
• Studios: Bones
• Genres: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi
• Theme: Super Power
• Score: 8.05 (MAL), 7.7 (IMDb)

For fans of Black Lagoon’s intense action and ambiguous characters, Claymore provides a dark fantasy twist.

The story follows Clare, a warrior who battles monstrous creatures called Yoma while grappling with her own hybrid identity as part-human, part-Yoma. Like Revy, Clare is a tough, no-nonsense protagonist shaped by her traumatic past.

The anime’s bleak tone and themes of survival and sacrifice will resonate with Black Lagoon fans, while its brutal swordfights and intricate world-building offer something fresh and exciting.

Claymore info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 26
• Released: Spring 2007
• Studios: Madhouse
• Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
• Themes: Gore
• Score: 7.73 (MAL), 8.0 (IMDb)

If you loved the cunning schemes and charismatic characters of Black Lagoon, then Great Pretender will keep you hooked.

This anime follows Makoto Edamura, a small-time con artist, as he gets tangled up with a world-class swindler named Laurent. Together, they pull off elaborate heists across the globe, targeting high-profile criminals.

While Great Pretender leans more into humor and stylish storytelling, it shares Black Lagoon’s crime-centered narrative and diverse cast of morally ambiguous characters.

Beneath its playful exterior, the show explores the human cost of deception and survival in a cutthroat world.

Great Pretender info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 23
• Released: Summer 2020
• Studios: Wit Studio
• Genres: Action, Adventure, Mystery
• Themes: Adult Cast, Organized Crime
• Score: 8.20 (MAL), 7.8 (IMDb)

When it comes to dark and mature storytelling, Berserk is in a league of its own. The anime follows Guts, a wandering mercenary, as he battles monstrous foes and faces the harrowing consequences of betrayal and ambition.

Berserk shares Black Lagoon’s unflinching portrayal of violence and its focus on flawed, antiheroic characters. Guts’ journey is one of survival and self-discovery, set against a backdrop of medieval brutality and supernatural horrors.

If you’re looking for something emotionally intense and unapologetically raw, Berserk is an unforgettable experience.

Berserk info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Kenpuu Denki Berserk
• Episodes: 25
• Released: Fall 1997
• Studios: OLM
• Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Horror
• Themes: Gore, Military, Psychological
• Score: 8.60 (MAL), 8.7 (IMDb)

While the title might be unusual, Banana Fish offers a heart-wrenching experience. The series centers on Ash Lynx, a gang leader caught in a web of conspiracy, as he unravels the mysteries behind a drug called “Banana Fish.”

While its story takes place in modern-day New York, its themes of survival, trauma, and human connections echo the emotional undertones of Black Lagoon.

The bond between Ash and Eiji, a Japanese photographer, adds a deeply personal element to the series, making it as touching as it is intense.

Banana Fish info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 24
• Released: Summer 2018
• Studios: MAPPA
• Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Suspense
• Themes: Delinquents, Organized Crime, Psychological
• Score: 8.46 (MAL), 8.1 (IMDb)

Conclusion

There you have it. A treasure trove of anime that capture the essence of Black Lagoon’s dark, thrilling world.

Whether you’re drawn to morally complex characters, intense action, or stories that explore the darker side of humanity, these recommendations have got you covered.

So, which one will you watch next? If you’ve got other crime/action anime with dark themes that you think deserve a shout-out, drop them in the comments!

Until then, keep those guns loaded and your wits sharp, it’s a dangerous world out there.