10 Mind-Bending Superhero Anime Shows to Watch While Waiting for The Boys S4

Season 4 of The Boys isn't even close (it's expected to be released in the summer of 2024), so if you're hungry for some non-typical superheroes, it's time to turn to anime. And while not all of these titles are as gruesome and full of dark humor, they are every bit as exciting as The Boys.

1. Super Crooks, 2021

Johnny Bolt discovered a talent for controlling electricity as a child, but unable to control his abilities, the boy became the culprit of an accident. It changed his life forever, sending him down a dark path and landing him in jail more than once for robbery and fraud.

After another stint in jail, Johnny is tasked with robbing a tower of elite superheroes from the Union of Justice. To accomplish this, Johnny teams up with a crew of fellow superhero criminals.

2. Tiger & Bunny, 2011-2022

In the futuristic metropolis of Stern Bild, the exploits of superheroes are broadcast on TV, and some fights with criminals turn into colorful shows. The hero must not only save people, but also monitor his ratings. One such hero is Kotetsu, nicknamed Wild Tiger.

One day, Kotetsu destroys private property in pursuit of the next villain – and the once popular superhero's ratings have fallen so low that his career is now in danger. To restore the former star's popularity, a local TV station has created the first superhero duo in history – now Kotetsu has a partner, Barnaby, under the pseudonym Bunny.

3. Inuyashiki, 2017

The life of old man Ichiro Inuyashiki is not going well: his children and wife consider him a burden. In addition, Ichiro learns that he has only three months to live due to his illness.

One night, an alien ship crashes in a local park. Old Ichiro and Hiro Shishigami, a schoolboy passing by, die instantly, but the aliens save them by replacing almost all of their body parts with high-tech combat prosthetics.

The noble Inuyashiki decides to help the humans, but Shishigami, on the contrary, begins to brutally kill people, and the old man decides to stop the invincible serial killer.

4. One Punch Man, 2015-2019

Saitama defeats the monsters with a single blow, but feels neither satisfaction nor joy. In his world, he is an outsider: no one knows of his strength and exploits except his only student, who has achieved even greater success as a superhero. And as such, he doesn't need recognition – Saitama’s greatest enemy is boredom, which no villain can dispel.

You've probably heard of the anime about the bald guy Saitama who trained himself to perfection, because it's an undeniable classic. And if you still haven't seen it, now is the time.

5. My Hero Academia, 2016-…

In the world of My Hero Academia, almost everyone has superpowers, but Izuku was born without a single talent and is often bullied by his classmates for it. One day, he rushes to the aid of his friend and attracts the attention of his idol – the strongest living hero, nicknamed All Might. Impressed by the boy's courage, the man takes Izuku as his protégé.

The boy enters one of the best schools for professional heroes – U. A. High School. Now he has to stand up to the League of Villains, who are trying to kill All Might.

6. Solo Leveling, 2024-…

A decade ago, portals began opening on Earth. The monsters behind these portals intend to pass through and bring humanity to the brink of extinction. In response, an opposing force has emerged – hunters endowed with magical abilities to fight evil spirits. It is believed that their strength indicator cannot be changed – neither weakened or strengthened.

Sung Jin-woo is the weakest of the young hunters. Every time he goes into the portal, he risks not coming back alive. One day, after going through the portal, Jin-Woo finds himself in a dungeon where many hunters have died, but it is there that he discovers that it is possible to increase his level.

7. Puella Magi Madoka Magica, 2011

14-year-old Madoka Kaname lived quietly in an ordinary Japanese family. Everything changed with a vague dream in which a strange dark-haired girl fought against the forces of evil in an equally strange world.

The next morning, Madoka saw this girl at school, and a new friend named Homura Akemi told the girl that she should mind her own business. At that moment, Madoka meets Kyubey, who tells her that if she makes one wish, he will make her a sorceress.

8. Zetman, 2012-…

Jin is a participant in illegal fights involving genetically engineered humans called Players. When Jin was a baby, the Players refused to fight for the entertainment of celebrities and started a riot. In order to protect the child from accidental death and give him a chance at a normal childhood, scientist Goro – one of the creators of the Players – steals Jin and raises him as his own son.

Unaware of his destiny, the adult Jin meets the ambitious Kouga. His family was also involved in the creation of the genetically modified fighters. Kouga's grandfather recognizes Jin as the missing baby and asks for his help in finding the escaped Players. Jin agrees to help the old man in exchange for the well-being of his loved ones.

9. Heroman, 2010

Professor Denton is obsessed with making first contact with an alien race. But when he finally manages to send a signal to the aliens, it is received by the hostile civilization of Skrugg, which is about to take over Earth.

At the same time, schoolboy Joseph finds a broken Heybo robot in the garbage and decides to fix it. During a rainstorm, lightning suddenly strikes the repaired toy and transforms it into the fighting robot Heroman, which Joseph can control. Now the schoolboy has a unique chance to not only take revenge on all his tormentors, but also to repel an alien attack on Earth.

10. Samurai Flamenco, 2013-2014

Masayoshi Hazama works as a model. At the same time, since his childhood, the young man has been crazy about the tokusatsu genre – movies about superheroes. But here's the problem: there are no supernatural powers in his world.

The guy still imitates his idols – he hides his face under a bandana, takes the pseudonym Samurai Flamenco and starts to solve the small everyday problems of his town. Samurai Flamenco rescues a cat from a tree, returns a lost umbrella to its owner, and tries to stop people from smoking in the wrong places.