Television series
Street Fighter II: V
Street Fighter II: V is a 1995 anime series that follows Ryu and Ken as they travel the world perfecting their martial arts, encountering colourful fighters and gradually uncovering a sinister conspiracy. It's earnest, gorgeously animated action with genuine character development beneath the tournament spectacle. For people who love fighting games but want story and heart alongside the combat.
If you liked this
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood2009
A sprawling adventure where two brothers travel the world seeking redemption, meeting unforgettable characters and slowly unveiling a massive conspiracy. The action is thrilling, but the emotional core is what lingers.
But Fifty-four episodes is a commitment, and the first ten episodes move slowly while establishing the world and tone.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners2022
A stylish 10-episode anime about two young people learning their craft while getting tangled in forces bigger than themselves. Gorgeous animation, a killer soundtrack, and genuine stakes that build steadily.
But It's extremely violent and does not shy away from tragedy. The ending will hurt.
Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan1996
A swordsman travels Japan meeting people, fighting rivals, and becoming unexpectedly entangled in a conspiracy that demands he choose sides. Balances spectacular action with real vulnerability and moral complexity.
But The anime has some pacing issues in the middle, and the animation budget fluctuates noticeably across episodes.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Street Fighter II: V
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
Kung Fu Cult Master1993
Both are about martial artists travelling the world to master their craft through encounters with different styles and philosophies, with the external plot (conspiracy, evil organisation) ultimately mattering less than what the journey teaches about themselves.
An unsung gem where a young man travels China mastering martial arts under different masters, learning humility alongside technique. Beautifully shot, genuinely funny, and understands that the real fight is internal.
But It's a 1986 Hong Kong film, so the print quality varies depending on where you find it, and the pacing is meditative rather than propulsive.
More like this (7)
Castlevania2017
Four seasons of dark fantasy action with excellent voice acting, intricate fight choreography, and a narrative that deepens from 'stop the vampire' into something much richer and sadder.
But The first season is only four episodes and feels like prologue. You have to commit to the full arc to see why people love it.
Blue Exorcist2011
Two brothers, supernatural conspiracies, and a protagonist learning to master fighting techniques across a series that takes its emotional stakes seriously. The action is inventive and the character dynamics are warm.
But Some story arcs contradict the manga source, and the show occasionally struggles with tonal whiplash between comedy and genuine danger.
Soul Eater2008
Stylishly weird action anime where students train to master their fighting abilities while uncovering a vast evil scheme. The art design is inventive, the soundtrack is killer, and it commits to its own strangeness.
But The ending diverges significantly from the source material and feels rushed. Some find the visual style off-putting rather than charming.
Demon Slayer2019
Stunning animation paired with a young fighter training intensely and traveling to face increasingly formidable opponents while uncovering darker truths. Each season escalates the stakes and the technical animation is genuinely breathtaking.
But Plot feels secondary to spectacle; character development is minimal and the dialogue can feel generic.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure2012
Multiple generations of fighters learning unique combat techniques, travelling across the world, and battling an ancient evil. Genuinely inventive, deeply silly, and commits completely to its own aesthetic.
But The tonal whiplash is constant, the early animation is rough, and it requires genuine tolerance for extreme campiness to enjoy.
Carole & Tuesday2019
The same structure: two protagonists travel (physically or creatively), meet extraordinary people, develop skills through exposure to different influences, and gradually realise they're caught in something much larger and darker. Both pit individual human connection against faceless malevolence.
Two strangers meet on Mars and form a music duo, discovering their voices together while uncovering a conspiracy that wants to control art itself. Visually stunning, surprisingly moving, and about the power of human connection against corporate evil.
But It's a music anime where the songs are integral to the story; if you're resistant to stylised musical moments, the format will feel precious rather than profound.
Paprika2006
Both use the protagonist's journey—physical in Street Fighter, psychological in Paprika—as the vehicle for exploring identity and mastery. Both pit individuals against an overwhelming shadowy force trying to control and corrupt. Both understand that fighting is as much spiritual as physical.
A surreal, visually inventive film about technology, dreams, and identity that moves at breakneck speed with action that defies physics. Utterly unlike anything else; a masterwork of animation that rewards repeated viewings.
But The plot is deliberately confusing and the film trusts you to figure it out yourself. If you need clarity before emotional investment, this will frustrate you.
