You’ve probably spent way too many hours scrolling through Crunchyroll or Netflix trying to find that exact high. You know the one. It’s that specific cocktail of a legendary group of outcasts, a pint-sized leader who’s secretly a god, and power scaling that makes absolutely no sense but feels incredible to watch. Honestly, finding anime like Seven Deadly Sins is a nightmare because most people just point you toward "generic shonen" and call it a day. But The Seven Deadly Sins (Nanatsu no Taizai) isn’t just about fighting. It’s about that weird, messy camaraderie and the specific lore of European-inspired high fantasy that feels like a Dungeons & Dragons campaign gone off the rails.
Meliodas is a tough act to follow. He’s the Captain of the Sins, the Dragon’s Sin of Wrath, and a character who subverts the "hero" trope by being centuries older than he looks. If you’re looking for that same energy, you can't just pick any show with a sword. You need the dynamic of a team that has a history. You need the "found family" vibes where everyone is a little bit broken.
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The "Ragtag Group of Legends" Vibe is Everything
Let’s be real for a second. The reason we love the Sins isn't just the Full Counter or Escanor being the literal sun. It’s the fact that they were a disgraced group of knights who had to get the band back together. If that’s the itch you need to scratch, you have to watch Akame ga Kill!.
Now, fair warning: this show is darker. Like, way darker. While Seven Deadly Sins has its moments of tragedy, Akame ga Kill! treats its characters like they’re in a blender. It follows Night Raid, an elite group of assassins who are trying to overthrow a corrupt empire. Just like the Sins, they are labeled as villains by the public but are actually the only ones doing the right thing. You get that same "everyone has a unique, legendary weapon" mechanic (they’re called Imperial Arms or Teigu). The action is crisp, and the stakes feel heavy because, unlike some shonen, characters actually die here.
Then there’s Fairy Tail. People love to dunk on it for the "power of friendship" trope, but if you want the sheer scale of magic and a loud, boisterous guild that feels like a family, this is it. Natsu Dragneel and Meliodas are basically cousins in spirit. They both have that "looks like a kid, fights like a demon" energy. Plus, the world-building in Fairy Tail mirrors the Arthurian legend vibes of Britannia by leaning heavily into wizarding lore and ancient dragons.
Why Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic is the actual closest match
If I had to pick one show that captures the soul of anime like Seven Deadly Sins, it’s Magi. It’s criminal how many people skip this one. It takes Arabian Nights mythology—Aladdin, Ali Baba, Sinbad—and turns it into a high-stakes political fantasy.
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Aladdin is a "Magi," a powerful magician who chose Ali Baba to be his King Candidate. They travel into Dungeons (massive towers that appear out of nowhere) to capture Djinn, which then grant them massive power-ups called Djinn Equips. Sound familiar? It’s basically the Sacred Treasure mechanic but with a more philosophical bent. The characters are vibrant, the world is massive, and it tackles heavy themes like slavery and systemic corruption without losing its sense of adventure.
Power Systems and the "Overpowered Leader" Problem
Meliodas is a freak of nature. We know this. Watching him shrug off a mountain-leveling blast is half the fun. If you’re chasing that "main character is secretly the strongest person in the universe" high, you’re looking for The Misfit of Demon King Academy.
Anos Voldigoad is basically Meliodas if he had zero chill and a much better tailor. He’s the reincarnated Demon King who finds out that history has been rewritten to erase his legacy. He’s so overpowered it’s almost a comedy. In one episode, he kills a guy using only the sound of his own heartbeat. It’s ridiculous. It’s over the top. It’s exactly what you want if you liked watching Meliodas humiliate the Holy Knights in the first season.
Dealing with the "Fantasy Medieval" Setting
A huge part of the draw for Seven Deadly Sins is the aesthetic. It’s knights, castles, and taverns. Black Clover hits this note perfectly. Asta is a loud-mouthed kid with zero magic in a world where magic is everything. He joins the Black Bulls, the "worst" squad of Magic Knights in the Clover Kingdom.
The Black Bulls are the Sins, full stop. You’ve got:
- Yami, the captain who loves destruction and gambling.
- Noelle, the noble with control issues.
- Luck, the battle-obsessed kid.
- Vanessa, the heavy drinker who controls fate.
They are outcasts. They are hated. They are the only ones who can save the world. The pacing in the beginning is a bit slow (and Asta’s screaming takes some getting used to), but once it hits the Elf Resurrection arc, it becomes one of the best modern shonen out there.
Beyond the Surface: Mature Themes and Darker Lore
We often forget that Seven Deadly Sins is actually pretty tragic. The curse of Meliodas and Elizabeth is a thousands-year-old cycle of grief. If you want that level of "lore that hurts," you need to check out Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers.
This one is a bit of a curveball. It starts as a standard "six heroes are chosen to save the world from a demon god" story. But when they meet at the rendezvous point, seven people show up. One of them is a traitor. It turns into a locked-room mystery in the middle of a magical jungle. The character designs are unique, leaning more into Aztec/Mayan aesthetics than European ones, but the tension is incredible.
The Rising of the Shield Hero also fits here, specifically regarding the "falsely accused" angle. Naofumi is summoned to another world as the Shield Hero, only to be betrayed and framed for a crime he didn't commit. He becomes a cynical, bitter survivor who has to rebuild his reputation from scratch. It captures that early Season 1 feeling where the Sins are being hunted by the very kingdom they used to protect.
What about the "Echi" elements?
Let's address the elephant in the room: Meliodas is a pervert. The show has a lot of "fan service" that can be polarizing. If you don't mind that and actually enjoy the blend of comedy and high-octane action, High School DxD is the gold standard. Ignore the reputation for a second—the actual mythology and "Sacred Gear" power system are surprisingly deep. It deals with the war between Angels, Fallen Angels, and Devils, much like the Clan War in Nanatsu no Taizai.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Binge
Finding a new series shouldn't be a chore. Don't just pick something based on a thumbnail; look at the studio and the director.
- Check the Studio: A-1 Pictures handled the first two (good) seasons of Seven Deadly Sins. If you like their visual style, look at Sword Art Online or Blue Exorcist. They have a specific way of handling magic circles and light effects that feels familiar.
- Look for "Battle Shonen" with a twist: If you're bored of the "I want to be the Hokage" trope, look for shows where the protagonist is already established or has a dark past. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is the goat for a reason—it’s a tight, medieval-fantasy story about brothers dealing with the consequences of their sins.
- Give "Magi" a real chance: I’m repeating this because it’s the most common "miss" for Sins fans. Start with The Labyrinth of Magic, move to The Kingdom of Magic, and then watch the prequel Adventure of Sinbad.
If you want the knightly aesthetic specifically, The Heroic Legend of Arslan is your best bet. It’s written by the same person who did Fullmetal Alchemist and follows a young prince trying to reclaim his kingdom. There isn't as much magic, but the tactical warfare and the loyalty of his small band of followers will remind you exactly of why you loved the Sins in the first place.
Start with Black Clover if you want a long-runner, or Akame ga Kill! if you want something short and punchy. Just stay away from the fourth season of Seven Deadly Sins if you value your eyesight—the animation drop-off is a tragedy we don't need to relive. Focus on the stories that understand that a hero is only as good as the sins they're trying to outrun.