In Korea, they host the God of High School tournament. In it, the strongest high school fighters battle it out against each other for the top prize. This year, Mori Jin, a Taekwondo specialist, has entered, but soon finds out there is more at play than just a simple tournament.
Fights! It’s all fights. Always was. If you are a big fan of tournament arcs in anime, then this one is for you. It combines all that violence into a visually stunning package. If you want more anime recommendations like The God of High School, then head on down below.
Anime Like The God of High School
For Fans of Tournament Fighters
Dragon Ball Z
Goku is living a peaceful life with his wife and son, however when a mysterious alien crashes to Earth and claims to be Goku’s brother, his peaceful life will come to an end. Learning he is one of the last members of the Saiyan race, alien thugs that conquer planets for another alien overlord, Goku and his friends must defend the Earth from a continuous onslaught of enemies.
While DBZ features super powers and isn’t all tournament style fighting, it is an anime most notable for its tournaments. Both shows want to hook you on how two people match off against each other in exciting fights.
Queen’s Blade
In this world, the ruling Queen is decided by a tournament that happens every few years. This is the story of a young warrior who is traveling to the upcoming tournament.
The whole plot of Queen’s Blade, similar to The God of High School, is that it is a tournament. It is really just fighting. However, while the God of High School has some intrigue, the “hook” in Queen’s Blade is the ecchi stereotypical female fantasy armor that covers little.
Baki the Grappler
As the son of Hanma Yuujiro, Hanma Baki trains intensely every day in order to finally beat and surpass his father. However, at this very moment, five of the world’s most dangerous and deadly criminals are breaking out of jail. They all seek out one thing – Baki. They all crave the taste of defeat and hope Baki can grant it to them. However, in this dangerous fight, Baki is not alone.
Baki is all about muscular men viciously fighting each other. Baki the Grappler has an official tournament arc, but mostly it is less official underground fights. If you wanted a little more brutality, then Baki is for you.
For Fans of Fluid Fighting
Katanagatari
In Edo era Japan, Shichika Yasuri practices one of the most unique sword styles among a culture of unique sword styles, a technique that uses his own body as a blade. As the seventh head of the style’s school, he lives in exile with his sister Nanami until the ambitious Togame barges into his life. Togame tries to recruit him on her mission to collect the twelve unique swords known as the Deviant Blades for the shogunate. Interested by the girl more so than her mission, Yasuri accepts, only to later find the challenge in collecting these swords is defeating the legendary swordsmen that wield them.
I’ll be real, in terms of plot and setting, Katanagatari has profoundly little to do with The God of High School. The reason I am recommending it is because both series are just beautiful with how the fights are animated. It is what makes them both so exciting to watch.
Rage of Bahamut
Thousands of years ago, ancient dragon Bahamut terrorized the world. However, when gods and demons allied themselves to prevent the world’s destruction, they sealed him away, splitting the key among them so he would be eternally imprisoned. After the dragon was sealed, humanity returned to normal. However, things are about to get very abnormal for bounty hunter Favaro when he meets a mysterious women that holds half the key to Bahamut’s seal.
While wildly different in setting an plot, Rage of Bahamut presents similar kind of character personalities. They are cool and snarky, occasionally clashing with each other. Furthermore, when it comes to those big moments, both shows can visually just blow you away with how beautiful the animation is.
Megalo Box
Megalo Box is an underground sport in which fighters utilize mechanical limbs that augment the power of the fighters. Junk Dog, despite big potential, needs money and makes it by throwing matches. However, after he is defeated by a champion in disguise, he is presented with a challenge to fight his way up to fighting him again.
While God of High School features fighters that are just naturally strong, Megalo Box provides an explanation for their power through augmentations. Regardless, both shows display these arena-style fights with great animation that gives a nicely fast and fluid pace.
For Fans of Unique Characters
Tower of God
Bam spent his whole life trapped beneath a mysterious tower with his closest friend Rachel. One day, Rachel disappears, claiming she is going to climb the tower. Bam manages to open the door to it as well and attempts to climb in order to be reunited with Rachel. However, what awaits him is a new ordeal on each level, and he is not the only one trying to climb.
While immediately similar for both being based off Korean webtoons, they have a lot more in common too. Both shows have a wide array of different characters and they are all ridiculously strong. Furthermore, while Tower of God has less of a focus on fighting matches, it is kind of a tournament-style show in its own way.
One Piece
With his dying breath, legendary Pirate King Gol D. Roger let the world know about his treasure, setting in motion the Grand Age of Pirates. Among the many crews that set out to look for the legendary One Piece treasure is Monkey D. Luffy, a young man that has assembled a rag-tag crew to sail the Grand Line and hunt down One Piece.
One Piece has created a legendary world that feels full of strong people. The series is very much about finding the strongest, like the God of High School and provides a bit of intrigue about the government. Unfortunately, its characters and fights aren’t restricted by what is realistic.
Bleach
Ichigo Kurosaki is an average high school student except for his ability to see ghosts. One night, his family is attacked by a Hollow, a corrupted spirit that devours souls. He and a Soul Reaper who appears named Rukia manage to fight it off. However, in the process, Rukia is injured, forcing her to share her powers with Ichigo in order to survive the battle. From there, Ichigo must face down with Hollows and other Soul Reapers alike, not yet knowing what powerful enemies lurk out in the universe and what devastating powers lie within himself.
If you enjoyed the interesting characters in God of High School, then Bleach goes even further. Not held back like silly things like “realism,” it allows some truly wild character designs and personalities.
Do you have more anime series like The God of High School? Then let fans know in the comments section below.
Great List! Might I also add another “Baki”-like anime, Kengan Ashura. 🙂