Dark Fantasy Manga series like Übel Blatt you should read

Summary

• Immortal Regis offers unique art and a dark fantasy adventure similar to Übel Blatt.

• Cavalier of the Abyss is a mature series with impeccable world-building and intense battles.

• Trinity Blood combines dystopian story with dark fantasy, deserves a second chance.

Evil Blatt has made an infamous debut in the anime world, and this dark fantasy series has garnered a fair amount of fans ever since it was released as a manga more than a decade ago.

Following the format of a dark hero seeking revenge, in a dark fantasy/grimdark setting with plenty of gore and incredible battle scenes, this list highlights some series that may suit the tastes of those who enjoyed this dark fantasy universe. Some of them are well known, and others have remained underappreciated and overlooked for too long, so readers will be happy to find a hidden gem or two on this list.

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Immortal Regis

Prequel to one of the best Grimdark series

• Genres: Action, Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Supernatural
• Author: Gaonbi
• Artist: Jews

Immortal Regis has many of the primary aspects of a good Dark Fantasy adventure, and many good features such as unique art that deviates from the typical mainstream fantasy manga and combines some elements of sci-fantasy to create a unique setting.

The story follows the misadventures of Regis Nex and his faithful magical sword, Depore Magnasetia in a battle for supremacy that has nothing to envy from other referents of the dark fantasy genre such as Berserkor Evil Blatt. Curiously, both the writer and artist are Korean, although the influence of Japanese comics in this series is strong enough to consider it a true manga. Its stylish art style evolved throughout the series into a unique and spectacular form.

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Cavalier Of The Abyss

An underrated series with a fantastic setting

• Genres: Action, Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Supernatural
• Author: Gaonbi
• Artist: Jews

Cavalier of the Abyss is the continuation of Immortal Regis, with a more mature setting, a definite nod to the Japanese manga style, and impeccable world-building that has grown into one of the most complex Dark Fantasy series out there. This follow-up is also much more mature and stylized than the previous series.

The story takes a dark turn, with Regis slowly becoming a tyrant and exerting his Iron Fist rule over the land of chaos. In this sequel, the protagonist from the previous series takes the role of main antagonist and anti-hero, which is somewhat strange for a fantasy manga, but turned out to be the best decision of the author. If fans enjoyed the intense battle scenes and the complex psychological drama Ubel Blatt, they would love this series too.

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Berserk

A powerful reference to the Dark Fantasy genre

• Genres: Action, Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Drama, Horror, Seinen
• Writer & Artist: Kentaro Miura

The incredibly detailed and beautiful art of Kentaro Miura is constantly at odds with the dark and twisted setting of his opus manga, Berserka series that has as many fans as detractors. In this profound and mature tale of friendship, love, loss and revenge, Guts plays a formidable role as the vagrant hero of the giant broadsword.

A representation of vengeance, the MC is seen slaying demons in bloody (and often R-rated) battles that seem to emerge from the pages. It is no wonder that Berserk considered one of the best Dark Fantasy series of the past few decades, and a must for any fan of Seinen manga.

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Trinity Blood

A lost jewel that combines dystopian storytelling with dark fantasy

• Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Supernatural, Drama, Dystopian, Urban Fantasy, Gothic Horror
• Author: Sunao Yoshida (novel), Kiyo Kyujyo (manga adaptation)
• Artist: Kiyo Kyujyo

This complex, mature yet captivating series holds a special place in the hearts of fans of Gothic Horror and Dark Fantasy. Its plot may seem convoluted and extremely religious at first, but it has a fantastic combination of the best aspects of manga series that HellsingÜbel Blatt and Berserk.

The protagonist is the duality itself, constantly struggling between its destructive and vengeful nature and its desire to nurture and protect humans from its kin. A series that has gained thousands of fans and even has its anime adaptation, although fans of light novels and manga are not happy with it. This is one of those underrated series that deserves a second chance.

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Lost seven

A classic horror story reimagined

• Genres: Action, Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Historical, Supernatural
• Author: Kazuki Nakashima
• Artist: Cow Yasung

Lost seven is an amazing manga series that has been buried and underappreciated for years. It tells the story of the fugitive Princess Snow White and seven members of a secluded clan of warriors who have been cursed and banished for protecting her.

This retelling of the classic tale by the Brothers Grimm is a fantastic example of the storytelling power of folktales when adapted to different media. With a captivating and action-packed setting and impeccable world-building, this is a series meant for Dark Fantasy connoisseurs.

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Record of Lodoss War

Manga that redefined the Dark Fantasy genre

• Genres: Action, Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Seinen
• Author: Ryo Mizuno
• Artist: Yoshihiko Ochi

Record Of Lodoss War, is a well-known series that redefined the sword and sorcery genre and was heavily inspired by Dungeons & Dragons boom from the 80s. It comes from an original novel set in the world of Forcella and has been adapted from video games to anime and, of course, manga.

Its mature narrative tone and deep world-building is something truly appealing, especially to those who enjoy twisted plots involving love, revenge and loss. Unfortunately, the series has declined in popularity in recent years, but it's definitely worth a re-read (and re-watch) before someone takes the hint and hits the remake button.

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Goblin Slayer

Unforgiving and bloody

• Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Seinen, Dark Fantasy
• Author: Kumo Kagyu
• Artist: Kōsuke Kurose

The mature and often bloody world of Goblin Slayer has been seen carrying the banner Dark Fantasy manga for mature audiences for a while now, but that doesn't make it any less viable for those who enjoy a good and dynamic plot with a similar setting as many D&D adventure.

While its unrepentant storytelling has created some controversy (and several instances of censorship), it remains a good example of a low-stakes Dark Fantasy story. The main characters are simply adventurous, they're not on an epic quest to save the world: just slaying goblins and the occasional dragon.

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Claymore

Brutal, bloody and with a strong story

• Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Horror, Shounen
• Writer & Artist: Norihiro Yagi

If the fans loved Evil Blatts unique approach to sword fighting, the design of its Dark Fantasy world, and its more-than-human/less-than-demon main character, then they will surely enjoy Claymore. This series has a powerful female protagonist and a mature setting that is sure to please most fans of battle manga, as well as a lot of bloody action.

If fans are particularly into this mix of sword and sorcery/action horror, they'll surely enjoy Claymore. Its anime adaptation is pretty good too, so they should give it a shot too if they wanted to hold the fort while more Evil Blatt chapter is released.