Five Animated Adventures to Obsess Over If You Liked ‘KPop Demon Hunters’
If you love ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ you’ll dig ‘My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Rainbow Rocks,’ ‘Maya and the Three,’ and more
KPop Demon Hunters has rocked the world, setting off a worldwide frenzy. But what makes it so compelling? Probably its genre-blurring mayhem, combining the best of anime spectacle with action-packed storytelling, killer music, dance moves, and a hell of a lot of demon-slaying. And if you can’t get enough of it, maybe what you need is a dose of animated adventures that share similar themes. From demon-slaying heroines to musical showdowns, here are some of our top recommendations that pack in the KPop Demon Hunters magic.
My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Rainbow Rocks (2014)
In this sequel to the original Equestria Girls film, Twilight Sparkle and Spike return in human form to face off against The Dazzlings, a sinister group of rock stars who control the minds of Canterlot High School students with their hypnotic music. Twilight and Spike team up with Sunset Shimmer and the rest of the gang to take them down. But to do that, Twilight must trade in her magic for mic time, pushing her to join The Rainbooms, her friends’ rock band, as the new lead vocalist. And while they compete in the Battle of the Bands at school, Twilight is working behind the scenes to break The Dazzlings’ mind control spell and restore harmony on the campus.
Maya and the Three (2021)
In this thrilling Mexican fantasy series, Maya, a 15-year-old eagle warrior princess, is about to ascend the throne in the fictional land of Teca. But just as she’s about to be crowned, Zatz, the Prince of Bats, reveals the shocking truth: the gods demand Maya’s sacrifice to atone for her family’s wrongdoings, or else they’ll destroy the world. Refusing to back down, Maya sets out on a daring quest, joining forces with three powerful warriors—Chimi (the Skull Warrior), Rico (the Rooster Wizard), and Picchu (the Puma Barbarian)—prophesied to help her rescue humanity from the brink of destruction.
Belle (2021)
A Japanese sci-fi fantasy film, Belle received rave reviews at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival for its visually breathtaking world-building and soaring soundtrack. A story that reimagines the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast, it follows Suzu Naito, a high school student, who loses her passion for singing after her mother’s death. That is until she rediscovers it in a surreal virtual space called “U,” where she transforms into Belle and becomes an overnight music sensation with billions of users tuning in. Meanwhile, she also encounters a mysterious dragon-like creature, with whom she begins an exciting journey of self-discovery and buried secrets.
Nimona (2023)
Nimona features Ballister Boldheart, the first commoner knight, who is framed for Queen Valerin’s murder during his knighthood ceremony. So, he bands with Nimona, a mysterious teen shapeshifter, to figure out who’s behind the conspiracy. In the process, Nimona’s past comes to light—she’s the “Great Black Monster,” a truth that forces her to choose between redemption and destruction, as the kingdom’s prejudices threaten to tear her apart. Her bond with Ballister on the line and their fates intertwined, Nimona makes a bold move in a desperate bid to save the kingdom and set things right in this stunning American science-fantasy action film.
Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld (2024)
Jentry Chau has some serious supernatural juices running through her veins. But with great power comes great danger. When she returns to her hometown in Texas after a stint at a boarding school in South Korea, it’s not just a happy homecoming. She’s also trying to evade Mr. Cheng, a monster who’s hot on her trail and desperate to swipe her powers. That aside, high school isn’t getting any easier for her—she’s got a love triangle to navigate as well, making the show a unique mix of action, drama, and the supernatural.