If you finished Lord of Mysteries and immediately felt the post-watch emptiness, you’re not alone. The 2025 donghua adaptation of Cuttlefish That Loves Diving’s masterpiece delivered something rare: a Victorian steampunk world dripping with occult mystery, a meticulously crafted Beyonder power system, secret societies, cosmic horror undertones, and an intelligent protagonist who survives through wit rather than raw strength.
Now the wait for Season 2 begins, and fans are hunting for shows that capture even a fraction of that unique atmosphere. While nothing is a perfect 1:1 match, several anime and donghua share key DNA — whether it’s the gothic-steampunk aesthetic, complex progression systems, layered mysteries, or dark conspiracies.
10 Anime & Donghua Like Lord of Mysteries (2026 Guide)
Here are 10 of the best anime and donghua similar to Lord of Mysteries that deserve a spot on your watchlist.
The Case Study of Vanitas
This is probably the closest aesthetic match. Set in a steampunk-tinged 19th-century Paris, the series follows a human doctor and a vampire as they investigate curses tied to a mysterious book. Gothic atmosphere, occult rituals, secret societies, and stylish supernatural investigation make it feel like a spiritual cousin to Klein’s world.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
A classic for a reason. The structured alchemy system (with real costs and rules), steampunk industrial world, grand political conspiracies, and themes of forbidden knowledge closely echo the Beyonder pathways and moral complexity of Lord of Mysteries. The world-building is deep and rewarding.
Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji)
Pure Victorian elegance mixed with demons, contracts, and dark supernatural mysteries. If you loved the high-society intrigue, formal attire, and occult undercurrents of Tingen City, this series delivers that refined gothic vibe in spades.
D.Gray-man
Victorian setting, secretive religious organizations fighting against dark forces, unique power systems, and a constant sense of looming horror. The battle between order and chaos, plus the cost of power, will feel familiar to fans of the Nighthawks and the Churches.
Bungo Stray Dogs
Ability users, rival factions, mind games, and ongoing mysteries take center stage. While the setting is modern Japan rather than Victorian, the focus on clever protagonists, secret organizations, and stylish supernatural conflict gives it a similar intellectual energy.
Link Click (Shi Guang Dai Li Ren)
One of the strongest donghua recommendations. The protagonists use supernatural abilities to enter photographs and solve mysteries. Excellent episodic storytelling builds into a much darker, twist-filled overarching plot — perfect if you enjoyed the investigative side of Lord of Mysteries.
Mo Dao Zu Shi (The Founder of Diabolism)
Mystery, political intrigue, dark cultivation elements, and complex character relationships define this acclaimed donghua. The world is rich with secrets, hidden histories, and moral gray areas that fans of Klein’s careful scheming will appreciate.
A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality
If the detailed sequence progression system was your favorite part of Lord of Mysteries, this donghua is essential. The protagonist starts from the absolute bottom and methodically climbs a vast, dangerous hierarchy of power in a highly structured cultivation world.
Renegade Immortal (Xian Ni)
A darker, more ruthless counterpart to the previous recommendation. The journey is brutal, the protagonist is morally complex, and the power system demands real sacrifice — capturing the high-stakes, often
From the New World (Shinsekai Yori)
A slow-burn masterpiece of hidden truths, societal control, and a power system with devastating costs. The gradual unraveling of dark secrets and the sense of existential dread make it an excellent thematic match for the deeper layers of Lord of Mysteries.
Bonus Mentions
- Solo Leveling — for pure weak-to-strong progression and dark atmosphere.
- Attack on Titan — for escalating world-shaking mysteries and grand-scale conspiracy.
Lord of Mysteries remains uniquely ambitious in how it blends Victorian aesthetics, Lovecraftian occultism, and a knowledge-based power system. These recommendations won’t fully replace it, but they each capture important pieces of what makes the series special — whether that’s the steampunk-gothic mood, the intellectual cat-and-mouse games, or the thrill of carefully ascending a dangerous hierarchy.
Which of these are you adding to your list first? Drop your thoughts in the comments — especially if you’ve already found other hidden gems that scratch the same itch while we wait for the next season.
Last Updated on September 20, 2026 by Yu Alexius
