Both animes are very similar to each other, both heroes plot an ingenius plan to survive, both keeps you guessing until the end and hunger for the next one, both has amazing storyline. Kaiji is a genius anime without the supernatural stuff from Death note.

The best of the best in terms of psychological mind-game series. They don't come any better than these two; Kaiji's initially alarming yet charming big-nosed art style aside. When you include One Outs, it's fair to say that Madhouse are THE studio to go to for detailed schemes and counter-scheming internal monologues. The tense intensity, which is amplified by the amazing soundtracks (same composer) and Kaiji's 'zawazawa' / narration, is truly something. Two aspects of Death Note and Kaiji differ from each other. The first is that DN has a supernatural edge while Kaiji does not. The second is Light (DN's lead) and Kaiji's (titular lead) personalities. Where as Light is so brilliant only his arrogance and an autistic rival genius can bring him down as he kills everyone in his path, Kaiji is a gullible loser. They couldn't be more different as people. To give an example, the very first game scenario occurs in Kaiji because Kaiji is in debt after co-signing a loan and is then tricked into entering a 'money or slavery', do-or-die gamble. The simplest way of explaining the series' differences is that Kaiji is always an underdog (hence the 'Ultimate Survivor'). Light, on the other hand, always holds all the cards. Of course, the above doesn't mean anything negative about Kaiji as a series. If anything, finding yourself willing on a loser and always being surprised over how he snatches victory from the jaws of defeat is more involving than watching a character such as Light win almost on auto-pilot as he attempts to become a God. We all love an underdog. What does matter is the mind-games themselves, and mind-games are where Kaiji excels. Where as Death Note didn't have any outright games to be dueled over with rules and winners, Kaiji does. There are three separate games in the first season and the stakes increase with each new challenge, to the point where they become life or death and every choice becomes agony, despite them being seemingly straightforward... but there's always a catch. It becomes so gripping you have to marathon the series.

Death note is a complicated strategy/mystery show in which people must constantly think ahead of one another to survive.

Although the plot is completely different, the similarities lie in brilliantly intelligent and original storylines. Death Note has you on the edge of your seat with the tension and Kaiji will get you doing exactly the same. You never know what will come next and it's strategical plot is immensely engrossing. Don't be put off by the art style of Kaiji, you won't regret watching this hidden gem.

Both animes are very intellectually based, also the main character in both have to think several steps ahead to stay alive.

In both anime moves of heroes are based on logic, and an insignificant mistake can cost the their lives.

The series use the same exact fuel to power the plot, and that fuel is mind games. If you love super smart characters battling each other out in a game of life and death only using their brains, both series are for you. I have not yet seen anything that would stand to Death Note's level of depth and complexity in thinking over the next step of your opponent, but Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji comes VERY close. I have been looking for a series like this ever since I watched Death Note, and finally when I got to it I had no regrets. Obviously both series are a little different. Death Note has a very distinct thriller vibe to it with almost no place for humor in it. Kaiji brings a bit of that black humor, contrasting it with some very serious and dark episodes that I would say are way beyond Death Note's level of DARK. All in all, Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji is the first anime that comes to mind when someone asks if I know anything similar to Death Note. The drawing style may be completely different, but the plot and shenanigans between the main character and the antagonists (and the world as well) is what makes the experience akin.

These two are masters of suspense. They are both fantastic thrill rides that will leave you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Kaiji obviously has much lower stakes, but somehow it manages to make you feel as though the world will truly end if things don't go according to plan. The music is done by the same composer, and it fits both perfectly. If you are in the mood for tension, mind-games, and psychological thrills, then either of these are a perfect fit.

brain twisting and complex strategic plot

The similarity between these two anime can be explained in an extremely simple manner. They give the same feeling when you watch them. They give the same rush the same thrill. The need to watch the next episode. The need to watch more. The same level of enjoyment. They are both series based on intelligence, risk and reward.

Both geniuses .. but.... Kaiji is to much dramatic and in one episode they barely advanced, and Kaiji its "zawa zawa" -and poor animation. no action at all, but when its geniuses- its geniuses. (oh.. and its more likely for kids, but if you want geniuses give its a chance -10 eps)

Assuming you're not completely new to the industry or that you are not turned off by different art styles than these can very well feed your hunger for intense suspense anime which, for me, are hard to come by. They are both examples of mind games done right (for the most part at least...) with thought provoking and addicting narrative. Death note has its mystery and suspense coming from planned out strategies from both our protagonist and its rival with results taking some time to show which makes you want to see how the conflict will progress and who will outsmart the other. A game of morals, intelligence and political and moral ideals between 2 characters. Kaiji focuses almost exclusively on, well, Kaiji and how he manages to elaborate a way out of the most hopeless situations. Instead of one rival the obstacles come from games he is thrown into, The pressure and danger is more evident in this series with its numerous psychological setups usually forcing Kaiji to think outside the box and fight his own fear, lack of luck and despair. It feels more human, lacks the supernatural aspect Death Note has and goes further in terms of visual metaphors. Death note makes use of Light's thoughts to help both the suspense and the understanding of certain scenes while Kaiji relies on a narrator for pretty much the same purpose. Being death note more about Light's strategies against its rival and because with Kaiji it feels like you're watching (or participating on) a collection of deathly games I found both to be very fitting for the role they played. Death note has very little fan service and Kaiji has absolutely zero.

These shows remind me of each other because they both contain a lot of mind games and suspense. A lot of high risk situations that can get your blood pumping, because one wrong move can ultimately destroy the MC. If you liked one of these shows for the psychological mind battles that happen between characters, then you'll definitely like the other

Both of these animes are purely psychological. They revolve around the main character coming into contact with someone who opposes him, and the two having a seriously intense battles that consist of one person thinking "I'm thinking this and there's no way my enemy will know" and then the other person thinking "Ah, I know he's thinking this, but there's no way he'll know I'm thinking this so I'll ruin his plans and do this" AND THEN THE OTHER PERSON THINKING "HA! Of course I knew you knew what I was thinking! Which is why I purposely did this in order to make you do this so I can win!!" and it just goes on for a very long time, to be honest. But both are great!!

Both anime are very heavy on the thrills and the dark, psychological atmosphere, Kaiji even more so than Death Note, and both anime have an emphasis on the strategy involved in the scenarios they present, with the main character having to devise creative plans to survive, and both anime allow the viewer to think about the scenarios along with the main character. Both anime are extremely fast-paced and addicting, and both feature peripheral, but still decently well-done thematic explorations, with Death Note delving into things like overly simplistic morality, and Kaiji emphasizing on themes relating to status and wealth, and demonstrating what people will do survive.

Both contain geniuses that use intellect and mind to beat their opponents. Both want to keep you guessing.

If you love anime with so much smartness and Characters pulls your attention to the max, Story hold much Not like any kind that highlight on the society we live in and talk about the inside of everyone our dreams fears and our frustration and the pursuit of happiness, Message to everyone and a reminder.

Both are Madhouse shows with a similar dark artstyle, which are about a highly intelligent protagonist and his plans to survive, using his intellect. The pacing is similar and makes both anime highly addicting.

Kaiji has brilliant mind games as good as death note not to mention both death note and kaiji are made by same studio . Kaiji is about gambling and have amazing tension and soundtrack ZAWA ZAWA ZAWA ZAWA ZA-WA.

In both series the main protagonist are confronted with antagonists that try to outwit them through a series of psychological battles. As there are two parties trying to outwit each other it makes both series unpredictable as the audience is constantly questioning who will be outfoxed. If you believe that Kaiji will not interest you as it lacks the supernatural elements that made Death Note intrinsically interesting you may be surprised. Even if you are not interested in gambling Kaiji's struggle to overcome more experienced gamblers through interpreting the situation and forming a simple but unique plan is reminiscent of the plans that Light Yagami formed in his attempt to learn L's identity.

Both feature a genius character who plays mind games with people on their intelligence level. The main character needs to stay several steps ahead in order to survive. Both have a brilliant, tension-filled story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

a lot of thinking, outsmarting and predicting your opponent. Very intense and keeps you watching because you just have to see what happens.

Both psychological thriller anime where main character is constantly at risk of failure.

They aren't really similar. Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor isn't detective and main hero hasn't superpower (or super-object). But Kaiji is really wonderful thriller as Death Note, the only thing that maybe could you stop is animation, because it was made as old style. BUT it is made qualitatively. So if you aren't dependent of so sort animation and you like thrillers, this anime is for you. P.S. I would recommend to watch with subs.

Both feature a calculating protagonist embarking on a game of wit, attempting to outsmart their opponents. While Light is cold and calculating, Kaiji is filled with emotion and overly trusting, much to his detriment.

Both are suspenseful with tons of mind games in them.

mind tricks whatnot both are really solid works of fiction, exaggeration and over the top characters are a common theme