Shows Like K-Pop Demon Hunters With Fierce Female Leads

If you’re like me and still thinking about K-Pop Demon Hunters (KPDH) days after watching it, you’re probably on the hunt (pun intended) for something that scratches that same very specific itch.

Luckily, there are a bunch of shows (and one movie) that tap into that same vibe.

These picks each center a trait of KPDH's formula (e.g. girl groups, transformation scenes, fantastical elements, high-energy action, similar humor, friendship, or self-discovery).

Here are 10 titles that feel like KPDH’s spiritual sisters.

Totally Spies!

This one feels like it was made for people who liked KPDH.

Totally Spies! is about three girls – Sam, Clover, and Alex – who juggle school and being international spies.

Yes, the threats in the show are technically scientific inventions or greedy humans, but they’re so absurd they might as well be demonic curses.

What makes it such a good fit is that it hits the exact tone of KPDH as it features fight scenes, exaggerated facial expressions, a girl-trio that deal with a double life and dramatic costume changes.

Plus, Alex is basically Zoey’s twin, since both are friendly excitable girls with a fierce side and short black hair.

W.I.T.C.H.

I’ll be real: W.I.T.C.H. doesn’t get talked about enough. It follows five girls who discover they’re guardians of the elements, protecting both Earth and a fantasy realm called Meridian. It has that same “two worlds” tension that KPDH has (the real life vs. magical chaos dilemma) and a focus on friendship and identity that hits just right.

There's magical fights and some real emotional depth, that you wouldn't immediately expect when you only judge based on the artwork.

Turning Red

This is the only movie on the list, but it fits so well. The main character Mei is a Chinese-Canadian teen who starts turning into a giant red panda when her emotions get too intense.

It has some of the most honest storytelling about teen girl pressure I’ve ever seen.

The movie is not about fighting demons, but it is about hiding a big, scary secret part of yourself (and funnily enough, it features a fictional boy band. The one's in Turning Red are not the bad guys, though.)

It hits a lot of the same notes as KPDH, among them expectations from family and balancing tradition with individuality.

Not even to mention that the animation is gorgeous.

Sailor Moon

There’s something timeless about Sailor Moon. It's a classic for the “girl group secretly saving the world” genre.

Same as KPDH, the girl-group transform into warriors to fight mystical threats, all while dealing with crushes and drama on Earth.

I think the show is so popular that I don't even have to continue explaining why you should watch it. But if you're still curious about the premise of the anime, then it might be worth looking into it.

Powerpuff Girls

Yes, they’re technically kindergarteners, but still the Powerpuff Girls don't lack any strength in fighting evil. Also, the dynamic of Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup feels a little similar to the KPDH trio in terms of there being a leader, a snarky one and a sweet one.

The tone of Powerpuff Girls is cute but punchy. And despite it's simplistic style, it strikes as the sort of show that fans of KPDH would enjoy.

Bocchi the Rock!

You will find no demons or transformation scenes in this one. Just Bocchi – a painfully shy high schooler who wants to be a rock star but can barely order food at a café.

So why is it on this list? Because KPDH isn’t just about action, it's also about the importance of music and the sweet moments between band members.

If you want something wholesome to watch and a similar level of weird humor and funny expressions, then you might want to take a look at the anime.

Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts

In this animated show, the main character Kipo lives in a wild, post-apocalyptic world full of mutant animals. As she searches for her dad, she discovers a strange power inside herself.

The music is fantastic and the emotional arc is strong. If you liked KPDH for its heart as much as its hype, Kipo is a perfect follow-up.

Winx Club (the early seasons, we'll ignore the later ones)

If KPDH was your jam and you are a fashion and magic-enthusiast, Winx Club should be your next watch.

The journey of main character Bloom – discovering a power she doesn’t fully understand and being “the chosen one” – mirrors the typical reluctant-hero arc, much like what we see in KPDH.

It's basically childhood gold. But if you unfortunately never watched the show as a kid, then now is the time to catch up.

Zombie Land Saga

If you haven’t seen this one, the premise alone is funny enough to give it a watch: In the anime, a group of dead girls are resurrected to form an idol group, all managed by the loudest man in anime.

Like KPDH, it features idol performances with the supernatural elements. Similar to Rumi in Demon Hunters, the girls have to keep their supernatural other self hidden while performing on stage.

The humor can be a bit chaotic at times, but it also finds moments of tenderness, especially when the girls reckon with their past lives.

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

If you’re looking for an epic girl-power fantasy, this is the one. In the show, the lead Adora transforms into the legendary warrior She-Ra and joins a rebellion of magical princesses to fight against an evil empire.

If you liked the emotional tension in KPDH, you’ll probably love She-Ra. It doesn’t shy away from trauma or conflict, but it also has unicorns, redemption arcs, and characters learning to be their most powerful selves without becoming someone they’re not.

Final Thoughts

None of these shows are exactly K-Pop Demon Hunters. Each one brings something unique to the table and some may be more childish than others.

But if you can enjoy a girly show, even if it's technically "for kids", then you'll appreciate the picks on this list for what they are.

Thankfully, humor is a universal experience.