The genre that stands out, particularly in the world of anime from others, is sure the horror genre. Scary anime introduces viewers to terrifying and dark worlds making your heart race and your palms sweat.
Netflix, a leading streaming platform, has many scary anime programs, from horror to psychology, that will have you on the edge of your seat. These anime series examine terror, despair, survival, and the darkness within. Their sophisticated plots, well-developed characters, and dramatic locales give a thrilling journey to dark fantasy anime fans.
We’ll look at 50 terrifying Netflix anime series that will keep you hooked. There are just a few bind-blowing anime shows available on Netflix. Prepare yourself for a thrilling and terrifying anime marathon with some popcorn and the lights out.
50 Scary Anime Series To Watch On Netflix
1. Tokyo Ghoul
“Tokyo Ghoul” takes place in an alternate Tokyo where ghouls, scary demons who consume humans, live with humans. After meeting a lovely girl named Rize Kamishiro, shy and bookish college student Ken Kaneki is thrown into the dark and frightening world of ghouls.
Kaneki becomes a half-ghoul when Rize nearly kills him. Kaneki must balance his ghoul appetite and humanity as he comes to terms with his new identity.
He learns about ghoul society and its factions from the peaceful ghoul café Anteiku. Touka Kirishima, Hinami Fueguchi, and Yoshimura help him adjust to his new existence and teach him survival skills. As Kaneki explores the ghoul underground, he learns about the deadly war between ghouls and the CCG (Commission of Counter Ghoul).
Ghouls threaten humanity; therefore, the CCG hunts and kills them. Kaneki struggles with his instinctive hunger and desire for a normal existence throughout the series. He gets involved in ghoul-human power clashes as he gets stronger.
Kaneki’s journey is one of self-discovery as he faces his inner darkness, fights powerful opponents, and discovers his dark beginnings. The series explores its protagonists’ mental anguish and the effects of violence and loss.
Also Read: 30 Best Manga Like Tokyo Ghoul To Read
2. Death Note
“Death Note” follows high school student Light Yagami as he discovers the Death Note. The Death Note can kill anyone whose name is written on its pages as long as the writer has their face image in mind.
Light explores the Death Note and realizes it can eliminate criminals and create a utopia under his identity, “Kira.” Global law enforcement organizations are worried about inexplicable murders and send in the enigmatic and talented detective known only as “L” to solve the case.
The light uses the Death Note to kill criminals while dodging suspicion. L, however, uses his reasoning talents to find Kira and bring him to justice.
Light becomes trapped in a web of lies, alliances, and moral issues as the stakes climb and the death count rises. He becomes obsessed with the Death Note and thinks he alone can judge and execute the unworthy. Light’s preparations are derailed by L’s unrelenting pursuit and the appearance of other Death Noteholders.
“Death Note” examines morality, justice, and power. It challenges human judgment and the repercussions of playing god. The light must manipulate his family and friends to conceal his secret and his vision of a new world order as the war of wits increases.
3. Parasyte: The Maxim
“Parasyte: The Maxim” follows high school student Shinichi Izumi, who is infected by a parasitic alien entity. These parasites, called “Parasytes,” control their host’s brain and feed on other humans.
Migi, Shinichi’s parasite, occupies his right hand instead of his brain. In a world where deadly Parasytes roam unnoticed, the two create an odd relationship, relying on each other’s skills and intelligence.
Shinichi and Migi meet other Parasytes who have assimilated into society by taking over human hosts. Some Parasytes, like Ryoko Tamiya, are intelligent and see humans as food, while others want power and supremacy.
He fights Parasytes to save himself, his family, and humanity. He becomes embroiled in a complex web of survival, morality, and the meaning of being human as he learns more about their true nature and menace.
Shinichi transforms physically and emotionally throughout the story. As he watches the Parasytes’ cruelty, he questions his own humanity. The series explores identity, morality, and empathy, blurring human-monster lines. As the story progresses, humans and Parasytes fight to the death. Shinichi must safeguard his family while debating whether humans and Parasites can live together.
4. Another
“Another” is a terrifying anime adaptation of Yukito Ayatsuji’s novel. Transfer student Koichi Sakakibara arrives in tranquil Yomiyama. He realizes that his classmates are cursed in the town.
Mei Misaki, a class outcast, befriends Koichi. He discovers a 26-year-old tragedy while investigating Yomiyama’s dark history. The class’s mistreatment of Misaki, who died, caused a chain of fatalities and a curse that haunts them every year.
The curse causes weird and horrible deaths that are forgotten by the class and town. Koichi and Mei discover horrible secrets and fight a malevolent entity that wants the curse to persist.
Koichi becomes engulfed in a dangerous survival game as he searches for the class’s additional person. He must manage falsehoods, distrust, and superstition while realizing that anyone around him could be a death omen.
“Another” is recognized for its creepiness, tension, and startling developments. It investigates fate, guilt, and secrets. As viewers understand the curse’s mysteries and try to break its cycle, its unsettling imagery and ambient soundtrack heighten the dread.
5. Elfen Lied
The plot follows Lucy, a mystery girl with incredible powers and a tragic past. Lucy is a Diclonius, a species with telekinetic powers and deadly vectors. Lucy escapes a high-security research institution, causing bloodshed. She escapes, but a head injury causes her to split into a young, harmless character named Nyu.
Kouta, a college student, finds Nyu and names her Nyu, her single word. Kouta and his cousin Yuka become enmeshed in political plots, personal vendettas, and humanity’s terrible treatment of the Diclonius while caring for Nyu.
Lucy’s childhood trauma is revealed throughout the story. The series addresses isolation, discrimination, cruelty, and compassion through flashbacks and present-day situations.
The series introduces more Diclonius individuals with tragic backstories and unusual agendas. Tenderness and love emerge amid the slaughter and despair, showing the power of human connection and redemption.
“Elfen Lied” is a powerful anime series with supernatural, psychological, and action themes. It takes viewers on a frightening and emotional journey to confront hard realities about humanity and its capacity for tremendous cruelty and profound kindness.
Also Read: 5 Anime Similar To Elfen Lied That You Should Check Out
6. The Promised Neverland
The main characters, Emma, Norman, and Ray, live peacefully in Grace Field House, an ideal orphanage run by Isabella. Emma and Norman unintentionally discover a horrific secret, shattering their calm existence. They realize that the orphanage is a farm where demons harvest and eat the youngsters. Isabella is a shrewd overseer who keeps the children safe until they are eaten.
Emma, Norman, and Ray band together to outwit Isabella and discover their world’s mysteries to escape and preserve their lives. The series follows their high-stakes battle with the evil forces that rule their life.
The trio discovers secrets about demons, the outside world, and themselves as they explore their reality. They forge unusual partnerships with neighboring farm kids who want freedom and face many hurdles.
“The Promised Neverland” has a complicated plot, ingenious twists, and ethically nuanced characters. It addresses survival, trust, and the lengths people go to defend their loved ones. The show challenges humanity, family, and optimism in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
The story keeps viewers guessing with its mix of psychological intrigue, strategic plotting, and heart-pounding action. It’s a story of tenacity, sacrifice, and youngsters determined to carve their own paths in a society that wants to consume them.
7. Devilman Crybaby
Akira Fudo, a compassionate and empathetic high school student, gets caught in a terrible demon-human war. Ryo Asuka, Akira’s boyhood friend, tells him about demons and their coming invasion.
Ryo encourages Akira to combine with a powerful demon to become a Devilman—a demon with a human heart—to fight the demonic menace. Akira becomes Devilman as he struggles with his abilities and humanity. Akira explores demons’ dark secrets with Ryo’s help.
He forms unusual relationships with good and malicious demons and faces terrible horrors. The series addresses dualism, identity, and the gray area between good and evil.
Akira struggles with his demons and human biases. He becomes a terrible person, divided between protecting demons and humanity and their violent repercussions.
The story shows the worst of human nature and the destructive effects of fear, discrimination, and unbridled power. The anime is known for its extreme violence, eroticism, and existential themes. It disturbs and intrigues audiences by pushing storytelling boundaries.
8. Hellsing Ultimate
The Hellsing Organization, a secret institution, protects England and the world from supernatural threats, especially vampires and other undead monsters. The tale revolves around Alucard, a powerful vampire and the organization’s greatest weapon. Alucard, a centuries-old vampire, can call an army of ghouls, regenerate, and have superhuman strength. Alucard, led by Integra Hellsing, seeks and kills vampires that threaten humanity.
He meets interesting personalities, including Seras Victoria, a vampire police officer, and Walter C. Dornez, a butler and warrior. Alucard’s violent ways to protect humanity blur the distinctions between good and evil is developed as the series asks what justice and immortality cost.
“Hellsing Ultimate” promises thrilling battles and jaw-dropping conflicts with its gothic atmosphere, fierce action, and dynamic animation.
Vampire transformations, high-speed combat, and dramatic showdowns test the protagonists’ talents in the series. It is a thrilling journey into the world of vampires, ghouls, and the endless war between darkness and light.
9. Psycho-Pass
The cyberpunk anime series “Psycho-Pass” takes place in a future world where the “Sibyl System” monitors and controls citizens’ mental health. Akane Tsunemori, a young, idealistic woman, becomes an inspector in the Public Safety Bureau’s Criminal Investigation Division.
The Sibyl System monitors everyone’s mental health and criminal tendencies in this society. A person’s “Psycho-Pass,” a numerical value indicating mental stability and criminality, represents this assessment. Latent criminals are arrested or rehabilitated if their Psycho-Pass is high enough.
As an inspector, Akane meets the mysterious Shinya Kogami and a team of competent detectives. They solve crimes and arrest Sibyl System-identified dangers.
Akane discovers the Sibyl System’s weaknesses and ethical difficulties as she works. She questions the morality of a society that prioritizes security and stability over personal freedom and human complexity.
Akane and her crew face conspiracies and criminals that question the system throughout the series. They fight hazardous enemies, psychological struggles, and moral dilemmas. “Psycho-Pass” raises intriguing concerns regarding crime, punishment, and the effects of technology-based social control. It examines the morality and freedom of a technology-driven society.
Also Read: Psycho-Pass Anime Watch Order: Movies & TV Series
10. Ghost Hunt
Mai Taniyama, a high school student, joins Kazuya Shibuya, commonly known as Naru, the teenage president of the Shibuya Psychic Research Company, in his paranormal investigations.
Mai breaks Shibuya Psychic Research equipment while working at a haunted school. Naru, who investigates supernatural events and solves mysteries, hires her as an assistant. They chase ghosts alongside a Buddhist monk, shrine maiden, spirit medium, and Catholic priest.
“Ghost Hunt” has haunted houses, possessed artifacts, and restless ghosts in each arc. The team uses scientific and spiritual ways to find the truth behind extraordinary events and provide peace to the living and the dead.
The characters fight increasingly perilous and evil monsters, testing their talents and beliefs. They must uncover the hauntings’ dark histories and tragic stories, facing vengeful spirits, curses, and ancient mysteries.
The series explores Naru’s strange history, true identity, and relationship to “the Abyss,” a strong psychic phenomenon. The series balances a spooky mood with interesting character development.
11. Serial Experiments Lain
“Serial Experiments Lain” is a mind-bending anime about identity, reality, and technology’s impact on society. Lain Iwakura, a shy fourteen-year-old girl in modern culture, is the protagonist. After a friend commits suicide, Lain becomes fascinated by “Wired.” The Wired connects people online, blending the digital and physical worlds.
As Lain explores Wired, she questions her existence and reality. She realizes that her identity and memories may be false and that her relationship with the Wired is far deeper than she thought.
Lain meets hackers, conspiracists, and strong Wired entities throughout the series. As she discovers her own secrets, she is caught up in a philosophical tale about technology’s effects on consciousness and the collective unconscious.
“Serial Experiments Lain” explores metaphysical and philosophical issues like self, communication, and the merging of physical and digital domains. The series enables viewers to consider the effects of a hyper-connected world and the loss of identity due to excessive technology. “Serial Experiments Lain” is a bizarre, unsettling, and difficult film. It questions reality, human consciousness, and technology’s impact.
12. Corpse Party: Tortured Souls
The horror anime “Corpse Party: Tortured Souls” is based on the video game series. Kisaragi Academy pupils undertake a rite to stay friends forever. However, their simple gesture of friendship transports them to Heavenly Host Elementary School, a haunted dimension.
The pupils must navigate the cursed school’s blood-stained corridors, where vengeful spirits and evil entities lurk. They discover Heavenly Host’s horrific history as they strive to live and return home.
The narrative follows Satoshi Mochida, Naomi Nakashima, Ayumi Shinozaki, and Yoshiki Kishinuma, each with their own goals and secrets. They witness paranormal events and the anguished Heavenly Host spirits who seek revenge for their wrongs.
The series explores the psychological effects of unthinkable tragedies and mortality on the protagonists. “Corpse Party: Tortured Souls” is a horrific and eerie film. It depicts a relentless decline into a nightmare world where life and death merge and the past haunts the present with ferocity.
13. When They Cry
Based on Ryukishi07’s visual novel, “When They Cry” is a riveting and terrifying anime series. A group of pals in Hinamizawa gets involved in a series of violent and unexplained incidents. Multiple tale arcs offer diverse perspectives on Hinamizawa’s occurrences. Keiichi Maebara moves to the village and befriends Rena Ryugu, Mion Sonozaki, Satoko Houjou, and Rika Furude.
The series reveals Hinamizawa’s dark secrets and terrible past. The village’s yearly celebration is plagued by “Oyashiro-sama’s curse,” which is blamed for a succession of inexplicable deaths and disappearances.
Keiichi and his companions are stuck in a time loop with slight changes. As the protagonists investigate the curse and the violent deeds, paranoia, distrust, and insanity are explored.
As the story progresses, the once-close group of friends fractures, and dark secrets are exposed about each character. The story alternates between slice-of-life and psychological horror, putting viewers on edge as they strive to solve the village’s riddles.
14. Berserk
Guts, a swordsman with a tragic background, travels through a medieval world of bloodshed, battle, and otherworldly powers. In the “Golden Age” narrative, Guts joins Griffith’s Band of the Hawk, a mercenary outfit. Guts bonds with Griffith and his friends, especially Casca, a tough fighter and the sole girl.
Griffith’s ambitions grow as Guts and the Band of the Hawk fight and rise. He sacrifices much to construct Falconia, his country. “Berserk” features Apostles and the God Hand, evil entities. Guts fights demons and his own demons.
The story addresses fate, revenge, and humanity. Guts fights physical and emotional demons to avenge his wrongs. Power corrupts, actions have consequences, and relationships are fragile in the series.
“Berserk” is recognized for its brutality, gothic mood, and violent action. It depicts a harsh, cruel world. The anime’s graphics and animation recreate the manga’s grim and bloody universe.
Also Read: Berserk Watch Order – How To Watch?
15. Vampire Knight
The story takes place at Cross Academy, a prominent boarding school with a Day Class of humans and a Night Class of gorgeous and enigmatic vampires. Yuki Cross, a compassionate and strong girl who protects Day Class pupils’ secrets, is the main character. Yuki and her childhood friend Zero Kiryu work for Cross Academy Chairman Kaien Cross to preserve the fragile human-vampire balance.
The story reveals Yuki’s vampire links. She has no knowledge of her history before being spared from a vampire attack by the fascinating vampire Kaname Kuran, who becomes the center of a complicated love triangle, including Yuki and Zero. Yuki and Zero manage their relationships with Kaname, each with their own deep feelings and secrets, throughout the series. They also reveal vampire society secrets, dark plots, and forbidden romances.
“Vampire Knight” deals with love, devotion, and conflicting instincts. It explores vampire-human relationships and moral quandaries. Vampires are intriguing and terrifying, struggling with their immortality in the series.
The series blends supernatural aspects and human drama with its Gothic ambiance, gorgeous character designs, and strong romantic scenes. It blends darkness and light, blurring good and evil.
16. Jigoku Shoujo
“Jigoku Shoujo,” commonly known as “Hell Girl,” is a psychological horror anime about a supernatural website with a terrifying service. Ai Enma, a strange and otherworldly figure, helps individuals avenge their wrongs. Each episode follows a vengeful client. “Hell Correspondence” can be accessed at midnight by distraught people who want revenge. On the web, people can consign their tormentor to Hell.
Ai will provide a straw doll with a crimson string if they approve. Pulling the thread sends the target to Hell, but the client’s soul will join their target in damnation when they die.
The series follows the terrible experiences of those who seek Ai’s help and their repercussions. The series steadily reveals Ai’s role as the “Hell Girl” and the beginnings of the Hell Correspondence, revealing the destinies of those participating in this supernatural cycle of revenge.
The story follows a group investigating the Hell Correspondence phenomenon. These people investigate Ai’s skills and the terrible events that made her a revenge facilitator.
“Jigoku Shoujo” questions punishment, vengeance, and human suffering. It explores human misery and the terrible force of revenge, making viewers question justice and the true cost of vengeance.
17. Shiki
A devastating pandemic strikes Sotoba, a small rural community. The eccentric and intriguing Kirishiki family moves into a huge estate on the village’s outskirts, starting the series. Toshio Ozaki, a local doctor, becomes determined to solve the disease and preserve his community as villagers fall ill and die.
The inquiry reveals that vampires killed the victims. The Kirishiki family and their friends are vampires who feed on human blood. The story follows multiple Sotoba characters. It tackles the moral difficulties the villagers face as they deal with vampires and the extent they must go to defend their loved ones and themselves.
“Shiki” explores survival, terror, and human evil. The villagers’ morals are tested by a determined opponent. The show challenges life, evil, and action and inaction. The series depicts dramatic and deadly battles between humans and vampires. The villagers combat the vampires, resulting in heartbreaking decisions and catastrophic outcomes.
“Shiki” has a frightening atmosphere, complex character development, and thought-provoking subjects. It addresses morality and human darkness in terror.
18. Ajin: Demi-Human
In the story, “Ajin” are unique and immortal beings and can create strange “Black Ghosts.” After miraculously surviving a truck accident, high school student Kei Nagai realizes he is an Ajin. Kei flees the authorities and other Ajin who want to experiment on him.
Kaito, another Ajin, joins Kei in a perilous game of cat and mouse. They traverse intrigue, bloodshed, and moral difficulties. Kei struggles with his new powers, immortality, and the decisions he must make to defend himself and those he loves.
Discrimination, political control, and immortality’s morality are explored. It explores the delicate relationship between humans and Ajin, stressing their fear and enmity and the lengths both sides will go to dominate.
Kei and other Ajin face the Ajin Management Committee, a brutal government group that captures and exploits Ajin. They also fight Ajin, who utilizes their powers for revenge.
“Ajin: Demi-Human” has sci-fi and psychological aspects, dramatic action, and high-stakes confrontations. Humanity, morality, and life’s significance in the face of immortality are pondered. It asks viewers to consider the limits of humanity and the repercussions of unrestrained power in a world where immortality is both a blessing and a curse.
19. Ergo Proxy
“Ergo Proxy” is a post-apocalyptic science fiction anime. In Rondeau, a domed metropolis, humans and androids cohabit with their respective duties. Re-l Mayer, a Citizen Intelligence Bureau detective, solves a sequence of eerie cases. As she investigates, she finds a Proxy link. Proxies, mysterious beings with god-like powers, threaten Romdeau and humanity. Vincent Law, a suspected Proxy, crosses Re-L’s path. They explore the Proxies’ secrets and their world’s ruins.
Re-L, Vincent, and his comrades face several philosophical and existential issues throughout the series. Identity, consciousness, and humanity are explored. The series asks serious questions about creator-creation, artificial intelligence, and the blurred lines between real and artificial.
“Ergo Proxy” is recognized for its ambient art and complex story. Mystery, psychological reflection, and social satire make the series a mind-bending dystopian voyage.
The characters question reality and their purpose as they face their demons and the Proxies. The series explores awareness and human nature, asking viewers to examine their ideas. It explores the human mind, technology’s ethical consequences, and the mysteries of the human psyche.
20. Darker than Black
“Darker than Black” is a spooky anime about “Hell’s Gates” appearing around the planet. Contractors, who use their supernatural skills for “remuneration,” have emerged from these Gates.
Hei, the Black Reaper, is a Syndicate Contractor. As an assassin, Hei works in secret. He becomes embroiled in intrigues and organizational conflicts as the series progresses. Contractors can manipulate energy, water, or illusions and receive different pay.
He learns about Amber’s formidable Evening Primrose group through his assignments. The Evening Primrose wants to expose the Syndicate and Hell’s Gates. Yin, a precognitive girl, and other intriguing personalities are introduced as the series progress.
“Darker than Black” addresses morality, identity, and the cost of power. It explores human nature, blurring good and evil as characters fight with their wants, goals, and personal issues.
“Darker than Black” is compelling and suspenseful due to its dark setting, dramatic action, and complex plot. It blends science fiction and supernatural powers to create a world of danger and intrigue in the shadows.
21. Black Butler
“Black Butler,” commonly known as “Kuroshitsuji,” is a dark fantasy anime set in Victorian England. Ciel Phantomhive, a young, affluent aristocrat, is the Queen’s Watchdog, solving crimes and researching mysterious events.
Sebastian Michaelis, Ciel’s enigmatic butler, has magical powers and dark arts expertise. Sebastian is a demon who contracted with Ciel, unbeknownst to others. Sebastian will take Ciel’s soul after helping him avenge his wrongs.
Ciel and Sebastian meet many strange and frequently evil people during their research. They investigate murders, kidnappings, and covert groups. They discover secrets and Ciel’s sad background.
The show mixes somber subjects with comedy. It examines power, loyalty, and how far one will go to succeed. As they negotiate Victorian England, Ciel, and Sebastian’s chilly and resolute natures create a compelling dynamic.
“Black Butler” features demonic beings, mystical items, and occult rituals. The series’ mystery, action, and mystical undertones keep viewers captivated as they explore Ciel’s relationship to demons.
“Black Butler” captivates and chills with its Victorian setting, fascinating characters, and gothic atmosphere. It tackles revenge, sacrifice, and human nature in a shadowy environment.
22. The Future Diary
“The Future Diary,” popularly known as “Mirai Nikki,” is a frightening anime series about a deadly survival game. Yukiteru Amano, a lonely high school student, enters a fatal tournament involving a mystical diary called the “Future Diary.”
Yukiteru’s Future Diary accurately predicts the future. He discovers that others have such diaries. Eleven other players have Future Diaries that predict distinct future events. They’re “diary holders.”
The diary keepers must kill each other to succeed the enigmatic Deus Ex Machina, the god of time and space. Winners can change the world. Yukiteru pairs up with Yuno Gasai, a diary holder who obsesses over him, during the competition. Yuno will do anything to defend Yukiteru and win the survival game.
The diary holders use trickery, techniques, and supernatural powers to defeat their opponents throughout the series. As characters make friendships break trust, and face their problems, the plot twists and turns.
Yukiteru and Yuno enter a murky realm of intrigue and betrayal as the game develops. They must overcome their concerns and discover the origins of the Future Diaries and the survival game. “The Future Diary” keeps viewers guessing till the end with its unique premise, engaging characters, and combination of action, romance, and psychological pleasures.
Also Read: Who Does Yuno Gasai End Up With? The Future Diary Love-Story
23. Blood+
“Blood+” is an action-packed, supernatural anime series. Saya Otonashi, a seemingly average high school student, realizes she is part of an ancient bloodline meant to fight Chiroptera, powerful and terrifying animals.
Saya discovers herself with the help of her adoptive family and becomes the only one who can defeat the vampire-like Chiroptera. She fights the Chiroptera along with her allies Haji and Red Shield, with the help of “Hagi,” a sacred blade that can kill them.
“Blood+” follows Saya’s interactions with the Chiroptera and her intricate ties throughout time and space. Saya discovers her bloodline’s dark secrets, the Chiroptera’s origins, and her actual mission as the book unfolds. Twists and disclosures raise the stakes, forcing heartbreaking choices and intense confrontations.
“Blood+” has fierce swordfights, supernatural powers, and Chiroptera conflicts. The show explores the characters’ motivations, fears, and wants. It shows its characters battling their problems and defending their loved ones in a gloomy environment.
24. Danganronpa: The Animation
Based on the popular video game series, “Danganronpa: The Animation” is set in Hope’s Peak Academy, a prestigious high school, a thrilling environment.
The series follows 15 teenagers confined in the school. Monokuma, a vicious robotic bear, tells them they can only escape by performing the perfect murder. Monokuma also warns of a class trial and execution if a murder occurs. If the murderer escapes, they can go while the other students are punished.
Tensions increase, suspicions arise, and alliances form as the students try to escape. The scenario is complicated by each student’s talents and characteristics. The school’s mysteries and Monokuma’s terrible game determine their fate.
Each episode focuses on a murder and investigation. Students examine crime sites, acquire evidence, and argue their theories in grueling class trials to identify the perpetrator.
The story is full of twists, surprises, and complicated characters. Trust, treachery, and morality are also explored. “Danganronpa: The Animation” is exhilarating and intriguing with its unique visual style, violent courtroom sequences, and many oddball characters. It explores the mysteries of Hope’s Peak Academy’s deadly game.
25. Paranoia Agent
The psychological thriller “Paranoia Agent” explores the human mind. “Lil’ Slugger” assaults unsuspecting victims with a golden baseball bat.
“Paranoia Agent” follows a different character’s interactions with Lil’ Slugger in each episode. A struggling social worker, a popular character designer, a reclusive youngster, a police detective, and others have unexpected encounters.
The series shows that Lil’ Slugger’s victims are psychologically and emotionally troubled. They face their greatest fears, traumas, and social pressures after the attacks. It explores paranoia, remorse, and reality disintegration. It examines cultural forces and self-suppression.
In “Paranoia Agent,” reality and dream blend, making viewers question truth and perception. Each episode combines psychological terror and social disturbance.
26. Blue Exorcist
“Blue Exorcist,” also known as “Ao no Exorcist,” is a supernatural action anime about Rin Okumura, a teenager who realizes he is Satan’s offspring. The series features people, demons, and exorcists fighting otherworldly perils.
Rin lives an unremarkable life until a chance event reveals his true nature. After his adoptive father, exorcist Shiro Fujimoto sacrifices himself to save Rin from Satan, Rin swears to become a powerful exorcist and vanquish his evil inheritance.
Rin attends True Cross Academy, an exorcist school, to discover his powers and fight the monsters threatening humanity. Rin, his classmates, and his exorcist brother Yukio fight strong foes. He controls his demonic powers and makes pals while he trains and goes on missions. He navigates exorcism politics, secrets, and rivalries.
The series explores identity, family, and good vs. evil. Rin fights his own demons while protecting his loved ones as a demon and exorcist.
Rin and his friends fight frightening demons, uncover evil plans, and discover Satan’s ultimate objective. In their fight against darkness, they struggle within, grow, and sacrifice.
“Blue Exorcist” captivates with its supernatural aspects, action, and humor. In a universe where demons and exorcists fight for humanity, it examines friendship, determination, and redemption.
27. Gantz
“Gantz” is a dark and suspenseful science fiction anime about a mystery entity’s terrible survival game. A black sphere named Gantz resurrects a number of recently deceased people. “Players” fight extraterrestrial creatures for their lives. Players fight brutally to earn points and freedom with upgraded weapons and armor.
Gantz gives players assignments to kill risky targets. Aliens, criminals, and rogue players can be targets. Refusing or not completing assignments kills instantly.
Players must combat deadly creatures and their own fears, weaknesses, and moral issues in treacherous conflicts. Friendships are made, alliances are challenged, and humanity is tested.
“Gantz” has explosive action, violent violence, and thought-provoking themes. It examines life’s fragility, deeds, and society’s evil side. The series explores existential topics, including life’s value and people’s resolve to endure.
“Gantz” grips and disturbs with its rough graphic style, intricate character development, and moral complexity. It raises uncomfortable questions about humanity’s survival in playing a life-or-death game.
28. Mononoke
“Mononoke” is a unique and artistically stunning feudal Japan animation series. The “Medicine Seller,” a nameless protagonist, encounters and exorcises Mononoke spirits in the ghostly realm.
Each tale arc has a Mononoke with a distinctive mood or desire. The Medicine Seller must use his sword and magical knowledge to discover the Mononoke’s Form, Truth, and Reason to restore balance and peace to the impacted people and spirit world.
“Mononoke” mixes mystery, horror, and psychology with Japanese folklore and symbolism. Each arc explores guilt, obsession, remorse, and unrestrained desires.
The Medicine Seller must examine each Mononoke’s mental and emotional state. The series explores human emotions and the thin boundary between good and evil from a morally ambiguous standpoint.
“Mononoke” has stunning traditional Japanese paintings. The show’s intricate patterns and color palette add to its immersive mood. The series is captivating and thought-provoking due to its sophisticated plot, aesthetic beauty, and psychological examination. It explores the human soul and the spirit realm in a new supernatural story.
29. Deadman Wonderland
Ganta Igarashi, a high school student, survives the “Red Hole” massacre. Ganta is unfairly imprisoned in Deadman Wonderland. The jail is a perverted entertainment park where inmates are forced to play lethal games for the public.
In Deadman Wonderland, Ganta discovers he has “Branches of Sin.” He can use his blood as a weapon. To survive, he must master his new powers and the prison’s perils.
“Deadmen” inmates help Ganta solve the Red Hole massacre and prove his innocence. They have magical talents like Ganta and their own reasons for playing Deadman Wonderland.
The show addresses survival, corruption, and human darkness. Ganta and his companions build alliances, challenge ruthless jail officials, and fight fierce opponents in life-or-death combat. The tale progressively reveals Deadman Wonderland’s actual nature and the rulers’ objectives. Ganta and his friends get caught up in conspiracy, secrets, and hidden intentions.
“Deadman Wonderland” features strong action, brutal violence, and psychological aspects. It thrills and suspense with its dark, gritty surroundings, fascinating characters, and twisted jail scenario.
Also Read: Anime Shows To Watch If You Liked Deadman Wonderland – Similar Recommendations
30. The Garden of Sinners
“The Garden of Sinners,” or “Kara no Kyoukai,” is a supernatural mystery anime film series based on Kinoko Nasu’s light novel. Shiki Ryougi, a paranormally gifted girl, is the protagonist.
Shiki Ryougi has the “Mystic Eyes of Death Perception,” which allow her to see everything’s mortality and decay lines. After emerging from a two-year coma, Shiki is dragged into strange events that confuse the physical and spiritual realms.
Shiki teams up with childhood pal Mikiya Kokutou. They examine paranormal events, inexplicable deaths, and enigmatic people. Each instance tests Shiki’s beliefs and reveals her past.
The series explores philosophical concerns concerning existence, consciousness, and life choices. Shiki’s supernatural enemies and mental problems make her a compelling protagonist.
“The Garden of Sinners” has gorgeous graphics, an ambient soundtrack, and deep storytelling. Supernatural horror, mystery, and drama make it compelling. The series takes viewers on an introspective trip with Shiki Ryougi to solve otherworldly riddles.
31. Highschool of the Dead
“Highschool of the Dead” is an exciting zombie apocalyptic animation. A group of high school kids fights the undead.
A mystery infection turns individuals into flesh-eating zombies in the first episode. A gang of high school kids, including Takashi Komuro, Rei Miyamoto, Saeko Busujima, and others, group together to fight the undead and find safety as the city falls apart.
The party fights zombies and hostile survivors in zombie-infested streets with any weapons they can find. They face zombies, emotional stress, and moral difficulties.
The characters grow, bond, and overcome obstacles. They learn to survive in the post-apocalyptic environment by using their wits, talents, and teamwork.
The group meets sympathetic and hostile survivors as well as government and military troops trying to restore order. They fight fierce battles and suffer devastating losses as they search for safety in the pandemonium.
“Highschool of the Dead” mixes zombie combat and character-driven drama with horror, action, and ecchi moments. The series explores survival, human connection, and civilization’s fragility. It shows the brutality of a zombie apocalypse.
32. Perfect Blue
The psychological thriller anime “Perfect Blue” explores celebrity, identity, and obsession. Mima Kirigoe, a former pop idol, quits singing to act.
Mima struggles with performing and questions her sanity. She becomes embroiled in unsettling situations that blend truth and dream.
A stalker sends Mima bizarre letters and challenges her identity, changing her life. Mima loses her reality as the stalker becomes more dark and invasive.
Mima struggles to distinguish reality from her hallucinations and warring selves. The film examines fame’s psychological toll, societal pressures, and self-destruction.
“Perfect Blue” explores identity, perception, and obsession’s effects. The film explores the frail lines between dreams and reality as Mima’s world crumbles, making viewers question the truth and the human mind.
“Perfect Blue” is captivating and frightening with its violent moments. It covers the dark side of the entertainment industry, including fame’s psychological pain.
Also Read: Perfect Blue Ending Explained: A Look Back At The Legendary Anime
33. Attack On Titan
“Attack on Titan,” also known as “Shingeki no Kyojin,” is a dark fantasy anime series about a world where Titans threaten humanity’s extinction.
Humanity survives in Paradis, a walled city. These walls protect humans from Titans. Eren Yeager, his adoptive sister Mikasa Ackerman, and their friend Armin Arlert join the Survey Corps to destroy the Titans after a devastating attack breaks the walls and destroys their peaceful lives.
They risk their lives to solve the Titans’ mysteries and free humanity. The protagonists battle Titans and Paradis’ corrupt politics and secrets. They encounter factions with hidden agendas and new Titans that are even more dangerous.
“Attack on Titan” explores survival, identity, and war’s cruelty. The series explores the moral dilemmas of fighting monsters and enduring loss. The story gradually reveals the Titans’ origin and Paradis’ history. The series surprises with shocking revelations that change the world and its people.
Also Read: Attack On Titan Watch Order: Anime, New Season, Movies & OVAs [Updated 2023]
34. Zankyou no Terror
“Zankyou no Terror,” also known as “Terror in Resonance,” is a gripping psychological thriller anime series about two enigmatic teens, Nine and Twelve, who embark on a daring terrorism mission in modern Tokyo.
Nine and Twelve, using the aliases Sphinx, plan a series of meticulously planned bombings across the city, leaving cryptic clues for the police and public to decipher. Their true motives emerge as the bombings increase. They hate society and want to expose its flaws and corruption.
In the chaos, withdrawn high school student Lisa Mishima gets involved with Nine and Twelve. She joins their plans and discovers her strength and resilience.
The series explores justice, revenge, and society’s repercussions. It examines the morality of extreme change and the gray areas between right and wrong.
“Zankyou no Terror” explores the complex relationships between the main characters, their troubled pasts, and their shared desire to be heard. It explores their motives, weaknesses, and complex emotions.
35. School-Live!
The story follows four School Living Club members—Yuki Takeya, Kurumi Ebisuzawa, Yuri Wakasa, and Miki Naok in high school.
The anime begins as a humorous slice-of-life about the girls’ daily lives and school camaraderie. However, it gradually reveals a devastating twist that the school is overrun by zombies, and Yuki, the happy and clueless protagonist, is living in a deluded world, thinking the school is a quiet refuge.
The girls must preserve Yuki’s frail mind while navigating the zombie-infested campus. They need resourcefulness and coordination to survive continual threats. Loss, fear, and seeing society’s breakdown are the characters’ emotional difficulties in the series.
As the girls struggle to find hope and peace, it explores perseverance, friendship, and the human spirit. “School-Live!” explores the mind and imagination of her innocence and the zombie apocalypse.
The girls learn about the pandemic and how to survive as they unravel their position. “School-Live!” explores the psychological and emotional aspects of surviving in a zombie genre. It shows how the human spirit can overcome misfortune and how friendship can last through anything.
36. Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories
“Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories” is a unique horror anime series that tells terrifying tales based on Japanese mythology and urban legends. A storyteller uses paper scrolls to tell spooky tales in the series.
“Yamishibai” episodes offer short ghost stories. The stories feature hostile spirits, haunted places, cursed things, and uncanny encounters. An eerie narrator and simple but atmospheric animation tell each episode’s story. The animation resembles Japanese paper theater, giving it a unique look.
“Yamishibai” has ghost stories with yokai, only, and yurei from Japanese folklore and urban legends. The stories generally address guilt, regret, and repercussions.
Each episode features a distinct ghost story with spooky encounters. The series explores Japanese folklore’s horrific side with haunting classrooms and cursed masks.
The story delivers short horror and tension. The simple animation technique and atmospheric storyline produce an unnerving and engaging experience that captures traditional ghost storytelling. It draws horror fans and those interested in Japanese folklore.
37. The Tatami Galaxy
“The Tatami Galaxy” is a bizarre anime series about a nameless protagonist, Watashi, who goes through numerous academic phases. The show examines regret, progress, and happiness.
Watashi joins university clubs and meets various personalities in each episode. He always regrets his choices and longs for better campus life. He can’t escape his life’s routine.
Watashi meets many fascinating personalities, including his pal Ozu and the knowledgeable fate teller Akashi. They question Watashi’s views and make him face his weaknesses and ambitions.
“The Tatami Galaxy” has distinctive animation and quick language. It explores self-discovery, happiness, and life’s purpose.
Watashi gradually appreciates the present and accepts his decisions as he navigates his college life. The series emphasizes human growth, opportunity, and accepting life’s imperfections. “The Tatami Galaxy” is intriguing and contemplative with its sophisticated tale, philosophical undertones, and human condition investigation. It makes viewers question their choices, perspectives, and happiness paths.
38. Demon Slayer
“Demon Slayer,” also known as “Kimetsu no Yaiba,” is an action-packed fantasy anime set in medieval Japan. Tanjiro Kamado is a young boy whose life is permanently changed when demons, otherworldly monsters that consume humans, ruthlessly murder his family.
Nezuko, Tanjiro’s sister, becomes a demon after the attack. Tanjiro risks his life to become a Demon Slayer and avenge his family and cure Nezuko.
In Tanjiro’s Demon Slayer Corps, each member has unique skills and tragic pasts, but they all want to destroy demons and save humanity.
The series follows Tanjiro’s relentless training, battles with powerful demons, and Demon Slayer Corps factions. As they discover the demon world’s origins, he and his friends face physical and emotional challenges. Tanjiro’s resolve and compassion for humans and demons make him a compelling protagonist, while the demons have complex backstories and motivations.
Tanjiro faces powerful foes with unique strengths and weaknesses. Demon Slayer swordsmanship is displayed in intense, beautiful battles. “Demon Slayer” explores characters’ emotions as well as actions. As they face demons, it shows their progress, personal problems, and bonds.
Also Read: Demon Slayer Season 4 Preview: Story & Spoilers
39. Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress
The series follows Ikoma, a young steam smith in a walled city fighting against the Kabane. Ikoma creates a weapon called the “Kabaneri,” a mix of humans and Kabane, giving him increased strength and agility.
Ikoma teams up with survivors, including warrior Mumei, to transport their armored train, the Hayajiro, across the country. They encounter Kabane and human adversaries.
“Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress” explores survival, trust, and the blurred lines between humanity and monstrosity. The characters face moral dilemmas and inner demons and strive to protect themselves and humanity from the Kabane threat.
“Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress” is visually stunning, with intricate steampunk aesthetics and thrilling set pieces. The battles against the Kabane are intense, featuring unique weapons and strategies.
40. Blood-C
“Blood-C” is a supernatural anime about Saya Kisaragi, a high school girl who hunts demons. Saya’s life changes as she enters a hidden world of bloodshed and otherworldly monsters in idyllic Shioi. She is friendly and naive at school. As night sets, she fights Elder Bairns, powerful, hideous bloodsuckers.
Saya battles to safeguard her village and uncover her life’s mysteries with her strange teacher, Fumito Nanahara. She discovers terrible secrets about her history and the sinister forces controlling her world as she pursues her objective.
As Saya’s reality crumbles, “Blood-C” unveils layers of deception and conspiracy. She must face her identity, concerns, and trust. Identity, sacrifice, and the effects of violence are explored in the series. Saya struggles with her limits and her mission’s moral ambiguity. “Blood-C” twists the vampire genre with its complicated plot and unexpected surprises. It examines human duality, despair, and resilience in the face of horrors.
41. Monster
Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a renowned German neurosurgeon, is the protagonist. Moral dilemmas darken Dr. Tenma’s life. He defies the hospital and saves Johan Liebert, a young boy, instead of the mayor. He has no idea that this choice will haunt him for years.
Johan Liebert is at the center of a series of inexplicable and gruesome deaths years later. Dr. Tenma pursues Johan’s background and justice out of guilt and responsibility.
Dr. Tenma gets caught in a web of conspiracy, manipulation, and society’s underbelly. He meets a variety of characters with Johan-related motives. Dr. Tenma struggles with guilt and ethical dilemmas. He must face human depravity and moral ambiguity.
“Monster” has intricate storytelling, multidimensional characters, and suspenseful plot twists. It explores the characters’ psychological challenges and the aftereffects of prior experiences.
42. Noragami
“Noragami” is a gripping supernatural anime about Yato, a minor deity described as a “god of calamity,” and his rise to godhood. To achieve fame and a wide following, Yato performs unusual things like granting wishes and destroying evil spirits for a nominal cost.
However, his fame and influence are limited, and he struggles to afford a shrine. When Hiyori Iki, a high school girl, saves Yato from a bus, she is trapped between the human and spirit worlds. Hiyori becomes a “half-phantom,” able to leave her body and converse with the otherworldly.
Hiyori joins Yato and Yukine, a spirit weapon, on his planet. Together, they fight evil spirits, solve riddles, and answer prayers from humanity.
Yato’s past, including his interactions with other gods, other characters, and his true identity, is revealed throughout the series. Yato’s self-discovery and atonement as he navigates gods, spirits and his relationships with Hiyori and Yukine take center stage.
“Noragami”‘s bright animation, appealing characters, and mix of humor and heartfelt moments make for an intriguing and emotionally engaging viewing experience. In a universe where gods and humans cohabit, it shows the power of compassion and the value of personal ties.
43. Gyo: Tokyo Fish Attack
Tokyo has a strange and terrible event. Fish with mechanical legs invade the city. This underwater nightmare traps Kaori and her buddies. Chaos ensues as fish creatures stink up the streets and buildings. The group must survive the horrific situation.
Kaori and her friends discover the phenomenon’s origins. They discover that an experimental machine manipulates marine life, allowing them to walk on land.
As the mechanical-legged fish relentlessly attack and transform the characters, the story explores their terror and desperation. Survival, body horror, and nature tampering are explored.
“Gyo: Tokyo Fish Attack” is a terrifying film with a horror tale, frightening imagery, and a sense of impending doom. It explores human resilience in the face of a nightmare sea creature world.
44. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
“Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust” is an atmospheric anime film about vampires and humans in a post-apocalyptic world. D, a legendary vampire hunter, is hired to save Charlotte Elbourne from a powerful vampire noble.
D, a dhampir, is a powerful half-human, half-vampire with a magical sword. He faces treacherous terrain, monsters, and the vampire’s henchmen on his mission.
D learns that Count Magnus Lee, a vampire noble, loves Charlotte. The Count wants Charlotte for life, pitting D against the vampire. The film gradually reveals D’s origins and Dhampir struggles. He must face the vampire’s minions and his own moral dilemmas.
“Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust” explores love, immortality, and humanity-monstrosity. It explores vampire society and good versus evil.
The film is known for its stunning animation, detailed visuals, and Gothic atmosphere. It weaves a dark, supernatural world with intense action and introspection.
45. Dead Leaves
“Dead Leaves” is an offbeat animation about two amnesiac crooks, Retro and Pandy. Strange events and weird personalities fill the story. Retro and Pandy awaken naked and memoryless in the film.
Dead Leaves is a city full of oddballs and anarchy. The two characters discover they can change and have superhuman strength. Retro and Pandy go on a destructive rampage. The police deploy a team of oddballs to arrest them.
Retro and Pandy slowly regain their memories and identities. They also discover Dead Leaves’ terrible origins.
“Dead Leaves” is notable for its fast animation, bright colors, and exaggerated characters, with rapid-fire dialogue. The film’s over-the-top action and strange scenes are a sensory overload.
46. Kagewani
“Kagewani” is a fascinating and suspenseful anime series about famous scientist Sousuke Banba, who explores shadow crocodiles. These creatures are sneaky and lethal, causing havoc. Banba faces scary encounters in Kagewani. He investigates these species with his team of dedicated researchers and experts.
“Kagewani” explores different Kagewani encounters and their effects in each episode. Horror, science fiction, and mystery mix to make the series gripping and intriguing.
“Kagewani” explores scientific curiosity, nature meddling, and the border between humans and monsters throughout the series. It examines the psychological effects of encountering terrible monsters and how far people will go to find the truth.
“Kagewani” is a tense, serial show about scientifically investigating unusual animals. It explores scientific curiosity and the unknown.
47. Satsuriku no Tenshi
“Satsuriku no Tenshi,” commonly known as “Angels of Death,” is a psychological horror anime about Rachel Gardner and Isaac. Rachel awakens in a bizarre Catacombs room. She doesn’t remember how or who she is. She meets Zack, a crazed scythe-wielding killer while trying to understand her position.
Zack promises to kill her on the surface if she helps him escape the Catacombs. They travel across floors with mad “floor masters” and dangerous trials.
Rachel and Zack discover their dark pasts as they explore the Catacombs. They face their inner demons and traumas. They develop a complicated relationship throughout the series. Their motivations and backstories progressively expose their twisted relationship and why they’re in the Catacombs.
“Satsuriku no Tenshi” examines pain, identity, and evil. It examines human psychology and victim-perpetrator lines. The series explores morality, atonement, and repercussions.
48. Castlevania
Trevor Belmont, the last Belmont, fights evil and Dracula in the story. After Lisa Tepes, Dracula’s wife, dies, the 15th-century serial begins in turmoil. Dracula blames humanity for the disaster and sends his army of demons and monsters to destroy humanity.
Trevor Belmont, a monster hunter, begrudgingly inherits his family’s legacy. Trevor fights Dracula with Sypha Belnades and Alucard. The series explores the major characters’ backstories, conflicts, and inner demons. It examines atonement, sacrifice, and good vs. evil.
49. Trese
“Trese” is an animated series based on a Filipino comic book by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo. The story is set in Manila, where supernatural creatures and mythical beings live alongside humans, hidden from the everyday world.
The series follows Alexandra Trese, a skilled detective who specializes in supernatural cases. Trese, a “Babylon,” maintains a balance between human and supernatural realms while working with the police.
“Trese” episodes feature standalone cases, including murder mysteries and supernatural encounters. Trese solves crimes involving supernatural creatures and confronts powerful entities from Filipino folklore.
50. Akame ga Kill!
“Akame ga Kill!” is a dark fantasy anime about Tatsumi, a teenage warrior from a tiny hamlet who travels to the city for fame and money. He soon learns that the capital is ruled by a despotic regime and populated by violent people.
Tatsumi joins Night Raid, a gang of expert assassins fighting the corrupt government in secret. Night Raid, headed by the ruthless Akame, uses their special weapons and skills to fight the powerful.
Tatsumi and Night Raid kill high-ranking politicians and corrupt people in a series of covert missions. Night Raid must face their demons and make tough decisions with each target.
Also Read: 10 Anime Like ‘Akame Ga Kill’ That You Might Like
Honorable mentions
Gakuen de Jikan yo Tomare
Haha to Ikemen x Boku to Zurineta
Mama x Holic: Miwaku no Mama to Amaama Kankei
The anime below is often shared with this particular meme on social media.
Harem Time The Animation
Satou Reiji’s life changed when his real lineage was discovered. He is the son of a rich man who passed away recently, and now Reiji is the new master of the Kamiyama house.
There is a catch! In order for him to be accepted into the house legally, he needs to provide an heir, and in order to do that, he must choose a wife from his very own harem!
Doushoku Tamabon Ore no Dekachin ga Bakunyuu
Yoghurt Delivery Lady
