Anime is known for its awesome horror stories. Horror is a big hit with fans because it explores the fear in cool ways.
Whether it’s exploring the mind or just a classic tale of fighting off a scary villain, horror has been popular for ages thanks to the excitement it brings to fans.
Anime have become a legit source of terrifying horror stuff because they can go beyond real-life limits. Anime especially has come up with some seriously creepy takes on horror.
They get super creative visually and make you want to keep the lights on after watching. Here are ten of the scariest anime for fans looking to add some frights to their watchlist.
1) Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo Ghoul, based on Sui Ishida’s manga, tells a futuristic horror story that’s just as chilling as the original. It’s set in a high-tech world where humans are threatened by flesh-eating ghouls.
The main character, Kaneki, is an ordinary student whose life changes dramatically after a chance encounter. Stuck between two worlds, Kaneki struggles with his new identity while protecting his human friends from the terrifying truth he’s become a part of.
With amazing animation, dark themes, and intense action, Tokyo Ghoul takes you on a thrilling journey through a world of cannibalistic creatures and supernatural danger.
2) Another
Another serves as a great introduction to Japanese horror. It feels more like a movie than a series of episodes, following a string of strange and gruesome deaths involving a mysterious group of students.
A curious new student is determined to uncover why his classmates keep dying repeatedly. One girl, who wears an eyepatch, it seems to have a special connection to the supernatural world and can see what’s really happening.
With her ability to communicate with ghosts, she becomes the key to unlocking the mystery. This eerie tale offers a thrilling journey into the supernatural, perfect for newcomers to horror anime.
3) Devilman Crybaby
Based on Go Nagai’s famous manga, Devilman Crybaby is a daring and incredibly bold horror series. Mixing gory horror with dark humor.
It follows best friends Ryo and Akira as they enter a world full of demons when Akira becomes the Devilman.
As they face chaotic creatures and uncover secrets about their friendship, Devilman Crybaby tells a wild and unforgettable story with a shocking ending that stays with you even after it’s over.
Devilman Crybaby is more unsettling than anything else. At first, it seems like a typical story where the main character, a social outcast, merges with a being to become more powerful.
But in this anime, the being is a demon not the friendly, easygoing kind you find in other shows. No, Devilman Crybaby features hyper-violent and overly sexualized demons the kind warned about in the Bible.
Therefore, Devilman Crybaby isn’t suitable for family viewing. As the main character struggles with his inner demon, others around him also succumb to the same fate.
Leading to a world spiraling into chaos and becoming a gateway to hell. It’s a full-on horror experience, packed with body horror, satanic imagery, and explicit adult content.
4) Perfect Blue
For a change of pace from monsters and curses, Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue is a top choice for fans of psychological thrillers.
The movie follows a former idol trying to transition into acting, but things take a surreal turn when murders occur, with her as the prime suspect despite being nowhere near the scene.
It explores her psyche as she experience bizarre events and faces abstract figures lurking in the shadows.
Perfect Blue has left a big mark on fiction, influencing many works with its brilliant psychological horror. Cinephiles can’t miss it because of its exceptional use of visuals.
It’s easy to see why it’s inspired Western movies, given its unique style. With its abstract execution, it’s both scary and mind-bending ideal for a spooky movie night.
5) Shiki
In Shiki, a small town searches for a missing girl named Megumi after she stumbles upon a mysterious new family in an old house.
When they find her, she’s sick and covered in strange bites. As more people in the town start getting sick, they realize something horrific is happening. It’s a classic vampire tale that really hits the mark.
Vampire anime fans shouldn’t miss out on Shiki, which offers a chilling twist on the bloodsucking creatures. The only downside is that it’s quite rare these days, with physical media being the only option to watch it.
But if you ever get your hands on a copy of this groundbreaking series, be sure not to pass up on this unique horror tale.
6) School-Live!
Don’t be fooled by the adorable look or cheery anime opening of this series School-Live is actually one of the most disturbing and chilling shows you’ll ever come across, thanks to its clever premise.
It follows a group of girls living inside their school, seemingly having fun. But there’s a twist main character Yuki is imagining it all.
In truth, the world outside is overrun by zombies, and the show doesn’t shy away from the darkness of that reality.
With major character deaths and unsettling psychological twists, School-Live! has become a beloved horror series. It’s unlike any other zombie story out there, making it a definite must-watch for fans.
7) Higurashi: When They Cry
Higurashi: When They Cry is a horror anime that’s infamous for its graphic violence, but it’s still highly recommended for genre enthusiasts.
It follows a group of kids in a cursed town haunted by an entity called Oyashiro. Across multiple story arcs, characters often meet brutal ends before everything resets in a mysterious time-loop.
Higurashi delivers a terrifying experience as the curse haunting the town unfolds, making it hard to look away once you start watching.
Fans of the original anime will find plenty to enjoy here. The Higurashi franchise includes five anime series, two live-action movies, a live-action series, and, of course, the original visual novels.
8) Junji Ito
Starting us off is a pretty new series based on the works of famous horror manga artist, Junji Ito. This sequel to the not-so-great Junji Ito Collection anime is way better in almost every aspect.
The animation is stronger, and it stays more faithful to Ito’s stories. While it might not be as good as the upcoming Uzumaki anime, Maniac is still worth a watch.
In any anthology series, not every story is a winner, but Junji Ito Maniac has more hits than misses. The standout in this collection is the adaptation of Hanging Balloons.
Which uses sound brilliantly to amp up the scariness of the original story. If you’re a fan of Junji Ito, you’ll enjoy this series a lot. It’s perfect for a spooky night in.
9) Dark Gathering
In a world full of spooky ghosts, the scariest being is a little girl with unique eyes and a wicked sense of humor. Dark Gathering gets eerie and sinister, having a great time while doing so.
Keitaro, cursed with a spaghetti-like right hand that attracts spirits, shut himself off from the world for years. With encouragement from his friend Eiko, he decides to step back into society and takes up a job as a tutor.
One of his first students is Yayoi, the mentioned little girl. She’s fixated on finding the ghost that took her mother’s soul and sees Keitaro as the perfect person to help, and she’s not one to take no for an answer.
Dark Gathering is just pure fun. At first, it sticks to a monster-of-the-week style, which might feel old-fashioned. But as the story progresses, it starts connecting everything together, building momentum.
Each episode is enjoyable and sometimes even spooky, although it’s unlikely to scare horror veterans since most of the entities are less intimidating than Yayoi. Nevertheless, the anime is fantastic from beginning to end.
10) Housing Complex C
Anime fans were in for a fright when Adult Swim dropped this chilling limited series as their main Halloween event for 2022, stepping in after another delay for Uzumaki.
What makes this series stand out is how much it packs into just four episodes. It revolves around a housing complex mostly inhabited by older folks, shaken up by the arrival of a new family and a group of international workers.
As strange occurrences, like a creeping mold, start happening, tensions rise, and suspicions fall on the newcomers.
Housing Complex C is a special kind of horror tale that’s best experienced without knowing too much beforehand.
It’s a unique series that manages to pack a lot of scares into its short runtime, leaving a lasting impression once it’s done.
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