The anime medium has some of the best stories horrified must provide. Horror has become one of the genres highly appreciated by fans thanks to its unique stories that investigate the primal instinct of fear. Whether it’s clever psychological explorations or a simple story of survival against a masked killer, the horror genre has endured over the years because of the thrills it provides. created for fans.
Of course, this isn’t just limited to live-action properties. Animation has proven over the years to be a valid source for some of the scariest horror content due to the fact that it can exceed the limits that real life has to offer. Anime in particular has given fans some of the most visually innovative work of the genre, while also finding engaging ways to keep viewers turning on the lights long after the credits roll. Here are the ten best horror anime fans can look out for in case they want to add something a little scarier to their watchlist!
10 Junji This crazy guy
Year of release
2023
Episodes
twelfth
Where to stream it
Netflix
Kicking things off is a fairly recent series based on the works of legendary horror mangaka, Junji Ito. This sequel to the disappointing Junji Ito Collection anime series improves upon its predecessor in every way with much stronger animation. Not every story ends, which is to be expected from an anthology series, but there are certainly more hits than misses with the highlight of the collection being an adaptation of Balloon Cave that uses excellent way to make the original story even scarier. Junji Ito fans will enjoy this film and it’s the perfect watch for a scary night inside.
9 Housing complex C
Year of release
2022
Episodes
4
Where to stream it
Max
This scary limited anime series from Adult Swim took many anime fans by surprise as it was the block’s big Halloween event in 2022, following another Uzumaki delay. What really works about this series is how much it can convey in just four short episodes. The film follows a housing complex with mostly older residents as a new family moves in with a group of international workers. Tensions begin to rise as residents blame the workers for strange things that begin to happen, including strange mold that is slowly crawling toward the building. Housing Complex C is a unique horror story, best to be as blind as possible. This is a unique series that knows how to deliver scares effectively in a small amount of time, and it leaves a great impression when it ends.
8-Directly at school!
Year of release
2015
Episodes
twelfth
Where to stream it
HiDive
Don’t let this series’ cute appearance or misleading anime opening fool you. School-Live is perhaps one of the most horrifying and disturbing series fans have ever encountered thanks to its ingenious staging. The show focuses on a group of girls living in their school as they get into various shenanigans. It all seems pretty harmless until it’s revealed that the main character, Yuki, is imagining things. In reality, the world has been ravaged by a zombie apocalypse, and the series isn’t afraid to obscure that. There are major character deaths along with disturbing psychological moments that make this a gem of a horror film. This is unlike any zombie story fans have ever experienced, making it an absolute must-see.
7 Higurashi: When they cry
Year of release
2006
Episodes
26
Where to stream it
Crunchyroll, Hulu
This is a horror anime series that has earned a reputation among fans for its ridiculous use of violence… yet it continues to be one of the most recommended series for lovers of the genre This. Higurashi: When They Cry is about a group of children in a town cursed by an entity named Oyashiro. There are multiple arcs throughout the long-running series that often lead to the brutal deaths of one or more characters before everything is reset in a mysterious time loop. Higurashi is a terrifying experience as you learn more and more about the curse plaguing the town, and it’s hard to stop watching once the show has started..
6 Shiki
Year of release
2010
Episodes
22 + 2 OVAs
Where to stream it
Available only on physical media
Vampire fans will want to check out this series as it offers a terrifying new perspective on the bloodthirsty creatures. Shiki follows a small town in search of a missing girl named Megumi after she discovers a new family living in a mysterious old house. However, when they found her, she had passed away from anemia and a series of bite marks they found along her skin. The hunt is on to learn more about what happened to her before more and more townspeople fall to a terrible force. This is just a good, effective classic vampire story. The only pity is that it is extremely rare today and physical media is the only way to see it. However, if you ever own a copy of this landmark series, be sure not to miss out on this unique horror story.
5 perfect blue colors
Year of release
1997
Running time
81 minutes
Where to stream it
AMC+, Shiver
Free from monsters and curses, Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue is a great choice for those who love psychological horror. The film is about a former idol trying to escape her public image and become an actress. However, things start to get bizarre when a series of murders occur in which she is the prime suspect… even though she was nowhere near the crime scene. This leads to an exploration of her psychology as she tries to figure out what is going on while facing abstract figures in the dark. This is a film that has had a great influence on other famous works of fiction thanks to its excellent use of psychological horror elements and has become a must-see film for cinephiles thanks to its ability to use psychological horror. Use special visual media. It’s creepy and head-scratching with its abstract execution, making it the perfect setting for a spooky night.
4 death notes
Year of release
2006
Episodes
37
Where to stream it
Youtube Premium, Pluto TV, Tubi, Peacock, Roku, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime
This iconic series based on Tsugumi Ohba’s Shonen Jump manga has become best known as one of the must-watch anime series for those interested in learning about the genre, and it’s easy to see why. This series has become legendary among fans thanks to its engaging storytelling and thrilling plot twists that make it one of the most watchable anime series of all time. The film tells the story of Light Yagami, a boy who accidentally finds a mysterious notebook called the Death Note. Whenever he writes a name in there, they will die of a heart attack unless otherwise stated. This leads to a game of cat and mouse as he tries to evade detection. While this show may not be nightmare-inducing, Light’s journey will unsettle viewers as he emerges from the carnage to become a god among his fellow humans and make the world safer…at least by his standards.
3 Others (Crunchyroll)
Year of release
2012
Episodes
twelfth
Where to stream it
Crunchyroll
Another’s simple premise is enough to attract horror fans. That’s basically what would happen if Final Destination became an anime where a class of cursed students died one after another in mysterious accidents. The kills are extremely creative, using unexpected means to take down classmates when they fall under a curse, the most notable of which involves an umbrella. If you love the excitement of Final Destination mixed with a good mystery then Another is a must-see and perfect for any horror fan.
2 Mieruko-Chan (Crunchyroll)
Year of release
2021
Episodes
twelfth
Where to stream it
Crunchyroll
At first glance, Mieruko-Chan might not seem like it’s among the best horror anime ever made. After all, this is a coming-of-age comedy about a girl who has the ability to see ghosts around her. However, what makes this anime truly scary is the design of the zombies. The ghosts in this series cause nightmares with their distorted appearances and sunken eyes. Sometimes even light humor isn’t enough to keep the image of an unexpected vampire in the audience’s mind. Mieruko-Chan is a series that can be incredibly funny but that doesn’t mean it can’t also be just as terrible.
1 Parasyte -proverb-
Year of release
2014
Episodes
24
Where to stream it
Hulu, Crunchyroll, HiDive
Parasyte is not only one of the best horror manga not created by Junji Ito, but also the best horror anime that fans can also seek out. This sci-fi horror story is about an alien invasion, where parasites invade human hosts and take over their bodies. However, Shinichi Izumi discovers a parasite has buried itself in his arm, taking over one of his limbs instead. Together, they begin to fight against other parasites to preserve each other’s lives. The series is a horror lover’s dream that takes a page from The Thing, featuring some of the most grotesque human-to-alien transitions in the medium. This film is a must-see for fans of sci-fi horror and is sure to become a classic over the years.
Horror is a genre that will continue to be loved by fans of every generation. Fear is a common emotion, and the ability to face it head-on can be both comforting and endearing to people. It’s great to have these options for those who want some horrified in their anime and these are some of the best in the genre that the medium has to offer.
