It's never too late to watch something scary anime. Halloween can be the perfect time, but if you're a horror fan, then every day can be Halloween.
The only problem is what horror anime to watch?
Here we take a look at some of the most genuinely scary anime, whether movies or series, in the history of anime! I know it's intimidating. And by the way there will be an anime from Junji!
Make sure the lights are on and the attic door is tightly locked, now we can start our rating!
35. Deceased
Shiki is just a prediction of what is to come in the 2020s.
In short, an epidemic strikes, and people begin to die right and left. One girl in particular, Megumi, not only seemed to start the whole thing, but is now also stalking our antisocial boy Natsuno Yuuki.
He and young doctor Toshio Ozaki form a temporary partnership and start looking for answers.
Let's just say it has something to do with vampires.
And not your sexy Tumblr images, but living nightmares with fangs and dead eyes that will have you packing.
34. Lost Traveler
A group of people wake up and find themselves on a deserted island full of disease and less friendly tribes.
Our protagonist also has amnesia. And they need to figure out how the hell they got on this island and how exactly they can survive on this island.
Island survival is nothing new. But the mystery surrounding it all is quite action-packed. And the R rating isn't just for show.
It's also in Chinese, so if you're an anime snob, that should be enough for you.
33. Memories of the future
In terms of form, Memories is quite the weirdo in the anime world.
This is a collection of three films, each telling a different story, even in different genres.
The only aspect that stays the same throughout the film is the very creepy and tense atmosphere. So what is itdefinitely in a psychological horror camp.
The first film, The Magnetic Rose, is by far the most interesting. It uses a very attractive color palette and the film's sci-fi setting fits in well with the overall narrative.
This collection is unlikely to make you jump in fear. But it will put you on edge when the paranoia kicks in.
32. Perfect sadness
This anime ispain realistic, but still rendered as something out of the ordinary.
The basic concept is just a girl who wants to become an idol.
Things get a lot more complicated after the stalker starts breathing down her neck and people start getting killed for unknown reasons.
This is where the psychological horror show begins as we see the lines between reality and illusion blur. And an ominous veil falls on the screen, blocking any glimmer of optimism or happiness.
So, if you like the "old mind intercourse" procedure, this is a must-see.
31. Other
The most important aspect of Another is its atmosphere. It consists of two main points: a sense of urgency and a sense of mystery.
Due to an unknown curse, people begin to be killed in all possible ways. And, as a rule, in the most grotesque ways.
The only way to stop rampant death is to solve a long-forgotten mystery. And this is the constant atmosphere of the show.
You never know when someone else dies. But the mystery surrounding it all continues to elude.
You get the feeling that the walls themselves are closing in, and it's only a matter of time before they get to you.
30. Hell girl
"Hell Girl" is a show where you will be more afraid of people than the devil.
In his universe, anyone who holds grudge in their heart can access a certain location at midnight and wish for one person to be killed, no questions asked.
The only catch is that the person making the request must sell their soul to the devil.
This is an episodic show, so each episode tells a different story of the many people who visited that particular site and made sure someone dressed in black.
The only constant is Hell Girl herself, a creepy little creature that gets the job done no matter who she kills each time.
29. When cicadas cry
I'll just say: don't believe the beginning of this show.
I know it looks like some kind of ecchi show with a hint of mystery, but thislong away from mystery clubs and detective role-playing games.
Every four years, a murder is committed in the village of Hinamizawa. And our main character, Keiichi, solves the mystery.
That's all I want to tell you about the plot, because trust me, if you go to this show blindly, you'll need at least three hugs a day to see another person again.
This is absolutely insane.
It's as clear as it gets.
Keiichi deserved better and I want to sleep tonight.
28. Group of corpses: Tortured souls
So this is a group of four OVAs that bring you the Corpse Party goodness you felt in games.
It's about two hours in total, and at least an hour and a half is filled with pure desperation.
After telling a few ghost stories, our characters are drawn into a world where the stories are more fact than fiction.
From now on, it is a collection of grotesque images, psychological trauma and brutal murders.
We remind you that the main characters are children. So if you have a sensitive stomach, don't forget to skip this one.
27. Berserk
World of Berserkerdefinitely cruel and relentless.
I'm talking especially about the 1997 series as it is by far the best.
Later movie sequels might scratch your Berserk itch if you don't mind the CGI.
The very beginning of Bersek is in some ways the most brutal and terrifying, as you essentially get into that innocent. You can still imagine a semblance of happiness and hope.
So when it's all taken away in one fell swoop, you can't help but squint.
Exists ,undoubtedly enough gore and demons to warrant a horror tag.
But, frankly, the scariest thing is the psychology that underlies this world, and perhaps our own.
26. Happy Sugar Life
To be honest, this show is a bit all over the place.
If you only watch some scenes and turn your back on others, it just looks like a slightly pessimistic piece of a life show where the main character gets bullied from time to time.
And if you watch these "other" parts, you'll think that the Yandere simulator is finally finished.
So the combination of the two is definitely not what I originally expected. But the sheer tomfoolery that is the protagonist's mental state gives the whole show a very menacing vibe.
25. Psychic Detective Yakumo
I mean it is literally what it is, the main character is called Yakumo and one of his eyes is red and allows him to talk to the dead.
This is a very episodic show where each episode is a little ghost story that the main characters have to solve.
However, there is a common plot that moves forward with each case.
And it's remarkably complex and unpredictable.
So, if you are a fan of ghost stories and old cop dramas, then this anime series should be for you.
24. Mirai Nikki (Future Diary)
It's scary for one reason and one reason only, Yuno.
Come on, I know yandere characters are upset. But Yuno really loves cake when it comes to the characters "terrifying past, terrifying present, I WILL BE YOUR FUTURE".
Aside from the female devils, this is a true battle royale concert where the only rules are: kill everyone, trust no one, help no one unless they're crying, and don't check the closet.
And by the end of the show, everything you thought you knew is gone.
23. Bio Hunter
The virus infects the world, and each affected person turns into a demon, devoid of any emotions.
Oh, and it has to do with the hunger for human flesh.
Our duo of MCs are doctors desperately looking for a cure.
But then fate pulls The Walking Dead on them, and one of the doctors becomes infected with the virus.
He doesn't immediately turn into a bloodthirsty monster...so he continues his research, now painfully aware that the hours are ticking before he loses control and devours everyone around him, even his loved ones.
22. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
Typical of Formula D Vampire Hunter, this movie is all about violence, gore, and lengthy action scenes.
The plot can be summarized as follows:
Rich people want their daughter back from the vampire.
She ended up with a bit of Stockholm Syndrome, and now things have gotten a little more complicated.
That's all you really need to know about the plot.
If you're itching for that old fashioned spooky action with limbs flying all over the place, don't forget to keep an eye on it. Or at least bookmark it for a rainy day.
21. Kakurenbo: hide and seek
This 25-minute short film turns one fear of child's play into a concept.
What if you hide but you're never found?
And let's just say it wasn't because the kids were so good at hiding. There is something evil here.
It may not be a complete bloody holiday. But the mystery surrounding the disappearances, along with the age-old question "who's next?" make it a great ghost movie.
20. Seoul Station
At some point, we had to move into zombie territory.
And where better than with the prequel, but not really, Train to Busan?
In terms of storytelling, Seoul Station is dedicated to zombie movies as much as possible. When villains roll over to you from all sides, society collapses and always asks the question: “Are my loved ones still alive and people?”
This movie in particular does some noteworthy things when it comes to how zombies look. They get very creative, very creepy, and become the fuel for nightmares.
19. King of Thorns
It wasn't until I finished this list that I noticed how many virus stories there are.
So yes, the virus is starting to spread around the world at an alarming rate. Worried that they cannot cure him in time and that humanity will die out, 160 people are frozen in capsules to survive.
However, the world they wake up in is far from the one they left.
They find a world where everything is overgrown with thorns (hence the name) with strange creatures that attack as soon as you start moving.
It's definitely a thriller at heart, with a decent amount of gore. But definitely worth checking out.
18. Corpse Empire
It's definitely more intimidating and suggestive than scary.
This is a tribute to Frankenstein, but in a steampunk style and with John Watson as a character.
So there's even some action here with Sherlock Holmes.
In the world of Corpse Empire, corpses are used as tools to do menial work.
However, what happens when a soul suddenly appears in one of the corpses?
Should it be considered alive?
What is the difference between life and death?
Again, this is more of a hmmm than a booo category. But there are a lot of terrifying scenes.
17. Evil City
Wicked City will make you afraid to ever sleep with a woman, I'm just talking about it.
So the premise is that there are two worlds: the world of humans and the world of demons.
Both sides have united so as not to interfere in each other's affairs.
However, there is a slight crack in this contract. And hell broke loose as the demons began wreaking havoc.
Our two protagonists, one of whom is a human, and the other - I once dreamed of a fever, now must control the situation and make sure that the contract is fulfilled again.
16. Gyo
Usually you are only afraid of creatures like sharks on the high seas, right?
Get ready to throw that guess awayfrom the window .
Like a traveling circus, they have arrived in the city closest to you.
Fifty percent fish, fifty percent car, and one hundred percent land-haters, these creatures have taken over the city.
And they leave behind the smell of aquariums with a hint of human blood.
If you watched Jaws or Sharknado, then you might as well watch Gyo.
15. Junji Ito Collection.
Don't let MAL scores scare you. The compilation is based on a very successful horror manga series and I think it didn't do it justice.
But if you haven't read the manga, you shouldn't have a problem watching it.
This is a collection of horror stories that vary in degree and deal with everything that causes fear.
The inevitable nightmares, the death curses, the slugs growing in your mouth, you know the usual stuff. Basically like Twilight Zone, only scarier.
And if that doesn't scare you, it might just make you laugh, trust me on that.
14. Ajin: half-human
Have you ever thought about how cool it is to be immortal?
Have you also thought about the social implications of immortality? So I thought.
Well, this anime sort of answers that question when humans become Ajins, immortal humans.
As you can imagine, they don't care much about justice, as there is no real way to punish them.
The show is psychological, intense, Ajin looks creepy. And CGI will scare you as if nothing had happened.
13. Yamisibai: Japanese ghost stories
As the name suggests, Yamishibai is a collection of Japanese ghost stories.
They are very short, just a few minutes, and convincing.
But they haveamazing atmosphere .
The show has taken an interesting approach to presenting these stories as the show's character tells the story to some of the kids.
And he illustrates what he says on the scrolls he has with him.
Not only does this make us feel like a mere audience member (and thus more involved), but the artistic style and "slower" animation of the scrolls make for a great spooky vibe.
12 Boogiepop Phantom
"Hilarious title, terrifying show" is the official review I would give it.
But let's dwell on this a little more.
So this phantom called Boogiepop is supposed to be death itself, or at least similar to an urban legend, I'm honestly not sure if it's hazy.
I know she's being accused of a series of ritual murders.
So, someone goes looking for boogie pop?
Especially considering that history says that whoever sees it will never be seen again.
Well, there's only one way to find out!
11. Mushi-shi
Mushi-shi's story is one giant "ignorance is bliss" tabloid.
Mushi exist in his universe. These are spirits that most people don't see.
And not happy, Spirited Away spirits. But rather "the voices in my head are telling me to end it all right now" spirits.
One person, Ginko, can see Mushi. And took overthe task of expelling as many of them as possible.
Personally, the real horror of this show is the possibility that this is how the real world works. And that antidepressants are like mushi poison or something like that.
10 Agent of Paranoia
Just think about CSI, only it has a more complex kind of supernatural. And to blame a little unusual.
Because instead of the usual tall and handsome psychopath or poisonous femme fatale, it's a kid on roller skates armed with a crooked golden baseball bat.
And this is not the only victim.
But this devil named Lil' Slugger beats up dozens of people.
Can the detectives solve the case before he runs off?
9. The Promised Neverland
Dude, it refuses to light up.To the point where I nearly burst a blood vessel watching it.
If you haven't seen The Promised Neverland, don't read the rest of this section. Just so you can get a full sense of the shock if you do decide to watch.
We follow a group of children who at first seem to be ordinary orphan scoundrels.
However, they are all geniuses and are in fact on a farm with hungry guys looking like monsters, anxiously waiting to eat their brains.
I swear it's just a never-ending mind game between the kids and the woman who works there, who's tasked with making sure no merchandise goes missing.
8. School-Live!
Oh what is it? A piece of life-like anime with a horror tag next to it?
It must be some kind of mistake, right?
Maybe he just has a terrible rating, like "School Days" or something like that. Believe it or not, this was actually a fabulous representation of what it was all about, minus the last part.
Because in a world devastated by a zombie apocalypse, a group of high school girls have to pretend like everything is fine.
And that there is still a life worth living.
I mean, the prospect itself is terrifying. Not to mention zombies.
7Danganronpa: Animation
Another cult classic that was originally a video game.
This is a very interesting route to the battle royale path, adding a lot of stealth and deception.
You see, fifteen students are stuck at the school and can only return home after everyone else is dead.
But instead of just killing others on the spot, you should keep it hidden.
Because if the rest of the class realizes that you have killed someone, you will be hanged.
So yes, the paranoia on this show is off the charts.
6. Ganz
After death, you might think that you will go to heaven, hell, or a black screen, right?
Well, in Gantz's world, it's a kind of hell. But with the slightest optimism.
Basically, you are trapped in a video game world where you have to kill aliens and survive.
If you manage to do whatever the black ball wants, you will live. But don't be fooled, this isekai show is not for the whole family. This anime has all the nudity, profanity, torture and gore you could ever dream of.
Terrible, to say the least.
5. Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress
Think Attack on Titan, but replace goofy-looking titans with nightmarish fuel.
And then throw in a bunch of steampunk and you have this show.
People live inside the fortified walls, while the outside is crawling with steampunk zombies, like my sleep paralyzed demons.
Of course, people want adventure outside the walls. And the zombies want to eat.
So get ready for a lot of death.
I think it's a little less unsettling than Attack on Titan, but definitely a lot scarier.
4 Devilman Crybaby
Devilman Crybaby is a drug-induced lucid dream in whichall trying to kill you.
Running looks ridiculous, rap is the main form of communication, and the crowd mentality is as violent as it gets.
As for the plot, I honestly don't even know how to explain it, except that demons exist, demons are usually bad, the main character is a good demon, but people don't like demons.
Take this description, add ten R ratings and lots of religious overtones, and you have a hell of an anime.
3. From the New World
From the "New World" is taken a rather interesting crack in the concept of a dystopian world.
There are no super technologies, but there is a small community. More precisely, the village and the presence of psychokinesis.
ShowGreat shakes you in three ways.
First, the psychological side, because everything you thought you knew about morality is subject to analysis. It becomes a gray ocean.
Secondly, the supernatural aspect. I mean, the creatures other than humans that roam this Earth honestly give me a hebi-jibi.
Finally, the unpredictability of all this.
Because there are so many twists and turns in the show that you never really feel safe. And the lives of your favorite heroes are at stake.
2. Elven lies
In terms of human experimentation, I'd say anime scientists and most people during WW2 just can't get enough of it.
But, as they usually say, it hasterrible backfires, and we're given one of the biggest bloodshed in the first episode I've ever seen.
Their subject, Lucy, can control noodles with invisible hands. She uses them to tear people to shreds.
Luckily for humanity, Lucy develops amnesia. So their demise is delayed, but for how long?
As far as psychological horror goes, it's a cult classic.
1. Paprika
A person often feels more secure in a dream.
But it also makes them the most vulnerable.
So, imagine a world where people invented the technology to access their dream, but it ended up in the hands of some dubious people.
Now everyone is being terrorized in the one place they thought was out of reach: their dreams.
Filmstunning visually, and the methods they use to portray dreams and match them with reality are sure to give you goosebumps.
This is, to put it mildly, disturbing.
Combined with some pretty heavy themes, a terrifying concept, and great music from the soundtrack, it all makes Paprika a must-watch for fans of horror anime.
