Horror is one of the most beloved genres for cinema junkies and anime lovers alike. While cinema has produced many horror masterpieces, anime has the unique ability to evoke fear through endless possibilities of animation. From excessive gore to scary yet stunning visuals, the industry has successfully delivered some of the scariest anime series of all time.
While anime is considered top-notch and unbeatable when it comes to the action and fantasy genres, it has often failed to live up to its reputation when it comes to horror themes. Fans often complain that the scary anime series tend to fall back on comedic or cartoonish tropes eventually.
Scaring a viewer through an animated ghost is not an easy feat. Hence, most horror anime rely on psychological themes to make the watching experience disturbing at best. Over the years, the animators have stepped up their games by providing some top-grade horror anime series.
On that note, take a look at some of the top scariest anime series of all time. We have curated a list of some popular as well as hidden gems in the horror genre of anime that are advisable not to watch alone.
Here are the scariest anime series of all time
1. The Promised Neverland (2019)
IMDb rating: 8.2
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Japanese title: Yakusoku no Neverland
Based on a manga: Yes
First on the list of the scariest anime series of all time is The Promised Neverland, a chilling tale of innocence betrayed. The eerie and suspenseful essence of the series makes it a gripping watch.
A group of orphaned kids — Emma, Norman and Ray — plan to escape their orphanage Grace Field House after learning a horrifying secret. They find the mutilated remains of a sibling and soon stumble upon the dark activities of the orphanage behind its idyllic facades. Instead of providing a caring home to the orphans, ‘Mama’ Isabella turned the orphanage into a human farm for the monstrous demons that crave fresh.
The Promised Neverland offers a terrifying narrative of survival as the kids try to escape their morbid fate. Threat looms over their heads as they pay the price of survival with their innocence.
2. Another (2012)
IMDb rating: 7.5
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Japanese title: Anazā
Based on a manga: Yes
Although many fans would argue that Another is not exactly horror, the psychological themes in the series make it an unsettling watch.
Set in the quiet town of Yomiyama, Another is a chilling tale of Class 3-3 at Yomiyama North Middle School where the students are stricken with a curse lurking beneath the surface.
It all started when a student named Misaki died in 1972. However, her friends could not accept her death and coped with the tragedy by pretending that Misaki was still alive. Unbeknownst to them, the innocent kids set off a series of malicious events.
This curse thrives by dooming each class with unimaginable deaths like impalements, falls and more gruesome accidents. As the students try to unravel the mystery behind the curse in hopes of saving their lives, they are pulled into a web of lies, distrust and horror within themselves.
Another will take you into the deepest abyss of despair and madness where the line between the dead and the alive is blurred, making it one of the scariest anime series of all time.
3. Corpse Party: Tortured Souls (2013)
IMDb rating: 6.3
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Japanese title: Bougyakusareta Tamashii no Jukyou
Based on a manga: Yes
A group of students perform a charm and unknowingly awake a malevolent curse that lands them in an alternate dimension — the Heavenly Host Elementary School. The decaying walls of this now-abandoned building reflect the gruesome history of unspeakable horrors that took place there.
The students soon taste blood in the air as they faintly hear the whispers of those damned in the corridors. They meet a horrific fate as the vengeful spirits inflict unimaginable horrors upon them. This intense horror anime is perfect for fans who also love survival themes.
4. Hell Girl (2005)
IMDb rating: 7.4
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Japanese title: Jigoku Shōjo
Based on a manga: Yes
Would you sell your soul to eternal damnation if it meant your oppressors would suffer a fate on earth worse than hell?
Hell Girl is a harrowing tale of vengeance where people choose between staying victims or sending the ones who did them wrong to eternal torment at a price. Ai is a spectral figure that offers the victims of bullying, betrayal and injustice this choice by taking advantage of their despair.
The anthology of the series offers a chilling look into the mind of a tormented human pushed into extreme insanity. As we see new forms of torture unfolding, the series sheds light on the haunting past of Ai who is bound to her curse. It is not for the faint hearts to watch the never-ending chain of misery.
5. From the New World (2012)
IMDb rating: 8.1
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Japanese title: Shinsekai Yori
Based on a manga: Yes
Ironically, From The New World is set in the utopian future with a looming threat of the dystopian past. The people of this world are blessed with psychic abilities. However, as the secrets of humanity unravel, it becomes evident that a curse has disguised itself as a blessing.
The tale follows Saki Watanabe and her friends living in a quaint yet isolated town governed by a mysterious ritual. Although this ritual provides stability to this town, it also comes at the price of their freedom. Watanabe and her friends stumble upon the harrowing history of their existence and discover all the lies and manipulation they had been fed over the years.
6. Shiki (2010)
IMDb rating: 7.6
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Japanese title: Shiki
Based on a manga: Yes
Next on the list of one of the scariest anime series of all time is Shiki. Don’t be fooled by the tranquillity the remote village of Sotoba offers. Beneath the surface, several secrets fester looming danger over its people.
Their nightmare begins after the village is gripped by a mysterious illness. While they scatter to find a cure for the plague, unbeknownst to them, a race of undead creatures known as Shiki unearth themselves.
Dr. Toshio Ozaki, the village’s head physician, takes matters into his own hands. His investigation leads him to the new family in the village, the Kirishiki family. As the fight for survival succumbs the entire village, the series dauntingly explores the thin line between life and death.
7. Monster (2004)
IMDb rating: 8.7
Where to watch: Netflix
Japanese title: Monsutā
Based on a manga: Yes
The 2004 psychological horror series Monster will compel you to question human morals and psyche. The anime blurs the line between good and evil.
Set in the backdrop of post-Cold War Europe, a series of malignant events start taking place after Dr. Tenma saves the life of a young boy against orders. This young boy grows up to become a vicious entity devoid of remorse and empathy. A guilt-stricken Dr. Tenma then embarks on a journey to redeem himself only to unravel secrets that jeopardize not only his life but also his sanity.
8. Mononoke (2007)
IMDb rating: 8.2
Where to watch: Netflix
Japanese title: Mononoke
Based on a manga: Yes
Mononoke will successfully deceive you with its stunning visuals. The beautiful animation hides the deeply unsettling tones of the anime that play with folklore and supernatural terror themes. The anthology is set in feudal Japan and follows the story of a mysterious wanderer, Medicine Seller.
His job is to exorcise sinister spirits called Mononoke. Each episode dives deep into the wanderer’s brush with the living and the dead. Exorcising these Mononoke entities is not easy as the wanderer must first uncover their form, truth and reason. The vivid psychedelic visuals blend perfectly with the old-school Japanese art to offer a chilling narrative.
9. Boogiepop Phantom (2000)
IMDb rating: 7.3
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Japanese title: Bugīpoppu Fantomu
Based on a manga: Yes
Just like its unique title, Boogiepop Phantom unusually explores the depths of the human psyche where the labyrinth of fear and madness lays dormant until provoked. Even avid horror fans find this anime series the scariest of them all.
The anime series is set in a city cursed with supernatural occurrences threatening the normal lives of the citizens after a bunch of grisly murders are discovered. Everyone grapples with their sinister subconscious as Boogiepop, or the angel of death, acts as the harbinger of doom that preys upon despaired human hearts.
10. School – Live! (2015)
IMDb rating: 7.1
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Japanese title: Gakkou Gurash
Based on a manga: Yes
School – Live! follows a group of girls who are members of the School Life Club. One can get easily fooled by watching the girls engaging in normal teenage activities. However, one look outside of the school will reveal the horrifying zombie apocalypse ravaging the world.
If you have never heard of School-Live!, it is advisable to watch the series without looking it up. The series takes a while to grow on you as it will leave you with many unsettling thoughts and opinions.
11. Devilman Crybaby (2018)
IMDb rating: 7.6
Where to watch: Netflix
Japanese title: Debiruman Kuraibeibī
Based on a manga: Yes
This anime is perfect for horror-lovers who revel in witnessing the fictional world crumble and fall. Devilman Crybaby is set in a world on the brink of an apocalypse.
It follows an ordinary teenager named Akira Fudo who gets transformed into the Devilman by becoming his vessel. Akira possesses incredible strength and abilities. He puts those abilities to use after his world gets infested by demonic forces. But Akira’s fight is not as simple as it sounds. He soon discovers that the demons are not the only scariest entities in his world.
12. Happy Sugar Life (2018)
IMDb rating: 6.5
Where to watch: Prime Video
Japanese title: Happī Shugā Raifu
Based on a manga: Yes
If you are not a fan of creepy and unsettling anime series then it would be best to skip Happy Sugar Life. Contrary to its pleasant name, the anime series thrives on maintaining its charming facade that hides its disturbing themes of obsession and darkness.
It follows the story of Satou, a seemingly polite and agreeable girl who is well-liked. However, she deceives everyone with her sweet disposition to hide her sinister secret — she has hidden a young girl named Shio in her apartment. Her obsession with Shio makes her go to unimaginable lengths to maintain their ‘happy’ life.
13. Angels of Death (2018)
IMDb rating: 6.5
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Japanese title: Satsuriku no Tenshi
Based on a manga: Yes
Angels Of Death is set within an eerie building where a chilling game of cat and mouse ensues for survival. It follows the story of a young girl named Rachel Gardner who finds herself trapped in a daunting building with sinister neighbours. She soon forms an unusual alliance with Zack — a cold-blooded serial killer with a penchant for violence.
The series plays with the harrowing themes of survival and fear. Each episode employs a sinister entity with unique menacing powers. The graphic visuals along with the intense narrative add to the psychological element of the series.
14. Pet Shop of Horrors (1999)
IMDb rating: 7.2
Where to watch: Available to buy on Amazon
Japanese title: Pettoshoppu obu Horāzu
Based on a manga: Yes
Contrary to the title, you will not find any cute breeds of pets in one of the scariest anime series of all time, Pet Shop Of Horrors.
The series follows a mysterious character named Count D who owns an enigmatic shop filled with otherworldly creatures. These creatures offer solutions and resolutions but not without a cost. The price that the customers have to pay often has hidden charges that lead to tragedy and horror.
Upon purchasing these atypical pets, the customers have to confront the consequences of their desires. These creatures unleash their unique malevolent powers to wreak havoc in the lives of their new owners. Each episode is a standalone story that unravels the psychological horror of human desires and greed.
15. The Flowers of Evil (2013)
IMDb rating: 7.6
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Japanese title: Aku no Hana
Based on a manga: Yes
The Flowers Of Evil is a deeply unsettling psychological horror series set in a tranquil high school. It follows the story of a socially awkward teenager, Takao Kasuga who impulsively steals his crush’s gym clothes. The seemingly foolish act turns into an ordeal as it sets off a series of cursed events.
Some viewers might take a while to get used to the unique animation style. However, the explicit scenes of violence and gore turn the narration grim and haunting, making The Flowers of Evil one of the scariest anime of all time.
Hero Image: Mononoke/IMDb; Feature image: Courtesy From The New World/IMDb)
This story first appeared here.
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
