Ranking the 8 Best Horror Anime of All Time

After our Romance anime list, let’s take a darker turn today as we cover Horror anime, a genre of Japanese animation that focuses on themes of fear, terror, and the supernatural. These anime series or films often explore dark and unsettling subjects, designed to evoke feelings of suspense, dread, and shock in the audience.

I’m wanting to watch/read more horror/gore anime/manga so if anyone has any recommendations that would be great 👍

Anything underrated or REALLY twisted would amazing! I’m experimenting 👀😂 pic.twitter.com/hCRxBpBqms

— SEV ⃤ (@SEV_XIII) May 31, 2020

However, when it comes to horror anime, it has been hit or miss, with the misses more frequent in recent times. For example, the infamous Gibiate, an original horror series created by the studios Elle & L-a-unch Box, earned 3.8/10 on MyAnimeList.

Nevertheless, a few specific series have left a lasting impact on the genre and our psychological health. Here is our list of the eight best Horror anime of all time.

8 Best Horror Anime of All Time

1) Berserk

We’re starting on a non-debatable one in Berserk, as the horror elements in the anime are both visceral and psychological, contributing to its legendary status among anime fans. Written by Kentaro Miura, Berserk has received three anime adaptations: Berserk (1997), Berserk: The Golden Age Arc (2012-2013) and Berserk (2016-2017).

Disregarding the disappointing 2016-17 adaptation, Berserk is a must-watch horror watch, as it doesn’t hold back in its depiction of violence and horror. The series consists of many graphic imagery that can be deeply unsettling, from The Eclipse to Guts’ battles with the Apostles.

In addition, the horror in Berserk is not just about monsters and demons; it’s also about the darkness within human beings. The complex characters, particularly Guts and Griffith, add depth to the horror, as their struggles and moral dilemmas are just as terrifying as the supernatural threats they face.

2) Higurashi: When They Cry

While not as famous as Berserk, Higurashi: When They Cry is still a standout among horror anime, as the series excels in creating a sense of paranoia and dread. For context, the story follows Keiichi Maebara, a boy who has recently moved to the village and befriended a group of girls, including Rena, Mion, Rika, and Satoko.

As the story unfolds, Keiichi begins to experience paranoia, fear, and suspicion towards his friends as he uncovers dark secrets about the village and its inhabitants. The series explores themes of mental illness, the impact of trauma, and the fragility of the human psyche as it shows the unsettling scenes of the character’s descent into madness, fueled by fear, distrust, and supernatural elements.

In addition, the anime does not shy away from depicting brutal and graphic violence, with each arc presenting different scenarios that often end in tragedy and horror.

3) Perfect Blue

Directed by the visionary filmmaker Satoshi Ko, Perfect Blue is a landmark in the horror anime scene, as this psychological thriller delves into the dark side of fame, identity, and mental instability. The story follows Mima Kirigoe, a pop idol who leaves her music career behind to pursue acting.

However, as she takes on more challenging and controversial roles, Mima begins to experience a psychological breakdown. She becomes increasingly paranoid, feeling as though someone’s stalking her, and her sense of reality starts to blur. Her mental state deteriorates further when she discovers a website called “Mima’s Room,” where someone is documenting her every move in terrifying detail.

Despite being a 1998 horror anime theme movie, Perfect Blue is still a masterclass in psychological horror, as the film accurately depicts Japan’s pop idol culture with an identity crisis, the dangers of fame and stalker horror.

Related: 10 Best Anime Movies of All Time

4) Parasyte: The Maxim

From psychological horror to body horror, we considered Parasyte: The Maxim, the king of all horror anime in its use of body horror. For context, the story revolves around Shinichi Izumi, who lives in a world suddenly invaded by parasitic aliens. These parasites take over human hosts by burrowing into their brains, effectively controlling their bodies and transforming their host bodies into grotesque shapes, often with deadly efficiency.

However, when one parasite, later named Migi, fails to take over Shinichi and only merges with his right hand, the two are forced to coexist to battle the threats from other parasites that view them as dangerous. Thus, Shinichi must come to terms with his new reality as the series delves into the psychological horror of identity and what happens when someone is no longer fully themselves.

For example, as the story unfolds, Shinichi’s character undergoes significant changes as he grapples with the influence of Migi. The loss of his normal human emotions and the alienation from those around him create a sense of isolation and dread, exploring the line between humanity and monstrosity, both physically and morally.

5) From the New World

Unlike other horror anime we listed, From the New World blends psychological horror, dystopian elements, and meaningful social commentary into a unique and haunting narrative. In this horror anime, we follow the story of a group of children named Saki, Satoru, Maria, Mamoru, and Shun in a seemingly utopian society where humans possess psychic powers known as “Cantus”.

As they grow up, they begin to uncover the dark secrets of their world, including the terrifying truth behind the peaceful facade of their community and the origins of the Cantus powers. For example, if one member in the society has the slightest deviation in thoughts and emotions, they immediately “disappear”.

Besides the psychological scares, the horror anime brings a thought-provoking exploration of themes like control, conformity, and the loss of innocence. It’s an enlightenment to us as the story critiques the lengths a society might go to maintain order, even at the cost of freedom and humanity.

6) Hellsing

Hellsing (2001) pic.twitter.com/Jao85nbPTk

— Retro Anime (@retro_twt) August 9, 2024

Hellsing is a timeless classic in horror anime, as it follows Alucard, the most powerful vampire in fiction and non-fiction. The anime adaptation follows the story of the Hellsing Organisation, a secretive group in England dedicated to protecting the country from supernatural threats, particularly vampires.

Led by the formidable Sir Integra Hellsing, who commands a powerful vampire named Alucard, the most dangerous and loyal weapon in her arsenal, the anime delves into the battle between the Hellsing Organisation and various supernatural entities, including rogue vampires, ghouls, and a mysterious group known as Millennium, which seeks to create an army of Nazi vampires to conquer the world.

Although it may sound more like a Fantasy anime, Hellsing depicts a gothic atmosphere, with dark, moody settings, ancient castles, and shadowy streets of London, all contributing to a sense of dread and foreboding. Moreover, the series loves its graphic violence and gore, with copious amounts of bloodshed, dismemberment, and other gruesome displays.

7) Dorohedoro

Dorohedoro is a unique entry into the world of horror anime, blending elements of dark fantasy, horror, and absurdist humour to create a one-of-a-kind experience. For context, Dorohedoro takes place in a grim, dystopian world where magic users regularly experiment on the lower-class citizens of a decaying city known as “The Hole.”

The story follows Caiman, a man with a reptilian head and no memory of his past, as he hunts down magic users to discover who transformed him. Besides Caiman, the show depicts many body horror, such as characters subjected to body modifications, leading to grotesque alterations. Throughout the anime, the loss of a limb and heads exploding are the least spectacular sights as you get accustomed to the horror anime.

While Dorohedoro is undeniably dark, it also incorporates a lot of humour, often of the black comedy variety. This mix of horror and humour creates a unique tone, making the horrific moments stand out even more against the absurdity. The humour doesn’t undercut the horror but complements it, making the series a rollercoaster of emotions.

Also Read: Ranking the 7 Best Isekai Anime of All Time

8) Tokyo Ghoul

Unfortunately, as iconic as it is, Tokyo Ghoul is last on our horror anime list. Before you close the article, hear us out. Firstly, the premise of Kaneki transforming into a half-ghoul, half-human hybrid due to an organ transplant from Rize and grappling with his new identity is why the series is so iconic.

However, despite the psychological horror and struggle Kaneki faced, the series shifted more towards action and shonen-style battles, with more about fighting and power-ups than exploring the unsettling aspects of Kaneki’s transformation and the ghoul world in the latter half.

In addition, the concept of a human being turned into a creature that feeds on human flesh is inherently horrifying. Yet Tokyo Ghoul does not always capitalise on this premise due to pacing and adaptation issues, unlike our fourth-place entry. Regardless, Tokyo Ghoul’s Kaneki’s character arc is one of the most compelling aspects of horror anime, as his gradual descent into darkness is heartbreaking and horrifying.

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