The anime medium offers some of the best horror stories that appeal to fans. The genre is popular for presenting unique stories that delve into the basic human instinct of fear. From deep explorations of the soul to simple tales of survival from masked killers, horror remains popular thanks to the thrills it offers.
Animation has proven to be effective in creating frightening horror content, as it is able to transcend the boundaries that exist in real life.
Anime in particular has offered many creative visuals in the horror genre, managing to capture the attention of viewers even after the credits have finished. Here are ten of the best horror anime that you can add to your watch list if you’re looking for something a little scarier!
Best Horror Anime Recommendations of All Time
10. Higurashi: When They Cry
This horror anime is very popular among fans because it features gruesome violence, but it remains one of the most recommended for those of you who love this genre.
Higurashi: When They Cry tells the story of a group of children in a town trapped under the curse of an entity called Oyashiro. In this series, there are various storylines that often lead to the brutal deaths of characters, before everything repeats in a mysterious time loop.
Higurashi is a suspenseful experience that continues to captivate viewers with the mystery of the town’s curse. Even novice anime fans will find plenty to get excited about. Currently, the Higurashi franchise includes five anime series, two live-action movies, one live-action series, and an original visual novel.
9. School-Live!
Don’t be fooled by the cute look or misleading opening of the School-Live anime. This series can turn out to be extremely irritating and horrifying, focusing on a group of girls who live in a school while committing various crimes.
The main character, Yuki, turns out to be imagining things, while the reality is that the world has been overrun by a zombie apocalypse. This series dares to explore such dark themes.
This horror series is particularly valuable because it features the death of the main character and disturbing psychological moments. School-Live! offers a different experience from other zombie stories, making it a must-watch.
8. Housing Complex C
This limited anime series from Adult Swim surprised fans by being the biggest Halloween event in 2022, after the Uzumaki delay. Interestingly, the series managed to convey a lot of story in just four short episodes.
The series tells the story of a housing complex dominated by the elderly. When a new family and a group of international workers move in, tensions arise. The residents begin to blame the workers for various strange occurrences, including the appearance of a mysterious fungus that creeps into the building.
Housing Complex C is an interesting horror series that is worth watching. With a limited duration, the series manages to effectively convey a gripping atmosphere and leaves a deep impression at the end of the story.
7. Junji Ito Maniac
This latest series is adapted from the legendary works of horror mangaka, Junji Ito. As a sequel to the previously disappointing Junji Ito Collection anime, the series manages to improve on many aspects with stronger animation and a more faithful adaptation of the story. While it doesn’t compare in quality to the upcoming Uzumaki anime adaptation, Maniac is still an interesting watch.
Junji Ito Maniac is an anthology series that, while not all stories are successful, still offers more good stories. One of the best is the adaptation of Hanging Balloons, which makes effective use of sound to add to the horror. Fans of Junji Ito are sure to find interesting things in this series, making it perfect viewing for a scary night at home.
6. Shiki
Shiki searches for a missing girl named Megumi in a small town after finding a new family in an old house. Unfortunately, by the time they find her, Megumi has already died from anemia and bites on her skin.
The hunt is on to unravel the mystery before more townspeople are plunged into its terrifying power. This is a fascinating tale of ancient vampires.
Fans of vampire anime should watch Shiki, which offers a terrifying new perspective on bloodthirsty creatures. Unfortunately, this anime is rarely available and can only be watched through physical media. If you have a copy of this series, don’t miss out on this unique horror story.
5. Perfect Blue
Perfect Blue, by Satoshi Kon, is a psychological thriller suitable for those of you who want a break from monsters and curses. The movie follows the journey of a former idol who tries to break away from her public image and turn into an actress.
Things take a surreal turn when a series of murders occur, and she becomes the prime suspect despite not being at the scene of the crime. She seeks to explore her psyche and find out what really happened, while confronting abstract figures in the shadows.
Perfect Blue is a highly influential film in the world of popular fiction, mainly due to its brilliant use of psychological horror and incredible visual medium. It inspired many Westerns, thanks to its unique visuals and jaw-dropping execution. It’s the perfect movie to watch on a spooky night.
4. Death Note
This iconic series was adapted from Tsugumi Ohba’s Shonen Jump manga and is considered one of the must-watch anime. The engaging and suspenseful storyline has made it legendary among fans, making it one of the best anime of all time.
The story revolves around Light Yagami, a teenager who discovers the Death Note, a mysterious notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written inside. Light gets involved in a cat-and-mouse game as he attempts to avoid detection after using the book’s power.
The series is not nightmarish, but Light’s journey will keep viewers on edge. He leaves the carnage to become a god among men, seeking to create a safer world at least by his standards.
3. Another
Another ‘s premise caught the attention of horror fans as the story follows a group of cursed students who start dying one by one in a mysterious accident, similar to the concept of Final Destination.
The murders in Another anime are very creative and unexpected, especially when they involve umbrellas. While many anime feature high school students being slowly murdered, few have been able to cultivate this concept as well as Another.
Any fan looking for the excitement of Final Destination accompanied by an intriguing mystery would definitely consider Another a must-see, especially for horror lovers.
2. Mieruko-Chan
Mieruko-Chan may seem unsuitable as a horror anime, as it is a comedy series about a girl who can see ghosts. However, the ghosts in this anime are scary with creepy looks, such as distorted undead and sunken eyes. At times, the comedic elements are unable to block out the horror images that haunt the viewer.
While comedy and horror may seem like polar opposites, they work well together. The Mieruko-Chan series manages to incorporate comedy without sacrificing its horror elements, making it both funny and scary.
1. Parasyte Maxim
Parasyte is one of the best horror manga and anime that tells the story of an alien invasion. In this story, parasites infiltrate the human body and overpower them.
However, Shinichi Izumi discovers a parasite that controls his arm. The two of them then unite to fight other parasites in order to save each other’s lives.
Parasyte Maxim is a must-watch body horror anime for sci-fi horror fans. With gruesome human-to-alien transitions, eerie visuals, and an excellent storyline, this anime is predicted to become a classic over time.
