16 Binge-worthy Horror Anime to Give You Nightmares

Horror movies can reach down into the darkest depths of human consciousness and bring nightmares to life on screen.

A well-executed horror anime series or film can perform the same psychological feat with even stronger, longer-lasting effects since they don't disrupt a viewer's suspension of disbelief with prop blood, animatronic monsters or CGI green screens.

Horror anime movies and series immerse fans in beautifully animated worlds with complex characters and gripping plots overflowing with spine-tingling tension. If you're new to the anime scene, the following selections will provide a diverse introduction to the impressive capabilities of this unique medium.

Best Zombie Apocalypse Anime: Tokyo Ghoul (2014)

With its hordes of stumbling, flesh-hungry undead, the zombie apocalypse scenario is a common trope in some of the best-performing horror stories in film and entertainment. However, the zombie genre constantly needs fresh perspectives and reimaginings of the classic fight for survival in a world falling apart.

The one-season "Tokyo Ghoul" (based on the popular manga) is a well-crafted spin on an old story. In this series, cannibalistic ghouls hide in plain sight among regular people in the human world. These zombies are stronger and faster than your average human, but they prefer to blend in to prey on unsuspecting victims more easily.

Tokyo Ghoul premiered in the United States on the late-night Toonami block of Adult Swim in 2017, but you can now find it on most anime streaming sites and platforms.

Best Body Horror Anime: Parasyte: The Maxim (2014-2015)

This scary body horror anime series follows the story of a high school student, Shinichi Izumi, who makes first contact with a species of parasitic extraterrestrials.

One brain-controlling alien accidentally attaches to his hand instead of his head, forcing the two to join forces and protect the other students (and the world) from a clandestine invasion.

Best Psychological Horror Anime: Paranoia Agent (2004)

Similar to pure horror stories of the silver screen, the best psychological horror anime movies and series build their stories and characters in that world between reality and fantasy. Few horror anime on this list toe that line better than Paranoia Agent.

The story centers on various characters that have been terrorized by a young skating, bat-wielding assailant the police have nicknamed Lil' Slugger. The detectives assigned to the case begin unraveling the mystery as each unusual attack reveals new clues and dark secrets about the attacker.

13 Other Horror Anime to Check Out

The following list includes some other anime adaptations of popular manga series that are chock-full of bloody gore and jump scares that will have you gripping the edge of your seat from the first episode to the very end.

1. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)

This staple of the anime horror genre is a must-watch for anyone nervous about dipping their toes into animated nightmare fuel. This dark fantasy film dives head-first into all the scary creatures of the demon world that go bump in the night — vampires, werewolves and ghouls galore.

2. Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011)

Although the hit series "Sailor Moon" (1992-1997) might arguably be the best magical girl genre anime of all time, Madoka Magica should not be left out of the conversation. This series follows the adventures of a group of middle school girls who gain incredible powers to battle supernatural threats.

3. Kabeneri of the Iron Fortress (2016)

This steampunk zombie manga adaptation follows a brave young man who wants to do his part to protect his home and fellow citizens from hordes of infected kabane.

One day, a zombie-hijacked train crashes into town, and although the protagonist's new weapon saves the day, he is infected and exiled to survive in a new world.

4. Attack on Titan (2009-2021)

This sci-fi horror anime series takes place in the last refuge for a human civilization forced to near extinction by ghastly, flesh-eating giants called Titans. The main protagonist, Eren Yeager, lives in the outermost neighborhood of a three-walled city when the Titans attack, leading to the death of his mother.

Eren swears revenge and eventually enlists in the military forces, where he masters high-tech equipment and weaponry to even the playing field and bring the invading behemoths to justice.

5. Higurashi When They Cry (2006-2007)

Higurashi (Naku Koro Ni) is a small-town murder mystery that follows a group of friends in a fictional village in the 1980s. Think of this cursed town as an animated Japanese Hawkins from "Stranger Things," where weird and abnormal events become an everyday occurrence.

6. Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories (2000-2001)

Like other urban legend anime, such as The Grimm Variations, "Japanese Ghost Stories" presents standalone animated shorts covering various myths and folklore classics.

7. Death Note (2006)

Although the 2017 live-action Netflix remake had some bright spots, it failed to meet the cult following's expectations set by the original animated Japanese version. Either way, the storyline follows the same trajectory: A young boy discovers a mysterious journal. Any names written on its pages end up in a series of bizarre deaths.

The main protagonist, Light Turner, uses the book and its accompanying god of death, Ryuk, to eliminate evildoers. This spiky creature that Turner allows to carry out these gruesome murders takes the remaining years of each of his victims, extending its lifetime.

8. Hell Girl (2005-2006)

This supernatural anime follows the story of a young girl named Ai Enma, who is tasked with answering online requests to send evil people to Hell. However, the contract also requires the person who makes the request to pay the price and join their antagonist in hell when they eventually die.

9. Wicked City (1987)

"Wicked City" is a dark fantasy anime film set in Tokyo. In it, members of a secret police force known as the Black Guard protect humans from supernatural beings infiltrating their dimension from the demon world.

If the Black Guard fails to maintain this inter-dimensional balance, both worlds will be pushed to the breaking point.

10. Hellsing (2001)

The Hellsing Organization is a group of demon hunters known as the Royal Order of Protestant Knights, led by the heroine Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing. The primary mission of the Hellsing organization is to protect queen and country from the vampire Alucard, Nazis and many more terrifying foes.

11. Perfect Blue (1997)

This dazzling psychological thriller is heralded by fans and critics alike as one of the best horror anime of all time. The plot weaves a complex course through several adult themes, including celebrity, trauma, paranoia and murder that blurs the line between reality and psychosis.

12. Corpse Party: Tortured Souls (2013)

Fans of hyper-violent anime like "Elfen Lied" (2004) and "Ninja Scroll" (1993) will likely enjoy this gory (yet fantastical) tale of a group of classmates finding themselves trapped in a hellish supernatural school. However, this may not be the first anime series that most would recommend to new fans due to its extremely graphic nature.

13. Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales (2006)

This horror anthology series features three epic tales set in rural Japan. Ronin warriors, bandits and princesses play intricate roles in these tales, which are true to the traditional kabuki theatre style the anime is based on.

Original article: 16 Binge-worthy Horror Anime to Give You Nightmares

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