7 Great Dark Anime Nobody Talks About

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Anime and horror aren’t always a common mix, but there are still many fantastic, yet overlooked, scary anime series and movies. With October here, it’s a perfect time to revisit some of these dark and mature stories, explore what makes them so unsettling, and explain why they deserve more recognition. Fortunately, finding some truly creepy and underappreciated anime wasn’t hard at all.

Okay, so I’m super excited to share some darker anime with you all! Before we dive in, I want to be clear – I’m intentionally leaving out the *really* famous, super-dark titles like *Berserk* and *Jujutsu Kaisen*. Those shows are already well-known, and I want to highlight some amazing, but maybe lesser-discovered, dark anime classics. My goal is to introduce you to some hidden gems and hopefully get more people to appreciate this kind of storytelling. With that said, let’s kick things off with one of my absolute favorites!

7.) Inuyashiki

Where To Watch: Crunchyroll

If you haven’t heard of Inuyashiki, it’s a dark anime about two people – an older man and a teenager – who gain incredible robotic bodies. They both survive being hit by an alien spaceship, which rebuilds them with advanced technology. While Inuyashiki Ichiro tries to use his newfound powers to help others, the teenage Shishigami Hiro chooses a very different, and destructive, path.

The beginning of the series is shockingly disturbing, as Shishigami randomly selects a family and brutally kills them, showcasing his strange new powers. Although Hiro eventually strives to become a better person, this growth comes at a terrible cost, and many scenes are difficult to watch. While *Inuyashiki* often offers uplifting moments, it doesn’t shy away from intense darkness when the story demands it.

6.) Devilman Crybaby

Where To Watch: Netflix

If you’re looking for a truly dark and unsettling anime, especially around Halloween, *Devilman: Crybaby* is a great choice – and deserves more recognition. This Netflix series, created by Science SARU, isn’t just filled with scary creatures; it tackles genuinely disturbing themes. Following the tragic journey of Akira Fudo, *Devilman* delivers a particularly bleak and nihilistic ending, making it one of the darkest anime conclusions ever.

Many fans love *Devilman: Crybaby*, and with its incredible animation and original story, it deserves to be mentioned alongside popular series like *Chainsaw Man* and *Jujutsu Kaisen*. This mature and refreshing take on a classic franchise from Science SARU easily earns its spot as one of the best.

5.) Paranoia Agent

Where To Watch: Crunchyroll

Many consider *Paranoia Agent* to be the standout title on this list. This series, directed by the acclaimed Satoshi Kon, doesn’t always get the same recognition as his other work. It’s the show that first introduced the character “Little Slugger” and functions almost like a collection of short stories, eventually weaving together the various characters and situations within its unsettling world. Though some story arcs are stronger than others, *Paranoia Agent* is a truly excellent horror series that skillfully combines psychological depth with supernatural elements.

The anime series by Satoshi Kon is reminiscent of both *Twin Peaks* and *Tales From The Crypt*. Despite being highly respected within the anime community, it deserves continued discussion. Even years after its debut, *Little Slugger* remains enjoyable for both new anime fans and horror enthusiasts alike.

4.) Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories

Where To Watch: Crunchyroll

With fifteen seasons and almost two hundred episodes, *Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories* deserves more recognition in the horror anime world. This unique series presents a collection of spooky tales with a distinctive visual style. Though it hasn’t gained as much popularity in Western countries, *Yamishibai* is definitely worth a watch for fans of supernatural stories.

This show is structured as a collection of standalone episodes, so a long episode list shouldn’t be intimidating. While some episodes are stronger than others, each one is introduced by the “Crypt Keeper” – a spooky old man with a distinctive yellow mask – who presents the new chilling tale.

3.) Gyo: Tokyo Fish Attack

Considering how many anime adaptations of Junji Ito’s work haven’t quite succeeded, it’s a pleasant surprise that *Gyo: Tokyo Fish Attack* doesn’t get the recognition it deserves as a genuinely scary anime. The story and creatures in *Gyo* are among the most disturbing in the genre, and the film does a good job of bringing Ito’s unique artwork to life. This is partly thanks to the animation studio Ufotable, known for its work on *Demon Slayer*, handling the visuals.

Junji Ito’s terrifying creatures are notoriously hard to bring to life on screen, but this movie does a surprisingly good job. While adaptations of his work like *Uzumaki*, *The Junji Ito Collection*, and *Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre* have often fallen short, *Gyo* manages to avoid many of those pitfalls. The only downside is that it’s currently hard to find – it’s not available on most streaming platforms.

2.) Blood-C

The *Blood* series began with a young girl fighting vampires, but *Blood-C* took the violence to a whole new level. You may have even seen clips from this anime online – the story of Saya Kisaragi’s battle against demons is shockingly graphic, even compared to films known for extreme gore like *Terrifier*. Produced by the renowned studio Production I.G (known for *Kaiju No. 8* and *Haikyu!!*), *Blood-C* doesn’t shy away from disturbing content. It’s difficult to fully explain just how brutal some of the deaths are, but if you’re searching for an incredibly violent anime, this one might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Similar to the anime *Gyo: Tokyo Fish Attack*, it’s proving tricky to find *Blood-C* on streaming platforms. While there’s no official explanation, the show’s intense and bloody scenes likely contribute to its limited availability.

1.) Another

Where To Watch: Crunchyroll

If you enjoy dark and mysterious anime, *Another*, available on Crunchyroll, is a great choice for Halloween. The series centers around a cursed classroom where students begin dying in disturbing ways, and their classmates try to uncover the cause. It’s a good pick if you like unsettling mysteries with plenty of creepy deaths.

We’ve put together a list of creepy anime and we’d love to hear what you think! Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum.

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2025-10-15 00:17