7 Scariest Episodes of Not-So-Scary Anime

Halloween is here, bringing with it zombies, jack-o’-lanterns, and spooky ghosts! While anime doesn’t always focus on horror like other types of stories, there are still plenty of surprisingly scary episodes hidden within action-packed or funny series. To get into the Halloween spirit, we’ve put together a list of the most frightening episodes from anime you might not expect to be scary.

7.) Cowboy Bebop: Toys In The Attic

The eleventh episode of *Cowboy Bebop*, titled “Toys In The Attic,” is a standout success, which is fitting given the exciting adventures of Spike Spiegel and the Bebop crew. Originally aired in 1999, the episode feels heavily inspired by the movie *Alien*, with Spike facing off against a strange creature lurking in the dark. While *Cowboy Bebop* is often set in space, it doesn’t usually focus on aliens, making this particular episode especially frightening.

It turned out the monster chasing the Bebop crew wasn’t a dangerous alien or something they picked up on a mission – it was a “Ganymede rock lobster” that Spike had accidentally left behind! While Jet, Faye, and Ein were poisoned by the creature’s toxin, Spike managed to defeat it with help from Ed. The episode is notably tense and showcases how well the action-packed anime *Cowboy Bebop* can blend with horror themes.

6.) Dragon Ball Z: “Borrowed Powers”

While villains like Frieza and King Piccolo were frightening, Cell’s arrival in *Dragon Ball Z* felt like something out of a horror movie. Instead of just destroying cities with brute force, this creation of Dr. Gero began absorbing the life energy of people in Ginger Town, one by one. He’d pierce his tail into each victim to steal their power, and his mysterious introduction left everyone with more questions than answers.

For the most part, we don’t see Cell kill the majority of his victims, with only their clothes left behind once the Dragon Ball villain takes what he needs. Unfortunately for one businessman, we see the entire brutal affair as the shonen antagonist drains his victim dry and proves what a nightmare the villain can be. Cell was never quite as scary as he was in his earliest form in Dragon Ball Z, and this installment, Episode 142, proved it.

5.) JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Stardust Crusaders: Death Thirteen Parts 1 & 2

Imagine if Freddy Krueger and Pennywise the Clown merged – the result might resemble a powerful villain from the anime *JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders*. This character, called Mannish Boy, appears in episodes nineteen and twenty as Jotaro Kujo and his friends try to defeat Dio Brando. Mannish Boy possesses a unique ability called “Death Thirteen” that lets him enter people’s dreams and attack them, similar to Freddy Krueger’s methods.

The battle against Death Thirteen begins in a seemingly safe, dreamlike amusement park, but quickly descends into chaos. A particularly disturbing moment shows the Stand forcibly holding Kakyoin’s mouth open as one of its eyes melts into the user’s throat. It’s a truly frightening scene, and especially notable given the series’ already frequent use of vampires, as this episode reaches an exceptional level of horror.

4.) Jujutsu Kaisen: “Right And Wrong”

With so many scary moments in *Jujutsu Kaisen*, choosing the most terrifying episode is tough. However, episode 42, “Right and Wrong,” stands out. It’s particularly chilling because of how brutally Mahito kills Nanami, and the terrifying way he uses his powers against Yuji during their fight.

A particularly disturbing moment involves Mahito turning ordinary people into swords – the visuals remain incredibly haunting. While Mahito ultimately faces his own demise during the Shibuya Incident, many heroes and innocent bystanders die before he does. Mahito stood out as a character who truly demonstrated the lengths creator Gege Akutami was prepared to go to in his storytelling.

3.) Dandadan: “It’s a Granny vs. Granny Clash!”

Similar to shows like *Jujutsu Kaisen*, *Dandadan* features a lot of supernatural beings, and the character Turbo Granny is a prime example. Though she’s now an ally to Momo and Okarun, living inside a cat statue, she wasn’t always friendly. It took several episodes to control the incredibly fast-moving granny, and her scariest moments were showcased in the first season’s third episode, “It’s A Granny Vs. Granny Clash.”

In a particularly frightening moment of the anime, Turbo Granny nearly kills Momo’s grandmother, putting the exorcist in serious danger. Although Okarun later learns to control Turbo Granny’s power, this scene highlights just how formidable and dangerous she is when provoked.

2.) Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood: “An Alchemist’s Anguish”

“An Alchemist’s Anguish” is widely considered one of the most disturbing and frightening episodes in anime history. While *Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood* often explores dark themes, the story of Shou Tucker and his daughter Nina reaches a level of horror that is rarely seen. The episode’s tragic outcome is so infamous among fans that it’s become a well-known, though unsettling, internet meme.

Episode four of *Brotherhood* is remembered as one of the most disturbing episodes in anime history. This is especially shocking for *Fullmetal Alchemist*, which is generally an action-packed series. Even as a dark joke among fans, the story of Nina Tucker remains one of the creepiest and most unsettling conclusions in all of anime.

1.) Chainsaw Man: “The Taste of a Kiss”

From the very beginning, *Chainsaw Man* hasn’t shied away from violence, but the seventh episode of the anime is particularly disturbing. The Public Safety Commission finds itself trapped in a hotel, under attack by the Eternity Devil. The Devil proposes a terrifying deal: he’ll let them escape if they hand over Denji. This creates a truly frightening situation, with some of Denji’s friends actually contemplating the offer. With *Chainsaw Man The Movie: The Reze Arc* coming out next month, it makes you wonder if the Bomb Devil will be as unsettling as the fear of endless existence.

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2025-09-26 23:45