5 Forgotten Horror Anime You Can Literally Watch On Netflix Right Now

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During spooky season, there are tons of movies to choose from. While many popular horror and thriller films come out each year, not all of them stick with audiences. Luckily, some of the best ones are available on major streaming services.

Netflix has a lot of excellent horror anime, even some hidden gems that might surprise you. With Halloween coming up, they’re perfect for a spooky binge-watching session before you start handing out treats!

Parasyte The Maxim Is the Definition of Body Horror

Originally a manga published in the 80s and 90s – a time when dark and disturbing body horror was popular – *Parasyte* finally got a full anime adaptation in the 2010s, titled *Parasyte -the maxim*. This modern classic is genuinely creepy and well worth watching. While it features intense horror – including a protagonist whose body is horrifically transformed – it also offers a compelling story for fans of science fiction and those seeking anime with more meaningful themes.

Parasyte – the maxim is an anime about alien parasites that can change shape and invade human bodies. Beyond the creepy premise, it dives into big ideas about what it means to be human, exploring the conflict between our instincts and our capacity for love. It’s packed with intense, unsettling, and fascinating action, making it a great choice for fans of the genre. With 24 episodes available on Netflix, it’s a truly gripping and unsettling watch.

Trese Is a Filipino Horror Anime

Though inspired by anime, the 2021 Netflix series *Trese* is unique for being based on Filipino mythology rather than Japanese. The show follows a young woman continuing her father’s work, investigating supernatural events in the Philippines. These events involve a wide range of creatures – gods, demons, monsters, and more – many of which are ‘aswang’ with powerful families that live among humans. Most people are unaware of these beings, and by the time they find out, it’s often a dangerous situation.

Blending supernatural horror with mystery, action, and film noir, *Trese* offers a unique experience. While the main characters – Trese and her masked twin assistants, the Kambal – are usually in charge, the series highlights the plight of those affected by the paranormal, adding to the horror. The action sequences keep things moving and appeal to a wider audience. With only six episodes, the entire show is easily binge-worthy on Netflix. Plus, the original comic books are available, making it a great way to discover a new culture through this compelling Filipino supernatural story.

The Mononoke Franchise Can Be Streamed On Netflix

Unlike many popular anime series from recent decades, *Mononoke* wasn’t originally based on a manga. In fact, the manga version was released at the same time as the anime. The story follows a wandering medicine seller who travels to fight dangerous spirits that possess and destroy the people they attach themselves to. It’s a dark, complex supernatural thriller that offers much more depth than it initially appears.

I was really struck by the art in *Mononoke* – it’s just beautifully fluid, and reminds me of classic ukiyo-e paintings come to life. It also creates a really mysterious atmosphere, perfectly fitting the story’s blend of genres and its almost psychedelic visuals. You can find the original 12-episode anime, plus the first two movies – including *Mononoke the Movie: The Ashes of Rage* – all on Netflix right now. These two movies are actually the first parts of a planned trilogy, with the final movie expected in theaters in 2026. It’s likely that one will end up on Netflix too, probably by the end of next year, but for now, Netflix has everything that’s been released so far.

Devilman Crybaby Is the Franchise’s Best Incarnation

Go Nagai, a famous manga artist, created *Devilman*, and it’s known as one of his most bleak and pessimistic works. Later versions of the story intensified these dark themes, culminating in the 2018 anime, *Devilman Crybaby*. This adaptation revitalized the franchise with a contemporary update, intentionally geared towards mature audiences. It amplified the existing feelings of cynicism, hopelessness, and distrust of humanity, creating an even more terrifying and unsettling experience.

In *Devilman Crybaby*, Akira Fudo merges with a demon to become Devilman, but this series is more than just gore and horror. It strongly explores themes of anti-war and prejudice, using the arrival of demons as a metaphor for discrimination against those seen as different. The show also uses sexuality to deepen the characters’ internal conflicts and enhance the horror. With 10 episodes, *Devilman Crybaby* was initially hailed as one of Netflix’s best anime, though it has since faded somewhat with the arrival of newer hits.

Akuma-kun Has a Decades-Long History

The *Akuma-kun* series is a classic, and rather unsettling, franchise with roots that go back further than many well-known anime. It was created by Shigeru Mizuki, also famous for the spooky *GeGeGe no Kitaro*. The original manga appeared in the early 1960s, and the series has been adapted into different forms several times since then. The anime from 1989-1990 is particularly well-remembered, and Netflix’s *Akuma-kun* was a sequel that successfully combined a dark atmosphere with bright, colorful animation.

The latest version of *Akuma-kun* (Devil Boy) follows Ichiro Umoregi, a young hero, and his helper, Mephisto III, as they investigate strange supernatural events, aiming to help both humans and demons. This anime is perfectly enjoyable even if you’re new to the series – all twelve episodes work as a complete story on their own. While the animation style seems lighthearted, Netflix’s *Akuma-kun* is surprisingly dark, using its spooky atmosphere and horror elements to delve into questions of right and wrong. The show offers a fresh take on the ‘boy genius’ trope, with Ichiro and the other characters designed to create a truly unsettling and captivating experience.

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2025-10-20 20:29