7 Perfect Anime To Watch At Halloween (& They’re Not All Horror)

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Halloween is here, which means it’s a great time to enjoy spooky shows and movies, including anime! While anime doesn’t usually focus on Halloween specifically, there are still plenty of thrilling stories that fit the season’s atmosphere.

Anime offers a lot of great options for a spooky Halloween binge, with shows covering traditional horror tropes and fresh spins on mythology. A handful of titles really shine, and are well worth checking out if you’re looking for a scare.

7) Ghost Stories

After her mother’s death, Satsuki Miyanoshita moves to her mother’s hometown and learns a surprising family secret: her mother was a ghost hunter who trapped dangerous spirits. Now, as the town modernizes, these ghosts are escaping, and Satsuki, guided by her mother’s journal, must work with her friends to re-seal them and keep everyone safe.

The original Ghost Stories anime is okay as a horror show, but the famously funny redub completely changes it into a hilarious comedy, similar to South Park. This version loses most of the scary parts, but it’s perfect if you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted monster story to watch around Halloween.

6) Soul Eater

The anime Soul Eater from Bones Film takes place in a world where monsters constantly threaten humanity, particularly witches. Students at the Death Weapon Meister Academy (DWMA) train to become powerful Meisters and wield living weapons. Guided by Lord Death, they work together to defeat monsters and prevent the rise of a powerful, evil being called a Kishin. When a Meister and weapon partner truly connect, they achieve ‘soul resonance,’ unlocking their full potential.

Soul Eater approaches horror with a playful, over-the-top style, similar to The Nightmare Before Christmas. Despite this, it still manages to be genuinely frightening at times, both with its monsters and even some of the main characters. Combined with clever writing and fantastic action sequences and animation, Soul Eater is a truly enjoyable series to watch any time of year.

5) Dandadan

I recently watched Dandadan by Science Saru, and it’s a wild ride. It follows Momo Ayase and Okarun, two teenagers who suddenly gain supernatural powers after a spooky encounter with spirits and aliens. There’s just one catch – Okarun loses his genitals in the process! A big part of the story is them trying to fix that, and surprisingly, a romantic relationship blossoms between them along the way.

The anime Dandadan really shines with its beautiful animation, which expertly builds tension and horror, even in scenes without monsters. Combined with strong writing and exciting action, it’s a consistently captivating show. Many fans consider Dandadan a modern classic, and with a third season already planned, there’s much more to look forward to.

4) Parasyte

Madhouse’s Parasyte tells the story of alien parasites invading Earth and turning people into violent, human-eating monsters. Shinichi Izumi is different, though – his parasite, Migi, only takes control of his right hand. Together, Shinichi and Migi must defend their home from the other parasites, but Shinichi also struggles with the creeping loss of his own humanity.

Parasyte masterfully captures the classic body snatcher story elements and the unsettling feeling of existential dread they create. It’s also consistently gory, with impressively animated visuals. Combined with its mature storytelling, Parasyte stands out as a truly unique horror series.

3) Dark Gathering

Keitaro Gentoga just wants to be a regular college student and leave his supernatural powers behind. But his plans are disrupted when he meets Yayoi, a girl with similar abilities who needs his help. She’s on a mission to capture and control dangerous spirits, preparing for a fight against the spirit that took her mother’s soul, and she pulls Keitaro into her quest.

Dark Gathering consistently featured some of the most frightening creature designs in recent anime. When the direction was well-executed, it effectively highlighted the show’s intense gore and scares. Combined with surprisingly good writing, Dark Gathering is a hidden gem that all horror fans should check out.

2) Higurashi When They Cry

Studio Deen’s Higurashi When They Cry follows Keiichi Maebara, a boy who befriends a group of people after moving to the quiet, rural town of Hinamizawa. He soon discovers the town has a dark secret—a history of murders and disappearances—and he and his friends become dangerously caught up in it.

Even though the animation in Higurashi When They Cry isn’t always smooth, its compelling story, shocking twists, and effective use of scares and gore have made it a truly memorable horror anime. The new sequel has received a lot of criticism and isn’t recommended, but the original series remains a beloved classic.

1) Hellsing Ultimate

I recently watched Hellsing Ultimate, and it’s essentially a fresh start for the Hellsing anime, which originally aired back in 2001. Like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, it sticks much closer to the original manga. The story focuses directly on the battle between the Hellsing organization and a terrifying force: the Millennium, an army of Nazi vampires.

Compared to the original Hellsing anime, Hellsing Ultimate boasts much better storytelling because it closely follows the manga. Plus, it’s visually stunning – every episode is a treat, particularly when showcasing intense action and frightening imagery. It’s hard to find a better anime to watch, especially if you’re looking for something spooky for Halloween.

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2025-10-24 02:11