Top 30 Most Terrifying Anime For Horror Fans

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the scariest anime to watch if you’re a fan of things that go bump in the night.

If you like seeing all kinds of vile, horrific monsters, that makes one of you. Unfortunately for her, Miko doesn’t have much of a say in the matter. She wakes up one day randomly capable of seeing ghosts, and all the ghastly imagery that comes with them. While “Mieruko-chan” primarily leans into the comedy of Miko’s plight, you won’t find a better crop of jump scares anywhere else. One minute she’s crossing the street, and the next, boom, there’s a terrifying ghoul in front of the screen. It’s scary, funny, shocking, and perfect for viewing under a blanket.

In just thirty four minutes, this surrealist short film will have you reaching for the light switch. The story follows a humanoid cat, Nyata, who braves the underworld to rescue her sister. It sounds simple enough, right? But, then you actually watch “Cat Soup,” and suffer through its unbearably creepy visuals. You can’t even blame it on the land of the dead. Nyata’s dead-eyed stare alone is enough to haunt your nightmares. “Cat Soup” may be a short film, but you won’t be forgetting it any time soon… no matter how much you want to.

This anime opens with a giant, human-looking lizard swallowing a guy, deciding he isn’t right, and then promptly spitting him back out. And, get this, it’s played for laughs! In a nutshell, that’s a good metaphor for “Dorohedoro.” It’s full of so many realms, spells, and gory executions, a lizard-man doesn’t even stand out. Don’t get it twisted, though. Anyone turning on “Dorohedoro” expecting a quirky comedy won’t make it past the first episode. There aren’t many series that can bathe its characters in so much blood, and still find a way to make you grin about it.

Ten years after her abrupt death via a speeding truck, Sakura Minamoto comes back to life as a zombie. Not to feast on the living. To join six other zombie girls in the premier undead idol group, of course! You’ll be amazed by how much comedy they can mine from putting zombies on stage. Be warned, though, “Zombie Land Saga” still has more than its fair share of gruesome body horror scenes. They’re just interspersed with cutesy musical numbers. After all, nothing drowns out the screams of the dead better than a toe-tapping song, right?

A strange light, an ancient folklore, and a series of murders all sound like standard operating procedure for a spooky anime. But, throwing aside the spine-tingling narrative, “Boogiepop Phantom” works because of its atmosphere. The show lives and dies on it's eerie direction, which uses subdued colors and grating sound effects to make you squirm in your seat. It’s most prevalent with Boogiepop himself. He’s an urban legend personifying death, and every time he steps on screen, you know you’re in for a good time. Regardless, “Boogiepop Phantom” is an experimental thrill-ride with a journey that’s just as frightening as the destination.

Light Yagami is your typical, high-achieving teenager. Albeit, one with the power to kill anyone he wants by writing in a cursed journal. Naturally, it puts him on a few most-wanted lists, kick-starting a must-see psychological tug-of-war. “Death Note” wastes no time setting up gasp-worthy plot twists. No, Light’s misguided crusade is nail-bitingly tense from episode one, and it only gets darker from there. It’s saying something when the most disturbing part of a show isn’t the Death Note, the Shinigami, or even the mass murders occurring across Japan. It’s a teenage boy who thinks he’s enforcing justice.

It’s the end of the world, so you may as well start living life to the fullest, right? That’s Akira’s mindset, at least, and he takes off into the zombie apocalypse to start checking off his to-do list. In stark contrast to other undead programs, “Zom 100” is bright, bubbly, and proud of it. That’s not to say there aren't a few gory scenes here and there, but the zombified background is used more to explore the characters than scare them silly. It’s a refreshingly spirited take on the genre that ironically breathes new life into the undead.

This sci-fi screamfest follows Nagate Tanikaze, a Garde pilot who’s the last thing standing between humanity’s survival and the alien Gauna. There isn’t much to know about the intergalactic species besides they’re hostile, they’re shapeshifters, and they’re the reason humankind retreated into a giant spaceship called Sidonia. Even with massive, laser-clad mechas on our side, it’s hard not to recoil any time one of the slimy Gauna rears their ugly heads. And, since they’re the series’ main antagonist, that happens a lot. “Knights of Sidonia” is definitely worth the nightmares - just don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Think of the craziest, most action-packed horror flick ever, add a few anime twists, and you have “Gantz.” It’s a blood-soaked battle royale that spends twenty six straight episodes blowing up aliens. It’s all a part of a twisted game where the newly deceased compete to regain their lives. They get points based on how many aliens they kill, meaning “Gantz” goes through a lot - and we do mean a lot - of monster guts. It doesn’t hold back, and that’s part of the appeal. You won’t want to stop watching until it’s game, set, and match.

In a world where gigantic, man-eating behemoths called Titans lurk behind every corner, the remnants of humanity have four options: hide, pray, die, or a mixture of all three. Yeah, “Attack on Titan” doesn’t give its characters much in the way of hope. But, it’s that same unflinchingly grim outlook that makes it such a compulsive watch. You can’t help but root for the Survey Corp as they continue to fight the good fight, even against utterly insurmountable odds. Just don’t get attached to any characters, alright? You’ll be setting yourself up for heartbreak, or worse.

There are some people that deserve a one-way ticket across the River Styx way earlier than the rest, which is where Ai Enma comes in. Should any tormented individual feel pushed to their breaking point, they’re given the opportunity via the Hell Correspondence website to summon Ai and her companions in order to bring a fresh reckoning to their tormentors. With each self-contained story often resulting in a black-hearted individual being thrown into the fire, you’d think it would be happy endings all round for the victims. Nope. Invoke the Hell Girl and the price you pay is condemning your own soul to hell upon your death. How cheerful.

Do you hate cockroaches? Well prepare yourself because these ones come equipped with a humanoid body, immense strength, creepy smile and desire to purge every human they come across. Best suited for fans who enjoy their horror series with a splash of crazy-ass action, there’s still tension to be found here as a group of soldiers arrive on Mars in order to take the red planet back from the roaches…only this time they aren’t helpless. Genetically enhanced with the abilities of other insects, there is nothing more cathartic than seeing these guys ripe the head off one giant bug after another. Pest control at its finest.

Honestly, by this point moe girls and horrifying circumstances go hand in hand, though few have managed to balance it with this level of creativity and despair. Optimistic and lovable Yuki spends her days in bliss, revelling in her school life with her close group of friends. For the rest of them, life isn’t so rosy, since the reality is that the world has been consumed by a zombie apocalypse, and every day is a desperate struggle to survive, all the while trying to maintain the illusion of a regular school for the sake of Yuki’s incredibly fragile mental state. Remember to smile…

While it may not have the same amount of “omph” as its visual novel, there’s still enough in this adaptation to make the end-result wholly disturbing. The idea of a bunch of greedy, depraved and unlikeable aristocrats and their offspring meeting their demise courtesy of a malevolent spirit might sound like a fun time…and it is! It’s gross as hell and some of the ways the Ushiromiya Family bite the dust is well and truly morbid. But if you’re in the mood to see a lot of bad people become slightly less terrible in a bid to survive an ancient curse – this is the one for you!

Who’s ready for a schlock-fest of the best kind? We’re talking zombies, mass panic, survivors turning on each other, innocents getting devoured…and so much fanservice that at times there’s more flesh on the screen than in the mouths of the undead. If you’re a fan of exploitive, style over substance horror that doesn’t skip out on the blood nor the boobs, then you have a duty to watch this crazy train from start to finish.

The man known as D has been slaying the things that go bump in the night for decades now, but by far his greatest and flashiest outing was this classic flick, which pitted him against a powerful vampire, one with so much charisma and supernatural underlings you might as well call him Dracula. The fights are brutal and uncompromising, the mythos of the legendary bloodsuckers is given the darkness it deserves, and of course, D is an absolute badass that brings the thrills and kills in every scene!

While it can be argued that the later episodes of what was supposed to be a manic gorefest shifted the whole thing towards more shounen action vibe, what can’t be denied is that its one of the most shocking and borderline unpleasant viewing experiences for anime goers. It’s fertile ground for all lovers of horror who are down to see things kick off with a good ol’ bloodbath...even if said bloodbath takes place in a classroom. This results in the death of all but one student, who is unceremoniously framed for the whole thing via kangaroo court and sent to a facility filled with psycho-kids with murder on the brain. Oh yeah, it’s that kind of show!

Surely with a title like that, how can this series to be anything but pleasant? Based on the hit Japanese survival horror game, we follow a group of students who end up transported to a school plagued by violent ghost and spectres. Not only must they unravel the mystery of Heavenly Host Elementary in order to escape, but go up against the murderously psychotic Sachiko. Needless to say not only do some of these poor souls end up meeting their demise, but some of their deaths are beyond excessive. Don’t blame us if you can’t look at scissors for a while.

As is the case for most great anime that delve into horror, the common thread binding them all together is the simple truth that humanity are truly the worst monsters of them all. Case and point; Lucy. Despite her slaughtering her way through both deserving and undeserving humans with her invisible, razor vectors, we still can’t help but still feel sympathy given her cruellest of childhoods, one built on prejudice, imprisonment and loneliness, to the point where you’ll be like “you know what, they had it coming” as she unleashes fresh dose of carnage against the world that wronged her.

Oh Kaneki, you did not deserve to go through any of that, but hey, at least you became one of modern anime’s darkest protagonists in the process. In a world where cannibalistic creatures known as Ghouls exist alongside humans, Ken Kaneki finds himself thrown against the worst of both species after being turned into a half-Ghoul. Aside from wrestling with his own cravings for human flesh, he’s pitted against fanatical humans bent on Ghoul genocide, as well as the terrorist group known as Aogiri Tree and its tortured-obsessed members. Tokyo Ghoul stands tall as one of the more interesting horror anime.

Who knew a golden baseball bat and a pair of rollerblades could cause so much chaos? The city of Musashino is thrown on its head when an enigmatic assailant going by the title of Lil’ Slugger starts to cause mass hysteria due to their unrelenting attacks, as well as the authorities’ seeming inability to apprehend them. The only thing more terrifying that the bludgeonings is the suspicion that starts to arise among the residents. As their mistrust reaches a fever pitch, don’t be shocked if the grittiness and trauma keeps you invested until either Lil’ Slugger or the town itself strikes out.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t include this modern darling, which not only redefined and reinforced the notion that anime could indeed be terrifying, but it did so with a concept that was so simple it was almost beautiful. A trio of orphans, content in their life on an estate, discover that all they have ever known has been a lie, and that they and the rest of their friends are nothing more than cattle for the monsters on the outskirts of their home. Their only options? Escape or die. Helmed by a magnificent cast that you’ll undoubtedly come to adore through every nail-biting twist, this is one even non-horror fans are required to watch!

Psychological horror doesn’t come better than this. Practically unparalleled in its portrayals of madness, its infectious nature and the dangers of media, Mima’s struggle against a deranged stalker as well as her own fractured mind is so beautifully realised that it often hits way too close to home. The disturbing imagery and implications elevate it to such a degree that it ends up capturing the true essence of horror more so than even the most grotesque of monsters. Just try to watch that climactic chase scene and not have your heart leap into your throat.

Two words: Johan Liebert. After choosing to save the life of a patient over that of the town’s mayor, the once highly regarded surgeon Kenzou Tenma has his world shattered as not only do his morals cost him his position, but unleash the suave, psychotic and unrelenting Johan upon the world. As the genius sociopath’s antics get more and more horrific, Tenma, and by extension we the audience, are forced to confront the worst that humanity has to offer, and what we’re willing to do to stop someone who lacks even the smallest trace of empathy, to the point where even the ones who bred him for greatness couldn’t contain his malevolent tendencies.

Did someone ask for anime’s answer to Final Destination? Because if so then feast your eyes on this buffet of deaths, decapitations and impossible expirations. While trying to unravel the mystery of his new school, Kouichi not only finds himself questioning whether the suspicious yet sweet Mei can truly be trusted, but soon finds himself having to outrun the reaper as an ancient curse soon starts dropping bodies at the drop of a hat. Windowsills, chandeliers, elevators, an umbrella, everything in this series is a potential hazard. This is one where the kill count is king, so get just sit back and try to guess how the next poor soul will meet their end.

The definitive time-twisting murderfest that taught us to fear wide-eyed moe girls. Just as Keiichi starts to settle into his new home, he comes face to face with its sordid history, one that slowly reveals itself to not only include time loops, but also that every girl in his social circle are out of their damn minds. If they aren’t stabbing their heads onto a knife they’re putting needles in his rice-balls or de-nailing their twin sister! There’s some pretty messed up shit here, all topped off by the iconic sight of Rena dragging her cleaver through the street with the goal of decapitating her crush’s head. Adolescence, am I right?

Vampires are at it again, this time quietly bringing hopelessness to a small town as the inhabitants fall prey to the hunger of the children of the night, and in doing so start a vicious cycle of death and retribution. Blending together nightmarish imagery while dancing around with the increasingly twisted psyche of its characters, more often than not you’ll find the emotional weight shifting as the residents spiral into a mob mentality that sends the body count skyrocketing on both sides, to the point where you’re left wondering whether or not all parties involved would be better off burning with that bloodsoaked town of theirs.

Dracula is a gun wielding, sadistic, murder machine in service to an order of English monster hunters who takes on fanatical Catholics and Nazi vampires. That’s this show in a nutshell. Despite what you might call a ludicrous premise, the bloodshed, taboo themes and sheer anarchy that comes from the character of Alucard is so immense that’s nearly impossible not to ride the highs of his killing sprees. Remember, he’s still the good guy…who happens to leave an ocean of bodies everywhere he goes. Vampires have never looked so good.

What happens when you take body-snatchers and give them the ability to mutate their human hosts into instruments of death? A whole lot of people getting sliced to ribbons. When parasitic creatures invade the earth, they start taking over the bodies of any inhabitants they come across, able to turn their appendages into various weapons. Luckily for our boy Shinichi, his personal parasite wasn’t able to fully infect him, becoming a separate entity in his right hand. Forced to work together in a bid to survive, the two are thrust into conflict with both races, treating us to some stellar fights, genuine scares and the unnerving truth that literally anyone in Shinichi’s life could potentially be an enemy.

There’s exploring the darkness inside of humanity, and then there’s Devilman. There’s stylistic portrayals of violence, insanity, rage, lust and anguish, and then there’s Devilman. Combining the apocalyptic magnum opus penned by acclaimed madman Go Nagai with the psychedelic, fluid visuals of veteran director Masaki Yuasa, Akira’s battle as a devil hybrid that seeks to defends his loved ones from hell’s forces is a triumph, one that will shock, disgust and yes, horrify you to your core as it prevents a grim reflection of humankind, and just how little it takes to bring them to the edge of reason and decency.

What anime would you recommend to your horror-loving friends? Let us know in the comments below!