50 Best Dark Anime Movies & TV Shows to Watch Right Now

Mystery arouses curiosity among the audience and makes them wait and crave more such series. None can entirely be watching a film or series with hidden meanings until they have got all of their answers. Dark anime is one of those excellent forms that almost everyone loves.

We witness some comic or fictional anime, but what if you get to witness horror, thrills, and fictional characters that seem to be accurate in a single series? Dark Anime Series is one of them. Secrets, mysteries, and animation are essential aspects of dark anime series, and nowadays, audiences love to watch such mature anime.

Anime fans have evolved with contemporary human nature, and thus psychological anime has been able to make a place of its own. The main characters in these horror or dark anime series have a dark side that enhances the overall plot.

With the new trend and demand, the dark world is being loved, and dark stories with intense psychological twists are witnessed in several series. It is impossible to mention all of them, so here is a list of 50 gruesome anime or unique dark anime series.

50. Junji Ito Manic: Japanese Tales Of the Macabre

• Genres: Horror, Supernatural
• Languages: Japanese (original), English (dubbed)
• Director: Shinobu Tagashira
• Writer: Kaoru Sawada
• IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
• Available on: Amazon Prime Video, Netflix

Junj ito Manic is an adaptation of various works of renowned horror manga artist Junji Ito, bringing his unsettling and bizarre tales to the screen. Ito’s signature body horror and psychological depth are vividly depicted, creating an eerie atmosphere that keeps viewers on edge. The stories aren’t merely about monsters but also delve into the frailties of the human psyche, making the horror feel deeply personal and inescapable. The series themes like human fragility, obsession, and fear of the unknown, are all paired with Ito’s signature eerie imagery. Each story is unpredictable, creating a haunting atmosphere that stays with the viewer.

49. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

• Genres: Action, Gothic, Horror
• Languages: Japanese (original), English (dubbed)
• Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
• Writer: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
• IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
• Available on: HiAnime, Crunchyroll

This is one of the most visually stunning and exciting anime films you’ll ever watch. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust follows D, a mysterious half-vampire bounty hunter, as he chases down a kidnapped noblewoman. But things are not as simple as they may look. With breathtaking action, gothic visuals, and a story full of twists, this film explores love, sacrifice, and prejudice in a dark fantasy world. Whether you’re a fan of vampires, epic battles, or emotional storytelling, this anime is unforgettable and a must-see. In an oppressive future, the half-vampire, half-human hunter known as D is hired to rescue a human woman abducted by a powerful vampire, uncovering deeper mysteries. It’s one of the best suggestions for dark fantasy.

48. Best Dark Anime: Wicked City

• Genres: Action, Horror, Paranormal
• Languages: Japanese (original), English (dubbed)
• Director: Yoshiaki Kawajiri
• Writer: Kisei Choo
• IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
• Available on: HIDIVE, Amazon Prime Video, Retro Crush

In Wicked City, the human world and the demon world, known as the Black World, coexist under a fragile peace treaty. The story follows Taki, a human agent, and Makie, his demon counterpart, who is tasked with protecting a key diplomat during the renewal of this treaty. However, their mission is anything but straightforward as they face grotesque monsters, violent conspiracies, and betrayals. Its intense action sequences and adult themes make it stand out as one of the most daring anime films of its time. Beyond the thrills, the story explores themes of trust, cooperation, and the struggle for peace in a world filled with chaos. If you enjoy dark, edgy stories with a supernatural twist, Wicked City is an absolute must-watch.

47. No. 6

46. Shigurui: Death Frenzy

• Genres: Martial Arts, Action, Drama, Historical
• Languages: Japanese (original), English (dubbed)
• Director: Hiroshi Hamasaki
• Writer: Seishi Minakami
• IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
• Available on: Crunchyroll

Set in the early Edo period, the story begins in 1629 when Lord Tokugawa Tadanaga initiates a tournament where participants fight with real swords instead of wooden ones. The narrative focuses on the intense rivalry between Fujiki Gennosuke, a one-armed swordsman, and Irako Seigen, a blind samurai. The series delves into themes of ambition, betrayal, and the brutal reality of the samurai code.

45. Best Dark Anime: Darker than Black

• Genres: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi
• Languages: Japanese (original), English (dubbed)
• Director: Tensai Okamura
• Writer: Tensai Okamura
• IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
• Available on: Netflix, HiAnime, Crunchyroll

In a world where individuals known as Contractors wield supernatural abilities at the cost of their humanity, a masked Contractor named Hei undertakes covert missions while uncovering conspiracies. The anime combines action-packed sequences with deep character development and explores themes of identity, morality, and the consequences of power. Hei’s stoic demeanor hides a complex inner struggle, making him one of the most intriguing protagonists in anime. The show’s blend of science fiction, mystery, and emotional storytelling makes it a gripping experience. If you’re a fan of spy thrillers and supernatural elements, this anime is a must-watch for its unique premise and captivating narrative.

44. Mirai Nikki

43. Goblin Slayer

42. Best Dark Anime: Le Chevalier D’Eon

41. Black Butler

• Genres: Dark Comedy, Dark Fantasy, Supernatural
• Languages: Japanese (original), English (dubbed)
• Director: Toshiya Shinohara (Season 1), Hirofumi Ogura (Season 2)
• Writer: Mari Okada
• IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
• Available on: HiAnime, Netflix, Jio Cinema (India)

Young aristocrat Ciel Phantomhive forms a pact with the demon butler Sebastian Michaelis to seek revenge against those who wronged him, their life turns into a sequence of agony. Together, they solve mysteries, face supernatural threats, and uncover dark conspiracies. The anime combines gothic visuals with dark humor, action, and emotional depth. Ciel’s tragic backstory and Sebastian’s charm make for a compelling duo, and their adventures are as thrilling as they are eerie, London. Whether you’re drawn to its elegant setting, gripping story, or supernatural elements, Black Butler is a must-watch for anyone looking for a unique and engaging anime.

40. Parasyte-The Maxim

• Genres: Body Horror, Horror Thriller, Science Fiction
• Languages: Japanese (original), English (dubbed)
• Director: Kenichi Shimizu
• Writer: Shōji Yonemura
• IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
• Available on: Netflix, Crunchyroll

 A high school student Shinichi Izumi becomes host to a parasitic alien named Migi, leading to a symbiotic relationship as they confront other parasites threatening humanity. The parasite, named Migi, is intelligent and self-serving, but the two must work together to fight other parasites that are preying on humans

The plot revolves around a constant search for answers to questions about evolution, morality, and the differences between humans and predators. The anime is a good mix of intense action, and emotional moments that hold the attention and keep the viewers on the edge of their seats. Shinichi and Migi are both humorous and thought-provoking, adding depth to the narrative. If you enjoy fast-paced, thought-provoking anime with a mix of horror and sci-fi, this is one you can’t miss.

39. Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories

• Genres: Body Horror, Horror Thriller, Supernatural
• Languages: Japanese (original), English (dubbed)
• Director: Kenichi Sugimoto, Takashi Taniguchi
• Writer: Various writers for each episode
• IMDb Rating: 7/10
• Available on: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video

The Japanese Horror Tale is an anthology series that presents traditional Japanese horror tales through a unique art style reminiscent of kamishibai (paper theater). Each short episode delves into various urban legends and supernatural occurrences, offering a chilling experience in a compact format. The traumatic visuals set this anime apart from some ordinary horror or dark anime due to the tension it creates in the watcher’s mind

The series delves into a variety of supernatural themes, including curses, spirits, and inexplicable phenomena, often with dark and unsettling twists. The stories are short but impactful, leaving viewers with lingering chills. If you love horror and folklore, Yamishibai is an absolute must-watch for its creativity and spine-tingling tales.

38. Best Dark Anime: Neon Genesis Evangelion

• Genres: Mecha, Psychological Drama, Apocalyptic
• Languages: Japanese (original), English (dubbed)
• Director: Hideaki Anno
• Writer: Hideaki Anno
• IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
• Available on: Netflix, Crunchyroll

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, “Neon Genesis Evangelion” follows 14-year-old Shinji Ikari, who is summoned by his estranged father to pilot a colossal bio-machine known as an Evangelion. These machines are humanity’s last defense against mysterious beings called Angels, which threaten to annihilate the remnants of civilization. As Shinji confronts these external threats, he also grapples with profound internal struggles, including his sense of purpose, identity, and complex relationships with his fellow pilots. 

The series delves deep into psychological and philosophical themes, exploring the human psyche, existential dread, and the nature of consciousness. Its intricate narrative and character development have made it a seminal work in the anime industry, influencing countless subsequent series and films.

37. Full Metal Panic

• Director: Koichi Chigira
• Writer: Fumihiko Shimo
• Cast: Tomokazu Seki as Sousuke Sagara, Satsuki Yukino as Kaname Chidori, Jason Douglas, Yukana as Teletha, Ikue Kimura as Kyoko, Shin’ichiro Miki as Kurz Weber, Michiko Neya as Melissa Mao, Akio Otsuka.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.7/10
• Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu

This series has a well-fabricated plot that has been adapted in several other media. The story is about Sousuke Sgara and Kaname Chidori. Sousuke is a member of the Mithril who is given the charge to safeguard Kaname Chidori, a young teenage yet easily angered Japanese schoolgirl. It also highlights the tensions between the two, is full of crude humor, and is labeled a dark anime.

36. Uzumaki

• Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Psychological
• Languages: Japanese (original)
• Director: Hiroshi Nagahama
• Writer: Junji Ito 
• IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
• Available on: HiAnime, Youtube, Amazon Prime Video

“Uzumaki” based on the renowned horror manga by Junji Ito, is set in the quiet coastal town of Kurouzu-cho, which becomes cursed by supernatural occurrences involving spirals. The story centers on high school student Kirie Goshima and her boyfriend, Shuichi Saito, as they witness their fellow townspeople becoming increasingly obsessed with spiral patterns, leading to horrifying and bizarre transformations.

 This obsession manifests in various forms, from the physical—such as bodies twisting into spiral shapes—to the psychological, driving residents into madness. As the phenomenon intensifies, Kirie and Shuichi strive to uncover the mystery behind the spiral curse and escape the town’s impending doom. The narrative delves deep into themes of obsession, madness, and the inexorable pull of fate, all rendered in a stark black-and-white visual style that amplifies its eerie atmosphere. The upcoming anime adaptation aims to faithfully capture the unsettling and surreal essence of Ito’s masterpiece, promising a chilling experience for both new viewers and longtime fans.

35. Best Dark Anime: Monster

• Director: Masayuki Kojima
• Writer: Tatsuhiko Urahata
• Cast: Hidenobu Kiuchi as Kenzou Tenma, Liam O’Brien as Kenzou Tenma, Mamiko Noto as Anna Liebert, Karen Strassman as Anna Liebert, Nozomu Sasaki as Johan Liebert, Tsutomu Isobe as Heinrich.
• IMDb Ratings: 8.7/10
• Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, Netflix

Monster is another brilliant dark anime that will give you goosebumps. The series depicts Kenzo Tenma, a great surgeon by profession from Germany.

Everything seemed to be going well for him until he knew about Johan Liebert. Johan Liebert was one of his patients in the past days, and now it gets revealed that he is a murderer, a serial killer. This series deals with several dark and mature themes and psychological elements.

34. Red Garden

• Director: Kou Matsuo
• Writer: Tomohiro Yamashita, Mari Okada
• Cast: Kara Greenberg as Calire Forrest, Melissa Davis as Kate Ashley, Brittney Karbowski as Rose Sheedy, Maggie Flecknoe as Rachel Benning, Adam Jones, Mariela Ortiz, Jacob A. Gragard, Eden J. Barrera, Shelley Calene Black as Lula
• IMDb Ratings: 7.4/10
• Where to Watch: Funimation, Crunchyroll, Gogoanime

Red Garden is a unique series that revolves around girls, namely Kate, Rachael, Rose, and Claire, who goes to a private school in New York. One day they all came to know that they were dead and had to work for an organization named Animus. The mystery then starts to know what happened to them, and the girls try out their best.

The story is quite different than the other series in this anime world, and the fantasy world created here will make you believe that it is all true.

33. No Longer Human

• Director: Mika Ninagawa
• Writer: Kaeko Hayafune
• Cast: Yudai Chiba as Kaoru Ota, Tatsuya Fujiwara as Ango Sakaguchi, Kengo Kora as Yukio Mishima, Rie Miyazawa as Michiko Tsushima, Ryo Narita as Junichi Sakura, Fumi Nikaido as Tomie Yamazaki.
• IMDb Ratings: 5.5/10
• Where to Watch: Netflix

No Longer Human is one of the most popular dark anime series that shows the protagonist as a pang of hunger for lust. Dazai Osama is a famous man in Japan who excelled at writing novels and is loved and respected in general. But everyone has dark elements within themselves, and so is he.

Dazai is a married man, yet he craves other women. Apart from his wife, he also indulges in a physical relationship with two other women. This dark new twist gives it a new dimension and thus a famous dark anime.

32. Best Dark Anime: Perfect Blue

• Director: Akihiro Karaki, Mineya Tanaka, Masashi Asami
• Writer: Junya Yamazaki, Yuya Takahashi
• Cast: Miori Takimoto as Kayoko Hasumi, Aya Hirayama as Nana Kimizuka, Kensei Mikami as Shunichi Miyamoto, Kumiko Shratori as Momoko Nagashima, Taishi Nakagawa as Shinya Morooka, Haori Takahashi as Itoko Hasumi.
• IMDb Ratings: 6.7/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 80%
• Watch Netflix, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Instant Video, iTunes.

Perfect Blue depicts Hasumi Kayoko as the protagonist who is a rookie investigator by profession in Hasumi Detective Agency and is excellent at detecting lies. Her adept skills let her know who is guilty and who is not. Her mother, Kyoko, is the agency’s director, and both of them go to find out what caused Kayoko’s father to commit suicide 7 years back. Several mysteries make the audience watch it without getting bored.

31. Erased (Boku Dake ga Inai Machi)

• Genres: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Supernatural
• Director: Tomohiko Itō
• Writer: Taku Kishimoto
• IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
• Available on: Netflix, Crunchyroll

Erased focuses on a 29-year-old struggling manga artist Satoru Fujinuma, who has a special power called “Revival.” This ability allows him to travel back in time, giving him the chance to rewrite events and avert impending disasters. One day, he is accused of a crime, and in his desperation, Satoru is sent back 18 years into the past, to his elementary school days.

Realizing that the current tragedy is connected to a series of child abductions and murders that occurred during his childhood, Satoru takes it upon himself to prevent these crimes and alter the course of history. He reconnects with his classmates, particularly Kayo Hinazuki, a lonely girl who was the first victim. As he delves deeper, Satoru uncovers dark secrets lurking within his community and faces the challenges of navigating his adult consciousness in a child’s body. 

30. Vinland Saga

• Director: Shuhei Yabuta
• Writer: Hiroshi Sugita, Kenta Ihara
• Cast: Naoya Uchida as Askeladd, Kenichiro Matsuda, Yuto Uemura, Atsushi Ono, Shizuka Ishigani as Thorfinn, Akio Otsuka, and more
• IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
• Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video.

Vinland Saga shows several past events or historical accounts. The anime depicts Thorfinn as the protagonist who is determined to seek revenge for his father’s death and has to have an honorable death. He is a warrior and thus wants to pay his father homage by dying during a duel. The anime is highly praised for depicting how once a blood-thirsty man changes into someone who aims to bring peace by any means and even seeks redemption for all his wrongdoings in the past.

29. Best Dark Anime: Hellsing Ultimate

• Director: Umanosuke Iida, Yasunori Urata
• Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
• Cast: Katie Gray, Crispin Freeman as Alucard, Victoria Harwood, Ralph Lister as Walter C. Dornez, Joji Nakata as Alucard, Fumiko Orikasa as Seras Victoria, Yoshiko Sakakibara, Gildart Jackson.
• IMDb Ratings: 8.3/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 95%
• Where to Watch: Netflix, Hulu, Funimation, iTunes

There are many series with Vampires, and so is Hellsing Ultimate. In this series, Alucard is the protagonist whose aim is to save the people of Cheddar Town.

He will also let Seras Victoria choose whether she wants to die or live as a Vampire. He also engages in combat with a Vatican priest named Alexander Anderson. So, there are several twists and turns in the story, and it is a famous dark anime to date.

28. Dark Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist

• Genres: Dark Fantasy, Adventure, Steampunk
• Languages: Japanese (original), English (dubbed)
• Director: Various
• Writer: Hiromu Arakawa
• IMDb Rating: 9.1/10
• Available on: Netflix, Hulu, Funimation

In a world where alchemy is a widely practiced science, brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric commit the taboo of human transmutation in an attempt to resurrect their deceased mother. The experiment goes horribly wrong, resulting in Edward losing an arm and a leg, and Alphonse’s soul becoming bound to a suit of armor. Determined to restore their bodies, the brothers embark on a quest to find the Philosopher’s Stone, a powerful artifact believed to amplify alchemical abilities. 

Along their journey, they uncover a deep conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of their nation. The series masterfully blends action, political intrigue, and philosophical questions about the nature of humanity, sacrifice, and the consequences of one’s actions.

27. Devil’s Line

• Genres: Supernatural, Romance, Thriller
• Languages: Japanese (original), English (dubbed)
• Director: Hideaki Nakano
• Writer: Ryo Hanada
• IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
• Available on: Hulu, HiDive

In a world where vampires coexist secretly with humans, “Devil’s Line” centers on Tsukasa Taira, a university student who becomes entangled with Yuuki Anzai, a half-vampire and member of a covert police force that specializes in vampire-related crimes. As their relationship deepens, Tsukasa finds herself drawn into the complex and dangerous world of vampires, where the line between humanity and monstrosity blurs. The series explores themes of prejudice, identity, and the struggle for control over one’s darker impulses, all set against a backdrop of suspense and forbidden romance.

26. Death Note

• Director: Tetsuro Araki
• Writer: Toshiki Inoue
• Cast: Mamoru Miyano as Light Yagami, Brad Swaile as Light Yagami, Vincent Tong as Touta Matsuda, Ryo Naito as Touta Matsuda, Trevor Devall as Shuichi Aizawa, Brian Drummond as Ryuk, Naoya Uchida as Soichiro Yagami.
• IMDb Ratings: 9/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 95%
• Where to Watch: Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll

Tokyo seems to be the center of chaos in this series as well. The story depicts how Light Yagami, the protagonist finds a notebook named Death Note which is not an ordinary notebook but a special one. The notebook can kill people, but to do so, the user must know the name of the killer and his face as well. The light is used to kill criminals. Light also knows that it belongs to Ryuk, who can be seen by the one who has used the notebook. The series is fascinating to watch, and thus Death Note has been included in the list of Darkest anime.

25. Dark Anime: The Flowers of Evil (Aku no Hana)

• Genres: Psychological, Drama, Coming-of-Age
• Languages: Japanese (original)
• Director: Hiroshi Nagahama
• Writer: Aki Itami
• IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
• Available on: HiDive

“The Flowers of Evil” follows Takao Kasuga, a high school student with a passion for literature, particularly Charles Baudelaire’s “Les Fleurs du mal.” One day, on an impulsive whim, he steals the gym clothes of his crush, Nanako Saeki. This act is witnessed by Sawa Nakamura, a rebellious and enigmatic classmate, who uses this knowledge to manipulate Takao into a twisted and coercive relationship. As Takao becomes increasingly entangled in Nakamura’s schemes, he is forced to confront his own desires, guilt, and the facade of normalcy that society imposes. 

The series delves deep into the complexities of adolescence, exploring themes of alienation, identity, and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of everyday life. Its distinctive rotoscoped animation style adds a layer of unsettling realism, enhancing the psychological tension throughout the narrative.

24. Gantz

• Director: Ichiro Itano
• Writer: Masashi Sogo
• Cast: Hiroshi Kamiya as Masanobu Hojou, Daisuke Namikawa as Kei Kurono, Chris Patton as Joichiro Nishi, John Swasey as Naozumi Saito, Chris Ayres as Kei Kurono.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.2/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 50%
• Where to Watch: Netflix, Prime Video, 9anime

Gantz is a popular dark anime series that shows how people who have died are brought back to life to fight criminals on Earth. They are given life by a black ball named Gantz. It is a highly intriguing series that develops and arouses more interest as the plot progresses.

The story mainly highlights two friends, Kei Kurono and Kato Masaru, who might or might not have been killed in an accident while saving a man.

23. Paranoia Agent

• Director: Satoshi Kon
• Writer: Seishi Minakami
• Cast: Shozo Izuka as Keiichi Ikari, Toshihiko Seki as Mitsuhiro Maniwa, Mamiko Noto as Tsukiko Sagi, Michael McConnohie as Keiichi Ikari, Liam O’Brien as Mitsuhi Maniwa.
• IMDb Ratings: 8.1/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 100%
• Where to Watch: Netflix, Funimation, Crunchyroll

This is a crime thriller under the genre of dark anime where a designer once gets attacked by two boys. The case is handed over to two police detectives named Keiichi Ikari and Mitsuhiro Maniwa, but they think she is simply lying.

The attack becomes popular as Lil’ Slugger and is blamed for crimes in Tokyo city, but no one knows who the culprit is. The police now must find the truth and culprit behind these incidents.

22. Dark Anime: Jormungand

• Directed by: Keitaro Takahashi
• Writer: Yosuke Kuroda
• Cast: Anastasia Munoz as Koko, Carli Mosier, Christopher Bevins, Shizuka Ito, Hitoshi Yanai, Unsho Ishizuka as Lehm, Mutsumi Tamura as Jonah, Sayaka Ohara.
• IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
• Watch it on: Hulu, Amazon Prime

This series depicts Koko Hekmatyar as an arms dealer associated with the export of weapons under HCLI. It is an illegal operation, and there is constant smuggling on. She is not alone but is supported by several of her companions. She is a natural beauty, and the overall execution of the plot with well-fabricated characters has made this series famous as and of the most brilliant darkest anime series.

21. Bokura no

• Director: Hiroyuki Morita
• Writer: Mohiro Kitoh
• Cast: Akira Ishida as Coemushi, Ao Takahashi as Chizuru Honda, Daisuke Sakaguchi as Takashi Waku, Hiroki Touchi as Kokopelli.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.3/10
• Where to Watch: Funimation

Bokuro no is a highly thrilling anime series where a group of children gets to know about a man who has been living in a cave near the seashore. The man said to have developed a game where 15 robots save Earth from alien attacks and asked children to try their hands out.

The children agreed eagerly, but as they started playing, the game seemed horrific, and they did not know how to quit playing it.

20. Castlevania

• Director: Sam Deats, Adam Deats, Spencer Wan, Amanda Sitareh B.
• Writer: Warren Ellis
• Cast: Richard Armitage as Trevor Belmont, James Callis as Alucard, Grahan McTavish as Vlad Dracula Tepes, Alejandra Reynoso as Sypha Belnades, Tony Amendola as The Elder, Matt Frewer as The Bishop.
• IMDb Ratings: 8.3/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 89%
• Where to Watch: Netflix, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Instant Videos, iTunes

If you want to watch some horror series under the genre of dark anime, then just go for Castlevania. In this series, the protagonist is Trevor Belmont, who will fight against all the demons to save humans. But unfortunately, the wife of Count Vlad Dracula Tepes was being held guilty of witchcraft.

So she killed them mercilessly, which angered Dracula to such an extent that he is now summoning demons to kill the citizens of Wallachia, and Trevor, along with Alucard is the only one who can save humans.

19. Dark Anime: Death Parade

• Director: Yuzuru Tachikawa, Jun Shishido
• Writer: Yuzuru Tachikawa
• Cast: Jamie Marchi as Woman, Asami Seto as Black-Haired Woman, Tomoaki Maeno as Decim, Anastasia Munoz, Alex Organ as Decim, Jad Saxton as Nona, Rumi Okubo as Nona, Koki Uchiyama as Clavis.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.9/10
• Where to Watch: Hulu, Netflix, Funimation

Death Parade is a dark anime psychological thriller where it shows that after one’s death, the person is to go to heaven or Hell, but here they are sent to a Quindecim at first.

The place is a bar that has an ample number of women to take care of the newcomers. They need to play a game, and Decim is the one who decides whether one must go to Hell or heaven.

18. Akame ga kill

• Director: Tomoki Kobayashi
• Writer: Makoto Uezu
• Cast: Soma Saito as Tatsumi, Corey Hartzog as Tatsumi, Sora Amamiya as Akame, Molly Searcy as Akame, Yu Asakawa as Leone, Risa Mizuno, Allison Keith- Shipp as Leone, Yukari Tamura as Mine.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.8/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 83%
• Where to Watch: Hulu Plus, Netflix

The story focuses on a young and simple village boy named Tatsumi who shifts to the Capital in search of some work to earn or raise money.

In his attempts to do so, he is recruited by an assassin group called the Night Raid, and they all start their journey to fight against the Empire that is already corrupted. The group goes through dangerous situations, which makes the series watch-worthy.

17. Black Lagoon

• Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller
• Languages: Japanese (original), English (dubbed)
• Director: Sunao Katabuchi
• Writer: Sunao Katabuchi
• IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
• Available on: Hulu, Funimation

“Black Lagoon” follows Rokuro Okajima, a businessman who gets kidnapped by a group of mercenaries known as the Lagoon Company during a business trip in Southeast Asia. Initially a hostage, Rock decides to join his captors after realizing the mundanity and constraints of his corporate life. The Lagoon Company operates out of the lawless city of Roanapur, engaging in various illegal activities, including smuggling and gun-running. 

As Rock becomes more entrenched in this underworld, he forms a complex relationship with Revy, the team’s ruthless and skilled gunslinger. The series delves into themes of morality, survival, and the blurred lines between right and wrong, all set against a backdrop of high-octane action and gritty realism.

16. Dark Anime: Black Bullet

• Director: Mayasuki Kojima
• Writer: Tatsuhiko Urahata
• Cast: Luci Christian as Enju Aihara, Yuki Kaji as Rentaro Satomi, Christina Marie Kelly as Kisara Tendo, Chris Patton as Rentaro Satomi, Caitlynn French as Tina Sprout, Tiffany Grant, Mark Laskowski.
• IMDb Ratings: 6.9/10
• Where to Watch: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime

If you plan to watch a dark anime series, then Black Bullet will be a great choice as you can easily relate to it in contemporary times. Covid has impacted the lives of humans a lot, and so did a virus name Gastrea in this series.

The series revolves around how the virus has already impacted all and what measures Rentaro, the protagonist, will take alongside his partner Enju to save Tokyo. It is a thrilling series that will surely entertain you.

15. Ghost in the Shell

• Director: Kenji Kamiyama
• Writer: Kenji Kamiyama
• Cast: Shiro Saito as Gondo, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn as Major Motoko Kusanagi, William Frederick as Chief Daisuke, Richard Epcar as Batou, Crispin Freeman as Togusa, Peggy O’ Neil, Kari Wahlgren.
• IMDb Ratings: 8.5/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 89%
• Where to Watch: YouTube, Amazon

Ghost in the Shell is a thrilling anime series and one of the famous dark anime ever made. The story focuses on how people in the year 2030 use prosthetic bodies and are called cyborgs.

It is set in a fictional world where a female is the main protagonist set to hunt the Puppet Master and is being helped by her partner. The story is new and creates an atmosphere of horror throughout the whole story.

14. Casshern Sins

• Director: Shigeyasu Yamauchi
• Writer: Yasuko Kobayashi
• Cast: Toru Furuya as Casshern, Eric Vale as Casshern,Yuko Minaguchi as Ringo, Trina Nishimura as Luna, Akiko Yajima as Luna, Daniel Katsuk, Nami Miyahara as Lyuze, Cho as Ohji Gou Shinomiya as Robot.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.2
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 69%
• Where to Watch: Funimation, Apple iTunes, Amazon Video

Casshern Sins focuses on a world suffering from ruin, a kind of plague. Everyone blames Casshern, the protagonist, for destroying a robot, Luna, and causing a mishap. But the twist is Casshern himself does not know how he did kill the robot. Is the blame even justified? But the humans blame him, so there must be some trust behind it.

Casshern thus determines to find out the truth and also what has exactly let the plague occur and spread its havoc on the human world.

13. Dark Anime: Elfen lied

• Director: Mamoru Kanbe
• Writer: Takao Yoshioka
• Cast: Sanae Kobayashi as Lucy, Chihiro Suzuki as Kota, Mamiko Noto as Yuka, Sam Saletta as Kohta, Kira Vincent-Davis, Cynthia Martinez as Mayu, Nancy Novotny as Yuka, Adam Conlon as Kohta.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.9/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 100%
• Where to Watch: crunchyroll

Elfen Lied is a fresh and unique anime that deals with the concept of split personality and has successfully been able to portray it. The story revolves around Lucy, a split personality, and a murderer, a serial killer who works for the government.

However, she looks innocent to everyone, and thus it is impossible to know who she is. She is also a mutant, but nothing is reflected in her outward appearance.

12. Devilman: Crybaby

• Director: Masaaki Yuasa
• Writer: Ichiro Okouchi
• Cast: Koki Uchiyama as Akira Fudo, Ayumu Murase as Ryo Asuka, Griffin Burns as Akira Fudo, Kyle McCarley as Ryo Asuka, Christina Valenzuela as Miki Makimura, Megumi Han as Miki Makimura.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.6/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 85%
• Where to Watch: Netflix, Gogoanime

This series is the story of two boys who want to fight against the demons and save this beautiful world and its dwellers. Ryo is witnessed to be knowing that demons are living in the Amazon rainforest, and the government knows about it yet is taking no such step. He tells all these to Akira, and the duo goes to showcase the existence of demons. This anime adaptation is excellent indeed, so try to watch it as soon as you can.

11. Hell Girl

• Director: Takahiro Omori
• Writer: Kenichi Kanemaki
• Cast: Mamiko Noto as Ai Enma, Masaya Matsukaze as Ichimoku, Takako Honda as Hone Onna, Takayuki Sugo as Wanyudo, Brina Palencia as Ai Enma, R. Bruce Elliot as Wanyuudou, Kate Bristol.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.5/10
• Where to Watch: Netflix

Hell Girl is one of the most popular dark anime series where the anime portrays how a girl named Ai Enma, popular as Hell Girl comes and sends the antagonist to Hell. Several other companions accompany her. The plot of every episode remains the same, yet it is different from other anime series and thus has gained much popularity. Hell Girl torments the antagonist, for which eventually his death happens, which is why it is labeled as one of the best dark anime series.

10. Dark Anime: School Live

• Director: Masaomi Ando
• Writer: Norimitsu Kaiho
• Cast: Inori Minase as Yuki Takeya, Ari Ozawa as Kurumi Ebisuzawa, Mao Ichimichi as Yuuri Wakasa, Rie Takahashi as Miki Naoki, Ai Kayano as Megumi Sakura, Emiri Kato as Taromaru.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.2/10
• Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Amazon Prime

Do you love zombie-related movies? School-Live will then be a great choice to watch. The story highlights how school students try to lead an everyday life amid chaos and critical situations. The series chiefly focuses on a cheerful young girl named Yuki who wants to enjoy life and the constant support of her friends to save her from Zombie attacks that are creating havoc in the city.

9. Terror in Resonance

• Director: Shinichiro Watanabe, Yuzuru Tachikawa
• Writer: Shoten Yano, Hiroshi Seko, Jun Kumagai, Kenta Ihara
• Cast: Kaito Ishikawa as Nine, Soma Saito as Twelve, Atsumi Tanizaki as Lisa Mishima, Shunsuke Sakuya as Kenjiro Shibazaki, Aaron Dismuke as Toji, Jad Saxton as Lisa Mishima, Robert McCollum as Kenjiro Shibazaki.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.9/10
• Where to Watch: Hulu, Netflix

Terror in Resonance is one of the best dark anime series ever produced and did raise a lot of criticism. The story revolves around two boys named Nine and Twelve. The anime shows how these two boys call themselves Sphinx and threaten to destroy Tokyo unless their riddle is solved.

It is one of the most thrilling dark anime and brings about a great deal of dark themes with its plot and execution of the role of the characters.

8. Tokyo Ghoul

• Director: Shuhei Morita
• Writer: Chuji Mikasano
• Cast: Mamoru Miyano. Fumika Shimizu as Touka Kirishima, Masataka Kubota as Ken Kaneki, Nozomi Sasaki as Kaya Irimi, j. Michael Tatum, Mackenyu as Sota, Kana Hanazawa, Shunya Shiraishi as Nishio Nishiki.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.8/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 71%
• Where to Watch: Netflix, Hulu, Google Play, iTunes, Amazon Instant Video

Tokyo Ghoul is a thrilling classic fantasy series and is one of the most popular dark anime series. It depicts a world that has both humans and human-eating monsters called ghouls. It mainly focuses on how Kaneki Ken, a college student almost killed by a ghoul, somehow manages to escape and save himself.

The dark twist in Tokyo Ghoul comes when he realizes that he is slowly turning into a ghoul yet runs away from them to avoid being turned into a ghoul.

7. Dark Anime: Psycho-Pass

• Director: Naoyoshi Shiotani, Katsuyuki Motohiro
• Writer: Gen Urobuchi, Makoto Fukami, Aya Takaha
• Cast: Kana Hanazawa as Akane Tsunemori, Miyuki Sawashiro as Shion Karanomori, Takahiro Sakurai as Shougo Makishima,Shizuka Ito as Yayoi Kunizuka, Kenji Nojima as Nobuchika Ginoza.
• IMDb Ratings: 8.2/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 70%
• Where to Watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix

Psycho-Pass is a well-fabricated plot that questions new technologies and inventions. The protagonist of this series is Akane Tsunemori, who joins the Police force and, like the rest, believes in the precognitive Sibyl System.

However, this anime explores the loss of trust over the Sibyl System when Akane encounters a criminal who can even trick the system. From then onwards, she starts believing the method of action more and is supported by an old inspector.

6. Taboo tattoo

• Director: Takashi Watanabe
• Writer: Mayori Sekijima, Masamitsu Otake
• Cast: Monica Rial as Izzy, Justin Briner as Justice, Christopher Bevins as Tom, Carli Mosier as Arya, J, Michael Tatum as BB, Jamie Marchi as Lisa Lovelock, Jad Saxton as Touko, Sarah Wiedenheft, Jeremy Schwartz as Wiseman.
• IMDb Ratings: 5.5/10
• Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, VRV, Apple iTunes, Microsoft Store

This series is a unique anime series ever produced. The series focuses upon Seigi, the main character who, on helping a man, gets a stone in return. As soon as he touches it, a strange tattoo appears on his palm, hence the title. From then onwards, incidents surround him, and he indulges in conflicts that he never meant to witness.

5. God Eater

• Director: Takayuki Hirao
• Writer: Takayuki Hirao, Kei Tsunematsu
• Cast: Robbie Daymond as Lenka Utsugi, Cherami Leigh as Alisa Illinichina Amiella, Crispin Freeman as Soma Schicksal, Kira Buckland, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Patrick Seitz, Erika Harlacher, Wendee Lee.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.0/10
• Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix

If you love action, then watching God Eater will be a good choice. The series shows how the world is on the brink of ending by the monsters known as Aragami. But, if it is evil, there ought to be good too. Fenrir, an organization, is the only one to save the world and fight against these monsters. They used God’s Arcs, a kind of weapon to kill the monsters, and the ones who killed them were called God Eaters.

4. Dark Anime: Boogiepop Phantom

• Director: Takashi Watanabe, Kenji Yasuda
• Writer: Sadayuki Murai
• Cast: Kaori Shimizu as Boogiepop, Crispin Freeman as Manticore, Rachael Lillis as Nagi, Bill Rogers, Megan Hollingshead as Akane, Jessica Calvello, Carol Jacobanis as Kanae, Corey Marshall, Amanda Goodman.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.3/10
• Where to Watch: Funimation, Crunchyroll

Boogiepop Phantom has a downright twisted atmosphere. An event seemed to have shocked humanity 5 years back, and though people know about it, no one does speak a word regarding it. Then, however, the event led to the gruesome murder of humans, and in the present age, people once again seemed to have started talking about it.

Every story is being placed, and now the story of Boogiepop once again gets all the focus. Will it happen again? Watch and get the answer.

3. Made in Abyss

• Director: Masayuki Kojima
• Writer: Hideyuki Kurata
• Cast: Miyu Tomita as Riko, Mariya Ise, Luci Christian as Reg, Brittany Lauda as Riko, Maaya Sakamoto, Shelley Calene-Black, Mutsumi Tamura as Nat, Manami Numakura as Shiggy.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.5/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 88%
• Where to Watch: Vudu, Netflix, Amazon Prime

The series depicts the hope of a young girl named Riko to search for her lost mother. She lives in Orth, near a considerable hole known as Abyss. The Cave Raiders often go there to find relics, and some of them were also given the title of White Whistles for their courage. One of them was Lyza, Riko’s mother, who was assumed dead for failing to return.

Riko also wants to become a White Whistle and quest to find her mother and her companion Reg.

2. Attack on Titan

• Director: Tetsuro Araki, Masaki Koizuka, Yuchiro Hayashi, and Jun Shishido.
• Writer: Hajime Isayama
• Voice Cast: Yuki Kaji as Eren Yeager, Yui Ishikawa as Mikasa, Marina Inoue as Armin Arlert, Hiroshi Kamiya as Levi, Kisho Taiyama as Jean Kirstein, and many more.
• IMDb Rating: 9/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 96%
• Where to Watch: Netflix, Hulu, Funimation Now, Crunchyroll.

This anime explores how giant creatures named Titans have made it crucial for humans to live. They kill or eat humans and want to make the human race extinct. Many people have already died, but the Titans want to end all of them. A minimal number of humans have kept themselves safe and surrounded their land by building massive walls, but the Titans also demolished and killed Eren’s mother. Eren, from then on, resolves to kill every titan.

1. Dark Anime: Berserk 1997

• Director: Shin Itagaki
• Writer: Kentaro Miura
• Cast: Sean Schemmel, Kevin T. Collins, Nobutoshi as Guts, Ikuya Sawaki, Michelle Newman, Toshiyuki Morikawa as Griffith, Yuko Miyamura.
• IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 87%
• Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation, Netflix.

Dark anime series is full of dark secrets, and so does Berserk. The anime shows the life of Guts, who had no family of his own and was raised by Gambino but was killed by Guts to protect himself. He is the main protagonist of this series, and his fearful reputation soon lets Griffith meet him.

Griffith eventually makes Guts fight for him, proving his worth and becoming his best soldier. Guts also achieved the title of The Black Swordsman. The anime shows their journey from then onwards.

Conclusion

The dark anime series are highly intriguing and have brought about themes that were not favored by anyone before. Horror, fantasy, and mysteries are pretty standard, but the combination of all and the hero turning as the culprit is both shocking as well as exciting to watch. It is high time to watch anime with mature themes to know all that can happen in life or happen in someone else’s.

The Vampire Hunter D, The Future Diary, Midori: Shoujo Tsubaki are also some dark anime that shows how a beautiful world can turn into something that one cannot even imagine. If you like dark anime, then let’s admit that you are a true anime fan and have great taste.