Come one, come all you freaks and geeks. The time has come once again for creepy stories, dark décor, and spooky candy your creepy neighbor gave to you. What’s a more exciting way to delve into Halloween than watching something that makes you think twice before going to bed alone? Creepy anime. Okay look, I realize not everyone likes anime or whatever, but trust me when I say these are worth a watch, especially if you want to give yourself a gut-wrenching experience.
*Please note some of the animes’ mentioned are very dark and gore-y. If you’re sensitive to anything I mention in the plots, please proceed carefully when watching! I have personally watched and selected the current shows listed. My opinion is not the same as everyone else’s, form your own after giving them a watch!
1. Parasyte: The Maxim
Ya like aliens? Paras(y)tes, even? Well, look no further! Parasyte: The Maxim is a 24-episode long body horror show. The main character, Shinishi Izumi, lives life as an average highschooler. That is, until a spree of ‘parasites’ come to earth to take over the brains of their human hosts and eating each other for survival. One night, a parasite tries to enter Shinichi but is trapped when he wraps a cord around his arm to stop the parasite from entering. The parasite (who we know as ‘Migi’ further on) forms into Shinichis’ arm. The unlikely pair form a connection to stay alive in this infested world.
Parasyte is a great anime for anyone who likes body horror, gore, and just to get your blood pumping. It’s quite a rollercoaster of a series and will definetly make you emotional towards the end. You can watch it here or here.
2. Re:Zero – Starting Life In Another World
Okay so, technically, Re:Zero isn’t classified as a horror/thriller anime, TECHNICALLY. However, the entire series (so far as of season two) is extremely brutal. Especially to our protagonist, Subaru Natsuki. He is transported to another world (seemingly like a MMORPG) and is met by a girl named Emilia. He doesn’t know how he got there, but he pushes it off by helping this girl he just met find something stolen from her. That night, he and Emilia are brutally murdered. He wakes up to the same environment, the same people, and the same girl. Realizing anytime he dies, he repeats his day. Subaru tries to connect the pieces while helping his newly-sorted acquaintances.
Re:Zero is excellent maybe for all types of anime lovers. It has action, drama, love interests, and most notably: murder! I’d say it’s a fairly graphic anime as well. However, the story is very ‘edge-of-your-seat’ kinda deal. Once you’re in, you’re in. You can watch it here.
3. The Promised Neverland
*Please be warned: This anime contains violence against children. Note, though just fiction, it could possibly be emotionally triggering to some audiences.
What’s scarier than a mass-murderer? Kids! Actually, just kidding. This anime isn’t anything like Children of the Corn (thank goodness). Instead, it’s an orphanage with many wide-eyed children waiting to be adopted. Gated by a tall wall all the way around. With kids leaving and never contacting their friends back again. Hmm.. Ah, I’m sure it’s nothing! (right?) Our adorable protagonists are Emma, Norman, and Ray. Three gifted children residing at the Grace Field Orphanage House. Children in the House call their caretaker “Mama”, who makes sure they have clean clothes and a full stomach. Everything’s great, they have everything they ever need. Except, when Norman and Emma discover what really happens to the children after they leave. Now after discovering the truth, they must help all the children escape before it’s too late!
The Promised Neverland is probably up there on my list of favorites, not just as a horror anime, but as a series in general. It’s both heart-wrenching and horrifying at the same time. To note, season one is not the full story. Season two is in the works as we speak to be released soon! However, if you’re still itching for more, you can catch up with the manga here. You can watch it here or here.
4. Perfect Blue
*Please be warned: this movie contains a rape scene. Though it’s only less than a minute, please proceed with caution when watching or skip the scene.
Alright, alright. This technically isn’t an anime I get it. However, it just had to be included. This movie is especially good if you’re someone who likes the truth to be revealed until the very end, or just don’t want to binge a big series like I’ve mentioned previously. The story follows Mima, who quits her job as a famous pop-idol. She is optimistic about shedding her ‘good-girl” idol image, like working in more adult-like roles in film and television. However, her sanity soon slowly cracks as an obsessed fan follows her and her past starts to haunt her life.
This is one of Satoshi Kon’s most notable pieces in film. I’m telling you, this movie is beyond good. When seeing this in theater for its 20th anniversary, I couldn’t guess what was going to happen. Usually, I’d pretty good at guessing the outcome, but this movie tripped me out. This is a perfect movie for psychological fans or anyone who likes underlying creepiness. The undertones are perfect for this movie as we see this young woman slowly start to crack. You can watch it here,
5. When They Cry
*Please note: This anime is extremely violent. This anime could easily be triggering to those sensitive with blood, extreme violence, and gore. Please proceed carefully before watching.
Last but not least, we have When They Cry. I know, I hear you. “What could these big-eyed, cutesy, school girls possibly be capable of? I’ve probably seen worse!” All I can tell you is, this will probably shock you. I thought the same thing honestly. But, this is a three season massacre. It’s so twisted and confusing, dark, violent (so, so, violent), bloody, and gut-wrenching. It’s almost a smack to the face going in blindly. The story follows Keiichi Maebara who just moved to a new village in 1983, and he quickly becomes close with some new gal-pals. As an annual festival begins, he’s horrified knowing there have been massive murders and disappearances over the past few years. As he tries to figure out what’s going on and the legend surrounded around the festival and its god. To his surprise, his friends are tight-lipped, not saying a word. As more and more weird occurrences happen around him, he starts to wonder if his friends are keeping more secrets from him, or even if he could trust them at all.
This is seriously a violent anime with a confusing but intriguing plot line. I’m being dead serious when I say build yourself up before watching. It starts off a little slow, but once the party starts, it doesn’t stop. A new adaptation is coming in 2020-21! I know I’ll be watching, will you? You can watch it here.
