Horror anime create an atmosphere of restlessness, they encourage viewers to learn more about their universe and present some scares… In this article, we will see a complete list, and also recommend the best horror anime.
through eerie music and sounds, visceral or disturbing images or surprising moments, the works of Terror make you worry about what's to come. Ready to watch these terrifying works?
Table of Content
The best horror anime
There are trash horror anime, traditional ones, and those similar to American movies. Generally silly, without a storyline, full of fanservice, that only try to create fear and scares with the obvious. We could list them here, but I want to showcase true horror.
Decent horror anime are much more elaborate, but they end up being categorized as action, fighting, and adventure. If you have seen one of the anime below in another genre, try to think of it as a horror anime.
Many of the anime on this list also fit perfectly with our other article about gore animes that consist of violence and a lot of blood and absurd eye-burning scenes.
Attack on Titan -Attack on Titan
Giants with smiling faces eat humans trapped inside a wall. The protagonist has his mother swallowed by a titan, gets angry and joins the army in order to accomplish something instead of just waiting to be eaten by a giant.
In this super popular story, you will see lots of blood and charismatic characters dying in grotesque ways. A lot of fighting and a lot of suspense in each episode, twists and increasingly agonizing secrets.
The anime has more than 4 seasons with many episodes perfect for marathoning. If you haven't had the opportunity to watch this work of art, be sure to put it at the top of the list, or even buy your manga collection that we'll show you in the other subtitle.
The Promised Neverland - The Promised Neverland
Emma, Norman, Ray and many other “siblings” live in an orphanage isolated from the outside world. They live an enchanted life, surrounded by friends and watched over by Mother, their caretaker, until finally leaving home for a foster family at the age of twelve.
The only rule is that they must never venture outside the gate that isolates them from the rest of society, as dangers await them. But one day, the children learn the true horror and fate of adopted children, and try to escape from that place.
Parasity - Kiseijuu
One of my favorite anime, it has a lot of action, suspense and terror. Human-eating parasites invade and take over human brains and live in hiding committing grotesque and macabre murders.
A young student in love ends up receiving a parasite, which unsuccessfully obtains his brain, gets stuck in his arm and becomes something of an ally of humanity. In the meantime we see a story that discusses who the real monsters are.
Tokyo Ghoul
The anime Tokyo Ghoul tells the story of beings that feed on human flesh, cannibals who cannot resist their desires to consume meat. These beings called Ghoul also possess superhuman abilities.
As half human and half ghoul, a young man is torn between the 2 worlds, being hunted by humans and sometimes by the ghouls themselves. An epic anime, with an epic soundtrack and lots of action.
Unfortunately the anime did well in the first season but lost in the next ones. There were a lot of studio changes, script, direct, art and other things that unfortunately spoiled the anime a lot, but it's worth it.
Another
26 years ago, in a third-year high school classroom, there was a student named Misaki. She died suddenly, her classmates decided to carry on as if she was still alive until graduation.
Then, in the spring of 1998, a boy named Sakakibara Kouichi transfers into the class and becomes suspicious of the atmosphere of fear in that classroom. In particular, there is a beautiful and distant girl named Mei Misaki who wears an eye patch and is always alone making drawings.
During the anime thousands of sinister things happen, macabre deaths with umbrellas stuck in necks, people being crushed, decapitated and other terribly frightening things.
Higurashi: When They Cry Kai
The story takes place in 1983 in a rural village called Hinamizawa (based on Shirakawa, Gifu). The main character of the series, Maebara Keiichi, moves to a village and becomes friends with several classmates.
The anime is based on a game, which consists of an investigation of murders that take place at a local festival. Usually one of the friends becomes paranoid and starts murdering others and their own friends.
Ajin - Demi-Human
The anime features immortal beings with abilities to control another sand being hunted and hated by other humans. These beings called ajin are kidnapped and subjected to laboratory tests, torture and many other sinister things.
A young boy found out he is an Ajin after being hit by a car. Soon he begins to be hunted by the authorities, another Ajin appears in order to help him, but their goals are a little different.
The best horror manga
Now let's leave a list of horror mangas that you can acquire on Amazon itself. Remember that the first volumes tend to be really more expensive due to low stock; if you go to Amazon, you will find other volumes for 12 reais.
List of Horror Anime
Below we will leave a list of anime names that have the horror genre, in order of popularity. Probably the focus of anime is not always horror, but it features a wide range of suspense and scares, in addition to being categorized in the genre.
| Nome do Anime de Terror | Year |
| Attack on Titan | 2018 |
| The Promised Neverland | 2019 |
| Parasyte -the maxim- | 2014 |
| When They Cry: Kai | 2007 |
| Dorohedoro | 2020 |
| Mononoke | 2007 |
| Tokyo Ghoul | 2014 |
| When They Cry: Higurashi | 2006 |
| Owari no Seraph | 2015 |
| Ghost Hunt | 2006 |
| Knights of Sidonia | 2015 |
| Shiki | 2010 |
| Hell Girl: Two Mirrors | 2006 |
| Another | 2012 |
| Seraph of the End | 2015 |
| Knights of Sidonia | 2014 |
| Hellsing | 2001 |
| School-Live! | 2015 |
| Aoi Bungaku Series | 2009 |
| Hell Girl: Three Vessels | 2008 |
| Tokyo Ghoul √A | 2015 |
| Ajin: Demi-Human | 2016 |
| Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress | 2016 |
| Highschool of the Dead | 2010 |
| Ga-Rei-Zero | 2008 |
| Tokyo Majin: 2nd Act | 2007 |
| Hell Girl | 2005 |
| Ghost Hound | 2007 |
| Tokyo Ghoul:re | 2018 |
| Umineko: When They Cry | 2009 |
| Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror | 2006 |
| Tokyo Majin | 2007 |
| Devil May Cry | 2007 |
| Kemonozume | 2006 |
| Devils' Line | 2018 |
| Mouryou no Hako | 2008 |
| Kaibutsu-kun (1980) | 1980 |
| Angels of Death | 2018 |
| Requiem from the Darkness | 2003 |
| Happy Sugar Life | 2018 |
| Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories | 2013 |
| Boogiepop and Others | 2019 |
| Blue Gender | 1999 |
| Terra Formars | 2014 |
| Mermaid Forest TV | 2003 |
| Kurozuka | 2008 |
| Zombie-Loan | 2007 |
| Kaibutsu-kun | 1968 |
| Red Garden | 2006 |
| Descendants of Darkness | 2000 |
| Vampire Princess Miyu TV | 1997 |
| The Haunted House: The Secret of the Ghost Ball | 2016 |
| Boogiepop Phantom | 2000 |
| Hakaba Kitaro | 2008 |
| Terra Formars: Revenge | 2016 |
| Tokko | 2006 |
| Gregory Horror Show | 1999 |
| Hell Girl: Fourth Twilight | 2017 |
| Kaidan Restaurant | 2009 |
| Night Head Genesis | 2006 |
| Blood-C | 2011 |
| Ayakashi | 2007 |
| Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories 5th Season | 2017 |
| Kagewani: Shou | 2016 |
| Okamikakushi: Masque of the Wolf | 2010 |
| Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories 6th Season | 2018 |
| Day Break Illusion: il sole penetra le illusioni | 2013 |
| Bem | 2019 |
| Devilman | 1972 |
| Gakkou no Kowai Uwasa: Hanako-san ga Kita!! | 1994 |
| Junji Ito "Collection" | 2018 |
| Shadow Star Narutaru | 2003 |
| Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories 7th Season | 2019 |
| SoulTaker | 2001 |
| Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories 3rd Season | 2016 |
| Youkai Ningen Bem | 1968 |
| Sci-fi Harry | 2000 |
| Demon Lord Dante | 2002 |
| Kagewani | 2015 |
| Dororon Enma-kun | 1973 |
| Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories 4th Season | 2017 |
| Youkai Ningen Bem (2006) | 2006 |
| King's Game | 2017 |
| Kurayami Santa | 2015 |
| Nessa no Haou Gandalla | 1998 |
| Ao Oni The Blue Monster | 2016 |
| Kowabon | 2015 |
| Ehon Yose | 2006 |
| The World Yamizukan | 2017 |
| Pupa | 2014 |
| Talentless Nana | |
| Jujutsu Kaisen | 2020 |
| Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror | 2020 |
List of Horror Anime Movies
The list below has the Japanese horror animations in movie format:
| Nome do filme de anime | Year |
| The Garden of Sinners Movie 2:...And Nothing Heart. ( | 2007 |
| Perfect Blue | 1998 |
| Attack on Titan Movie 3: The Roar of Awakening | 2018 |
| Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Movie: The Battle of Unato | 2019 |
| Ajin Movie 3: Shougeki | 2016 |
| Ajin Movie 1: Shoudou | 2015 |
| Ajin Movie 2: Shoutotsu | 2016 |
| Attack on Titan Movie 2: The Wings of Freedom | 2015 |
| Youkai Watch Movie 4: Shadowside - Oni-ou no Fukkatsu | 2017 |
| Attack on Titan Movie 1: Crimson Bow and Arrow | 2014 |
| Resident Evil: Damnation | 2012 |
| Resident Evil: Vendetta | 2017 |
| Wasurenagumo | 2012 |
| King of Thorn | 2009 |
| Blood-C: The Last Dark | 2012 |
| Knights of Sidonia Movie | 2015 |
| Resident Evil: Degeneration | 2008 |
| Kaibutsu-kun: Kaibutsu Land e no Shoutai | 1981 |
| Toilet no Hanako-san | 1996 |
| Blood: The Last Vampire | 2000 |
| Kakurenbo: Hide & Seek | 2004 |
| Kaibutsu-kun: Demon no Ken | 1982 |
| Wicked City | 1987 |
| Chuumon no Ooi Ryouriten (1991) | 1991 |
| Blue Gender: The Warrior | 2002 |
| ARAGNE: Sign of Vermillion | 2018 |
| Tokyo Revelation | 1995 |
| Seoul Station | 2016 |
| Hengen Taima Yakou Karura Mau! Nara Onryou Emaki | 1989 |
| Walking Meat | 2019 |
| Chuumon no Ooi Ryouriten (1958) | 1958 |
| Chuumon no Ooi Ryouriten (1993) | 1993 |
| Beluga | 2011 |
| The Island of Giant Insects Movie | 2020 |
| Sougiya to Inu | 2010 |
| Usagi ga Kowai | 2002 |
| Ao Oni The Animation Movie | 2017 |
| Consultation Room | 2005 |
| Yukidoke | 2004 |
| BEM Movie: Become Human | 2020 |
| Attack on Titan Movie 4: Chronicle | 2020 |
| Amrita no Kyouen | 2021 |
| Violence Voyager | 2018 |
| The Crimson Whale | 2014 |
List of Horror OVAs and Specials
The list below includes non-Japanese origin horror anime, specials and OVAs, as well as web creations. Some might be weird, others might have adult content. Research before watching a certain series.
| Hellsing Ultimate | 2006 |
| Castlevania | 2017 |
| Kishibe Rohan wa Ugokanai: Zange-shitsu | 2020 |
| Shiki Specials | 2011 |
| Attack on Titan: Ilse's Notebook | 2013 |
| Kishibe Rohan wa Ugokanai: Mutsukabezaka | 2018 |
| Devilman: Crybaby | 2018 |
| Ling Long: Incarnation | 2019 |
| When They Cry: Rei | 2009 |
| Kishibe Rohan wa Ugokanai: Fugou Mura | 2017 |
| Tokyo Ghoul: Jack | 2015 |
| You're Being Summoned, Azazel OVA | 2010 |
| Tokyo Ghoul: Pinto | 2015 |
| RIN: Daughters of Mnemosyne | 2008 |
| Ajin OVA | 2016 |
| Pet Shop of Horrors | 1999 |
| Angels of Death (Web) | 2018 |
| Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kaku Outbreak | 2013 |
| Demon Prince Enma | 2006 |
| Terra Formars: Earth Arc | 2018 |
| Terra Formars OVA | 2014 |
| Devils' Line: Anytime Anywhere | 2018 |
| Zombie-Loan Specials | 2008 |
| Corpse Party: Tortured Souls | 2013 |
| Devilman: The Birth | 1987 |
| Devilman: The Demon Bird | 1990 |
| Mermaid Forest | 1991 |
| Jigokudou Reikai Tsuushin | 1996 |
| 7 Seeds | 2019 |
| Wo Jiao Bai Xiaofei | 2015 |
| Mermaid's Scar | 1993 |
| Le Portrait de Petit Cossette | 2004 |
| Eko Eko Azarak | 2007 |
| Puppet Princess | 2000 |
| Gakkou no Kaidan (2005) | 2005 |
| Children | 2011 |
| Junji Ito "Collection": Tomie | 2018 |
| Ogre Slayer | 1994 |
| Amon: Apocalypse of Devilman | 2000 |
| Resident Evil 4: Incubate | 2006 |
| Demon City Shinjuku | 1988 |
| Chocolat no Mahou | 2011 |
| Kyomu Senshi Miroku | 1989 |
| Umezu Kazuo no Noroi | 1990 |
| Blood Reign: Curse of the Yoma | 1989 |
| Blood-C: Special Edition | 2012 |
| H.P. Lovecraft's Dunwich Horror and Other Stories | 2007 |
| Spirit Warrior | 1988 |
| Lily C.A.T. | 1987 |
| Laughing Target | 1987 |
| Shi Xiong | 2014 |
| Bio Hunter | 1995 |
| Higanjima X | 2016 |
| Kangoku Jikken | 2018 |
| Spirit Warrior 2 | 1994 |
| Corpse Party: Missing Footage | 2012 |
| Bride of Deimos | 1988 |
| Doomed Megalopolis | 1991 |
| Twilight of the Dark Master | 1997 |
| Toshi Densetsu Monogatari Hikiko | 2008 |
| Hashi no Mukou | 2012 |
| Horror News (1991) | 1991 |
| Inuki Kanako Zekkyou Collection: Gakkou ga Kowai! | 1999 |
| matryoshka: Niedola | 2012 |
| Gyo | 2012 |
| Umi no Yami, Tsuki no Kage | 1989 |
| Chainsaw Bunny | 2018 |
| Galerians: Rion | 2002 |
| Maryuu Senki | 1987 |
| Si Ling Bianma: Zhi Shijie Caozong Zhe | 2013 |
| Judge | 1991 |
| Shuten Doji | 1989 |
| mathru: Bacterial Contamination | 2012 |
| Violence Jack 3: Hell's Wind | 1990 |
| Mugen Shinshi: Bouken Katsugeki Hen | 1987 |
| Violence Jack 2: Evil Town | 1988 |
| Denki Groove: Mononoke Dance | 2008 |
| Digital Devil Story Megami Tensei | 1987 |
| Devilman: Crybaby - Digest Eizou | 2018 |
| Chainsaw Maid | 2007 |
| Horror News | 2014 |
| Resident Evil 4D Executor | 2000 |
| Violence Jack 1: Harlem Bomber | 1986 |
| Zekkyou Gakkyuu: Tensei | 2016 |
| Malice@Doll | 2001 |
| Calamity of a Zombie Girl | 2018 |
| Kimera | 1996 |
| Zonmi-chan | 2016 |
| Qui Shui Yi Yun | 2015 |
| Karada Sagashi | 2017 |
| Calamity of a Zombie Girl PV | 2012 |
| Heisei Matsue Kaidan: Ayashi | 2017 |
| The Island of Giant Insects | 2019 |
| The Dark Myth | 1990 |
| Hell Target | 1987 |
| Bloody Date | 2006 |
| Zonmi-chan: Halloween Special Movie! | 2015 |
| Heisei Matsue Kaidan | 2015 |
| Hino Hideshi Toukaidou Yotsuya Kaidan | 2000 |
| Maid of the Dead | 2013 |
| Nasu Highland Park Horror Attraction "Sema Kuruoshii Ie" | 2019 |
| NO LITTERING | 2012 |
| Bloody Night | 2006 |
| C.L.A.Y. | 2012 |
| Dark Cat | 1991 |
| Dead World | 2016 |
| Dead Girl | 2011 |
| Roots Search | 1986 |
| Within The Bloody Woods | 2006 |
| Love Bites | 2016 |
| Kokuhaku | 2015 |
| Ling Long: Incarnation Part 2 | 2020 |
| Hoongi: Sumbakkokjil | 2012 |
| TaKU.K: Moushuu no Guernica | 2020 |
| Noroi no One Piece | 1990 |
| Rootless Heart | 2011 |
| Spirits from the Night | 2012 |
| Mermaid Song | 2017 |
| Saturday the 14th | 2017 |
| Jeipon, Futatabi! Kore ga Reiwa Style no Satsujinki | 2019 |
| Even More Ghost Stories | 1996 |
| Youkai Ningen Bem: Part II | 1992 |