Horror and anime are unique categories that don't intersect quite enough. In contrast to other genre heavyweights like fantasy and comedy, there isn't necessarily going to be a new horror anime coming out every season. And the ones that do come out can vary wildly in quality from terrifying to goofy and ineffective.
This list luckily will be looking at just the best, crème de la crème selections within the genre - at least according to the rankings of MyAnimeList. Because of the medium's natural inclination towards visual storytelling, these gems can shine with creepy imagery and gore-filled shots that are definitely not for the young or faint of heart.
10 Devilman: Crybaby (7.93)
This Netflix produced show is a reboot/alternative take on the classic 70s anime Devilman. But this show is nothing like its predecessor, forgoing an episodic structure and goofy superhero premise to instead tell a carefully plotted, intensely violent tale about a cabal of demons that have infiltrated human society. At the center of the story is Akira Fudou, a weak-willed and go-with-the-flow type of person who accepts his childhood friend's request to uncover devils at an underground party.
Things end in bloodshed as the demons consume the revelers and Akira finds himself unwittingly fused with the devil Amon. From there this beautifully animated show follows the scary adventures of this part devil, part man.
9 Hell Girl: Two Mirrors (8.00)
Hell Girl: Two Mirrors is the second season of the popular Hell Girl series. Its titular character is Ai Enma, a girl from hell, who can be summoned by those with a powerful grudge to ferry the targets of their hatred straight to hell. She's discerning, however, and will only punish those that she deems deserving of judgment and naturally, the cost of her service is an afterlife in hell for the ones who call upon her.
In this follow-up season, her services continue but viewers are introduced to new forces like a young girl Kikuri and a so-called devil's child, Takuma Kurebayashi. As the show goes on, Ai finds herself pulled into a larger conflict that threatens her very existence.
8 When They Cry (8.04)
This classic finds its way into most lists about horror anime and its position is not founded on nothing. This seminal work adapts a visual novel but does so in a unique way where watchers are treated to each of the branching paths of the source material, making for an experience that is much like how it would be seen in its original written form.
Each arc starts with a teenager moving into a remote countryside village and befriending a cast of seemingly sweet girls. From there, things spiral out in ways that differ with each sequence but that usually involve violence and death. Slowly reasons and explanations can be pieced together, giving the show a mystery appeal in addition to its violent surface layer.
7 From The New World (8.41)
From The New World is a horror show not quite like any others out there. Though it takes place in a future world where psychic powers have swept the globe and caused untold violence, the majority of the show happens after this upheaval, following a group of children growing up in an isolated society with a unique and convoluted set of rules.
These children are members of an academy for psychics and the world they inhabit seems to be a perfect utopia. Of course, things aren't at all as they appear, with a murky set of secrets and conspiracies lurking right beneath the surface of this society. Slowly paced, and complexly written, this show is a cerebral treat.
6 Mononoke (8.41)
This anime is a spinoff/sequel to a specific arc in its parent show Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror. Mononoke follows the medicine seller, an occult master who travels across feudal Japan hunting down evil spirits. However, his work isn't a simple exorcism but instead requires that he learn the form, truth and reason behind these mononoke before being able to slay them.
The art style of this show boldly stands out as does its many unexpected twists and revelations. Together they elevate the show beyond a monster-of-the-week appeal and give it a more deeply themed and interesting flavor.
5 Hellsing Ultimate (8.45)
Hellsing Ultimate is an alternative take on the classic manga of the same name. In it, viewers are brought to a world where sinister creatures roam the night, eating and killing any humans that stumble into them. But there is hope in the form of the Hellsing organization, a group whose sole reason for existence is the destruction of these evil forces.
At the core of this taskforce is the main character Alucard, a vampire who fights his own kind and who paired with his vampire servant Seras Victoria takes down any threats to Hellsing. This show stands on its flashy and violent appeal.
4 Parasyte -the maxim- (8.47)
This body-horror filled show bears a lot of similarities with sci-fi works and conspiracy themes. Earth has been invaded by a host of parasitic aliens that have infiltrated their way into human society by taking over the brains and bodies of the humans they encounter. These parasites feed on humans and are incredibly powerful with the ability to morph their bodies at will.
The main character Shinichi Izumi, fortunately, avoids this fate as a parasite targetting him fails to get to his brain instead ending up in his right hand. With this premise, the show jumps into high stakes fights and engaging philosophical discussions about what it means to be alive.
3 Berserk (8.47)
Berserk is a classic dark fantasy anime that needs little introduction. It stars the well-known mercenary Guts, a relentless fighter who finds himself recruited into the Band of the Hawk, led by the seemingly noble "White Hawk" Griffith. As the story continues, what initially seems like a simple good and evil dichotomy is challenged.
But at the core of this show is its tragic story about fate, friendship, and love. Though the animation is no longer cutting edge, the epic tale and great soundtrack capture a gritty atmosphere that few shows can match.
2 The Promised Neverland (8.68)
The Promised Neverland starts out in a lighthearted fashion. In a house surrounded by forest, a group of orphans live together joyfully, acting like brothers, sisters, and family to each other. But dark secrets lie at the heart of this tranquil surface appearance. The children must take tests daily, they are not allowed to stray too far from the orphanage and periodically children are adopted and sent away for reasons unbeknownst to them.
This show maintains an atmosphere of constant tension and horror as the main cast slowly discover more about the dystopian society that they live in. All in all, their struggle to escape is enthralling.
1 Monster (8.71)
Topping out the list is the psychological serial-killer driven anime Monster. In it, neurosurgeon Dr. Kenzou Tenma finds himself embroiled in a mass murderer's scheme after he saves the killer's life as a young boy, losing his position in the hospital's office politics in the process. His job is saved, however, by a string of mysterious deaths that all lead back to the boy he operated on.
Years pass and eventually his past comes back to wreak havoc on his life, pushing Tenma to embark on a dangerous quest to rid the world of the evil he brought into it for good. It makes for a captivating game of cat and mouse, with lives on the line, all while the slow burn plot pulls viewers further and further in.