8 Best Serial Killer Anime Series

Anime has a wide variety of subgenres for everyone to enjoy, from fantasy series to horror. A popular genre that fans enjoy is suspense, or more specifically, series about serial killers. Unlike in Western culture, where serial killers have become defined by popular horror films such as Halloween and Friday 13th, serial killers don't necessarily have to be scary in anime.

Serial killer anime series can come in various subgenres, such as mystery and psychological thrillers. Most of the time, these series involve detectives trying to identify the serial killer, and rarely is the serial killer the main character of the anime. Serial killer anime can provide exciting insights into darker subject matter with a distinctly different feel than mainstream films.

8 In Babylon, A False Advertisement Case Turns Into Something Dark And Twisted

A poster with the main four characters of Babylon

In Babylon, Zen Seizaki is a public prosecutor assigned to a case about false advertisement. This case involves a pharmaceutical company lying about clinical research on a new drug. While investigating this case, Zen finds a page stained with blood, some hair, skin, and the letter "F" written all over it.

Throughout the investigation, Zen uncovers several mysterious occurrences that have him overthinking his sense of justice and truth. For Zen, this case has gone from investigating a false advertisement claim to finding a psychic serial killer.

7 Beautiful Bones: Sakurako's Investigation Features A Girl Who Can Analyze Bones

Beautiful Bones- Sakurako's Investigation Sakurako Kujou with a skull

At first, Shoutarou Tatewaki believes that Sakurako Kujou is the reason for all of the disappearances in their neighborhood. That's the initial setup of Beautiful Bones: Sakurako's Investigation. However, Shoutarou learns that Sakurako actually has an innate talent for analyzing bone specimens. Together the two investigate several unsolved cases.

As the number of murders around the pair of leads grows, the mystery behind all the bodies becomes harder to solve. But, as it turns out, many copycats act according to one distinct killer's pattern.

6 In ID: INVADED, A System Can Allow People To Enter The Human Mind

ID- INVADED Akihito Narihisago investigating a murder

In the world of ID: INVADED, there is a system called Mizuhanome, which allows people to enter the human mind. Detectives use this system to get inside the head of serial killers and try to identify them. The downside to this system is that to enter, one must have committed an act of murder.

That's where Akihito Narihisago comes in, an ex-cop who killed the serial killer that murdered his daughter. Akihito can now enter this system and aid the detectives with the mystery of a series of sinister murder cases.

5 Monster Focuses On A Doctor Trying To Stop A Serial Killer He Saved Once

In Monster, Dr. Kenzou Tenma is a neurosurgeon operating on an immigrant worker when he is suddenly forced to switch patients, to focus on a famous performer. Unfortunately, this switch ended with the immigrant worker dead, thus leaving Dr. Kenzou with a copious amount of undeniable guilt.

Later, when Tenma is asked to switch places during surgery once again, he refuses and saves the life of a young boy instead of the mayor. Fast forward nine years, this young boy is now a serial killer, and the Doctor is on a mission to stop him.

4 In Erased, Satoru Is Transported 18 Years In The Past To Solve A Murder Case

Young Satoru Fujinuma and the serial killer in Erased anime.

Satoru Fujinuma has a power he likes to call "revival," where he is sent back several minutes in time before a tragedy occurs so he can stop it from happening. However, one day when he is wrongly accused of murdering someone close to him, Satoru gets sent back 18 years in the past.

There is a serial killer who abducted and murdered children back in the past. Now Satoru realizes that this serial killer may be linked to the murder from his original timeline. This significant time leap becomes Satoru's chance to solve the case and save everyone from their grim fates.

3 Future Diary Features A Deadly Battle Royale and A Yandere Who Will Kill Without Hesitation

Yuno Gasai fires her gun in Future Diary.

In this anime, there is a battle royale between 12 contestants that hold a Future Diary, which can predict the future. In this battle royale, the contestants are trying to kill each other until one is left behind, and they become the best God of Time and Space. The main serial killer in this series is Yuno Gasai, a Yandere to the main character Yukiteru.

Although she looks sweet on the outside, on the inside, she is murderous and will kill anyone with no hesitation for her crush Yukieru.

2 In Tokyo Ghoul, There Are A Plethora Of Serial Killers In The World

Kanekii held hostage by Jason (Tokyo Ghoul)

In the world of Tokyo Ghoul, so many serial killers are running rampant. In this series, there is another species of human called ghouls which are humanoid monsters that are cannibalistic and eat human flesh.

To live, these ghouls have no other choice but to become serial killers and feast on the flesh of their human victims. Unfortunately, the main character of this series Kaneki had the misfortune of going on a date with one of these ghouls and almost became a victim himself.

1 In Death Note, Light Yagami Becomes Drunk With The Power Of Life And Death

Light Reveals His Identity In Death Note

Death Note is a popular serial killer series about Light Yagami, who finds a magical notebook at school one day. The notebook he found was called the Death Note, and it gives the holder the power to kill anyone whose name is written in the book.

At first, Light uses the book to kill all the criminals in the world, but he soon becomes corrupt with power and believes himself to be God. So now Light uses the book to kill off anyone trying to uncover his identity as the book holder.