While many anime display their elements of horror right away, there are those where these elements creep up on the audience from out of nowhere. Be it Devilman Crybaby or Serial Experiments Lain, the genre of horror has been extravagantly explored in anime. It has grown tremendously, sending a chill down the spine of all who dare to watch.
These series don't just use blood and gore but carefully scripted characters with their individual eccentricities. There is no shortage of anime that are gorefests with threats ready to jump out from their official posters. However, there are series that are subtle and picturesque with no overt threats visible throughout.
10 One Decision Haunts Dr. Tenma Forever (Monster)
Monster follows Dr. Tenma, a neurosurgeon in West Germany, through a harrowing series of events. His life is turned upside down by the consequences of the choice he made between operating on the mayor and a child. Suspected for crimes he didn't commit, Dr. Tenma is on the lam for years.
Towards the end of the 74-episode series, viewers come to know the real monster. Monster delves deeper into the characters' psyche. Keeping viewers at the edge of their seats, Monster flawlessly veils the real threat until the end.
9 Keiichi's Curiosity Leads Him To A Terrible Fate (Higurashi: When They Cry)
Set in the fictional town of Hinamizawa, Higurashi: When They Cry has a picturesque, slice-of-life-like animation style that successfully masks the horrors it entails. Curiosity gets the better of Keiichi Maebara, a new resident of the town. He begins to investigate the deaths and disappearances that have been happening in the last few years.
A true form of psychological horror, When They Cry explores nuances of alternate realities which are just as gruesome. Dealing with multiple story arcs (while the actual cause is revealed later on), it is intricately hidden within the thick, mysterious atmosphere of the setting.
8 The Journey To The Afterlife Isn't All Fun And Games (Death Parade)
Many wonder what happens after death. Death Parade shows exactly that. People who die are sent to mysterious bars where they compete in various Death Games. The result of the games determines who's soul gets reincarnated and who's gets banished into the void.
A place run by arbiters, who are also the judges, this bar unravels secrets leading up to the death of the participants. Death Parade does not have any overt elements of stereotypical horror. However, the characters' desperation and manipulation make for some fine psychological horror. Although the threat is looming, it is never shown.
7 Technology Can Literally Become A Nightmare (Future Diary)
Yukiteru Amano has an obsessive habit of documenting his life. He could have never known that this obsession would make all the difference between life and death. Suddenly thrown into a distressing dystopia that is Future Diary, he tries to navigate his way through the chaos towards a pleasant future.
Deus, the God of Space and Time, is Amano's friend. Deus spins a web spanning three worlds and breaks interdimensional barriers only to be able to die peacefully with a successor in place. While Deus is the root of all chaos, Yuno Gasai's character adds to the layers of the plot.
6 Rehabilitation Of Criminals Takes A New Turn (Deadman Wonderland)
Featuring a prison built on ground zero of Tokyo's most gruesome earthquake, Deadman Wonderland is an institution built to raise money. The money is for rebuilding the city, accumulated by organizing deathmatches, called Carnival Corpse, between inmates. Anonymous, wealthy spectators pay huge sums to see prisoners fight to the death.
Wrongful incrimination, poisoned collars, and deathmatches aside, the horror stems from the lack of control experienced by prisoners. This includes Ganta Igarashi, who is wrongfully imprisoned. The threat of total loss of life and control, although looming, is never directly addressed.
5 The Aftermath Of A Zombie Apocalypse Was Never This Fun (School-Live!)
Yuki is a happy-go-lucky high school student who wants to make the most of her school life. Yuki Takeya is a member of the School Living Club along with her friends Kurumi Ebisuzawa, Yuri Wakasa, and Miki Naoki. Looking for fun and interesting activities to do daily, she explores her school. Unbeknownst to her, she is constantly protected by her friends, who are the survivors of a gruesome tragedy.
Masked within the pleasantries of school life and the main protagonist's personality, School-Live! talks about the terrible events that happened in the past. School-Live! shows how dealing with the consequences is just as tough.
4 JoJo Fights All Evil To Save Earth (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
Following the various exploits of the Joestar family, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure tells the story of JoJo, a member of the Joestar family. Spanning generations, JoJo fights supernatural evils to protect himself and the entire world from a ghastly and horrifying future.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is packed with OP fights and constant power-ups. Although the villains are terrifying, the horror ensued from the consequences of their victory are never shown. Thus, allowing viewers to enjoy the action while contemplating: what if?
3 An Ambiguous Myth Is The Root Of Everything (Boogiepop Phantom)
Boogiepop Phantom deals with theme of drug abuse, mental health, and paranormal beings. Boogiepop Phantom delves into city life after a mysterious ray of light appears in the sky. A month later, while some try to adapt to their peculiar new abilities, people start disappearing. Boogiepop Phantom is deemed accountable for everything.
While most of the characters meet a truly horrific end, the real threat is never shown in Boogiepop Phantom. Treated merely as a myth or an old wives' tale, the Boogiepop Phantom does make a small appearance towards the end.
2 A Lizard-Headed Mutant Is The Least Bothersome Element (Dorohedoro)
A post-apocalyptic dystopia, Dorohedoro follows the journey of Hole-resident Caiman. Caiman searches for a sorcerer whose magic caused him to lose his memories and have the head of a lizard. On a quest to find his true identity, Caiman and his friend Nikaido unravel ancient squabbles between various groups of sorcerers.
Set in a ghastly world filled with all sorts of violence and politics, Dorohedoro defies genre and puts forth a new perspective on segregation and rebellion. The dreaded upheaval of society is in the background throughout Dorohedoro.
1 Being A Genius Isn't Always Safe In This Orphanage (The Promised Neverland)
One of the best anime to go into blind, The Promised Neverland is on par with some of the best horror anime of all time. At first glance, The Promised Neverland seems regular, focusing on orphans at an orphanage. Quickly, The Promised Neverland takes a sharp turn.
Through human trafficking, murder, conspiracy, and more, the mastermind is never revealed. Genius and cunning are constantly at odds with each other, the very shock of the plot is enough to give audiences goosebumps.