Dark Anime Series: The list of the 36 darkest anime tv shows to watch right now!
We have compiled a good list of the best 36 darkest anime series that Japan has created so far, which are worth watching now. So, whether it be classics or the newest ones, we have only covered the best out of everything in order to give fans something great to stream. If you think you know all of the dark anime series that are out there, this article will prove you wrong.
So, be ready to watch some of the darkest and most thrilling anime tales of life and death, mind-boggling, deep stories, and bloody and sexual scenes in every anime on this recommended list. Just stay put and don’t turn off the lights because it will get darker as you watch mature dark stories with a lot of exhilarating speeches.
36. Ergo Proxy
Ergo Proxy, one of the darkest television shows of all time, is a good psychological dark anime. However, it is so sad that such a masterpiece is underrated and is currently unknown to anime fans.
After the methane hydrate layer explosion, the remaining humans are forced to live in isolated domed cities, where autonomous robots known as AutoReivs assist them in their day-to-day activities. This is the beginning of the good mystery dark anime.
In one of these cities, Romdo, Inspector Re-l Mayer, leads an investigation into AutoReivs who have gone insane after being infected with the Cogito virus. While she is doing so, she comes into contact with a monster named Proxy. In another city, immigrant Vincent Law is on the run after being implicated in several Cogito cases. Together, they embark on a journey to the dome city of Moscow to solve the Proxies’ mystery.
35. Kino’s Journey (Kino no Tabi)
The premise of Kino’s Journey centers on a 15-year-old girl who travels from one country to the next on her dependable, sentient motorcycle, making it the ideal dark anime for you.
Well, in Kino’s Journey, the protagonist is not motivated by heroism or righteousness. Instead, she spends around three days in each country and chooses to observe rather than interfere with the political or cultural climate of the society. Although she is not a coward and can defend herself from any threat if necessary, Kino’s adventure is marked by self-reflection and discovery.
Kino’s Journey addresses a wide range of social and political issues while avoiding preachy commentary.
34. Ajin: Demi-Human (Ajin)
This supernatural dark anime series tries to answer the question “What does it mean to truly be human?” Seventeen years ago, the existence of a unique species known as Ajin was discovered in Africa. They are said to be immortal beings with several supernatural abilities who look like any other human being. The series is full of complex ideas about life and death as well as the darkest side of human nature.
Since their first discovery, several other Ajin appearances have been reported worldwide. However, for most citizens, these creatures are less real and more like something you occasionally see in a textbook or on the news. This is how it was for the young protagonist of the series, Kei. That is, until a sudden turn of events changed his life forever…
33. Terra Formars
Well, Terra Formars is a bloody horror anime that takes place on Mars, where six crew members are prepared for their mission. The animation is dark, and the series depicts one of the darkest human stories. Overall, the darkness is well-built.
But what they find are enormous mutant humanoid cockroaches with incredible physical strength. As a result, the crew is easily killed, but not before sending a message back to Earth. Now, humanity will send elite warriors to kill the mutant bugs and take back Mars.
32. Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan (Nurarihyon no Mago)
Nurarihyon no Mago is another great dark, action, and underrated anime to watch. It follows Rikuo Nura, a middle school student who appears to be normal but secretly returns home every day to a house full of youkai, and no one knows that at night he transforms into the all-powerful leader of these spirits. Despite the disappointment of many, Rikuo is determined to live as normal a life as possible.
31. Steins; Gate
This is by far one of the darkest anime tv shows that follows Rintaro Okabe, a neophyte scientist who accidentally develops time travel via a microwave – he and his team now possess the ability to send messages backward in time, altering the timeline. This discovery leads to some serious problems – one that will require every ounce of Rintaro’s intelligence to overcome. A list of dark anime series without a mention of Steins;Gate would be like
30. Hell Girl
Do you know anything about Hell Correspondence?
Hell Girl is a one-of-a-kind dark horror anime in which each episode follows a character as they struggle to become the legendary girl that everyone is whispering about. Only those with a powerful resentment can access the mysterious website, which allows them to enter anyone’s name and send them straight to hell.
As a result, Ai Enma, also known as the Hell Girl, will not consider whether the chosen target is deserving of punishment; rather, she will simply exact revenge on them for you. Other than the fact that she swiftly completes her tasks with the assistance of three straw dolls, not much else is known about this young girl. However, there is one catch: in exchange for carrying out such a request, the user will have to commit themselves to an afterlife in hell.
29. Death Parade
Death Parade is one of my all-time favorite dark game anime! This is a really good Japanese anime series that will teach you the darkest truths and hidden sides of people. The story takes place after death, when the characters arrive at the Quindecim, a bar frequented by the enigmatic white-haired Decim.
In the death parade, people receive judgment, but a strange, black-haired girl causes Decim to begin questioning his own rulings. After death, humans go to either heaven or hell, but for some, they face a bartender who challenges them in random games that will decide their fate later! During these games, the true nature of humans appears; whether you are good or bad, you are welcome to Quindecim, where Decim will decide your afterlife!
28. Angels of Death (Satsuriku no Tenshi)
Rachel will experience a dark reversal when she realizes that she is stranded in the basement of an abandoned building. She has no memories and no idea who she is or where she is. She just starts wandering the building, confused and lost.
A strange bond is formed between them, strengthened by strange, crazy promises… These two, while trapped, don’t know why fate has placed them there. But they will join forces and do their best to find a way out… Satsuriku no Tenshi is among the darkest anime you will ever watch. The series deals with a deep story of survival, and yes, this show has unusual main characters: Zack, who is a sociopath, and Rachel, who is a real psychopath. She comes across him while
27. Terror in Resonance (Zankyou No Terror)
The plot of Zankyou no Terror is set in an alternate version of the present, where a shocking terrorist attack strikes Tokyo. The only hint to the identity of the culprit is a bizarre video uploaded to the internet. The police, baffled by this cryptic clue, are powerless to stop the paranoia from spreading throughout the population. This is a good thriller anime series where villains are the main characters.
Two enigmatic children, cursed to walk through this world bearing the names Nine and Twelve, combine to form “Sphinx,” a covert entity determined to wake the people from their slumber and pull the trigger on this world while the world searches for a criminal mastermind to blame for this tragedy.
26. Witch Hunter Robin
Welcome to a dark fantasy anime story about witches with special abilities like ESP, telekinesis, mind control, etc. Robin is one of these witches. She uses a craft and comes to Japan from Italy to replace one of STN-J’s witch hunters who was killed recently.
In contrast to the other divisions of STN, STN-J makes an effort to capture the witches alive to discover why and how they became witches in the first place.
25. Deadman Wonderland
Deadman Wonderland, one of the best dark anime to watch, is next. It has a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Imagine if your classmates were killed, and you were accused of it. Now you are sentenced to die, locked away in one of the most twisted and ruthless prisons ever built! This is the dark fate that lurked in Ganta’s life; he is the only one who survives after a mysterious man in red kills a
He has been accused of that, and while he waits to be executed, he spends his actual harsh days in Deadman Wonderland, one of the most deviant jails ever constructed. And it will get even worse: at Deadman Wonderland, criminals are forced into brutal death matches for the amusement of the masses.
24. From the New World (Shinsekai Yori)
Shinsekai Yuri is a masterful psychological dark anime series that will blow your mind. It focuses on the concept of a massive ability that can manipulate matter remotely, which led many people in positions of power to act violently, which caused a long period of trouble. Finally, after a tumultuous period that was shaped by the rise and fall of oppressive regimes, psychic humans could achieve a fragile peace by isolating their society and creating a new world that was bound
There, Saki Watanabe, who has just woken up to her powers, is relieved to be back with her friends at Sage Academy, a special school for psychics. However, there is a sense of unease as Saki begins to wonder what will happen to those who are unable to do so, and the children begin to be involved in enigmatic issues like the rumored Tainted Cats, which are said to kidnap children.
Shinsekai Yori is a good anime series about Saki and her friends as they try to fit into their roles in the supposed utopia. However, accepting these roles might not be easy when they have to deal with society’s dark and shocking truths and the impending chaos that will come from the new world.
23. Another
Misaki was a popular student who passed away during the school year. Since then, the town of Yomiyama has been surrounded by a fearful atmosphere as a result of the dark mysteries that lie within. Oh, darkness seems to have started lurking in this anime! yeah
Later, Kouichi Sakakibara joins Yomiyama North’s classes 3 and 3, where he soon notices that everyone is in a strange, gloomy mood. Soon, he will get closer to Mei Misaki, a student who wears an eyepatch, but the rest of the class and the teachers seem to treat her like she doesn’t exist.
Another is a horror dark anime that depicts the daily life of Kouichi, Mei, and their classmates as they are pulled into the enigma surrounding a series of inevitable, tragic events—but uncovering the horror of Yomiyama may just cost them the ultimate price. Kouichi begins searching for the truth behind the gruesome phenomenon plaguing his class despite warnings from everyone, including Mei herself.
22. Elfen Lied
Elfen Lied tells the dark story of two students who will meet a likely harmless girl named Lucy, who is a special breed of human known as a “Diclonius.” If you want a good dark romance anime, this is a valid series that features horror themes, epic fights, and a powerful female lead.
As a result of the government’s scientific experimentation, Lucy was born with short horns and invisible telekinetic hands. However, when circumstances allow her to escape, Lucy unleashes a torrent of bloodshed. She was injured during her escape, unaware she is actually a mutant serial killer with a split personality.
21. Higurashi When They Cry (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni)
If you’re a fan of horror anime, this is the best recommendation you’ll ever get. It will scare the crap out of you, so buckle up and get ready to be moved by this bloody, gloomy tale.
In the summer of 1983, Keiichi Maebara moves to the quiet little village of Hinamizawa and quickly makes friends with Rena Ryuuguu, Mion Sonozaki, Satoko Houjou, and Rika Furude. However, beneath their seemingly idyllic lives, there is a dark side.
As he learns that there have been a number of murders and disappearances over the past few years that appear to be connected to the festival, but he doesn’t get a response from his friends about it. As a result, this and other incidents cause Keiichi to become irrational and paranoid, and he will encounter many dark mysteries.
20. Corpse Demon (Shiki)
In addition to being a great dark horror anime series, Shiki is also a psychological mystery that will make you wonder: are the bad guys humans or vampires? When a lot of sudden deaths start happening in the peaceful village of Sotoba, Doctor Toshio Ozaki initially thinks that there is an epidemic, but he soon becomes convinced that something strange is going on.
He will discover that Shikis are to blame, and from there, a war between humans and Shikis will break out! Although the Shikis believe they are innocent, all they have left is their will to live as they battle the fear of the villagers, who are paranoid and untrusting. Shiki investigates the line that separates a man from a monster.
19. Akami Ga Kill
I’ve been a huge fan of Akami Ga Kill since the first episode aired in 2014, but we still haven’t seen the second season of this amazing fantasy dark anime series.
In general, the story of the Revolutionary Army’s covert assassination branch known as the Night Raid is the focus of the show. Although the Night Raid members are all experienced killers, they are aware that killing people is not something to be proud of and that they will likely face retribution as they brutally eliminate anyone who stands in the way of the revolution.
Tatsumi, a young boy from a remote village who had set out to help his impoverished hometown and was swayed by Night Raid’s ideals as well as their resolve, is the newest member of this merry band of assassins.
Tatsumi is followed in Akame ga Kill! as he fights the Empire, encounters deadly weapons, enemy assassins, numerous challenges to his own morals and values, and ultimately discovers what it truly means to be an assassin with a cause.
18. Hellsing
First, Hellsing is a vampire action anime with deep, dark stories, horror, and bloody scenes. It follows creatures of darkness and evil that plague the night and eat anyone who gets caught in their clutches. Hellsing is a group that works to get rid of these supernatural forces that are threatening humanity, but Alucard, a vampire, is working for Hellsing as an exterminator against his own kind.
Therefore, Hellsing Ultimate demonstrates that appearances are not always what they seem, and that sometimes the greatest weapon can come in the form of one’s worst nightmare! With Seras Victoria by his side, Alucard must fight monsters and all those who stand in the way of Hellsing, whether they are good or evil.
17. The Promised Neverland (Yakusoku no Neverland)
The Promised Neverland is an anime series that combines horror, psychological horror, and dark thriller elements. The plot takes place in a forest with a large gate that leads in, where orphans happily live as a family with “Mama.”
These orphans appear content in this shelter, where they are free to play whenever they want as long as they stay within the orphanage. However, things will get worse when a child is adopted by a new family but never heard from again.
As a result, the three eldest siblings will begin an investigation because they have suspicions about what is actually occurring at the orphanage. As a result, they will be shocked to learn of the cruel fate that awaits the children who live at Grace Field, as well as the twisted nature of their Mama.
16. Monster
One of the greatest darkest anime I’ve seen thus far is this old classic masterpiece from Madhouse Studio!
The hospital director orders Dr. Kenzou Tenma to switch patients and instead perform life-saving brain surgery on a famous performer. His fellow doctors, fiancée, and the hospital director applaud his accomplishment; however, a poor immigrant worker is killed due to what he did, causing Dr. Tenma to have a crisis of conscience. Everything will begin during the preparations for the surgery.
Additionally, nine years later, Dr. Tenma saves the life of a criminal, but his past comes back to haunt him because, once again, he encounters the monster he operated on. Now, he must embark on a quest to pursue and make amends for the havoc that was spread by the one he saved. Later, a similar circumstance occurs, and Dr. Tenma chooses to save the life of a young boy named Johan Liebert rather than the mayor of the town.
15. Berserk (Kenpuu Denki Berserk)
The darkest masterpiece anime series follows Guts and his ghastly past, which resulted in him being marked for death and destined to be hunted by demons until his death. As a result, he decided to embark on a journey to escape such a gruesome fate.
Consequently, he will meet some unlikely allies, such as a small elf named Puck and a young thief named Isidro, during the hunt for the very evil man he once looked up to and considered a friend. As the ragtag group gradually comes together after having decided to join Guts in his quest, they will face incredible danger. Upon his ultimate resolve, he wields the monstrous blade Dragonslayer and swears to exact vengeance
14. Phantom Requiem for the Phantom
The plot of this dark anime thriller/drama centers on a Japanese tourist who accidentally witnesses the latest murder of a brutal girl “assassin.” He tries to flee, but the assassin captures him and brainwashes him; it turns out that the assassin is Ein, a young woman who is also known as the “Scythe Master” of Inferno…
This is the story of two assassins, Ein and Zwei, who work for the Inferno mafia and struggle to regain their memories. Later, the innocent tourist will be given the name “Zwei” and become a member of Inferno with no memories. Zwei must fight to survive and hope to one day regain his memories and escape from this world.
13. Darker than Black
This is one of the darkest anime series you will ever see! It has a unique dark theme, epic fights, heartwarming relationships, and a badass op mc. Oh my god, not only is it underrated, but it is also an unknown television show. It is a shame that so many fans don’t even know that such a masterpiece anime exists.
Misaki Kirihara finds herself at odds with an infamous Contractor named Hei, known as the “Black Reaper” in the underground world. Like his other contractors, Hei takes on missions for the enigmatic and ruthless Syndicate while slowly revealing the sinister plot that threatens Contractors’ very existence.
Tensai Okamura’s Darker than Black is an anime and manga that presents one of the best sci-fi dark thrillers. It is a subtle exposé on a war in which politics and justice have no influence—a war that is only waged in the shadows.
12. Rainbow (Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin)
Okay, if you’ve seen Prison Break, you’ll probably think Rainbow’s story is similar. This is one of the best dark anime series, and you’ll be amazed at how well it works.
The plot centers on Mario and five other teenagers who have just arrived at Shounan Special Reform School. They have all been assigned to the same cell, where they will meet a former boxer with whom they form a close bond and begin calling him their senpai.
Under the direction of their senpai and with the assurance that they will meet again outside after serving their sentences, the delinquents begin to see their hopeless situation in a better light. The seven cellmates are collectively fighting against the brutal suffering and humiliation inflicted upon them by Ishihara, a $adistic guard.
11. Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World (Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu)
“Re: Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu,” a psychological isekai anime series about Subaru Natsuki’s life after he leaves a convenience store and finds himself in a fantasy world, should be added to our list of dark anime.
It didn’t look bad at first until he was attacked by a group of thugs in an alley. His only weapons were a single grocery bag and a cell phone, so he didn’t last long against the group. Satella happened to be chasing down a thief at the time, so she helped Subaru (healed him).
As a result, Subaru is appreciative and decides to assist Satella in finding her stolen insignia. Later that day, he finds the location of the insignia, but things did not go as planned. As a result, a darker force emerged from the shadows, and Subaru and Satella were killed on the spot. However, Subaru wakes up in the alley where he was attacked by thugs, where they are currently standing trying to steal his valuables.
10. Parasyte – The Maxim (Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu)
Oh my goodness, Parasyte is one of the most sinister anime horror shows I’ve ever seen! You must watch it because it’s so amazing and different. This review won’t be perfect, but overall, it’s the best recommendation on this list.
The main character, Shinichi, is a high school student who fights a parasite with all his might to stop it from entering his brain and attacking him. Shinichi hopes that by doing so, he will be able to keep both his intellect and personality separate.
Since Shinichi’s human brain is still intact, Shinichi feels that he is now compelled to fight other Parasytes, who devour humans. The two take advantage of their strange situation and gradually form a strong bond, working together to survive. This gives them an advantage in battling other Parasytes, who frequently attack the pair.
9. Tokyo Ghoul
Since I can’t even begin to express how sorry I am for this masterpiece to receive such childish treatment and how sad it is to see such a masterpiece being ruined by the studio, I advise you to read the manga instead of Tokyo Ghoul. In all honesty, I’m only ranking it higher on this list because of the positive impact of its first seasons.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get back to the synopsis. As far as we know, Tokyo Ghoul is just another great dark anime series about monstrous ghouls that eat humans alive! It is set in Tokyo, where people are afraid of these deadly ghouls whose identities are still a mystery. The main character, Kaneki, meets a pretty girl named Rize who happens to be a ghoul. Little does he know that
8. The Future Diary (Mirai Nikki)
This is what the Future Diary anime television shows offer—so many touching and love scenes mixed with sinister themes and gruesome scenes!
Yukitero Amano is the reserved young man in the story, and he spends his day writing a diary on his phone and occasionally talking to his imaginary friends Mur Mur and Deus Ex Machina. However, the joke is on Yukitero because Deus turns out to be the Lord of Time and Space and Mur Mur is his servant.
The last person standing becomes the new god of time and space. Yukitero teams up with Yuno Gasai, an insane Yandere stalker who would do anything to ensure his survival. Deus gives Yukitero a Random Diary, which gives him detailed entries of what happens during the day. He and eleven other people are pinned against each other and have different diaries.
7. Made in Abyss
Oh my god, I still can’t get enough of Made in Abyss’ second season!
When I first watched Made in Abyss, I never thought it would be this great, oh my god, it has everything that makes a legendary anime series, be it animation, dark deep story that cuts in deep, amazing soundtracks, and much more awesome themes that will really wow you. You know that feeling when you think you have watched all the best anime series out there and there will be no new one to quench the thirst for wanting more unique series? Well, that is what happened to me.
Overall, this is a good dark anime to watch. It tells the story of a girl named Riko and a mysterious robot boy who are looking for Riko’s mother, who is lost in a huge chasm in the town of Orth in Belchero. The town is surrounded by a strange giant opening deeper into the earth called the abyss. The abyss is a popular hunting ground for cave invaders, who make a difficult and risky landing in
The girl and her friends made the decision to enter the abyss, but they are unaware of the harsh reality of the abyss’s existence.
6. Juni Taisen: Zodiac War (Juuni Taisen)
Even though this action-dark anime is underappreciated, it is one of the best I have ever watched! It has everything:
A unique dark story.
A survival game.
The fact that there is no main character in the series.
Instead, all of the characters are protagonists with amazing backstories, themes, and superpowers. This is one of the best dark anime series, but don’t let me tell you what to expect.
The main plotline posits that ruthless mercenaries compete in the Zodiac Tournament every 12 years, in which each warrior bears the name and sign of one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. With their pride at stake and their lives at stake, they will engage in bloody battles until only one person survives.
5. Death Note
Death Note is not only a disturbing anime series that will mess with your head, but it is also one of the most disturbing thriller series you will never see twice.
Ryuk will drop a Death Note into the human realm because he is bored with the shinigami lifestyle and is interested in seeing how a human would use a Death Note. That Death Note will fall into the hands of Light Yagami, who deplores the state of the world and immediately tests the deadly notebook by writing a criminal’s name in it. This is one of the darkest stories ever told!
As a result, when the criminal passes away, Light will quickly realize how devastating the power that has been given to him could be. Using this divine ability, Light will decide to wipe out all criminals to create a new world free of crime.
4. Psycho-Pass
Sorry that I started with the ending and spoiled it for you, but I couldn’t resist! Anyway, if you like badass villains and dark anime characters, you must watch Psycho Pass. Oh yeah, this dark anime final episode has the best martial art anime fight I’ve seen so far.
The world in which the series takes place is an advanced one in which a system called the Psycho-Pass examines a person’s mental state to look for signs of criminal intent. Inspectors are the ones who enforce the law, and former criminals use their freedom to find other criminals.
Akane Tsunemori, who has a strong sense of justice, joins the Inspectors at the beginning of the story. However, after working with Shinya Kougami for a short time, she discovers that the Sibyl System is so corrupted and not as perfect as it appears. As she begins to uncover more information, she will end up debating the true meaning of justice and whether their current system can support the true meaning.
3. No.6
The series tells the story of Shion, an elite resident of city No. 6, who, along with his family, will lose their elite status and be relocated elsewhere due to a previous bloody world war.
The only reason anything happens is because they took in and helped a mysterious boy named Nezumi, who lives in the barren wasteland beyond the walls of the supposed utopia. Welcome to City No. 6, where the city’s darker side begins to emerge.
2. Gokukoku no Brynhildr (Brynhildr in the Darkness)
This anime is very similar to Elfen Lied because it was written by the same author. However, unlike Elfen Lied, this one does not have a harem theme and instead has a dark, deep story.
The story of Murakami, a young boy who admired a girl he called Kuroneko, is told in the series. Kuroneko insists on knowing about aliens and meeting them, but no one believes her, even Murakami.
After a year, Murakami is obsessed with finding proof of the existence of aliens due to a promise he had made to Kuroneko. Then, one day, a new transfer student comes to his class who not only looks a lot like Kuroneko. She decides to show him the aliens one day, but an accident kills Kuroneko.
1. Inuyashiki: Last Hero (Iuyashiki)
A middle-aged man with a lot of problems in his family, who is ill, suffering, and, worst of all, counting down the next few days to die, meets aliens and is endowed with unlimited powers and technology from aliens. However, one night, a UFO crashed into him, and he was endowed with unlimited powers and technology from aliens that transformed his body into a powerful robot.
In the meantime, a teenage boy is involved in the same accident. His name is Hiro Shishigami, and he seems to be a psychopath. He will start using his new powers to support his worst impulses, so the story starts there, showing human nature’s good and bad sides and how their stories will end!
