A good horror anime is one that keeps you up at night. Horror anime is a genre that blends psychological elements, dark themes, disturbing visuals and supernatural elements into an disturbingly unforgettable experience. From cursed places to supernatural entities, the horror genre has captivated horror fans from all around the world. However, horror anime are such that you look forward to what’s next rather than fearing it.  With a number of slow burns, crazy suspense and plot twists, there’s too many options to choose from. 

So here is the perfect list of anime that would help you slowly dive into the crazy world of horror.

1. Another (アナザー )

Author: Yukito Ayatsuji 

Genre: Horror, Psychological, Mystery, Supernatural 

Demographic: Seinen

Episodes: 1 Season, 12 Episodes + OVA 

‘Another’ is an anime that is famously classified as the ‘Final destination’ of the anime universe. It is  classified as a highly gore and horror anime. The story revolves mainly around two characters Koichi Sakakibara and Mei Misaki. When Sakakibara transfers to Yomiyama North Middle School in Class 3-3, he is welcomed to an eerie classroom atmosphere; and soon understands that everyone in the classroom ignores Mei.  Oblivious of the curse upon Class 3-3, Sakakibara talks to Mei and ruins the balance of the class, unleashing a series of unexpected and fatal deaths of his friends and their families. Realising this Sakakibara and Mei go on a mission to discover the truth behind the phenomenon, unraveling the sinister mystery behind the curse from 26 years ago. ‘Another’ is known for its suspense and horror elements and can be watched on Crunchyroll.  

2. Tokyo Ghoul – Tokyo Kushu (東京喰種-トーキョーグール- )

Author: Sui Ishida 

Genre: Psychological, Horror, Action, Supernatural 

Demographic: Seinen 

Episodes: 4 Seasons, 48 Episodes 

‘Tokyo Ghoul’ is a highly dark psychological anime. In a world where flesh-eating Ghouls who appear like humans, blend into the human population, Ken Kaneki is a timid high school student. However, his entire life takes a turn when a beautiful woman asks him out on a date. Soon learning that she had sinister motives, he ends up waking up in the hospital where he is told that he had been saved by her organs being transplanted into his body. This forces him to live a life between the two worlds, the Humans and the Ghouls. With this new identity embarks on a journey to find his own identity and to survive. The Anime explore came such as transformation and inner conflict focusing on dark themes, emotional storytelling, dark tones and intense tragedy. It can be watched on Crunchyroll and Hulu.  

3. Higurashi When They Cry – Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (ひぐらしのなく頃に )

Author: Ryūkishi Zero-Nana 

Genre: Horror, Psychological, Mystery, Thriller 

Demographic: Seinen 

Episodes: 4 Seasons, 80+ Episodes, 2 OVAs

The Anime revolves around Keiichi Maebara, Rena Ryugu, Mion Sonozaki, Satoko Hojo, and Rika Furude, five friends belonging to a little village called Hinamizawa. Keiichi, who moved into the village a few months ago soon discovers the local legend of mysterious deaths and people going missing, which is connected to the festival celebrated by the villagers every year. The village tends to blame these incidents on their village deity, to whom they refer to as Oyashiro – sama. When he does not receive any answers from his friends, he takes it in his own hands to discover the truth. The anime is classified as highly disturbing. It is known for its mysterious elements, dark atmosphere and suspense. Higurashi when they cry can be watched on Crunchyroll. 

4. Corpse Party: Tortured Souls – Bougyakusareta Tamashii no Jukyou (コープスパーティー  -暴虐された魂の呪叫-) 

Author: Makoto Kedōin 

Genre: Horror, Mystery

Demographic: Shounen

Episodes: 1 Seasons, 4 Episodes (OVAs)

Course party is a Cult classic anime revolving around 9 students.  The Anime begins with nine students meeting at school to bid farewell to one of their friends and as classic high school goodbyes, they perform a kind of ritual to cement their friendship forever using small paper charms shaped like dolls that they found at the school. Not realising that these charms are connected to the Heavenly Host Academy, a school that was surrounded by mysteries of gruesome murders. Now stuck in an alternate dimension with dangerous ghosts and spirits, the friends must stick together to survive and escape or be stuck with these vengeful spirits forever. The anime has highly graphic and violent scenes having been banned in certain regions.  Can be watched on Crunchyroll or Amazon Prime.