Top-notch Anime Horrors that'll Keep You Awake:

Dive into the depths of your worst nightmares with these terrific horror anime series that will shake your nerves to the core!

While traditional horror films are knocked down a notch when reality intrudes through fake blood, animatronic monsters, and CGI, horror anime can take your fear to another level by maintaining that sweet suspension of disbelief.

If you're new to the anime scene or just need some dark entertainment, have a gander at these top-tier horror anime choices to get a feel for this unique medium's capabilities.

Must-Watch Horror Anime Picks

1. Zombie Thriller Extravaganza: Tokyo Ghoul (2014)

Prepare for a spin on the classic zombie apocalypse with its hordes of agile, flesh-craving ghouls lurking among unsuspecting humans. This gripping series will put your fight-or-flight instincts to the test as you embark on a dark journey through a city where predators lurk amongst the crowd.

2. Alien Invasion Body Horror: Parasyte: The Maxim (2014-2015)

Join forces with an extraterrestrial parasite that's accidentally attached itself to a high school student's hand. Overcome the odds together to escape a hidden invasion that threatens the entire world.

3. Psychological Nightmares: Paranoia Agent (2004)

Strap yourself in for a ride into the uncanny valley as each attack by a young skater wielding a baseball bat leaves a trail of crime and madness. Detectives race to unravel the tangled mystery of the titular "Paranoia Agent" and the twisted secrets it reveals along the way.

13 More Wicked Anime to Spookify Your watchlist

Can't get enough of spine-chilling horror anime? Unearth these other series filled with buckets of gore and endless jump scares to keep your pulse racing until the very end.

1. Twilight Vampire Chronicles: Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)

Venture into the dark depths of demonic vampires, werewolves, and ghouls in this gothic tale that elevates traditional horror tropes in a devilishly entertaining way.

2. Witchy Magic Murder Mystery: Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011)

Savor the transformation of innocent schoolgirls as they gain powerful powers to combat dark forces lurking in the shadows. Combining magic and murder, this series questions the very nature of hope, reality, and sacrifice.

3. Endless Zombie Horror: Kabeneri of the Iron Fortress (2016)

Defend your homeland and fellow citizens from the ever-building hordes of infected "kabanes" in this post-apocalyptic story of bravery, honor, and sacrifice.

4. Attack on Titan (2009-2021)

Brace yourself for a boundary-shattering story of a humanity pinned against the wall by gigantic, flesh-devouring Titans. Our hero Eren Yeager fights valiantly to free mankind and restore order to the world.

5. Mystical Town of Horrors: Higurashi When They Cry (2006-2007)

Experience the terror of a seemingly idyllic rural village that harbors dark secrets and mysterious events. As the town's population falls victim to unexplained and terrifying events, you'll need to decipher the clues to survive.

6. Grimm Tales of Japan: Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories (2000-2001)

Embark on a collection of short, interactive stories filled with Japanese folklore that will chill you to the core. Each captivating episode tells a original ghost tale that will hook you until the final reveal.

7. School-Setting Slaughterfest: Death Note (2006)

Join Light Yagami as he uncovers a powerful notebook that grants its owner the ability to kill anyone whose name is written within. But with great power comes great responsibility, and uncovering the identity of the mysterious "Kira" becomes a thrilling and deadly adventure.

8. Hellbound Disturbances: Hell Girl (2005-2006)

Eager to punish the guilty souls of the damned, young girl Ai Enma is contacted via her website to send criminals to a fiery hell. To ensure she gets her just desserts, the requester must give up their chance at salvation and join their victim in the abyss when they die.

9. Dark Fantasy Tales: Wicked City (1987)

Narrowly prevent the collapse of humanity as elite task force Black Guard protects Earth from an onslaught of supernatural entities invading our plane of existence.

10. Vampire Hunting Action: Hellsing (2001)

Join Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing and her band of noble knights in the battle against monsters, demons, and the undead to protect England and the queen from the vampire Alucard and his sinister minions.

11. Psychedelic Shock Fest: Perfect Blue (1997)

Follow the slow descent into madness of a pop idol as she grapples with the loss of her identity and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy. This riveting exploration of reality and psychological horror leaves no time for breath as you struggle to keep up with the haunting narrative.

12. Utterly Graphic Gorefest: Corpse Party: Tortured Souls (2013)

Typically described as a "hyper-violent" anime, Corpse Party follows a group of schoolmates trapped in a hellish schoolground with a grisly history. With its invasive violence and meticulous attention to detail refined from its early roots as a video game, this anime series will keep your primary instincts dialed up to eleven as you experience one shocking death after another.

13. Traditional Style Ghost Stories: Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales (2006)

Immerse yourself in the macabre world of old-school kabuki theaterghost stories as you follow the tales of samurais, princesses, and rogues on their journeys into the unknown. Embrace the stylistic flair of this anthology series and prepare for a thrillingly eerie experience that transcends the boundaries of traditional animation.

Some of these series have garnered criticism or even been banned outright in different countries due to their disturbing themes and graphic content. Choose them wisely!

While these horror anime series provide chilling escapades into the darkness, they also serve as a refreshing break from the daily hustle and bustle of lifestyle, offering an alternative form of entertainment that rivals sports in intensity. You can catch both Tokyo Ghoul (2014) and Pupella Magi Madoka Magica (2011) as they offer different takes on traditional horror tropes, with the former providing a spin on the zombie apocalypse and the latter incorporating magic and murder into the storylines. These shows make for great additions to your anime movie collection, delivering spine-chilling thrills bound to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Top-notch Anime Horrors that'll Keep You Awake: