Scary anime is usually a horror anime or thriller which presents a tense and terror-filled atmosphere in every storyline. The effect felt by the audience can be more than just fear. You may feel uneasy, or perhaps not want to be left alone.
Even so, horror remains a genre that has many fans. They seem to like testing their adrenaline and want to feel the effects of surprise or predict moments that are difficult to predict.
If you are one of those horror fans, here Duniaku presents a number of recommendations for the best scary anime that are guaranteed to make you have trouble sleeping. Feeling challenged? Come on, check out the list!
1. Shiki
The first recommendation comes from the anime adaptation of Fuyumi Ono’s manga illustrated by Ryuu Fujisaki, namely Shiki.
Carrying a theme gore, psychological, and vampires, Shiki tells the story of a supernatural terror that befell a quiet village called Sotoba. It all started after the death of one of the residents due to a mysterious disease.
Initially, a doctor named Toshio Ozaki predicted it was an epidemic. However, slowly he started to get suspicious. Toshio eventually teams up with Natsuno Yuuki and other characters to uncover the truth behind the tragedy of deaths that continue to occur.
2. Highschool of the Dead
Still a horror anime with elements gore, this time there is Highschool of the Dead which adapts the manga of the same name by Daisuke Satou.
Highschool of the Dead tells of the zombie outbreak that suddenly hit Japan. Casualties continued to fall and Japan was truly in a chaotic situation.
The zombie attack finally reaches Fujimi High School. This anime will highlight the students’ struggle to survive amidst the invasion of countless undead.
3. Corpse Party
Next, there is Corpse Party, An anime full of blood that can make viewers feel nauseous while watching.
Adapted from a visual novel, Corpse Party focuses on a group of students who perform a special ritual using paper dolls as intermediaries. This ritual is believed to be able to strengthen their friendly relations.
However, that was the beginning of all the bloody tragedies that awaited them. The students were transferred to Tenjin Elementary School, a school that was destroyed years ago due to a serial murder incident that occurred there. It is said that the victims are still hanging around the school.
One by one the victims fell. Can any of the students go home safely?
4. Junji Ito’s anime
Junji Ito is known as the maestro of horror manga, where his manga series is recognized as one of the best ever created.
Several chapters of Junji Ito’s horror manga have been adapted into anime under Studio Deen. A number of iconic characters have also appeared, such as Tomie, Souichi Tsujii, Fuchi, and many more.
5. Ajin: Demi-Human
The next scary anime is Ajin: Demi-Human, a manga adaptation by Gamon Sakurai and Tsuina Miura which was published starting in 2012 and ending in 2021.
Ajin: Demi-Human tells the story of immortal humans called Ajin. The central character is Kei Nagai, a man who has an accident and finds himself as one of the Ajin.
Unfortunately, Ajin’s existence is considered a form of crime. Kei also has to live in pursuit, with Kaito as the only person on his side.
6. Ghost Hunt
From the title alone, anime shoujo This clearly focuses the story on paranormal activities, specifically ghost hunting.
Ghost Hunt tells the story of a student named Mai Taniyama who works as an assistant ghost hunter.
It all started after Mai accidentally broke the camera and injured the assistant of Kazuya Shibuya, a figure assigned by the Principal to investigate a story related to an abandoned school building.
7. Hell Girl
Then, there is Jigoku Shoujo, or what is also popular with the title Hell Girl. This is a work original which is produced by the same anime studio as Junji Ito, namely Studio Deen.
There is a mysterious website called Jigoku Tsushin which is said to only be accessible at night. The site accepts requests from those who have been hurt and want to take revenge for the perpetrator’s actions.
The figure who would act as the ‘executioner’ was known as the Hell Girl. However, there is a price to be paid for every wish that is granted.
8. Another
Adapted from a novel, Another tells the story of a supernatural mystery that targets Yomiyama Middle School students and their families.
Simultaneously, a new student named Koichi Sakakibara is dragged into a series of bloody incidents involving a mysterious student named Mei Misaki.
9. Elfen Lied
Elfen Lied explores the existence of a mutated creature called Diclonius. This horned creature that has a sixth sense is believed to be “God’s choice” whose job is to destroy humans.
Lucy was one of the Diclonius who managed to escape from the laboratory and brutally massacred all the guards on duty. During her escape, Lucy received a head wound and ended up having a split personality.
Lucy will later be met by Kouta and Yuka who are also drawn into a conspiracy involving the government.
10. Higurashi
Lastly, there is Higurashi.
The story is set in Hinamizawa Village, which is far from the city center and is known as an area surrounded by natural wealth. The village regularly holds festivals that many people look forward to.
However, this celebration actually became the beginning of a cycle of disasters that continued to occur.
That’s a list of recommendations for the best scary anime that will make it hard for you to sleep after watching it. Dare to watch, right?