15 Best Dark Anime: Dive into the Abyss of Gripping Stories

Do you enjoy watching anime that make you feel chills, tears, or goosebumps? Do you like anime that explore the dark side of human nature and the world? If you answered yes, then you are a fan of dark anime.

Dark anime is a term that refers to anime that deal with dark, mature, or disturbing themes, such as violence, death, psychological trauma, moral ambiguity, etc. Dark anime often challenge the viewers’ emotions, morals, and intellect, as they present complex characters, situations, and messages. Dark anime can also be very entertaining, as they offer thrilling, emotional, and thought-provoking stories that keep you hooked.

There are many dark anime out there, but some stand out more than others. Here are 15 of the best dark anime that you should watch if you are looking for something that will make you dive into the abyss of gripping stories.

15. Inuyashiki: Last Hero

Inuyashiki: Last Hero is a sci-fi thriller anime that follows the lives of two people who are transformed into cyborgs by a mysterious alien explosion. One of them is Ichiro Inuyashiki, a 58-year-old man who is neglected by his family and diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The other is Hiro Shishigami, a 17-year-old boy who is bored and disillusioned with the world. While Inuyashiki uses his new powers to save and heal people, Shishigami uses them to kill and terrorize people.

The anime explores the contrast and conflict between these two characters, as well as the moral and ethical dilemmas they face.

14. Terror in Resonance

Terror in Resonance is a psychological thriller anime that revolves around two teenage terrorists who call themselves Nine and Twelve. They are part of a mysterious group called Sphinx, which is responsible for a series of bombings and riddles in Tokyo.

Their motives and backgrounds are unknown, but they seem to have a connection to a dark and secretive project that involves human experimentation.

The anime follows their cat-and-mouse game with the authorities, as well as their interactions with a girl named Lisa Mishima, who becomes involved in their plans.

13. Berserk

Berserk is a dark fantasy anime that chronicles the epic and tragic saga of Guts, a mercenary who is born from a corpse and destined to fight against demons and fate. He joins the Band of the Hawk, a group of elite warriors led by Griffith, a charismatic and ambitious leader who dreams of ruling a kingdom.

The anime depicts the friendship and betrayal between Guts and Griffith, as well as the horrors and atrocities they encounter in their quest for glory and power.

12. The Promised Neverland

The Promised Neverland is a horror mystery anime that centers on a group of children who live in an orphanage called Grace Field House. They are raised by a loving caretaker named Isabella, who prepares them for adoption by wealthy families. However, they soon discover that their orphanage is actually a farm that breeds and sells children as food for demonic creatures.

The anime follows their desperate and ingenious attempts to escape from their cruel fate and uncover the truth behind their world.

11. Made in Abyss

Made in Abyss is a fantasy adventure anime that features a mysterious and vast chasm called the Abyss, which is filled with strange and dangerous creatures and relics.

The anime focuses on a young girl named Riko, who is an orphan and an aspiring cave raider. She meets a robot boy named Reg, who claims to be from the bottom of the Abyss. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to explore the depths of the Abyss and find Riko’s missing mother.

10. Paranoia Agent

Paranoia Agent is a psychological horror anime that deals with a series of attacks by a mysterious assailant known as Lil’ Slugger, who wields a bent baseball bat. The anime delves into the lives and minds of the victims and witnesses of the attacks, as well as the detectives who are assigned to the case.

The anime reveals the dark and twisted aspects of human nature, as well as the social and psychological issues that plague modern society.

9. Elfen Lied

Elfen Lied is a sci-fi horror anime that introduces a new and deadly species of humanoids called Diclonius, who have horns and invisible telekinetic arms called vectors. The anime follows the story of Lucy, a Diclonius who escapes from a research facility and is found by two college students, Kouta and Yuka. However, Lucy suffers from a split personality disorder, and switches between a ruthless and murderous mode and a naive and innocent mode.

The anime explores the themes of violence, discrimination, and love, as well as the origins and purpose of the Diclonius.

8. Future Diary

Future Diary is a survival game anime that involves 12 participants who are given special diaries that can predict the future. They are forced to kill each other until only one remains, who will become the new god of time and space.

The anime follows the perspective of Yukiteru Amano, a loner who is given the Random Diary, which records his surroundings and actions. He teams up with Yuno Gasai, a yandere who is obsessed with him and has the Yukiteru Diary, which records his every move.

The anime showcases the twisted and bloody nature of the game, as well as the secrets and motives of the participants.

7. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a mecha anime that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is under attack by monstrous beings called Angels. The anime follows the story of Shinji Ikari, a 14-year-old boy who is recruited by a secretive organization called NERV to pilot a giant robot called an Evangelion and fight against the Angels.

The anime explores the psychological and emotional struggles of the characters, as well as the religious and philosophical implications of the conflict.

6. Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen is a supernatural action anime that revolves around a secret war between sorcerers and curses, which are manifestations of negative emotions and malice.

The anime centers on Yuji Itadori, a high school student who becomes the host of Sukuna, the most powerful and evil of all curses. He joins the Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu Technical High School, where he learns to control his curse power and fight alongside other sorcerers.

The anime showcases the thrilling and intense battles between the sorcerers and the curses, as well as the humor and camaraderie among the characters.

5. Dororo

Dororo is a historical fantasy anime that is based on a classic manga by Osamu Tezuka. The anime tells the story of Hyakkimaru, a young man who was born without limbs, skin, eyes, ears, nose, or mouth, due to his father making a pact with 12 demons in exchange for prosperity and power.

He is saved by a doctor who gives him prosthetic limbs and organs that can detect the presence of demons. He sets out on a journey to slay the demons and reclaim his body parts, accompanied by a young thief named Dororo.

The anime portrays the harsh and brutal reality of feudal Japan, as well as the bond and friendship between Hyakkimaru and Dororo.

4. Summer Time Rendering

Summer Time Rendering is a sci-fi mystery anime that is based on a popular webcomic by Yasuki Tanaka. The anime follows the story of Shinpei Ajiro, a young man who returns to his hometown of Hitogashima after the death of his childhood friend, Ushio Kofune.

However, he soon realizes that there is something strange and sinister going on in the island, involving a mysterious cult, a hidden conspiracy, and a supernatural phenomenon.

The anime explores the themes of time travel, parallel worlds, and destiny, as well as the secrets and mysteries of the island and its inhabitants.

3. Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan is a dystopian action anime that is set in a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction due to the invasion of giant humanoid creatures called Titans, who devour humans without reason.

The anime follows the story of Eren Yeager, a young boy who vows to exterminate all the Titans after witnessing his mother being eaten by one. He joins the Survey Corps, an elite military unit that ventures outside the walls that protect the remnants of humanity.

The anime depicts the epic and bloody battles between the humans and the Titans, as well as the shocking and twisted revelations about the origin and nature of the Titans.

2. Monster

Monster is a psychological thriller anime that is based on a critically acclaimed manga by Naoki Urasawa. The anime centers on Kenzo Tenma, a brilliant neurosurgeon who saves the life of a young boy named Johan Liebert, who turns out to be a ruthless and manipulative serial killer. Tenma becomes obsessed with finding and stopping Johan, who leaves a trail of death and destruction wherever he goes.

The anime delves into the dark and complex psyche of Johan, as well as the moral and ethical dilemmas that Tenma faces.

1. Chainsaw Man

Chainsaw Man is a supernatural action anime that is based on a popular manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto. The anime follows the story of Denji, a poor and debt-ridden young man who works as a devil hunter with his pet devil dog, Pochita.

He is betrayed and killed by the yakuza, but is revived by Pochita, who fuses with him and gives him the power to transform into a chainsaw-wielding hybrid. He is recruited by the Public Safety Devil Hunters, a government organization that deals with dangerous devils.

The anime showcases the wild and crazy adventures of Denji, as well as the bizarre and hilarious characters and situations he encounters.

Conclusion

Dark anime is a genre that can offer a lot of entertainment and enjoyment, as well as insight and inspiration, to the viewers. It can challenge and stimulate the viewers to think and feel deeply about various aspects of life and society. It can also provide the viewers with a unique and immersive experience that can enrich their imagination and creativity.

If you are a fan of dark anime, or if you are curious and interested in trying it out, you should definitely check out these 15 dark anime that will dive you into the abyss of gripping stories.

They are some of the best and most acclaimed dark anime that have ever been made, and they will surely leave you satisfied and impressed.