Can anime not be creepy? Not at all! We show you the best horror anime with captivating stories that you can’t get enough of.
Horror can have different facets, and most of them go beyond “jump scares” – which don’t work so well in anime anyway. However, we have 5 anime here that delve into various areas of horror and will at least leave you with a feeling of unease…
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
Alternative names: When they Cry, When the Cicadas Cry
Other genres: Mystery
Episodes: 50 (Completed)
Stream available on: Amazon Prime (S1), Aniverse (Prime Video Channel)
Keiichi Maebara has moved with his family to the small, quiet village of Hinamizawa. A village that places great value on community and preserving traditions. As he makes friends with the other children in the village, he learns more about the protective deity “Oyashiro,” who is said to have saved the village several years ago and at the same time brought about a tragedy.
As the festival of the deity approaches, Keiichi gradually learns more details from the village’s past and begins to see his friends in a whole new light…
What to expect from Higurashi no Naku Koro ni: The horror in Higurashi does not give itself away directly, but rather occurs quite suddenly. A somewhat funny, almost silly scenario suddenly tips, and what was just a friendly gathering ends in a gruesome bloodbath.
“Higurashi no Naku Koro ni” and its sequel “Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni Kai” together form a cruel yet exhilarating story about the search for the solution to a sinister mystery that repeatedly entangles the protagonists in horrific deeds. One should not be deterred by the children as protagonists – it ultimately enhances the horror of the series.
Another
Alternative names: /
Other genres: Mystery
Episodes: 12 (Completed)
Stream available on: Currently only available for purchase
The young Kouichi missed the first month at his new school due to illness and only joins the class later. Immediately, he feels drawn to his classmate Mei, a girl with an eye patch. However, no other student in the class seems to react to Mei – as if she is not even present. Kouichi is warned by his classmates to stay away from her and learns the dark truth behind the ignorance of his classmates.
As Kouichi and Mei delve into the mystery behind the class, more and more tragedies unfold around the class, leading from one terrible accident to another…
What to expect from Another: Another starts off quite shallow but quickly picks up speed. The story resembles a detective story, with the solution to the mystery at its end – even though it seems to have supernatural origins. Although the anime was released in 2012, it is already considered one of the “horror classics” because it blends many genres well and simply offers a captivating, well-thought-out story.
More creepy anime can be found on the next page.
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