It’s getting cold outside. Grab a blanket, turn the lights off, and get yourself scared (or scarred) with these ten horror anime this Halloween.
Watching Halloween movies in October is part of almost everyone’s pre-Halloween traditions. The weather is starting to cool down, it gets darker earlier, and the leaves start to pile up – it’s the perfect time to cuddle up with a blanket solo or with friends and get yourself spooked right before bed. Though there are a lot of horror movies out there that can satiate even the cravings for scares and screams, sometimes you need something a little different. Why not give horror anime a try?
I’ve said this a thousand times: anime is not just for children. There are plenty of anime targeted towards kids, sure. With the cutest animation styles and trends, shows like Pokemon, Spy X Family, and many others are definitely suitable for children. However, there are plenty, plenty of anime that are absolutely for adult eyes only, and for good reasons: sexual and violent themes paired with gory and disturbing content are very much a thing in anime shows as well. This is why it’s extremely important to “try out” any anime before you let your kiddos consume it.
Well, for us adults who indulge in anime, there are a few must-watch horror anime on our lists for October as well. What makes anime so much scarier than a live-action movie sometimes is the ease with which horrible-looking things can be drawn and animated.
Compared to special effect budgeting and execution, anime monsters, gore, and horror can be as crazy and intricate as they need to be and it won’t bother anyone as long as it matches the animation style. It also adds a little more to the creepiness level to see animations that seem so innocent meet awful ends or turn into complete psychos. But the cherry on top is how so much of Japanese horror legends, myths, and lore make it into these stories.
Japanese horror is known for just having an extra edge when it comes to scaring the crap out of us. Take, for instance, the differences between The Grudge and Ju-On. They’re a movie about the same thing, but their executions make a big difference in just how much creepier Ju-On is. Some horror anime has that same kind of edge against live-action horror content, and I have 10 titles to share with you.
Now, please remember – these titles (and their trailers) are not appropriate for anyone under the age of 18. Don’t scar your kids by accident.
1. Housing Complex C (2022)
Housing Complex C would be a good anime to binge-watch this Halloween season. The series is filled with creepy, chilling moments and revelations, and an overall vibe that has the essence of horror and mystery. You follow Kimi Shirokado through the dark corridors of her apartment building, treated to a visually stunning and haunting story that’s bound to send shivers down your spine.
The supernatural elements of Housing Complex C combined with the plot give us a haunting story that will keep you thinking about it long after it’s over. Immerse yourself in the creepy and disturbing world of this anime and enjoy this labyrinth of suspense, unexpected twists, and otherworldly encounters that make every episode a nail-biting experience.
Make sure you have a blanket to hide under.
2. Another (2012)
This series will keep you on the edge of your seat very often. Another is beautifully animated with a dark and atmospheric setting that grasps the eerie and ominous tone of the story very well, making it an ideal watch for a chilly night. The suspense is brilliantly built up, keeping you guessing until the very end.
Another follows a young boy named Koichi Sakakibara who recently transferred to a new school. He quickly notices that there’s a strange sense of dread hanging in the air around his classroom, and his classmates seem to be hiding something from him. He meets a mysterious girl named Mei Misaki, who is ignored by everyone else in the class.
As he discovers the chilling mysteries surrounding Mei and their class, a series of horrifying and unfortunate deaths begins to take place, turning his life into a nightmare and making you regret you’re watching this on a Tuesday night.
Don’t watch any of these titles before going to bed.
3. Boogiepop Phantom (2000)
This one-of-a-kind anime takes you into a world filled with shadows, whispers, and unexpected turns. Its haunting atmosphere and unique storytelling style make it creepier than you’d expect, adding to that pit in your stomach.
As the city lights dim and the darkness creeps in, Boogiepop Phantom seamlessly blends psychological thriller elements with the supernatural with a story set in an unnamed Japanese city, where a string of strange disappearances leaves the citizens on edge. Amid the paranoia, a legend grows: the tale of Boogiepop, a Shinigami (or death god), who’s believed to be kidnapping people around town.
The story is told in a non-linear fashion, mixing together various characters’ perspectives to bring the mystery surrounding Boogiepop and the strange occurrences haunting the city together. The enigmatic and atmospheric environment in Boogiepop Phantom puts you into a trance in what feels like a mesmerizing spiral, making it a brilliant choice for those craving an otherworldly Halloween experience.
Speaking of otherworldly…
4. Jujutsu Kaisen: 0 (2022)
What better way to get in the spirit of Halloween than by diving into the world of curses, supernatural battles, and Gojo’s beautiful blue eyes in Jujutsu Kaisen: 0?
Released in 2022, this prequel movie to the Jujutsu Kaisen series tells us about dark adventures, unique and intricate characters, and a hefty dose of straight-up creepy ambiance. It’s perfect for anyone craving a little bit of epic action with their scares as the Jujutsu Kaisen world is set in a beautifully animated land that combines the modern with the mystical flawlessly.
In Jujutsu Kaisen 0, we follow Yuta Okkotsu, a high school student who is haunted by the curse of his dead childhood girlfriend. This supernatural link draws Yuta into the scope of Jujutsu sorcerers – individuals trained to battle these evil and sometimes ancient curses. As Yuta enrolls in the Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu Technical High School, he begins to learn how to control his own cursed abilities and fights next to his fellow sorcerer students.
As JJK always does, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 explores the heavy themes of fear, sacrifice, and the power of emotions while keeping us glued to the screen.
5. Castlevania: Nocturne (2023)
Only a few days old at this point, Castlevania: Nocturne is definitely a must-watch for Halloween traditions. Taking place hundreds of years after the original Netflix Castlevania series, it’s set in the heart of the French Revolution, combining awesome historical facts and troubles with the supernatural dread of vampires. Richter Belmont and Maria Renard navigate a world filled with night creatures and danger at every turn – basically, nobody is safe, ever.
As Richter and Maria deal with the chaotic energies of the French Revolution as a whole, the fight against sinister forces and monstrous enemies, drawing a line straight from the heart-pounding adventures in the video games Castlevania: Rondo of Blood and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. The story’s dark undertones and excellent animation work together to bring this amazing work to life.
Castlevania: Nocturne is now streaming on Netflix. Go binge it.
6. Corpse Party – Tortured Souls (2013)
This hair-raising anime series delivers literal scares and guts with its gruesome and gory premise and downright disturbing scenes. The heavy and horrendous atmosphere and at times disgusting visuals masterfully come together in a very organic way, and the story does a great job at
making us question why we decided to watch this
translating the world from the video game of the same name into a show.
Corpse Party is a story about a group of high school friends who, after a fun-filled festival, decide to perform a ritual that transports them to an alternate dimension. This absolutely creepy dimension has the haunted version of their school, Tenjin Elementary, where the souls of murdered students roam in anguish.
The friends are split apart, and as they try to survive each other and the decayed school, they encounter unspeakable horrors and supernatural shenanigans. It’s truly the kind of show you don’t watch after eating, and there are some heavy adult themes present as well.
Have fun!
7. Ghost Hunt (2006-2007)
Ghost Hunt is packed with supernatural thrills that set that eerie October mood for you. The show follows the adventures of Mai Taniyama, a high school girl who becomes involved with Shibuya Psychic Research after randomly meeting Kazya Shibuya (or Naru), the manager of the company. As they investigate many unsettling and unexplained events, the cases they tackle get increasingly dangerous and terrifying.
Mai and the team of investigators each bring their own unique skill or perspective to the table – from exorcism to spirit photography. The show gracefully mixes elements of horror, mystery, and suspense as the team ventures deeper into haunted sites, facing evil and vengeful spirits and other creepy and supernatural entities. The engaging story points and well-developed characters add to the chilling encounters, keeping you drawn in by getting you invested in the characters.
Happy hunting!
8. Junji Ito Collection (2018)
This fantastically disturbing horror anime series brings to life the haunting and unsettling stories of famous manga artist Junji Ito. With its creepy atmosphere, eerie characters, and unexpected plot twists, each episode tells a different tale of terror, making it an easy binge-watch.
The Junji Ito Collection is a mix of both well-loved stories and hidden gems from Ito’s extensive works. From nightmarish neighbors to morbid mysteries, each story peeks into the shadows of the human mind and the unknown. As an anthology, this series does not follow a single main story or set of characters – it gives you a fresh, new experience with each episode.
9. Theatre of Darkness: Yamishibai (2013–2019)
This hauntingly disturbing series is a hidden gem in the world of horror anime. Theatre of Darkness is a collection of Japanese folktales and urban legends told in the most unsettling art style imaginable.
Each episode, not longer than a few minutes, offers a different story portrayed with unique paper puppet animation, adding to the beyond eerie and unsettling ambiance this series gives as it depends on it. The narrator uses a traditional kamishibai (paper drama) method to tell these spooky tales, making it a visually unsettling watch that will give you that dreadful uncanny valley feeling as well as the obligatory discomfort and anxiety this genre already gives.
The series goes deep into many different and dark themes, paying homage to Japan’s rich tradition of ghost stories and supernatural occurrences in an intriguing and hair-raising experience for viewers.
Good luck keeping the lights off.
10. Wicked City (1987)
This weirdly good series is set in a parallel universe filled with evil demons. Its dark ambiance, paired with just the right amount of gore and supernatural elements, definitely screams “Halloween”. Its ominous soundtrack adds more to this ambiance, intensifying the already grim and suspenseful scenes and ensuring your heart is racing the whole time.
In Wicked City, the human and demon worlds have been able to coexist for centuries, but peace is now hanging by a thread. Taki Renzaburo and Makie are a human and demon, respectively, who are part of a secret organization tasked with maintaining harmony between the worlds – and they’re assigned to protect a 200-year-old man who holds the key to keeping the peace.
Taki and Makie find themselves in danger, treachery, and… unexpected attraction. This anime series is not for children. The weird and complex plot working together with the amazing late 80’s animation style ensures you’re hooked, while the unsettling elements of this show satifies that craving for the creepy.
These are only 10 out of many horror anime that tackle different kinds and elements of the genre. If you don’t have a weak stomach and you want to get into the horror side of Japanese animation, check these out – at your own risk – and try something new this Halloween!
Will you be checking out any horror anime this Halloween season?