Top 24 Horror and Supernatural Anime You Won't Regret Watching
Halloween is the perfect time to enjoy horror anime, with stories full of suspense, supernatural horror, ghosts, vampires, and otherworldly creatures.
If you love horror and Japanese animation, these 24 chilling anime offer everything from series and OVAs to horror movies ideal for Halloween marathons.
Each title guarantees shocking scenes, interesting characters, original adventures, and intense emotions for viewers.
Wicked City
(1987, OVA) – Two agents protect humanity from demons that cross over into the human world, with supernatural horror and intense violence.
Gakkou no –Yuurei
(1995, OVA, Series, 10 episodes) – Tales of Japanese schools where students and teachers confront ghosts, urban legends, and unsettling presences, combining animation and live-action footage for a supernatural atmosphere. ( A 12-episode remake premiered in 2021. )
Shinrei Shoujo Yohko
(1997, Series, 13 chapters) – A girl with psychic powers faces evil spirits that threaten her city and her friends.
Boogiepop Phantom
(2000, Series, 12 chapters) – Disappearances and paranormal phenomena connect several teenagers, while a mysterious being called Boogiepop lurks in the shadows.
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
(2000, Movie) – D, a half-human, half-dhampir vampire hunter, battles powerful vampires that threaten humanity.
Elfen Lied
(2004, Series, 13 chapters) – A mutant with telekinetic powers escapes from a laboratory, causing violent murders and psychological horror.
Paranoia Agent
(2004, Series, 13 chapters) – A series of strange attacks carried out by a mysterious boy on roller skates unleashes paranoia, psychological terror and supernatural mystery.
Hell Girl (Jigoku Shoujo )
(2005, Series, 3 seasons of 26 episodes each, and a fourth of 12 episodes) – A mysterious girl offers supernatural revenge to those who summon her, but with a deadly price they will never forget.
Blood+
(2005–2006, Series, 50 chapters) – A young woman must confront vampiric creatures known as Chiropterans while discovering her mysterious past.
Shinrei Tantei Yakumo
(2006, Series, 13 chapters) – A young man with a supernatural eye investigates murders and paranormal phenomena that terrorize his city.
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
(When They Cry) (2006, Series, 26 chapters) – A cycle of murder and madness repeats itself in a rural town, with supernatural twists and psychological terror.
Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales
(2006, Series, 11 chapters) – Anthology of classic horror stories, featuring evil spirits and curses that haunt humans.
Hellsing Ultimate
(2006–2012, OVA, 10 episodes) – The Hellsing organization fights against vampires and supernatural creatures that threaten England, with bloody horror and intense action.
Mononoke
(2007, Series, 12 chapters) – A traveler called “The Medicine Seller” confronts evil spirits, resolving their tragic origins in order to exorcise them.
Shiki
(2010, Series, 22 chapters) – An isolated town is plagued by strange deaths, and the appearance of vampires unleashes terror and paranoia among the inhabitants.
Highschool of the Dead
(2010, Series, 12 chapters) – A group of students fights to survive during a zombie apocalypse, facing terror, action and extreme violence.
Blood-C
(2011, Series, 12 chapters) – A young woman fights bloodthirsty monsters while uncovering dark secrets about her city and her own identity.
Another
(2012, Series, 12 chapters) – In a high school class, students begin to die mysteriously, while a dark secret connecting their tragedies is discovered.
Corpse Party: Tortured Souls
(2013, OVA, 4 episodes) – Students are trapped in their haunted school and are pursued by vengeful spirits seeking eternal punishment.
Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories
(Series) – Each episode features several Japanese horror stories, told in just a few minutes, with animation reminiscent of shadow puppetry and a dark atmosphere that blends with unexpected twists and hidden terror in the everyday...
Tokyo Ghoul
(2014, Series, 12 chapters) – Humans and ghouls coexist in a bloody world where monsters devour human flesh, mixing terror and psychological horror.
Yami no Monogatari
(2020, Series, 10 chapters) – Ghost stories set in Japanese towns and cities, where local legends, vengeful spirits and unexplained events test the inhabitants, creating a dark and supernatural atmosphere.
Mieruko-chan
(2021, Series, 12 chapters) – A student can see horrible ghosts that constantly haunt her, but she must ignore them to survive and maintain her normal life.
Gakkou no Kaidan (Ghost Stories) - An ideal extra for younger children
(2000/2001 Series, 20 episodes) – A young woman and her brother move to their mother's hometown, discovering their ability to see and stop ghosts and evil spirits, and beginning to investigate various events alongside their new companions... and their cat.
I recommend this series to younger viewers, as it's not truly terrifying and is aimed at a younger audience. However, I can assure you that I, at least, enjoyed it immensely in my childhood... and still do today.
Because animation can also be unsettling...
Immerse yourself in worlds where unsettling ghosts, vampires, and supernatural beings create tension and fear.
Preparing for a Halloween marathon is a surefire way to enjoy the best of horror, where fear and excitement intertwine, creating unforgettable and adrenaline-filled experiences.
Note: This list is based on statistics and opinions found publicly on the web; it is not in any particular order and does not represent a personal opinion.
