The Best Horror Anime On Streaming — Spooky Stories on Crunchyroll and Netflix
What’s the best horror anime available to watch?
Some people think of anime as a genre in itself, but it’s really a medium capable of a variety of genres, including horror. It can be hard to find anime horror, though — Crunchyroll, for example, doesn’t even carry a “horror” genre. It has “thriller” and “supernatural,” but those aren’t always synonymous with “horror.”
So that’s why I’ve written up this listicle, full of recommendations to take the guesswork out of channel surfing. You really only need two services for this endeavour: Crunchyroll and Netflix.
With that in mind, let’s dive right in! (…If you dare.)
Keep up with all the latest in entertainment news
Subscribe to CableTV.com's email newsletter for the latest TV event viewing guides, entertaining takes, and money-saving promotions.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions.
#1: “Akira”
We named “Akira” one of the best animated movies of all time, so it deserves to come first on this list, too.
The movie takes place in the aftermath of World War III, when Japan has once again been ravaged by warfare. However, it’s not just the atom bomb that the citizens of Neo Tokyo have to fear. It’s the government’s human experiments, children with unusual and powerful psychic abilities. None of the children in “Akira” are allowed to be children; to the government, they’re living weapons.
#2: “Attack on Titan”
This is a pretty basic recommendation, but if you’re looking for cannibalism-themed horror with tons of action, “Attack on Titan” is a smart pick.
Humanity lives within the safety of a series of walls that protect them from the hungry titans that roam the world: giants with horrific, creepy smiles and a taste for human flesh. But those walls won’t hold forever, so the humans train to fight back against the monsters. They lose more than they win, though, so this show has a pretty hefty body count.
#3: “Mononoke”
No, this isn’t Studio Ghibli’s “Princess Mononoke,” although that is a great film. This is “Mononoke,” a cult classic anime that recently received a trio of new movies at Netflix.
But if you’re looking to start the franchise from its first installments, you’ll want to watch the original 2007 series on Crunchyroll. It’s about a mysterious wanderer, known only as the Medicine Seller, who fights off ghosts in feudal Japan. Every few episodes, the Medicine Seller takes on a new mystery.
The movies follow the same premise, but follows a different Medicine Seller in a drama involving concubines and the Japanese imperial family.
#4: “The Summer Hikaru Died”
Teenage Yoshiki Tsujinaka’s life turns upside down when his best friend has a hiking accident. The real Hikaru Indou dies, but he’s replaced by an eldritch entity that can nearly perfectly replicate his likeness.
Yoshiki figures out what happened, but it doesn’t chase him away. Instead, he stays by his so-called friend’s side, despite his strange and alien nature.
#5: “Devilman Crybaby”
Based on the popular ’70s manga “Devilman,” “Devilman Crybaby” released as a Netflix Original in 2018.
It follows a high school student, Akira Fudo, reunited with his childhood friend Ryo Asuka. During an unfortunate event at a nightclub, Ryo convinces Akira to fuse with a demon. This both gives him the power to fight demons and the horrible burden of being a monster in a world trying to adapt to their existence.
#6: “Shiboyuki: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table”
“Shiboyuki” is deceptively beautiful, with a unique art style and detailed environments. But it’s all a distraction: the girls in the world of Shiboyuki may be dressed in frilly outfits, but their lives are miserable.
Like the title suggests, this anime revolves around a “death game” where people put themselves in perilous situations for the chance to win money. Think “Squid Game.” Before entering the games, the contestants undergo genetic modification to make themselves more “doll-like.” So while they can all die in horrifying, gruesome ways, they’ll never shed a drop of blood. And that’s scarier than the threat of descending “Saw” trap buzzsaws.
#7: “Junji Ito Collection”
Junji Ito is a legendary horror mangaka, and this anime collects many of his spookiest stories. In “The Long Dream,” a neurosurgeon encounters a patient who struggles to separate dreams from reality. In “Tomie,” an uncannily beautiful woman drives everyone around her into a murderous frenzy.
But of course, if you’re a Junji Ito fan, there’s probably one more story that comes to mind: “Uzumaki.” That’s not part of this anthology, but if you’re already on Crunchyroll, you’re in luck… (Keep reading!)
#8: “Uzumaki”
Junji Ito’s “Uzumaki” is one of the greatest horror comics ever made. But take this adaptation with a grain of salt — some fans felt that it was rushed or didn’t fully capture the appeal and artistry of the original.
In “Uzumaki,” one town is terrorized by spirals. Spirals appear everywhere, in unnatural events around town, which makes people paranoid… And that paranoia manifests more spirals. Get ready for some serious body horror.
More of the best horror anime
- “Angels of Death”
- “Another”
- “Berserk”
- “Blood Blockade Battlefront”
- “Chainsaw Man”
- “Danganronpa: The Animation”
- “Devil May Cry”
- “Gleipnir”
- “Hell’s Paradise”
- “Horror Collector”
- “Hellsing Ultimate”
- “Higurashi: When They Cry”
- “Mieruko-Chan”
- “Overlord”
- “Soul Eater”
- “Tokyo Ghoul”
- “The Case Study of Vanitas”
- “The Future Diary”
- “The Promised Neverland”
- “X”
Horror manga on Crunchyroll
- “Ajin: Demi-Human”
- “Alive”
- “Attack on Titan”
- “Corpse Blade”
- “Dara-san of Reiwa”
- “Eko Eko Azarak Reborn”
- “Gleipnir”
- “Hell Is Dark with No Flowers”
- “Highschool of the Dead”
- “Higurashi When They Cry Gou”
- “Horror Collector”
- “Mieruko-Chan”
- “Mikane and The Sea Woman”
- “My Girlfriend Gives Me Goosebumps”
- “Outsiders”
- “Parasyte”
- “Shadows of Kyoto”
- “Speed Grapher”
- “The Ghostly Darkness of Kanata”
- “The House of the Nurarihyon”
- “The Illustrated Guide to Monster Girls”
- “The Summer Hikaru Died”
- “Welcome to Ghost Mansion”
Best anime streaming services
Crunchyroll has the biggest anime library in the U.S. If you’re looking for all the latest simulcasts, you can’t do better than Crunchyroll.
Netflix picks up the rights to a few anime every season, and they’re usually some of the biggest hits. It’s also got its own critically acclaimed originals, like “Castlevania.”
Hulu also carries anime, although it’s usually redundant if you already have Crunchyroll. But still, it’s worth checking out if you want an all-in-one streaming service.
Who we are
At CableTV.com, we’re not just entertainment experts — we’re also fans just like you. So while our first priority is reporting the best and most accurate information about TV providers and streaming services, we also love talking about our favorite shows and movies. So you can count on us to share our honest opinions and unbridled enthusiasm. For more on our process, check out our Editorial Policy.
