You’re probably here because you want to watch something both serious and entertaining. Because, after all, why wouldn’t you be? Everyone wants a dark plot in which the characters reach a point of no return! It adds to the story’s realism and entertainment value. So here is the list of the 32 Best Dark Fantasy Anime!
32. Blue Exorcist
Let’s begin with Blue Exorcist! In this anime, the world of humans is referred to as Assiah, while the world of demons is referred to as Gehenna. Satan, the ruler of Gehenna, lacks a vessel with which to rule the world of Assiah. So he sends his son to the human world in the hopes that he will mature into a suitable vessel for Satan in the coming years.
Rin Okumura is a teen who eventually discovers he is Satan’s son. When he realises he is being used by his father, he begins his training as an exorcist and defends the world of Assiah from conquest.
The Blue Exorcist’s 2nd season last aired in 2017 and currently has an ongoing manga! Catching up to this anime is definitely worth it!
31. Fate/Apocrypha
Fate/Apocrypha is a spin-off series from the ever-expanding world of the Nasuverse. Another Holy Grail War is about to occur in this timeline, but the rules are different from those we are familiar with. There will be a battle between two factions, each with seven masters and seven servants.
A Holy Grail War involving 14 masters—all of whom will clash on the battlefield in Romania! Who do you think will win this war, while the Ruler class’s Jeanne D’Arc serves as the mediator?
If you’re a Fate fan like me and haven’t tried watching this show yet, you should because it’s jam-packed with action and gorgeous animation!
30. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
The anime that has earned the respect of all anime fans and has grown in popularity since the early 2000s. It’s none other than Code Geass! It also focuses on the war between the British Empire and Japan in its quest for independence.
A student named Lelouch Lamperouge is caught in the middle of a battle between the Brittanian army and the rebel army of Area 11. While attempting to flee, he meets C.C., a girl who grants Lelouch the power of the Geass, allowing him to control and command anyone. With his newfound power, Lelouch saw an opportunity to make a difference in the ongoing war while hiding as the infamous Zero.
Code Geass won “Best Anime TV Series” at the 2007 Tokyo Anime International Fair. Other awards for the anime included “Best TV Animation” and “Most Popular Anime.”
29. Made in Abyss
If you want to travel to the ends of the earth, Made in Abyss is the album for you! The Abyss is a deep chasm that extends all the way down the earth. No one has ever returned to tell the tale of what lies at the bottom of the chasm, but one thing is certain: the deeper you go down, the stronger the monsters you encounter.
Riko, an aspiring explorer, wants to take on the challenge of going down the Abyss because she aspires to be like her mother. Reg, a robot Riko meets, joins Riko on his journey down to reclaim the memories he once lost. The two adventurers with different goals take an adventure down the Abyss and perilous situations await.
28. Elfen Lied
Lucy, the victim of a government science experiment, flees the area with the intent to kill in order to avoid capture. Lucy is born with horns and the ability to telekinetically move objects. This breed is known as a “Diclonius,” which is why she became a government target.
Lucy successfully escapes with a head injury that gives her a new persona that is as innocent as a child. She eventually meets two students, Kouta and Yuka. Unknowingly, they took her in, not realising she was an escapee from a science experiment, and began spending their days with her. Keep an eye on them as they become increasingly involved with the government and its dark secrets.
27. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
Anyone should be aware of this anime by now. If Code Geass is already well-known, this is even more so! That concludes Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood!
Edward and Alphonse suffered a tragic fate caused by the rules of alchemy, Equivalent Exchange, as a result of an experiment to resurrect their own mother. This failed experiment cost Edward his arm and leg, as well as Alphonse’s physical body. Edward can now use alchemy without the use of a transmutation circle because they have broken the taboo of resurrecting a person. As a result, he is known as the “Fullmetal Alchemist.”
Following the incident, Ed had only one goal in mind: to recover Al’s body. To accomplish this, they embark on a journey to find the philosopher’s stone and restore everything to its original state.
26. Fate/Zero
Fate/Zero is a Fate series that is set in the main timeline. It happened ten years before Emiya Shirou was introduced. Like in the previous series, another Holy Grail War is about to break out in the city of Fuyuki.
Emiya Kiritsugu, one of the seven Master candidates in the upcoming Holy Grail War, summons the Saber class. To win the Holy Grail, he will have to take on six other masters with servants of various classes, namely Archer, Lancer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker. Obtaining the Holy Grail grants the victor any wish made by the Master or Servant. Watch as the dark story of Fate/Zero unfolds!
If you want to get started with the Fate series, this is the book for you. Aside from the compelling storyline, the immersive soundtrack and opening themes get you excited!
25. God Eater
A story that takes place in the year 2071, far in the future. The extinction of humanity is on the horizon, and Aragami monsters are emerging. Aragami feed on flesh, particularly human flesh, and it is up to the Fenrir organisation to combat them. God Eaters are Fenrir’s combatants; they have Oracle cells infused within their bodies, allowing them to wield the God Arc.
Lenka Utsugi is one of the God-Eaters, and in order to save humanity from extinction, he must master his God Arc. They will need the help of the other God Eaters to survive and battle the Aragami series.
Fun Fact: God Eater was actually adapted from a 2010 video game of the same title.
24. Death Note
Many fans are familiar with the anime series Death Note. Due to its popularity, it has been adapted by various media such as live action movies, novels, and even video games.
This anime follows the story of Yagami Light, a simple student who is also very intellectual and smart. He believes that the world is rotten enough as it is due to corruption and crime. The Death Note, a notebook, was dropped from the sky one day. The rules are straightforward: write a name in this note, and that person will perish. Light succumbed to the temptation and began using it to murder criminals. He also met Ryuk who is the owner of the Death Note and also shares the same belief as Kira.
23. Blood-C
Saya Kisaragi is a typical high school student, but when night falls, she begins her career as a monster slayer. She uses a special sword given to her by her father to kill monsters that threaten their area. She once overheard a conversation between monsters and learned about a broken covenant. Join Saya as she reveals the truth about their mysterious village.
22. Tokyo Ghoul
Roaming around Tokyo at night is one of the worst mistakes you could ever make. This is due to the large number of ghouls that roam Tokyo disguised as humans in search of prey.
This error is made by the main character, Kaneki Ken, who is a college student who is not always up to date on current events. When he meets Rize, he is immediately asked out on a date. As the day draws to a close, Rize emits a sinister vibe, letting Kaneki know that she is not a normal human being, but rather a ghoul.
He awoke in a hospital the next morning to discover that Rize’s organs had been transplanted into his body. As his body changes and adapts to his new organs, he becomes a half-ghoul, and this is where his story begins, as he witnesses bloody encounters between ghouls and the government.
21. The Promised Neverland
Grace Field House is an orphanage where everyone treats each other like a big happy family. Mama Isabella, who cares for the orphans, requires them to take daily tests to assess their intelligence. The orphans are also allowed to play outside, but there is one rule they must follow: they must not venture too far from the orphanage.
Emma, one of the orphans’ eldest, rushes in after Connie’s departure to give the little girl her stuffed bunny before she leaves. That’s when she discovers something heinous and realises what awaits them if they stay any longer in the orphanage. Emma, Norman, and Ray then set up a plan for their historical escape from the orphanage and from the grasp of their Mama Isabella.
20. Demon Slayer
The Kamado Family went about their daily lives in peace and happiness. Until one day, a demon attacked their home, leaving Tanjiro and his demonised sister, Nezuko as the only survivors. Later, Tanjiro encounters Tomioka Giyu, the Water Pillar who encouraged Tanjiro to join the Demon Slayer Corps. He vows to protect his sister and join the Demon Slayer Corps to avenge his family because of his intense hatred for the killer.
Demon Slayer was one of the most popular anime when it first aired in 2019, and with Ufotable as the studio in charge, it had high-quality animation that viewers enjoyed.
19. Land of the Lustrous
The inhabitants of this world in this show are organisms known as Gems, and their role is to fight the Lunarians, whose only true goal is to defeat them and use the Gems’ bodies as decorations.
Phosphophyllite, or Phos for short, is the name of the main character in this anime. Phos is a young Gem who simply wants to assist her friends in their battles. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, they are tasked with creating an encyclopaedia. Phos meets Cinnabar after accepting this task, who patrols the island at night due to the poison their bodies produce. They became friends since they both don’t enjoy the jobs that are given to them and so they set off to find a role in which they can both enjoy and help in the war against the Lunarians.
18. Mirai Nikki
Amano Yukiteru is a middle school student who enjoys recording his daily activities on his cellphone. Everything he does and goes through is recorded in his digital diary. He is considered a loner because he has no friends at school and only communicates with Deus Ex Machina, his imaginary friend who is actually the God of Time and Space.
Another day passes, and Yukiteru awakens to find his phone’s diary filled with entries from the current day. As the day progressed, he realised that this was no mere coincidence, but rather an accurate prediction of the future!
Later, he meets Yuno Gasai, who also keeps a diary that predicts the future. They discovered that the god, Deus Ex Machina, had chosen them to participate in a survival game. They fight to survive and struggle for their lives, with the victor becoming the god’s successor.
17. Hellsing
Cheddar village has been attacked by a vampire, and everyone has been transformed into ghouls! The Hellsing organisation, which specialises in such supernatural events, is then summoned. Wingates Hellsing, its leader, assigns his most powerful subordinate, Alucard, to deal with the situation in Cheddar.
Alucard, armed only with a handgun, eliminates the monsters terrorising Cheddar and its residents. Seras Victora, a police officer, became entangled in the melee and was injured by the monsters. Seras accepted Alucard’s offer to live as a vampire, and she joined the Hellsing organisation.
Now that she has a new life as a vampire, she embarks on a new path of battling humans and monsters.
16. The Rising of the Shield Hero
Iwatani Naofumi was transported to a mediaeval world unknown to him. He is one of the people summoned as one of the Four Cardinal Heroes, and he is tasked with being the Shield Hero. Aside from the fact that his title is not as powerful as the other heroes’, he also wields a small shield, which has caused the other heroes to mock him.
The heroes then formed their own teams to embark on their journeys, leaving Naofumi with only one companion, Malty Melromarc, who eventually betrays him, leaving him nothing but shame. Now burdened with a loss of trust in Melromarc, he trained and fortified himself in order to reclaim his reputation. He eventually purchases a slave named Raphtalia to accompany him on his adventures. Raphtalia has been trained to be a formidable warrior, and the two of them are fighting for Melromarc’s future.
15. Yuki Yuna is a Hero
The Hero Club only has one goal, and that is to help others. Yuki Yuna is a member of this club, as are her friends Mimori Tougo and the two sisters Itsuki and Fuu Inubouzaki.
When their world was attacked by an unknown force known as Vertexes, the four members of the Hero Club were given the opportunity to become literal heroes. They transform into magical girls with the help of a strange app on their smartphones and defeat the Vertexes that terrorise their world. You will see the truth of their power and the consequences of being a hero as you follow their story.
14. Shiki
Shiki may not be a well-known anime, but it is a show full of horror and suspense!
The residents of the mysterious village of Sotoba witness a tragedy when a young girl, Megumi Shimizu, dies of an unknown illness. Due to the increasing deaths that have occurred during the summer season, the village’s doctor, Toshio Ozaki, believes that these suspicious deaths are the result of something more sinister than an illness.
The doctor then decides to join forces with a group of teenagers from their village, including Natsuno Yuuki, Akira, and Kaori Tanaka, as well as their other friends, to investigate the mysterious deaths in Sotoba. Their efforts eventually led them to a family who lives in the Kanemasa Mansion, which is notorious for harbouring dark secrets.
13. Blood+
On the island of Okinawa, a simple girl named Saya Otonashi lives with her adoptive family. She leads a normal life until Saya is attacked by a monster while walking around the school at night. A saviour appears out of nowhere and temporarily stops the monster. Haji is the rescuer, and he forces Saya to drink his blood.
Saya has supernatural abilities after drinking his blood and is able to slay the creature. She was introduced to Red Shield, an organisation known for killing creatures like the one they encountered the previous time. Saya and Haji form a team to slay these monsters and uncover the secrets of Saya’s past.
12. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion was a popular hit anime in the 1990s! This anime is well-known for its dark themes and depiction of adolescent struggles. Major events in the original series were changed due to budget constraints. Nonetheless, despite its flaws, it remains a popular show.
Shinji Ikari, a teen, is dealing with trauma as a result of his mother’s death and his father, Gendou’s, neglect. As he returns to Tokyo-3, he meets Misato Katsuragi, a mature woman who shows Shinji kindness he has never known.
A tragic event occurs when a monster known as Angel begins to attack the city, and Gendou then explains why he brought his son back to Tokyo-3. That is the mission of EVA-01. Because of his compatibility with his biometrics, Gendou believes that only his son is capable of piloting the unit.
This is the show that inspired the meme “Get in the robot, Shinji!” Shinji is becoming increasingly hesitant to pilot the unit because it causes him significant psychological trauma.
11. Goblin Slayer
If you want to start with a dark fantasy, this is the book for you!
The goblins of this world are not to be underestimated. Despite their poor reputation, they can be extremely dangerous when it comes to numbers. These goblins also kidnap women in order to increase their production rates. However, because these goblins have low bounties, the kidnappings are frequently overlooked as adventurers seek larger bounties, with the exception of Goblin Slayer.
Onna Shinkan, a young priestess, joins a group of rookies to track down a goblin tribe known for kidnapping several women. Due to a lack of experience, the group met an untimely demise until the Goblin Slayer came to their aid and saved the priestess.
The Goblin Slayer then allows the priestess to accompany him on quests to slay goblins of various strengths!
10. Akame ga Kill!
Tatsumi is a boy from a distant village who decides to embark on a journey to help his hometown. He eventually finds himself in a situation that leads him to join the notorious assassins known as Night Raid.
Night Raid is a branch of the Revolutionary Army that opposes the Prime Minister who abuses his power for greed and personal gain. Tatsumi and the other members of Night Raid embark on missions that could lead to the Empire’s overthrow!
With their lives on the line, the battle for survival becomes more intense as they face stronger foes dispatched by the Empire against the infamous Night Raid!
9. Hunter x Hunter (2011)
Hunter x Hunter is one of the anime with a very long story that will most likely not be completed in the coming years due to the author being on several hiatuses, which causes the manga to halt. Despite this, the story remains consistent enough that anime fans are eagerly awaiting new chapters.
This anime begins with a straightforward plot that focuses on the main character, Gon Freecss. He is a young boy dressed in green who aspires to be a licenced hunter. In this world, getting a hunter’s licence grants you access to many things, and it’s like living life as a VIP.
To obtain this licence, they must pass a series of tests known as the Hunter Exam. These challenges should not be underestimated because you are putting your life on the line to complete these tasks. In Hunter x Hunter, join Gon and his gang, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio, as they face the most dangerous and breathtaking obstacles of the Hunter Exam!
8. When They Cry
When it comes to urban legends and terrifying stories, the Hinamizawa village has a lot of them. Keiichi Maebara is a young man who recently relocated to the village and made friends with his new classmates Rena, Mion, Satoko, and Rika.
Keiichi eventually learns about the number of murders that have occurred in their village, all of which are linked to the patron god of their village, Oyashiro. When Keiichi shares this information with his friends, they all remain silent and act as if nothing has happened. More strange things happen in the story as their behaviour begins to change. Will Keiichi be able to put his trust in the people of the village?
7. Jujutsu Kaisen
Itadori Yuuji is an average student who is a member of his school’s Occult Club. When he discovers a cursed item that will alter the course of his life, everything changes. The Occult Club was eventually attacked by a spirit that roamed their school. Megumi leaps into action, summoning his divine dogs to save the students. During the battle, Yuuji decides to eat the cursed item he discovered earlier, which grants him supernatural abilities.
They were successful in defeating the spirit, and Yuuji was quickly accepted into the Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu Technical High School. Itadori Yuuji’s life as a Jujutsu Sorcerer begins a new chapter in his story.
6. Devilman: Crybaby
In this world, devils do not have physical forms. They can only do it one way: they must possess a human being. However, if the human is strong enough to take possession of the demon, he or she will be able to use the demon’s powers as their own. As a result, they are a Devilman.
Akira Fudou and Ryou Asuka attended a degenerate party one day. Until the unexpected occurs, when the lurking demons possess these partygoers and transform them into horrifying monsters. Akira chose to fuse with the demon Amon in order to save Ryou. With his willpower, Akira transforms into a Devilman, granting him new abilities.
With his newfound strength, Akira and Ryou form a team to deal with devils who stand in their way and cause havoc in the area.
5. Ajin
Ajin are immortal humans who pose a threat to the human race due to their supernatural abilities and the potential to use them for evil. Ajin can easily blend into society like any other human, but when they are caught, they are immediately arrested.
Kei Nagai knows very little about Ajin because he does not always pay attention in class. This ignorance caused him to make significant changes in his life. Kei was involved in a fatal accident at one point, but he survived. This time, however, he has been reborn as an Ajin. Ajin is discriminated against in this world, and he now spends his days fleeing from anyone who catches him.
4. Another
Another should be high on this list if you’re looking for a dark and gory show. Another example is a well-known dark anime that has inspired memes such as the well-known umbrella girl.
Kouichi Sakakibara, a junior high student, returns to school after missing a month due to illness. Despite being a transfer student, he directs his attention to Misaki Mei, the most unnoticed student in his class. A girl with an eyepatch whom he first met while confined in the hospital. His classmates are unaware of her existence and warn Kouichi to stay away from her. Kouichi, on the other hand, befriended Mei.
Later, they discovered a dark rumour about a former student in their class, and mysteries began to swirl around them. Witness their days as Kouichi, Mei, and their other classmates discover this phenomenon, which has grave consequences.
3. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
You may be wondering why a magical girl anime is near the top of this list. That’s because it’s not the type of show you’re picturing right now. Madoka Magica takes a different approach than other magical girl anime. This anime depicts the characters’ sufferings and the consequences of their actions in the story. If you look at the pictures, it may appear to be a kid-friendly anime, but as the show progresses, it gradually becomes darker than you’d expect.
Kyubey, a mysterious cat, bestows magical powers on Madoka and Sayaka, allowing them to protect the world from Witches. It’s as simple as that, but as they face more formidable foes, these magical girls face a tragic fate.
2. Attack on Titan
This is a show that everyone is aware of and has been anticipating on this list! Attack on Titan is a game-changing show that has captured the hearts of anime fans all over the world! Its compelling plot and high stakes kept its audience and readers guessing about what would happen in the next chapter!
Attack on Titan follows Eren Jaeger, a peaceful resident of Shiganshina. Until the day the Colossal Titan destroyed their district’s wall. Several Titans broke through the walls and devoured nearly every Shiganshina resident. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin flee as their mother is sacrificed to a Titan near their home.
Years have passed, and the trio has joined the Survey Corps. Eren’s eyes are filled with rage as he vows to kill all the Titans who destroyed his family.
1. Berserk
Berserk is known for its violent, gory, and graphic works, particularly in the manga. It is a show that may not be appropriate for children because it tells the tragic story of the main character, Guts.
Guts is a mercenary who is always seen with a greatsword in his hand. He accepts quests like any other adventurer, but only the ones that pay the most money. Griffith, the founding leader of The Band of the Falcon, then appears. Griffith challenged Guts to a duel, which he won with a single blow.
Gut eventually rose to become one of The Band of the Hawks’ commanders. And with Guts’s strength and Griffith’s charisma, nothing can stop them from winning every battle they face. However, something sinister awaits Guts that will alter the course of his entire life.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed reading this article, but that concludes our list of the 32 best Dark Fantasy anime! There are a lot of shows to choose from, and there may be more out there that aren’t on this list, but these ones are definitely worth your time!
You might also like:
