Anime Ichiban: Top Ten Horror Anime

Criteria

Throw something at any given anime season and you’re bound to hit one, two, or five high school slice-of-life comedies. You’ll also run into a few romance stories here and there. Plus, there's going to be a mech or some other action show in the mix. Every now and then, though, you’ll get something different.

It won’t be cute, it won’t be nice, and it won’t be easy. I’m of course referring to the horror anime.

These are the stories of tension and reservation. These are the shows that will get you to cower and cover your eyes. These are the images you see alone on the darkest of nights. These are the anime that get you scared.

I have seen a ton of shows with horror elements and they are effective. The problem is, many of these moments are just that, moments. In terms of a full series, there are a lot, but there aren’t many that are good.

Many shows that classify themselves as horror have a tendency to go a bit overboard. They even sometimes have a habit of going silly. And some are flat-out stupid (I’m looking at you Pupa, you piece of s@#$).

Yet, there are good ones out there. When a show gets it right, my God does it get it right. These next ten…these next ten got it right.

Perhaps the only other genre with this much subjectivity is comedy. What scares one person may not scare someone else. So, these ten are the shows that got to me the most. These are the shows that caused me to step back.

I like to think it takes a lot for a story to scare me. Thus, my only criteria for this list was, which shows proved me wrong?

Anime Hajime Review: Undefeated Bahamut Chronicles

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Undefeated Bahamut Chronicles. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Five years ago, the Arcadia Empire was overthrown. Now seen as a remnant of the past regime, former prince Lux Arcadia (voiced by Mutsumi Tamura) does what he can to get by.

Though not an intimidating presence, Lux has been building quite the reputation as a Drag-Knight warrior. To this day, he has never lost a battle. This has earned him the title, The Weakest Undefeated Drag-Knight. Despite this, Lux isn’t concerned about glory.

His skill allowed him to enter the New Kingdom's most prestigious Drag-Knight academy. The problem, he is the only male student. Things get awkward from pretty much the moment he arrives.

Yet Lux's kindness and selflessness earn him the respect of his peers. He also gains the affection of some of the academy’s most accomplished students. First is the crown princess of the New Kingdom, Lisesharte Atismata (voiced by Lynn). Second is the daughter of the high-ranking Einfolk family, Kruicifer Einfolk (voiced by Yukiyo Fujii). Third is the daughter of one of the four great noble lines and the school’s strongest warrior, Celistia Ralgris (voiced by Risa Taneda). Finally, there’s Lux’s own childhood friend, Philuffy Aingram (voiced by YurikaKubo).

Anime Hajime Review: Kimi ga Nozomu Eien

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Since starting high school Haruka Suzumiya (voiced by Minami Kuribayahsi) has had a crush on Takayuki Narumi (voiced by Kisho Taniyama). Yet her shyness always prevented her from talking to him.

To give her best friend a shot, Mitsuki Hayase (voiced by Tomoko Ishibashi) befriends Takayuki. This allows Haruka to spend time with her crush until she found the courage to speak her heart. At long last, Haruka and Takayuki became a couple.

Though the moment is a happy one, the past few years have led to an unexpected problem. Mitsuki also developed feelings for Takayuki. Out of respect for her friend she decided to not act on those feelings.

Then without warning, the unthinkable happens. The fun times of high school were now over. What is on the horizon is nothing short of heartache and pain. The line between fairness and what’s right becomes blurred. The right answers no longer seem to exist.

A once solid friendship will be tested to the ultimate degree. What is to happen could bring everything crumbling down to a bitter end.

Anime Hajime Review: Red Garden

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Red Garden. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

One night in New York City, Kate Ashely (voiced by Akira Tomisaka), Rachel Benning (voiced by Ryoko Shintani), Claire Forrest (voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro), and Rose Sheedy (voiced by Ayumi Tsuji) are brought back to their homes fast asleep. The girls wake up the next morning restless and concerned. None of them have any memories of the previous evening. Adding to their unease, they learn that one of their close friends has died.

Shocked and confused, the girls can’t help shake the feeling of being watched. Their unease grows when they see a swarm of strange butterflies flying through the air. As though summoned, the girls find themselves in a dark alleyway. Here they meet a mysterious woman named Lula (voiced by Rie Tanaka).

Lula informs the girls of their chilling reality. Their bodies are not their own. They were all murdered the night before. Kate, Rachel, Claire, and Rose must now fight a terrifying enemy. There are people in the city who will transform into bloodthirsty beasts. It is the girl’s duty to hunt these creatures.

The four take the news hard and are unsure of what to think. If they don’t fight, they’ll have no chance of ever returning to their original bodies.

Anime Hajime Review: Parasyte

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Parasyte. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

One night, Shinichi Izumi (voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki) gets awoken by a strange worm-like creature trying to crawl inside him. Despite his best efforts, the thing ends up burrowing itself within Shinichi’s right hand. The shock of the encounter causes the young man to lose consciousness. He wakes up the next morning believing the whole thing to be a dream. Unfortunately, it was all too real.

The parasite (voiced by Aya Hirano) awakens within Shinichi’s right hand. It explains that it is part of species that feeds off humans. The reason Shinichi is not dead is because the creature failed at attaching itself to his brain. Because of this, the thing’s life is completely connected to Shinichi’s.

To Shinichi’s dismay, he isn’t given time to process what has happened to him. Other parasitic beings begin showing up, attacking and eating were ever they go. Shinichi feels a responsibility to act. He is one of the few people who can successful coexist with these creatures.

This sets Shinichi and his parasite, who he names Migi, down the war path. To protect the people he loves, Shinichi must hide away his secret. This burden weighs on him. At any moment, a parasite could show up and cause unimaginable carnage.

Anime Hajime Review: Super Sonico the Animation

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Super Sonico the Animation. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Super Sonico (voiced by Ayano Yamamoto) is a young college student with big dreams and aspirations. A perpetual sleepyhead and a lover of all things cute, Sonico easily puts a smile on the faces of everyone.

Her schedule is busy. Juggling school and homework along with a rising modeling career, there are always things for her to do. Yet, what Sonico wants more than anything is to play her music for everyone to hear. Her spare time goes into improving her guitar skills and practicing with her band, First Astronomical Velocity.

Sonico surprises many people with her dedication and hard work. For those quick to judge, they're caught off guard with Sonico’s cheery demeanor.

Having become part of so many different lives, incredible opportunities have opened for Sonico. In turn, she has built a rock solid support network of friends and loved ones who will run to her side at the drop of a hat.

The future is bright for the up and coming eighteen-year-old. Whatever challenges she might face, Sonico will take them all on smiling.

Anime Hajime Review: Black Lagoon the Second Barrage

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Black Lagoon seasons one and two. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

The streets of Roanapur remain as corrupt and as dangerous as ever. The many crime syndicates remain in constant struggle for power. Death is the norm and when you have a job that needs to get done, look no further than the Lagoon Shipping Company.

Rokuro “Rock” Okajima (voiced by Daisuke Namikawa) is trying to adapted to new outlaw life style and it’s hard to tell if things are getting easier or harder. Regardless, he's built quite the reputation and is a true member of the infamous Black Lagoon. Alongside captain Dutch (voiced by Tsutomu Isobe), computer expert Benny (voiced by Hiroaki Hirata), and the dangerous gunslinger Revy (voiced by Megumi Toyoguchi).

If the price is right, the Black Lagoon will take on any job. Too bad the door swings both ways. This group finds themselves against some of the world’s most dangerous and deranged assassins. Though they have partners in high places, there's no one they can call an ally.

If goals align, the Black Lagoon is a symbol of lawlessness in one of the world's bloodiest cities.

Anime Hajime Review: Ace Attorney

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Ace Attorney. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

-Note: I'm aware of the Japanese title, Gyakuten Saiban: Sono “Shinjitusu”, Igiari. But that's too long and I will forever know this series as Ace Attorney. Any and all names from this point will be from the English localization.-

In court, evidence is the only truth. For some, justice is harder to obtain when the evidence gets stacked against them. When the innocent are viewed as guilty, it is the job of lawyers to defend their clients to the bitter end. Such is the goal of rookie attorney, Phoenix Wright (voiced by Yuki Kaji).

Having at last earned his lawyer badge, Phoenix finds himself in the courtroom. With great conviction, he realizes that believing in his clients is not enough. There are those who hope to conceal the truth from the world. Yet there are still those who share his ideals.

Phoenix becomes acquainted with the spirit medium, Maya Fey (voiced by Aoi Yuki). Meeting under sad circumstances, the two develop a strong partnership. Together they'll defend anyone with no place left to turn.

Phoenix and Maya must go up against the toughest of opponents. This often means facing the brilliant prosecutor, Miles Edgeworth (voiced by Masashi Tamaki). Their styles may be different, but Phoenix and Miles seek to discover the truth in all cases.

Anime Hajime Review: Sweetness and Lightning

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Sweetness and Lightning. Reader discretion is advised. ***

Series Synopsis

Kohei Inzuka (voiced by Yuichi Nakamura), a high school teacher, recently lost his wife and takes care of his daughter, Tsumugi (voiced by Rina Endo) by himself. Juggling work and being there for his little girl, Kohei is doing his best, but he can’t do everything. The two live off boxed lunches and microwavable meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Kohei wants to give Tsumugi the best at all times, but he doesn’t have the cooking skills to achieve that ideal. Then one day he and Tsumugi find their way to a small restaurant run by the family of one of his students, Kotori Iida (voiced by Saori Hayami).

Kotori has been feeling lonely lately and would love it if she found a few people to spend time with. Despite not being that good of a cook herself, she's thrilled when Tsumugi enjoys her cooking. She opens the restaurant’s kitchen to the pair and the three try their hands at a wide variety of dishes.

Perhaps a little unorthodox, Kohei, Tsumugi, and Kotori become like a family. Together they help one another fill the holes that have formed in their hearts.