15 Darkest Anime That Only Get Darker

Certain anime series that explore dark themes, such as Future Diary and Attack On Titan, can be particularly captivating.

Anime can be both a source of great inspiration and a reflection of profound pessimism, and some of the most captivating shows are those that embrace their darker side. While some series gradually introduce their sinister elements, others plunge viewers straight into a bleak and despairing world, leading them deeper into the shadows.

Anime continues to break mainstream boundaries and push the limits of what is acceptable in terms of violence and darkness. In this medium, a character's emotional turmoil or a shocking revelation of betrayal can be even more devastating than a physical injury.

15.Made In Abyss

Made in Abyss is a highly disturbing anime that may have caught many viewers off guard due to its seemingly innocent and playful appearance. Despite the show's bright and colorful animation, it delves into dark and mature themes that can be unsettling for some audiences.

The series follows Riko, a young and optimistic protagonist, as she embarks on a perilous journey with her robot companion Reg and a group of unlikely allies. As they descend deeper into the Abyss, they encounter increasingly horrifying creatures and face the consequences of a deadly curse that afflicts all who venture into its depths.

14.Paranoia Agent

Satoshi Kon was a celebrated master of psychological storytelling in anime, and his acclaimed feature films, Perfect Blue and Paprika, are widely regarded as genre-defining classics. However, Kon's unique vision and creativity also extended to the realm of television, as evidenced by his singular series, Paranoia Agent.

Over the course of 13 episodes, Paranoia Agent explores complex and thought-provoking themes that go beyond what can be accomplished in a single movie. The series revolves around a mysterious assailant known as Lil' Slugger, who terrorizes a community. However, each episode offers a different perspective from the point of view of a different victim, presenting the threat in a contrasting light.

Paranoia Agent offers a profound and illuminating commentary on the power of social phenomena and the impact of rumors as they take on a life of their own. It is a gripping and deeply insightful work that showcases Kon's exceptional talent and artistic vision.

13.Monster

Monster is a thought-provoking anime that delves into complex moral dilemmas without offering clear-cut solutions. The story follows Dr. Kenzo Tenma, whose decision to save the life of a disadvantaged patient ends up inadvertently benefiting a notorious serial killer.

 Despite its slow and deliberate pacing, Monster manages to engage viewers from the very beginning with its dark themes and tragic events. The show's 74-episode run provides ample time for the weight of guilt to take hold and shape Tenma's character development as he is forced to confront the consequences of his actions.

12.Wonder Egg Priority

Many modern anime have been exploring darker themes by subverting and deconstructing genre conventions. Wonder Egg Priority is a prime example of this trend, as it uses the familiar tropes of magical girl fantasy to explore complex and emotionally challenging themes.

The series follows Ai Ohto and her friends as they battle gruesome monsters that represent the trauma and pain they have experienced in their lives. The juxtaposition between the fantastical elements and the bleak melodrama is striking and effective, creating a visually stunning and emotionally resonant viewing experience.

Wonder Egg Priority uses metaphors and symbolism to delve into the innermost thoughts and struggles of its characters, with Ai's burden being established right from the first episode. The series is a powerful exploration of trauma, grief, and healing, and it demonstrates the potential of anime to tackle mature and thought-provoking themes in new and innovative ways.

11.Talentless Nana

Talentless Nana is a dark and violent 13-episode anime that follows the story of Nana Hiiragi, a government assassin who is sent to a school to eliminate students with special powers. As Nana carries out her mission, the series delves into themes of guilt, betrayal, and the ethics of using violence to achieve one's goals.

Despite its premise, Talentless Nana is not just a mindless bloodbath, but a nuanced exploration of its complex characters and their motivations. Nana's inner turmoil and conflicting loyalties drive the plot forward, and the series continually raises questions about the nature of power and the morality of those who wield it.

As the series progresses, the violence and darkness of Talentless Nana intensify, and the toll of Nana's actions becomes increasingly apparent. The anime is a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of the human psyche and the consequences of our choices.

10.Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Puella Magi Madoka Magica subverts the magical girl genre by using its tropes to tell a psychological horror story. The show portrays a world where magical girls are lured into making eternal contracts that ultimately lead to widespread destruction. Madoka, the protagonist, is faced with a difficult decision when she's asked to become a magical girl. As she struggles with her choice, she witnesses the deaths of her closest friends. The most devastating part of the show is that it appears to have a happy ending, but it ultimately reveals the tragic reality of being a magical girl, leaving them trapped in an endless cycle of conflict and misery.

9.Elfen Lied

Elfen Lied is an anime with a basic premise that leads the audience to expect a happy ending. Kouta, the protagonist, encounters a human-like alien who has lost her memories but possesses dangerous psychic powers that threaten the existence of humanity. However, Elfen Lied subverts these expectations by constantly subjecting its Diclonius test subjects to torture and rejection. Kouta's attempts to provide these creatures with some semblance of normalcy are ultimately futile. Despite the Diclonius' best efforts, the anime presents a grim finale that reinforces the dangers of the unknown instead of emphasizing the importance of acceptance and understanding.

8.Happy Sugar Life

Happy Sugar Life may appear to be a lighthearted slice-of-life anime about two friends, but in reality, it follows the story of Satou Matsuzaka, a deeply unstable person who becomes obsessed with the pure innocence of a young girl named Shio and kidnaps her. Despite being only 12 episodes long, the series explores dark themes such as death, abuse, and mental manipulation, making it one of the most disturbing anime ever made.

7.Texhnolyze

Texhnolyze is an anime that starts with Ichise, an underground fighter, facing a series of unfortunate events that only get worse as the story progresses. As he is forced to flee, he gradually loses parts of himself along the way. 

Though Texhnolyze only spans 22 episodes, it manages to create an overwhelming sense of dread and gloom. The show presents a world that is jaded and broken, with Ichise repeatedly confronted with evidence of this.

6.Future Diary

The concept of radical death games has gained popularity in anime, with series such as Future Diary exploring the corrupting influence of power. The story follows a group of teenagers who are unexpectedly thrust into a competition to become an all-powerful being, resulting in a violent and grim game of cat-and-mouse among the potential candidates.

While Future Diary's premise is inherently bleak, much of its cast is struggling and on the verge of losing themselves. The tension builds as Yuki and Yuno continue to advance in the twisted game. Although the anime's finale can be viewed as hopeful in certain circumstances, Yuki is left with a desolate and solitary existence.

5.Higurashi: When They Cry

Higurashi: When They Cry is an anime that effectively uses subterfuge to gradually introduce its dark themes to the audience. Its "moe" character designs create a false sense of security that is quickly stripped away through violent murders, a mysterious viral disease, and a time loop narrative that reinforces the idea that success is impossible.

Throughout the series, Higurashi: When They Cry repeatedly kills off its innocent characters, while others struggle with their hopeless endeavors. Even when happiness seems to be within reach, it feels as if it will immediately be taken away.

4.Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a highly acclaimed anime that goes beyond being a simple mecha series where giant robots fight against monsters. It delves into themes of depression and loss, which become increasingly overwhelming as the story progresses.

 While the initial episodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion are relatively lighter in tone, they are still marked by death, loneliness, and the onset of Shinji Ikari's depression. However, any sense of calm and stability is shattered by the end of the series.

3.Another

Another is a psychological horror anime that spans over a dozen suspenseful episodes. The story follows Koichi Sakakibara, a transfer student, who is greeted with death and sorrow upon his arrival at Tomiyama North Junior High. As he befriends a moody girl named Misaki, Koichi begins to question if she is in need of his help or if she is a lost spirit. Another begins in a dark place, and as the story progresses, the mystery surrounding the characters becomes increasingly morose as the audience is left to contemplate who is truly dead in this haunting tale.

2.Blue Gender

Blue Gender is an anime that depicts humanity on its last leg as they retreat from an alien menace that has taken control of Earth. The series paints survival as a lost cause.

Yuji Kaido is an excellent audience surrogate, as he's awoken from his cryogenic slumber in a world that barely resembles what he's known. Yuji's unique condition positions him as a crucial figure in this extraterrestrial conflict, but death and body horror dominate the storytelling.

1.Attack On Titan

Attack on Titan's final season portrays a world consumed by darkness and deep-seated distrust. The series presents betrayal as a recurring theme, leading to the transformation of protagonist Eren Jaeger into humanity's greatest threat. From the first episode, the anime establishes a tone of darkness with the graphic depiction of Eren's mother's death, and as the story progresses, it delves further into themes of evil and corruption.