Anime can come in many shapes and forms. From the happier comedy shows, full of cute girls and even cuter comedy, to the dark, bleak, depressing side of monsters, demons, vampires, and everything else on this list!
For anyone looking for recommendations of Monster-themed anime to watch, this is the list for you!
25. Durarara!!
Durarara!! (2010) Promotional Trailer - Subtitled
While Durarara!! May not seem to fit the traditional idea of a ‘monster’ story, it brings with it a distinct and unique flavor of dark urban fantasy that you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. The characters, even those who are monsters, are fun and interesting, and the plot, while it can be confusing, is energetic, ever-changing, and inarguably fun. A truly unique series that will pull at your heartstrings while forcing you to look over your shoulder every step of the way next you’re in a city.
Surprisingly entertaining, despite being confusing.
24. Baccano!
Trailer - Baccano! [HD]
From the same writer as Durarara!!, Baccano! Tells a somewhat similar tale, though with far more actual monsters involved. The twisting narrative, dark themes, and interesting setting brings the viewer into a world that they’ve never experienced before and likely never will again.
Snatch with monsters!
23. Black Butler
Black Butler - Book of Circus - Official PV
If you like victorian-era demon-themed stories, then this is most certainly the series for you! With a demon-butler protagonist and a variety of other creatures who show up throughout the anime, including Reapers, Angels, and cursed princes, this series is perfect for scratching the entertaining yet creepy demon itch that all of us have every now and then.
The demon fights with knives!
22. Blood Blockade Battlefront (Kekkai Sensen)
Blood Blockade Battlefront - Broadcast Dub Preview
Another wacky, kind of off the wall urban fantasy setting, this time we just have to add a dash of vampires and blood magic and we get Kekkai Sensen! This one is a personal favorite. It manages to capture every emotion that could be wrung from such a setting, from absolute despair to fear to hilarity, it’s an absolute thrill ride and one that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys crazy action and creepy monsters!
A wild ride!
21. Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo Ghoul Official English Trailer
A classic in the anime monster genre, Tokyo Ghoul follows the story of a newly half-monster boy struggling to find his place as a denizen of both the human and now the monster world. Aside from the main character’s own struggles to find his place in this new situation, there are a variety of interesting and twisted characters who add their own flavor of darkness to the series.
An anime about cannibalism!
20. Seraph of the End
Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign Season 1 Part 2 - PV (JPN)
A fun, if typical, shounen romp. Seraph of the End adds a little spice to its recipe with the inclusion of vampires for our heroes to take on. The series is unapologetically dark, depicting the brutality of an unrelenting army of monsters and death while also conveying an uplifting message of hope, friendship, and family.
Attack on Titan but with vampires!
19. Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni (When They Cry)
Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni OPENING [Creditless]
Following the story of a young boy having just moved to a new town, Higurashi may seem like your typical horror story. But a brief look beneath the surface reveals the twisting narrative, terrifying characters, and mysteries to be revealed as the stories (and characters) unravel due to what may be the influence of some kind of demon by the name of Oyashiro-sama.
A genuinely thrilling mystery!
18. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan - Opening Theme - Feuerroter Pfeil und Bogen
Attack on Titan is really an obvious choice for anyone looking to get into monster anime of any kind. The Lovecraftian scale and horror of the titans is perfect for anyone looking for some combination of a good scare and existential dread.
The most popular anime of 2013!
17. Deadman Wonderland
Deadman Wonderland - US Trailer [HD]
Not all monsters look like them. In Deadman Wonderland, we follow Ganta, a boy falsely accused of committing the heinous murder of his entire class. As he makes his way through the prison carnival known as Deadman Wonderland, Ganta discovers the hideous secrets hiding beneath the perceived cheeriness of the massively elaborate death trap.
The title describes the show really well.
16. Fate/Zero
Fate/Zero Trailer
Yet another dark urban fantasy, Fate/Zero follows master Kiritsugu Emiya in his quest to defeat the other six masters and win the fourth Holy Grail War. Along the way, the viewer will encounter horrifying murders, brutal fights, and lovable characters as we find ourselves wishing that more than one person could win a battle royale.
The darkest entry in the Fate series.
15. Bakemonogatari (Monster Tale)
Bakemonogatari Trailer
An almost monster of the week type story, Bakemonogatari follows the exploits of half-vampire Koyomi Araragi on his quest to help as many people deal with their supernatural problems as possible. Every monster encounter is creepier than the last, with explanations that grow more and more unsettling as more and more characters are added, each more lovable than the last. This is one that you most certainly won’t want to miss.
A surprisingly human monster story!
14. Garden of Sinners (Kara No Kyoukai)
Kara no Kyoukai - Opening Credits
Our first series of movies, the Garden of Sinners follows a small group of what are essentially demon hunters as they deal with evil spirits wreaking havoc on Japan, and how these three people have come into and forever changed each other's lives. Even with lovable characters and interesting stories, you’ll find yourself on-edge and always feeling as though something is not quite right in this horror series.
It’s much creepier than you would expect.
13. Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress - Official Trailer (2016) HD
An absolutely brutal and unflinching depiction of a hyped-up zombie apocalypse, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress brings a high-action, intense, unbelievably fun ride that simply oozes style, character, and fun. Make sure you bring your popcorn to this absolute banger of an anime!
The Walking Dead on steroids!
12. Re:Zero: Starting Life in Another World
Re:Zero (Official Trailer)
A surprisingly creepy isekai show with phenomenal visuals, voice acting, sound design, and everything needed to enhance a dark and creepy atmosphere, Re:Zero follows Subaru Natsuki, a neet from Japan who suddenly finds himself transported to another world. The set-up seems typical, but the show that unfolds is full of chilling characters, scenarios, and wonderfully emotional battles of wit between characters. I guarantee you won’t walk away from this show at zero.
A shockingly terrifying thrillride!
11. Sirius: The Jaeger
Sirius the Jaeger Trailer 2018
While Sirius the Jaeger may not be a horror anime, the ever-present vampires, which bare more than a passing resemblance to your typical werewolf, certainly give it the feel of one. As our protagonist fights his way through tougher and tougher vampires, making discoveries about his past and that of those he is fighting, any vampire-loving anime watcher will certainly be more than satisfied with the depiction of the monsters and the dark tone of this series.
A visually-stunning action spectacle!
10. Parasyte
Parasyte Anime Official Trailer
A series that truly fits its name, Parasyte is a show that will manage to twist the stomach of even the most strong-stomached gore-seekers. A show that will leave you squirming in discomfort, even long after the credits roll.
A modern twist on a classic manga!
9. Noragami
Noragami - Blu-ray/DVD Combo - COMING SOON! - Trailer
Fun, quirky, clever, and shockingly dark. Noragami will tug violently on your heartstrings and have you weeping at the same time as you’re hiding every set of eyes in your home out of fear.
A sweet story of people learning to love.
8. Soul Eater
Soul Eater Teaser Trailer
A wacky show full of lovable characters and crazed horror scenarios, Soul Eater will hook you in with its creative, lovable humor and keep you in with interesting plotlines, unique characters, and fun animation. Prepare to get hooked.
The main character is actually named Soul Eater.
7. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Puella Magi Madoka Magica Trailer
While you may go into this series expecting a cutesy, sweet magical girl show, don’t let the poster fool you. This show likes to trick you with cute and lovable characters and adorable relationships, but it’s really just waiting to pounce and show off its true colors.
It’s not what it seems.
6. Made in Abyss
Made in Abyss - Trailer
Similar to Madoka Magica, Made in Abyss is a series that enjoys lulling its viewers into a false sense of security with adorable child characters and gorgeous environments. Once again, don’t let it fool you. This series loves to indulge in the darkest possible interpretations of every one of its small details and will have you squirming by the time its 13-episode run comes to a close.
Don’t let this one fool you either!
5. The Case Study of Vanitas
The Case Study of Vanitas book trailer!
A series so new that it doesn’t even have an anime adaptation yet, but Vanitas has still managed to prove itself as a strong member of the vampire genre of anime in the short time that it has been running. With instantly lovable leads, a killer plot conceit, and absolutely ruthless portrayals of everything that is reality in its world, Vanitas is shaping up to be one of the greatest vampire series in the genre!
From the creator of Pandora Hearts!
4. Dororo (2019)
Dororo 2019 Official Trailer New HD
Adapted from an Osamu Tezuka work of the same name, the art style of the new Dororo adaptation serves to bring the already horrifying monster concepts of the original series to life in a whole new way to horrify a whole new audience. With a shockingly lovable protagonist and fantastic fight choreography, this show is already a strong contender for creepy anime of the year! Too bad it has some great competition already.
From the creator of Astro Boy!
3. School-Live! (Gakkougurashi!!)
School-Live! Complete Series - Official Trailer
Yet another anime that does its best to trick you into thinking it’s just another slice of life series, School-Live! manages to chill viewers to the bone with just a slight twist on the typical cutesy art style of others in its genre. Anyone who walks away from this series with a smile must have watched a different anime.
Bring some tissues.
2. Kizumonogatari (Wound Tale)
KIZUMONOGATARI (1 TEKKETSU) Trailer
Our second series of films, this series follows formerly human Bakemonogatari protagonist Koyomi Araragi as a freshly-turned vampire, struggling to find a way to become human once again. The strong visual style, impeccable animation, and insane voice acting all come together to make this a series for any fan of dark urban fantasy series, especially vampire fans.
From the author of Bakemonogatari!
1. The Promised Neverland
The Promised Neverland Trailer 1
At last, we arrive at our top pick. While this series may seem too recent to be placed at number one, it is by far the single best monster anime that I have seen in recent memory and more than deserves its place here.
Full to bursting with lovable characters, interesting and unexpected twists, dark turns, and insane imagery, The Promised Neverland is a series that will grab you and never let go. From the moment you know what’s going on, to the moment you turn the episode off, you will be on edge, anticipating, waiting, and the monsters themselves will seep right into your nightmares.
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