One of the strengths of anime is its ability to awaken emotions in the viewer. Over the years, fans have seen many series that evoke great joy, filling viewers with a newfound love for people and the world around them. There have also been anime that have tried the opposite, filling the viewer with terror and dread.

The history of anime is full of disturbing series that left an indelible mark on audiences. These are series that disturb the viewer just by mentioning their name, even years after they air. Sometimes these disturbing shows are traditional horror stories filled with monsters and mayhem. However, other genres often enter the picture, presenting moments and plots that will undoubtedly keep the viewer up at night.

ANOTHER

Based on the novel of the same name by Yukito Ayatsuji, “Another” was animated by PAWORKS. The series tells the story of Kouichi Sakakibara, a student who has just transferred to class 3-3 at Yomiyama North High School. Kouichi is fascinated by Mei Misaki, a quiet girl who is always ignored by the other students. She quickly discovers that she is ostracized due to a local legend that says a ghost enters class 3-3 every year and brings bad luck if recognized. As Kouichi begins to delve deeper into the mystery, his classmates and loved ones begin to die under mysterious circumstances, turning the mystery into a race against time.

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica

Gen Urobuchi is no stranger to subverting audience expectations, and nothing demonstrates this better than 2011's "Mahou Shoujo Madoka" Magica. The series follows Madoka Kaname, a high school student whose life is turned upside down when she meets a cat-like being named Kyubey. Kyubey offers Madoka any wish her heart desires, as long as she agrees to become a magical girl and participate in the war between magical girls and witches.

Higurashi: When They Cry

“Higurashi: When They Cry” is a 2006 anime series by Studio Deen based on the visual novel of the same name. The series follows Keiichi Maebara, a young man who has just moved to the small town of Hinamizawa. At first, Hinamizawa seems mundane, and Keiichi soon befriends his classmates Rena Ryuuguu, Shion Sonozaki, Mion Sonozaki, Satoko Houjou, and Rika Furude. Keiichi soon learns that the town’s upcoming festival has a dark history, and that the town has recently suffered a series of mysterious deaths and disappearances.

Texhnolyze

“Texhnolyze” was animated by Madhouse and first hit the big screen in 2003. The series follows Ichise, a young man living in the underground city of Lux. Ichise’s life changes when his arm and leg are severed after a fight. As he bleeds out, Ichise is rescued by Eriko Kaneda. Through a mysterious process, Erika gives Ichise a cybernetic arm and leg that function like his former limbs.

Shinsekai yori (From the New World)

Based on the novel by Yusuke Kishi, 2012’s “From the New World” follows Saki Watanabe, a girl living in the idyllic rural town of Kamisu 66. When she turns 12, Saki’s psychic powers develop, allowing her to join her friends at Sage Academy. But little do Saki and her friends realize that they are constantly being watched by the town government, which has no qualms about ostracizing students from society if they fail to live up to expectations. What’s more, when a student is expelled, the government erases everyone’s memory of them, essentially erasing them from existence.

Paranoia Agent

Directed by the legendary Satoshi Kon and animated by Madhouse, “Paranoia Agent” is set in the city of Musashino. The residents of this city live in fear of Lil’ Slugger, a young man on roller skates who beats up random people with a baseball bat. However, none of Lil’ Slugger’s victims remember much about the boy, making it difficult to locate him.

Monster

“Monster” is an adaptation of the manga of the same name by Naoki Urasawa. It follows Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a young neurosurgeon at the Eisler Memorial Hospital in Düsseldorf. Tenma’s life takes a strange turn when a series of violent murders occur in the city, all of which appear to have been committed by someone Tenma saved several years earlier. This puts Tenma in a difficult situation as he is forced to debate how to deal with the situation and make amends for having inadvertently released a monster into the world.

Serial Experiments Lain

Written by Chiaki J. Konaka and directed by Ryutarō Nakamura, the cult anime “Serial Experiments Lain” follows Lain Iwakura. Lain’s life is turned upside down when she receives a strange email from Chisa Yomoda, a student at her school who committed suicide a few weeks earlier. In her email, Chisa tells Lain that she is not dead. Instead, she has given up her physical body and become one with the Wired, the virtual reality mass communication network that connects the world’s computers. As Lain discovers the truth about her situation, she finds herself drawn into something bigger than she could have imagined, and the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds begin to blur.

Aku no Hana (Flowers of Evil)

“Flowers of Evil” follows Takao Kasuga, a high school student who loves poetry, especially Charles Baudelaire’s “The Flowers of Evil.” One day, while retrieving his copy of the book in class, Takao impulsively steals the gym clothes of Nanako Saeki, a classmate he idolizes. Takao immediately regrets his decision, but before he can make amends, a girl named Sawa Nakamura reveals that she saw the theft happen and threatens to expel Takeo if he doesn’t do as she says.

Happy Sugar Life

While the title might suggest that “Happy Sugar Life” is a fun and light-hearted anime, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Based on the manga written by Tomiyaki Kagisora, “Happy Sugar Life” follows Satou Matsuzaka, a girl who is known for having a new boyfriend every few days. When he meets a girl named Shio Koube, Satou instantly falls in love and becomes convinced that the girl is his true love. That’s why he vows to do whatever it takes to be with her forever. Because of this, Satou ends up doing horrible things to Shio and others in order to protect his “Happy Sugar Life.”

Animes Animes Animes Animes Animes Animes Animes Animes Animes