whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Drama

The best gore drama anime you can start from the beginning

30 anime that are both drama and gore, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Vinland Saga, Made in Abyss, Kenpuu Denki Berserk.

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The list

1. 1 Vinland Saga TV · 2019 · 24 episodes · Wit Studio · #45 on MyAnimeList 97% would recommend
2. 2 Made in Abyss TV · 2017 · 13 episodes · Kinema Citrus · #102 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
3. 3 Kenpuu Denki Berserk Berserk TV · 1997 · 25 episodes · OLM · #110 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
4. 4 Shingeki no Kyojin Attack on Titan TV · 2013 · 25 episodes · Wit Studio · #126 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
5. 5 Berserk: Ougon Jidai-hen - Memorial Edition Berserk: The Golden Age Arc - Memorial Edition TV · 2022 · 13 episodes · Studio 4°C · #876 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
6. 6 Gungrave TV · 2003 · 26 episodes · Madhouse · #1122 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
7. 7 Berserk: Ougon Jidai-hen I - Haou no Tamago Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the King Film · 2012 · Studio 4°C · #1413 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
8. 8 Inuyashiki Inuyashiki: Last Hero TV · 2017 · 11 episodes · MAPPA · #1709 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
9. 9 Blood+ TV · 2005 · 50 episodes · Production I.G · #1769 on MyAnimeList 78% would recommend
10. 10 Basilisk: Kouga Ninpou Chou Basilisk TV · 2005 · 24 episodes · Gonzo · #2054 on MyAnimeList 78% would recommend
11. 11 Elfen Lied TV · 2004 · 13 episodes · Arms · #2394 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
12. 12 Mugen no Juunin: Immortal Blade of the Immortal ONA · 2019 · 24 episodes · LIDENFILMS · #2409 on MyAnimeList 77% would recommend
13. 13 Gantz:O Film · 2016 · Digital Frontier · #2582 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
14. 14 Shigurui Shigurui: Death Frenzy TV · 2007 · 12 episodes · Madhouse · #2840 on MyAnimeList 74% would recommend
15. 15 Dogs: Bullets & Carnage OVA · 2009 · 4 episodes · David Production · #3300 on MyAnimeList 74% would recommend
16. 16 Hokuto no Ken Movie Fist of the North Star: The Movie Film · 1986 · Toei Animation · #3624 on MyAnimeList 73% would recommend
17. 17 Blue Gender TV · 1999 · 26 episodes · AIC · #4711 on MyAnimeList 67% would recommend
18. 18 Gantz TV · 2004 · 13 episodes · Gonzo · #5000 on MyAnimeList 66% would recommend
19. 19 Kurozuka TV · 2008 · 12 episodes · Madhouse · #5643 on MyAnimeList 63% would recommend
20. 20 Gokukoku no Brynhildr Brynhildr in the Darkness TV · 2014 · 13 episodes · Arms · #5730 on MyAnimeList 63% would recommend
21. 21 Mugen no Juunin Blade of the Immortal TV · 2008 · 13 episodes · Bee Train · #5746 on MyAnimeList 62% would recommend
22. 22 Shuumatsu no Walküre Record of Ragnarok ONA · 2021 · 12 episodes · Graphinica · #5761 on MyAnimeList 63% would recommend
23. 23 Zetman TV · 2012 · 13 episodes · TMS Entertainment · #5835 on MyAnimeList 62% would recommend
24. 24 Hokuto no Ken: Fist of the North Star TV · 2026 · 14 episodes · TMS Entertainment · #5991 on MyAnimeList 58% would recommend
25. 25 Cossette no Shouzou Le Portrait de Petit Cossette OVA · 2004 · 3 episodes · Daume · #6037 on MyAnimeList 60% would recommend

Why this is not a MyAnimeList search. Every entry here is one you can start from the beginning. Anything with a prequel or a parent story is left out, as are recaps and compilation editions — about half of what MyAnimeList ranks. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.