whatanimeshouldiwatchnext

The best horror anime you can start from the beginning

25 horror anime ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Kenpuu Denki Berserk, Perfect Blue, Hellsing Ultimate.

Recommend me one horror anime

Narrow it down: Supernatural 81 · Action 63 · Gore 53 · Mystery 49 · Psychological 41 · Suspense 38 · Drama 37 · Sci-Fi 32 · Adventure 26 · Mythology 26 · Comedy 25

The list

1. 1 Kenpuu Denki Berserk Berserk TV · 1997 · 25 episodes · OLM · #110 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
2. 2 Perfect Blue Film · 1998 · Madhouse · #136 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
3. 3 Hellsing Ultimate OVA · 2006 · 10 episodes · Madhouse · #291 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
4. 4 Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu Parasyte: The Maxim TV · 2014 · 24 episodes · Madhouse · #308 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
5. 5 Shinsekai yori From the New World TV · 2012 · 25 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #410 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
6. 6 Akira Film · 1988 · Tokyo Movie Shinsha · #510 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
7. 7 Dorohedoro TV · 2020 · 12 episodes · MAPPA · #665 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
8. 8 Mononoke Movie 1: Karakasa Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain Film · 2024 · EOTA · #712 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
9. 9 Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu The Summer Hikaru Died TV · 2025 · 12 episodes · CygamesPictures · #728 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
10. 10 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
11. 11 Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Higurashi: When They Cry TV · 2006 · 26 episodes · Studio Deen · #1001 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
12. 12 Dark Gathering TV · 2023 · 25 episodes · OLM · #1063 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
13. 13 Tasogare Otome x Amnesia Dusk Maiden of Amnesia TV · 2012 · 12 episodes · SILVER LINK. · #1157 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
14. 14 Change!! Getter Robo: Sekai Saigo no Hi Getter Robo: Armageddon OVA · 1998 · 13 episodes · Brain's Base · #1189 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
15. 15 Tokyo Ghoul TV · 2014 · 12 episodes · Studio Pierrot · #1206 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
16. 16 JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Phantom Blood JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood Film · 2007 · APPP · #1278 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
17. 17 Gakkou no Kaidan Ghost Stories TV · 2000 · 19 episodes · Studio Pierrot · #1304 on MyAnimeList 80% would recommend
18. 18 Devilman: Crybaby ONA · 2018 · 10 episodes · Science SARU · #1329 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
19. 19 Ghost Hunt TV · 2006 · 25 episodes · J.C.Staff · #1332 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
20. 20 Memories Film · 1995 · Madhouse · #1371 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
21. 21 Shiki TV · 2010 · 22 episodes · Daume · #1402 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
22. 22 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
23. 23 Gakkougurashi! School-Live! TV · 2015 · 12 episodes · Lerche · #1736 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
24. 24 Juubee Ninpuuchou Ninja Scroll Film · 1993 · animate Film · #1741 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
25. 25 Blood+ TV · 2005 · 50 episodes · Production I.G · #1769 on MyAnimeList 78% would recommend

Why this is not MyAnimeList's horror ranking. 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 — so there are no second seasons or side stories to work backwards from. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.