Top 30 Best Gory Anime [2024]

If you can handle the blood and guts, then this is the list for you. If not, then it’s time to unleash your dark side!

From old school to new school—all these anime shows have skull-crushing, broken bones, bloodshed, and highly violent deaths if any of the characters are lucky.

Be in awe or disgust at the beautiful animation of blood, losing limbs, and all internal organs.

Best Gory Anime

30. Attack on Titan (Shingeki No Kyojin)

The action/horror anime series Attack on Titan is definitely not for the faint of heart.

It’s gory, bloody, and often brutal, with scenes of gruesome violence that will leave you feeling disturbed long after you’ve finished watching.

But there’s something strangely compelling about its depiction of a world overrun by Titans, giant human-like creatures who seem intent on devouring every last human.

The ragtag group of what’s left of humanity who band together to fight back are equally fascinating, and the show’s mix of action, suspense, and dark humor is unlike anything else in recent years.

Shingeki no Kyojin is one of the most mainstream examples of masterful gore in anime.

29. Mirai Nikki

Mirai Nikki is one of the most unique mixes of gore, romance, and high school students we have ever seen.

It’s not afraid to show blood and guts, and it does so in a way that’s both alluring and weird.

The manga is even more graphic, with scenes of characters being disemboweled and decapitated.

The title Mirai Nikki can be translated to “Future Diary,” and that’s exactly what the story revolves around.

The diary in question contains predictions of the future, and it’s up to the owner of the diary to prevent their own death.

If you’re looking for something different, Mirai Nikki is definitely worth checking out. Just be warned: it’s not for the squeamish.

28. Claymore

Claymore is a good dark fantasy. It’s gory, it’s bloody, and it’s violent.

It’s a story about monsters, about humans who become monsters, and about the humans who hunt them.

It’s dark and gritty, and it doesn’t hesitate to show the ugly side of human nature. Claymore is unique, bizarre, and compelling. It’s not like typical anime.

This show is for anime fans who are in the market for something less hyped, something underrated, something that will make you think; you should definitely check out Claymore.

27. Berserk

Berserk is a dark and gory anime series that often gets overshadowed by other, more popular shows.

However, Berserk is one of the best examples of the genre, and its graphic and bloody scenes are some of the most well-done in all of anime.

The story follows Guts, a former mercenary. He joins forces with Griffith, the leader of a group of mercenaries known as the Band of the Hawk.

Berserk is an incredibly violent series, with scenes of dismemberment and brutality.

However, it also has a lot of heart, and the characters are more complex and well-developed than you’d expect.

Although it is not as popular as some other anime series, Berserk has a devoted following of fans who appreciate its take on the genre.

26. Danganronpa

Danganronpa is an anime series and visual novel video game series that follows the students of Hope’s Peak Academy as they are forced to kill each other and solve mysteries.

The series is known for its dark humor and twist endings, which keep viewers hooked until the very end.

While the series may not be everyone’s cup of tea, those who enjoy gory, dark thrillers are sure to love Danganronpa.

Its plethora of over-the-top character designs and classic anime tropes gives this series a special place in fans’ hearts.

25. Murder Princess

Murder Princess is a quirky tale of love and loss set in a war-torn world of assassins and royalty. Those are no wooden swords she’s swinging!

Alita, the titular character and princess, is a skilled killer who suffers the loss of her father, the king.

As the story progresses, the forlorn but feisty maiden must contend with conspiracies, betrayal, and bloody battles. Along the way, Alita learns more about herself and her abilities.

Fans of classic fantasy settings and easily understood plots would enjoy this lesser-known piece of media.

24. Deadman Wonderland

Deadman Wonderland follows Ganta Igarashi, a middle school student who is framed for the senseless killing of his entire class.

Ganta is sent to Deadman Wonderland, a prison where the inmates are forced to perform dangerous games for the entertainment of the shadowy elite.

As he struggles to survive in this nightmarish place, Ganta must find a way to escape from Deadman Wonderland before it destroys him and his newfound companion. (We won’t retell everything!)

Deadman Wonderland is a dark and thrilling manga and anime series from 2011 that will keep fans hooked from beginning to end.

The characters are intriguing, and the plot is full of twists and turns.

23. Killing Bites

The Killing Bites series follows the story of NomotoYuuya, a student who is dragged into a secret underground fighting tournament where competitors battle using genetically-modified animals.

These aren’t your run-of-the-mill beasts, though; they’re human-animal hybrids, which gives them superhuman strength and abilities.

The execution is well done, and the result is an action-packed and thought-provoking show.

22. Ninja Scroll

Set in medieval Japan, this film follows the adventures of JubeiKibagami, a wandering swordsman who possesses mind-boggling strength and agility.

Jubei becomes entangled in a conflict that leads him to fight his own clansman.

The series is noted for its highly detailed and action-packed fight scenes, which often involve Jubei using his superhuman abilities to defeat his enemies… or friends.

Ninja Scroll has action, political intrigue, and attempts at heart-wrenching emotion.

While Ninja Scroll’s plot won’t be winning any awards, it’s a thoroughly entertaining, gory watch.

21. Riddle Story of Devil

You probably haven’t heard of this wildcard pick!

The Riddle Story of Devil anime series who’s story follows a group of thirteen girls who are enrolled in an elite school.

Sounds pretty standard until you realize that 12 of the girls are assassins. Their target? The thirteenth student.

Riddle Story of Devil is dark and suspenseful and will keep you guessing until the very end.

With head-scratchers, thrills, and moments that will make you go ‘huh,’ this anime series is a good time.

20. Angels of Death

Angels of Death is a show based on the same-named video game ‘Angels of Death.’

Rachel, a young girl, wakes up in an abandoned building with total amnesia, a familiar setup for a quality horror tale.

She soon meets a killer named Isaac; the pairform an unlikely alliance as they attempt to navigate their way out of the deadly labyrinth.

Along the way, they will face dangerous obstacles and horrifying enemies, all while trying to uncover the secrets of their situation and Rachel’s lost memories.

19. Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress

The Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress anime series is set in a steampunk world that is being overrun by zombie-like creatures known as kabane.

The series follows a group of survivors and their efforts to find a way to survive and escape the kabane while figuring out ways to solve or at least deal with the creation of more kabane.

Kabaneri, human-kabane hybrids, take center stage when the main character becomes one, and we begin to encounter more of the dangerous medical marvels.

The series has been praised for its unique setting, interesting characters, and action-packed story.

It has also been praised for its use of traditional Japanese themes and elements, which help to set it apart from other anime series.

Among the best gory anime, this one has one of the most stellar plots, even among anime of any genre.

18. Parasyte the Maxim

Parasyte was originally a horror manga series that first appeared in Morning Open Zokun magazine in 1988. Since then, this body horror thriller manga was adapted into an anime series from 2014 to 2015.

Parasyte the Maxim follows 17-year-old Shinichi Izumi, who has the unfortunate experience of having an alien parasite embedded itself in his arm during the night.

With this new creature, Migi, Shinichi sets out to put an end to this alien parasite invasion.

This anime covers philosophical and psychological topics while being incredibly unnerving with gore and body manipulation.

17. Goblin Slayer

Goblin Slayer has its share of controversy in the anime community due to several graphic moments right from the first episode.

This anime was adapted from multiple light novels and manga series and began airing in 2018 to today.

Goblin Slayer is a dark fantasy with a multitude of gory scenes as the story follows a 20-year-old adventurer and the 15-year-old Priestess he rescues in the first episode.

Along the way, they met multiple new characters, all with different backgrounds and abilities as adventurers. If you’re looking for a brutal fantasy that shows the gruesome side of battle, then Goblin Slayer might be a good choice for you.

16. Higurashi When They Cry

Adapted from the well-known visual novel series, Higurashi When They Cry is a murder mystery and psychological horror anime.

The games were first released from 2002 to 2014 and have since become available on multiple consoles and devices.

The anime, while not an exact adaptation, is very well done on its own. Each character has their own arc in the anime, as in the game, and maintains the interesting mystery of the original source material.

Higurashi When They Cry takes some time to build speed, but once it does, you’re strapped in for the ride. However, this is an older horror anime that you should only watch if you can stomach the brutality.

15. Genocyber

A short series that was made to be full of nothing but gore. World peace seems unreachable with the rise of the Kuryu Group.

They have found a psychic cybernetic mecha weapon that will win them power over the Earth: Genocyber.

Many people and corporations want this vicious weapon, but can a human really control it? Will the future of the world ever be peaceful or forever be covered in bloodshed?

14. Blood-c

In her small town, Saya Kisaragi lives a secret double life. By day she’s an innocent high schooler who works as a shrine maiden. By night, she fights monsters with her father’s sword in hand to protect her people.

Saya’s world and what she thought she knew begins to crumble when the monsters talk about a broken truce and, despite how desperate she fights, she continues to lose the people she loves.

Saya has to uncover the truth of the town and even herself to save her last remaining friends.

13. Corpse Party: Tortured Souls

Nine high school students meet up at their school at night to perform a ritual. Promising to be friends forever, they all grab a piece of paper in the shape of a doll. However, the ritual goes wrong.

All nine of them get cursed and trapped in an elementary school where a string of gruesome murders happened: Heavenly Host Academy.

Haunted by vengeful spirits, the students have to work together to escape or become stuck forever as one of the ruthless ghosts.

12. Highschool of the Dead

17-year-old Takashi Kimuro and his classmates get thrown into the zombie apocalypse in the middle of class.

With his childhood friend Rei Miyamoto by his side, the two vow to protect each other and fight their way through the zombies and society crumbling around them.

Takashi and Rei soon find themselves teamed up with survivors from their school that consists of a politician’s daughter, a nerd whose badass with a gun, president of the Kendo Club, and the school nurse. Can this oddball team survive the zombie apocalypse?

11. Shigurui: Death Frenzy

During the Edo Era, Lord Tokugawa Tadanaga held swordsman tournaments with wooden swords. This year, everyone will be using real swords. Needless to say, blood will be spilled.

Two of Japan’s greatest swordsmen will fight to be champion: blind Irako Seigen and one-armed Fujiki Gennosuke.

Both want to become the successor of their school and the winner of the tournament. There can only be one, but how many deaths will follow?

10. Another

15-year-old Kouichi Sakakibara transfers to Yomiyama North Middle School, Class 3-3.

Kouichi doesn’t mind the classmates or the teachers, but the one abnormality is his classmate Mei Misaki wearing an eyepatch. But that’s not what’s weird about her, it’s how everyone in class treats her like she doesn’t exist.

When Kouichi tries to get close to her, she warns him to stay away. But it’s already too late. Kouichi has started the curse of Class 3-3, a curse that has haunted the school since 1972.

Setting off a chain of tragic and gruesome deaths, the curse will claim Class 3-3 until they’re all dead.

9. Elfen Lied

“Diclonius” are mutated species of humans with horns and telekinetic abilities. Lucy is one of them and faces cruel experimentation. With her powers, she slaughters her captors and is able to escape.

Lucy is found by college student Kouta and his cousin Yuka, who is unaware of her murderous past.

Kouta and Yuka find themselves at the mercy of the shadow world of the government and other Diclonius who are after Lucy and will do or kill anyone to get her back.

8. Shiki

Megumi Shimizu always dreamed of living in the big city—instead, she’s dead. Her death will set a series of strange deaths in motion that paints her small quiet town of Sotoba red with blood.

32-year-old doctor Toshio Ozaki plans to investigate the deaths and ends up working with 16-year-old Natsuno Yuuki, a cold and intelligent guy who wants to know what happened to his friend Megumi.

The two learn that Sotoba is being killed off by supernatural presences—vampires!

7. Tokyo Ghoul

College student Ken Kaneki has always been a shy yet gentle and optimistic guy who always has his nose buried in a book.

By chance, Ken meets the beautiful and bookworm Rize Kamishiro and somehow gets a date with her. The date goes south quickly when she tries to eat him.

It turns out, Rize is a ghoul who would like to munch on his human flesh. Instead, Ken and Rize get seriously injures, which results in her death and Ken being saved by transplanting her organs.

This turns Ken into a half-human, half-ghoul and becomes trapped between the human world and the secret world of ghouls and fighting his new ghoul instincts to consume human flesh.

6. Devilman: Crybaby

Weak, sensitive, and cowardly, Akira Fudo has always been a crybaby but is pure-hearted and will do anything to help a friend—even merge with the devil!

His childhood friend Ryou Asuka brings Akira to do hunt devils. They get caught up in a party of demons that could turn him into a horrific monster.

Akira combines with the devil Amon and becomes a Devilman.

Akira now possesses the power of a devil but still holds on to his gentle heart. He begins to work together with Ryou to protect humanity against demons and monsters.

5. Dororo

Twelve demons grant a greedy samurai lord his request to save his dying land, but at a horrible price: his son.

When his first son, Hyakkimaru, is born, the demons take his eyes, ears, nose, skin, and limbs. The only thing left is his soul that keeps the son alive.

Hyakkimaru grows up to become a wandering samurai to track down and defeat the demons that took from him.

But even if he reclaims his body, he has no one—until Hyakkimaru finds an orphan boy named Dororo. Together the two find a reason to live in a world of humanity and demons.

4. Re:Zero ~Staring Life in Another World~

Subaru Natsuki is a shut-in otaku, so, of course, the one time he goes outside to the convenience store, he gets magically transported to a fantasy world.

It’s there that Subaru meets a half-elf girl with silver hair and falls madly in love—then they’re both viciously murdered.

Dying helps Subaru learn that he can “Return by Death” to a specific point in time every time he dies.

With that ability, Subaru tracks down the elf girl again and plans to help her become the new ruler and uncover the truth of his ability and why he came to this world.

3. Hellsing Ultimate

Hellsing fights against supernatural creatures like demons, ghouls, and vampires that attack in the night and devour humans.

Integra is the leader of Hellsing and has sacrificed her whole life to fight against these monsters.

Integra’s strongest weapon is Alucard, a vampire who fights against his own. Alucard fights against those who want to destroy Hellsing—both monsters and humans.

With a new vampire by his side, at least he doesn’t have to kill and shed blood alone.

2. Made in Abyss

The curious, adventurous, and brave explorers all have a calling to search the Abyss.

It’s a giant gape in the ground that is believed to pierce the deepest depth of the earth and hold limitless relics, creatures, and mysteries.

It’s in the Abyss that orphan girl Riko finds Reg, a mysterious robot boy with no memories but an unknown connection to her mother who has never come back up from the Abyss.

When Riko discovers a note from her mother for her to come and join her, Riko and Reg leave the orphanage and venture down into the deepest parts of the Abyss and uncover its greatest truths and darkest secrets.

1. Jujutsu Kaisen

15-year-old Yuji Itadori didn’t think much when he gave his friends from the Occult Club a cursed item, but activating the item opens Yuji’s to the world of Curses—deadly beings that are born from humans’ malice and hatred.

To save his friends, Yuji has to fight fire with fire: curse with curse! He eats the cursed item—a finger from the “King of Curses” Sukuna Ryoumen.

With the most powerful demon inside of him, Yuji is taken in by the Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu Technical High School, where Yuji learns how to fight curses as a Jujutsu sorcerer.