Supernatural horror anime dives into spooky worlds filled with ghosts, demons, spirits, and otherworldly forces that send shivers down your spine. These shows mix creepy vibes with awesome stories, making you jump and think at the same time. We’ve picked the top 10 supernatural horror anime based on their chilling supernatural themes, scary atmosphere, unforgettable characters, and cool animation. Get ready for some spooky fun!
10. Bleach (Series, 2004-2012, 366 episodes, Studio Pierrot)
Plot Summary: Ichigo Kurosaki, a teen who can see ghosts, becomes a Soul Reaper to fight evil spirits called Hollows. He protects the living world from supernatural threats while battling powerful enemies. The story mixes intense action with creepy ghost and demon encounters, keeping you hooked.
Main Characters: Ichigo is a tough, brave hero who cares about his friends. His allies, like Rukia, a Soul Reaper, and enemies, like monstrous Hollows, add spooky supernatural vibes.
Graphics & Art Style: The art is action-packed, with dark, eerie spirit worlds and creepy Hollow designs. The bright colors and fast fights make the supernatural horror pop.
Why It Made the List: Bleach is a top supernatural horror anime for its epic battles and spooky spirit lore. It’s super popular for its mix of action and creepy vibes, perfect for fans of ghost-filled fights.
9. Hell Girl (Jigoku Shoujo) (Series, 2005-2017, 90 episodes, Studio Deen)
Plot Summary: Ai Enma, a mysterious girl from hell, offers people a chance to send their enemies to eternal torment via a creepy website. But there’s a catch: those who use her service pay a dark price. Each episode tells a chilling tale of vengeance and supernatural horror.
Main Characters: Ai is a quiet, eerie girl with a haunting presence. Her ghostly helpers and the desperate people seeking her help add layers of creepy drama.
Graphics & Art Style: The art is dark and moody, with shadowy hellish scenes and glowing red eyes. The spooky visuals make every deal with Ai feel intense and scary.
Why It Made the List: Hell Girl is a top pick for its unique take on supernatural justice and eerie atmosphere. It’s loved for its creepy stories, great for fans of ghostly revenge tales.
8. Mushishi (Series, 2005-2014, 46 episodes, Artland)
Plot Summary: Ginko, a wanderer, studies Mushi, strange supernatural creatures that cause weird, spooky events. Each episode explores a new Mushi mystery, blending subtle horror with quiet, emotional stories about nature and the unknown.
Main Characters: Ginko is a calm, curious hero who feels connected to the Mushi. The people he meets, affected by Mushi, add heartfelt and creepy moments.
Graphics & Art Style: The art is beautiful and ethereal, with misty forests and glowing Mushi designs. The soft colors and dreamy style make the supernatural feel haunting yet peaceful.
Why It Made the List: Mushishi is a top supernatural horror anime for its subtle, creepy mysteries. It’s popular for its unique nature-based horror, perfect for fans of quiet, spooky stories.
7. Shiki (Series, 2010, 22 episodes, Daume)
Plot Summary: In a small village called Sotoba, mysterious deaths pile up after new people move into a creepy mansion. Villagers turn into vampires called “shiki,” and a doctor, Toshio, and teen, Natsuno, fight to stop them. The story dives into fear and human nature with a supernatural twist.
Main Characters: Toshio is a brave doctor, and Natsuno is a tough teen. The vampires, like Sunako, are creepy but complex, making you question who’s good or bad.
Graphics & Art Style: The art has a gothic, eerie vibe with misty forests and old houses. The pale vampires and glowing eyes create a spooky, suspenseful mood.
Why It Made the List: Shiki is a top supernatural horror anime for its creepy vampire story and tense atmosphere. It’s loved for its deep themes, great for fans of gothic horror.
6. Mononoke (Series, 2007, 12 episodes, Toei Animation)
Plot Summary: A mysterious Medicine Seller travels Japan, exorcising evil spirits called Mononoke, born from human emotions. Each arc is a creepy, psychological mystery where he uncovers the spirits’ dark origins to defeat them.
Main Characters: The Medicine Seller is a cool, enigmatic hero with a knack for solving spooky puzzles. The spirits and their victims add layers of creepy drama.
Graphics & Art Style: The art is unique, inspired by traditional Japanese paper art, with bold colors and weird patterns. The surreal, creepy visuals make every spirit encounter super eerie.
Why It Made the List: Mononoke is a top pick for its atmospheric supernatural horror and artsy style. It’s a fan favorite for its psychological depth, perfect for lovers of creepy folklore.
5. Parasyte: The Maxim (Series, 2014-2015, 24 episodes, Madhouse)
Plot Summary: Alien parasites take over human bodies, turning them into monsters. Shinichi, a teen, gets infected but keeps his mind, teaming up with his parasite, Migi, to fight others. The story mixes gruesome horror with supernatural battles and deep questions about humanity.
Main Characters: Shinichi is a brave, conflicted hero, and Migi, his parasite hand, is both creepy and funny. The other parasites are terrifying, adding intense horror.
Graphics & Art Style: The art is detailed, with gross, creepy parasite designs and bloody fights. The dark city settings and monster transformations create a chilling vibe.
Why It Made the List: Parasyte is a top supernatural horror anime for its mix of action, horror, and deep themes. It’s super popular for its scary monsters, great for fans of intense supernatural stories.
4. Yami Shibai (Series, 2013-present, 100+ episodes, ILCA)
Plot Summary: This anthology series tells short Japanese ghost stories, narrated by a creepy storyteller using a paper theater. Each episode is a new, spooky tale about ghosts, spirits, or curses, rooted in Japanese folklore.
Main Characters: The storyteller is a mysterious, eerie figure, and each story has different characters, from scared kids to haunted adults, making every tale creepy.
Graphics & Art Style: The art mimics traditional kamishibai (paper theater), with simple, creepy drawings and dark colors. The style feels old-school but super spooky.
Why It Made the List: Yami Shibai is a top pick for its short, chilling ghost stories and cultural vibe. It’s loved for its authentic folklore horror, perfect for fans of quick, spooky tales.
3. Higurashi When They Cry (Series, 2006-2021, 50+ episodes, Studio Deen)
Plot Summary: In the quiet village of Hinamizawa, Keiichi uncovers a creepy cycle of murders tied to a festival and supernatural forces. The story repeats in different ways, with paranoia and horror building as dark secrets unravel.
Main Characters: Keiichi is a curious, brave teen, and his friends, like Rena, can be sweet or terrifying. The supernatural curse adds a creepy, mysterious layer.
Graphics & Art Style: The art contrasts cute character designs with bloody, violent scenes. The bright village and dark horror moments create a chilling, suspenseful vibe.
Why It Made the List: Higurashi is a top supernatural horror anime for its intense psychological tension and creepy curse. It’s super popular for its wild twists, great for fans of mind-bending horror.
2. Tokyo Ghoul (Series, 2014-2018, 48 episodes, Studio Pierrot)
Plot Summary: Ken Kaneki becomes a half-ghoul after a deadly accident, forced to live among flesh-eating ghouls while hiding from humans. The story explores his struggle with identity and survival, packed with supernatural horror and gory battles.
Main Characters: Kaneki is a shy kid turned conflicted hero. Touka, a tough ghoul, and creepy villains like Jason add intense supernatural drama.
Graphics & Art Style: The art is gruesome yet stylish, with dark city streets and bloody ghoul fights. The creepy ghoul designs and tense atmosphere amplify the horror.
Why It Made the List: Tokyo Ghoul is a top supernatural horror anime for its deep themes and scary transformation story. It’s a fan favorite for its emotional horror, perfect for fans of dark supernatural tales.
1. Another (Series, 2012, 12 episodes, P.A. Works)
Plot Summary: Kouichi Sakakibara joins Class 3-3, where a supernatural curse causes students to die in horrible ways each month. He and his friend Mei try to uncover the curse’s secrets to stop it, facing creepy mysteries and ghostly horrors.
Main Characters: Kouichi is a brave, curious teen, and Mei is a quiet, mysterious girl tied to the curse. The scared classmates add tension and spooky vibes.
Graphics & Art Style: The art is dark and moody, with creepy classrooms and shocking death scenes. The suspenseful designs and eerie colors make every moment chilling.
Why It Made the List: Another is the top supernatural horror anime for its intense curse story and gripping mystery. It’s super popular for its spooky atmosphere, the ultimate pick for fans of ghostly horror.
Conclusion
Supernatural horror anime is awesome because it brings ghosts, demons, and creepy forces to life with thrilling stories and cool vibes. From Another’s chilling curse to Tokyo Ghoul’s gory ghouls, these shows mix spooky scares with deep emotions. Love mysteries? Try Higurashi or Mononoke. Want gore? Parasyte and Shiki deliver. For folklore fans, Yami Shibai and Mushishi are perfect. If you like action, check out Bleach. These anime offer something for every horror fan. Dive into more supernatural chills at Shinime for the latest anime news and reviews!