Horror is the scariest [Supernatural Anime] Must-watch thrillers for those who want to chill their nerves! Summary of Horror Anime (Complete Preservation Edition)

In the summer, people tend to try out things that test their mental limits, like tests of courage or telling ghost stories. Whether ghosts exist or not is a controversy that may never be resolved, but did you know that even anime often features thrilling scenarios? This time, we’ll share some “Horror-themed anime” for all the supernatural fans.

Broadcast in the Reiwa era!

To start, here are some anime broadcasts during the Reiwa era that seemed like they didn’t get much public opinion. Kaya-chan’s depiction of a kindergarten girl who can see ghosts and gets scolded by her kindergarten teacher for everything gives off a rare Heisei vibe for the Reiwa era, so let’s introduce her!

Manga serialization: Ongoing since April 1, 2022

Kaya-chan Isn’t Scary

Kaya-chan, who attends Hanamigi Kindergarten, possesses very strong spiritual abilities. She fights off “ghosts” sneaking up on friends and family without anyone knowing, but her behavior is misunderstood and she’s treated as a problem child. However, when her homeroom teacher, Chie-sensei, discovers her secret, Kaya-chan’s kindergarten life begins to change–.

Kaya-chan throws her punches again today against the eerie and vicious monsters that appear one after another!

Official website: https://kayachan.com

Anime themed around ghost stories

Hell Girl

“Shall we try dying once–?” “If you curse someone, you dig two graves. I will avenge your unresolved grudges–“

From the darkness lurking in daily life, the feelings of various people–hatred, jealousy, and more, draw the girl to them. The straw doll is the key, and every needle is a short story, making it easy to follow. One of the attractions is the character’s Japanese doll-like appearance.

Official website: https://www.jigokushoujo.com

Thriller Restaurant

“Thriller Restaurant” is “scary but fun!” A school horror anime that delivers a collection of horror stories. Although aimed at children, it’s a full-fledged ghost story anime, structured as simple short stories with many of them being truly “creepy.”

Official website: https://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/kaidan_restaurant

Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror

Three masterpieces of Edo horror literature: Tsuruya Nanboku’s “Yotsuya Kaidan,” Meiji-era literacy master Izumi Kyoka’s fantasy “Tenshu Monogatari,” and the classic Japanese horror story “Bakeneko.”

Official website: https://lineup.toei-anim.co.jp/ja/tv/ayakashi

Theater of Darkness: Yamishibai

A new horror short anime full of Showa-era flavor, featuring a digital expression of “kamishibai,” which has become scarce in modern times, themed around bizarre urban legends that happen around us.

Official website: https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/yamishibai

Anime themed around urban legends, spiritual phenomena, and the supernatural

There are various types of ghost stories, but here are some anime titles themed around urban legends, the supernatural, and the universally loved theme of “spirits.” From anime available on online streaming services to anime with as niche as possible atmosphere, making them seem like they can only be rented.

Mononoke

When an uncontrollable “passion” arises from “something”, or “Ayakashi” mixes with “Ayakashi”, it becomes “Mononoke”. When the “strange phenomena”, caused by the Mononoke, attack people, a mysterious man called the “medicine seller,” suddenly appears. Armed with the “Exorcist Sword” that can slash and exorcise Mononoke, he stands alone in the way of the raging Mononokai.

Official website: https://www.mononoke-15th.com

Dandadan

Momo Ayase, a high school girl born into a family of spirit mediums, and her classmate and occult enthusiast Ken Takakura (nicknamed Okarun), start talking to each other after Momo helps Okarun from a class bully. However, the two argue with each other since Momo firmly believes in ghosts but denies aliens, and Okarun firmly believes in aliens but denies ghosts.

To make each of them believe in both ghosts and aliens, Momo goes to a ruined hospital site that’s considered a UFO spot, and Okarun goes to an abandoned tunnel believed to be haunted. At each site, they both encounter overwhelming supernatural phenomena beyond their understanding. Momo then awakens her hidden power in a desperate situation, and Okarun obtains the power of curses, with each of them challenging even more approaching supernatural phenomena! A fateful occult battle, youth story, and romance begins!

Official website: https://anime-dandadan.com

Mysterious Disappearances

Being unable to see the “!” sign was proof that there was a “supernatural phenomenon” there. Sumireko Ogawa, a bookstore clerk in a certain town and an aspiring writer, is once again enjoying a pointless conversation with her colleague Ren Adashino. However, Ren had a secret that Sumireko didn’t know. Some the ghost stories, urban legends, and modern supernatural phenomena people talk about actually exist.

One day, the book “Reverse Shoplifting” suddenly appears in a bookstore, prompting the two to confront a series of mysterious incidents that occur in the city. This is a story of modest friendship and farewell between an odd couple who challenge mysteries that pervade modern society.

Official website: https://totokami.com

The Summer Hikaru Died

In a certain village, Yoshiki and Hikaru, share the same age and have grown up together since childhood. The sun blazes down and the sound of cicadae ring in their ears as they eat ice cream on the way home. A summer day where they laugh together over trivial things, as usual.

“…You really aren’t Hikaru, are you?”

Half a year ago, Hikaru went missing in the mountains, but a week later, he suddenly returned. Both voice and body appeared as Hikaru. However, what writhed within him was–

“If Hikaru is gone, then–“

Yoshiki continues his daily life with “Hikaru?” who appears to be friendly, but at the same time, a bizarre incident begins to strike the village. The curtain rises on a youth horror story falling into the unknown “Hikaru–“

Official website: https://hikanatsu-anime.com

Dark Gathering

Keitarou Gentouga, a spirit medium, once suffered from a spiritual disturbance and became a shut-in after involving a friend. While starting as a tutor to reintegrate into society, he meets a girl named Yayoi Houzuki, who has mysterious eyes. After her mother was taken away by an evil spirit, Yayoi searched for clues and visited haunted spots. Although Yayoi is a strong spiritual medium, she’s avoided by spirits and therefore needs Keitarou’s attraction ability. Meanwhile, Keitaro decides to gain the power to deal with spiritual mediums to break the curse upon himself and those he cares about, so the form a cooperative relationship. The craziest new sensation of occult horror begins here!

Official website: https://darkgathering.jp

Mieruko-chan

When you see something that you shouldn’t see, what would you do…? If something like that came towards you and spoke to you, what would you do…? Run away at lightning speed? Learn some suspicious techniques, or rely on a spirit medium?

The actions decided by high school girl Miko Yotsuya–are to completely ignore it! Nothing can be seen and no one else notices! This is a story about a high school girl who uses her steel mentality and sleuthing skills to avoid bizarre and dangerous looking “specters…” You can’t see them, but they’re right next to you, just look…

Official website: https://mierukochan.jp

In/Spectre

Supernatural × Mystery × Romance = In/Spectre

The protagonist, Kotoko Iwanaga, who was mystically hidden as a child and, in exchange for an eye and a leg, became the god of wisdom among the “supernatural” and “yokai.” Also, Kuro Sakuragawa became a non-human as a child after eating the flesh of the “yokai” and the “siren,” gaining an immortal body and the power to grasp the future. An unpredictable story in which two people confront mysterious cases begins.

Official website: https://kyokousuiri.jp

Occultic; Nine

The story centers on Yuuta Gamon, a high school boy who gathers information about the occult on an online blog. He encounters people involved in many various occult phenomena and incidents, gradually uncovering the truth behind them. The story unfolds through numerous mysteries, including mysterious disappearances, spiritual beings, and parallel worlds, with each story revealed from the characters’ perspectives. The story features detailed and thrilling development as the fates of occult believers and skeptics intertwine.

Official website: http://www.occultic-nine.com

A classic work that gives you chills

The series by Junji Itou, who is popular not only in Japan but also globally, is being adapted into anime one after another.

Junji Itou: “Collection”

Official website: https://www.itojunji-anime.com

Junji Itou: “Maniac”

Junji Itou is a genius who has led the Japanese horror manga scene. From its original worldview and captivating characters depicted with overwhelming artistic skill, 20 carefully selected titles are adapted into anime. Popular titles such as “Tomie,” “Souichi,” and “Hanging Balloon” are featured, making it an ambitious work that lets you fully immerse yourself in Itou’s niche charm.

Official website: https://ji-anime.com