When the man-devouring creatures known as Aragami emerged, humanity was thrust into a fight for survival. Normal weaponry didn’t seem to have any effect on the monsters, so a special organization called Fenrir was formed. This particular combat group is important because of the weapons they wield. The weapons are dubbed “God Eaters,” and can only be used by those humans infused with Oracle cells. Lenka Utsugi counts himself among the God Eaters, though his “God Arc” takes form as both gun and blade. Lenka desires the end of all Aragami, and he fights as hard as he can to see humanity’s future burn brighter.

God Eater is reminiscent of other dark fantasy anime, especially given its apocalyptic setting. As is common in Ufotable series, the animation is great, though the CGI effects can be a bit jarring for some moments. The plot is also entertaining, bringing good action and some deeper conversations to its rather short stint. Unfortunately, this anime was brought down in popularity due to drastic delays during airing. God Eater is a good example of dark fantasy overall, but it is certainly not the most unique option on our list.

Another dark fantasy anime for our list is the newest installment from the Fate series, Fate/Apocrypha. In this war for the Holy Grail, only two parties join the conflict – the magi clan Yggdmillennia and the rest of the Mage’s Association. Each side sends seven servant-master pairs, and the side to lose all their combatants first will forfeit the Grail. What will be the outcome of this unusual Holy Grail War?

Though not the most engrossing Holy Grail War we’ve seen, Fate/Apocrypha contains some interesting characters and plenty of crazy battles! The Fate series comes with great lore, delving into the idea of heroes, and the differences between good and evil. This war begins for selfish reasons, but turns into something completely different toward the end. And as with other Fate anime, the characters develop along the way, becoming more interesting and emotional as the series goes on. Overall, Fate/Apocrypha is a pretty good show, though not as excellent as earlier anime in the franchise.

Humans and demons reside in the two realms, Assiah and Gehenna. Satan has been trying to find a host to infiltrate Assiah in order to conquer it, but all his attempts so far have come up short. He decides to send his own son to Assiah, in the hopes that he will one day be a vessel suitable for possession. Rin Okumura seems to be a relatively normal teenage boy, although he does cause quite a bit of trouble. However, when he discovers that he is the son of Satan, Rin’s worldview is shattered. Working with his brother Yukio, Rin decides to go against Satan’s wishes, instead joining an academy to become an exorcist.

Blue Exorcist is an anime looking into a few common questions – do we choose our own fate, or is everything simply predestined? And what does it really mean to be human? Rin’s character development is interesting, especially as his friends start to discover the truth of who he is and he is forced to deal with his own emotions regarding his heritage. All the characters get their own emotional baggage to deal with, including the death of loved ones. The overall tone of Blue Exorcist is certainly dark, but it could have more depth to it, which leaves it a bit lower on our list.

Yuuna Yuuki tries to be a hero in her everyday life, especially as a member of her middle school’s Hero Club. Yuuna loves to make others smile and help them as best as she can. But when mysterious creatures known as Vertexes start to threaten the world, the Hero Club discovers they may have to become actual heroes! The other members of the Hero Club include Yuuna’s best friend Mimori Tougou, and Fuu and Itsuki Inubouzaki. To battle the Vertexes, the Hero Club girls use an app on their phone, one which takes them to another dimension and transforms them into magical girls. But as time goes on, the girls discover the cold price they must pay for the use of their new gift…

Similar in many ways to other dark magical girl anime, Yuki Yuna is a Hero follows adorable young girls as they become heroes. The surprise dark side to their life doesn’t come as much of a surprise, given the trends of such shows. However, Yuki Yuna is a Hero still has a few surprises to give its audience, and a great emotional connection thanks to the characters. This anime deals with disability in abundance, bringing the girls to terms with themselves in an honest way. The show overall is actually serious in nature, even though it appears to be the complete opposite. Yuki Yuna is a Hero is able to connect with the viewers deeply, despite its unusual nature.

The immortal beings known as Ajin first appeared in Africa 17 years ago. Afraid of what these superior humans could do, Ajin were cordoned off from society, arrested, and taken away by the government whenever they were found. Yet these events are far from Kei Nagai’s mind. The stoic high school student only wants to succeed in life, and ignores everything that doesn’t help him with his goal. But when Kei gets hit by a truck one day, he discovers that he himself is an Ajin! On the run from everyone he knew and the government, Kei must find a new future to work toward…

From the beginning, Ajin is a series that embraces the darkest parts of humanity, particularly through the eyes of its villains. Kei starts out as an unlikeable main character, growing to understand where his own morals fall throughout the course of the series. Ajin takes unexpected turns to address themes and tropes in a way not seen in many other anime. Its focus on the common “man or monster” idea is given new light through the unique Ajin beings, especially later on in the series. And even though the CG animation puts some viewers off, by the end of the anime it is a welcome sight!

Houseki no Kuni is set in a time where beings called Gems are fighting for their lives, against enemies known as the “Moon People.” Each Gem has a different purpose assigned to them. Phosphophyllite is given a job documenting an encyclopedia for the Gems. Though she starts out thinking it will be a rather simple job, Phosphophyllite soon discovers that it will be more intense. The Gems are mostly kept in the dark about life outside themselves, including humanity. They have no concept of death, and do not show too much emotion, other than occasionally latching on to fleeting objects. However, as Phos discovers more about the reality of the world, the Gems will change forever…

Along with the obviously deep story plot, Houseki no Kuni boasts several surprisingly meaningful moments about looking outside one’s own perspective. Not only are there plenty of compelling characters to learn alongside, the animation is hauntingly beautiful. As a very serious look at the human condition, Houseki no Kuni does an excellent job of making us think.

After a serious of depressing events leave Chise Hatori alone and feeling worthless, the 15-year-old girl decides to sell herself at an auction. She wonders if she will ever find a home to belong in. A mysterious man named Elias Ainsworth buys her for an exorbitant amount, whisking her away to his cottage in the English countryside. With the help of this powerful mage and the unusual friends Chise meets along the way, the promising young girl will find her own way of belonging. Mahoutsukai no Yome is a thoughtful tale of two strangers finding a home in one another.

The Ancient Magus’ Bride takes itself seriously, especially as it deals with issues like death and finding meaning in life. Chise becomes an extension of us, exploring this beautiful new world while dealing with her own traumatic past. Meanwhile, Elias deals with the pain of discovering emotion, simultaneously fearing that he may simply be a monster. Mahoutsukai no Yome is a good balance of lighthearted humor and the dark seriousness that makes it an excellent part of our list! We became engrossed in Chise’s story, perhaps more so because of the serious nature of this series.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is infamous among anime fans, and especially so in the dark fantasy realm. In a world bound by alchemy, requiring that something of equal value is exchanged in order to obtain another thing, brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric attempt to use these laws to raise their mother from the dead. Their transmutation goes awry, with Edward losing a limb and Alphonse his entire body, forcing Ed to exchange his right arm so he can bind Al’s soul to a suit of armor. The brothers begin seeking a way to get their bodies back, though the path will be more dangerous than they could ever imagine…

From the beginning of the Elric brothers’ tragic tale, we can see that it’s dark, with death and sacrifice being prominent themes right away. While the motivations of the Elrics might be pure, the characters that they meet along the way deal with the basest of human sins, like pride, greed and vengeance, often blurring the line between moralities. Political balances are shifted just on the basis of these simple human emotions – but Fullmetal Alchemist shows us just how complex these emotions really are. One of the best anime of all time, this show displays a true depiction of how dark a person can become.

Made in Abyss is the tale of a young Diver girl named Riko, who desires to be able to explore the great depths of the Abyss, just like her mother before her. However, since she is just a novice herself, she has only been allowed to explore the topmost layer. When she comes across a robot made to look like a human boy, Riko names him Reg and decides to help him find out who he is. Riko and Reg set out for the deepest parts of the Abyss, hoping to uncover Reg’s past – but neither of them are prepared for what the Abyss has in store…

One of the most unassuming anime of its season, Made in Abyss quickly became a fan-favorite with its emotionally riveting story. This is another tale about sacrifice, and the darkness that humanity can fall into when emotions overcome respect for other living beings. The disturbing nature of some revelations do not outweigh the brilliance of Made in Abyss – rather, the fact that this series does not shy away from important questions, even when hard, makes it stand out from the rest.

Berserk is nearly impossible to top on a dark fantasy list, especially given its remake that aired recently. Following the tragic path of Guts, this anime gives plenty of epic battles, even as it tells a story of desperate survival by our stalwart protagonist. Guts joins a group of mercenaries called the Band of Hawk, quickly rising through the ranks as his skill grows. Yet Guts begins to doubt the group’s brand of morality as he sees situations that cannot be explained easily. Guts must decide what path he is to follow, even as darkness closes in on his comrade’s heart. What further tragedies will await Guts as he learns the truth?

Berserk is well-loved because of the way that it questions life’s meaning in such a visceral, honest experience. The contrast between Griffith’s journey and that of Guts holds a lesson for us all, as one strives to achieve his future at any cost while the other is able to question what he should live for. Guts has lived through a series of misfortunes, showcasing the worst life a human could have, from the moment of his birth! Yet despite the unfortunate circumstances that thrust him into this fate, Guts is able to find meaningful relationships that help him grow. Berserk is a series that will stand the test of time, thanks to its meaningful story and ability to capture human emotion so honestly.

Immortal beings known as ‘Ajin’ appeared in the world 17 years ago and have been targeted as threats since then. If one is found in society, then they are to be arrested immediately, despite the fact that there hasn’t been any real incident involving an Ajin. Well, even though the news constantly voices concern over the possible terrorism, a good chunk of people could not care less as these threats feel so far away. Kei Nagai is one such person who couldn’t care less, but that turns around to bite him as one day he discovers that he is an Ajin.

Now, the CG aspect of this show might turn some viewers away immediately. Let it be known that you are missing out. Ajin’s story is impressive as it builds an entire world of misinformation and deception. Truly, from the beginning with the infrastructure of the media and how powerful rumors are, it’s quite clear that we are entering into a highly volatile world, or a world of smoke and mirrors. This aspect combined with some of the brutal terrorist actions doled out by Satou makes Ajin a definite watch.

When Ryouta was just a small child, he and his best friend went out to look for alien life. Well this adventure ended with his best friend’s death. Ten years later, Ryouta still trying to prove aliens exist, a transfer student who looks exactly like Ryouta’s best friend comes strolling in. Not only does she look like his friend, but her name, Kuroha Neko, is essentially the same. There is one particular difference though; she can predict death.

Well as Ryouta pushes himself into Kuroha’s life, he finds himself in a world he could never even imagine. More than just aliens, there’s magic and artificial witches and a lot of terrifying experimentation that he must learn to navigate. Now, it is similar to Elfen Lied in a couple ways, primarily the fact that these girls the protagonist keeps running into have been tortured and experimented on. If that’s not quite dark enough for you, then you should know basically anyone can get killed off in this anime. Except Ryouta, who happens to put his life on the line constantly and then is magically saved.

Okay, so Fate/Zero (included in the original list below) might have been the darkest installation of this series, but that doesn’t prevent other seasons from being brutal and dark compared to other anime in general. Fate Stay Night Unlimited Blade Works still takes us into an epic battle between mortals and heroic spirits who are putting their lives and beliefs on the line.

What Fate/stay Nigh Unlimited Blade Works does so well is bring in numerous narratives into one complex and solid series. Not only does it handle the thoughts and motives of the magicians but the spirits that are summoned to battle as well. Included in these various personalities and backstories is just about any major theme you can imagine, and some of them are extremely dark and complex (looking at you Kirei). Add to that intense battles and the fact that several contestants are basically children, and you’re in for one wild ride.

Powers beyond your imagination have developed in a small percentage of the world’s population. War ensues for several generations until the supernatural beings having developed their own community and brokered a shaky peace with the rest of humanity. Inside this apparent utopia, Saki Watanabe and her friends awaken to their powers and soon find themselves navigating a much different world than they could ever expect.

From the New World is in many ways reminiscent of When they Cry. Its rather simple, rural environment becomes a nightmarish landscape as these adolescents get thrown into chaos. Who the characters can trust and what they believe in are constantly shuffled in this anime. Impressively, the show is not only able to cover the corruption of a community, but tackle certain outlying aspects that truly threaten the protagonists. Cultivating distrust in just about everything and showing the hidden truth in the way the world functions are just two of this show’s strong points.

At first, you think you’re about to get brought into a magical world that will act as an amazing escape. Then our hero and his savior die while trying to solve a mystery. Then he’s brought back to life, renewing your hope that this will be a fun and amazing fantasy world to run through. Well, Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu decided that’s not the direction it wanted to go. Instead, we’re thrown into a world where the ability to revive only leads deeper into a never-ending, deadly maze.

It consistently loops around, demanding more and more from its hero who is unraveling before us. Outside of the stated fact that revival leads to consistently worst consequences and harder decisions for our protagonist, this recent anime really does a wonderful job mixing twisted elements into a fantastical world. The animation is light and wonderfully fluid, but it can take a turn for the gory and leave its characters bloodied and battered.

So Yoshino Takigawa is secretly dating Aika, his best friend’s sister. Then one day she disappears and so does his best friend, Mahiro, as he searches for her. Fast forward a month forward and Yoshino gets a visit from a strange girl, who holds him at gunpoint and is ready to pull the trigger. This is how Yoshino gets involved in the search for Aika’s kiler, which has always been a part of his fate.

The whole, painful idea behind this story is that our past builds our future. For both Yoshino and Mahiro this partially involves the disappearance and death of Aika. Mahiro finds himself embroiled in a vengeful quest while Yoshino is almost apathetic. However, they must learn to use such an experience to better themselves. Now, that’s a solid premise, but it’s with the little flourishes that brings Zetsuen no Tempest into the realm of dark fantasy. Outside of the simple inclusion of magic, we are introduced into a story of destiny that makes us question if notions such as right or wrong even exist. All sides believe they’re right and each have their honorable points, which is pretty impressive considering that the fate of the world is at stake.

Yes, this show has just begun airing, but already you should be able to tell how amazing of an addition it will be to the dark fantasy genre. It follows Toyohisa being transported into another world after being mortally injured. In this world, he joins the likes of Oda Nobunaga and Yoichi Suketaka Nasu as they try to figure out their new fate.

The first episode alone is extremely promising as bodies get hacked apart and Toyohisa impales himself on enemy spears in order to get in close enough to shoot down a Li Naomasa. Let’s not forget that one of his happy memories is his father congratulating him for brining back the head of an enemy official. The blood and overall desire for conquest is simply powerful in this new anime, and it’s not holding anything back. It definitely has the action and ruthless characters to create something fantastic, so let’s keep our fingers crossed.

The Hellsing Organization has been keep England safe for years from deadly terrors. Vampires, ghouls, and other creatures of the night have been unable to infiltrate the country under the organization’s watch. How? Well, they happen to employ the original and most powerful vampire of all time: Alucard. However, will he be enough to stop the invasion of an army of Nazi vampires?

When your protagonist is arguably the most blood thirsty and chaotic character in the show, then you have found yourself an extremely dark anime. The creators really push the boundaries with Alucard and the entirety of the Hellsing Organization as they are being directly compared to an insane radical group of Nazis. As Alucard clearly states throughout the series, he is a monster and will commit essentially any atrocity if permitted to. However, that’s the key to show, he makes everyone complicit in his actions by needing their permission. Essentially, he is dragging every single person into the pits of hell with him.

The original Berserk set the bar for dark fantasy, and let’s be honest it set the bar extremely high. Now, practically two decades later they continue the story, picking up at the point where Guts has taken up the Dragonslayer and is hellbent on revenge more than ever.

Now, some of you might not find this continuation worth its salt, and that’s mainly because of the animation style going CG. Admittedly, it does lose a certain grittiness by taking on this animation. That aside, the killings are basically just as brutal, the story is just as dark, and the characters are just as dynamic and cruel. No one is innocent in this world, and just about any atrocity should be expected. Murder is essentially the status quo. In other words, suck up your feelings on animation and get through the show. Everything in this world is cold and ruthless and will provide you countless reasons to be concerned about the true nature of humanity.

We all wanted the second season of Attack on Titan, right? Well, that’s essentially what we got with Kabaneri. This anime throws into a world where a virus has created Kabane, monsters that have a thirst for human blood and also have a steel cage around their heart. This part of their anatomy makes it particularly hard for people to kill them, and as civilization lost out to the hordes of Kabane, people have barricaded themselves in a few heavily guarded and fortified cities.

Taking a lot of cues from Attack on Titan, Koutetsujou no Kabaneri has no reservations about testing the human conscience. From the beginning till the end, the show constantly asks if the end justifies the means? At least three scenes in the first episode hold situations where one must decide between the lesser of two evils, and to be honest, most people (outside of the protagonist) can’t seem to do right by society. However, you’ll still find most of the characters interesting and dynamic. It’s pretty common to find yourself in a love-hate situation with some of the characters (Kurusu). Now, the narrative stays pretty strong throughout the anime, but placing it so high on this list are the glorious battles. They’re vicious and bloody and simply enjoyable to watch, if you can handle some gore.