Hey everyone! It’s my favorite season, spooky season!!! With Halloween just around the corner, you’re probably like me and watching all the creepy, psychological, gory anime you can get your hands on. I decided to recommend my personal top 10 favorite anime that you should watch during this wonderful time of year.
10. WITCH HUNTER ROBIN
I’m going to continue to spread my WHR agenda until there’s a re-release or something. It’s one of the shows I watched when I was still getting familiar with anime.
Robin Sena is a powerful craft user drafted into the STNJ—a group of specialized hunters that fight deadly beings known as Witches. Though her fire power is great, she’s got a lot to learn about her powers and working with her cool and aloof partner, Amon. But the truth about the Witches and herself will leave Robin on an entirely new path that she never expected!
via Crunchyroll
It’s a great drama mixed with supernatural, action, and like the tiniest bit of romance. A smidgen if you will. The good news is it’s not a super long series, it’s only 26 episodes so you can finish this probably in a weekend. The bad news is, it’s not a super long series and it has one of those open endings so you just have to use your context clues to figure out what happens. Other than that, I’d still recommend giving it a try! I’ve never read the manga so it’s possible it has a more resolute conclusion. Also, Amon was my first ’emo boy’ love so future sisterwives, you’re welcome.
9. DEATH PARADE
This was one of my Core Reviews Challenge shows I just recently finished but it definitely fits the mood for Halloween. It was giving me Saw vibes, which I thought was what it would turn out to be.
There is a place after death that’s neither heaven nor hell—a bar that serves you one chance to win. You cannot leave until the game is over, and when it is your life may be, too.
via Crunchyroll
Now, the first thing you hear about Death Parade is how amazing its opening is (I found it to be nothing above average but everyone else seems to really love it!). The show plays with your morals and values and has you questioning whether what they do is right or wrong. At the end of the day, each episode will definitely leave you feeling a certain way.
8. How To Keep A Mummy
Sometimes you don’t need gore and jump scares to enjoy the spooky season and that’s exactly what this entry is.
Kashiwagi Sora is living a normal high school student life, when his “adventurer” father sends him a mummy from his travels in Egypt! Sora balks at the letter from his crazy dad (“I found a cool mummy, so I decided to leave it with you, son!”) at first, but the mummy that emerges from inside the huge coffin is a mere 12 centimeters tall–small enough to fit in the palm of his hand… Not only that, it’s shy, a crybaby, and most of all, heckin’ cute. And so, Sora and ends up keeping the mummy, naming his new little buddy “Mii-kun.” But living with a mummy might be easier said than done…!
via Crunchyroll
A cute, short series about a tiny mummy is just you need. You just don’t know it yet. I finished this show in a day and a half and find myself going back to rewatch it a lot. There’s also other cute creatures you get introduced to. Anyone who watches, I’d love to know who is your favorite!
7. Theatre of Darkness: Yamishibai
My favorite type of series are ones with different stories that aren’t necessarily tied to one another. That way, I don’t really have to get too invested in the characters or have lingering feelings if something happens. This is what Yamishibai is about.
Yamishibai is a picture-story style of animation whose motif is surrounded and based off the rumors, and urban legends throughout the history of Japan.
via Crunchyroll
If you know anything about Japanese horror, you know they tend to be based off or urban legends and they have some crazy ones. The animation makes it extra creepy and perfect for storytelling. Each episode is only about 4 minutes long but they pack a punch. It’s also 11 seasons with 13 episodes each and ongoing so tons of material to watch all month long. Let me know some of your favorite urban legends and where they come from in the comments!
6. Mieruko-chan
I reviewed this lovely show a few months ago so it’s only fitting it’s on this list!
She can see dead people…she just chooses to ignore them. That’s Miko’s plan, anyway, with horrifying (and sometimes hilarious) results.
via Crunchyroll
The perfect blend of funny and creepy, this show is sure to set the mood for any nightly watch parties. Sometimes the dead people just come out of nowhere but it’s nothing too extreme and you’ll probably be laughing more than just being scared. My only gripe is that the fan service shots to me take away from the whole spooky vibe portrayed.
5. Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun
The love I have for this show is so vast. It’s another lighthearted entry on the list but again, you need a good balance of gore and laughs.
Suzuki Iruma, human, 14, one day finds himself taken against his will into the world of demons. To add to his predicament, his doting owner and self-appointed “Grandpa” is the chair-demon at his new school. In order to survive, Iruma must deal with a haughty student who challenges him to a duel, a girl with adjustment issues, and so many more scary beings! Can this ultimate pacifist dodge the slings and arrows that are flung his way? As he struggles frantically, Iruma’s innate kindness begins to win over enemies.
Via Crunchyroll
I like to think of this show as one you can watch regardless of seasons but it just hits extra good during Fall. There’s 3 seasons of fun available to watch and I’m hoping for a fourth. If you enjoy loveable, innocent, and pure protagonists then look no further.
4. Mushi-shi
Another gem that I’m currently watching but still recommend is Mushi-shi. Short story time, I accidently watched the second season first because Crunchyroll’s layout can be confusing, so I’m watching the first season after the second. There’s also an OVA (I also watched before Season 1). It’s really an interesting series!
They are creatures only known as ‘Mushi,’ whose abilities range well into the supernatural. While their existence and appearances are unknown to the humans around them, there are a few like Ginko who is a ‘Mushi-shi’ that travels around to investigate and find out more about the ‘Mushi.’ During the course of his discovery and understanding, he helps those who are troubled by the Mushi themselves…
via Crunchyroll
Lowkey underrated show that deserves some more love. It’s a very chill show so if you’re into some mildy disturbing images, I’d highly suggest giving this a try.
3. Blood+
This show takes me back to watching anime on Adult Swim like a decade ago. A complete opposite of the last entry, this show has all the smoke. You want violence? Gore? Possibly traumatizing storylines?
Saya Otonashi is a seemingly ordinary girl living a mundane life with her adoptive family in Okinawa City. In fact, her only peculiarities are suffering from anemia and being unable to remember any of her life beyond the previous year.
However, Saya’s forgotten past quickly comes back to haunt her—one night, she is attacked at school by a creature that feeds on human blood. Just when all hope seems lost, a mysterious man named Haji appears and fends off the creature temporarily. But when her rescuer forces her to drink his blood, Saya suddenly enters a trance and slays the monster with ease, using her own blood as a catalyst.
via MyAnimeList
I have vivid memories of seeing this show for the first time. Probably not the best to see when you’re like 12 but I was watching a lot of things I shouldn’t have back then. Turn on the heater, grab a cup of hot cocoa and a blanket and cozy up to whatever while watching people get unalived. Now, I’m not exactly sure where you can even watch this anymore but yall are smart and will figure it out.
2. Kemono Jihen
Once again, I’m begging urging everyone to watch this show! Or, if you’ve read my review, get into he manga!
Special detective Kohachi Inugami is sent to investigate a grisly phenomenon involving animal corpses near a remote mountain village. But after meeting a strange boy who agrees to help, he discovers cursed supernatural forces at work.
via Crunchyroll
There’s only 12 episodes so you can probably watch it during a weekend. There’s a good amount of action, you get some good storytelling, a diverse cast of characters, and it’s not too scary for kids to enjoy also. If only it had multiple seasons!
1. Ghost Stories (DUBBED)
I don’t need to say much because I know a lot of us are cultured already but if you have not watched Ghost Stories dubbed then what have you been doing?
When nearby construction disturbs a spiritual resting place, it’s disgruntled denizens so what any supernatural being would do after a rude awaking – they terrorize the local school. And that means it’s up to a scruffy band of young ghost hunters to expel their satanic schoolmates before everyone gets sent to permanent detention! Meet Satsuki, her crybaby brother, the resident class stud, the school nerd and “psychical researcher,” a born again beauty, and a resentful, demon-possessed cat in the funniest, scariest school you’ve ever enrolled in.
Via Crunchyroll
Let’s be 100% honest, a lot of us have no clue what this show is about. In theory we know it’s supposed to be spooky and scary but the english dub makes it hilarious. I’m gonna say it’s supposed to be like scooby doo but younger and no dog? No clue. But you need to watch this show. Fair warning, this was dubbed with no cares given so a lot of the jokes and punchlines are not very…suitable for today’s climate.
There are offensive jokes that I personally did not take offense to but I can’t speak for the other population so just know your feelings are very valid! To describe the show, it’s just an experience that can’t be accurately put into words. However, if you’re like me and just enjoy a good laugh sometimes, please watch this immediately.
It’s the perfect way to end spooky season after this season of JJK traumatizes us all.
There you have it. These are my top 10 shows that you should give a watch and it doesn’t have to just be for this season! Make sure to comment if you’ve seen any of these and which are your favorites? Also, what other shows do you guys recommend?
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