Anime is a medium that covers a vast range of genres and storylines for fans to explore. While some inspire with their themes of courage and perseverance, others push audiences to consider uncomfortable truths or thought-provoking philosophies.
Then there are some that stand out for crossing the line, whether through pure chaos, dark shifts, or questionable and problematic turns. These anime often leave fandoms divided or become infamous among the community.
While some cursed anime are hard to find, plenty are easily available on the most popular streaming platforms, allowing fans to explore some of the most unhinged and bold anime, but only if viewers dare.
Ghost Stories (English Dub)
Ghost Stories centers on Satsuki Miyanoshita, who relocates to her mother’s hometown following her death. There, she and her little brother, along with their new friends, discover that their mother once sealed away dangerous spirits in an abandoned school building.
The series didn’t perform well in Japan, leading the English dub to take a radically different path, with voice actors ad-libbing many of their lines. The creative freedom resulted in a series unlike any other in anime that’s filled with dark and absurd humor, making it a cult-classic hit.
While some aspects haven’t aged as well as others, the reputation for Ghost Stories’ English dub continues to grow. It’s unhinged and chaotic, and easily available for fans on Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime.
Vampire Knight
Vampire Knight follows Yuki Cross, a school guardian at Cross Academy who works alongside Zero Kiryu, a former vampire hunter, to maintain order between the Day Class and the Night Class, who are secretly vampires.
As a child, Yuki is saved by Kaname Kuran, a pureblood vampire with whom she holds deep feelings. However, when she discovers that Zero is succumbing to vampirism, she must choose between them.
When these secrets come to light, fans can hardly look at the series the same way again, yet it remains a guilty-pleasure anime for many viewers.
While Vampire Knight starts as a gothic, forbidden romance, later developments introduce controversial family bonds that completely alter the viewing experience. When these secrets come to light, fans can hardly look at the series the same way again, yet it remains a guilty-pleasure anime for many viewers.
Seven Deadly Sins
Seven Deadly Sins begins with Princess Elizabeth seeking help from Meliodas, the disgraced Dragon Sin of Wrath, to reclaim her kingdom from the Holy Knights who seized power. When the princess reunites the elite Seven Deadly Sins, they discover a far deeper conspiracy involving demons and angels.
The series had a good start, but its reputation quickly shifted as several questionable revelations and developments came to light. Many of the narrative choices have aged poorly and are difficult to ignore, with later seasons adding to the series’ declining reputation due to poor animation. The full series streams on Netflix, flaws and all.
High School of the Dead
High School of the Dead centers on Takashi Komuro and a small group of survivors from the high school as they flee from a sudden zombie outbreak. As they try to make it back to their families and find safe houses, they must confront Japan’s crumbling society head-on.
The series is most known for its intense action, survival horror, and pervasive fan service. High School of the Dead is notorious for its absurd, sexualized gags, as well as certain choices that polarized audiences. Episodes are available on Hulu and Disney+.
Another
Another follows Kouichi Sakakibara after he transfers into Class 3-3, a ninth-grade homeroom that has a deadly curse originating from a tragic event in 1972. Students and their relatives die in gruesome ways unless the class acts as if one student does not exist.
However, rather than following this understanding among the class, Kouichi befriends Mei Misaki, the ostracized classmate, sparking a series of deaths as the two try to discover the cause of the horrific accidents.
The series stands out as one of the best horror anime available and can be streamed on Crunchyroll. Its tense atmosphere and shocking deaths make the grim storyline stand out among anime, but it’s certainly not for the faint of heart.
School Days
School Days centers around Makoto Itou, a high school student whose crush on Kotonoha Katsura spirals into a toxic love triangle after another classmate, Sekai Saionji, helps him pursue her.
10 Anime Series That Went Way, Way Too Far
Anime is a medium known for pushing the envelope on what’s acceptable, but these ones went way too far with it, even by anime’s usual standards.
The series is based on a visual novel known for deconstructing the harem genre; however, the main protagonist is extremely unlikeable, and the narrative takes a dark, psychological turn that culminates in a violent finale.
School Days is notorious in the anime community and often labeled (rightfully so) as one of the worst and most hated anime ever created. That said, if audiences want to watch the series for themselves, it can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
Devilman Crybaby
Devilman Crybaby follows Akira Fudo, a sensitive teenager who merges with the demon Amon to become Devilman. Using his new abilities, Akira fights to protect humanity even as the world around him begins to collapse, as society falls into mass hysteria and paranoia.
The series is a modern reimagining of the original Devilman manga and is known for its unflinching dark turns, sexualized content, and exploration of human nature. Devilman Crybaby takes its themes to the extreme, culminating in an unforgettable and unsettling finale.
The anime is targeted at mature audiences and can be watched on Netflix. Its graphic depictions of sex, violence, and gore make it a difficult watch for squeamish audiences.
Made in Abyss
Made in Abyss centers on Riko, a young girl who is determined to descend into a massive, underexplored Abyss after discovering clues that her mother, a legendary cave raider, may still be alive at its depths.
When Reg, an amnesiac robot boy, comes out from the Abyss’ depths, Riko begins her journey downwards, braving dangerous beasts and the curse that plagues those who ascend.
The series is known for its deceptive art style, with many first-time viewers believing they are in for a fun adventure story. Instead, Made in Abyss doesn’t pull its punches, exploring disturbing themes and psychological and bodily horror. The series can be streamed on HIDIVE, but viewers must be warned that it’s extremely unsettling.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
