Luckily, for anime fans, Japans continues to grace the world with incoming anime series from all kinds of genres. In recent times, anime such as Blue Lock, Jujutsu Kaisen, Lycoris Recoil and Spy X Family have been extremely well received, and it’s hard not to get excited about the influx of newly released anime out there. In this summer season, fans of the horror universe can expect a variety of different anime to explore and hopefully be pleasantly surprised by. Here are the most promising new horror anime releases of 2023 so far.
10 Hell’s Paradise
Hell’s Paradise was written and illustrated by Juji Kaku. It was animated by MAPPA Studio and directed by Kaori Makita. The mystifying anime is set in the Tokugawa period of Japan, a period between 1603 and 1867 where Japan was under the rule of a military dictatorship (shogunate). Under this rule, a group of awaiting convicts are given a chance to survive if they agree to go discover a newly discovered mysterious island. Accompanied by guards to ensure they won’t escape, they are faced with supernatural beings that target them, and now they must muster all their courage to come out alive.
The episodes exceedingly become more exciting as you watch them and decide who to root for. Hell’s Paradise offers something new to the Samurai world and does it well. It has a world that will lure you in and multidimensional characters that are very well-thought-out. The production is also filled with great action sequences, suspense, and captivating soundtracks. With a bit of everything, Hell’s Paradise is onto a great and balanced start, leaving much to anticipate.
9 Zombie Ni Naru Made
Zombie Ni Naru Made is a zombie-themed thrilling anime directed by Kazuki Kawagoe and was animated by Studio Bug Films. Akira lives a dull life where he spends his days in a job that sucks the life out of him. He is lonely and his motivation and drive are dissipating by the day. However, what if you’ve already lost everything, can you be truly free then? When a zombie apocalypse hits the city, and his life becomes endangered, his will to truly embrace life spikes, and he starts a mission where he tries to complete all items on his bucket list, and so the adventure begins.
The production is an enticing addition to the genre as it uses zombies as the setting for the story rather than it being the main focus of the tale. Its opening will get you invested right away, as it gives one of the most relatable commentaries on the struggle to balance work and one’s personal life, especially in Tokyo.
8 Heavenly Delusion
Heavenly Delusion was written and illustrated by manga artist Masakazu Ishiguro. It was then adapted by Production I.G. through the direction of Hirotaka Mori. Set in a post apocalyptic world where humanity has been struck by a disaster that has swept most beings, a group of remaining survivors live behind walls that separates them from the outside world. They coexist with robots that teach them everything. However, one day, a group of children realizes their total isolation but don’t know the amount of sheer terror that is behind those walls. Yet, their curiosity is at an all-time high.
Their questions keep multiplying, and they’re dreaming of escaping and finding a heaven, but in doing so they might be forever doomed. What has become of their life? Is there ever a heaven they can actually reach? Full of interesting back-stories to each character, and adventures as they search for anything beyond what they’ve always known; the anime is full of mystery, heart-wrenching moments and wholesome moments.
7 Dark Gathering
Dark Gathering was directed by Hiroshi Ikehata. It is based on Kenichi Kondō’s manga and was animated by OLM. In a world full of spirits, Keitarou Gentoua is a college student who wants nothing to do with ghosts. However, he specifically attracts spirits, which makes him deeply uncomfortable. As a result of several unfortunate events, he becomes shut off from the rest of the world.
In an attempt to reintegrate, he does some private tutoring as part of his rehabilitation. His first student turns out to be a Yayoi Houzuki, who is also spiritually in tune with spirits, and wants nothing more than to find out which spirit was responsible for her mum vanishing. The problem is, she wants to drag Gentoua into her mess. The horror anime blends action, horror, really cool character ghost design and occasional comedy. One thing is for sure is that Dark Gathering is scary.
6 Synduality: Noir
In Synduality: Noir, humanity is suffering. After the catastrophe of the Tears of the New Moon, which has mysteriously wiped out the human race and gave birth to monsters that devour humans, surviving individuals live in isolation and are guarded by robots (combat mechs) known as Coffins. Kanata, a young man with big dreams, hopes of drifting the world even amidst the danger.
On his expedition with a friend, they stumble upon a sleeping Magus, Noir, a person who will forever empower them and forever change their destiny. The anime was directed by Yūsuke Yamamoto based on the story written by Hajime Komoshida and was animated by studio 8Bit. The Stylish piece has groovy world-building and vibrant animation, ensuring you’ll have a good time.
5 Buddy Daddies
Directed by Yoshiyuki Asai and animated by P.A. Works, the anime tells the story of Miri Unasaka, a young girl whose father is a mafia mobster. One day, she falls in the hands of Kazuki Kurusu, a criminal contractor, and Rei Suwai, an assassin. Their record is bloody, but will they help Miri, whose father has gone missing? The story will tug at your heartstrings as you delve into the relationship that develops between the hitmen and the little girl.
They’re humans that undeniably live dark lives, but that’s what makes this dynamic interesting. What happens if innocence meets ruthlessness? Daddy Buddies has beautiful character designs, likable characters who are multifaceted, and a great deal of tension.
4 Akuma Kun
Directed by Junichi Sato and animated by Encourage Films, Akuma Kun is based on the manga by Shigeru Mizuki. Mr. Satou, an employee at one of the world’s leading electronic companies, is requested to tutor his boss’s son school subjects in exchange for a higher position in the company. However, the student, young Ichirou, is secretly powerful beyond measure and is cooking something mysterious that might be of grave danger to humanity.
The anime explores evil forces, curses, power-play, black magic and mystery. Akuma Kun is hell waiting to be unleashed.
3 Junji Ito Maniac
Junji Ito Maniac is a freshly released Netflix produced horror anime by the famous horror manga artist Junji Ito. It was directed by Shinobu Tagashira and animated by Studio Deen. In this eerie anime, you’ll find some of Junji’s most terrifying and disturbing tales adapted on screen. The production provides 20 tales of sheer spookiness that delves into the darkness of the human psyche. You’ll find it all; legends, demons, insanity, ghosts and much more which makes this a hair-raising anime that is bound to touch upon some of your worst fears and nightmares.
The piece is not fast-paced, it slowly builds up its premise as it infuses different elements of surrealism. Another element that makes this anime unique is that post-credit after each episode, a narrator states a few lines that haunts the viewer. However, for those who have read the Manga, this adaptation can prove to be underwhelming due to the lack of animation that matches the level of detail and horror that the Manga elicits.
2 Amrita No Kyouen
Amrita no Kyouen is an anime horror movie that hit theaters in Japan last May. The film serves as a prequel to the film Arage: Sign of Vermillion. Directed by Saku Sakumoto and animated by Sentai Studios, young university student Rin has rented an apartment that has become her biggest nightmare. She keeps encountering strange paranormal occurrences, and she keeps feeling like she is being constantly watched. However, she can’t unravel the reason behind the horrifying events. With mysteries lurking all around the corner that scream uneasiness, Feast of Amrita is thrilling and suspenseful.
1 Make My Day
Make My Day is a Netflix-produced animated series based on the book by comic book author Otagaki Yasuo. It was directed by Makoto Honda and animated by studio 5 Inc. Set in a futuristic world where prisoners are mining an energy rich ore on an icy planet (Planet Coldfoot), they suddenly begin to get attacked by puzzling and bizarre creatures.
While Make My Day doesn’t score highly on originality, or animation, it does contain heart and thrill. Therefore, if you can put aside the expectation to watch a piece for its high production value, attempt to tell a story of survival through teamwork and forgiveness, rather than for its high production value, then you won’t be disappointed. Despite its scary, sci-fi premise, Make My Day is fun.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
