Top 20 Best Dark Anime on Crunchyroll

Top 20 Best Dark Anime on Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu and Funimation (2023)

Darkness takes many forms in a story. Sometimes the darkness is attributed to blood and gore, sometimes it is psychological, and sometimes the darkness appears in the characters' nihilistic views. The anime has a bit of all kinds in its vast collection. Here are the best on.

Top 20 Best Dark Anime on Crunchyroll, Netflix, Hulu and Funimation

Best Dark Anime on Crunchyroll

5) Akame ga Kill!

Akame ga Kill!

Anime Name Akame ga Kill!
Rating BAD 7.47
Number of episodes 24
Genres Action, Fantasy
Studio White fox
Broadcast 2014

The inhuman torture and murder his friends suffered at the hands of a sadistic rich girl stripped Tatsumi of his optimism and naivety.

After meeting an assassin working for the rebels to save the country, he joins their assassin group, the Night Raid.

But the ugliness of the world has yet to show itself as Tatsumi befriends and understands the rest of the Night Raid assassins.


4) Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Anime Name Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica
Rating BAD 8.36
Number of episodes 12 + 1 movie
Genres Drama, Suspense
Studio TREE
Broadcast 2011

With its groundbreaking plot and shocking darkness, it easily wins the spot as one of the best dark anime of all time.

It begins with Madoka and Sayaka, two friends who are attacked by witches one day. After Mami Tomoe saves them, they discover the Magical Girls.

But when they get the chance to be Magical Girl themselves through a mysterious creature called Kyuubey, the truth of the role becomes much darker.


3) Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan

Anime Name Shingeki no Kyojin
Rating BAD 8.53
Number of episodes 89+ (4 seasons)
Genres Action, Drama, Suspense
Studio Wit Studio (Season 1 – 3) MAP (season 4)
Broadcast 2013 – ongoing

That day, after destroying Wall Maria and slaughtering Shiganshina, his life turned into hell and he vowed to kill all the Titans.

Years later, Eren joins the army with his friends, Mikasa and Armin, to achieve his goal of ridding the world of Titans, but first he must discover much more about the Titans and himself. Attack on Titan is a worldwide sensation and one of the best dark anime of all time.


2) Made in Abyss

Made in Abyss

Anime Name Made in the Abyss
Rating BAD 8.66
Number of episodes 25 (2 seasons) + 1 film
Genres Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Science fiction
Studio Citrus Cinema
Broadcast 2017 – 2022

No one knows what the Abyss is or where it comes from. All people know is that the Abyss has always been there, containing mystical creatures and other strange things.

To find out the truth, divers of different ranks dive into it. Riko is such a diver but a low-ranking diver. When she finds a boy with amnesia who turns out to be a robot, she names him . She sets out to brave the Abyss with Reg in search of her missing mother.


1) Steins;Gate

Steins;Gate

Anime Name Steins;Door
Rating BAD 9.08
Number of episodes 24
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Suspense
Studio White fox
Broadcast 2011

A brilliant time travel anime, Steins;Gate follows Rintarou Okabe and his friends from the Future Gadget Laboratory as they invent a way to send text messages to the past.

They take turns sending a certain message into the past, seeking to change their lives. However, playing with time always comes with a price, as Okabe painfully discovers. The tiny changes in the timeline of each text result in a tragedy he could never have predicted.


Best Dark Anime on Netflix

5) Future Diary

Future Diary

Anime Name Mirai Nikki
Rating BAD 7.42
Number of episodes 26
Genres Action, Supernatural, Suspense
Studio read.
Broadcast 2011 – 2012

Future Diary operates on the principle of a battle royale between twelve contenders for the position of next god of time and space. All competitors have individual future-predicting powers on their cell phones.

Yukiteru Amane is one of the suitors who suddenly finds himself in this situation. When he is approached by , his pretty classmate and another suitor, he teams up with her.


4) Another

Another

Anime Name Another
Rating BAD 7.48
Number of episodes 12
Genres Horror, Mystery, Supernatural
Studio PAWorks
Broadcast 2012

When transfer student Kouichi Sakakibara joins class 3-3 at Yomiyama North High School, he is shocked to find that his classmates and teachers act as if they don't see the girl wearing an eyepatch in the class .

This is the girl Kouichi met during his stay in the hospital. As Kouichi befriends Mei and tries to understand the reason for everyone's behavior, the students in the class begin to die suddenly, one by one.


3) Re:Zero, Starting Life in Another World

Re:Zero, Starting Life in Another World

Anime Name Re:Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
Rating BAD 8.24
Number of episodes 38 (2 seasons)
Genres Drama, Fantasy, Suspense
Studio White fox
Broadcast 2016 – 2020

The isekai experience seems pretty normal, with the meeting of a beautiful girl named Satella and the help of a cute little girl, Felt.

But after being brutally killed along with Satella and Felt, Subaru is shocked to find himself starting the journey again.

As he meets the girl again, now called Emilia, a long path of pain and misery awaits him with its horrifying power.


2) The Promised Neverland

The Promised Neverland

Anime Name Yakusoku in Neverland
Rating BAD 8.52
Number of episodes 23 (2 seasons)
Genres Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense
Studio Clover works
Broadcast 2019

In one of the most impactful debut episodes of all time, Promised Neverland reveals that the peaceful, idyllic lives of the Grace Field orphans are just an illusion.

The orphanage is actually a breeding business and the children are sold to monsters to be eaten. The oldest children, Emma, ​​Norman and Ray must now do everything to help the youngest escape this hell.


1) Death Note

Death Note

Anime Name Death threat
Rating BAD 8.62
Number of episodes 37
Genres Supernatural, Suspense
Studio Crazy's house
Broadcast 2006 – 2007

Death Note is not only one of the best dark anime of all time, but it is also one of the most popular anime in the world. It revolves around , who finds a Death Note one fateful day.

After learning the rules from Ryuk, to whom the Death Note previously belonged, Light begins killing criminals all over the world, nicknamed Kira.


Best Dark Anime on Hulu

5) Blood-C

Blood-C

Anime Name Blood c
Rating BAD 6.53
Number of episodes 12 + 1 movie
Genres Action, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural
Studio GI production
Broadcast 2011 – 2012

Saya Kisaragi may look like an ordinary schoolgirl, but at night she is a fierce monster slayer who protects the village from supernatural monsters, just as she promised.

However, when a strange dog appears in her life and questions the person she made the promise to, Saya's reality begins to crumble as the truth about herself surfaces.


4) Black Butler

Black Butler

Anime Name Kuroshitsuji
Rating BAD 7.67
Number of episodes 36 (2 seasons)
Genres Action, Comedy, Mystery, Supernatural
Studio Photos A-1
Broadcast 2008 – 2010

experiences hell on earth when his parents are killed, and he is kidnapped to be cruelly tortured by the enemies of House Phantomhive.

Burning with the desire for revenge, Ciel makes a deal with a demon from hell in exchange for his soul. Now the demon poses as Ciel's obedient butler, and obeys his young master's every command.


3) Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo Ghoul

Anime Name Tokyo Ghoul
Rating BAD 7.79
Number of episodes 48 (4 seasons)
Genres Action, Horror
Studio Pierrot
Broadcast 2014 – 2018

A disastrous meeting that led to a brutal accident, which also killed Rize.

As Kaneki wakes up in the hospital, he is horrified to discover that he was saved thanks to Rize's ghoul organs and, as a result, he transformed into a human flesh-eating ghoul.

Still grappling with the horrific turn of events, Kaneki discovers that more pain and misery await him.


2) Erased

Erased

Anime Name Boku dake ga Inai Machi
Rating BAD 8.21
Number of episodes 12
Genres Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense
Studio Photos A-1
Broadcast 2016

is a 29-year-old mangaka detached from everyone around him. When he finds himself minutes before a tragedy occurs, Satoru uses his "rival" power to save lives.

But after being falsely accused of his mother's murder, Satoru goes back 18 years and realizes that 's kidnapping is connected to everything in his life.


1) Parasyte: The Maxim

Parasyte: The Maxim

Anime Name Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu
Rating BAD 8.24
Number of episodes 24
Genres Action, Horror, Science Fiction
Studio Crazy's house
Broadcast 2014 – 2015

Often considered one of the best dark anime of all time, it explores a world where a parasitic alien species has invaded Earth. Parasites enter humans through any organ and eventually take over the human brain.

is a meek teenager whose right hand is taken over by a parasitic alien. He managed to stop it from reaching his brain, but now has to live with the parasite, naming it Migi.


Best Dark Anime on Funimation

5) Deadman Wonderland

Deadman Wonderland

Anime Name Deadman Wonderland
Rating BAD 7:15 a.m.
Number of episodes 12
Genres Action, Horror, Sci-fi, Supernatural
Studio Manglobe
Broadcast 2011

When Ginta Igarashi visits the prison amusement park, where inmates perform to entertain spectators during a school trip, he has no idea of ​​the misfortune that awaits him.

After her classmates are killed by a Man in Red, Ginta is framed for the murders and sent to Deadman Wonderland. Ginta must now survive the twisted and sadistic inmates of the prison.


4) Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou

Higurashi: When They Cry - Gou

Anime Name Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gou
Rating BAD 7:20 a.m.
Number of episodes 24
Genres Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense
Studio Passion
Broadcast 2020 – 2021

In June 1983, Keiichi Maebara transferred to a small village called Hinamizawa, where he made friends with girls at his new school.

But soon he begins to notice strange behavior from his friends and the villagers. There is also an outsider who watches the unfolding events from afar as death and darkness soon spread through the village.

A famous horror anime, , is also one of the best dark anime on Funimation.


3) Fate/Zero

Fate/Zero

Anime Name Fate Zero
Rating BAD 8.28
Number of episodes 25 (2 seasons)
Genres Action, Fantasy, Supernatural
Studio ufotable
Broadcast 2011 – 2012

The Fate series has its dark moments, but the darkness of Fate/Zero remains unmatched. With a desperate ending, this anime presents the Fourth Holy Grail War.

Kiritsugu Emiya, an infamous mercenary, is determined to win wars, just like the other participants. But there is also Kirei Kotomine, a sadistic man who only seeks to spread pain.


2) Psycho-Pass

Psycho-Pass

Anime Name Psycho-Pass
Rating BAD 8.34
Number of episodes 22
Genres Action, Science Fiction, Suspense
Studio GI production
Broadcast 2012

In the 22nd century, Japan adapted the Sybil system, in which the mental state of every citizen is monitored to determine a person's criminal intent.

This criminal tendency is called , and only those whose Psycho-Pass number falls within the ordinary range have the chance to live normally within society.

However, the novice inspector soon discovers what such a society can really bring.


1) Hellsing Ultimate

Hellsing Ultimate

Anime Name Hellsing/Ultimate
Rating BAD 8:35 a.m.
Number of episodes ten
Genres Action, Horror, Supernatural
Studio Madhouse, Satelight, Graphinica
Broadcast 2006 – 2012

Hellsing Ultimate is a bloody and brutal anime featuring a powerful and ruthless man working within the Hellsing organization.

Alongside Seras Victoria, her new vampire servant, Alucard, goes on a rampage, killing anyone who stands in the way of the organization. Unapologetically brutal, it is considered one of the best dark anime of all time.

Our list of the 20 best dark anime on , , & has come to its conclusion.

We made sure to include all types of dark anime in this list to better suit your tastes. Check out these awesome cartoons and once you're done, visit them to satisfy your other cartoon-related cravings.


Do small things with lots of love.

Follow us for more updates.

Read also: