Looking for dark fantasy anime recommendations?
Dark fantasy anime delves into the depths of the human psyche, pushing boundaries and challenging conventional storytelling norms.
In these fantastical worlds, supernatural and often medieval settings come alive, blending elements of magic, horror, and intense violence.
Whether you’re seeking thought-provoking psychological explorations or adrenaline-pumping action, dark fantasy anime has something to offer every discerning viewer.
From “Devilman Crybaby”, and “Chainsaw Man”, to “Berserk”, Here are the 25 best dark fantasy anime.
So, let’s get started.
25. Blood+
In a world overrun by flesh-eating monsters, only one organization can save humanity: Red Shield.
Their weapon?
Saya a powerful fighter with the ability to destroy these creatures.
But there’s a catch.
Saya has been asleep for 30 years and wakes up to a world she doesn’t recognize, haunted by a past filled with blood and sorrow.
24. Ajin
In a world where Ajin, a rare, immortal beings – exists, Kei Nagai dreams of becoming a doctor to save his sister.
But after he dies in a car accident and comes back to life, he realizes he’s one of them.
Now, Kei is a wanted man, chased by both humans and Ajin who want to capture him for cruel experiments.
He must fight for survival and grapple with his new identity as he tries to stay alive.
23. Redo Of Healer
When Keyaru gained the ability to heal any injury, he thought he had a bright future as a hero.
But instead, he was tortured and abused for years.
Using his power, he secretly absorbed memories and skills from those he healed, becoming stronger than anyone.
But it was too late he had lost everything.
In a desperate move, he rewinds the world back to before his torment and swears to take revenge on those who wronged him.
With the pain of his past driving him, Keyaru sets out on a new mission.
22. Yuki Yuna Is A Hero
Yuuna Yuuki is your typical middle school student who loves hanging out with her friends and being part of the Brave Hero Club.
But when a mysterious creature called “Vertex” threatens their world in the Year 300, Era of the Gods, the club takes on a whole new meaning.
With bravery and determination, Yuuna and her friends set out to protect their world from destruction.
21. Devilman Crybaby
Akira Fudo’s world is turned upside down when he discovers that demons are back and ready to take over.
His friend Ryo proposes a plan to defeat them, for Akira to merge with a demon and gain their powers.
Thus, Devilman is born a hybrid of demon and human.
But with great power comes great danger, and Akira must fight to control his new abilities and protect humanity.
The ultimate battle between Devilman and the demons begins.
20. Fate/Zero
In Japan’s fourth Holy Grail War, seven Masters with their own unique goals fight for the ultimate prize.
But amidst the chaos, a mysterious “Mage Killer” named Kiritsugu Emiya enters the fray with Saber by his side.
Their mission is to create a better world using the power of the Grail.
However, with enemies lurking at every turn, they need to survive long enough to achieve their dreams.
19. Mononoke
Based on Japanese folklore where evil spirits called Mononoke terrorize both households and the countryside.
But fear not, for there is a mysterious figure known as the Medicine Seller who possesses the power to slay these malevolent creatures with his Exorcism Sword.
There’s a catch, however.
To draw his blade, he must first understand the Form, Truth, and Reason of the Mononoke.
Follow the Medicine Seller’s journey as he travels from place to place, using his sharp wit and intellect to unravel the mysteries of the Mononoke and bring peace to the land.
18. Re-Zero
Natsuki Subaru had no idea that his late night snack run would lead him to a mystical world.
Suddenly, he finds himself stranded in an unfamiliar land with no idea how to get back home.
Just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse, a silver-haired beauty appears out of nowhere and offers him a helping hand.
Grateful for her aid, Subaru makes a promise to assist her in her search for a lost item.
But little does he know, this quest will put him in the middle of a dangerous plot and push him to his limits.
17. Haibane Renmei
Escorted by a crow, a young woman falls to the earth and is reborn as a Haibane, an angel with charcoal wings.
In Old Home, a haven for Haibane, Rakka yearns to uncover the secrets of her past and discover the meaning of her existence.
With the help of new friends like Reki and Kuu, Rakka explores, laughs, and searches for answers, hoping to one day ascend to the heavens and escape the confines of their world.
16. Chainsaw Man
Denji, a down-on-his-luck teenager, ekes out a living by hunting devils with his trusty Chainsaw Devil companion, Pochita.
But when he is double-crossed and killed, Denji strikes a deal with Pochita and is resurrected as the infamous “Chainsaw Man” with the heart of a devil.
Armed with his deadly chainsaw, Denji sets out to exact revenge on those who wronged him and becomes embroiled in a dangerous world of devil hunters, demons, and intrigue.
15. Made In Abyss
Riko has always been obsessed with the Abyss, an unfathomable chasm that houses both incredible wonders and unspeakable horrors.
It’s a place where only the bravest explorers, known as Cave Raiders, dare to venture.
Riko’s mother was one of them, but she vanished into the depths of the Abyss, leaving her with a burning desire to unravel its mysteries.
One day, she meets a strange boy who emerged from the Abyss and appears to be part robot.
14. Dororo
Hyakkimaru, a warrior robbed of 48 body parts at birth by his own father, seeks to reclaim his stolen limbs from the demons who took them.
Armed with prosthetic body parts and his fierce determination, he embarks on a perilous journey to vanquish the demons and restore his body.
Accompanying him is the mischievous and street-smart thief, Dororo, who becomes his loyal companion and trusted friend.
Together, they navigate the treacherous lands and encounter powerful foes, determined to reclaim what was taken from Hyakkimaru and uncover the dark secrets of his past.
13. Overlord
As the clock strikes zero on the night his beloved MMORPG is set to shut down, Momonga, a seasoned player, remains logged in until the end.
To his surprise, he finds himself transported to the virtual world of Yggdrasil, armed with his character’s immense power and control over loyal NPCs.
With nothing else to do, he sets out to conquer the world, discovering that his countless hours spent grinding have paid off.
Renamed the powerful mage Ainz Ooal Gown, he faces off against all manner of creatures, leaving the people of Yggdrasil to wonder who is truly trapped in this new reality.
12. Goblin Slayer
In a remote guild, whispers spread about a legendary warrior who single-handedly climbed the ranks to Silver by slaying countless goblins.
Meanwhile, a newly-minted priestess joins her first party, only to find themselves in dire straits.
But just when all seems lost, a hero emerges from the shadows to rescue them: the one and only Goblin Slayer.
11. Land Of Lustrous
In the desolate future, the Houseki fight for survival against their attackers, the Moon Dwellers, who use their shattered bodies as decorations.
Phos, the youngest of the Houseki, lacks the skills to be assigned a role.
But when the leader Kongou gives Phos the task of creating an encyclopedia of natural history, everything changes.
As Phos embarks on this quest, she discovers her true potential and uncovers secrets about the world that the Houseki inhabit.
10. Akame Ga Kill
Tatsumi, a skilled swordsman, embarks on a journey to save his village from poverty under the oppressive rule of an evil empire.
Along the way, he meets Akame, a highly trained assassin who was once a victim of the Empire’s brainwashing.
She introduces Tatsumi to “Night Raid,” a group of skilled assassins who wield powerful weapons known as Teigu.
With their help, Tatsumi sets out to overthrow the corrupt empire and restore justice to the land.
9. Bokurano: Ours
A mysterious man named Kokopelli invites a group of curious children to a hidden cave filled with computers.
He offers them a chance to play a special game to pilot a powerful mecha named Zearth and save Earth from giant monsters.
But what they thought was a fun game turns out to be a terrifying reality, as the battles have real-life consequences.
With no way out, the children must take turns piloting Zearth and fight for their lives.
8. Demon Slayer
The woods are filled with bloodthirsty demons, and only the legendary demon slayer dares to brave them at night.
For young Tanjirou, life is a constant battle to keep his family safe in this unforgiving world.
But when his entire family is brutally slaughtered, he’s left with nothing but his sister – who’s been transformed into a demon herself.
With nothing left to lose, Tanjirou sets out on a dangerous quest to find a way to turn his sister back into a human and to avenge his family’s deaths by taking down the demons who destroyed his world.
7. Claymore
Humans live in constant terror of yoma, shape-shifting demons that can take on the memories and identities of their prey.
The only hope for survival lies with the Claymores – half-human, half-demon women who possess the strength to slay the beasts.
Meanwhile, a young orphan named Raki sets out to find his place in the world after losing his family to the yoma.
When he meets the fierce and enigmatic Claymore named Clare, their fates become intertwined as they fight to protect humanity from the yoma threat.
6. Puella Magi Madoka Magi
Madoka has a vivid nightmare where a magical girl fights a monstrous creature and perishes.
The next day, Homura, the same girl from her dream, enrolls in Madoka’s school and cautions her to stay out of the supernatural.
But fate intervenes when Madoka and her friend Miki find themselves in a twisted alternate world, encountering Kyubey, a magical creature.
They learn that they can become magical girls and fight the witches that bring despair to the world but at a cost.
As Homura hinted, there’s more to the magical girl’s life than meets the eye.
5. Berserk
With a fiery determination burning in his heart, the Black Swordsman known as Guts embarks on a relentless pursuit of revenge.
Along his path, he faces unspeakable villains, twisted spirits, and a zealous holy child.
Despite the toll, it takes on his body, Guts battles on, armed only with his sword and human strength.
But what awaits him at the end of this journey shrouded in darkness?
The answer remains elusive, concealed within the night.
4. The Promised Neverland
Emma, Norman, and Ray are living the perfect life in an isolated orphanage.
Mama, their caretaker, watches over them with love and care until they turn twelve and leave for their new foster family.
However, a dark secret is hidden behind the walls of the orphanage the children are being raised as food for monsters!
When the trio discovers the horrifying truth, they must use their wits and skills to escape the orphanage and save their friends from becoming monster food.
3. Death Note
Feeling disillusioned with the state of the world, Light Yagami comes across a mysterious black notebook called the “Death Note.”
He soon discovers that whoever’s name is written in the book will meet their demise.
With the help of a death god named Ryuk, Light takes it upon himself to rid the world of its criminals and create a utopian society.
But as Light’s vigilante justice gains attention, a game of cat-and-mouse ensues with a brilliant detective known only as L, and the consequences of playing God become all too real.
2. Attack On Titan
For a hundred years, Titans have terrorized humanity – towering beings that feast on humans without remorse or reason.
Survivors cower behind massive walls that keep the Titans out, with soldiers constantly trained to keep watch.
Eren and Mikasa have always known the safety of the city walls, but when a colossal Titan shatters the barrier and chaos reigns their world crumbles.
With their loved ones gone and their lives destroyed, Eren and Mikasa must fight to survive in a brutal world where Titans roam free.
1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Alchemy follows the law of equivalent exchange something cannot be created from anything.
However, two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, attempted to break the taboo of human transmutation by resurrecting their mother.
The result was catastrophic Al lost his body, and Ed his arm and leg.
Ed attached Al’s soul to a suit of armor and became the youngest-ever State Alchemist, the Fullmetal Alchemist.
Now, the brothers search for a way to restore their original bodies.
With their alchemical skills and Ed’s status in the military, they embark on a perilous journey to regain what they’ve lost.
