One of the best things about anime is that there are so many sub-genres to enjoy. One thing that anime does well is horror and the paranormal. And since it’s Halloween weekend, let’s look at the best anime to watch that will give you goosebumps and bring you to the edge of your seat.
Another (2012)
The 2012 horror anime Another follows the mysterious curse of the high school class, Class 9-3, and the protagonist, Kouichi Sakakibara. Kouichi moves back to his hometown of Yomiyama because his father has to work abroad. He’s hospitalized from illness when he gets there, where he meets some of the students in his new class, including the intriguing Mei Misaki.
For reasons he doesn’t understand, Kouichi finds that the class has outcasted Mei. When he looks further into this, he learns much more than he bargained for. It turns out that the class is cursed and has been since one of the students died in 1972. That student was Mei’s cousin. Kouichi learns that if the students don’t essentially choose someone to be the “dead student”, there’s no telling what the curse would do. And this is exactly where things get horrific and spiral out of control.
Shiki (2010)
If you’re more into the supernatural but still want a good horror mystery, Shiki is a great option for you. The 2010 anime is about a small town where what seems like a strange illness starts taking the lives of its citizens, all starting with Megumi Shimizu. Soon, the villagers have to figure out what is going on, fight paranoia, and learn how to fight the monsters that start appearing, wanting to enter the world of the living.
This anime was based on a horror novel by Japanese author Fuyumi Ono. It’s a unique spin on the lore of a monster that’s prevalent around this time of year. But you have to watch it to find out what these monsters are and how the remaining villagers must fight to keep their town alive.
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (2006)
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is a popular horror anime that is perfect for any anime fan wanting to get spooked for Halloween. Whether you’ve never seen it or have watched it before, it is definitely worth watching this weekend. The story follows Keiichi Maebara, a male high school student who moves into a sleepy, seemingly peaceful town called Oyashiro. He soon befriends some of the local girls and is clueless about the darkness that lurks within the town and its history.
As the Watanagashi Festival nears, where the villagers pay tribute to the god Oyashiro, Keiichi finds out about a series of mysterious tragedies that occurred within the town from 1979 to 1982: one person would die after the festival, and another would go missing. It doesn’t end here, though, and the story quickly unravels to one of horror, paranoia, and death.
Ghost Hunt (2006-2007)
If you’re a fan of ghost stories but still want some comedy and slice-of-life elements in your anime, Ghost Hunt is a great option for your Halloween weekend. The story follows a group of students who like swapping ghost stories about their school and the mysterious abandoned building on their school grounds. When a 17-year-old member of a psychic research company, Kazuya Shibuya, is tasked with researching the background of these stories, a whole new adventure begins.
Soon, the protagonist Mai Taniyama is swept into the paranormal and must take on the job of being a ghost hunter. With the help of the Kazuya, the two set off on finding what mysteries lurk within the abandoned building and beyond. Some of the characters in the story, including Mai, turn out to have supernatural abilities, which aid their missions of finding out the truth.
Vampire Knight (2008)
Although this one is less on the scary side, it is chockfull of elements that would fit any anime-watching Halloween party. For those who don’t know, Vampire Knight is an anime about a high school consisting of two classes of students: the “Day Class” students and the “Night Class” students. As you probably guessed, the Night Class students are actually vampires. However, the students of the Day Class don’t know they’re vampires, except for the disciplinary committee representative and protagonist of the series, Yuuki Cross.
Yuuki was saved from a vampire attack by one of the Night Class students ten years ago, resulting in some romantic feelings toward him. Since she is part of the committee to help transitions between the Day and Night Classes run smoothly, she is able to see him. So, if you want some drama, romance, and vampires as part of your Halloween weekend, this is the anime for you!
What’s your favorite anime to watch on Halloween? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter!
