As anime grows in popularity, many old stigmas are slowly fading; however, some still believe it is entirely for children’s entertainment.

While anime’s most popular series include titles like Dragon Ball or Sailor Moon, there are plenty that explore dark themes and narratives that are best suited for adults. Many of which explore dark themes, including psychological collapse, visceral or sexual violence, or moral ambiguity.

These stories have pushed anime’s boundaries and laid the foundation for mature storytelling in the medium. They are often raw and unfiltered, using their unsettling themes to create unforgettable experiences that kids have no business watching.

Chainsaw Man

Chainsaw Man centers on Denji, a teenager burdened by debt who lives in poverty with his pet devil, Pochita. After a near-fatal encounter with the Zombie Devil, Pochita fuses with Denji, creating a human-devil hybrid that is capable of turning his limbs into chainsaws. When he’s recruited by a high-ranking Public Safety Devil Hunter, Denji begins to hunt devils.

The series is best known for its intense action and violence, dark and vulgar humor, and most importantly, its atypical protagonist who is flawed and relatable, making him come across as a deeply authentic character. Chainsaw Man doesn’t hesitate to go to extremes, making it most suitable for older audiences.

Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan is set in a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction, surviving behind towering walls to protect them from man-eating Titans. After the walls are breached and witnessing his mother’s death, Eren Yeager, along with his friends Mikasa Ackerman and Armin Arlert, join the Scout Regiment to fight back against the Titans.

While the series starts out as a seemingly straightforward quest to protect humanity from man-eating threats, it soon unfolds into a deep narrative about the cost of war and the cycle of hatred. Filled with intense violence and complex themes, Attack on Titan stands out as a must-watch modern anime.

Elfen Lied

Elfen Lied follows Lucy, a young Diclonius with deadly telekinetic arms called vectors. When she escapes a research lab, she sustains a head injury, leading to a split personality called Nyu, who is childlike and innocent, and is taken care of by Kouta and Yuka as the government hunts her down.

The series contains graphic violence and nudity, along with intense, dark psychological themes. Elfen Lied is aimed at older audiences due to its exploration of trauma, human experimentation, and child abuse, often leading to disturbing and unsettling scenes and revelations.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Puella Magi Madoka Magica follows Madoka Kaname, a middle school girl who is offered a wish in exchange for becoming a magical girl to battle against witches. While the series seems whimsical on the surface, it quickly unravels into a story about exploitation and tragedy.

The story completely subverts expectations for magical girl anime by diving into violence and psychological horror. Puella Magi Madoka Magica may seem innocent at first, but as the story goes on, it becomes clear that nothing is what it seems as the young characters become burdened under the weight of fate and sacrifice.

Banana Fish

Banana Fish centers on Ash Lynx, a teenage gang leader in New York who is shaped by violence and exploitation by his abusive mentor, Dino Golzine. When he begins to investigate a mysterious drug known as Banana Fish alongside a Japanese photographer, Eiji Okumura, and rebels against Dino, he uncovers a far deeper conspiracy.

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The series is best known for its intense exploration of trauma and sexual abuse, as well as its strong bond between the two male leads. Many fans describe the series as a brutal emotional rollercoaster that dives into immensely unsettling themes.

Made in Abyss

Made in Abyss follows a young girl named Riko, an orphan in a town built around a colossal pit known as the Abyss. After she comes across Reg, an amnesiac robot boy who came up from its depths, she begins her journey downwards, uncovering relics from ancient civilizations and encountering strange creatures as she descends in search of her long-lost mother.

On the surface, the series appears to be a cute, innocent adventure story. However, its vibrant, chibi-like style is deceptive of its dark themes and body horror narrative. As Riko and Reg descend deeper into the Abyss, they’re faced with deadly curses and creatures that push them and their allies to extremes.

Devilman Crybaby

Devilman Crybaby centers on Akira Fudo, a teenager who merges with the demon Amon to become the powerful human-demon hybrid known as Devilman. He uses his power to protect humanity from a demonic threat that soon induces mass hysteria and paranoia, causing humanity to turn on one another.

Devilman Crybaby is a modern reimagining of the 1972 Devilman, featuring graphic violence, sexual content, and intense psychological collapse. As humanity breaks under the weight of paranoia, the series masterfully questions who and what the real monsters are in ways that are highly unnerving.

Berserk

Berserk follows Guts, a mercenary who befriends the charismatic leader of the Band of the Hawk, Griffith, and his romance with a fellow soldier named Casca, until a catastrophic betrayal. Guts becomes a solitary warrior hunting Apostles and the God Hand while battling against his inner torment.

The series doesn’t shy away from depicting cruelty through graphic violence, sexual assault, and the harsh realities of war. Berserk is known for its dark, psychological themes and is very explicit when it comes to violence, torture, and nudity, often exploring deeply disturbing subjects.

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion centers on Shinji Ikari, a teenage pilot for the bio-mechanical Evangelion, as he fights against mysterious beings known as Angels. The story is known for its exploration of mental health, philosophical and religious themes, and for deconstructing the mecha genre.

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Neon Genesis Evangelion is primarily about Shinji’s struggle with self-worth and connection, as well as the mental states of his fellow pilots, in ways that are unfiltered and raw. Due to its deep, thought-provoking themes and graphic violence, the series is best suited to teens and up.

Takopi’s Original Sin

Takopi’s Original Sin centers around an optimistic octopus-like alien called Takopi who arrives on Earth to spread happiness and joy. When it comes across Shizuka, a young girl burdened by bullying and a difficult home life, Takopi attempts to use its gadgets to ease her suffering, only to find that some things aren’t so easily fixed.

When Takopi’s interventions lead to unintended consequences that spiral out of control, Takopi must find a way to make things right. The series is a short 6-episode anime that explores heavy themes of depression, suicide, and child abuse. Takopi’s Original Sin is disturbing and graphic, making it best suited for mature audiences.

Monster

Monster follows Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a gifted surgeon whose life is altered after he saves a young boy instead of a political figure. Years later, he learns that the boy he saved, Johan Liebert, has become a calculated serial killer, framing him for murders that Johan committed. This drives Tenma to hunt him across Europe to correct his past mistake.

Monster is one of the best psychological thrillers in anime, best known for its complex themes and characters. It’s a mature and realistic storyline that is aimed at older audiences as it explores the nature of good and evil, raising thought-provoking moral questions.

Perfect Blue

Perfect Blue centers on Mima Kirigoe, a former pop idol who decides to transition into acting. As she takes on mature, exploitative roles, she becomes the target of an obsessed stalker and finds that her personal thoughts and daily routines are being uploaded to an online blog called Mima’s Room.

Mima’s identity fractures, leading to a psychological breakdown that blurs the line between reality and hallucination. The film doesn’t shy away from the dark side of fame and explicit storytelling as Mima’s sanity unravels.