A psychological horror anime doesn't try to shock you but make you question everything you know to be true. This leads to some interesting twists and turns as you slowly begin to uncover the truth behind some horrific events.
The genre also likes to shake its main characters to their core as the horrors they face change the way they see the world or force them to deal with their inner demons. From string murders that keep repeating themselves to creepy revenge sites where you can send someone straight to hell, these are eight of the best psychological horror anime.
8 Higurashi: When they cried
Another death another day
Higurashi is a fascinating case. It has its bloody disgusting moments and even some scenes that you need to look away from, but the story is worth it all. Characters will kill each other only for them to return to a brand-new story as soon as the previous one ends.
However, everything has a purpose. Mini-arcs are split between question and answer arcs. Question arcs will provide a scenario where terrible things go down. Meanwhile, the answer arcs will provide key details that you never saw from those original arcs. As you progress further into the anime, there may be a way to defy fate.
7 Neon Genesis Evangelion
When mecha turns into horror
Neon Genesis Evangelion starts off like any other mecha anime. Shinji realizes that he can pilot a mecha known as Eva and fight evil beings known as Angels. The day is saved, and it's only a matter of time before another strikes.
It doesn't take long for the anime to completely switch tones. Angels are revealed to be even more sinister than originally thought and psychological trauma begins to bubble up from each of the main protagonists. Even on a shoestring budget, the animation perfectly conveys the external and internal horrors that Shinji, Asuka, and Rei must face. Like the Evas themselves, it is terrifying in disguise.
6 hell girl
How much is your soul worth?
If you find yourself wanting revenge, there is a website where you can contact an entity known as Hell Girl. It is the basis of the anime with the same name. Hell Girl stories always revolve around a person who is facing some terrible situation in his life.
In some cases, they pay some corrupt people, while at other times they are harassed by miscreants. Hell Girl offers you a way to get revenge on the condition that you will be doomed to go to Hell at the end of your life. While the individual stories are interesting enough, Hell Girl's history as a spirit also reveals some well-buried secrets.
5 perfect blue
A killer industry
The acting industry can be quite brutal. Perfect Blue is a psychological horror anime that sheds some light on these issues. When a J-pop artist, Mima Kirigo, wants to get into acting, not everyone is thrilled with the news. This produces one of the most terrifying things that anyone with a little bit of fame hates to deal with; a hunter
This isn't your typical stalker though, as things turn deadly and another version of Mima threatens to take her place. As the body count begins to rise and Mima's madness consumes her life, she questions if she is unknowingly causing all the deaths in her creation.
4 shiki
A vampire's soul
A horror vampire anime that also explores the psychology of becoming a blood-sucking ghost is Shiki. When a mysterious family moves into a Japanese village, the citizens begin to disappear. While these killings happen quickly and that's enough to scare anyone, it's the psychological aspect that's even scarier.
These vampires may be killers, but Shiki reveals complex layers to the situation. Some embrace the bloodshed, others struggle to reconcile their humanity before finally accepting it. Who you side with is really up to you. Whether you choose human or vampire, the series and imagery will stick with you long after the final episode.
3 Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Magical girls in witches
Magical girls are supposed to embody positive energy and the triumph of good over evil. Puella Magi Madoka Magica takes this concept and gives it some unexpected twists. On the surface level, the premise is still the same, but the enemies they face and the situations the girls find themselves in are far more dangerous than they appear.
Madoka Magica doesn't try to hit you with grotesque imagery or jumpscares, the real scares come from the truth behind the witches invading Japan. The situation only turns deadly when they meet their own unfortunate and surprising ends, highlighting the dangers of being a magical girl.
2 monster
Who deserves to live?
Who deserves to live and who deserves to die? It's a tough question, but neurosurgeon Kenzo Tenma takes it upon himself to decide the answer. When he saves the life of the twins in the politician's life, Tenma believes he made the right choice.
However, when the boy, Johan, is revealed to be the murderer, Tenma must stop the killing and make up for his mistake. Demons is not only a good psychological thriller but also a horror story. Not all monsters look the same and some take on the most helpless forms.
1 Elfen lied
When humanity is far away
Psychotic characters are a real treat in supernatural fiction. Some of them can move objects with their minds, while others can blow your head off with a flick of their finger. Elfen Lied follows an entity known as Lucy, who struggles with the ugliness the world has to offer.
When the last bit of light slips through her fingers, it results in a bloodbath of epic proportions. While Lucy may be a monster, you can't help but sympathize as you watch the trauma that made her who she is. Even so, the anime will shock you to the core, as both good and bad characters are killed without hesitation.
