Thrill, suspense, excitement – where would you get these three together? For an anime lover, it becomes a question of curiosity as sometimes it’s not that easy to get all the entertainment and drama in your typical fictional stories. And, to confront the same situation dark fantasy animanga are in existence that deals with the topics which haunt the average human mind.

Watching or reading the usual fantasy anime/manga daily may bore your brain and to get out of it you need something a little grittier and dramatic than what lighter fantasy has to offer. The fictional stories that tackle the mature and sensitive topics are what you need and for that getting into the dark fantasy genre is the best decision.

And, in today’s article, we’ll take a look at some of the best dark fantasy animanga that will enlighten you with the obscure, bloody, subtle and psychological side of the fictional world. So, without any further ado let’s get started.

10. Black Butler

Dark shonen manga, Black Butler is one of the most popular recent works by a female mangaka. The clean and classy character designs of the series make the art appealing to the audience. Furthermore, the anime adaptation of the manga is also very well-received by the viewers, especially the female geeks.

The series follows a 12-year-old orphan boy, Ciel Phantomhive who sets on a journey, with Demonic butler Sebastian, to find the real culprits behind his parent’s death. Black Butler anime has all sorts of things to entertain its fans however, it doesn’t put much effort into following the manga, which many fans can find frustrating. The manga is more interesting than the anime so go for it.

9. Uzumaki

Uzumaki is an upcoming anime in 2022 which is based on the manga of the same name written by acclaimed writer, Junji Ito. The series tells the story of the citizens of Kurouzu-cho, a fictional city which is plagued by a supernatural curse involving spirals. The horror of Uzumaki is highly effective due to its subversion of symbols which are positively portrayed in Japanese media.

Besides its theme of protagonists struggling against a mysterious force stronger than themselves, the episodic plots in Uzumaki are also pretty interesting to watch. An anime television series adaptation is scheduled to premiere in October 2022. Notably, the anime will be produced entirely in black and white.

8. Hellsing

When the debate is about dark fantasy animanga and not talking about the Vampires is pretty unfair. And, Hellsing is as dark as it gets. However, you should be aware of the fact that there are two versions of the series – Hellsing and Hellsing Ultimate. Both have their own plus points, you should stick to Hellsing Ultimate if you only plan to watch one of them.

The series follows a group of vampire hunters called Hellsing. Their biggest weapon against the exquisitely vicious undead is an immortal vampire named Alucard who only craves blood and money. Alucard’s job is pretty simple – find and destroy the supernatural threats to the English crown. If you’re into gore scenes and bloodbaths, then Hellsing is the best destination for you.

7. The Promised Neverland

Acclaimed as one of the best anti-shonen anime series, The Promised Neverland is a treat to watch due to its thrilling moments and unexpected plot twists. The show is comprised of only 12-episodes and is about an orphanage but, it feels like a roller coaster ride at each turn and the rich character exploration helps in building up an intense storyline.

The very first impressions of the series are so peaceful and heartwarming that it gives you the vibes of a slice-of-life anime. But, as the series moves further you get to realise it’s not that peaceful and the horrifying world of The Promised Neverland starts to unfold as soon as you finish watching the first episode. Keep in mind that pick up the manga of the series, as the anime adaptation is worst as hell.

6. Dorohedoro

Dorohedoro is a dark fantasy animanga series written and illustrated by Q Hayashida. The anime television series of Dorohedoro was broadcasted in March 2020 and is available to watch on Netflix. This could become one of the freakishly insane series on your list. With its mix of crime thrillers and dark fantasy, Dorohedoro is an anime/manga which you will never forget.

Dorohedoro is set in a post-apocalyptic future, taking place across three distinct realms. The series follows the journey of the amnesiac reptilian-headed Caiman, a cursed man who desperately seeks to regain his memory stolen by a sorcerer. Working together with his friend Nikaido, he tries to recover his memories and survive in a strange & violent underworld run by sorcerers and demons.

5. Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo Ghoul is one hell of a series that features a well-written anime protagonist like Ken Kaneki, who was once a mild-mannered literature student but eventually turned into a ghoul. Tokyo Ghoul serves as the best example of a dark shōnen animanga to date and the horrifying scenes have been illustrated right from Episode 1.

Kaneki’s transformation into a ghoul and confronting his newfound desire to eat human flesh, only visualising these things is more than enough to give chills. Furthermore, he has to figure out how to survive in a society that’s constantly targeting ghouls like him. But, even with an appealing manga Tokyo Ghoul failed to impress the audience with its anime adaptation.

4. Made In Abyss

Made in Abyss is a dark fantasy sci-fi manga series written and illustrated by Akihito Tsukushi. The series is about an orphaned girl named Riko who lives in the Belchero Orphanage in the town of Orth. The town surrounds a strange, giant hole descending deep into the earth, which is known as the Abyss.

Riko, determined to find her mother, bids farewell to her friends and secretly departs into the Abyss with Reg as her companion. What she endures along the way makes this one of the most disturbing anime in recent history. The plot of the series is extremely dark and the intense moments in the entirety of this anime make it more thrilling.

3. Attack On Titan

Attack on Titan is one of the most in-demand television shows in history, so if you haven’t seen it already, it’s worth checking out for that reason alone. Coming from the brilliant mind of Hajime Isayama, Attack On Titan is arguably the most well-known dark fantasy animanga ever made – a brutal show that’s not afraid to kill off the main cast if that’s what the story requires.

The series is set in a post-apocalyptic time when humanity has been forced to live behind a series of protective walls to protect themselves from the mindless humanoid predators called Titans. The series is full of mysteries to uncover, and it tackles political and psychological themes exceptionally. Attack On Titan is like an addiction for newcomers, and you’re missing out on a lot if you haven’t watched it yet.

2. Death Note

One of the most popular crime thriller anime Death Note is a top-tier show. There will not be a single fan who would have disliked this series. And, once you start this anime then leaving it in the middle is almost impossible! Death Note is the first priority for many anime enthusiasts out there. Most of the part of the series is close to perfect except for some little flaws or better to say missing links.

The fascinating story of a student getting a notebook that grants him the power to exterminate anyone can draw the attention of any viewer. And, in the same way, the series caught the eyes of many and became very popular in the community. But, as the show moved forward the killings became aggressive and went darker, making it an unforgettable series for the fans.

1. Berserk

Berserk is renowned for being one of the darkest and most despair-inducing stories ever told. When many people think about dark fantasy animanga, Berserk is the first thing that comes to anyone’s mind. The series follows a mercenary named Guts whose entire life is a parade of endless horror.

Whether it’s the cruelties he suffers at the hands of his adoptive father, the massive betrayal of his former friend Griffith, or the endless series of monsters that are attracted to his brand of sacrifice, nothing is ever easy for Guts. This show’s poignant characterization is one of its best aspects, also the story and world-building are good enough to keep you coming back.

Which one of the following dark fantasy animanga is your favorite? Feel free to comment down your thoughts and make sure to recommend some other anime/manga like the ones listed above, also don’t forget to share this article with your fellow otaku friends.

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