Favourite Horror Anime (30 Days of Anime – Years 1 to 5) – Day 8
Despite horror being one of my favourite genres, I’ve not seen that many pure horror anime recently. So, for day 8 of the 30 Days of Anime, I’ve broadened my scope a little to include several similar genres. It’s still bloody terrifying!
Favourite Horror Anime (30 Days of Anime – Years 1 to 5) – Day 8
If they weren’t anime, I’m quite certain that all of my selections would be considered horror. Anime, however, seems to want to overclassify, at least My Anime List does. Regardless, all of these should be on any horror anime fan’s watch list. Let’s just dive in!
Year 1 – Darwin’s Game (Season One)
I love it when a series really surprises me in a good way. In the Winter 2020 schedule, I picked a number of shows to watch based almost entirely on their promo images. Darwin’s Game was one of those shows, and it surprised the hell out of me. This series is more of a psychological horror with elements of suspense and gore. I have no problem classifying it as horror anime. Unfortunately, it left things quite open at the end of the season which would be great if a second season was on the horizon. I think that’s incredibly unlikely now, but this was still a lot of fun… if you’re into horror, that is!
Year 2 – Otherside Picnic (Season One)
Otherside Picnic was another series that played on the psychological elements of horror while also delivering some of the most creepy moments imaginable. My skin is crawling just from thinking about some of them. I loved the two main characters and have already begun collecting the manga as this feels like another series that won’t get a second season. I loved the way it took existing paranormal stories and mashed them into this strange portal horror. It does have some issues as they rearranged some of the scenes and failed to adjust for continuity errors. Even with those moments, I loved this series.
Year 3 – The Island of Giant Insects (Movie)
Monster movies are one of my most guilty of pleasures. I especially love it when they involve oversized creatures and follow a fairly standard horror movie format. The Island of Giant Insects does that perfectly. For the uninitiated, it may seem kind of dumb, and it kind of is… is the nicest way possible. It’s gratuitous and crazy, but that’s one of the elements that is present in every movie like this. There are six volumes of the manga and the movie only covers the first two volumes, so there is plenty more for another couple of movies, although, like everything else in this list, that doesn’t seem to be coming anytime soon. I have read all six volumes of the manga and loved every single one of them. At some point, I’ll get on with reviewing them since I’ve only reviewed the first volume.
Year 4 – Mieruko-chan (Season One)
Mieruko-chan is more of a comedy horror, however, it also really gets creepy at times. Part of the comedy is the uncomfortableness of seeing Mieruko attempt to ignore the horrific visions before her eyes. This is another series that I would love to read the manga. Some of the volumes are hard to find, so I may end up going digital similar to The Island of Giant Insects. There was criticism aimed at Mieruko-chan for having too much fan service… these comments can only come from someone unfamiliar with horror. Fear and lust are so intrinsically intertwined that the absence of either would make this series suffer, not that there is that much fan service. There could be much more if I’m being completely honest!
Year 5 – Highschool Of The Dead (Season One)
I think I should apologise to all the shows in Year 5 since I rewatched and reviewed my favourite anime series of all time – Highschool of the Dead. Now, I’m not going to throw it everywhere. It’s not a fantasy anime or a sports anime for example. However, when it can appear, it most likely will. I love zombie stories, I’m a huge fan of ecchi anime, and I love strong women with swords, so Highschool of the Dead was the series I had been waiting for. It’s the show that brought me back into the anime scene after university and work took most of my focus for several years. I love every second of this series and I’m crazy enough to say that this isn’t just my favourite anime zombie series, but my favourite zombie series in any medium (and I have seen, read, and listened to a lot!)
Final Thoughts!
If this post hasn’t captured the spirit of the holiday season then nothing will! Since I’m not religious, I only really partake in the commercial aspects of the season, and when things get too in my face, similar to when every TV station is covering a royal wedding, I find a safe space and watch a couple of zombie movies. I find it oddly calming… I know, I’m weird! Anyhow, the next entry in the 30 Days of Anime will be my favourite Sports Anime. Just what we need to work off that turkey dinner! Thanks for visiting.
Other Posts in the Series
30 Days of Anime (Years 1 to 5)
Merry Christmas 🎅
Thanks. Merry Christmas to you too!
[…] time – Highschool of the Dead. It took a whopping eight titles – Most Nostalgic Anime, Favourite Horror Anime, Most Rewatched Anime, Favourite Anime Protagonist, Favourite Ecchi Anime, Favourite Harem Anime, […]