The Most Disturbing Anime According to Otaku
One of the strengths of anime is its ability to arouse the viewer's emotions. Over the years, fans have watched many series that evoke great joy, filling viewers with a newfound love for the people and world around them. There have also been anime that have tried the opposite, filling the viewer with terror and dread.
The history of anime is full of disturbing series that have left an indelible mark on audiences. They are series that disturb the viewer just by mentioning their name, even years after their broadcast. Sometimes, these disturbing shows are traditional horror stories filled with monsters and mayhem. However, other genres often kick in, presenting moments and storylines that will certainly keep viewers up at night.
ANOTHER
Based on the novel of the same name by Yukito Ayatsuji, "Another" was animated by P.A.WORKS. The series tells the story of Kouichi Sakakibara, a student who has just transferred to class 3-3 at Yomiyama North High School. Kouichi is fascinated by Mei Misaki, a quiet girl who is always ignored by the other students. She quickly learns that she is ostracized due to a local legend that a ghost joins class 3-3 every year and brings bad luck if they are recognized. As Kouichi begins to delve into the mystery, his classmates and loved ones begin to die under mysterious circumstances, turning the mystery into a race against time.
Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica
Gen Urobuchi is no stranger to subverting public expectations, and nothing proves that better than 2011's "Mahou Shoujo Madoka" Magica. The series follows Madoka Kaname, a high school girl whose life is turned upside down when she meets a cat-like being named Kyubey. Kyubey offers Madoka any wish her heart desires, as long as she agrees to become a magical girl and participate in the war between magical girls and witches.
Higurashi: When They Cry
"Higurashi: When They Cry" (2006) is an animated series by Studio Deen based on the visual novel of the same name. The series follows Keiichi Maebara, a young man who has just moved to the small town of Hinamizawa. At first, Hinamizawa seems worldly, and Keiichi soon befriends his classmates Rena Ryuuguu, Shion Sonozaki, Mion Sonozaki, Satoko Houjou, and Rika Furude. Keiichi soon learns that the town's upcoming festival has a dark history and that the town has recently suffered a series of mysterious deaths and disappearances.
Texhnolyze
"Texhnolyze" was animated by Madhouse and hit screens in 2003. The series follows Ichise, a young man who lives in the underground city of Lux. Ichise's life is turned upside down when his arm and leg are cut off after a fight. As he bleeds out, Ichise is rescued by Eriko Kaneda. Through a mysterious process, Erika endows Ichise with a cybernetic arm and leg that function like his ancient limbs.
Shinsekai yori (From the New World)
Based on the novel by Yusuke Kishi, 2012's "From The New World" follows Saki Watanabe, a young girl living in the idyllic rural village of Kamisu 66. When she turns 12, Saki's psychic powers develop, allowing her to join her friends at Sage Academy. But Saki and her friends don't realize that they are constantly being watched by the village government, which has no qualms about removing students from society if they don't live up to expectations. Also, when a student is expelled, the government erases everyone's memory about them, basically erasing them from existence.
Paranoia Agent
Directed by the legendary Satoshi Kon and animated by Madhouse, "Paranoia Agent" is set in the city of Musashino. The inhabitants of this city live in fear of Lil' Slugger, a young man on roller skates who has been beating random people with a baseball bat. However, none of Lil' Slugger's victims remember much about the boy, making it difficult to locate him.
Monster
"Monster" is an adaptation of the manga of the same name by Naoki Urasawa. Follow Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a young neurosurgeon at Eisler Memorial Hospital in Düsseldorf. Tenma's life takes a strange turn when a series of violent murders occur in the city, all of which appear to have been committed by someone Tenma saved several years earlier. This puts Tenma in a difficult situation, as he is forced to debate how to handle the situation and make amends for unknowingly releasing a monster into the world.
Serial Experiments Lain
Written by Chiaki J. Konaka and directed by Ryutarō Nakamura, the cult anime "Serial Experiments Lain" follows Lain Iwakura. Lain's life is turned upside down when she receives a strange email from Chisa Yomoda, a student at her school who took her own life a few weeks earlier. In her email, Chisa tells Lain that she is not dead. Instead, he has renounced his physical body and become one with Wired, the virtual reality mass communication network that connects the world's computers. As Lain discovers the truth about the situation, she is drawn into something bigger than she could have imagined, and the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds begin to crumble.
Aku no Hana (Flowers of Evil)
"Flowers of Evil" follows Takao Kasuga, a high school student who loves poetry, especially Charles Baudelaire's "The Flowers of Evil." One day, while retrieving his copy of a class book, Takao impulsively steals the gym clothes of Nanako Saeki, a classmate he idolizes. Takao instantly regrets his decision, but before he can make amends for his mistake, a girl named Sawa Nakamura reveals to him that she saw the robbery happen and threatens to expel Takeo if he doesn't do as she tells him.
Happy Sugar Life
While the name may suggest that "Happy Sugar Life" is a fun and light-hearted anime, it couldn't be further from the truth. Based on the manga written by Tomiyaki Kagisora, "Happy Sugar Life" follows Satou Matsuzaka, a girl known for having a new boyfriend every few days. When he meets a girl named Shio Koube, Satou instantly falls in love and becomes convinced that the girl is his true love. That's why he vows to do whatever it takes to stay with her forever. Because of this, Satou ends up doing horrible things to Shio and others to protect his "Happy Sugar Life".
