Top Cosmic Horror Anime Recommendations

Shin Seiki Evangelion

Also known as Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Studio: Gainax , Tatsunoko Production
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Mystery , Psychological , Sci-Fi

In the year 2015, the Angels, huge, tremendously powerful, alien war machines, appear in Tokyo for the second time. The only hope for Mankind's survival lies in the Evangelion, a humanoid fighting machine developed by NERV, a special United Nations agency. Capable of withstanding anything the Angels can dish out, the Evangelion's one drawback lies in the limited number of people able to pilot them. Only a handful of teenagers, all born fourteen years ago, nine months after the Angels first appeared, are able to interface with the Evangelion. One such teenager is Shinji Ikari, whose father heads the NERV team that developed and maintains the Evangelion. Thrust into a maelstrom of battle and events that he does not understand, Shinji is forced to plumb the depths of his own inner resources for the courage and strength to not only fight, but to survive, or risk losing everything.



Note: Later releases include edited versions of Episodes 21-24 called the "Director's Cut" with some visual editing and adding extra scenes that appeared in the theatrical recap 'Death'.

Tags: Philosophy , Coming of Age , Tragedy , Psychosexual , Super Robot , Denpa , Dystopian , Post-Apocalyptic , Angels , Suicide , Kaiju , Conspiracy , Primarily Teen Cast , Male Protagonist , Aliens , Cosmic Horror , Body Horror , Mythology , Religion , Military , Clone , Kuudere , Tsundere , Tokusatsu , Politics , Bisexual , Gore , Trains , Espionage , Nudity , LGBTQ+ Themes , Boys' Love , Episodic

Made in Abyss

Also known as Made in Abyss.

Studio: Kinema Citrus
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Horror , Mystery , Sci-Fi

The "Abyss" is the last unexplored place in the world. Strange and wonderful creatures roam within, and it is full of precious relics that present humans can't recreate. Those that dare to explore the depths are known as "Cave Raiders." An orphan girl named Riko lives on the rim. Her dream is to become a Cave Raider like her mother and solve the mysteries of the cave system. One day, Riko starts exploring the caves and discovers a robot who resembles a human boy.



Note: The last episode aired with a runtime of ~48 minutes as opposed to the standard 24 minute long episode.

Tags: Survival , Primarily Child Cast , Environmental , Travel , Chibi , Body Horror , Tragedy , Philosophy , Lost Civilization , Dungeon , Seinen , Female Protagonist , Gore , Amnesia , Cosmic Horror , Robots , Male Protagonist , Steampunk , Outdoor , Anthropomorphism , Food , Femboy , Orphan , Tanned Skin , Agender , Religion , Rehabilitation , Crossdressing , Maids , Dissociative Identities , School , Time Manipulation , Curses , Amputation , Conspiracy

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Also known as Gurren Lagann.

Studio: Gainax
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Mecha , Romance , Sci-Fi

In a far away future, mankind lives underground in huge caves, unknowing of a world above with a sky and stars.

In the small village of Jiha, Simon, a shy boy who works as a digger discovers a strange glowing object during excavation. The enterprising Kamina, a young man with a pair of rakish sunglasses and the passion of a firey sun, befriends Simon and forms a small band of brothers, the Gurren Brigade, to escape the village and break through the ceiling of the cave to reach the surface, which few believe exist.

The village elder won't hear of such foolishness and punishes the Brigade. However, when disaster strikes from the world above and the entire village is in jeopardy, it's up to Simon, Kamina, a girl with a big gun named Yoko, and the small yet sturdy robot, Lagann, to save the day.

The new friends journey to the world above and find that the surface is a harsh battlefield, and it's up to them to fight back against the rampaging Beastmen to turn the tide in the humans' favor! Pierce the heavens, Gurren Lagann!

Tags: Super Robot , Coming of Age , Dystopian , Found Family , Male Protagonist , Post-Apocalyptic , Primarily Adult Cast , Space Opera , Tragedy , Travel , War , Shounen , Space , Time Skip , Aliens , Class Struggle , Politics , Desert , Anthropomorphism , Outdoor , Heterosexual , Henshin , Military , Animals , Guns , Alternate Universe , Urban , Nudity , Love Triangle , Cosmic Horror , Swordplay , Suicide , CGI , Boys' Love

DEVILMAN crybaby

Also known as Devilman Crybaby.

Studio: Science SARU
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Horror , Psychological , Supernatural

New Devilman project marking Go Nagai's 50th anniversary as a creator.

The protagonist Akira Fudou learns from his best friend, Ryou Asuka, that an ancient race of demons has returned to take back the world from humans. Ryou tells Akira that the only way to defeat the demons is to incorporate their supernatural powers, and suggests that he unite with a demon himself. Akira succeeds in transforming into Devilman, who possesses both the powers of a demon and the soul of a human. The battle of Devilman and Akira Fudou begins.



Tags: Demons , Tragedy , Body Horror , Gore , Urban Fantasy , Gods , Shapeshifting , Psychosexual , Male Protagonist , Philosophy , Cosmic Horror , Nudity , War , Monster Boy , Angels , Henshin , Anti-Hero , Mythology , Coming of Age , Unrequited Love , Cannibalism , Revenge , LGBTQ+ Themes , Athletics , Boys' Love , Hip-hop Music , Heterosexual , Guns , Drugs , Meta , Masturbation , Bisexual , Public Sex , Politics , Motorcycles , Afterlife , Shounen , Post-Apocalyptic , Conspiracy

JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Ougon no Kaze

Also known as JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind.

Studio: David Production
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Mystery , Supernatural

The fifth story arc of the long-running JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series.

Giorno Giovanna, a young man living in Naples, has the blood of DIO -- the eternal enemy of the Joestar clan -- running in his veins. Giorno becomes a delinquent due to being persecuted since childhood. However, he's led back onto the right path thanks to a gangster who saved him and taught him to believe in others. Bizarrely enough, this gang of people who didn't forget honor, gratitude, and respect made him reform. This is how Giorno came to admire gangsters. In the backstreets of Italy, Giorno causes trouble alongside his gang "Passione," and ends up being targeted...



Tags: Super Power , Mafia , Gangs , Male Protagonist , Primarily Male Cast , Urban Fantasy , Foreign , Ensemble Cast , Shounen , Travel , Criminal Organization , Crime , Tragedy , Time Manipulation , Fugitive , Dissociative Identities , Guns , Drugs , Gore , Urban , Philosophy , Detective , Body Horror , Body Swapping , Time Loop , Trains , Police , Ghost , Animals , Cosmic Horror , Time Skip , Aliens , Disability , Zombie

Jigokuraku

Also known as Hell’s Paradise.

Studio: MAPPA
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Mystery , Supernatural

The Edo period is nearing its end. Gabimaru, a shinobi formerly known as the strongest in Iwagakure who is now a death row convict, is told that he will be acquitted and set free if he can bring back the Elixir of Life from an island that is rumored to be the Buddhist pure land Sukhavati. In hopes of reuniting with his beloved wife, Gabimaru heads to the island along with the executioner Yamada Asaemon Sagiri. Upon arriving there, they encounter other death row convicts in search of the Elixir of Life... as well as a host of unknown creatures, eerie manmade statues, and the hermits who rule the island. Can Gabimaru find the Elixir of Life on this mysterious island and make it back home alive?



Tags: Survival , Swordplay , Gore , Ninja , Body Horror , Samurai , Shounen , Battle Royale , Anti-Hero , Historical , Travel , Tragedy , Religion , Gods , Super Power , Philosophy , Heterosexual , Primarily Adult Cast , Gender Bending , Fugitive , Martial Arts , Death Game , Crime , Nudity , Orphan , Primarily Male Cast , Cultivation , Cult , Bisexual , Cosmic Horror , Cannibalism , Amnesia

Bungou Stray Dogs 2nd Season

Also known as Bungo Stray Dogs 2.

Studio: bones
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Mystery , Supernatural

The second season of Bungou Stray Dogs.

Despite their differences in position, three men—the youngest senior executive of the Port Mafia, Osamu Dazai, the lowest ranking member, Sakunosuke Oda, and the intelligence agent, Angou Sakaguchi—gather at the Lupin Bar at the end of the day to relax and take delight in the company of friends.
However, one night, Angou disappears. A photograph taken at the bar is all that is left of the three together.
Fast forward to the present, and Dazai is now a member of the Armed Detective Agency. The Guild, an American gifted organization, has entered the fray and is intent on taking the Agency's work permit. They must now divide their attention between the two groups, the Guild and the Port Mafia, who oppose their very existence.

Tags: Super Power , War , Seinen , Classic Literature , Mafia , Male Protagonist , Detective , Urban Fantasy , Tragedy , Ensemble Cast , Terrorism , Anti-Hero , Guns , Urban , Primarily Male Cast , Philosophy , Orphan , Primarily Adult Cast , Conspiracy , Shapeshifting , Espionage , Kuudere , Bar , Cosmic Horror

Shin Seiki Evangelion Movie: Air / Magokoro wo, Kimi ni

Also known as Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion.

Studio: Gainax , Production I.G
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Psychological , Sci-Fi

NERV faces a brutal attack from SEELE, but with Asuka in a coma, and Shinji in a nervous breakdown, things soon turn into the surreal. This movie provides a concurrent ending to the final two episodes of the show Neon Genesis Evangelion.



Tags: Philosophy , Tragedy , Dystopian , Coming of Age , Post-Apocalyptic , Denpa , Meta , Gods , Body Horror , Conspiracy , Male Protagonist , Gore , Super Robot , Afterlife , Mythology , Kaiju , Robots , Cosmic Horror , Female Protagonist , Religion , Psychosexual , Primarily Teen Cast , Guns , Kuudere , Nudity , Masturbation , Clone , Tsundere , Politics , Space

serial experiments lain

Also known as Serial Experiments Lain.

Studio: Triangle Staff
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Sci-Fi , Supernatural

We're all connected... There is the world around us, a world of people, tactile sensation, and culture. There is the wired world, inside the computer, of images, personalities, virtual experiences, and a culture all of its own. The day after a classmate commits suicide, Lain, a 14-year-old girl, discovers how closely the two worlds are linked when she receives an e-mail from the dead girl: I just abandoned my body. I still live here...

Has the line between the real world and the wired world begun to blur?



Tags: Denpa , Virtual World , Philosophy , Dissociative Identities , Augmented Reality , Female Protagonist , Memory Manipulation , Artificial Intelligence , Software Development , Cyberpunk , Gods , Cosmic Horror , Conspiracy , Cult , Video Games , Suicide , Religion , Urban , Meta , Tragedy , Primarily Female Cast , Amnesia , Afterlife , Adoption , POV , Orphan , Anti-Hero , Drugs , Trains , Aliens , School , Isekai , Death Game , Age Gap , Bullying , Zombie

Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou

Also known as Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest.

Studio: White Fox , Asread
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy , Psychological

When a classroom of students is transported to another world to act as its saviors, Hajime Nagumo finds himself the weakest link. As his friends and classmates are granted strong classes and impressive abilities due to their existing skills, he is given the weak title of Synergist. When a dungeon quest leaves him separated from his group, Hajime must discover his own talents or be left to rot in this world forever.



Tags: Isekai , Male Protagonist , Magic , Alternate Universe , Dungeon , Anti-Hero , CGI , Nudity , Cosmic Horror , Female Harem , Conspiracy , Primarily Female Cast , Vampire , Monster Girl , Guns , Demons , Revenge , Kemonomimi , Chuunibyou , Anachronism , Tragedy , Software Development , Dragons , Drugs , Kuudere , Battle Royale , Cannibalism , Death Game , Primarily Teen Cast , Tsundere , Pirates , Swordplay , Gore

Owari no Seraph: Nagoya Kessen-hen

Also known as Seraph of the End: Battle in Nagoya.

Studio: Wit Studio
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Supernatural

Yuuichirou has reunited with Mikaela at the Shinjuku Battle. But Mikaela was turned into a vampire... To save the "family," and to protect his fellow members, Yuuichirou needed to gain knowledge and power. He searched for ways to bring back vampire to human beings, and at the same time, trained hard working on the Cursed Gear.

Meanwhile, Kureto calls Guren and tells him a shocking truth. That in one month, the main unit of the vampire will start attacking Tokyo. To get a head start against vampires, Kureto orders Guren to go to Nagoya. The noble extermination mission is about to open fire!



Tags: Conspiracy , Lost Civilization , Vampire , Post-Apocalyptic , Demons , Military , War , Male Protagonist , Revenge , Shounen , Rotoscoping , Urban Fantasy , Boys' Love , Swordplay , Gore , Tragedy , Heterosexual , Cosmic Horror

Summer Time Render

Also known as Summer Time Rendering.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mystery , Supernatural , Thriller

A sci-fi, summer story filled with suspense set on a small island with Shinpei Aijiro, whose childhood friend Ushio Kofune died. He returns to his hometown for the first time in two years for the funeral. Sou Hishigata, his best friend, suspects something's off with Ushio's death, and that someone can die next.

A sinister omen is heard as an entire family next door suddenly disappears the following day. Furthermore, Mio implicates a "shadow" three days before Ushio's death.



Tags: Time Loop , Time Manipulation , Shapeshifting , Urban Fantasy , Reincarnation , Super Power , Rural , Tragedy , Mythology , Alternate Universe , Religion , Primarily Teen Cast , Body Swapping , Coastal , Ensemble Cast , Dissociative Identities , Cosmic Horror , Survival , Male Protagonist , Heterosexual , Gore , Body Horror , Amnesia , Aliens , Ghost , Guns , Shounen , Denpa , Tanned Skin , Love Triangle , Unrequited Love , Nudity

Shinsekai yori

Also known as From the New World.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Sci-Fi , Supernatural

Following a sudden outbreak of psychokinesis in 0.1% of the population, a rapid transformation swept the world. The godlike ability to manipulate matter remotely turned many power wielders to violence, inciting a long period of upheaval. Finally, after a chaotic era shaped by the rise and fall of oppressive regimes, the psychic humans were able to achieve a fragile peace by isolating their society, creating a new world bound by complex rules.

In the town of Kamisu 66, 12-year-old Saki Watanabe has just awakened to her powers and is relieved to rejoin her friends—the mischievous Satoru Asahina, the shy Mamoru Itou, the cheerful Maria Akizuki, and Shun Aonuma, a mysterious boy whom Saki admires—at Sage Academy, a special school for psychics. However, unease looms as Saki begins to question the fate of those unable to awaken to their powers, and the children begin to get involved with secretive matters such as the rumored Tainted Cats said to abduct children.

Shinsekai yori tells the unique coming-of-age story of Saki and her friends as they journey to grow into their roles in the supposed utopia. Accepting these roles, however, might not come easy when faced with the dark and shocking truths of society, and the impending havoc born from the new world.



Tags: Class Struggle , Dystopian , Lost Civilization , Post-Apocalyptic , Philosophy , Coming of Age , Tragedy , Super Power , Anti-Hero , Time Skip , Female Protagonist , Slavery , Conspiracy , Memory Manipulation , Politics , Revenge , Bisexual , Survival , War , Animals , Cosmic Horror , Magic , Rural , Environmental , Amnesia , Cult , Gore , Body Horror , LGBTQ+ Themes , Fugitive , Chimera , Heterosexual , Religion , Love Triangle , Torture , Anthropomorphism , School , Boys' Love , Aviation

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

Also known as When They Cry.

Studio: Studio DEEN
Status: Finished
Genres: Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural , Thriller

After moving into the quiet town of Hinamizawa, Maebara Keiichi spends his days blissfully in school often playing games with his local friends. However, appearances can be deceiving. One fateful day, Keiichi stumbles upon news of a murder that had occurred in Hinamizawa. From this point on, horrific events unfold in front of Keiichi, as he soon learns his close friends may not be all that they seem. Based on the amateur mystery game by 07th Expansion, the story is told in a series of different scenarios.

Tags: Denpa , Alternate Universe , Ensemble Cast , Time Manipulation , Tragedy , Rural , Conspiracy , Achronological Order , Gore , Time Loop , Chibi , Body Horror , Bullying , Torture , Male Protagonist , Yandere , Twins , Urban Fantasy , Mythology , Pandemic , Primarily Female Cast , Cosmic Horror , School Club , Primarily Teen Cast , Shrine Maiden , Police , Female Protagonist , Historical , Board Game , Crossdressing

BLEACH: Sennen Kessen-hen

Also known as BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War.

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Supernatural

Was it all just a coincidence, or was it inevitable?

Ichigo Kurosaki gained the powers of a Soul Reaper through a chance encounter. As a Substitute Soul Reaper, Ichigo became caught in the turmoil of the Soul Society, a place where deceased souls gather. But with help from his friends, Ichigo overcame every challenge to become even stronger.

When new Soul Reapers and a new enemy appear in his hometown of Karakura, Ichigo jumps back into the battlefield with his Zanpakuto to help those in need. Meanwhile, the Soul Society is observing a sudden surge in the number of Hollows being destroyed in the World of the Living. They also receive separate reports of residents in the Rukon District having gone missing. Finally, the Seireitei, home of the Soul Reapers, comes under attack by a group calling themselves the Wandenreich.

Led by Yhwach, the father of all Quincies, the Wandenreich declare war against the Soul Reapers with the following message: "Five days from now, the Soul Society will be annihilated by the Wandenreich."

The history and truth kept hidden by the Soul Reapers for a thousand long years is finally brought to light.

All things must come to an end as Ichigo Kurosaki's final battle begins!

Tags: War , Swordplay , Shounen , Super Power , Male Protagonist , Tragedy , Gore , Afterlife , Body Horror , Cosmic Horror , Urban Fantasy , Terrorism , Cultivation , Religion , Mythology , Time Skip , Tomboy , Angels , CGI

Kenpuu Denki Berserk

Also known as Berserk.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Horror , Supernatural

Set during a time that very much resembles Europe during the Middle Ages, Berserk is a story of revenge set in the castle town of Midland. Recently, the town has seen the rise of a wicked king, who uses demonic minions to control and victimise his subjects.

However, when a lone soldier enters the town calling himself the Black Swordsman and armed to the teeth, many sense that the king's days of unchecked oppression are over. Soon, the Black Swordsman is plying his trade by hunting down the king's evil servants, giving no quarter, and preparing to exact his vengeance on the king.



Tags: Tragedy , Seinen , Swordplay , War , Cosmic Horror , Male Protagonist , Gore , Anti-Hero , Military , Philosophy , Found Family , Primarily Adult Cast , Class Struggle , Demons , Revenge , Politics , Heterosexual , Primarily Male Cast , Love Triangle , Travel , Tsundere , Coming of Age , Archery , Fugitive , Tomboy , Nudity , Tanned Skin , Skeleton , Torture

Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] I. presage flower

Also known as Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] I. presage flower.

Studio: ufotable
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Fantasy , Psychological , Supernatural

The first film in a trilogy adaptation of the third route of the popular visual novel: Fate/stay night.

10 years after the Holy Grail War—a battle waged by Masters and Servants over the wish-granting container, the Holy Grail—another war breaks out in Fuyuki City. Shirou Emiya—the adopted son of Kiritsugu Emiya, a participant of the previous Holy Grail War—is leading a peaceful life with people dear to him. Especially close to him is his underclassman Sakura Matou, who brings kindness into his otherwise lonely life. But once the Holy Grail War starts, Shirou’s peaceful life is sundered.



Tags: Battle Royale , Magic , Urban Fantasy , Assassins , Mythology , Necromancy , Orphan , Swordplay , Female Protagonist , Adoption , Demons , Male Protagonist , Gore , School , CGI , Super Power , Cosmic Horror , Found Family , Archery , War , Zombie , Urban , Primarily Teen Cast , School Club , Kuudere , Witch , Food , Heterosexual , Spearplay , Religion , Tsundere , Tanned Skin

Made in Abyss: Retsujitsu no Ougonkyou

Also known as Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun.

Studio: Kinema Citrus
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Horror , Mystery , Sci-Fi

The second season of Made in Abyss.

Directly after the events of Made in Abyss: Fukaki Tamashii no Reimei, the third installment of Made in Abyss covers the adventures of Reg, Riko, and Nanachi in the Sixth Layer, The Capital of the Unreturned.

Note: The last episode aired with a runtime of ~48 minutes as opposed to the standard 24 minute long episode.

Tags: Tragedy , Survival , Primarily Child Cast , Lost Civilization , Cosmic Horror , Gore , Seinen , Body Horror , Ensemble Cast , Travel , Female Protagonist , Revenge , Monster Girl , Robots , Philosophy , Found Family , Male Protagonist , Chibi , Language Barrier , Dungeon , Cannibalism , Achronological Order , Environmental , Pregnant , Disability , Food , Orphan , Amnesia , CGI , Outdoor , Nudity , Religion , Amputation

Platinum End

Also known as Platinum End.

Studio: Signal.MD
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Romance , Supernatural

When life becomes too much for Mirai to bear and attempts taking his own life, he’s saved by Nasse, a guardian angel who offers him a chance at becoming the new god. To do so, he must face off against 12 other candidates within 999 days. Mirai, who was once at rock bottom, now finds himself with supernatural powers in a battle royale for the highest title.



Tags: Tragedy , Denpa , Battle Royale , Angels , Gods , Survival , Suicide , Urban Fantasy , Philosophy , Male Protagonist , Urban , Crime , Religion , Conspiracy , Super Power , Primarily Teen Cast , Cosmic Horror , Heterosexual , Bullying , Gore , Shounen , Ensemble Cast , Archery , Henshin , CGI , Yandere , Hikikomori , Politics , Kuudere , Time Skip , Primarily Adult Cast

Evangelion Shin Movie: Ha

Also known as Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance.

Studio: Studio Khara
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Psychological , Sci-Fi

In the earliest battles against the monstrous Angels, young Eva pilots Shinji and Rei were forced to carry humanity's hopes on their shoulders. Now, with the deadly onslaught of the Angels escalating and the apocalyptic Third Impact looming, Shinji and Rei find their burden shared by two new Eva pilots, the fiery Asuka and the mysterious Mari. Maneuvering their enormous Eva machines into combat, the four young souls fight desperately to save mankind from the heavens—but will they be able to save themselves?



Note: Exists in several versions, as denoted by the version number:
• 2.0: Jun 27, 2009 - Original theatrical release
• 2.22: May 26, 2010 - Blu-ray/DVD release with new scenes and 'readjustments'.

Tags: Kaiju , Super Robot , Military , Meta , Denpa , Cosmic Horror , Real Robot , Post-Apocalyptic , Aliens , Male Protagonist , CGI , Coming of Age , Primarily Teen Cast , Urban , Tsundere , Heterosexual , Super Power , Kuudere , Mythology , Tomboy , Nudity