If you want to make the most out of your Hulu subscription, you must give a chance to dark anime.
Instead of the usual romantic comedy or slice-of-life show, you can enjoy Chainsaw Man, Hellsing Ultimate or even Puella Magi Madoka Magica.
In terms of choice, Hulu has plenty of dreadful and gloomy shows for every taste and we will show you the darkest anime available.
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25. Platinum End
Platinum End is the 3rd manga born from the collaboration between Tsugumi Oba and Takeshi Obata, the authors of Death Note.
Regrettably, this series is universally regarded as their worst work among the three, and we agree. Its story is controversial and quickly becomes boring, with some elements feeling recycled from Death Note.
If you’re a fan of the authors, we recommend watching it on Hulu, but it’s advised not to expect too much.
Mirai Kakehashi is a boy who has lost everything: his family died in an accident, his aunt and uncle who took him in mistreat him, and his school life is proceeding anonymously, to say the least.
That’s why one day he makes the drastic decision to climb to the top of a building to take his own life, but here the unexpected happens: an angel named Nasse saves him, claiming to be his guardian.
But what appears to be a miracle is just the beginning of some dark twists and turns…
24. Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo Ghoul is the animated adaptation of Sui Ishida’s popular horror manga of the same name, with the first season released in 2014 followed by 2 more, and you can find all 3 seasons on Hulu.
The story focuses on Ken Kaneki, an ordinary college student who lives in a town plagued by strange and violent murders.
The agents suspect that the deaths are caused by Ghouls, mysterious creatures that feed on the bodies of their victims, but nobody has seen them yet.
We have expressed our opinion on Tokyo Ghoul multiple times: it’s a fantastic manga with a great story, but with an animated adaptation that falls short, cutting some parts and inventing others.
For those interested in the series, use your Hulu subscription to explore the story and then decide whether to continue with the anime or switch to reading the manga.
23. Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry is the animated adaptation of the iconic videogame developed by Capcom, released in 2007 with 12 episodes.
It follows the adventures of Dante, a half-man half-demon owner of the Devil May Cry handyman agency, just like in the original product.
With his trusty sword and guns, he fearlessly takes on any challenge that comes his way.
Devil May Cry isn’t a bad anime, but we can’t say it is great either.
We recommend playing the videogame if you have the chance, or watching this series if you don’t have a console or are a fan of the series and want to experience another adventure of Dante.
22. No Guns Life
No Guns Life is a rather innovative anime produced by Madhouse in 2019 that’s currently available on Hulu.
We recommend it if you’re seeking something different from the usual, featuring a drama/crime component and quite a few dark moments.
The story unfolds in a world inhabited by Extends, humans with modified body parts turned into weapons.
The main character, Juuzou Inui, is one of them, with his head transformed into a gun, and he has no memories of his life before this modification.
The episodes follow Juuzou and Mary, a girl under his protection, as they tackle cases involving other Extends.
21.The Promised Neverland
The Promised Neverland is a popular drama/horror anime released over 2 seasons so far.
The setup of this anime is both simple and frightening. Humans and demons ended a long war by reaching an agreement known as The Promise.
Under this agreement, humans and demons will not invade each other’s worlds, but demons will be supplied with human flesh as their food source.
That’s why kids are bred in fake orphanages and raised until they are adopted and eventually fed to high-ranking demons.
The Promised Neverland is another example of a fluctuating animated adaptation, with an excellent first season that then goes downhill with the second.
We reiterate our recommendation to use Hulu to see if you like the premise of the story and then possibly continue with the manga.
20. Akame ga Kill!
Akame ga Kill! is a dark and politically-driven story that follows a young boy named Tatsumi, who joins the Night Raid, a covert assassination branch of the Revolutionary Army fighting to overthrow the corrupted Prime Minister.
This series is a great choice if you’re seeking a dark and violent anime with a lot of deaths and often not exactly family-friendly.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the anime differs significantly from the manga, especially when it concludes.
So, if you’re curious about the complete story, make sure to explore the original source material as well.
There are some key differences between the anime and the manga since the first one had to finish before the original source.
19. Id:Invaded
ID: Invaded is a 2020 mystery and crime anime released in 13 episodes that you can currently find on Hulu.
It’s an interesting series, with a captivating Sci-Fi/mystery plot and quite a few dark and emotionally strong twists and turns, complemented by some excellent animation as well.
The story revolves around the Mizuhanome System, a groundbreaking technology that allows detectives to enter the minds of criminals and uncover their darkest secrets.
The protagonist is Sakaido, a former detective who committed murder and becomes the perfect candidate to enter the id wells and solve cases, as he is well-known due to his exceptional detective skills.
But as he dives deeper into the criminal’s minds, he realizes that there’s more than meets the eye with these cases.
18. Claymore
Claymore is a 26-episode anime set in a dark medieval fantasy-themed world where the inhabitants are forced to fight the threat of monstrous creatures that feed on humans.
Fighting these creatures, called Yomi, are the Claymores, warriors with enormous power who can counter the terrible monsters with their swords.
The protagonist of the story is Claire, a low-level claymore who will increase her fighting power over time as she discovers the deceptions behind the Yomi and the society in which she lives.
Claymore is a great anime based on an equally fantastic manga that we indeed recommend checking out after you finish the anime for more.
It’s a dark fantasy story with lots of twists, intense parts, and characters that change a lot as the story goes on, all along with gore scenes that perfectly fit in the context.
17. Summer Time Rendering
Summer Time Rendering is one of the anime released in the 2022 summer season, infused with a lot of mystery and supernatural elements.
After the death of his parents, Shinpei was taken in by the Kofune family and raised as a son on the island of Hitogashima where they lived, to then returned to Tokyo to attend high school.
But he will be forced to return there to attend the funeral of his childhood friend and adopted sister Ushio. What he doesn’t know yet is that this will trigger a long succession of strange and dark events….
Summer Time Rendering delves into dark and sad themes like loss, mourning, betrayal, and anguish, creating a sad and dramatic atmosphere that fits perfectly on this list.
Also Shinpei, through his abilities, is compelled to revisit painful moments from the past multiple times, which significantly affects him and the overall atmosphere.
If you want to experience this emotionally intense blend, you know how to make the most of your Hulu subscription.
16. Corpse Princess: Aka
Corpse Princess is an anime directed by Gainax and feels., based on revenge and the relationship between life and death. It’s also what we can consider one of the best zombie anime in circulation right now.
The main character Makina Hoshimura turns into a Shikabane Hime after she is brutally murdered by a secret organization.
This is possible thanks to the effort of the Kougun Cult, as they want her to kill other corpses, for this reason, they will grant her access to Heaven, as long as she kills 108 of them.
Corpse Princess is an action-packed and entertaining anime with a dark atmposphere, although it doesn’t quite excel in anything.
So if you keep your expectations low and expect a series created to be entertaining and nothing more, you might like it.
15. Death Note
Death Note is undeniably one of the most popular and influential anime series, and it’s not even a debate. This series, adapted from the manga by Oba and Obata, has become a staple of pop culture and even those who don’t typically watch anime are familiar with it.
The story revolves around Light Yagami, a model student who is disillusioned with the world.
One day, he discovers a mysterious notebook, the Death Note, which has the power to cause the death of anyone whose name is written in it with the help of Ryuk, a shinigami.
Light begins using the notebook to kill criminals with the goal of purging the world of evil, but he soon finds himself facing off against L, the world’s greatest private investigator, who is determined to stop him.
What more can we say? After all, we’re talking about Death Note, one of the best mystery and dark anime ever created.
What’s even more remarkable is how it continually challenges your sense of judgment, keeping you in constant contemplation about who is right or wrong within the two factions.
The duality between Light and L is undeniably one of the most iconic elements in anime history.
14. Higurashi: When They Cry
Higurashi: When They Cry is a series that can’t be missed from any list regarding violent and dark anime for one simple reason: this anime doesn’t simply have gore and horror, but it relies on it.
The plot follows Keiichi Maebara and his friends who live in Hinamizawa, a small village plagued by a macabre curse linked to the worship of a local god, Oyashiro.
But as the protagonists begin to investigate the town’s mysteries, the situation escalates, and various characters commit terrible acts as the truth is revealed.
If you are a fan of gory and scary anime there will be numerous scenes that will turn your stomach, even if you are accustomed to raw violence.
While Higurashi features less gore compared to other anime in this list, it relies on psychological horror and character development to be frightening.
13. Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans is a 50-episode installment of the Gundam franchise released in 2015 and stands out as one of the emotionally strongest entries.
Currently available on Hulu, we highly recommend not to miss it, especially for Gundam fans who have not yet watched it, and in general for those who appreciate intertwined stories filled with pathos.
Set 300 years after the conflict between Earth and Mars, the series starts with Cordelia, a woman embarking on a journey to Earth to negotiate the independence of the Martian city of Chryse from Earth’s dominion.
The two main characters, Mikazuki and Orga, serve as escorts to Cordelia in a world oppressed by oppressive political forces.
But when a rebel group takes advantage of the situation, Orga initiates a coup, and Mikazuki finds himself compelled to pilot an aging Mobile Suit to confront the unfolding circumstances.
12. Death Parade
Death Parade consists of 12 episodes and blends the tension of death games with an interest in the supernatural and mystery, all conveniently available on your Hulu.
When two people die simultaneously, the law dictates that, before they move on, they must be summoned to a place situated between hell and heaven for judgment.
One such place is the Quindecim, a bar operated by an impassive, white-haired bartender and his dark, long-haired assistant.
Here, they will engage in various games of all kinds, but the participants are unaware that this process is meant to decide their fate…
Death Parade may seem on the surface like a lighthearted, colorful anime with supernatural elements at first glance.
But don’t be deceived, as beneath the playful surface of the games the characters partake in, there are dark, psychological, and even philosophical moments, especially in the unexpected ending.
11. Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon is a popular action/crime anime released in 2006 and is currently available on Hulu.
Don’t make the mistake, like many, of assuming it’s a simple, fun action anime. Otherwise, its dark scenes will catch you off guard, and we assure you that there are some, and not just a few.
Black Lagoon follows the story of Rokurou Okajima, a regular businessman who is taken hostage during a business trip to the crime-ridden island of Roanapur.
When his employer refuses to pay his ransom, he has no choice but to join the mafia-pirate gang called Black Lagoon, transforming from an ordinary man to a ruthless criminal.
10. Erased
Erased is a popular 2016 anime released in 12 episodes with mystery, psychological, and romance as its genres.
Satoru is a 29-year-old failed mangaka, with a life on the chopping block. But he has a peculiarity: he has the power of revival, which enables him to know when a tragedy is about to happen.
But one day, following the murder of his mother, Satoru will find himself thanks to his power nearly 20 years earlier, when a serial killer was leaving behind a trail of deaths.
Is it all connected? Satoru will decide to investigate, and use the opportunity to save Kayo, a little girl he was unable to save in the past.
Erased is an anime that will leave you with bated breath from beginning to end as you look forward to discovering the truth.
And this applies to dark themes as well, with a continuous gloomy and melancholy atmosphere that will leave little room for lightheartedness.
9. Steins;Gate
Steins;Gate stands as one of the most exceptional Sci-Fi anime ever created, captivating viewers with its engaging story and a remarkable romance subplot.
At the core of this series lies the concept of time travel, following the journey of the eccentric scientist Rintaro Okabe and his circle of friends who stumble upon the ability to send text messages into the past.
But their experiments attract the attention of the enigmatic organization SERN, placing them in grave danger.
With a well-crafted romance between Rintaro and his love interest Kurisu Makise, Steins;Gate delves into the theme of sacrifice as Rintaro navigates the challenges of saving those he holds dear while risking his own sanity.
Indeed, this series is incredibly emotionally intense and even dark sometimes, with numerous scenes that will tug at your heartstrings as you watch them.
We can’t give you too much information because Steins;Gate is a series that must be discovered by watching it, but imagine having to experience the death of your loved one again and again, as you try to save him or her.
8. Fate/Zero
Fate is undeniably one of the most popular franchises ever, and Fate/Zero stands out as one of its main installments, as well as the darkest by far.
This anime from 2011 is based on the light novel by Gen Urobuchi and narrates the Fourth Holy Grail War events 10 years before Fate/stay night, serving as a prequel to it.
The Holy Grail War is waged by those seeking to fulfill their wishes by defeating the other participants.
Kiritsugu Emiya, a notorious hitman known as the Magus Killer for his cold methods, is hired by a family seeking to win the war after consecutive losses.
7. Ergo Proxy
Ergo Proxy is a fantastic dystopian mystery series released in 2006, and it’s currently available on Hulu.
This series might not be suitable for everyone, given its incredibly slow pacing and complex narrative, and indeed we particularly recommend it to experienced anime fans.
But if you’re prepared to invest the time and effort to understand it, we assure you that you’re in for a fantastic viewing experience.
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic future where survivors live under a dome city called Romdo, to get shelter from the lethal and toxic climate.
To help with mankind’s recovery, AutoReivs, humanoid-like robots, have been created to assist people in their day-to-day lives.
But these automatons have begun contracting an enigmatic disease called the Cogito Virus which grants them self-awareness.
6. Parasyte: The Maxim
Parasyte is a 2014 anime adaptation of a vintage manga from the 1990s, presented in a modern style with excellent results.
In this thrilling anime, Shinichi Izumi, a high school student, becomes a host to a parasitic alien called Migi, who fails to take over Shinichi’s brain, ending up in his right hand.
Now, they are forced to rely on each other and defend themselves against other hostile parasites seeking to eliminate their species.
Parasyte is an incredibly well-rounded anime, blending lots of action and gore with a plot full of psychological twists and turns, even making room for romance subplots and plenty of dark moments.
It is an exceptional series not to be missed, not only if you subscribe to Hulu but in general.
5. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
This is an absolute masterpiece and one of the best anime of all time, so if you’re among the very few who haven’t watched it, please do yourself a favor and watch it literally tonight on Hulu
Based on the manga written in 2001 by Hiromu Arakawa, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood is the animated series that most faithfully deals with the plot told in the original work.
Edward and Alphonse Elric are two brothers who live in a world where alchemy reigns and is used for a variety of purposes, whether in war, medicine, or even related to everyday life.
The two brothers have a specific purpose, which is to regain their lost bodies.
When they were young they tried to bring their late mother back to life using alchemy, and it went wrong, since as powerful as this magic is, it cannot go against the laws of nature.
Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood is considered a masterpiece precisely because of its incredibly complete story, and that includes even dark and intense scenes.
All in the same anime you will find some excellent fighting scenes, perfectly written characters, psychological/drama moments, and even a lot of political intrigues in its setting, plot and lore.
4. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is one of the biggest media phenomena in recent years, and it’s clear why.
In Attack on Titan, humanity is relentlessly pursued by heartless giant humanoid creatures known as Titans, forcing them to seek refuge within massive walls, cut off from the rest of the world.
Eren Yeager, a young boy driven by a deep desire to eliminate all Titans, discovers that he possesses the power to transform into one, offering a chance to level the playing field.
Attack on Titan is a mix of fantastic characters, a story full of surprises, a dark story, and great animation from both studios that worked on it, MAPPA and Wit.
Even people who aren’t into anime and manga know about it by now. So, if you haven’t watched or read it yet, we don’t know what you’re waiting for.
3. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
As a 2011 anime produced by Shaft and Aniplex, Puella Magi Madoka Magika is a masterpiece that brought freshness into the classic Majokko and is one of the most innovative anime currently on Hulu.
That’s because even though the first scenes make it look like a normal fantasy anime, you will soon realize that’s only appearance.
The slice-of-life setting and the cute characters won’t last long, and soon the story will take a dark and drama-filled turn.
Madoka will understand that she isn’t living in a fairy tale and that terrible sacrifices are necessary to fight the terrible Witches.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica is the kind of anime that will catch you off guard from Episode 3. Trust us when we say this series is incredibly unique and full of unexpected plot twists that uncover deeper philosophical considerations.
And as you can well imagine this also extends to the sad and tragic moments, with a continuous escalation of moments that will make your heart clench until the very finale.
2. Hellsing Ultimate
Hellsing: Ultimate was released in 2006 and was made as an adaptation that was more faithful to the original manga written by Kota Hirano.
The name of the series comes from the homonym secret organization Hellsing, whose duty is to hide the existence of Vampires and to keep the population safe.
The main character Alucard works for Hellsing as a vampire exterminator, being himself a member of the vampire race. He is supported by his new assistant Seras Victoria, a former policewoman who he saved in the past.
But a deep web of mysteries will soon arise.
Hellsing Ultimate is not only one of the best dark anime available on Hulu, but also one of the best in general.
If you are looking for an anime to enjoy some intense action, you must watch it. Period.
1. Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man is one of the biggest hits of recent times, thanks to MAPPA’s simply perfect work.
Denji is a boy who because of his father, after his death, is in debt up to his neck. Because of this, he is forced to be a Devil Hunter, or demon hunter, to scrape together some money.
In all this he is joined by his companion and weapon Pochita, a chainsaw dog who one day, in a dangerous situation, will change his master’s life, making him the dreaded Chainsaw Man.
There are many reasons behind the incredible success of this work. Chainsaw Man is a dynamic and fast-paced story that takes the theme of demons and makes it interesting again.
The story is full of surprises and dark moments, accompanied by the best cast you could ever ask for.
The execution is also basically flawless and this adaptation is poignant of cult movie references and crazy action.
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