Violence in anime is a pretty common trait, just think of all the battle shows and numerous fights we have seen in our lives.
But not all violent anime need to have a bad plot, on the contrary, many of them have solid and appealing stories.
This listicle will show you the best violent anime with a great story, to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Rankings are based on our personal preferences and tastes.
Table of Contents
25. When they Cry
When They Cry is an anime based on a sound novel published in the early 2000s by 07th Expansion.
The plot chronicles the lives of Keiichi Maebara and his friends who live in Hinamizawa, a small country town plagued by a macabre curse, linked to the worship of a local god Oyashiro.
After the protagonists begin to investigate the mysteries surrounding the quiet ghost town, the situation will begin to escalate, with various characters committing terrible acts as the truth slowly unfolds.
This is an anime that has the ability to keep you in a constant state of anxiety with the tension sky-high between one gruesome scene and another.
When They Cry is very graphic and gory but we think you should watch it if you have the stomach to handle it, as the plot is quite good.
24. Elfen Lied
Elfen Lied is a very popular anime from the early 2000s and is inspired by the manga written and illustrated by Lynn Okamoto.
The story begins in a base where experiments are conducted on beings called Diclonius. They are capable of creating weapons that resemble arms capable of destroying a human being’s body from the inside.
The main character named Lucy is a Diclonius and she manages to escape from one of the labs by exploiting the incompetence of the guards.
Just as she is about to leave the base for good, she receives a violent blow to the head, causing her to fall from a cliff into the sea.
The injury will cause her to lose memory and develop a split personality. This will be very important for the plot and for the way Lucy is perceived by the other characters of the show.
This maybe is not as violent as other entries on this list but you should watch it because it’s a classic.
23. Deadman Wonderland
Deadman Wonderland is a short 12-episode anime that came out in 2011 and is inspired by a manga series written by Jinsei Kataoka
It all starts when the main character called Ganta Igarashi and his classmates go on a field trip to a prison/amusement park called Deadman Wonderland.
Its inmates are supposed to perform very dangerous tricks for the audience.
However, Ganta’s classmates are massacred by a mysterious man and the boy is framed and locked up in the very prison he was supposed to visit.
Here he will find out that this is not a regular jail but one where the convicts are forced to compete with each other in order to survive.
In his newfound condition as an inmate, he will try to clear his name and find the man who killed his classmates while also trying to survive this insane series of competitions.
22. Basilisk
Basilisk is an anime that came out in 2005 and is one of the most underrated names as far as samurai anime with dark and violent tones are concerned.
At the behest of the shogun, ninjas from the Koga and Iga clans break their peace to face each other in a deadly clash to establish the supremacy of one of the 2 schools.
10 ninjas from each group are chosen, and whoever eliminates all opposing members will be declared the winner and enjoy great privileges.
The main characters in the story are Gennosuke and Oboro, members of the 2 clans, who are in love with each other but tragically end up on the fighting lists.
We highly recommend this show, especially if you’re into characters with tragic backstories.
21. Erased
Erased is a pretty recent anime that counts just 12 episodes.
The main character is Satoru Fujinuma, a 29-year-old mangaka without any success, mostly due to suffering from the notorious writer’s block.
However, following mysterious happenings, he obtains a power called Revival that allows him to go back in time just enough to save people’s lives.
During his far-from-a-happy childhood, one of his classmates had been murdered, and this is where his mission begins.
It’s not as bad as many other entries on this list but it hits on a different level. The gore per se is not the problem but other elements like child abuse very much are.
Almost every death in this anime hits on a psychological level and makes you feel uneasy, to say the least.
20. Afro Samurai
Afro Samurai is a short 5-episode anime produced by Gonzo studio and based on Takashi Okazaki’s manga of the same name.
This work is very heavy in violence and themes, and, as a matter of fact, the original manga belongs to the seinen demographic.
Afro Samurai is indeed a story of raw revenge, in which the protagonist Afro tries hard to murder his father’s killer, a warrior named Justice.
Justice killed Afro’s father to gain possession of the number 1 sash, which is extremely important since in the world of the opera there are sashes that stand for the power of a warrior.
There will be no shortage of crude and borderline inhuman confrontations so you will definitely like this if you’re into violent anime
19. Tokyo Ghoul
Tokypo Ghoul is one of the most famous and talked-about anime of recent years, which has been at the center of attention for a variety of reasons, mainly because of its fluctuating animated adaptation.
The story revolves around Ken Kaneki, an ordinary college student who lives in a town where strange and violent murders are happening.
According to the police investigation, these deaths are caused by Ghouls, mysterious and unknown creatures that feed on the bodies of their victims. No one has ever seen them even in passing.
As already mentioned, Tokyo Ghoul is a much-discussed anime because of its uncertain and not exactly faithful animated adaptation, which on more than one occasion turns out to be confusing and inaccurate.
So we of course recommend, if you can, to approach the work through the manga, although the anime deserves to be seen for the good animation and soundtrack.
18. Claymore
A 26-episode anime set in a medieval fantasy-themed world where the inhabitants are forced to fight the threat of monstrous creatures that feed on humans.
Fighting these creatures, called the 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.
The dark fantasy setting of Claymore is charming and gloomy, perfect to represent a sad world infested by Yomi.
This anime pairs a very compelling plot with many frightening moments. The gory scenes are convincing and make you feel unsettled every time they appear on the screen.
17. Garden of Sinners
The Garden of Sinners is a series of movies set in late 90s Japan that revolves around Shiki Ryougi. She is a demon hunter who acquires the power called Mystic Eyes of Death Perception after surviving a fatal accident.
It features a pretty intricate plot where Shiki Ryougi and her friend Mikiya Kokotou are investigating a series of suspicious suicides of young girls jumping off the Fujou building, an abandoned structure on the outskirts of the city.
They will both end up working for the Garan no Do detective agency specialized in paranormal investigations to uncover these mysteries.
Shiki Ryougi is not just a girl with supernatural powers. She had a rough upbringing and got her special skills by creating 2 separate personalities within herself.
The movies are compelling even though the plot is quite confusing in the beginning. If you’re up for a thriller you should give it a shot.
16. Golgo 13
The story of an infallible sniper, able to hit any target from almost any distance.
Golgo 13 is the alias the protagonist uses in his work as a hitman. A series of different, often unrelated missions show us his coolness in taking lives.
Although the anime focuses more on depicting the incredible abilities of the main character.
He is a mysterious mercenary who will work for anyone able to meet his asking price. However, love comes also for ruthless, iron men like Golgo, and we will have a marked romance component during the show.
The plot revolves around a protagonist who is basically a contract killer so it is bound to get a little graphic.
It’s an anime from 1983 so it is not as realistic as other titles on this list but it has its moments where people are killed and shown in tight and close-up shots.
15. Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen is born from the manga by Gege Akutami and is one of the modern fighting anime that is making the most success.
Its success is definitely due to its excellent story that runs smoothly, but without a shadow of a doubt also due to the wonderful animations by Mappa, which enlightens the animation to over-the-top levels.
The protagonist is Yuji Itadori, a young boy with off-kilter physical abilities who never misses a chance to help his friends to abide by his philosophy of life.
Following an accident at his school, he will find himself a receptacle for the most powerful dark spirit ever, Sukuna, eating one of its 20 fingers. But enemies will not think twice about trying to get their hands on the boy.
Jujutsu Kaisen takes a lot of inspiration from Bleach, Naruto and even Hunter x Hunter. It’s the modern battle shonen you should watch, as it brings a lot of memories back.
Violence is there, it’s still a show about demons so you can expect no less. The Shibuya Arc is one of the most interesting in terms of plot, with a good dose of violence and plot twists.
14. Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon is an anime series that aired in 2006 and it tells the story of a regular businessman named Rokurou Okajima.
One day he is tasked to take a business trip to the crime-riddled island of Roanapur where he is taken hostage by a mafia gang called Black Lagoon.
He won’t be saved by his employer who refuses to pay his ransom so Rokurou will join the gang and will turn from an average man to a ruthless criminal.
Black Lagoon has a pretty bleak plot already and it dips heavily into violence. Considering that the story revolves around a criminal environment you can see why bloody and violent scenes could be very common.
It’s one of the best choices, as it’s capable of masterfully combining action, excellent characters, and one of the best mature stories about the criminal world.
13. Rurouni Kenshin
Rurouni Kenshin is a 95-episode anime based on the manga of the same name by Nobuhiro Watsuki and is a classic when it comes to samurai-themed anime.
In this drama for proud Japanese warriors, stories of love and conflict evolve, making it a great historical romance anime.
The protagonist of the series is Kenshin Himura, a legendary warrior who, after helping to depose the Tokugawa shogunate, lives his life protecting people from injustice.
Rurouni Kenshi offers a different view on how samurais are portrayed, to make them more appealing to the younger audience the manga was intended for.
The main character is the embodiment of atonement, he wants to cleanse himself from his past sins and avoid further killings.
This show isn’t for the faint of heart. There is one scene where unarmed civilians are massacred and others that are quite gory.
12. Fist of the North Star
One of the greatest classics of Japanese animation set in a post-apocalyptic universe. It takes inspiration from a manga series that originally came out in the ’80s.
This masterpiece invented the diesel-punk genre and starred one of the most iconic protagonists of the medium, Kenshiro.
Our hero wanders to a post-apocalyptic wasteland on a quest to track down his rival, Shin, who has kidnapped his beloved fiancée Yuria
The drift of humanity is portrayed beautifully with grotesque characters and distorted senses of justice, but the shocking violence stands out above it all.
Thanks to its grotesque and exaggerated design, the rawness of the fights is even better.
11. Belladonna of Sadness
This is a movie from 1973, openly inspired by the legends of the Middle Ages, particularly the book La Sorcière by French writer Jules Michelet.
It tells a story of a recently married woman who lives with her husband in a rural village in medieval France. She gets raped by the local lord in a ritual deflowering where she loses her virginity.
This experience will obviously scar her for life and even her husband will not have sympathy for her.
Jeanne, this was her name, starts receiving visits from a spirit who suggests she takes revenge on the lord. To accomplish her plan, she will become a moneylender, gaining a lot of influence in the village.
This caused her to be kicked out of the village since the kingdom considered her a witch.
It’s at this point that she will make a pact with the devil and try to lead a riot against the lord. The story will end with the tragic epilogue that will inspire many future generations of women.
This movie is quite old so the animation is a little outdated but the plot is fascinating and more than a little unsettling.
Belladonna of Sadness is worth it if you can endure the many instances where the story gets violent and downright creepy.
10. Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade is a political thriller anime that came out in 1999, and a masterpiece by Mamoru Oshii.
The plot takes place in an alternative version of Japan during the ’50s and revolves around the protagonist Kazuki Fuse, who is a member of the Kerberos Panzer Cops, a counter-terrorist organization.
Kazui’s inner self is put to test when he refuses to shoot a young terrorist that ends up detonating a bomb in front of him. She killed herself in the process and damaged the reputation of the Kerberos.
He visits the girl at the cemetery and meets her sister by chance. The 2 begin to develop a weird and complex relationship.
Meanwhile, a sinister conspiracy is brewing deep in the labyrinth of the police system, pitting a secret group of extremists against the politically inclined bureaucrats of the police force.
Jin-Roh doesn’t hide its violent nature because right from the start of the movie we are treated to very bloody scenes involving the police suppressing a riot.
This opening, as brilliant as it is, shows the viewer what to expect. Rioters are throwing rocks and explosives while the police are absolutely beating them up mercilessly.
9. Parasyte
A 24-episode anime created by Madhouse studio from Hitoshi Iwaaki’s manga of the same name, bringing it to the present day by debunking it from its vintage setting.
Shinichi Izumi is an average high school student when one day an alien race called Parasites invades the planet without anyone noticing.
One of them tries to take control of Shinichi’s body by crawling into his arm but he doesn’t succeed and ends up trapped in his right arm.
Having failed to reach the boy’s brain, the parasite called Migi, and Shinichi will have to learn to live with each other and manage their uneasy relationship.
They will end up forming a strong bond by fighting other parasites that possess the bodies of Shinichi’s loved ones.
Despite not being as graphic as many other titles on this list, Parasyte is fairly violent.
The behavior of the aliens and their animations lead to many fights that can result in mutilated bodies and scenic deaths.
8. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is a huge show that took the world by storm with its compelling story and graphic depiction of the fight between people and armies.
It definitely falls under the fantasy category despite having very heavy moments of realism between the masterfully described characters
In an alternate world to our own, humanity is hunted by giants, huge humanoid life forms that feed on people, becoming natural predators of them.
Eren, Mikasa, and Armin will have to live with this threat, training to kill these life forms in order to get revenge.
But what seems like the premise of just another battle anime is soon broken when in the very first mission of the cadet corps we witness mutilation, people being eaten alive, and more.
The behavior of the almost brain-dead enemies is also very graphic because they can seemly withstand any kind of damage without losing their lust for blood, which is terrifying.
7. Vinland Saga
One of the most interesting works to come out in recent years, animated by Wit Studio and based on the manga by Makoto Yukimura.
The plot follows the life of the warrior Thorfinn, in a precisely Viking world inspired by real historical events. Thorfinn is a warrior who became one to avenge the death of his father Thors.
His father was killed by the pirate Askeladd on behalf of King Sweyd because he had deserted years earlier to retire to a quiet life.
An anime with psychological traits that dwells on the choices that must be made on the battlefield.
Our protagonist will find himself tangled in a quest for revenge and he will learn that one can easily slide and take wrong turns while blinded by such an evil sentiment.
6. Vampire Hunter D
The story is set in a dystopian future where the world is controlled by vampires. Many people have been abused by them, including Charlotte, who has been recently kidnapped by them.
Desperate to rescue her, her father hires D, a vampire-human hybrid that hunts other vampires.
Such is the plot of the dark film directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri based on Hideyuki Kikuchi’s Light Novel.
The true beauty of this movie lies in its charming gothic and gory style. One element that makes this product outstanding is the representation of vampires, is it correct to think they are all ruthless beasts?
The theme of doomed love shows their frailty, and how these beings can be either weak or extremely powerful and dangerous.
For these reasons, this can be considered one of the best vampire anime out there.
5. Kizumonogatari
Kizumonogatari is an anime film trilogy that takes inspiration from the light novel of the same name that came out in 2008.
The protagonist is Koyomi Araragi, a high school student that enrolls at Naoetsu High School. He befriends Tsubasa Hanekawa, one of the best students at his school.
Tsubasa mentions a rumor about a vampire with blond hair that has been seen around town and that evening Koyomi encounters it.
The blonde vampire calls out for Koyomi to save her as she lies in a pool of her own blood. She was attacked by vampire hunters.
Koyomi will end up deciding to help her but this will change her life and will build the premises for the trilogy.
4. Katanagatari
A 12-episode anime adapted from the light novel series of the same name by Nisio Isin, famous for being the author of the celebrated Monogatari series.
The series is set in Japan’s Edo period and features at the center of events 12 swords created by legendary blacksmith Shikizaki Kiki, masterpieces of destructive power.
The 2 protagonists, Togame and Yasuri, through the 12 episodes of the series, will fight against the 12 owners of the swords corrupted by the power of the same blades in order to collect these swords.
Each episode will be longer than the standard and will last about 50 minutes, which is useful in creating a context where all the characters are well characterized and the motivations of each party involved are well understood.
The plot is very compelling and is paired with a pretty violent undertone.
Most of the potentially disturbing scenes happen off-screen so you can focus on the characters while factoring in the brutality that is part of the show nonetheless.
3. Devilman Crybaby
Devilman Crybaby is a 10-episode splatter and action anime based on the famous work of master Go Nagai and presented in a modern key and the style of master Yuasa.
This is a must-watch for anyone with an over-the-top palate and especially for fans of rather gory anime. Devilman is based on demons, beings that lived on earth and disappeared long ago, frozen in huge blocks of ice.
One day, something slowly begins to awaken them. Akira Fudo, the protagonist, is informed of the incident by his best friend, Ryo Asuka, who invites Akira to merge with a demon.
This gives rise to the mythical Devilman, a man-demon hybrid who will fight the demon menace. Devilman is the definition of ascending climax, as every progress in the story is a step forward towards despair.
This series has always been famous for its grim and tragic vibe, and it deserves one of the top spots just for its depth.
2. Hellsing Ultimate
The name of the series comes from the secret organization Hellsing, whose duty is to hide the existence of Vampires and to keep the population safe.
It’s financed and supported by the British government and its current leader is Integra Hellsing. 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.
Integra Hellsing, the current leader of the organization, is worried about a new wave of vampire attacks and the problem seems much bigger than she expected.
The mysterious group called Millenium is plotting to throw England into disarray, and threaten the entire world.
This anime is known for showing massive amounts of blood on screen and this happens pretty often. It has a pretty over-the-top story so the animation and the gore follow suit.
1. Berserk
A masterpiece of the dark fantasy and sword and sorcery genres that came out in 1997.
Few other works can match this one due to the complexity of its characters and for starring 2 incredible personalities: Gatsu and Griffith.
The presence of demons, monsters, and other supernatural beings is typical of the fantasy genre with the difference that Berserk imprints psychology into them too.
This work has irreversibly influenced every media outlet that has approached fantasy from a horror perspective. The murderous and bloody fury of the protagonist and his opponents remains one of the strong points of this anime
Berserk is one of the most graphic anime ever, to the point that gore and blood became a staple of the entire show.
