If you’re new to anime, you might think it’s all cutesy storylines, big-eyed characters, and over-the-top reactions. While some anime are indeed wholesome and family-friendly, others dive deep into violence, trauma, and blood-soaked chaos that’ll leave you staring blankly at the screen.
Anime has the freedom to explore brutality in ways that live-action shows can’t, from exaggerated sword fights to mind-bending demon transformations. The artistry, creativity, and sheer madness behind these series make them hard to look away from, even when you probably should.
If you’re brave enough, here are 7 bloody anime that will shock you to the core, and might just ruin your appetite for the day.
1. Chainsaw Man
If gore had a face, it would look exactly like Denji’s. Chainsaw Man follows Denji, a boy who just wants a normal life with food, shelter, and maybe a girlfriend, but life’s been cruel to him from the start. Saddled with his late father’s crushing debt, he works as a devil hunter with his pet devil, Pochita, who doubles as his chainsaw. One night, Denji is betrayed and brutally killed, but Pochita sacrifices himself to revive Denji as Chainsaw Man: a devil-human hybrid with chainsaws bursting out of his arms and head.
From that moment, it’s slaughter. Every fight is a bloodbath, with Denji shredding demons and enemies in scenes that are so graphic. The show is violent but also emotional as it blends humour, grief, and absurdity in ways that’ll keep you hooked.
2. Berserk
Few anime are as relentlessly dark as Berserk. The story follows Guts, a lone mercenary in a medieval world where power, betrayal, and blood rule everything. Wielding a sword as tall as he is, Guts fights his way through monstrous battles and moral nightmares, haunted by a past filled with abuse and death.
When he joins the charismatic Griffith and his group, the Band of the Hawk, it seems like his life might finally have meaning. Berserk quickly descends into one of anime’s most tragic tales, exploring the cost of ambition, friendship, and revenge. The 1997 adaptation remains the best at capturing that raw darkness, giving us one of anime’s most tragic and haunting stories.
When the series reaches the infamous “Eclipse” event, it becomes clear why Berserk is considered one of the most horrifying and emotionally scarring anime of all time. If you have a weak stomach or an aversion to existential dread, this isn’t for you. But if you want to see how far anime can go in portraying human despair, Berserk is the gold standard.
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3. Hellsing Ultimate
Nazis. Vampires. Guns. Explosions. Buckets of blood. Hellsing Ultimate is basically what would happen if Quentin Tarantino directed an anime. Set in a post–World War II Britain, it follows the Hellsing Organisation, a secret group tasked with eliminating supernatural threats. Their deadliest weapon is Alucard, an immortal vampire who hunts his own kind with wicked delight.
When a Nazi army of vampires invades London, chaos erupts. Buildings burn, bodies explode, and Alucard unleashes his full, terrifying power in a series of gruesome battles. The show’s violence is relentless as heads roll, bullets fly, and blood rains from the sky. If you’re into dark, stylish anime that mixes horror, action, and absolute insanity, Hellsing Ultimate is an unmissable ride.
4. Devilman Crybaby
If Chainsaw Man is chaotic, Devilman Crybaby is emotionally devastating. Directed by Masaaki Yuasa, this 2018 Netflix anime reimagines the classic Devilman story with a trippy, ultra-modern style. The series follows Akira Fudo, a kind-hearted boy who’s dragged into a demonic world by his mysterious friend Ryo Asuka. During a nightmarish ritual, Akira merges with a demon named Amon and becomes the “Devilman” – half-human, half-monster.
The animation is full of surreal scenes and disturbing imagery. Devilman Crybaby explores love, loneliness, and human cruelty in ways that stick with you long after the final episode.
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5. Castlevania
Even though it’s technically Western-made, Castlevania deserves a spot on this list for sheer brutality alone. Based on the classic video game, it tells the story of Dracula, who goes on a vengeful rampage after his wife is burned at the stake by a corrupt church. In retaliation, he summons an army of nightmarish demons to wipe out humanity.
Trevor Belmont, a monster hunter from a disgraced family, teams up with the magician Sypha and Dracula’s half-human son, Alucard, to stop the chaos. The animation is jaw-dropping, from demons ripping humans in half to rivers of blood painting the streets. Castlevania is also beautifully written, filled with moral conflict and haunting emotion.
6. Blood-C
At first glance, Blood-C looks like your standard magical girl anime. Sweet protagonist? Check. High school setting? Check. But within a few episodes, things spiral into some of the most horrific scenes ever animated. Saya, the main character, spends her nights slaughtering nightmarish monsters, and the deaths are not quick or clean.
