While the horror anime pickings have been slim, there are a few that any fan or non-fan should watch this Halloween. 

Although All Hallows’ Eve is synonymous with blood, this anime movie list goes even further than scaring the living daylights out of you. 

Here’s a list of anime that you should watch this Halloween.

1. Kakurenbo: Hide & Seek

Starting off our Halloween anime movie list is the short film Kakurenbo: Hide & Seek. 

The film follows a group of children playing Otokoyo (hide and seek) among the ruins of the city. However, this innocent game quickly turns into a nightmare as the children start disappearing, one by one.

While Kakurenbo may not be the blood fest associated with Halloween, the film does an excellent job of keeping you on the edge of your seat. The film is all about the gripping mystery surrounding the missing children. 

On top of that, the film is 25-minutes long, so it’s a perfect in-between film while you wait for your takeout.

 

2. King of Thorn

When the pandemic “Medusa” spread throughout the world, there was no cure in sight. Consequently, a biotechnology firm called Venus Gate offered an unlikely solution to humankind – freeze sleeping. From the world’s remaining population, 160 people are chosen to put into a cold sleep in hopes of finding a future cure.

Kasumi, a teenage girl, is one of the 160 selected for this procedure and is guided to a Cold Sleep Capsule Center (CSCC) inside an ancient castle. Although not fully understanding this new technology, Kasumi goes to sleep anticipating a reunion with her twin sister Shizuku in the future. 

However, when Kasumi and the others awake, they notice that the CSCC is not as they remembered. Just like the story of Sleeping Beauty, the castle is covered with thorns, and unknown creatures attack those who have awakened.

All Hallows’ Eve is not all about zombies and blood. It’s about all the little details that continue the story. King of Thorn will keep you asking a lot of questions, from how long were they asleep to where did these creatures come from? 

On top of that, the film starts with half-truths, and you don’t know the complete truth until the end. Thus, keeping you in suspense right until the final sequence. But, don’t get too hung up on the thriller stuff, it also includes some great bloody scenes.

3. The Empire of Corpses

The Empire of Corpses is based on the late author Project Itoh’s (real name Satoshi Itō) posthumous novel of the same name. The film centers around the story of Victor Frankenstein bringing the dead back to life. The world has started using human corpses – though with no souls in it – for tedious work. 

John Watson (from the Sherlock Holmes stories) is a medical student at the University of London who illegally studies the missing soul in corpses, with the help of Friday. The British government catches onto Watson and recruits him to join the search for the legendary writing, “Victor’s Notes,” which details the creation of the first and only corpse with a soul.

The Empire of Corpses is a steampunk necromancy homage to Victor Frankenstein and his monster. The film does an excellent job of captivating the audience with its action adventure story. Better yet, this anime movie puts a new spin on an old and worn-out genre.

4. Perfect Blue

Mima’s life is turned upside down after leaving the pop idol group “CHAM!” to pursue an acting career. As one of her hardcore fans, Me-Mania, is less than happy about her new career path.

Despite her manager’s warning, Mima accepts a role that is far from her idol persona. While on set, strange things begin to happen to people who are involved with the movie. As time goes on, Mima starts to break down mentally, struggling to distinguish fantasy from reality.

If you are a fan of Black Swan or Requiem for a Dream, you will definitely love Perfect Blue. Director Darren Aronofsky reportedly bought the rights for Perfect Blue and drew inspiration from the film while making Black Swan. In fact, he even lifted several scenes from the anime movie.

5. The Garden of Sinners

The Garden of Sinners is a seven-part movie series chronicling the life of the knife-wielding Shiki Ryougi and her classmate Mikiya Kokutou. Despite each movie having its own plot, the underlying story focuses on the relationship between Shiki and Mikiya.

The anime movies deal with the paranormal and explore mature themes like suicide, rape, patricide, incest, and murder. However, one film that particularly sticks out is Paradox Spiral which follows the strange happenings at an apartment complex.

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6. Blood: The Last Vampire

An anime Halloween list would not be complete without vampires. If you’re only interested in blood and gore, then this 48-minute anime movie is perfect for you. 

Directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo (Ghost in the Shell), Blood: The Last Vampire takes place in Japan during the ’60s and follows Saya whose sole mission is to kill Teropterids (monsters who drink blood).

7. Lily C.A.T.

Lily C.A.T. skillfully combines space movie classics, gore, and a cat. Set in the distant future where space travel is possible thanks, in part, to deep sleep capsule technology that slows the aging process. 

The Saldes’ crew, wake up after their 20-year space travel, but they encounter only disaster as an alien bacteria got into the ventilation system. What was supposed to be an exploratory space mission has quickly turned into a fight for survival.

This list features films for anyone who wants something to watch during Halloween. That also includes those who love cheesy anime movies. 

Lily C.A.T. is cliche galore with subpar dubbing associated with anime of that period. But, if you just want to relax on your couch and watch a cat do horrific things, then you must check out this film.

8. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust follows D, the infamous “dhampir” a renowned vampire hunter. And while many are afraid of this half vampire half human, his talent at hunting monsters gains him acceptance among mortals. 

Chronicling his quest to rid the world of the nobility, D is asked by the Elbourne family to rescue their daughter Charlotte from the vampire, Meier Link.

Not only must D rescue Charlotte, but also the additional hiring of the Markus Brothers (an infamous group of Hunters). Saving the lovely Charlotte becomes more complicated than it first seemed as she fell in love with her kidnapper.

Vampire Hunter D is the perfect anime movie to start off your spooky weekend. The film’s plot may not be that captivating, but its fighting scenes and blood splatter make it a must-see.

 

9. Gyo

The beautiful island of Okinawa is taken over by a horde of walking fishes that are leaving the ocean and are heading to the cities. Amid this crisis, a girl named Kaori loses contact with her boyfriend Tadashi, who lives in Tokyo. Desperate to find out what happened to him, she heads to Tokyo. 

But, she quickly realizes that this will be a challenge as Japan’s capital has been taken over by the fish and their revolting stink.

Not only do the bizarre-looking fish in Gyo take over the land, but also giant great white sharks. So imagine a giant white shark chasing you down the street.

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(source:fandom.wikia)