Scary anime characters

Audiences unfamiliar with anime might consort it with other animations typically aimed at kids. This is possibly due to the public perception that anime is constantly brimming with adorable-looking characters and ostentatiously vibrant animations. Confounding both younger and mature audiences, anime does contain a handful of characters scary anime characters display questionable antics that would even intimidate horror film buffs, scary anime characters.

If you buy something using our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! Anime series are filled with characters who are fun, noble, powerful, cute, lovable, and all the other descriptors that make anime characters so likable. But then there are those who are terrifying. Sometimes an anime character is scary in a badass way.

Scary anime characters

Step into the spine-chilling realm of anime as we explore the scariest characters ever created. Anime isn't just about heroic sagas or romantic tales; it's also home to some of the most fearsome, intimidating, and powerful figures that have haunted viewers' screens. These characters have left an unforgettable mark on the world of anime and its audience, from the mind-bending horrors caused by Griffith in Berserk to the deadly presence of monstrous Titans from Attack on Titan. Let's unveil these iconic figures, examining what makes them truly terrifying and why they continue to haunt the imagination of fans and enthusiasts worldwide. Gotou, the primary antagonist in the anime Parasyte: The Maxim, stands out as a scary character due to his exceptional strength and cunning as a Parasite. Unlike typical Parasites, which can control only one human body part, Gotou possesses the unique ability to host multiple Parasites within one body, granting him extraordinary physical abilities and shape-shifting skills. This makes him nearly invincible in combat. A prime example of his fearsome nature is showcased in his brutal massacre of a Yakuza group, where he single-handedly annihilates armed gangsters with ease. Additionally, his final showdown with the protagonist, Shinichi Izumi, highlights his resilience and fighting prowess. In Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Pride is one of the Homunculi and is feared for his ruthlessness and deceptive appearance. Initially referred to as Selim Bradley, King Bradley's adoptive son, Pride hides his true nature behind the facade of an innocent child.

Attack On Titan Action.

However, there are some truly scary characters that will leave you absolutely floored by their ability to evoke some serious fear. In anime, character design is often used as a means to stir emotions. Pierrot La Fou, widely known as Mad Pierrot, was the subject of a lab experiment. While the experiment was deemed a failure, Pierrot was kept in isolation indefinitely and his mind became broken. As a result, he escaped from his prison and began a killing spree. Donning a clown outfit and a permanent smile, Pierrot is easily one of the scariest anime villains around.

Audiences unfamiliar with anime might consort it with other animations typically aimed at kids. This is possibly due to the public perception that anime is constantly brimming with adorable-looking characters and ostentatiously vibrant animations. Confounding both younger and mature audiences, anime does contain a handful of characters who display questionable antics that would even intimidate horror film buffs. In the face of likable heroes with an unyielding moral compass, these creepy characters make us squirm in our seats with their unsettling presence while gasping at their unique persona. The boogeyman that appears with a smile and leaves with a smile, with not a single of his targets and witnesses live on to tattle his malice. That is, until audiences' beloved space cowboy — Spike Spiegel. Donning a top hat with an umbrella as his weapon of choice, Mad Pierrot's character design is reminiscent of Penguin from the Batman franchise. Despite his vicious killing spree and menacing presence, audiences could not help but sympathize with the villain as he was the product of an inhumane lab experiment, resulting in his superhuman abilities and deteriorating mental state. One of the three powerful bodyguards known as the Barbarois.

Scary anime characters

Just as there are masterpieces and real stinkers with spooky TV shows and movies , the same can be said of anime. Luckily, horror is an area where the medium especially excels. Whether Halloween is right around the corner or you're merely in the mood for something extra freaky, we've rounded up the most spine-tingling, terrifying anime shows out there. Grab a blanket, because you're about to take a deep dive into the best horror anime series of all time. Another is an excellent gateway into Japanese horror.

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Parasyte contains some rather disturbing body horror imagery and anyone who's seen just one episode of the show might be convinced that parasites, in general, are all equally terrifying. Release Date April 7, Despite being a Shinigami Death god, Ryuk gives everyone chills when he comes on screen. He becomes so delusional to the point where he taunts the main protagonist Edward Elric, commending his deeds as an advancement of science. Assisting his equally vile and murderous master, Caster often allows his near-death victims brief glimpses of hope before crushing any of them with extremely gruesome deaths. He never once thinks about the morality of it or about stopping his family's evil business. However, what makes him truly terrifying is the fact that he did not spare his own daughter Nina from his experimental evil, and fused her with their pet dog. His unstable and vengeful personality, rooted in a traumatic childhood and manipulation by All For One, makes him unpredictable and a constant threat. People's opinions often change once they get to know him, but his first impression inspires more fear than confidence. However, she comes from a race of killers known as Diclonius, born with an instinct to kill and the ability to rip anything apart. Unlike typical Parasites, which can control only one human body part, Gotou possesses the unique ability to host multiple Parasites within one body, granting him extraordinary physical abilities and shape-shifting skills. A normal parasite-infected human is already pretty deadly in battle, but Gotou has a far superior form—one that pushed Migi and Shinichi into a corner and almost defeated them. Despite his innocent-looking face, it only masks the dark, evil desires that brew beneath that facade. His actual form is a shadow-like entity with numerous eyes and mouths, capable of consuming and assimilating his enemies.

There are several horror anime such as Demon Slayer that not only manage to scare viewers on a repetitive basis but have become some of the most popular shows around the world. However, even those that don't necessarily classify as horror, such as Jujutsu Kaisen , still occasionally contain not only some pretty horrific imagery but characters who are sure to frighten even the most "desensitized" of viewers.

The fighters in Baki the Grappler , Baki , and Baki Hanma are all terrifying "monsters" who are accustomed to bloodshed and death. Release Date July 25, Dragon Ball Adventure. His regenerative abilities also contribute to making him a very terrifying and almost indestructible character. These unsettling anime characters may still be heroes, but something about their looks or personality makes people fear them or feel uncomfortable around them. No matter the genre, the main character is always the most important part of the series; without them, there's no story to tell. Speaking of bloodlust, Hisoka Morow of Hunter X Hunter is seen with a powerful bloodlust during the Hunter Exam, to the point that Gon was stopped and terrified. Lucy's character oscillates between eliciting sympathy and evoking horror, making her a complex and scary figure. The massive size, the dead eyes, and the huge vicious grin are enough to haunt your dreams for the rest of your life. Terrifying, indeed. Although he fights for the humans in the ensuing war, he now looks more like a monster than some of the terrors he fights. Nevertheless, it has plenty of creepy and unsettling aspects, such as the mysterious young protagonist, Ai Enma. This is all thanks to Johan Liebert , a truly deplorable human being. The Black Ghost is like the personal bodyguard of an Ajin, meaning they're capable fighters. He's a human who survived the age of dinosaurs and was found encased and preserved in salt-based rock.