With a growing pool of anime viewers being adults, a demand for dark and gritty shows is on the rise. While some of these shows solely rely on gore and violence to be appealing to a mature audience, there are others that adopt darker themes that delve into the deepest of human emotions to offer you an unforgettable experience. But be warned, some of these anime have such extremely desolate aesthetics that they’ll make you feel miserable and hopeless.
These anime have either very strange and unorthodox themes, or characters and stories that help you see the darker side. So without further ado, here’s the list of the darkest anime ever made. These dark anime are available on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu.
From the New World
From the New World shows romance as it happens in real life. Although romance is important, it is not the core theme of the story. A small group of children experience complex, shifting feelings towards one another as the world changes. It’s fascinating to see the interconnectedness between the relationships. Although the world may seem innocent at first glance, children will soon discover its darker side.
Myself;Yourself
Drama is a big part of this series. This small group can discuss any topic that is dark or dramatic. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need. You want to see them suffering and have any romantic feelings that would make their lives better.
Nana
Nana is a series which shows people who are unhappy in their relationships just like they are in real life. These two women can be seen interacting with each other and choosing the right people to be with.
Mysterious Girlfriend X
As dark romances go, this series isn’t quite as dark as it could be. The series’ darker tone is actually due to its realistic drama. The main character’s transformation into his girlfriend is a great example of how emotions can change.
Flowers of Evil
This animation is very difficult to watch. It’s difficult because of the subject matter. The characters – Well, you get the point. Flowers of Evil is an extremely difficult romantic comedy to watch. This is completely intentional. Many romance series are focused on the positive side of humanity. This series is one among the few that highlights the bad aspects of human nature and relationships.
Scum’s Wish
Scum’s Wish is an exploration of romantic relationships when every one is just the worst kind of person they could be. You will hate these characters. It does this in the best way possible. If you don’t actually want to feel good watching a romance, this is it.
Future Diary
Future Diary’s relationship is a wonderful blend of horror and romance. He wants to live, but he is terrified by Future Diary’s psychotic yandere. She loves him so much that she threatens his life. He fears her, but she protects him. Can he love her? It’s hard to ignore the devotion of a girl who will kill anyone for your good.
Koi Kaze
It is a classic series that is well worth your time, even though it is older. Koi Kaze is one of the few anime series that explores incest in an adult manner. It doesn’t make it seem like it is meant to shock you, or turn it into an ecchi-joke.
School Days
School Days parody is an anime version of dramatism that has gained a lot of fame. It pushes the boundaries and teaches us how a manslut is.
Kemonozume
This is the classic Romeo & Juliet story. The guy is a monster hunter, and the girl an eating monster. They fall in love and it is both awkwardly and heartbreakingly sexual.
Blood+
It’s not impossible, but it is rare to have vampire romance and not have it be dark. Blood+ is more complicated than traditional vampire romances. Perhaps because they prioritize action over feelings, Blood+’s complex plot and complicated relationships are what make it a top-tier series.
Sankarea
It’s a romance between two human men who accidentally brought back a girl to life while she was trying suicide. They began to date. They were married for a long period of time. He is passionate about her and loves to gusher. She tries to not eat him. It’s a wild ride.
NHK is your home
While romance is not the main theme of the show, it is an important part of it. It seems that the romance that occurs is innocent and even helpful. It quickly becomes apparent that this isn’t the case. As the whole of Welcome to the NHK can be described as “kind of messed up,” it is par for the course.
omestic Girlfriend
Domestic Girlfriend is funny at times, but it’s a romantic comedy with a lot of heart. After his teacher refuses recognition of his feelings, a man falls in love with a girl. After his father’s divorce, it turns out that the girl and her sister (the aforementioned teacher) are his stepsisters. The romance does not end with this revelation. Two sisters competing for the same candy-flavored boy parts can make things more complicated.
Vampire Knight
Vampire romance is usually dark love. Vampire Knight is full of Anne Rice vibes. While the action is intense, the drama often drowns out the romance. The show’s exploration of the complex pasts and incests leads to a darker and more uncomfortable episode.
Dusk Maiden, Amnesia
The series is a lot of fun. The main character simply hangs out and flirts with a hot ghost. The dark romance between a ghost-human boy and the main character is sinister. The series reveals more about her dark past.
Devils Line
Vampire stories often involve dark romances. The Devil’s Line is the exact same. The vampire is conscious of his desires but tries to conceal them. However, the romance continues regardless. Unfortunately, the anime didn’t make it to all the bondage-laden sexy times that the manga has. 🙁
Elfen Lied
It enjoys brutal violence and the removing of body parts. But it loves the mix of emotions that can occur between its characters. Romance is not as important as intrigue or plot, but it is still important.
Are there any dark romance anime series you can recommend? Please leave your dark romance anime recommendations in the comments.
