The year 2024 has been a fruitful one for anime enthusiasts, with a comprehensive representation across various genres. Action, romance, and isekai series have been particularly prominent, each season unveiling several noteworthy titles. Winter 2024, for instance, showcased approximately 20 new series across these genres, while also introducing several comedies, slice-of-life narratives, and harem shows. Sadly, there has been a noticeable scarcity of horror anime in 2024.
In the past few years, only about five horror-themed titles have graced the anime landscape, with most failing to gain significant traction. However, 2023 concluded on a high note with the hit series Dark Gathering, a compelling two-cour anime widely regarded as one of the best horror entries in recent memory. Despite the limited options in 2024, a few titles still stand out.
Updated on October 29, 2024 by Mark Sammut: As we move into Fall 2024, the anticipated horror anime has concluded. How did it fare?
Theater of Darkness: Yamishibai 12
Winter 2024
Commonly referred to as Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories, this series is one of the most celebrated horror anime titles, first airing in 2013. It features brief episodes that delve into classic Japanese folklore and eerie tales.
Initially, the series maintained a robust presentation; however, it has recently seen a decline in quality. While the newer episodes are still bearable, they lack memorability, often featuring only one or two standout segments. Season 12 shows slight improvement over its predecessor, yet this is faint praise due to the overall underwhelming nature of season 11. The stories presented this winter feel all too familiar, often recycling themes from earlier episodes. Nonetheless, due to the brief four-minute runtime of each short, it remains an engaging watch.
Mysterious Disappearances
Spring 2024
Several anime in 2024 flirt with horror elements. Notably, Madhouse’s adaptation of Uoto’s manga, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth, promises to be one of the year’s most impactful titles, filled with disturbing scenes and moments of brutality. However, it leans more towards horror-adjacency than pure horror. Meanwhile, Kaiju No. 8 is primarily a sci-fi action narrative, though some Kaiju designs elicit a sense of unease typical of horror themes.
Mysterious Disappearances is a supernatural mystery adapting a manga with eerie undertones. While it may not fully embody the horror genre, it effectively evokes an atmosphere of dread, mingled with unsettling visuals. Targeted at the seinen audience, it includes mature themes, some of which stray from horror tropes.
The anime adaptation offers decent entertainment, but the horror aspects feel too sparse for it to be recommended solely for those merits. However, for anyone seeking a unique, supernatural mystery with hints of horror, this series holds potential appeal. The initial two episodes stand out as the highlights thus far, though the subsequent episodes remain watchable.
The Grimm Variations
Spring 2024
Aside from Yamishibai, The Grimm Variations stands as one of the most explicit horror anime of 2024 so far. Drawing on tales from the Brothers Grimm, this Netflix adaptation aims to maintain the sinister essence of the original stories, stepping away from the sanitized versions typical of family-friendly adaptations like those from Disney. The series will reinterpret six classic fairy tales, offering them a new anime-inspired twist while adhering to core themes and narratives.
Netflix has disclosed the titles of all six episodes, which hint at the treatment of beloved tales:
- “Cinderella”
- “Little Red Riding Hood”
- “Hansel and Gretel”
- “The Elves and the Shoemaker”
- “The Town Musicians of Bremen”
- “Pied Piper of Hamelin”
This lineup is intriguing, particularly as the first three episodes cover some of the most recognized Brothers Grimm stories, while the latter half delves deeper into more niche narratives. Although Wit Studio primarily focuses on action-oriented series, it has a solid track record, including hits like Vinland Saga, Attack on Titan, and Spy x Family. Fans can expect high-quality animation regardless of genre.
Theater of Darkness: Yamishibai 13
Summer 2024
- Premiere Date: July 15, 2024
- Streaming On: Crunchyroll
Theater of Darkness: Yamishibai continues to deliver fresh content at a steady rate, with season 13 being no exception. However, the earlier episodes have generally lacked the impact of previous installments. The predictability and familiarity of the storytelling have eroded much of the tension, making it easy to foresee plot twists.
Nevertheless, Theater of Darkness: Yamishibai still holds a crucial role in the 2024 horror anime landscape, as its presence is all but guaranteed. Even as the genre faces neglect from the broader anime industry, the series remains a charming component of the horror genre, regardless of the quality of individual episodes.
Mononoke: Phantom in the Rain
Summer 2024
The character of the Medicine Seller is making a return, this time on the silver screen. The original 2007 Mononoke series is a unique psychological mystery that unfolds through four supernatural cases investigated by the protagonist. While it may not be classified as “horror,”it occupies a significant place within the horror anime genre, renowned for its striking visuals and unsettling sound design that evoke an ethereal atmosphere.
The new film does not represent a sequel or a remake but rather an entirely new narrative set within this universe. Given that the original series is formatted as an anthology, the film can seamlessly integrate into the established lore. While it was released in Japan, Netflix has acquired distribution rights, raising hopes for an international release in the near future.
A sequel to the film has been announced for 2025.
Lockdown Zone: Lv. X
Fall 2024
Surprisingly, Lockdown Zone: Lv. X emerged as a fresh addition. The narrative dives into a world teeming with danger and violence, where time loop mechanisms add a layer of complexity. Though not revolutionary, these kinds of narratives can be highly engaging, especially within the horror domain, where only a few such stories have made their mark. While it may not be a masterpiece, the source material presents commendable artwork accompanied by ample gore, fulfilling its horror branding.
Viewers should approach this title with tempered expectations, particularly since it’s not readily available on major North American streaming platforms. Lockdown Zone: Lv. X stays true to its manga origins, which might mean a more straightforward approach to animation. Consequently, it may not capture widespread attention. That said, considering the lack of horror titles in 2024’s anime lineup, this series is a welcome addition.
Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror
Fall 2024
Regardless of its execution, Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror stands out as the most significant horror anime release of 2024. It may not have faced fierce competition, essentially being one of the few meaningful entries this year (excluding the Mononoke film). Based on Junji Ito’s iconic work, the long-awaited adaptation had been anticipated for ages. Despite troubled production phases raising concerns, a thrilling trailer was released, showcasing an art style and mood fitting for the source material. Could this be the moment when a Junji Ito anime finally shines?
Indeed, the show does bring forth an excellent first episode, characterized by impressive animation, pacing, and effective body horror elements. While it falls short of perfection, it offers a glimpse of the potential within Uzumaki. Conversely, subsequent episodes (2-4) struggle to maintain the initial momentum, ultimately revealing that a miniseries format might not suit a sprawling anthology driven by slow-building tension and interconnected narratives culminating in a breathtaking finale. Instead, Uzumaki loses its rhythm and intensity, as sequences merely replay moments from the manga without allowing the horror to settle in.
Spanning four episodes, Uzumaki requires a minimal time commitment, but viewers may find that only the premiere is worthy of their attention. It stands well as a standalone short.
2024 Anime Recommendations for Horror Enthusiasts
Given the sparse options, horror aficionados might need to broaden their scope to find their thrills. While upcoming titles may not fall directly under the horror umbrella, they could still provide a similar sense of unease.
Both Orb: On the Movements of the Earth and Kaiju No. 8 have horror-adjacent elements, particularly the former with its unsettling moments, slated for an October 2024 debut. Even if it doesn’t seek to be outright terrifying, Orb features enough disquieting content to resonate with horror fans. Kaiju No. 8, while predominantly action, could also be interpreted as “horror”in a manner akin to Godzilla features.
|
Anime (English Title) |
Japanese Title |
Season |
Main Genres |
Source Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Solo Leveling |
Ore dake Level Up na Ken |
Winter 2024 |
Action, Fantasy |
Manhwa by Chugong |
|
The Witch and the Beast |
Majo to Yajuu |
Winter 2024 |
Action, Fantasy |
Manga by Kousuke Satake |
|
Kaiju No. 8 |
Kaiju 8-gou |
Spring 2024 |
Action, Sci-Fi |
Manga by Naoya Matsumoto |
|
Orb: On the Movements of the Earth |
Chi.: The first time |
Fall 2024 |
Historical, Sci-Fi |
Manga by Uoto |
|
Murder Mystery of the Dead |
Murder Mystery of the Dead |
Fall 2024 |
Mystery, Supernatural |
Game |
|
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 3 |
Re:Zero to Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 3rd Season |
Fall 2024 |
Isekai |
Light Novel by Tappei Nagatsuki |
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