Funimation: 4 Horror Anime Series to Watch For Halloween
One of the most beloved ways to celebrate Halloween is to indulge in all things spooky. For many people, that means watching their favorite horror movies and television shows or checking out new scary releases. Anime fans have plenty to choose from, as horror has become one of the most popular anime genres in the last two decades. If you’re looking for something spooky to watch this Halloween weekend, check out these horror anime series, all of which are now streaming on Funimation.
‘Hellsing’ (2001)
Hellsing began as a Japanese manga series in 1997. Created by Kouta Hirano, the graphic novels ran 10 total volumes between 1997 and 2008. Meanwhile, in 2001, anime studio Gonzo K.K. created a 13-episode anime adaptation. The series, directed by Umanosuke Iida and Yasunori Urata, aired in Japan between October 2001 and January 2002. Funimation acquired the license for the horror anime’s North American release in 2010.
Hellsing follows a vampire named Alucard and his servant, a former police officer named Seras Victoria, as they protect the powerful Hellsing family from “ghouls and satanic freaks” scattered across England. Alucard and Seras discover a Nazi group known as Millennium, and they must fight the group before Millennium gets to Alucard first.
‘Death Note’ (2007)
Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata’s manga, Death Note, ran in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine from December 2003 to May 2006. Additionally, a novel by Nisio Isin, called Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases, was released in 2007. Death Note‘s popularity led to the creation of a 37-episode horror anime series, which premiered in Japan in 2006. The franchise has since grown to include several video games, live-action series and films, and spinoff manga.
Death Note tells the story of a high school student named Light Yagami, who finds a black notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written in it. He fears the book at first but then begins using it as a way to kill Japanese criminals. Light becomes known to the media as a killer named “Kira,” and Japanese police get to work trying to stop the vigilante.
‘Tokyo Ghoul’ (2014)
Sui Ishida’s dark fantasy manga, Tokyo Ghoul, was released in Weekly Young Jump between 2011 and 2014. Additionally, Ishida wrote a sequel called Tokyo Ghoul:re for release between 2014 and 2018. Anime studio Pierrot debuted Tokyo Ghoul‘s adaptation in 2014, followed by a second season. The manga’s sequel also received its own anime adaptation in 2018.
Tokyo Ghoul follows an alternate world in the midst of a battle between humans and ghouls, a type of creature that feeds off human flesh. However, these ghouls look just like humans on the outside, so they blend in with society until they strike.
A young student named Ken Kaneki goes on a date with Rize Kamishiro, but things go awry when she reveals herself as a ghoul. He’s taken to the hospital, where a life-saving surgery turns Ken into a half-ghoul. Now, he must figure out which side of the battle fits him best.
‘Mieruko-chan‘ (2021)
Tomoki Izumi’s manga Mieruko-chan launched online in 2018 via the ComicWalker website, where it still runs today. The anime adaptation is perfect for people looking for something new this season, as Passione just debuted the first episodes in October 2021.
Mieruko-chan follows a high schooler named Miko Yotsuya, who has the ability to see frightening spirits. She tries to ignore them, but they continue to appear all around her, and nothing can make them go away.
