this post was submitted on 16 Feb 2026

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[Discussion] The 20 Darkest Anime Series of All Time, Ranked (collider.com)

submitted 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) by mo_lave@reddthat.com to c/anime@ani.social

14 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Bookiepop Phantom
Ergo Proxy
Higurashi
Haibane Renmei
Shiki
Talentless Nana
Speed Grapher
Shinsekai Yori
Chainsaw Man
Terror in Resonance
Elfen Lied
Psycho-Pass
Now and Then, Here and There
Made in Abyss
Paranoia Agent
Monster
Texhnolyze
Berserk
Devilman Crybaby
Evangelion

top 14 comments

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[–] Rottcodd@ani.social 8 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

That's actually a better list than I expected, but Evangelion number 1? Though it is certainly number 1 on the "Anime that people stick on lists" list, so I guess I'm not all that surprised. And right off the bat, Bokurano should pretty obviously be there, along with Casshern Sins. And it's sort of weird that Serial Experiments Lain isn't, especially with its notable ranking on the aforementioned "Anime that people stick on lists" list.

Still though, it's better than I cynically expected, and I'm especially pleased to see Now and Then, Here and There, which tends to get overlooked.

[–] Hazel@piefed.blahaj.zone 4 points 3 weeks ago

Having both Haibane Renmei and Texhnolyze but not Lain sure is odd haha.

[–] cerebralhawks@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

It doesn’t get darker than NGE? Really?

And they didn’t even mention Inuyashiki or Redo of Healer…

[–] orochi02@feddit.org 2 points 3 weeks ago

Inuyashiki and redo of healer arent dark. Just Edgy in the Best and worst ways

[–] flameleaf@ani.social 1 points 3 weeks ago

This list could use some work. Bokurano is basically "what if NGE was even more depressing"?

[–] Faceman2K23@discuss.tchncs.de 7 points 3 weeks ago

no takopi, no madoka, no Lain?

[–] anikahj@ani.social 6 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I’d say Deadman Wonderland is up there. Parts of that fucked with me for a while

[–] DoucheBagMcSwag@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Most part that fucked me up about that show was the part where:

Tap for spoiler

IT WAS FUCKING CANCELLED AFTER ONE SEASON WITH A GODDAMN CLIFFHANGER

[–] degoogler@lemmy.zip 3 points 3 weeks ago

I do recommend the manga. That sure left an impression holy shit

[–] nyan@lemmy.cafe 4 points 3 weeks ago

Ergo Proxy is dark? Darker than, oh, Mahou Shoujo Site, Deadman Wonderland, Ajin, Promised Neverland, or any of a couple of dozen others? Someone needs to watch more anime.

Now and Then, Here and There, on the other hand, deserves to be at the top of the list. That thing is brutal.

[–] Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

List feels kind of.... tame? I cant think of much off the top of my head but I'm pretty sure I've seen darker stuff.

Parasyte: The Maxim is fairly dark, and parts of the overarching story of One Piece are crimes against humanity.

[–] CMDR_Horn@piefed.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

kimi ga nozomu eien aka rumbling hearts

I was lucky enough to be at a panel with one of the Japanese voice actresses and I asked her if it was as depressing when they were recording it.

She told me that that regularly cried

[–] sefra1@lemmy.zip 2 points 3 weeks ago

I would include too, The Day I Became God, Gunslinger Girl, Mahou Shoujo Site.

[–] MelodiousFunk@lemmy.zip 2 points 3 weeks ago

Some classics in there. I could not stomach Now and Then, Here and There. Just so fucking bleak. Paranoia Agent is pretty great.