OCTOBER may be coming to an end, but the spooky season isn’t over just yet! There’s still plenty of time to indulge in the fear, blood, guts, and gore to be found in all things Halloween.
And of course, what’s Halloween without some binge-watching?
If you’re over the popular slasher flicks and TV shows, why not try delving into the world of anime to end with a bang? Here are some you can watch.
Be warned though – they’re definitely not for the faint of heart, so be sure to check for trigger warnings before pressing play.
- Devilman: Crybaby (2018)
This ONA series is based on the manga series Devilman, and poses deep questions regarding existence and morality. Can anyone ever really be pure good or pure evil? How does one determine who are those worthy of heaven, and of eternal damnation? How are we so confident in who we choose to live and die?
Is there a basis for any of it, or do we damn ourselves in our judgment, as well?
These are just some of the questions that may cross your mind as you watch the story of Devilman: Crybaby, which follows a young boy named Akira Fudo, who is dragged into a war between devils and humans by his friend Ryo, and then transformed into a devil-man in the process.
He must learn to navigate not only his new form, but also the heartbreaking realization that perhaps it is not only devils that are monsters, but humans too – perhaps even humans, most of all.
- Serial Experiments Lain (1998)
Though some argue that this anime is not actually horror per se, it is still deemed by many to be scary as hell.
More than this, it is considered by many to be one of the most underappreciated psychological horror animes out there, Serial Experiments Lain was talking about the dangers of technology before it was even a thing to do so.
Here, you watch the journey of a quiet girl named Lain as she slowly starts to grow addicted to The Wired, a virtual realm that’s eerily similar to how the internet works in the modern day.
The lines between what’s virtual and what’s real start to blur together more and more, and as Lain finds herself falling deeper into this new world, you may not even realize that you’re falling just as hard alongside her.
If you’re into the more subtle or unsettling kind of horror – the kind that creeps up on you and fills your body with unease and discomfort instead of merely shocking you all at once – you are sure to enjoy this series.
- Corpse Party (2013)
If you’re looking for something short and sweet, as well as something that’s an absolute gore-fest, this four-episode OVA is a good place to start.
Based on the video game of the same name, Corpse Party follows a group of schoolmates who are suddenly teleported to a cursed dimension after they perform a charm that ensures that they stay best friends forever.
With some in pairs and others wandering the halls on their own, they quickly realize that they are not safe in this realm; malevolent spirits start chasing after them, and all they can do is run as they try to figure out how the hell they’re supposed to get out of this world alive.
While others may judge this anime for its excessive use of violence and gore, this may be just what you’re looking for.
- Perfect Blue (1997)
This may be the only film on the list, but it is here for good reason. Despite it being released in 1997, the film’s themes are still as relevant – and as horrifying – in the present day.
Director Satoshi Kon’s film Perfect Blue is a psychological horror film that messes with your head in more ways than one. It centers on a young woman named Mima Kirigoe, who leaves the idol life behind to pursue acting full-time.
Unfortunately, not everyone is happy with her decision. She soon realizes that her every action is being watched by an unknown entity, and she grows increasingly paranoid over who to trust, as well as who the “real” Mima truly is.
Is she actually herself, or is even that an illusion?
Perfect Blue will have you questioning absolutely everything at every second, and it’s great if you want to watch something that’ll leave you thinking long after it’s already ended.
- Bonus: Trese (2021)
While there is some debate as to whether Trese is or isn’t an anime, we’re putting it on the list anyway.
Aside from this, Philippine media rarely receives such widespread recognition, especially an animated work like Trese, which garnered so much acclaim during its initial release on Netflix.
Following its release, Trese became part of the top 10 TV shows on Netflix in a total of 19 countries. It ranked first in the Philippines and then became the highest-ranked show on Netflix in the Philippines the weekend after it first premiered which, of course, was well-deserved.
Based on the comic book series of the same name, Trese is a show that follows the life of a young woman named Alexandra Trese. She, alongside twins Crispin and Basilio, fights against the criminal underworld, keeping the streets of Manila from the evil that unknowingly lurks the streets.
Trese highlights the vastness of Philippine legend and folklore, featuring distinctly Filipino entities such as the White Lady of Balete Drive, the tiyanak, and the tikbalang, among many others.
While this may not be the scariest among the bunch, this series deeply highlights the country’s horror mythology, elevating it to a global platform, so it’s definitely a must-watch on our account.
