This subgenre is sadly very underrepresented in anime.
Dark fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy which focuses more closely on gritty realism. Often characterized by a lot of deaths and gore, it’s somewhat popular with Western fans.
However, it’s not really popular in anime — still, there are dark fantasy works, and here are some of them.
The most famous recommendation for dark fantasy anime and manga, Berserk is known for its gruesome and violent content — as well as for some of the best character writing in the entire medium. The 1997 anime is great and worth watching — but the only way to watch it legally in the US is to buy the Blu-Ray.
The remake of the same arc can be watched as a trilogy of movies on Netflix — or as a “Memorial Edition” TV series on Crunchyroll. The 2016-2017 sequel is poorly made, and, to many fans, is not worth watching.
Another great recommendation for the genre that is somewhat similar to Berserk is Claymore — and while it’s less depressing, it’s just as violent. The anime was very famous back in the 00s, but by now, it’s somewhat obscure.
Still, it’s worth watching if you like dark fantasy — you can find it on Crunchyroll.
Ninja Scroll
The original Ninja Scroll (Juubee Ninpuuchou) movie got many people into anime back in the 90s. More than 30 years later, it still holds up — it might not have the most amazing plot, but the animation is top-tier, and the atmosphere is unmatched.
The original movie can be watched on Crunchyroll or HIDIVE, depending on your location — and the sequel series from 2003 is also on Crunchyroll.
Bastard‼
This one is even in the licensed name for the series. Bastard‼ Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy (Bastard!! Ankoku no Hakaishin) follows an ancient evil wizard, Dark Schneider, who is imprisoned in the body of a little boy.
Schneider is evil, but he’s not beyond heroic deeds, either — the anime is absolutely ridiculous, and that’s what it’s famous for. The new adaptation is pretty well received, and you can find all that is currently adapted on Netflix.
Dororo follows the orphan child by the same name, who travels with Hyakkimaru. The latter is trying to defeat the demons that took his body parts upon birth — Hyakkimaru was sacrificed by his own father in order to bring stability to the realm.
A modern adaptation of a classic manga, Dororo covers its entire story — and you can watch it on HIDIVE or Prime Video.
This subgenre is sadly very underrepresented in anime.
Dark fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy which focuses more closely on gritty realism. Often characterized by a lot of deaths and gore, it’s somewhat popular with Western fans.
However, it’s not really popular in anime — still, there are dark fantasy works, and here are some of them.
The most famous recommendation for dark fantasy anime and manga, Berserk is known for its gruesome and violent content — as well as for some of the best character writing in the entire medium. The 1997 anime is great and worth watching — but the only way to watch it legally in the US is to buy the Blu-Ray.
The remake of the same arc can be watched as a trilogy of movies on Netflix — or as a “Memorial Edition” TV series on Crunchyroll. The 2016-2017 sequel is poorly made, and, to many fans, is not worth watching.
Another great recommendation for the genre that is somewhat similar to Berserk is Claymore — and while it’s less depressing, it’s just as violent. The anime was very famous back in the 00s, but by now, it’s somewhat obscure.
Still, it’s worth watching if you like dark fantasy — you can find it on Crunchyroll.
Ninja Scroll
The original Ninja Scroll (Juubee Ninpuuchou) movie got many people into anime back in the 90s. More than 30 years later, it still holds up — it might not have the most amazing plot, but the animation is top-tier, and the atmosphere is unmatched.
The original movie can be watched on Crunchyroll or HIDIVE, depending on your location — and the sequel series from 2003 is also on Crunchyroll.
Bastard‼
This one is even in the licensed name for the series. Bastard‼ Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy (Bastard!! Ankoku no Hakaishin) follows an ancient evil wizard, Dark Schneider, who is imprisoned in the body of a little boy.
Schneider is evil, but he’s not beyond heroic deeds, either — the anime is absolutely ridiculous, and that’s what it’s famous for. The new adaptation is pretty well received, and you can find all that is currently adapted on Netflix.
Dororo follows the orphan child by the same name, who travels with Hyakkimaru. The latter is trying to defeat the demons that took his body parts upon birth — Hyakkimaru was sacrificed by his own father in order to bring stability to the realm.
A modern adaptation of a classic manga, Dororo covers its entire story — and you can watch it on HIDIVE or Prime Video.
