The spookiest month continues to get spookier and bloodier; we have Frankenstein-ed some great Halloween anime to get you in the mood.
Halloween 2025 will be both a glamourous and brutal one, inspired by what was trending all year. Notable features included Wednesday Season 2, Weapons, Final Destination Bloodlines, Sinners, 28 Years Later, A Minecraft Movie, and, of course, KPop Demon Hunters. Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein was also just released in theatres before transitioning over to Netflix. What can also join the spooky party is some great Halloween anime. So, we came up with a top five anime series that came out this year that you need to check out to get ready for Halloween.
1. Nyaight of the Living Cat
Starting off the Halloween anime series list, this series understood the assignment—balancing the comedy and horror. A mysterious virus has spread that causes people to transform into cats when they cuddle with the feline animals. The protagonist, Kunagi, must fight his urge to snuggle with cats in order to survive this bizarre and crazy world.
If you are a cat lover, this is cat heaven. But not for its characters. Kunagi is the perfect protagonist of this ridiculous premise because he plays the straight man comedy in a world plagued with a strange virus outbreak. The best part is that season 1 is fully available now on Crunchyroll.
2. The Summer Hikaru Died
The Summer Hikaru Died is the perfect choice for a Halloween anime series list. This slice-of-life, horror anime follows Yoshiki Tsujinaka and Hikaru Indo, who are two teenage boys and childhood friends living in a small town in rural Japan. Despite having opposite personalities and different hobbies, the two maintain a close friendship.
The story takes a turn when Hikaru suffers a fatal injury one day. Months later, Yoshiki comes to the realization that the Hikaru he knew might have died that fateful day. This was both a mystery and a thriller, which left me guessing what would happen next. The unique part about this Netflix series was how it used various filming techniques.
3. DanDaDan
Since its premiere last year, DanDaDan has been one of the most popular anime series of late. The way this series blended extraterrestrial life and supernatural beings was interesting to watch for a variety of reasons. The best parts are in its characters and the students who are interrupted from their daily high school lives to deal with these otherworldly problems. Cosplays have taken over so many conventions and events, so it would not be surprising to see many Halloween costumes this year.
When high schoolers Momo Ayase and Okarun’s beliefs clash, they’re thrown into a world of ghosts, aliens, and awakened powers. The rest of the story follows Momo and Okarun as they ally with fellow students, friends, family, and new acquaintances to combat supernatural entities, including spirits and extraterrestrial beings, while also navigating the evolving romantic tension between Momo and Okarun.
4. Takopi’s Original Sin
If you want to mess up your emotions this Halloween, Takopi’s Original Sin is for you! Takopi travels from his home of Happy Planet to spread happiness on Earth, but meets the unsmiling Shizuka. Her school friends and home life are causing her somber expression, and pure-hearted Takopi is determined to change things.
I knew this was going to be a heavy mini-series because there was a warning at the beginning of every episode, warning the viewer how dark the content was. I made the mistake of starting this show on a plane ride; passengers were concerned when I was tearing up a bit. The art style was as rugged and rough as the characters. Watch this one at your own risk.
5. Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun
On a lighter note, Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun delves into some dark, adult themes but in a very tasteful and artistic way. The art style and animation is very unique, especially with the unique colouring—along with the way the colours pop out. It also has some school romance, as the mystery unfolds.
To have her wish granted, occult girl Yashiro Nene has summoned Hanako-san. But the ghost that appeared before her is a boy in the girls bathroom. Nene gets involved in all sorts of supernatural stories by Hanako-kun, who’s sadistic and slightly perverted despite being a ghost. Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun is not necessarily safe for kids as a Halloween watch, but has a childlike charm with its heartwarming, comedic themes against the supernatural backdrop.
This is a fantastic list! Halloween and anime are a perfect match for some spooky fun. Can’t wait to check out these recommendations!
Thanks for your enthusiasm! It’s interesting how many anime series blend horror with unique storytelling, creating a captivating atmosphere for Halloween. Do you have a favorite series that you think should be on the list?
You’re absolutely right! The fusion of horror and storytelling in anime often leads to some truly creative narratives. It’s fascinating how they can explore deep themes while still delivering those spooky vibes. Do you have a favorite series that exemplifies this blend?