IT is a Hollywood adaptation of a Stephen King novel, and it has been terrifying audiences since its September 8th premiere. The film follows a shape-shifting being that takes the form of a clown. It preys on the phobias of children before killing them.
Anime is no stranger to the horror genre, and here are some works that can entice IT fans!
Here are the 9 most terrifying anime-
1. Perfect Blue
Studio: Madhouse
Episodes: 1 Movie
Quick Pitch: Mima Kirigoe has been a member of CHAM! for the past two years, but she leaves to pursue an acting career. Wanting to shed her pure idol image, Mima takes on a role in a sexual crime drama. The demanding role quickly becomes taxing. Adding to Mima’s stress is a stalker, a seemingly anonymous website that shares details about her life, and the growing success of CHAM! since her departure.
2. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
Studio: Studio Deen
Episodes: 50 + 11 OVAs
Quick Pitch: Keiichi Maebara moves to the quiet village of Hinamizawa during the summer of 1983. He quickly becomes friends with schoolmates since all of the grades share a single classroom. While Keiichi’s life seems idyllic and laid back, there is a darkness lurking.
Keiichi discovers that the village has a history of murders and disappearances that occur in connection with an annual festival. When he tries to ask his friends about the events, he is met with silence. Bizarre and threatening events start to happen, which casts mistrust within Keiichi’s heart.
3. Shiki
Studio: Daume
Episodes: 22 + 2 Bonus Episodes
Quick Pitch: The quiet village of Sotoba is plagued with mysterious deaths. Doctor Toshio initially believes it’s due to an epidemic, but learns that vampire-like creatures called Shiki are behind the deaths. At the same time, Natsuno is haunted by the death of a friend.
4. Another
Studio: P.A. Works
Episodes: 12 + 1 OVA
Quick Pitch: In the spring of 1998, Koichi transfers into Class 3-3 at Yomiyama North Middle School. There is a strange atmosphere in the class and he slowly learns the strange rules that he must follow. Even more distressing is his classmate Mei, who seems to be ignored by everyone. As he tries to get closer to her, Koichi slowly learns about the dark secret of Class 3-3.
5. School-Live! (Gakkou Gurashi)
Studio: Lerche
Episodes: 12
Quick Pitch: Yuki Takeya loves her school and the activities of the School Life Club. The club also includes president Yuuri Wakasa, the athletic Kurumi Ebisuzawa, the mature Miki Naoki, supervising teacher Megumi Sakura, and the club dog Taroumaru. Together, the club participates in various activities and mini-adventures…or that’s how Yuki sees things.
In reality, the girls are survivors of a zombie outbreak and they are trying to adapt to a post-apocalyptic life.
6. Kemonozume
Studio: Madhouse
Episodes: 13
Quick Pitch: Shokujinki are a race of flesh-eating monsters that can appear as humans and live in the shadows. The Kifuuken is a martial arts style passed down through the Momota family which is used to combat the shokujinki. Toshihiko is a part of the Momota family, and he falls in love with Yuka, a woman who is a shokujinki.
7. Rin: Daughters of Mnemosyne
Studio: Xebec / Genco
Episodes: 6
Quick Pitch: Rin Asogi is an immortal private investigator thanks to having eaten a Time Fruit from Yggdrasil. Immortality is a nice perk, but she still feels the pain of death and has gone through brutal “deaths” during her life. However. Rin’s immortality may be at risk after being marked by the angel Apos.
8. Boogiepop Phantom
Studio: Madhouse
Episodes: 12
Quick Pitch: Five years ago, a string of grisly murders haunted a Japanese city. The killer was never found, which gave rise to the rumor about Boogiepop. According to the stories, anyone who meets Boogiepop at night will disappear.
One month, a pillar of light appeared in the sky, which renewed stories about Boogiepop. The light causes memories of the murders to appear as holograms, which causes an existence where past and present can co-exist.
9. Alien 9
Studio: J.C. Staff
Episodes: 4
Quick Pitch: Yuri Otani is selected to be apart of her middle school’s Alien Party and is tasked with capturing aliens that threaten her school. She is joined by class president Kumi Kawamura and the enthusiastic Kasumi Tomine. They are outfitted with Borgs, which are symbiotic life-forms that will help them with their task. However, alien hunting isn’t as fun or safe as they believe.
What horror anime do you think challenges IT?
