While the dark shonen subgenre is getting more and more popular in recent years, that doesn't mean that it's a new one. Anime creators have been telling surprisingly dark and often terrifying shonen stories for decades now. As a result, anime fans can explore some of the darkest classic and new shonen anime with monsters, serial killers, and all types of terrifying and evil characters.
However, anime lovers can not only watch gory shonen horror anime series but also explore a wide range of thought-provoking stories that'll challenge the way they think about society, identity, hatred, and free will. Thanks to these dark shonen stories, viewers can get immersed in meaningful stories while also going on thrilling fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, and action anime adventures.
7 The Promised Neverland
The Promised Neverland is one of the most terrifying and saddest anime series ever made thanks to its often gruesome and deeply emotional story. This dark shonen anime has a uniquely chilling atmosphere right from the beginning and this only gets more terrifying as the story unfolds.
Viewers can also expect to watch plenty of bloody and terrifying scenes and meet some of the most despicable anime characters ever created. The Promised Neverland's story follows the adventures of a group of orphan kids who try to escape from their orphanage after they uncover the terrible truth about the place and what they're really raised for.
6 Claymore
Claymore is one of the most violent and darkest fantasy anime series with plenty of monsters and brutal battle scenes. However, shojo anime fans can also enjoy meaningful stories and join brilliantly crafted characters on their journeys as they try to defeat horrifying monsters and save humanity.
Claymore also explores meaningful themes about loss and loneliness. The show mixes graphic violence with darkly emotional stories surprisingly well and takes its viewers on unforgettable adventures. Its story is set in a medieval-inspired fantasy realm where a group of female warriors is trying to kill all the deadly monsters, which are called Youma.
5 Chainsaw Man
Chainsaw Man is one of the most violent new shonen anime series with a unique and weird world that somehow still feels real. This dark shonen show's world is filled with terrifying Devils and equally creepy Devil hunters.
Shojo fans can expect to see plenty of gore and even disturbing scenes as they get to know the most powerful fiends in Chainsaw Man. Its story is about a teen boy named Denji, who, after his death, agrees to merge with a dog-like devil and gets reborn as a powerful devil-human hybrid who hunts down devils on Earth.
4 Attack On Titan
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Attack On Titan is considered one of the darkest anime shows of all time and not just because it's filled with violence or because it features some of the most brutal deaths in anime. No, for many fans, it's because of all of the serious themes that the anime's narrative explored over the years.
This iconic action shonen anime has been successfully telling powerful stories related to racism, genocide, and traumas while immersing its viewers in some of the grittiest anime worlds of all time. Attack On Titan's story follows Eren's adventures as the young boy decides to join the military and fight against the human-eating Titans who destroyed his home.
3 Death Note
Death Note's captivating and thought-provoking story is not only filled with violent and heartbreaking deaths. It also challenged viewers to think about justice, morality, and ethical questions more deeply. Even though this shonen anime's story explored some of the heaviest themes, it never failed to entertain its viewers.
Anime fans could see just how corrupted and immoral one can become even if one's motives start out pure. Some of Light's most evil acts were unsettling and terrifying and turned him into one of the greatest anime villains of all time. The story follows his adventures after he stumbles upon a Death Note and decides to use it to rid the world of all evil.
2 D.Gray-man
D.Gray-man is one of the most underrated dark shonen anime series of all time with a violent and fascinating fantasy world. This supernatural horror-shonen show has great characters and a unique story and is set in a world that's full of terrifying creatures who want to destroy humanity.
D.Gray-man is one of the most atmospheric dark fantasy anime shows with scary scenes and great action sequences. Its story follows a young boy's adventures named Allen, who joins an exorcist organization and uses his cursed eye and blessed arm to slay demons and fight against a horrifying demonic army and their leader, Millennium Earl.
1 Black Butler
No anime gets darker than Black Butler. This gothic dark fantasy anime has a unique story and its mysterious and violence-filled world is packed with brutal killers and all kinds of terrifying supernatural beings. However, what makes this dark shonen anime stand out is its story, which explores various mature themes including child abuse, torture, and death.
Black Butler also has beautiful action scenes and plenty of gory visuals that further enhance the anime's already deeply emotional and heartbreaking story. Viewers can go on a torturous adventure with a young boy named Ciel Phantomhive, who makes a deal with a demon so that he can avenge his family's murder.