Darker anime?

[Silence_Fish]

Does anyone know of any series similar in somber tone and feel to something like, say, Monster? It doesn't have to be a carbon copy murder/thriller, but I seem to enjoy animation like Monster or Lain more than the mech/magic/highschool stuff. I enjoy the occasional samurai/ninja tale too, as long as it's decent. But it seems like it's harder to find darker stories that don't involve either a futuristic wasteland, or a medieval-style wasteland.
Thanks for any suggestions.

[a_nevels666]

Does anyone know of any series similar in somber tone and feel to something like, say, Monster? It doesn't have to be a carbon copy murder/thriller, but I seem to enjoy animation like Monster or Lain more than the mech/magic/highschool stuff. I enjoy the occasional samurai/ninja tale too, as long as it's decent. But it seems like it's harder to find darker stories that don't involve either a futuristic wasteland, or a medieval-style wasteland.
Thanks for any suggestions.

How about Ayatsuri Sakon? (available on animesuki...)

[Silence_Fish]

How about Ayatsuri Sakon? (available on animesuki...)


I just tried to check it out, but the torrent site appears to be down. Unfortunately, it appears only one group was subbing it. Ah well.

[dreamless]

Available on Animesuki :

Narutaru - one of the darkest and most disturbing series, with the most innocent and deceiving OP and start.

MADLAX - the atmosphere could be quite dark at times I guess.

Kikou Sennyo Rouran - it's a... somewhat different kind of robot anime, and the story becomes quite dark later on.

Victory Gundam - one of the darker Gundams, a lot of people dying... you will enjoy it if you like to see beautiful girls die every other episode or so XD

Angel's Egg - I don't quite understand it myself, but it's quite dark, both in atmosphere and the show itself (or I just need to turn up brightness...)

Interlude - it has some darker moments, it also has some brighter moments...

Licensed :

Le Portrait de Petit Cossette - dark horror romance story, great atmosphere and music.

Elfen Lied - dark, bloody, gory, very twisted characters.

Hundred Stories/Requiem from Darkness - humanity is ugly and twisted, society is dark and bleak, very macabre theme.

TEXHNOLYZE - you'll like this if you like Lain.

Infinite Ryvius - what happens when a group of children are left alone in a spaceship with no one else telling them what to do and, more importantly, what NOT to do?

Boogiepop Phantom - dark, mysterious, unique pace.

Gilgamesh - unique art with dark atmosphere.

Now and There Here and There - great show with some dark and bleak take on humanity's future.

Ghost in the Shell (movie and two TV series) - dark atmosphere, political intrigue, very sophisticated stories.

Paranoia Agent - very sophisticated stories and quite some dark humor. reality is hopeless, society is insane.

Perfect Blue - dark and depressing psycho-thriller.

Noir - dark atmosphere, some sad stories.

Hellsing - the atmosphere is full of darkness and insanity.

Vampire Princess Miyu (OVA and TV) - dark atmosphere and sad stories...

Neon Genesis Evangelion - if you haven't watched it, maybe you should get it now :p

[Silence_Fish]

Wow, thanks for the many suggestions.

[Griffith]

Narutaru, without question. Don't let the first two episodes deceive you. ;)

[Sugetsu]

Speaking of darkness... what about Berserk? That's a dark anime indeed and it is very deep and thoughtful. It has very good character develpment, lots of blood and gore and, above all, an excellent storyline. Please don't miss this one.

[Shay]

I just watched the first episode of Elfen Lied and trust me Its pretty dark.

Scary music too.:p

Here's a few screen caps...

http://s01.imagehost.org/0099/bscap006.jpg

http://img54.exs.cx/img54/7239/bscap60.jpg

http://img54.exs.cx/img54/2944/bscap61.jpg

http://img54.exs.cx/img54/9247/bscap62.jpg

http://img54.exs.cx/img54/5638/bscap63.jpg

Its definitly worth a look.

[ChibiDusk]

Want Blood & Mystery? then get... Ayatsuri Sakon (Puppet Master Sakon)
Want Blood, Nudity & a look at how cruel humans really are? then get... Elfen Lied (Elves Song)
Want something dark, and depressing? then get... Narutaru (ShadowStar)
Other Suggestions:
Hellsing
Interlude
Le Portrait de Petit Cossette
Boogiepop Phantom
Serial Experiments Lain
In the End of Evangelion

[Takayuki]

Narutaru, without question. Don't let the first two episodes deceive you. ;)

Everyone who has said Narutaru is sooo right........ I am on episode 9.... It is awesome, amazing, scary, dark, and pretty depressing as well... WATCH IT.

[Nolan Void]

narutaru is exactly that, also...


Kanon

[docomo153]

how about Jin-Roh. nothing really darker than that. it has an atmosphere of pure evil around it with an evil ending........."and in the end....the wolf ate little red riding hood....."

[dreamless]

how about Jin-Roh. nothing really darker than that. it has an atmosphere of pure evil around it with an evil ending........."and in the end....the wolf ate little red riding hood....."
Agree with Jin-Roh, very very dark atmosphere, very very dark story, with maybe one of the most brilliant and emotional ending and the greatest ED song Grace. :cool:

[ThisIsDream]

ANyone know Monster?

[Toxic]

Kanon
Kanon... dark... what?

Anyway, check out Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni.

[Skyfall]

Elfen Lied - i guarantee that you wont feel pleasant at some spots :)

[orion]

Kanon... dark... what?

Anyway, check out Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni.

Yeah, you'd never guess that Kanon has a dark side. First run was a kick in the gut in some episodes.

Anyway...

I second Welcome to NHK!. It's dark and funny.

Hellsing Ultimate. Nothing better than seeing Arucard again!

[jedinat]

Silence_Fish hasn't logged on for 2 years.

[Deathkillz]

Silence_Fish hasn't logged on for 2 years.

lol...the dead should be left in the grave IMO :p