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(2023) Top 20 Best Dark Anime on Netflix with Suspense Plot

Room lights dimmed, devoid of worldly thoughts, and completely engrossed in an intense dark anime. Sounds thrilling, right? So was felt by thousands of people who fell in love with dark anime and whose numbers are rapidly growing day by day.

Among various popular websites, Netflix has emerged to quench our thirst for anime successfully. And when it comes to the dark genre, Netflix serves a challenging role in bringing these popular anime to us.

Apart from various collections of movies and popular TV shows, Netflix does not compromise with its anime library.

Anime under the dark genre, be it from dark romantic to dark comedy, has achieved a considerable fan base among the Gen-Zs. In this article, I bring to you the top 20 dark anime which are available on Netflix, with a suspense plot.

Top 20 Dark Anime on Netflix

20) Berserk 

Berserk 

MAL Rating6.30
Number of Episodes24 episodes
GenreAction, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Suspense
Animation StudioMillepensee, GEMBA 

One of the most violent anime out there, Berserk, is the story of Guts, who gets branded for death and gets hunted by various demons throughout his life.

However, he does not intend to succumb easily and embarks on his journey to fight his way out and slay the person responsible for such a fate.

The plot undergoes some gruesome arcs, which are pretty dark in themselves. However, this anime won’t fall back to amuse you. Grab this anime right there on Netflix.


19) Tokyo Ghoul: re 

Tokyo Ghoul: re 

MAL Rating6.38
Number of Episodes24 episodes
GenreAction, Fantasy, Horror, Suspense
Animation StudioStudio Pierrot 

One of many arcs of the main anime Tokyo Ghoul, it follows the events after the Anteiku raid by the CCG. This arc introduces the Quinx squad, who uses quinces to eliminate the unwanted residents of the city. 

Ken Kaniki undergoes a memory reset and goes by the name of Haise Sasaki of the Quinx squad eliminating ghouls. 

The constant clash between his previous inner self and his new self exposes several dark aspects of one’s life. One of the best anime series ever made, Tokyo Ghoul won’t leave you without a smile of satisfaction on your face. 


18) Deadman Wonderland 

Deadman Wonderland 

MAL Rating7.15
Number of Episodes12 episodes
GenreAction, Horror, Supernatural, Sci-fi, Suspense
Animation StudioManglobe

On a school trip to an amusement park, a tragic, rather strange incident befalls Ganta and his classmates, where everyone except Ganta gets defeated. Framed for murder, he receives a death sentence and is sent to the jail he was supposed to visit.

His life in Deadman Wonderland, the amusement park which uses convicts to amuse the audiences, isn’t easy. He has to constantly struggle to live his way among sadistic inmates, mysterious powers, and a lethal collar that’s placed around his neck.

Deadman Wonderland brings us the sadistic side of convicts, making us wonder whether they require punishment or counseling. The darkness in the story prevails throughout and kind of leaves the viewer on edge at the end.


17) Scum’s Wish 

Scum’s Wish 

MAL Rating7.15
Number of Episodes12 episodes
GenreDrama, Romance, Suspense
Animation Studio Lerche 

The plot centers on the idea of unrequited love. Although Hanabi and Mugi may seem a perfect couple, they have a dark secret. They are both in love with people with whom they cannot be together.

However, they stay together for physical intimacy and also to ward off their respective loneliness.

Based on a pretty melancholic foundation, Scum’s Wish is undoubtedly not one of the most successful love stories out there, but one’s undoubtedly going to enjoy it to its core.


16) B: The Beginning

B: The Beginning

MAL Rating7.19
Number of Episodes18
GenreAction, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense
Animation StudioProduction I.G.

Keith Flick is a freelancer detective, who is well-versed in his craft. He is summoned to the scene, after some murders done by an anonymous Killer B.

Being perceptive enough, he notices that there is more to these murders than a plain revenge story. Finding an unexpected ally in Killer B, Keith starts uncovering secrets and mysteries behind these happenings.

Slowly, the plot starts becoming darker with human and child experimentation. Along with being one of the dark anime on Netflix, this anime is also a quite suspenseful detective mystery flick.


15) Mirai Nikki 

Future Diary Mirai Nikki 

 

MAL Rating7.42
Number of Episodes27 episodes
GenreGore, Psychological, Survival, Suspense
Animation StudioAsread.

The story revolves around Yuki, who one day gains the ability to read the future through a personal diary which he receives and considers quite a superpower.

However, his happiness does not last long as he soon discovers that 11 other people have the same diary as him, and they must eliminate everyone to become the God of time and space. 

Amidst these, he meets Yuno Gassai, a possessor of a similar diary and an insane psychopathic stalker, and goes to the same school as Yuki. He teams up with Yuno and embarks on his new voyage to be the Time and Space God.

Mirai Nikki is a brilliant mixture of psychological thriller, romance, and action. It shows us how someone’s goodwill can be a boon to the world and also how some people can go insane over their past traumas and perform terrible things.

Overall, Mirai Nikki should be up on your list if you are searching for some dark-setting anime.


14) Another 

Another 

MAL Rating7.48
Number of Episodes13 episodes
GenreHorror, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense
Animation StudioP.A. Works

The town of Yomiyama gets shrouded by a gloomy, fearful atmosphere following the death of a middle school girl, Misaki. After 15 years, Kouichi Sakibara receives a transfer to the same school and class and finds himself drawn to a girl, Mei Misaki.

Despite being warned by his classmates and Mei herself, he follows his path, and in the process, he unravels several dark secrets of Yomiyama and its series of dark, tragic events.

One of the best horror anime, Another is also infused with several doses of suspense, gruesome deaths, and mysteries. The dark theme prevails throughout, and that’s what makes it unique.


13) Prison School 

Prison School 

MAL Rating7.61
Number of Episodes12 episodes
GenreComedy, Romance, Ecchi, Suspense
Animation StudioJ.C. Staff 

Probably one of the best Ecchi series to be ever created, Prison School narrates the story of 5 perverted students who get prisoned in the middle of the school campus.

They are kept under the observation of the infamous Underground Student Council, which further adds up to their perverted nature.

One of the most hilarious comedy anime to be ever produced, Prison School also brushes some dark topics as well, masked under humor. This series will surely leave you with an aching stomach due to laughter and mind-boggling around several social issues.


12) Devilman Crybaby 

Devilman Crybaby 

MAL Rating7.76
Number of Episodes10 episodes
GenreAction, Avant Garde, Horror, Supernatural, Suspense
Animation StudioScience SARU

The plot revolves around Akira Fudou, who has a bleeding heart. He gets pulled into the world of devils by his friend Ryou Asuka.

When he sees the horrific side of this world, where demons possess humans and create havoc, Akira resorts to becoming the host of Amon.

This grants him the power to fight off demons, and he embarks on his new journey to bring calamity to those who harm humans and their loved ones.

Quite an action-packed anime, it shows the dual nature of a person who is quite empathetic to others but might be ferocious at times. A show worthy of spending a weekend evening on.


11) Higurashi When They Cry

Higurashi When They Cry

MAL Rating7.89
Number of Episodes94 Episodes
GenreHorror, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense
Animation StudioStudio Deen

On the front, Higurashi will look like a harmless and beautiful slice-of-life story about a group of friends. But this is one of the most common misconceptions among anime fans, as the series is not at all what you think.

Starting with a happy group of 5 friends, the series gets darker and the suspense keeps increasing with each episode. Keichi is a transfer student in Hinamizawa, where he quickly bonds with some of his classmates.

The horror starts when Keichi learns of the deep and dark story regarding Hinamizawa’s past. Even his friends do not respond to this, but his everyday life keeps getting bizarre and crazier every day.

This story is a descent into madness, with its amount of gore and horror elements. The gruesome deaths in this series, keep on getting more unpredictable and will be a turn-off for many viewers.


10) Ergo Proxy

Ergo Proxy  

MAL Rating7.90
Number of Episodes23 episodes
GenreMystery, Sci-fi, Suspense
Animation StudioManglobe

In a post-apocalyptic world, where humanity has been pushed into restricted domes, robots called AutoReivs are used to help humans with daily chores.

However, a new disease starts spreading among these, due to which Re-I Mayer gets appointed to investigate. 

She, along with her comrades, discovers some dark, baffling secrets about humanity and also discovers the true purpose of “Proxies.”

Laid on quite a dark and complex plot, Ergo Proxy is undoubtedly going to give you the thrill and chills you expect from such anime.


9) Re: Zero Starting Life in Another World

Re Zero Starting Life in Another World

MAL Rating8.24
Number of Episodes50
GenreDrama, Fantasy, Suspense
Animation StudioWhitefox

Re: Zero is one of the best Isekai anime, along with having one of the darkest plots and scenarios. Subaru is suddenly transferred to another world, on a random day.

There he meets up with a girl who saved him from some thugs. On the same day, he visits the wrong place at the wrong time and gets brutally murdered along with the girl Satella.

But, Subaru suddenly finds him waking up in the same scenery where he was spawned earlier that day. This marks the start of the suspenseful plot and keeps on increasing and getting better with each season.

Subaru has to go through an eternal cycle of pain, suffering, and death to protect what he holds dear. This is enough to say why Re Zero is one of the top dark anime on Netflix.

Another good news for fans is that this anime was also renewed for Season 3. This is the best time to catch up on this series, for people who haven’t watched it yet.


8) Psycho-Pass 

Psycho-Pass 

MAL Rating8.34
Number of Episodes41 episodes
GenreAction, Sci-fi, Suspense
Animation StudioProduction I.G. 

Set in the future, where advanced technology can identify a person’s criminal intent through their mental state, the justice system underwent a drastic change. Inspectors and Enforcers are the ones who hold up the justice system.

However, the petals start unfolding when Akane Tsunemori steps into this world and discovers the dark, corrupt nature of this system.

Psycho-Pass bears much close resemblance to a present-day society where the termites of corruption have crept into the state’s justice system.

With enough bloody, violent, and heart-wrenching scenes, Psycho-Pass becomes a formidable dark anime to watch.


7) Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion

MAL Rating8.34
Number of Episodes24 episodes
GenreAction, Avant Garde, Drama, Sci-fi, Suspense
Animation StudioGainax, Tatsunoko Productions

One of the darkest anime present out there, Neon Genesis Evangelion even cannot be understood by many of its fans to this date. The series also has a retelling of the storyline, presented in the form of movies.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is sure to turn off many viewers away with its depiction of specific themes and characters. This is the reason, why this is a bit low in this list of dark anime on Netflix.

It is also very suspenseful and thrilling over its course of 26 episodes. Even the remake movies, follow the same pattern but alter the storyline a bit to make it less dark.


6) Parasyte: The Maxim 

Parasyte: The Maxim 

MAL Rating8.34
Number of Episodes24 episodes
GenreAction, Horror, Sci-fi, Suspense
Animation StudioMadhouse

Shinichi Izumi falls prey to an alien parasite alongside numerous others. But there is a sheer distinction between him and the rest. His parasite Migi, unlike the others, resides in his hand and has failed to conquer his brain. 

Migi, unlike the others, could not control Shinichi and thereby gets caught up in an unnatural coexistence and fights their rivals who consider them a threat.

Quite suspenseful and emotional at times, this anime on Netflix will surely provide you with the action you are seeking.


5) To Your Eternity

To Your Eternity

MAL Rating8.37
Number of Episodes40 episodes
GenreAdventure, Drama, Supernatural, Suspense
Animation Studio Brain’s Base 

The story follows an immortal being, called Fushi, as a probe from a distant planet. It’s an eternal being but can take the shape of any creature it meets on the way.

He befriends a young boy, who, with his help, sets on to explore the world. Despite being immortal, Fushi has specific fears. He fears losing the memories of the ones he meets.

To your eternity was one of the few anime that made me reach out for my tissue box and nearly empty it. It marvelously brings out the pain of losing a loved one and how a completely emotionless being started developing human emotions.

The series makes our minds peek through the doors of our memories of those who are no longer with us. So, make sure you keep your tissue box handy before you start watching this show.


4) The Promised Neverland 

The Promised Neverland 

IMDB Rating8.52
Number of Episodes23 episodes
GenreMystery, Sci-fi, Suspense
Animation StudioCloverWorks 

The Grace Field House is a peaceful orphanage, surrounded by forests, where the orphans live happily as a family with their “mama.” Everything seemed fine when one fine day, one of the orphans gets adopted, never to be heard from again.

Following this event, the three oldest siblings grow suspicious and embark on their new journey only to discover the dark side of the orphanage and their mama, Isabella.

The Promised Neverland is quite dark in itself. It presents before us the dark and filthy side of present-day orphanages that engage themselves in various illegal activities. When seeking dark, suspenseful anime, The Promised Neverland becomes a must-watch.

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3) Death Note 

Death Note 

MAL Rating8.62
Number of Episodes37 episodes
GenreSupernatural, Suspense
Animation StudioMadhouse

Notably, one of the best anime ever produced, Death Note, has managed to be on top of every list in almost all genres, be it a thriller, psychological, shounen, or many more.

It leaves the viewers with a highly debatable theme based on morals and justice. It exposes various aspects of one’s consciousness that bears an unmistakable resemblance to many present social issues that leave the viewers on edge, questioning their validity.

 The story revolves around Light Yagami, the main protagonist of the anime. He one-day stumbles on a book, which was intentionally dropped by Ryuk, a shinigami.

The book, named Death Note, possesses the capability to eliminate an individual upon writing their name on it. Light uses this to eradicate all criminals to establish a clean, terror-free society.

 The police, however, identify this as an act of a serial killer and appoint the best detective, L. The twists and turns that the plot has undergone are sure to leave you satisfied to the core.


2) Code Geass 

Code Geass 

MAL Rating8.70
Number of Episodes50 episodes
GenreAction, Drama, Sci-fi, Suspense
Animation StudioSunrise

Set amidst the Britannia Empire plunging its claws on Japan, Code Geass emerges as the second-best dark anime available on Netflix. Every story arc contains enough thrill and suspense to keep you on your toes.

The story has such abrupt bends that it becomes almost impossible to predict the upcoming events.

When Britannia attacks Japan and renames it Area 11, Lelouche Lamperouge finds himself caught up between the Britannian reign and the rebel forces.

He narrowly escapes and meets a strange girl CC, who grants him the Geass, which can make anyone blindly obey him. He uses this power to set his voyage against a rebellion against Britannia under the name Zero.

It’s almost impossible to sum this series up, as it takes several severe bends. Therefore all you need to do is start binge-watching this nail-biting suspense anime.


1) Monster

Monster

MAL Rating8.86
Number of Episodes74
GenreDrama, Mystery, Suspense
Animation StudioMadhouse

Monster is an anime that has a slow start, but is the best dark anime on Netflix. It follows the story of Doctor Kenzou Tenma, who chose to operate over a small kid Johan rather than the Town’s Mayor.

He loses everything after this, but after a few years suddenly rise in position and becomes the Director of that Hospital. Many years later. Tenma must now face off against Johan, who has committed many crimes and is a monster now.

The suspense plot of Monster is one of the best it has to offer. The slow burn of the story and plot is what makes this anime so good and the best dark anime on Netflix.

Dark-genre anime may not always be an easygoing task. Some scenes might make us uncomfortable, but that’s where the beauty of it lies. Despite being such, the suspense makes us plod along with the story.

If in case the above-mentioned anime has not been made available in your country, you can always use a VPN and set its location according to the anime’s availability.

When it comes to using a VPN, we recommend using PIA VPN. You can use this link to avail of heavy discounts.


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