Funimation’s Picks For A Night Of Anime Frights
As one of the leading anime distributors in the US, Funimation is responsible for a lot of titles….some creepier than others. They’ve compiled a seasonal list of shows on their service that trade in the macabre. Not all of them are Halloween-themed or even have anything to do with monsters or ghouls, but they’re still unsettling enough to raise a few hairs on your back.
JUNJI ITO COLLECTION
Enter the twisted world of Junji Ito’s works of horror! Witness the most hair-raising stories from Junji Ito Masterpiece Collection and Fragments of Horror like you’ve never seen them before. For any fans who seek the thrill of shocking imagery and ill-fated characters, this whole show is made for you.
You might have heard a new adaption of Ito’s Spiral is coming soon (though it’s been “soon” for quite a long time now). Why wait when other adaptions of his work already exist and are ready to scare your pants off?
HIGURASHI: WHEN THEY CRY
New kid Keiichi Maebara is settling into his new home of peaceful Hinamizawa village. Making quick friends with the girls from his school, he’s arrived in time for the big festival of the year. But something about this isolated town seems “off,” and his feelings of dread continue to grow. With a gnawing fear that he’s right, what dark secrets could this small community be hiding?
The newest entry in the list, though it’s a remake of an existing anime — and a series of video games.
HELLSING ULTIMATE
The rogue vampire Arucard is the Hellsing Organization’s deadliest instrument in its mission to protect the British Empire from satanic ghouls and Nazi freaks. With recently-turned policewoman Seras Victoria as his servant, Arucard haunts the shadows as a sinister force of good—and tonight the foggy streets of England shall flow with the blood of t
They cut it off, not us. This one is the entry most apt for Halloween. Vampires, monsters from heck, attacks of horrific violence — what more could you want?
DEADMAN WONDERLAND
Ganta is convicted of slaughtering his classmates—a crime he didn’t commit. The authorities lock him up in a brutal, privately owned prison: Deadman Wonderland, where the incarcerated are forced to fight gladiatorial battles for tourists.
I’ll always remember this one for re-launching Toonami as a mature-targeted Adult Swim block after a years-long hiatus. What better way to say “we’re not the HamTaro guys anymore” than this 12-episode story of a meek, whiny little dude locked inside a gladiatorial torture prison? In fact, Deadman Wonderland is SO over the top that it comes off as a parody of grimdark anime, not an honest attempt — regardless of what the creators might have intended. Verdict: your mileage may vary on the “scary” part.
PARANOIA AGENT
From Satoshi Kon, the legendary director of Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, and Paprika comes a dark and mysterious, thought-provoking psychological thriller. Citizens across Musashino City are being attacked and terrorized. Two detectives are put on the case, but will they be able to solve the mystery before there’s another wave of victims?
As one of the best anime ever made, you should be watching this whether it’s Halloween or not.