What is Horror Anime? Definition, Meaning And Example
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What is Horror Anime? Horror anime is also called Hora (ホラー) in Japanese. is a subgenre that combines components of horror fiction with the unique art style and narrative frameworks of Japanese animation.
It aims to create fear, suspense, and anxiety among viewers through a variety of storytelling techniques, often incorporating supernatural elements, psychological surprises, and powerful atmospheres. One of the best horror anime to watch is Corpse Party Tortured Souls.
What is Horror Anime and Where Did Horror Anime Come From?
Horror anime came from the word hora in Japanese and was started in 1960 by Shigeru Mizuki. His first horror anime was GeGeGe no Kitarō (ゲゲゲの鬼太郎), originally known as Hakaba Kitarō, a Japanese manga that was also the first horror anime movie.
Horror anime can be dated back to the early days of Japanese animation. The 1960s and 1970s witnessed the arrival of horror-themed anime series, creating the foundation for the genre.
Is Horror a Genre in Anime?
Horror is certainly a recognized and respected genre in anime, while not as mainstream as genres like Shonen (targeted at young males) or Shojo (targeted at young females).
Over the years, it has developed a dedicated fan base that loves the unique mixture of supernatural elements, psychological horror, and suspense that horror anime frequently provides.
Horror anime has developed into a powerful medium for some of the most strange, deep, and unique types of storytelling, often creating its own original stories or adapting terrifying manga tales.
Evolution of Horror Anime with Time
The evolution of horror anime matches the broader evolution of anime as a whole. Early horror anime primarily focused on common subjects and traditions, but as the medium evolved, creators began experimenting with more complex and psychologically driven narratives.
The 1980s and 1990s marked a shift towards darker and more mature themes, giving rise to popular horror anime that pushed the boundaries of storytelling.
Related: What is Seinen Anime? Definition, Meaning, Example
Best 5 Horror Anime to Watch in 2024 and These are Horror Anime Examples
1. Another: Watch at Amazon Prime, Crunchyroll, IMDb (7.5) Released Date: October 2009
In 1972, a student named Misaki died during the school year at Yomiyama North Middle School. Despite this, the class and teacher acted as if Misaki was still alive. This strange behavior is seen in their graduation photo. In 1998, Kōichi Sakakibara transferred to class 3-3 in Yomiyama and met Mei Misaki, a quiet student who was ignored by their classmates and teacher. The class becomes involved in a strange phenomenon where students and their relatives die in horrible ways. Kōichi and Mei realize that these deaths are connected to the “Misaki of 1972” tragedy that has affected class 3-3 every year since then. They try to find a way to stop it before more lives are lost.
2. Parasyte: The Maxim – Watch at Netlix, Hulu, Amazon Prime IMDb (8.3), Released Year: 1988.
Parasyte is a story about a teenager named Shinichi Izumi. Earth gets invaded by worm-like aliens called Parasites, which control their hosts’ brains through their ears or noses. One Parasite ends up in Shinichi’s right arm instead of his brain and becomes connected to him. They meet other Parasites and team up to stay alive while fighting against them. The series explores deep questions about humanity, our connection with the world and other creatures, natural instincts and love, and right versus wrong. Shinichi starts questioning if humans are really superior, while the Parasites gain human-like qualities through their interactions with humans.
3. Tokyo Ghoul – Watch at Hulu, Amazon Prime, Netflix, IMDb (7.7), Released Date: September 2014
The story revolves around Ken Kaneki, a student who survives an encounter with a ghoul named Rize Kamishiro. He becomes a half-ghoul after receiving organ transplants from Rize, and he must now consume human flesh to survive. Ken is taken in by ghouls who run a coffee shop called “Anteiku” and learns to navigate his new life while hiding his identity from humans, including his best friend Hideyoshi Nagachika. The prequel series follows the characters Kishō Arima and Taishi Fura as they investigate crimes related to ghouls. The sequel series features an amnesiac Kaneki leading a team of investigators with special abilities to combat ghouls.
4. Kaidan Restaurant – Watch at Crunchyroll, Animesuge, IMDb (8), Released Year: 2009
The “Thriller Restaurant” series focuses on ghost stories. Each episode has three parts: the Appetizer, a short supernatural story; the Main Dish, a longer ghost story with a twist; and the Dessert, where characters share ghost stories while playing Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai. These stories have different characters and teach moral lessons. From episode thirteen onwards, there is an extra story shown during the ending credits along with a scary picture.
5. Shiki – Watch at Amazon Prime, Crunchyroll, 9anime, IMDb (7.6), Released Year: 1988
In 1994, in a small Japanese village called Sotoba, there were mysterious deaths during a hot summer. A strange family moved into an old mansion on a hill around the same time. Megumi Shimizu, a girl who wanted to leave the village, visited them but never came back. She was later found dead in the forest. Doctor Toshio Ozaki thought it might be an epidemic but found out that vampire-like creatures called “shiki” were responsible for the deaths. Natsuno Yuuki, a teenager who didn’t like the village, became targeted by these creatures and encountered death all around him/her.
Conclusion
In summary, horror anime has grown significantly since its release, becoming an engaging subgenre that consistently pushes creative limits. From its modest origins rooted in customary tales to its intricate storylines nowadays, horror anime continues to be a distinctive and captivating aspect of Japanese animation.
With so many must-watch anime films that are sure to chill even the most dedicated fans, the genre is still thriving as we enter 2023. Enter the frightening world of horror anime, where dreams come true, and accept the darkness.
Comment to share your favorite Horror anime and tell me about your experiences with this genre and also comment your favorite series.
