Whether you’re a seasoned anime fan or are new to the genre and seeking spooky ideas for a Halloween party, you’ll find horror anime a rich source of inspiration. Below, we take a look at three of the scariest, most disturbing anime series of all time – and how you can use each as the basis for your own Halloween bash.
Japanese Tales of the Macabre
Multi-award-winning Junji Ito is renowned as the master of horror manga, and each terrifying episode of this twenty-part series is based on one of his tales. Disturbing, eerie, and bizarre, be aware that this anime is definitely not one for the kids: it’s only suitable for those aged fifteen and over. From gigantic balloons of people’s faces that suddenly appear in the skyline of Japan to a road blocked by tombstones to a mysterious, gigantic creature that washes ashore, this series is sure to haunt the viewer’s dreams.
Japanese Tales of the Macabre offers plenty of Halloween inspiration. Fans of the series could DIY a costume to resemble the character of Soichi in The Room with Four Walls/Where the Sandman Lives, with his yellow sweater worn over a dark green collared shirt, greasy black hair, and shadowed eyes. Or, if there is a group of you looking for the perfect horror anime costumes, how about dressing up as the strange Hikizuri siblings from the episode of the same name?
And if you fancy going all-out and throwing a Halloween party themed around Japanese Tales of the Macabre? Then, you’ll be spoiled for weird choices when it comes to decorating options! Once you’ve picked your character costumes, consider getting hold of as many oversized light gray or silver helium balloons as possible and drawing faces on each before tying them in bunches around the house.
Tokyo Ghoul
Set in an alternative reality, Tokyo, where ghouls (in disguise) co-exist alongside the human population, this popular anime follows college student Ken Kaneki, who becomes a half-ghoul after an encounter with one of the human-flesh-eating creatures. Tokyo Ghoul is a dark fantasy/horror anime written and animated by Sui Ishida; it appeared in serial form in the magazine Weekly Young Jump from September 2011 to September 2014 and spawned a twelve-episode anime television series that aired in September 2014. There have since been subsequent anime series, as well as a live-action movie: the Tokyo Ghoul fan base seemingly can’t get enough of the ghastly ghoulish action!
If you’re looking for some horror anime inspiration for Halloween, Tokyo Ghoul is rich in possibilities. As a cult anime series, there are lots of costumes available online, meaning that you can easily dress up as characters, including Ken Kaneki, Vorallme, Eto Sen Takatsuki, and Juuzou Suzaya. To get ideas for some suitably eerie background music for the bash, have a look at libraries of royalty-free music for videos to create a wonderfully weird playlist. You can even find complete Tokyo Ghoul party packs online: you’ll receive themed banners, balloons, cake toppers, and more. And don’t forget to place a few vases of red roses around the space for an authentic aesthetic.
Higurashi: When They Cry
Frequently cited as one of the best and most chilling anime series of all time, When They Cry is an anime series based on the original kinetic visual novels and video games. The story focuses on Keiichi Maebara, who moves to his new home, the seemingly peaceful village of Hinamizawa – however, it quickly becomes apparent that all isn’t as it seems here, and dark secrets lurk beneath the town’s tranquil surface. Like the other anime featured on this list, this is certainly not for children: centering on a cursed village, the series blends suspense, psychological horror, and the supernatural. Its challenging explorations of paranoia and madness, along with sudden incidences of graphic violence, make it a truly unsettling watch. You have been warned!
Despite its scary nature, When They Cry features an array of compelling characters sporting brightly-colored hair and outfits that can be easily DIYed for a Halloween fancy dress party. For example, recreate Moni’s look with a long green wig, long pleated pink skirt, white shirt, and green tie. Or opt for a blue and white sailor suit outfit with a yellow tie to channel Ryuga Rena. The music is a key element of the series’ spooky ambiance, so put together a playlist that reflects the soundscape of the show for an authentic When They Cry Halloween experience.