Bodyhorror anime is like a scary art showwhere bodies change into weird, creepy things. It’s not like regular scary stuff. This kind of horror is all about making characters' bodies look super strange and gross. While most people would deny watching them, some people really like it because of its strange and different nature. It can make you feel weird and wonder about how our bodies work. While normal horror anime will make your heart race, these ones can evoke a feeling of disgust within you.
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While regular horror shows impress us and never remain etched into our minds, watching body horror shows could be like looking at a spooky painting that stays in your head for a long time. So, if you think it’s a journey you’re able to handle, then it’s time to try out these anime shows.
10Lily C.A.T.
MAL Rating: 5.95
Lily C.A.T.
Why Watch Lily C.A.T.?
Lily C.A.T. is a 1987 anime film blending body horror with achilling space journey. A shape-shifting alien infiltrates the crew, resulting in terrifying changes, from their bodies merging with machinery to bizarre mutations. The movie explores the terror of an unknown enemy that manipulates bodies, making it a suspenseful and unnerving experience as characters battle against monstrous transformations while trying to maintain their humanity.
Lily C.A.T. is about a spaceship crew en route to a new planet. They discoveran alien lifeformamong them, forcing suspicion and fear. The creature mimics its host, causing chaos as it takes over. The crew struggles to survive while uncovering the alien’s secrets, and now they must identify the imposter before it destroys them all.
Release Date
Where To Watch
September 1st, 1987
Prime Video
9Junji Ito Maniac
MAL Rating: 6.49
Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre
Why Watch Junji Ito Maniac?
This show reveals the eerie and twisted transformations that can mess with your mind. For instance, people undergo bizarre changes, like becoming spirals or being trapped in their own bodies, from strange marks to surreal body contortions. It’s not just about the physical freakiness, but theseries also has a psychological impact, exploring the fear of losing control over one’s body and mind. The series magnifies the horrifying possibilities of the human form, making it a bone-chilling watch.
Junji Ito: Maniac by the horror writer Junji Ito consists of standalone episodes, each portraying more horrifying tales than the previous one. It showcases spine-chillingstories involving the supernatural,curses, and disturbing occurrences, where the characters encounter unsettling events, including horrifying body transformations.
January 5th, 2018
CrunchyrollNetflix
MAL Rating: 7.74
Why Watch Claymore?
Claymore involves gruesome transformations of the Yoma-infected humans who become monstrous creatures. On the other hand, Claymores, half-human warriors, endure intense mutations to gain power. The horror lies in their struggles both inside and outside, facing physical changes, like grotesque limbs or distorted features. On the inside, they fear losing control of their human side, emphasizing the terrifying clash between human identity and monstrous forms.
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Claymore is about half-human, half-demon warriors called Claymores. They protect humans from demons but are feared for their powers. Clare, a young Claymore, seeks revenge against a demon that killed her family. She joins others like her on dangerous missions. As the series progresses, Clare learns about a deeper conspiracy behind the Claymores and demons.
April 4th, 2007
7Devilman Crybaby
MAL Rating: 7.75
Devilman Crybaby
Why Watch Devilman Crybaby?
Only ifDevilman Crybabyhad the animation of today’s time, this would have been the mostintense show with utmost brutality. With intense fusions between demons and humans, changes in the body, bones cracking, ugly facial transformations, and humans getting demonic traits, this show has it all. Then comes theunapologetically raw battlesof Devilman Crybaby, showcasing some of the most brutal and violent scenes without holding back.
Devilman Crybaby follows Akira, a kind-hearted boy possessed by a demon, merging his soul with that of the devil, becoming Devilman. With his friend Ryo, he confronts demons infiltrating society. Balancing his humanity and newfound demonic powers, Akira fights to protect humans from demonic threats.
6Tokyo Ghoul
MAL Rating: 7.79
Tokyo Ghoul
Why Watch Tokyo Ghoul?
When a show is based on creepy entities like Ghouls, it’s a sign that viewers are in for some truly unsettling and creepy scenes. From body contortions to monstrous features like elongated tongues, razor-sharp kagune (tentacle-like appendages), or distorted facial features,Tokyo Ghoulhas given us all. Then comes Ken Kaneki’s transformation, where he changes into half-Ghoul, and we see a weird change in his eye, and let’s not forget his uncontrollable hunger for human flesh.
Tokyo Ghoul follows Kaneki, a college student who transforms into a half-ghoul after a freak encounter. Ghouls, flesh-eating creatures, coexist secretly with humans. Struggling to adapt, Kaneki fights with his new Ghoul instincts while trying to maintain his humanity. He finds refuge at Anteiku, a cafe for peaceful Ghouls.
July 4th, 2014
MAL Rating: 8.16
Why Watch Akira?
Katsuhiro Otomo has explored various genres, from supernatural to sci-fi, cyberpunk, thriller, and mystery, finding success in nearly every venture. However, the monumental success of his movie Akira surpassed the achievements of his other works, reaching unparalleled heights. It was not just acyberpunk legendbut an epitome of body horror exploring disgusting body mutations as the result of scientific experiments, scenes featuring a mass of blood and flesh, and a lot more for body horror fans.
Set in post-apocalypticTokyo, Kaneda, a biker, gets entangled in a government experiment gone wrong involving his friend Tetsuo. Tetsuo gains immense psychic powers after a motorcycle accident, triggering chaos and destruction. To save his friend, Kaneda joins resistance fighters to stop Tetsuo’s destructive path.
July 16th, 1988
4Parasyte: The Maxim
MAL Rating: 8.33
Parasyte: The Maxim
Why Watch Parasyte: The Maxim?
The unsettling bodily alterations depicted in Parasyte: The Maxim result from the invasion of parasitic entities into the human body. As these otherworldly beings take control, humans lose consciousness, becoming hosts to these creatures. Parasytes can split open their host bodies however they wish, extend and contract their bodies, and even turn the skin super hard as a defense. This wear and tear of the body gives a different kind of horror experience.
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Parasyte: The Maxim is about a boy named Shinichi who faces a strange invasion. Mysterious creatures, called Parasites, start taking over human bodies, eating people, and causing chaos. One Parasite named Migi fails to control Shinichi and ends up stuck in his hand, and now they must work together to survive against other Parasites.
October 9th, 2014
3Neon Genesis Evangelion
MAL Rating: 8.35
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Why Watch Neon Genesis Evangelion?
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a show where lines blur about who’s human and who’s a machine, mixing both in a creepy way. The pilots, like Shinji and Asuka, merge so closely with their big robots that they twist in pain. Then there are the Angels, freaky creatures that change shapes in terrifying ways. While thebattles within the series are nothing short of impressive, those weird modifications could be too much to handle.
Shinji Ikari is recruited by NERV to pilot a giant mecha, Eva Unit-01, against monstrous beings known as Angels threatening humanity. During battles, Shinji struggles with his estranged father, Gendo, who leads NERV, and forms relationships with fellow pilots Rei and Asuka. As we move forward in the series, deeper mysteries surrounding NERV, Eva units, and the truth behind Angels unfold.
October 4th, 1995
2Jujutsu Kaisen
MAL Rating: 8.62
Jujutsu Kaisen
Why Watch Jujutsu Kaisen?
In the expansive world ofJujutsu Kaisen, sinister Curseswield horrifying techniques. While not exclusively centered on body horror, certain characters possess abilities that manipulate bodies in gruesome ways. Geto eating the Curses by converting them into orbs that taste like vomit and Sukuna manifesting himself in the form of mouth and eyes on Itadori’s body are some examples of how the horror works in the series. Then comes theIdle Transfiguration of Mahito, a technique that works purely on manipulating not just the body but the soul, too.
Jujutsu Kaisen follows Yuji Itadori, who swallows a cursed object to protect his friends. This act awakens a dark power within him, linking him to dangerous curses. He joins a secret organization, Jujutsu High, to control his new abilities. Alongside other sorcerers, including the enigmatic Satoru Gojo, Yuji fights curses threatening humanity.
October 3th, 2020
1Made In Abyss
MAL Rating: 8.65
Made in Abyss
Why watch Made in Made In Abyss?
Abyss is a place not made for humans to explore, as it poses threats far uglier than death. Yet a few kids descend into the Abyss, thus starting the sinister story of Made in Abyss. From simple effects of the curse, like nausea, bleeding, and severe pain, to physical repercussions on the human body, Abyss punishes you in significant ways. Despite its youthful protagonists, there are unsettling depictions of disfigurement, grotesque alterations, and transformations into otherworldly entities.
Made in Abyss follows Riko, who ventures into the Abyss, a mysterious and dangerous chasm, to find her missing mother. She meets Reg, a humanoid robot, and together, they descend through its layers filled with unique creatures and perilous challenges. They aim to reach the bottom, hoping to uncover secrets and answers.
July 7th, 2017
