The highly-anticipated Uzumaki has put fans in the Halloween spirit and brought viewers back to Toonami. Throughout the years, horror and thriller anime have had a place on the block. We’re revisiting some of the more notable titles that have aired on Toonami since 2012 to help get everyone in the mood for the spooky holiday.
©Kouta Hirano/Shōnen Gahōsha/Satelight/Madhouse/Graphinica
Hellsing Ultimate
If you want vampires, look no further than Hellsing Ultimate. The series follows the Hellsing Organization led by Sir Integra Fairbook Wingates Hellsing, who protects the British Empire from the supernatural. Its greatest weapon is Alucard, a powerful vampire who has been a servant of the Hellsing Family for decades. Due to its violence and gore, this anime aired in the later time slots on Toonami in 2014 and gave fans the opportunity to see Alucard and the religious special operations units, such as Iscariot, fight Nazis in an attempt to take over the world, reminiscent of World War II. The difference is these Nazis are vampires! This anime is a must-see to capture the darker spirit of Halloween.
©Hitoshi Iwaaki/Kodansha/Madhouse
Parasyte -the maxim-
Parasyte -the maxim-, which aired on Toonami in 2015, tells the story of Shinichi Izumi, a high school student whose right hand is possessed by an alien parasitic being after a failed attempt to take over his brain. The parasites, who have successfully infiltrated humanity, take over the brains of other humans and feed on them, causing a panic for local authorities. One thing I personally enjoyed about this series is the recurring notion that humans and the parasites were one in the same until each evolved for their own species’ self-preservation. Parasyte explores a lot of philosophical questions about morality and survival while also having some great (and gruesome!) action sequences. While less gory than Hellsing Ultimate, it still has the action and body horror appropriately themed for this spooky season.
©Yūji Nara/Akatsuki
Housing Complex C
Housing Complex C is an Adult Swim original horror anime that aired on Toonami in October 2022 centering around the residents of said apartment complex. Tension between neighbors arise when tenants go missing and other strange things occur, such as dead fish suddenly appearing outside the building. Two girls, Kimi and Yuri, along with an older resident named Takashi, decide to investigate the bizarre occurrences around the complex. The limited series incorporates classic Lovecraftian mythology and mystery-solving elements. It’s a great fit for those who prefer thriller/suspense series to horror/action.
©Sui Ishida/Shueisha/Pierrot
Tokyo Ghoul
Talk about a first date gone wrong! Ken Kaneki becomes a rare half-ghoul after a near-death experience while on a date with a woman named Rize. Now living with and accepting the fact he’s no longer 100% human, Kaneki endures the hardships of being part ghoul. His new struggles include maintaining a new diet which consists of ingesting human flesh and being hunted by either other ghouls or the Commission of Counter Ghoul, an organization which investigates ghouls. Tokyo Ghoul only aired the first and second season, Tokyo Ghoul √A, on Toonami in 2017 but never aired the third season, Tokyo Ghoul:re, and it’s unclear if it will ever make it to the block. Despite its deviation from the manga, this anime is still an appropriate choice for Halloween if you enjoy the grotesque and macabre.
©Kaiu Shirai/Shueisha/CloverWorks
The Promised Neverland
I was unfamiliar with the plot of this anime before it premiered on Toonami in 2019, however it had my undivided attention after the first episode aired. The Promised Neverland is about three children who learn the terrifying truth about their fate in the orphanage in which they are raised and resolve to work together to escape. While many fans weren’t thrilled about season two’s deviation from the manga, it’s still a solid choice for the Halloween season where children are put in a position to defy their “mother” for survival against demons. The idea of a parental figure sending children to demons instead of being protective against dangers of the world is the stuff of nightmares. Aside from a disturbing scene in the first episode, this is perfect for fans who enjoy thriller and mystery rather than blood and gore.
©Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha/Toei Animation
One Piece: Thriller Bark Arc
You knew I was going to mention One Piece sooner or later. The Thriller Bark Arc takes place after the crew has gotten the attention of the World Government at Enies Lobby, rescuing Nico Robin from the clutches of Cipher Pol 9. As the story unfolds, members of the Strawhats begin to disappear, encountering zombies and other spooky elements, culminating in a confrontation with one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Gekko Moriah. The crew also meet a singing skeleton named Brook who becomes a Strawhat at the end of the arc. This will satisfy fans of ghosts, zombies, graveyards, and a creepy mansion to get you excited for Halloween .
©Atsushi Ohkubo/Square Enix/Bones
Soul Eater
Not everyone needs to like traditional horror to appreciate the Halloween vibe. In 2013, Toonami aired Soul Eater, a dark comedy/fantasy/action series that revolves around a group of students at the Death Weapon Meister Academy, which is run by the personification of Death. Students are divided between humans who can transform into weapons and weapon-wielding meisters. The gothic art style of the manga and anime became popular with many viewers. What is great about this series is how it balances light-hearted comedy and high-stakes action. It’s a great fit for those who prefer a less spooky but fun Halloween atmosphere.
Toonami has given us a nice variety of shows that suit the mood for October, ranging from violent horror to suspense to comedy. Psychological horror Uzumaki so far has been a great addition to this list, with its striking imagery and subversion of a harmless shape into something sinister and terrifying. We are optimistic that Toonami will continue to incorporate the different shows that embody the spooky ambiance, putting us in a Halloween mood no matter what time of year it is.
Be safe and keep it scary!
Umeko Long is a staff writer for ToonamiFaithful.com. Feel free to follow her on Twitter @blu_temptation
Don’t forget to listen to the Toonami Faithful podcast!