Mohsin Lag
Anime Like Uzumaki: Creepy, Weird, and Full of Psychological Horror
If you loved Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror, there are a ton of anime with similar psychological twists and creepy scenes.
Uzumaki is an iconic horror anime based on Junji Ito’s manga about a small town cursed by spirals. Strange changes take over the town’s people, leading them into twisted, mind-bending patterns and horrifying fates. As more residents get drawn in, the story heads toward a total meltdown, giving Uzumaki a special place in the horror-genre with its one-of-a-kind animation and disturbing moments that really make it unforgettable.
So, here’s a ranking of the top 18 horror anime like Uzumaki to check out if you’re up for more unsettling, thrilling, and downright scary stories!
18. School-Live!
School-Live! is the first on this list. mixing slice-of-life with psychological horror. The story is about high school girls who lives within their normal life in the “School Living Club.” However, we soon discover that they are merely the few survivors in a zombie apocalypse and what seems like their routine is actually an illusion to deal with the trauma of living out this situation. The psychological tension and slow reveal of what they are up to! keep this horror zombie show exciting till the end.
17. Elfen Lied
This controversial anime highlights the dark sides of human nature. Elfen Lied follows the female protagonist Lucy, a genetically engineered girl with telekinetic powers who escapes from a laboratory, leaving a bloody trail behind. Known for its brutal scenes and tragic story, the anime does well in showcasing things like revenge, pain, and morality, similar to Uzumaki’s disturbing atmosphere.
16. Parasyte: The Maxim
Parasyte takes body horror to a whole new level. In this story, alien parasites invade Earth and take over human bodies in terrifying ways. The main character, Shinichi, ends up with a parasite named Migi in his hand, but instead of killing him, they form a strange partnership. Together, they try to survive in a world where these deadly parasites are everywhere, hiding in plain sight. Like Uzumaki, Parasyte is an anime that focuses on the scary things that can turns those everyday ordinary situations into moments of horror.
15. Ghost Hound
Next up we have Ghost Hound, an anime that follows three teenagers who experience supernatural phenomena after near-death experiences. The show revolves around topics of life, death, and trauma as they encounter spirits and strange occurrences in their small town. The epic setting and slow-burn horror make it ideal for fans of Uzumaki’s spooky aura.
14. Boogiepop Phantom
At Shinyo Academy, whispers circulate about a mysterious figure called Boogiepop, said to be a grim reaper who appears to take people at their most beautiful. But Boogiepop is actually a protector, secretly emerging as an alternate personality of Touka Miyashita, a high school girl, whenever “enemies of the world” need to be dealt with. Recently, students have begun vanishing, with the school believing they’re just runaways, but Boogiepop senses a darker threat lurking in the academy. Boogiepop explores complex themes of time, identity, and how people’s memories, emotions, and pasts are woven together. The story dives deep into how these aspects affect the characters and the choices they make. make it a great option for fans of Uzumaki’s scary plot.
13. Petshop of Horrors
Petshop of Horrors is an anthology of frightning, standalone stories where Count D, the shop owner, sells mystical pets that come with a contract. Each episode explores a customer’s interaction with a pet, leading to dark and often tragic consequences. With its psychological twists and chilling themes, Petshop of Horrors taps into the dark side of human desires.
12. Mysterious Girlfriend X
Alright, this one isn’t a horror anime exactly, but it’s got a strange, almost haunting vibe to it. Nazo no Kanojo X starts with a guy tasting his classmate’s saliva, which somehow connects them in this super weird bond. It’s more of a surreal romance, but the frightening tone and the strange relationship between the characters give it that strange feel that Uzumaki fans might appreciate.
11. Shadow Star Narutaru
Narutaru might look harmless at first glance, but don’t be fooled. It’s about kids who connect with cute creatures, but things get dark fast. The show offers various disturbing stuff—violence, trauma, and more. The contrast between the cute style and heavy themes makes the dark scenes hit even harder. If you liked Uzumaki for its weirdness Narutaru has that in spades.
10. Aku no Hana (The Flowers of Evil)
This one is straight-up psychological horror. Aku no Hana follows a boy, Kasuga, who gets involved with a really strange girl, Nakamura, who ends up having a kind of control over him. It takes place in a calm town and its spooky animation makes it all feel frightning due to how scarily lifelike the characters look. The show gets into obsessive and messed-up relationships, that also creates the same disgusting feeling you get from Uzumaki but with a completely different view.
9. Higurashi: When They Cry
I gotta say that Higurashi is one of my favorite horror anime of all time, as it combines psychological horror with mystery which i really like. The show follows a group of friends in a small village where horrifying events occur. What is so good in this anime, is that each arc reveals new layers of fear and paranoia as the characters experience terrifying, inexplicable situations. Like Uzumaki,you will really enjoy Higurashi as it builds horror through psychological trauma and shocking twists.
8. Another
Moving on to Another, a masterpiece that tells the story of a cursed high school class where students and their relatives die in gruesome ways. The main characters attempt to solve the mystery of the curse before it claims more lives. The anime is known for its chilling tension, supernatural elements, and disturbing deaths scenes that make it a perfect choice for Uzumaki fans who love small-town horror.
7. Kagewani
I didn’t know such a great anime existed! Now that I’ve watched Kagewani, i come across a dark, supernatural vibe which is similar to Uzumaki, and that’s why I have to recommend it to all horror fans. The story follows scientist Sosuke Banba as he investigates attacks by strange creatures. The anime’s unique animation style and suspenseful storytelling create an unsettling experience, blending horror and mystery in a way that keeps will keep fans on their edges.
6. Hell Girl
Another good anime like Uzumaki is Hell Girl, where people can send their enemies to Hell by accessing a mysterious website at midnight. But revenge comes with a price—the user’s own soul is also damned to Hell. The anime is really enjoybale as it explores themes of vengeance and consequences, with epic soundtracks and haunting visuals that add to the spooky mood, making it a match for Uzumaki’s psychological horror.
5. Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories
Yamishibai is a popular anthology series that tells short, spine-chilling stories based on Japanese urban legends and ghost stories. The series uses a unique animation style inspired by kamishibai (paper theater), enhancing the feeling of dread. With many similarities to Uzumaki, Yamishibai delivers compact, distinctive horror mood, that will appeal to fans of Japanese folklore.
4. Mononoke
Now we have Mononoke, a great anime that follows the “Medicine Seller,” who hunts spirits known as Mononoke by uncovering their true nature. Each spirit represents a human emotion like rage or sorrow, which leads to disturbing consequences. What makes Mononoke similar to Uzumaki, is the unique art style it uses and the supernatural horror scenes that will left fans speechless…
3. Paranoia Agent
Created by Satoshi Kon, Paranoia Agent is an anime that revolves around a mysterious assailant known as “Lil’ Slugger” who randomly starts attacking people in Tokyo. Each attack reveals the victim’s hidden anxieties and secrets, leading to a web of psychological horror. With surreal visuals and a creeping sense of fear, this anime mirrors Uzumaki’s haunting aura and the unique style of telling the story.
2. Shiki
Shiki tells the story of an isolated village plagued by mysterious deaths, which locals initially believe to be an illness—only to realize it’s the work of vampires. Personally, I’ve never seen a horror anime quite like this; it excels in so many areas, from the top-notch animation and soundtrack to the story itself. The plot highlights the moral questions and the nature of evil, with a sense of doom feels similar to whats happened in Uzumaki, keeping you hooked till the end.
1. Serial Experiments Lain
This one’s a trip! Serial Experiments Lain is about a high school girl, Lain, who gets sucked into a mysterious online network called “The Wired.” It’s got that slow, creepy feeling with a mix of psychological horror that messes with your head. It is certainly worth a watch if you like the artstyle of this eerie and depraved series akin to Uzumaki. The series tackles themes like identity and technology and being lonely, all over a brooding compositional darkness.
