If you’ve watched Junji Ito’s Uzumaki, you know how creepy and unforgettable this horror anime is. The story slowly gets under your skin, with weird supernatural and cosmic horror elements that stay with you long after you finish it. But after watching “Uzumaki”, you might be asking yourself: what can I watch next that gives me the same abnormal vibe?
Well, you’re in luck! Here’s a list of the top anime like Uzumaki. All these anime have that creepy atmosphere, strange events, and that feeling of dread that makes Uzumaki so good. Whether you love psychological horror, supernatural curses, or strange, otherworldly stuff, this list has something for you.
Let’s start the countdown!
19. Made in Abyss
While Made in Abyss might look like a lighthearted adventure anime at first glance, it quickly turns into something much darker and more harrowing.
The story follows Riko, a young girl, as she journeys deep into the Abyss—a massive pit that holds ancient relics, strange creatures, and unimaginable dangers. The deeper she goes, the more twisted and deadly her surroundings become.
Much like Uzumaki, Made in Abyss features an environment that warps both mind and body. The deeper the characters venture, the more terrifying their journey becomes, much like the spirals that consume everything in Uzumaki.
18. Parasyte
A classic in the body horror genre, Parasyte is another great pick for fans of Uzumaki. Its exploration of transformation and loss of humanity is deeply unsettling, making it a perfect addition to this list.
Aliens called parasites invade human bodies, turning their hosts into monsters. Shinichi, a high school student, is infected but manages to retain his humanity, leading to a brutal battle between humans and parasites.
Therefore, all we can say is that Parasyte and Uzumaki are two identical animes that explore the theme of humans being consumed and transformed by an outside force. The body horror in both anime is grotesque and chilling, drawing viewers into a world where nothing is as it seems.
17. Paprika
If you enjoy mind-bending stories, Paprika is a movie that offers a unique mix of surreal visuals and psychological horror, similar to the disorienting experience of Uzumaki.
In Paprika, a device allows people to enter and manipulate dreams. When it’s stolen, the lines between reality and dreams blur, leading to chaos.
Much like the spirals in Uzumaki, the dream sequences in Paprika film distort reality, leaving both characters and viewers unsure of what’s real. The strange, unpredictable nature of the story echoes the unsettling atmosphere of Uzumaki.
16. Perfect Blue
A psychological thriller with horror scenes, Perfect Blue is an anime movie that follows themes of identity, delusion, and the mind’s descent into madness.
Mima, a former pop idol, starts to lose her grip on reality as she transitions into an acting career. Stalked by an obsessed fan, Mima’s life spirals out of control as she struggles to differentiate between fiction and reality.
Both Perfect Blue and Uzumaki deal with a sense of growing dread and the loss of control. The psychological tension and eerie atmosphere in both stories keep you on edge, wondering what dark turn will happen next.
15. Dorohedoro
For something darker yet strangely humorous, Dorohedoro is a weird and twisted story that shares some of Uzumaki’s body horror and surreal elements.
Caiman, a man with a lizard head, hunts down sorcerers in a dystopian world. After being cursed by a sorcerer, Caiman seeks to uncover the truth about his transformation while navigating a bizarre, dangerous world.
Like Uzumaki, Dorohedoro features grotesque transformations and characters who are warped by supernatural forces. The strange, unpredictable nature of the world mirrors the chaotic atmosphere in Uzumaki.
14. Boogiepop Phantom
A mysterious, fragmented plot and dark atmosphere make Boogiepop Phantom a must-watch for fans searching for an anime like Uzumaki.
In a city where people begin to disappear, urban legends of a figure called Boogiepop emerge. The story jumps between characters and time periods, slowly revealing a terrifying truth.
Boogiepop Phantom and Uzumaki are alike in featuring unexplained phenomena that affect an entire town. The nonlinear storytelling in Boogiepop Phantom adds to the fantasy and unsettling feel, much like the spirals in Uzumaki.
13. The Junji Ito Collection
What could be more similar to Uzumaki than another work from its creator, Junji Ito? The Junji Ito Collection is an anthology series that brings some of his most famous horror stories to life.
This anime series adapts various short stories from Junji Ito, featuring eerie creatures, bizarre transformations, and horrifying supernatural events.
As the collection is based on Junji Ito’s work, it shares much of the same atmosphere and themes as Uzumaki. Fans of Ito’s slow-burning horror and disturbing imagery will find this anthology equally unsettling.
12. Serial Experiments Lain
Next we have Serial Experiments Lain, a mind-bending, psychological horror anime that plays with reality in a way that will please fans of Uzumaki.
Lain, a quiet girl, starts to explore the world of the internet, known as The Wired. As she delves deeper, reality begins to blur, and she finds herself in the center of a series of supernatural events.
Serial Experiments Lain as well as Uzumaki involve an outside force that warps reality, leaving characters disoriented and afraid. The surreal, dreamlike dark atmosphere in both series creates a deeply unsettling watching experience.
11. Tokyo Ghoul
For fans of transformation horror, Tokyo Ghoul offers a thrilling story of a boy who becomes a monster and must balance his humanity with his newfound, terrifying abilities.
Kaneki Ken becomes a half-ghoul after a deadly encounter with a creature that eats human flesh. As he adjusts to his new life, he’s drawn into a world of ghouls and must fight to survive.
With similarities to Uzumaki, Tokyo Ghoul highlights themes of body horrific changes and transformation. Both anime feature characters who undergo grotesque changes that alter their humanity, making for a disturbing yet fascinating watch.
10. Ghost Hound
A psychological horror series with supernatural elements, Ghost Hound revolves around the human mind in a way that’s reminiscent of Uzumaki.
Three boys in a small town experience shared trauma, leading to strange out-of-body experiences. As they explore the spirit world, they uncover dark secrets from their pasts.
The two anime series feature characters in small towns who are affected by supernatural forces. The eerie, dreamlike sequences in both Uzumaki and Ghost Hound series heighten the psychological tension, making them perfect companions.
9. Devilman Crybaby
If you’re looking for an anime that combines cosmic horror with intense action, Devilman Crybaby offers in spades. The apocalyptic storyline and themes of transformation make it an ideal pick for fans of Uzumaki.
Akira Fudo fuses with a powerful demon, becoming Devilman—a creature with the strength of a demon but the heart of a human. As the world descends into chaos, Akira must fight to protect humanity while struggling with his own inner demons.
Either Devilman Crybaby and Uzumaki depicts themes of transformation, madness, and the clash between humanity and otherworldly forces. The surreal visuals and overwhelming sense of doom in both anime will keep you hooked.
8. Shiki
One of the best recommendations if you loved the isolated village setting and the slow buildup of horror in Uzumaki, is Shiki, which should definitely be on your watchlist.
In a small, rural village, people start dying under mysterious circumstances. At first, the deaths seem like a normal epidemic, but it soon becomes clear that the village is being attacked by vampires—Shiki.
We think that Shiki and Uzumaki are super alike as they both feature a small town under siege by supernatural forces. The rising body count and the feeling that something sinister is just around the corner make these two series equally unsettling.
7. The Promised Neverland
Though The Promised Neverland lacks the supernatural elements of Uzumaki, its psychological horror and intense atmosphere make it a worthy addition to this list.
At Grace Field House, an orphanage, everything seems perfect—until three children discover the horrific truth about what happens to those who are “adopted.” They must now plan their escape before it’s too late.
Both series involve characters trapped in a situation where they slowly uncover an overwhelming, terrifying truth. The tension and dread that build as the characters realize the scale of the horror around them is similar in both stories.
6. Mononoke
With its unique art style and scary stories, Mononoke is an anime that feels very similar to Uzumaki in terms of its supernatural themes and uncommon atmosphere.
A wandering Medicine Seller hunts down and exorcises Mononoke—evil spirits. In each story arc, he must uncover the spirit’s Form, Truth, and Reason before he can banish it.
Mononoke has similarities to Uzumaki, as the two shows explore the supernatural in ways that challenge the characters’ understanding of reality. The haunting atmosphere and strange occurrences in both series make them ideal for fans of eerie, psychological horror.
5. Another
Another is an anime that blends mystery, supernatural curses, and a steadily growing body count, much like Uzumaki.
Kouichi transfers to a new school where he meets Mei, a mysterious girl no one else seems to notice. Soon, he learns about a curse that haunts the class, causing deaths in increasingly brutal and mysterious ways.
Both animes feature curses that affect an entire town or group of people, with tragic and horrifying results. The sense of inevitability and dread in Another is much like the spiraling terror in Uzumaki.
4. Higurashi: When They Cry
One of top anime like Uzumaki is Higurashi: When They Cry, with its blend of horror, mystery, and small-town creepiness.
Keiichi moves to the quiet village of Hinamizawa, only to find that the town is haunted by a mysterious curse. As murders and disappearances occur, the tension builds, leading to shocking revelations.
Well, as you can see Higurashi and Uzumaki feature isolated towns haunted by strange, supernatural occurrences. The slow buildup of tension and the eventual unraveling of a terrifying mystery make both anime incredibly gripping and disturbing.
3. Elfen Lied
If you enjoyed the body horror and emotional intensity of Uzumaki, Elfen Lied will be right up your alley. It’s a dark, violent anime with deeply tragic undertones.
Lucy, a girl with deadly psychic powers, escapes from a government lab where she was held captive. As she seeks revenge on those who experimented on her, she encounters two humans who become entangled in her dangerous journey.
Similar to Uzumaki, Elfen Lied explores themes of transformation, both mental and physical, as characters are changed by forces beyond their control.
2. Gantz
Gantz is a mix of horror, action, and supernatural mystery that’s perfect for fans of Uzumaki. It follows Kei Kurono, a high school student who feels disconnected from everyone around him. One day, he and his classmate Masaru Katou try to save a man who’s fallen onto subway tracks. They save him, but both Kei and Masaru are killed by the train.
After dying, they wake up in a mysterious apartment with a strange black orb called Gantz. The orb sends them and other recently deceased people on deadly missions to hunt down strange creatures. The survivors are scored on their performance and sent back to their normal lives, but Gantz can call them back at any time for more missions.
As the missions grow more dangerous, Kei starts to enjoy the thrill of battle, while Katou dreads every return. The violence and monsters they face begin to bleed into their daily lives, creating a terrifying reality they can’t escape. Gantz is like Uzumaki, as the series pulls normal people into a bizarre, dangerous world where they face horrors beyond their control.
1. Tomie
At number 1, we have another creation of Junji Ito, Tomie is the perfect follow-up to Uzumaki for those who loved its eerie, slow-building horror.
Tomie is a beautiful girl who drives the men around her insane, often leading them to kill her. However, Tomie always regenerates, returning to repeat the cycle of madness and murder.
Tomie is a show that shares many similarities with Uzumaki, as the two involve a supernatural phenomenon that spreads uncontrollably, warping reality and destroying the lives of those it touches. The psychological horror in both stories will leave you deeply unsettled.