Top 30 R-Rated Anime

Script written by Garrett Alden

Top 30 R-Rated Anime

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best anime with strong adult-oriented content.

#30: “Ninja Scroll” (1993)

While modern media is generally regarded as being more violent and prone to adult content, there are some bloody (and bloody great) classics to be found. “Ninja Scroll” follows Jubei, a ninja-turned-mercenary, who intervenes when a group of powerful ninjas seek to overthrow the shogun in feudal Japan. A Madhouse production, “Ninja Scroll” proved influential in exposing the west to how dark anime could go. The violent exchanges, gripping storyline, and tremendous animation that holds up well make “Ninja Scroll” a must-view for connoisseurs of older anime with an edge.

#29: “Texhnolyze” (2003)

Cyberpunk anime were in their heyday in the ‘90s, but “Texhnolyze” still flew under many people’s radars. Another Madhouse production, “Texhnolyze” follows Ichise, a former underground fighter who, after having his limbs replaced, becomes involved in a conflict between his city’s major factions. The series is primarily a thriller, with plenty of violence throughout. The bleak atmosphere and occasional dips into surrealism are also decidedly not for the younger crowd. It may be pretty depressing, but if you can handle the existential nihilism, “Texhnolyze” is a hidden gem of a cyberpunk series.

#28: “Prison School” (2015)

After miraculously finding themselves enlisted as the only guys in an all girls school, it doesn’t take long for our cast of characters to completely ruin whatever luck they had. When their peeping plan goes south, this crew finds themselves locked up in a school prison that is run by the student council themselves. What follows is quite possibly the most ridiculous prison break you’ll ever witness, with twists and turns and outlandish shenanigans that’ll have you laughing at every step of the way.

#27: “Goblin Slayer” (2018-)

If you’re looking for a fantasy romp with more edge than a Go-Gaia Roleplay, you needn’t look any further than ol’ GS over here. Due to a traumatizing event from his past, this ironclad killer has online one thing on mind - slaughtering every little green SOB he can find. While the premise may sound pretty thin, this is a surprisingly hard-hitting tale that doesn’t know the meaning of boundaries. You’ll soon find yourself getting an endorphin rush every single time slayer puts one of these freaks down. Trust us, they more than deserve it.

#26: “Interspecies Reviewers” (2020)

You’re goddamn right we’re recommending this one! How could you not want to feast your eyes on the show that managed to blur the line between erotic comedy and full-on monster girl hentai to such an extent that it ended up pushing the boundary too far for Japanese audiences? What sets it apart from all the other fanservice-based shows out there? It’s hilarious, as it follows a cluster of wannabe adventures going around and reviewing the various brothels made up of various mythical ladies. It knows exactly what it is, and does it better than anyone else!

#25: “Drifters” (2016)

Ever wondered what it would look like if an all-powerful, enigmatic entity picked up and dropped several historical figures into a medieval setting with elves and dragons and have them run wild? Chances are it's not nearly as slick and ferocious as this! With the Black King and his horde of famous real-life villains running amok and causing chaos, the likes of Toyohisa Shimazu, Oda Nobunaga, Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid along with numerous other icons are forced to band together and start slaying their way through every orc, corrupt noble and potential evil-Christ figure that comes their way.

#24: “Dorohedoro” (2020-)

A guy with a lizard head slicing apart sorcerers all in the hope of trying to reclaim his lost memories and discover why there’s a random guy living inside his mouth. Bonkers, bloody and brutal – Caiman’s exploits in this crazy-ass world is nothing short of a delight. It’s a wild mystery, made all the sweeter thanks to so many colourful characters to bounce off of, especially Caiman’s adorably badass bestie Nikaido and the smiling, amazon goddess Noi. How can such a bloodbath of a show have this many great girls?

#23: “Chainsaw Man” (2022-)

After pulling its chord back and letting rip, “Chainsaw Man” and its accompanying hype have scarcely let up! The series follows Denji, a teenager whose contract with a chainsaw devil gets him involved with an organization that polices devils that threaten the public. “Shocking” is perhaps the best word to describe “Chainsaw Man,” as its ultra-violent action, dark humor, and boundary pushing perverse moments are all extreme, even by the standards of most other R-rated anime. Its tone and content may not appeal to everyone, but “Chainsaw Man” is a rip-roaring good time for fans of darker anime.

#22: “Kengan Ashura” (2019-)

Underground tournaments, death matches, absurdly powerful fighters and one man’s yearning for revenge – welcome to Netflix’s most kickass action romp to date. With the illustrious position of chairman on the line, numerous martial artists, killers and borderline monsters are dispatched to represent their respective companies in the Kengan Matches. This includes Ohma Tokita, whose personal goal continues to push him to beat the crap out of anyone who steps up to him and his Niko style, all in the hope of landing some much deserved vengeance. As silly as it sounds, they really don’t pull their punches here.

#21: “Parasyte -the maxim-” (2014-15)

Aliens walk among us, and they just so happen to be hiding inside of people, just so they can continue their insatiable hunger for human meat. Nice guy Shinichi unfortunately finds himself caught up in this bloody struggle when one of these intergalactic parasites takes ups sentience inside his right hand, allowing him to retain his humanity while relying on his new shapeshifting partner to help defend himself and loved ones from some not so friendly body snatchers. Fair warning, they don’t skip out on the gore here.

#20: “Baki” franchise (2001-)

If you can withstand the whiplash that is this martial arts fiesta’s continuity, since it's technically the third season, then prepare yourself for plenty of do or die fist fights! Following the muscular exploits of fighting prodigy, he along with his fellow ridiculously ripped allies find themselves hauled into a set of grudge matches against a collective of escaped convicts whose strength is so intense that they all yearn to know defeat. You may come for the showdowns, but you’ll be sticking around for the absurdity that is Baki!

#19: “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners” (2022)

Based on the video game “Cyberpunk 2077,” “Edgerunners” takes the gritty, cyberpunk world envisioned there and goes as nuts with the concept as only Studio Trigger can! Teenager David Martinez falls in with a group of underworld mercenaries after a personal tragedy. His journey into the neon-lit underbelly of Night City is as entertaining as it is bloody. The series has a beautiful, frenetic art style and some unforgettable characters, despite its short runtime.

#18: “Psycho-Pass” (2012-19)

A neo-noir detective thriller from the mind of the man that gave us such traumatising hits such as Fate/Zero and Madoka Magica? Yeah, expect plenty of darkness going into this, along with an unhealthy amount of hating mankind as a whole. In a future where your very emotions are monitored and can land you life imprisonment should they spike to dangerous degrees, rookie detective Akane along with hard-edged enforcer Kougami are thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a mastermind looking to disrupt the new world order, only to discover that the status quo might be the greatest evil of all.

#17: “Black Lagoon” (2006)

We could go into great detail about how this show doesn’t shy away from gang violence. How it’s setting allows everything from drugs, prostitution and hardcore bloodshed to run rampant across the screen. Heck, we’d be happy to delve into the intricacies that come with seeing a boat full of Neo-Nazis get slaughtered. However, all we really need to highlight in order to prove this series isn’t for the kids is Revy’s motormouth. This woman can curse like no other, to the point where it’s almost poetic.

#16: “Higurashi When They Cry” franchise (2006-21)

Don’t let the fact that it’s mostly about school children fool you - if real kids watch this show, they will be traumatized! The residents of a small village repeatedly find themselves experiencing some violent and disturbing events in the summer of 1983. And by repeatedly, we mean time loops. And by violent, we mean mostly a lot of murder. Unraveling the how and why of it all takes several loops and multiple anime, but if you have the stomach for the grisly events and an eye for mystery and time travel, “Higurashi” may be the anime for you.

#15: “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” (2012-)

This anime starts with a kid who will one day be a vampire moving into an upper class family. And it only gets stranger from there! The generational tale of the Joestar family and their many encounters with the supernatural, “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” is never afraid to go to the most outlandish and bloody places. The battles are as strategic as they are weird, and while the cast changes frequently, each group of characters is as entertaining as the last, though there are some recurring faces. Plus, the music and art style are killer too! There’s just nothing quite like “JoJo!”

#14: “Jujutsu Kaisen” (2020-)

It may be a Shonen battle series, but “Jujutsu Kaisen” goes darker than most in the genre. Itadori Yuji and his friends’ battles against villainous curses and fellow sorcerers are as action-packed as they are grisly and/or heartbreaking. While the series features all of the comedy and fight scenes that pervade the genre, “JJK” delves deeper into its characters’ psychologies, while also pushing both them and the audience to their limits with shocking developments, elements of horror, and tragic deaths galore, particularly from season 2 onwards. Although it’s not as mature as some other series, among its competitors, it’s downright grownup. Mostly.

#13: “Fate/Zero” (2011-12)

The “Fate” franchise is no stranger to adult content (ahem!), but its darkest chapter is arguably “Fate/Zero.” The Fourth Holy Grail War sees 7 mages summon an equal number of Heroic Spirits, famous historical or legendary figures, to compete over the wish granting object. Given that it’s essentially a death match with the ultimate prize on the line, underhanded tactics, betrayals, and plenty of killing are basically expected. Yet, “Fate/Zero” also features mature themes and delves deep into the motivations and minds of its cast. Of course, that only makes the inevitable tragedy hit that much harder.

#12: “Hellsing Ultimate” (2006-12)

On one side you have crazed Catholics seeking to exterminate all sinners, on the other you have vampire remnants of the Third Reich led by a Major who adores nothing more than war and genocide. And in the middle? A gun wielding Dracula who might just be the most bloodthirsty of them all. If you’re looking to witness pure, stylistic carnage, then you can’t go wrong with watching Alucard go on one of his signature rampages. One thing is for sure, it sucks to be a civilian in this series.

#11: “Kaiji” (2007-11)

“It’s just an anime about gambling! Surely this can’t be more intense than a fighting anime!” Wanna’ bet? The titular Kaiji is a gambler through and through, and the series sees him get involved in the world of high-stakes wagers. The way the show manages to ratchet up its stakes with each new game is incredible, with the relief and despair that accompany them flying off the screen. While it’s not as consistently violent as some other anime, that only makes the few brutal moments even more shocking. There’s no need to roll the dice on whether “Kaiji” will be good or not - it’s a guarantee.

#10: “Perfect Blue” (1998)

A running theme of all great R-rated anime appears to be that the worst monsters out there are none other than human beings. After immersing ourselves in this whirlpool of a psychological thriller, we’re inclined to agree. While pursuing a career as an actress, former singer Mima soon finds herself on the receiving end of a dangerous stalker, all the while her grip on reality seems to slowly be starting to slip. Primal in its presentation with a visceral truth to it, this classic will have you holding your breath right up until its fever dream of a finale.

#9: “Attack on Titan” (2013-23)

It’s survival of the fittest, and unfortunately mankind is no longer at the top of the food chain. As giant humanoid beasts known as Titans wader the land, the duty of expanding humanity’s reach is handed to the poor souls of the Survey Corp. After his mother is killed and he finds himself inexplicably cursed with the power to transform into a Titan himself, a vengeful young man named Eren decides to take the fight to the enemy. Prepare to see a lot of characters get digested!

#8: “Ghost in the Shell” (1995)

What separates man and machine? The answer might be a little trickier than you think, especially when A.I enters the picture. As Major Motoko Kusunagi hunts down the elusive hacker known as the Puppet Master, the film explores the concepts of life, death, gender and the ways in which technology holds sway. Don’t worry if metaphorical musings aren’t really your thing, there’s plenty of disturbing imagery to pull you over. We still can’t un-see the sight of the Major tearing up her own body against that waking tank.

#7: “Baccano!” (2007)

Gangsters, immortality and a whole lot of bullets. Thanks to the show’s dynamic cast of characters and their endless supply of charm, you’ll find yourself falling head over heels for them in spite of their large body counts. Don’t get us wrong, there’s blood and guts galore, but that doesn’t make Isaac and Miria’s antics any less funny. Just like watching Claire Stanfield talk about how he is nothing short of a blood-soaked omnipotent being any less captivating. There’s so much to love about these guys that by the end of it you won’t even blink twice at all the murders that occur on the Flying Pussyfoot.

#6: “Vinland Saga” (2019-)

You can’t be a historical fantasy that chronicles the Viking occupation of England without highlighting the bloodshed and brutality involved. Going from innocent youth to an animal driven by an overwhelming desire for revenge, Thorfinn’s journey is as compelling as it is heart-breaking. While the fight scenes between the various factions make for quite the spectacle, it’s the narrative and character interactions that propel this series to the title of masterpiece. Do not miss out on experiencing this unfiltered epic, even if it's only to watch Thorkell punch horses.

#5: “Devilman Crybaby” (2018)

Are you feeling good about life at the moment? Then just watch this latest adaption of the 1970s classic and you’ll soon be reminded of how our species are no more virtuous than demons. After being informed by his bestie that the denizens of hell are using human bodies as hosts, local wimpy kid Akira finds himself unwittingly turned into a devil himself, but one with a human heart. Everything in this modern masterpiece is hardcore, from the violence to the sex to the feels. Won’t be long before you’re crying just as hard as Akira.

#4: “Monster” (2004-05)

What happens when you save the life of a monster? Dr. Tenma Kenzo finds out after he chooses to save a boy over the mayor of a town. The boy turned man, Johan Liebert, proceeds to haunt Tenma’s every step. This psychological thriller examines the darkest parts of human nature in a mature and measured way. The nature of good and evil and other weighty topics can be difficult to convey well, yet “Monster” does so with grace and through nail-biting tension. Actions can have unintended consequences, but chances are good that the result of watching “Monster” will be you calling it a masterpiece.

#3: “Berserk” (1997-98)

It’s a cruel world, and one the swordsman Guts knows all too well. Born from a corpse, abused by his foster father, thrown onto the battlefield from the time he could walk, this guy has seen more carnage than any can imagine, and that’s all before he finds himself drafted into the mercenary company known as the Band of the Hawk. From there, he finds himself embroiled into a one-hundred year war, facing down creatures not of this world, and suffering the greatest betrayal in anime history.

#2: “Akira” (1988)

As far as dystopian futures go, this is one you certainly wouldn’t want to be caught up in. Well, maybe for those slick motorcycles, but that’s about it. As gang warfare erupts around the city of Neo-Tokyo, friends Kaneda and Tetsuo find themselves thrown into a whole new kind of hell when the latter finds himself imbued with immense psychic abilities. From that point, its on! As Tetsuo’s powers rage out of control, you can expect to see plenty of wanton destruction, along with what could quite possibly be the most disgusting transformation sequence of all time.

#1: “Cowboy Bebop” (1998-99)

There may not be as much blood, sex or violence than other entries on this list, but in terms of sheer style, nothing tops the space cowboy. As the likes of Spike Spiegel and his mix-matched crew traverse the galaxy hunting down bounties, each find themselves throw into a variety of hot spots with dangerous criminals, deadly assassins and the infamous Red Dragon Syndicate. There really is no other word for this show other than cool.

Is there an R-rated anime we forgot? Don’t restrict your comments and tell us your favorites in the comments!