Top 10 R-Rated Anime

#10: “Black Lagoon” (2006)

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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.

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.

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.

#7: “Attack on Titan” (2013-)

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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!

#6: “Ghost in the Shell” (1995)

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What separates man and machine? The answer might be a little trickier than you think, especially when A.I enters the picture. As Major Mokoto 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.

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.

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.

#3: “Berserk” (1997-98)

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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)

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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)

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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.