Ken Kaneki in his mask during the 2014 Tokyo Ghoul anime.
The popular trends in anime are always shifting with the times. While the big names in battle shōnen will always make use of the usual tropes, new styles arise in accordance with popular mainstream culture, giving way to a number of different eras defined by different fads.
In the 2000s and even into the 2010s, edge was in. Shows that often went over-the-top with brooding main characters, or displayed little to no tact when incorporating generous amounts of violent action were all the rage, and studios pumped them out consistently. These days, some of anime's edgiest titles show their age, but fans can't help but love these 10 shows anyway. Future Diary Animated by Asread, Based on the Manga by Sakae Esuno Future Diary, also known as Mirai Nikki throughout the anime community, came during the tail end of the medium's edgy period, and became an instant hit thanks to the high-stakes death game at the center of the series. Featuring one of anime's most popular yandere characters ever, the show had a recipe for massive success in 2011. The years since haven't been overly kind to Future Diary and its divisive cast of characters, which often comes off as edgy for the sake of edginess rather than having its dark elements add anything of substance to the story. Nevertheless, the series remains a staple for those who experienced it in its heyday. Overlord Animated by Madhouse, Based on the Novel Series by Kugane Maruyama The Overlord anime series arrived on the scene just as anime's edgy period was seemingly ending, and appealed to fans by fitting in with the then-rising isekai genre, which exploded in popularity after the airing of 2012's Sword Art Online. Taking a cue from that series' massive success, Overlord took the 'stuck in a game' plot and added some extra edge. Ainz Ooal Gown, previously Momonga, is transported to a different world after the servers of a game are shut down, and explores his new setting in search of other players with a shared experience. In this world, however, he has no problem taking the lives of others and using fear to rule over people. The series has survived into the 2020s and remains popular with isekai fans. Akame ga Kill! Animated by White Fox, Based on the Manga by Takahiro and Tetsuya Tashiro Akame ga Kill! was one series in a strange trend of 2014 anime that didn't end the way fans wanted them to. Nevertheless, despite the controversy surrounding its latter half, the series was one of the year's biggest releases, and remains a fan-favorite more than a decade on from its completion. Corrupt governments, girls with guns, and an overload of bloody action, Akame ga Kill! was gloriously edgy and absolutely adored by fans during its airing. Much of the series still holds up well today, though its anime-original ending eventually turned off quite a few viewers who have since been directed to read the manga. Higurashi When They Cry Animated by Studio Deen, Based on the Visual Novel by 07th Expansion Nearly 20 years on from its premiere, Higurashi When They Cry is still regarded as one of the greatest horror anime series ever. At first glance, the show features characters drawn in an overly cute art style, enjoying each other's company in a remote Japanese village in the countryside. Quickly, however, Higurashi takes a turn towards the dark, disturbing, and violent, as its characters are forced to live through horrific cycles in which one member is taken over by a sort of supernatural madness. The series is a quintessential work from the height of anime's edgy period, and holds up remarkably well today. Baki Animated by Group TAC and TMS Entertainment, Based on the Manga by Keisuke Itagaki The Baki the Grappler manga series by Keisuke Itagaki has been adapted into three separate anime series, each weirder than the next. Early on, its fights can be violent, and its action can be over-the-top, but it doesn't compare to what comes later down the line. Modern Baki is ridiculous in every sense of the word. Explicit for the sake of being explicit, graphically violent for the sake of graphic violence—Baki is edge and surreal comedy packaged in one, yet the events are taken as seriously as they could be by its in-world characters. Fans can expect one thing while watching the series: the unexpected. School Days Animated by TNK, Based on the Visual Novel by 0verflow The School Days anime was rather popular during its airing among the then-smaller global anime community, but not because fans liked it all that much. The 2007 adaptation of the visual novel of the same name brought the game's bad ending to screens, and the over-the-top, disturbing series that resulted had viewers firmly in a chokehold. Somewhere in School Days, there's a well-intended deconstruction of the ever-popular harem visual novel, but it might take some digging to find it. Its characters are incredibly unlikable, and its events are borderline cruel, yet viewers haven't seemed to be able to look away for nearly two decades. Hellsing Ultimate Animated by Satelight, Madhouse, and Graphinica, Based on the Manga by Kouta Hirano Following 2001's Hellsing TV anime series, which had its way a bit with its source material, Hellsing Ultimate arrived in 2006 in order to faithfully adapt Kouta Hirano's original manga. What resulted was a dark fantasy masterpiece that fans continue to enjoy over a decade after its completion. Where other popular series might involve humans hunting down and fighting supernatural forces, Hellsing places the original and most powerful vampire, Alucard, in the role of protector. Its stylish action, gothic aesthetic, and horror imagery have made the series a lasting, gloriously edgy hit. Elfen Lied Animated by Arms and Studio Guts, Based on the Manga by Lynn Okamoto During the mid-2000s, Elfen Lied was one of the first series viewers would turn to when diving into anime's more mature stories. That's changed a bit as popular trends have shifted away from overly edgy shows, though fans who grew up with the series remember it fondly over 20 years on from its debut. Elfen Lied has everything fans would want from a 2004 dark fantasy anime, including graphic violence, suggestive imagery, emotional drama, and a touch of unhealthy romance. More than a couple of disturbing scenes have haunted generations of anime fans, and though its popularity has waned somewhat, Elfen Lied remains an enjoyable watch today. Tokyo Ghoul Animated by Pierrot, Based on the Manga by Sui Ishida When it aired in 2014, Tokyo Ghoul appeared as though it was destined to become anime's next big thing, alongside another booming new title, Attack on Titan. The series featured all the moodiness, violence, and edge fans could ever want, and instantly drew the attention of the anime community. Unfortunately, Pierrot's decision to move forward with an anime-original second season took much of the wind out of Tokyo Ghoul's sails, yet the series remains incredibly popular among both longtime and new anime fans. If news of a remake ever surfaced, it wouldn't take long for Tokyo Ghoul to return to its former glory. Death Note Animated by Madhouse, Based on the Manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata Of the major titles from anime's edgy period, Death Note is likely the series that has retained most of its initial hype and fanfare. Countless fans continue to begin their anime-watching journeys with the classic psychological thriller, nearly 20 years after it caused countless other fans to misguidedly base their personalities on Light Yagami. Death Note is edgy fun from start to finish, and just has a way of transporting viewers to a time before anime became a mainstream form of entertainment in the West. The cat and mouse chase between L and Light is as entertaining today as it was in 2007, even if some moments are unbelievably over the top. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Death Note TV-14 Animation Crime Drama Psychological 99 9.0/10 Release Date October 4, 2006 Cast Death Note follows high school student Light Yagami, who discovers a mysterious notebook granting the power to kill anyone by writing their name in it. As Light uses the notebook to enact his own sense of justice, he attracts the attention of the enigmatic detective known as L, leading to a complex game of cat and mouse. This Japanese anime series explores themes of morality, power, and the consequences of absolute authority.
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