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20+ Best Emo Anime (Recommendations)

The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word emo is dark, gloomy and lifeless people, right? Well today we are going to look at 21 of the best emo anime to have ever existed in the anime community, so without further ado, let’s go through our not-so-long list!

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Anime with emo characters

21. Psycho Pass

Psycho pass
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
4/10
5/10
5/10
6/10
20/40

Psycho Pass is set in a dystopian futuristic world where AI decides if a certain individual is fit to live in society or not. Special inspectors are assigned the duty to detect humans who are a treat to society. Akane Tsunemori is a newly recruited inspector and performs her duty along with Shinya Kougami and the rest of the team.

However, as the story progresses, Akane falls into a trap and it’s up to Kougami to save her from the antagonist of the story, Shogou Mashima. Kougami and Mashima engage in a mental duel and try to give the other the run for the money.

20. Black Butler

Black Butler
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
3/10
6/10
6/10
6/10
21/40

This series focuses on Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis. Ciel is an Earl, and this story is set in the Victorian Era. Ciel has had a depressing and dark past and he tries to deal with the ones responsible for it. For that he makes a deal with Sebastian who is a devil. Sebastian is what most people would call the perfect human being and he performs his duties as a butler with perfection.

This might not be for everyone but if you’re looking for an emo anime which has a touch of history then look no further.

19. Hell Girl

HELL GIRL
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
5/10
6/10
6/10
5/10
22/40

Hell Girl is about Ai Enma who takes revenge on people. People who are filled with a grudge against a certain human being can access a site only during midnight, where they would enter the name of the person that they want to send to hell and Ai would then send the person to hell. However, there’s a catch, the person who uses the site must send themselves to hell after their death.

Ai has an emo feel to her character and if you like technology and a mix of supernatural elements with an emo MC you should check out Hell Girl.

18. The Perfect Insider

The Perfect Insider
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
3/10
7/10
6/10
6/10
22/40

This show is a psychological thriller with an emo protagonist. It focuses on Souhei Saikawa and Moe Nishinosono. Moe, Souhei and the other employees go for a vacation at a remote island. Moe and Souhei then interact with a genius scientist, Magata Shiki, at the remote facility. However, due to a power failure the lights go off and then suddenly Magata’s body is found in the hallway and her limbs have been chopped off.

Souhei and Moe then set out to find the culprit. While they are at it, they also discover Magata’s dark past and the reason why she was imprisoned in this research facility. If you like an emo protagonist with a mystery driven plot, you should check it out.

17. Charlotte

Charlotte
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
6/10
5/10
5/10
7/10
23/40

Charlotte is a series that revolves around superpowers, mystery and abuse of power. Yuu Otosaka is an average high-schooler who possesses a supernatural power that allows him to switch consciousness with another human being for five seconds. By using this he becomes the topper of his class. However, Nao Tomori sees through this and asks him to shift to Hoshinoumi and join their student council.

This school mainly focuses on hunting down humans who misuse their superpowers. However, as time passes their missions keep getting harder.

16. Elfen Lied

Elfen Lied
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
5/10
6/10
7/10
5/10
23/40

Elfen Lied is about Lucy who is a Diclonius(a subspecies of Homo sapiens), she has escaped from a research facility, however, during the escape, she receives a blow to the head and develops a split personality. The story progresses with her turning back to her usual self, however, there is something that stops her from being what she used to be. Watch the series to find out.

If you’re okay with gore and violence you will definitely enjoy this series.

15. Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo Ghoul
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
6/10
6/10
6/10
6/10
24/40

Ken Kaneki, is an average teenager and he has an introverted personality. One day he goes on a date with a beautiful woman, Rize. However, Rize attacks Kaneki and Kaneki realizes that Rize is actually a ghoul. After Kaneki regains consciousness he learns that Rize was killed in a construction accident and her organs had been transplanted into Kaneki. Kaneki has now become a half-ghoul and struggles to maintain his original life.

The second season is not as good as the first, however, I would urge you to read the manga as well.

14. Akame ga Kill

Akame Ga Kill
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
6/10
7/10
6/10
6/10
25/40

Tatsumi, our MC, is an average teen who is a village boy who moves to the capital city of the empire. However, as soon as he arrives in the capital city, he realizes that the city is filled with corruption and the main cause for that is the minister who is manipulating the young Prince. Tatsumi then joins the Night Raiders. Here he meets the members of the Night Raiders and he forms familial bonds with the members.

From this point onwards he faces corrupt politicians and takes them out to fulfill the reason why the Night Raiders first came into existence.

13. Your Lie in April

Your Lie In April
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
4/10
8/10
6/10
7/10
25/40

Your Lie in April is my favorite rom-com, and it is about a piano prodigy, Kousei Arima, who after his mother passes away gives up on being a pianist. However, one day he meets a girl, Kaori Miyazono, who plays the violin. From that point onwards the series focuses on them growing closer to each other. Arima regains his passion for playing the piano and Kaori is the reason for this change. Arima overcomes his past and starts participating in a piano competition where he plays the piano with Kaori, who plays the violin.

If you like an emo MC in a rom-com setting you should check out Your Lie in April.

12. Myself; Yourself

Myself Yourself
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
6/10
7/10
7/10
6/10
25/40

Our MC, Sana Hidaka, has to shift to Tokyo because of his parent’s business. He bids his friends farewell, however, he believes that he will meet them soon. Five years later, Sana returns to his hometown and he is very excited to meet his childhood friends. However, as he arrives he realizes that the town is the same as how it used to be, however, his friends have changed.

This show is nothing like your typical harem, and although it’s from 2007, the art style is still somewhat likeable.

11. Death Parade

Death Parade
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
7/10
7/10
7/10
6/10
27/40

When a human being dies, he is either reincarnated or his soul is sent to the void. Dead people are first brought to Quindecim, a bar where they play games and the bartender, Decim decides whether or not the person should get reincarnated or not. Decim is assisted by “Kurokami no onna”. As the series progresses Decim comes to terms with human emotions and even shows human emotions even though he is just a puppet.

For all the emo lovers you should check this one out if you like philosophy mixed with your emo protagonist.

10. Another

ANOTHER
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
6/10
7/10
8/10
7/10
28/40

Twenty-six years ago, a popular kid by the name of Misaki passed away, and she used to study in class 3-3 at Yomiyama Middle School. Twenty-six years later Kouichi Sakakibara is transferred to the same class. However, he injures himself and is unable to attend the first week of school. Later, he meets a girl by the name of Mei Misaki, who has a mysterious eye-patch.

As soon as he enters the class, he realizes that everyone is treating him differently and his teachers seem to ignore Mei’s existence. Tired of this, he decides to figure out the truth with the help of Mei Misaki.

9. Clannad

Clannad
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
6/10
7/10
9/10
6/10
28/40

Clannad is an anime about Tomoya Okazaki, who suffers from depression and has lost his touch with basketball due to a traffic accident. Later, he meets a cheerful and bright girl called Nagisa Furukawa, and from this point onwards Tomoya’s life changes for the better. This anime follows his journey towards making friends. The school that he once considered as a burden was now something that he looked forward to.

The second season of Clannad is much better than the first. I would urge you to check it out, you will not regret it.

8. Serial Experiment Lain

Serial Experiments Lain
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
7/10
8/10
8/10
7/10
30/40

This anime starts off with our protagonist, Lain’s classmate committing suicide. Later Lain receives an email from her dead classmate, who explains that she is in a world called “the wired”. She then experiences hallucinations that are caused by the knights, who want her to leave the real world and enter the wired.

This series might not be for everyone, however, if you are into technology and if you are fine with an older anime art style, you should check out Serial Experiment Lain.

7. March Comes in like a Lion

March comes in like a lion
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
8/10
7/10
8/10
7/10
30/40

This anime is about Rei Kiriyama, who is a Shogi prodigy. However, he is constantly pressured by his family and the shogi community. So to get away from this, he moves to an apartment in Tokyo and lives alone. His introverted nature is the reason why he doesn’t have friends.

Akari, the oldest of the Kawamoto sisters, has taken it upon herself to help Rei and help him develop relationships with other people. As the story progresses Rei who was a shogi prodigy and nothing else, makes friends and matures behaviorally and emotionally.

6. Hellsing Ultimate

Hellsing Ultimate
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
8/10
8/10
7/10
7/10
30/40

Hellsing Ultimate is about Alucard, who is a vampire, and a really strong one. Alucard works for a vampire-hunting organization called Hellsing, which is under Integra Hellsing, the last member of the Hellsing bloodline. This story follows a policewoman by the name of Seras Victoria. She is severely injured during Alucard’s mission, in order to save her, he turns her into a vampire. The series moves on with them working together.

Hellsing Ultimate is an action packed series with a lot of gore scenes and violence, if you’re into it you should check out Hellsing Ultimate.

5. Shiki

Shiki anime
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
9/10
7/10
9/10
7/10
32/40

Shiki takes place in a small village called Sobota. One morning, a few outsiders arrive at an old mansion(which looks like a castle) and start a new life in Sobota. However, the villagers start dying from mild symptoms of cold. It is now upto Toshio Ozaki to uncover the secret of these mysterious deaths. In order to do this, Toshio must take harsh steps and disregard his humanity.

This series is extremely dark and has a unique plot. If you love horror with a touch of emo characters you should check this out.

4. Death Note

Death Note
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
8/10
9/10
8/10
9/10
34/40

Death Note follows the story of Light Yagami, who one day finds a notebook in his school lawn. He then takes it home and realizes that if he writes the name of any human being, that person will die. This grants Light the authority that no human has on earth. Filled with arrogance and the will to change the world by cleansing the world of evil turns Light into a being with the powers of a god. 

However, the world famous detective, L, won’t let Light have his way, so he starts investigation on the Kira case(Kira was the alias given to Light by social media platforms). This leads to one of the greatest rivalries in all of anime.

If you like emo characters in a psychological thriller setting, you will enjoy Death Note.

3. Ergo Proxy

Ergo Proxy
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
9/10
8/10
9/10
8/10
34/40

Thousands of years ago, due to a natural calamity most of mankind’s civilizations ceased to exist. One of the last ones on earth is in Romoda. To tackle the problem of the unsurvivable lands, humans use robots called “AutoRevis”. However, due to a specific virus called the Cogito virus, these robots have gained consciousness and have become self aware.

Re-I Mayer is put in charge of the investigation of this disease. But then, as she digs deeper in her research she finds out about humanity’s long kept dark secret. An AutoReiv mechanic by the name of Vincent Law also helps Re-I Mayer with her investigation.

2. Darker than Black

Darker Than Black
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
9/10
9/10
9/10
9/10
36/40

This series takes place in a dystopian future where two gates have appeared—Heaven’s gate and Hell’s gate. The gates have created the existence of contractors, who serve the purpose of giving powers to humans for something in return everytime that they use their powers. Contractors tend to lack human emotions and usually act ruthlessly, which is why most of them are spies and assassins.

Chief Misaki is stuck with Hei, a famous contractor. He takes on missions that are given to him by the syndicate and is good at his job. Check out the anime to follow Hei’s journey.

1. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion
Theme Plot Character Writing Animation Total
9/10
9/10
9/10
9/10
36/40

One fine morning, an angel attacks the city of Tokyo-3. Not an actual angel but a monstrous being which can easily survive explosives; and the only way to fight these angels is to use Evangelions. Evangelions are humongous robots that are piloted by humans. 

One day, Ikari Shinji, our protagonist, is within the vicinity when an angel attacks Tokyo-3. His father’s girlfriend saves him from the explosion by pulling him into her car.

Ikari is then taken to the Nerv’s base(Nerv is a mysterious organization that was built to tackle angels) where is psychologically manipulated by his father to pilot the Evangelion-1, which is compatible with him. And this is how Shinji’s journey begins.

Found your fave emo character yet?

emo

I hope you found a couple of emo anime to add to your bucket list. Please let me know the anime that you found the most entertaining in the comment section.

 

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