What to watch?
You seem to have a flavor for the slightly "off" or slightly "disturbed." I share your tastes, brother. So let me give you a few of my favorites.
As another member mentioned, Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a messed up subversion of the "Magical Girl" genre, that turns the old, tired stereotypes we know from shows like Sailor Moon, and throws them in your face with a dash of blood and a healthy heaping of heart-crushing twists. It's a dark love letter to some of Japan's most beloved and famous anime titles, and draws inspiration from a variety of sources. Check it out.
If you love mind-blowing and clever writing, dark, unexpected turns, and deep emotional impacts, definitely take a look at Steins;Gate. Over the years, I've become something of a "Anime Snob," in that I am rarely impressed with most anime unless it can genuinely impact me in a substantial and emotional way. Steins:Gate is one of the very few series' that manages to do just that. The first few episodes take some time to wind up, but suddenly, everything begins to kick into high gear, and you are spun into a dizzying journey where the show explores the concepts of time travel, truth, reality, and the very meaning behind human connection and dedication.
Wolf's Rain is another series that isn't really known for its blood or gore, but rather its heart-wrenching sense of longing and dark desperation. I include this show here because on many levels, I find the dire situation of these wolf characters to be rather grim, and frankly, somewhat disturbing. However, it is also incredibly beautiful in not only its art style and incredible soundtrack (composed by the great Yoko Kanno), but for the powerful yearning for justice and spiritual peace that these wolves feel they are owed by birth-right, which humanity has actively stolen from them. It really is a momentous series that should be seen by any anime lover. But be warned. It's got them feels.
Mushishi is difficult to describe. It isn't a horror anime, but has horrifying elements. And I wouldn't solely classify it as "dark" because many of the stories included share an overarching theme of hope and human survival. But it does follow the fascinating and often unsettling travels of a white-haired man who wanders ancient Japan as something akin to a shamanic healer, often coming across people who are infected by beings known as the "Mushi," which exist as parasite-like creatures that regularly infest humans, often inflicting their hosts with seemingly supernatural features, both fantastical and terrible. Many of these stories are touching. Some are sad. Some are hopeful. The series is episodic, strange, and weirdly beautiful. It's a thoughtful, gently paced show.
If you're into the feel of Death Note, I highly recommend Darker than Black. I absolutely love the atmosphere of this series, which takes place in a universe where human beings suddenly begin developing psychic powers, which take a personal toll on their users. Agents, most of which have also developed unique abilities, are dispatched to dispose of these threatening "Contractors" (which are what the psychic-power-havers are called), and unravel the mystery behind their appearance. The show just kind of throws you right into the action, where you are left to piece things together on your own. Many action sequences are awesome. The world-lore is awesome. It really is a lot of fun. My only warning would be that the second season of this series...is kind of miserable. At least it was for me. It had a completely different feel in my opinion, and I just couldn't get into it in the same way. I guess I'm not the only person who feels that way. HOWEVER. The first season is so ridiculously strong as a stand-alone piece that I still highly recommend it.
Those are the best I can come up with on the top of my head! I hope you find something you really enjoy, man!
As another member mentioned, Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a messed up subversion of the "Magical Girl" genre, that turns the old, tired stereotypes we know from shows like Sailor Moon, and throws them in your face with a dash of blood and a healthy heaping of heart-crushing twists. It's a dark love letter to some of Japan's most beloved and famous anime titles, and draws inspiration from a variety of sources. Check it out.
If you love mind-blowing and clever writing, dark, unexpected turns, and deep emotional impacts, definitely take a look at Steins;Gate. Over the years, I've become something of a "Anime Snob," in that I am rarely impressed with most anime unless it can genuinely impact me in a substantial and emotional way. Steins:Gate is one of the very few series' that manages to do just that. The first few episodes take some time to wind up, but suddenly, everything begins to kick into high gear, and you are spun into a dizzying journey where the show explores the concepts of time travel, truth, reality, and the very meaning behind human connection and dedication.
Wolf's Rain is another series that isn't really known for its blood or gore, but rather its heart-wrenching sense of longing and dark desperation. I include this show here because on many levels, I find the dire situation of these wolf characters to be rather grim, and frankly, somewhat disturbing. However, it is also incredibly beautiful in not only its art style and incredible soundtrack (composed by the great Yoko Kanno), but for the powerful yearning for justice and spiritual peace that these wolves feel they are owed by birth-right, which humanity has actively stolen from them. It really is a momentous series that should be seen by any anime lover. But be warned. It's got them feels.
Mushishi is difficult to describe. It isn't a horror anime, but has horrifying elements. And I wouldn't solely classify it as "dark" because many of the stories included share an overarching theme of hope and human survival. But it does follow the fascinating and often unsettling travels of a white-haired man who wanders ancient Japan as something akin to a shamanic healer, often coming across people who are infected by beings known as the "Mushi," which exist as parasite-like creatures that regularly infest humans, often inflicting their hosts with seemingly supernatural features, both fantastical and terrible. Many of these stories are touching. Some are sad. Some are hopeful. The series is episodic, strange, and weirdly beautiful. It's a thoughtful, gently paced show.
If you're into the feel of Death Note, I highly recommend Darker than Black. I absolutely love the atmosphere of this series, which takes place in a universe where human beings suddenly begin developing psychic powers, which take a personal toll on their users. Agents, most of which have also developed unique abilities, are dispatched to dispose of these threatening "Contractors" (which are what the psychic-power-havers are called), and unravel the mystery behind their appearance. The show just kind of throws you right into the action, where you are left to piece things together on your own. Many action sequences are awesome. The world-lore is awesome. It really is a lot of fun. My only warning would be that the second season of this series...is kind of miserable. At least it was for me. It had a completely different feel in my opinion, and I just couldn't get into it in the same way. I guess I'm not the only person who feels that way. HOWEVER. The first season is so ridiculously strong as a stand-alone piece that I still highly recommend it.
Those are the best I can come up with on the top of my head! I hope you find something you really enjoy, man!
