Ideally, when you think about anime, your mind instantly conjures up images of brightly colored characters, big round eyes, and slice-of-life stories. But the truth is that anime is a wide-ranging medium that covers all sorts of content and caters to audiences of all ages. Some of the best anime series ever created are rated R because they feature content and themes inappropriate for children. We aren’t talking about shows like Pokémon or Naruto here. These R-rated anime series feature complex plots, psychological depth, violence, and mature visuals.
These stories lie on either side of the anime spectrum, featuring natural horror and lighthearted fantasy. If you are a true anime fan and are willing to expand your knowledge of the medium, then this list of the best R-rated adult anime ever created is the perfect place to start. But remember, for an anime to be rated R, nothing is off-limits. This means here you’ll meet morally corrupted heroes, witness the most gruesome of deaths, and slip into fascinating gore scenes.
‘Samurai Champloo’ (2004)
Set in an alternate Edo Period of Japan, Samurai Champloo takes viewers back in time, where the paths of three unforgettable characters intertwine for a legendary quest. Mugen, a wild and unruly rogue; Jon, a traditional, no-nonsense samurai; and Fuu, a spirited young waitress who wishes to find the “samurai who smells of sunflowers.” They are each burdened by their personal demons, but together, their journey is filled with drama and adventure.
What makes Samurai Champloo truly iconic is its unique fusion of traditional samurai lore with modern hip-hop culture. Of course, the anime still features encounters with ruthless yakuza bosses and exhilarating sword fights, but the dynamic flair and frenetic energy adds an unexpected dose of humor. The animation, brought to life by Studio Manglobe, is fluid and stylish, and the R-rating comes from visceral violence and mature themes.
‘Shimoneta’ (2016)
Shimoneta or, Shimoneta: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn’t Exist presents a premise that any fan of crude and lewd anime humor is going to love. In a near-future Japan, strict rules or “Public Morals” are placed that ban any sexually suggestive humor or images. Straight-laced high schooler Tanukichi Okuma finds himself at the center of an underground rebellion, led by an organization known as SOX, that dons superhero costumes to spread the good word of filth.
With a wonderfully eccentric cast of characters, Shimoneta is one lewd joke after another delivered with cartoonish glee. While coated in playful absurdism, the series addresses censorship and authoritarianism in a way that makes you root for the underdog students, playing the role of heroes for the people. The series pushes taboos, and its constant use of sexually suggestive humor lands it as one of the most audacious and entertaining R-rated comedies.
‘Golden Kamuy’ (2018)
Set in the early 1900s in Hokkaido after the Russo-Japanese War, Golden Kamuy follows hardened Saichi Sugimoto, nicknamed “Sugimoto the Immortal,” who is on a quest to find gold in the wilds of Northern Japan. The issue? The map for the location is tattooed across the backs of multiple escaped prisoners that Saichi must track down. Joined by a young girl, Asirpa, whose past is tied to the treasure, the two must face dangerous criminals, other treasure hunters, and the harsh wilderness.
Golden Kamuy is a series steeped in authenticity, from its focus on character development to its exploration of Ainu culture, language, food, and traditions. Educational elements can only carry a series so far, though, and it is the explosive action and harrowing moments of wilderness survival that give the show its mature edge. The show’s endearing popularity, along with the manga, has led to live-action adaptations, demonstrating its resonance with the fandom.
‘Kakegurui’ (2017)
At Hyakkaou Private Academy, what does not matter is academia; it is how well you can gamble. To reach the top of the social ladder, students have to earn points through gambling. Those at the bottom become ‘pets,’ who have to do and say whatever their superiors tell them, unless they can gamble their way out of debt. The story centers around Yumeko Jabami, a new transfer and secret compulsive gambler who likes to make big bets for the thrill of it. Her daring plays shake the very foundations of the prestigious Academy.
Kakegurui earns its R rating on the romanticization of gambling alone, yet it also features mature themes and humor that would be a bit too much for younger anime fans. Still, for mature fans, the show offers bold, fascinating characters, intense face-offs, and stylish visuals. The story also delves into psychologically-led drama, with the ‘pet’ system making for some pretty desperate characters. Netflix would also opt for a live-action adaptation of the series, giving fans more ways to enjoy the world of high-stakes, socially motivated gambling.
‘Ikki Tousen’ (2003)
Ikki Tousen is a brilliant martial arts anime that follows the intense lives of high school students who are reincarnations of Chinese warriors from the Three Kingdoms era. These students, spread across seven high schools in the Kanto region, are bound by destiny to fight one another and driven by their own ambitions. Hakufu Sonsaku is the main character. She is a carefree girl unafraid to embrace her powers and bring peace into the world.
The anime delivers the thrill of intense combat, some sensuality, and stands out for its bold approach to storytelling. It combines historical references with contemporary settings and makes sure the battles are intricate and visually stunning. The series’ unabashed R-rated content includes explicit violence and fan service, but it’s all seamlessly woven into the narrative to elevate the viewing experience. What’s more is that Ikki Tousen is a female-driven anime and the characters are truly dynamic.
‘The Future Diary’ (2011)
In The Future Diary, the protagonist, Yukiteru Amano, is a shy high school student who spends most of his time journaling on his cell phone because he barely has any friends. His life takes a dramatic turn when events from his diary begin to unfold in real life, and he realizes he can predict the future. Along with eleven others, Yukiteru participates in a deadly game orchestrated by the god of space and time, Deus Ex Machina, who is looking for a successor.
Featuring some of the most diabolically violent scenes in anime, The Future Diary constantly subverts expectations throughout its run. It starts by presenting Yuki as a flawed but likeable protagonist caught in extraordinary circumstances, but it twists into a fight where the last person standing will inherit the greatest power. The intricate plot, psychological horror, subtle romance, and sense of urgency are elements viewers simply cannot look away from.
‘Castlevania’ (2017)
An adult-oriented, dark-fantasy adaptation of the classic video game series, Castlevania is set in a gothic world where humanity has cowered under Dracula’s wrath. When his wife is accused of being a witch and burned at the stake, Dracula channels his rage on all of humanity. Trevor Belmont, the only survivor of the Belmont clan and a lone vampire hunter, joins forces with a mage named Sypha Belnades to prevent Dracula’s efforts to eradicate mankind.
The story Castlevania tells isn’t new, but the cinematic execution earns it brownie points. It tells an epic fantasy tale by using mesmerizing animation, stunning visuals, and rich character arcs. The attention to detail is brilliant, and the haunting landscapes transport viewers to a macabre world that’s both familiar and beyond imagination. That said, Castlevania also relies on mature themes of moral dilemmas and intergenerational trauma to tell its story.
‘Heavenly Delusion’ (2023)
15 years after a massive disaster hit humanity and ruined civilization, the remnants ended up living in isolated colonies to shield themselves from the outside world. Set in a dystopian future, Heavenly Delusion tells the story of a young girl named Maru, who dreams of getting out of the oppressive environment in which she grew up. She befriends Kiruko, a mysterious survivor, and together they navigate a harsh world filled with its own secrets.
Heavenly Delusion strikes the perfect balance between gripping action, sci-fi elements, and a life-changing adventure. The animation by Production I.G brings the desolate world and crumbling cities to life in a way that’s both haunting and beautiful. The characters on both sides of the revolution are nuanced and flawed, and their actions often challenge your perception of free will and finding purpose in the world. More than anything, the anime proves that it’s possible to deconstruct a genre and tell an emotionally resonant story.
‘Hell Girl’ (2005)
Based on a story by Hiroshi Watanabe, Hell Girl is a short-run anime series centered on a supernatural system that allows people to exact vengeance on another person. By using the Hell Correspondence website, wronged individuals can send those who have wronged them to hell. However, the person making the request must also sacrifice their soul in advance. The system is overseen by Hell Girl, or Ai Enma, who always accompanies the sinner to the other side and has become one of the most popular anime characters for doing just that.
Directed with minimalism and elegance, Hell Girl may seem easy to process at first. But as the series progresses, it begins to prioritize atmosphere and gore over anything else. Ai Enma is a character who spares no one and makes you ponder the dark places resentment can take human hearts to. The haunting vignettes are unique and unnerving. Besides, Hell Girl also explores themes of retribution and the removal of people from the real world, which are mature and disturbing.
‘Tokyo Ghoul’ (2014)
Ken Kenaki is a shy college student who stays unbothered by the world around him, which contains flesh-eating ghouls living as humans, until he meets a beautiful girl named Rize and goes out on a date with her. Unfortunately, Rize turns out to be a ghoul and attacks Kaneki. A tragic struggle and a narrow escape from death result in Kaneki having her organs transplanted into his body and waking up as a half-human, half-ghoul hybrid. He then finds himself pulled into a dark and violent world.
Disturbing and graphic from the very first episode, Tokyo Ghoul mainly centers on Kaneki, a protagonist who is struggling with intense internal and external conflicts. While there is little character evolution across the series, the stylish visuals, philosophical depth, rich supporting characters, and ruthless depiction of violence keep you engaged from start to finish. The story of this chilling dystopian world is interesting as well because it critiques grounded issues through a supernatural lens.
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