The world of entertainment is changing rapidly, but anime has etched itself into our collective preference. Once a niche interest, the art form has experienced remarkable popularity in the past decade by fascinating viewers with its gorgeous art, clever storylines, and unmatched creativity. And now, with the rise of streaming giants like Netflix, anime is more accessible than ever.
Anime encompasses everything from slice-of-life tales to sweeping adventures, but there’s a particular subset that garners more attention – the R-rated offerings. Anime series that don’t shy away from mature themes and thought-provoking narratives, and feature graphic violence and bleak atmospheres, ultimately achieving greatness. Netflix has a library that boasts some genuinely sophisticated R-rated anime series. They are not only stunning to watch but also leave a lasting impact on the viewers. Here are 10 outstanding R-rated anime series on Netflix.
‘Sakamoto Days’ (2025)
Once the world’s most feared assassin, Taro Sakamoto traded guns for slushies when he fell in love and started a family. Now a chubby, soft-spoken convenience store owner, he lives a quiet life with his wife and daughter. But when a bounty is placed on his head and ghosts from his past come knocking, Sakamoto is forced back into action. Only this time, he has a no-kill policy.
Deadly Past, Domestic Present
Sakamoto Days is a high-octane blend of slapstick, stealth, and surprisingly tender moments, all wrapped in a retro-themed art style that feels fresh and nostalgic at the same time. It earns its R-rating with violence that’s more Looney Tunes than Tarantino. Imagine exploding ramen bowls and a body count that’s high but bloodless by design. The anime is also a standout for walking a tonal tightrope, for character chemistry, and for subverting the “retired badass” trope.
‘Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead’ (2023)
For Akira Tendo, the protagonist of Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, the zombie apocalypse is the best thing that’s ever happened to him. After years of soul-crushing corporate slavery, he wakes up to find Tokyo overrun by the undead, and for the first time ever, he feels free. No more deadlines, no more toxic bosses, just a city full of chaos and a bucket list of 100 things to do before he dies (again.)
A Refreshing Take on the Zombie Genre
This anime stands out in the crowded zombie genre by embracing its tonal whiplash. It is a comedy that does not shy away from gnarly dismemberments, rotting corpses, and the occasional splatterfest, but it’s also a surprisingly uplifting exploration of burnout and self-worth, which makes it all the more relevant and relatable today. Directed with flair by Kazuki Kawagoe and animated by Bug Films, it was a breakout hit in 2023 for its cathartic, almost therapeutic tone.
‘Beastars’ (2013)
Beastars is set in a world where anthropomorphic animals coexist and Cherryton Academy becomes the stage for a murder mystery that reveals societal tensions. When a herbivore student is killed, suspicion and fear spreads in the school. At the center of it all is Legoshi, a gray wolf with a gentle soul, who finds himself drawn to Haru, a dwarf rabbit ostracized for her sexuality.
Coming-of-Age Story With Claws
Beastars is less about animals and more about what it means to be human, told through a lens that is both surreal and emotionally raw. It is unapologetically adult, not just in its themes, but also in its willingness to explore violence, sexuality, and identity. It is not gratuitous, but it is provocative because it uses animal allegory to dissect real-world issues like gender roles and societal repression. Definitely not for newcomers, it remains one of Netflix’s most daring anime originals.
‘Kengan Ashura’ (2019)
Kengen Ashura takes place in the shadowy world of corporate Japan, where business deals are not settled in boardrooms, but in brutal underground arenas. Ohma Tokita is a mysterious fighter known as “Ashura,” who is recruited to represent a powerful company in the Kengan Annihilation Tournament. As he battles his way through a gauntlet of skilled opponents, his past begins to surface, revealing a personal vendetta.
Corporate Carnage and a Display of Muscles
A testosterone-fueled treat for fans of action anime, this one has fists, flashbacks, and ferocity in abundance. It is a pure, unfiltered fight anime where combat is front and center. Beyond the blood-soaked arenas and anatomically detailed violence, it also dives into the twisted motivations of its fighters and that’s where the story comes into play. The 3D animation by Larx Entertainment is divisive but undeniably cool, so it’s a cult favorite.
‘Terminator Zero’ (2024)
Terminator Zero is a part of the same Terminator universe created by James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd, but it’s set in 1997 in Tokyo, Japan. The main character is a scientist named Malcolm Lee, who is developing an AI to rival Skynet, but as Judgement Day approaches, he finds himself being pursued by a rogue assassin named Terminator. Eiko, a mysterious soldier, is sent from the year 2022 to protect Lee and his children.
Relentless Action and Thought-Provoking Themes
Like the original movies, Terminator Zero also thrusts the main character into the heart of the conflict and forces him to decide whether to embrace his role in humanity’s collective fight or forge his own path and protect his children. But this incarnation is a “sophisticated sci-fi saga of its own” as it challenges the viewers’ perception of consciousness and reality. The cyberpunk aesthetic and graphic violence only enhances its bleak narrative.
‘Blue Eye Samurai’ (2023)
Written and created by wife-and-husband team Amber Noizumi and Michael Green for Netflix, Blue Eye Samurai takes place in feudal Japan, where honor and duty were the cornerstones and society. Born with striking blue eyes and growing up as a mixed-race Japanese child, Mizu faced enough discrimination to grow cold and bitter. Now disguised as a boy, she seeks revenge against four white men.
Combines History, Politics, and Samurai Action
An exquisite and mesmerizing anime that deserves more praise, Blue Eye Samurai thrives on its historical drama and rich storytelling. It captures the heart and mind with the beautiful animation and meticulously crafted fight scenes. The characters, especially Mizu, Ringo (a male cook that idolizes her), and Master Eiji (whom she refers to as Swordfather), are complex and well-developed, making it a must-watch for fans of R-rated anime seeking a wholly immersive experience.
‘Dorohedoro’ (2020)
Based on Q Hayashida’s manga of the same name, Dorohedoro is set in a near post-apocalyptic future divided into three realms – Hole, Sorcerers’ world, and Hell. The delicate, and often violent, balance between the first two is broken when Caiman, a young man, is transformed into a lizard-headed amnesiac by a sorcerer. Teaming up with his friend Nikaido, Caiman embarks on a quest to reclaim his original self and seek vengeance.
Dark Fantasy with Twisted Humor
Dorohedoro features a twisted urban landscape and uses a gritty lens of supernatural horror to explore the human condition. With its striking visual aesthetic and bold character designs, it underscores the violent and unapologetic nature of its world. The graphic scenes, use of profanity, and mature themes like identity and power, earn the anime its R-rating. On Rotten Tomatoes, Dorohedoro holds a 100% approval rating, with critics praising it for the “balance of mystery, absurd violence, and humor.”
‘Baki’ (2018)
Baki introduces viewers to the brutal world of underground martial arts, where powerful fighters battle for supremacy. The protagonist, Baki Hanma, is a young fighter who trains rigorously to surpass his father, the legendary Yujiro Hanma, the strongest creature on Earth. But first, Baki has to face off against a series of formidable opponents, each more dangerous than the last, in a series of deadly tournaments.
Graphic and Violent Martial Arts Masterpiece
From the premise itself, it’s clear that Baki is an extremely violent anime. From intense training sessions and no-holds-barred tournaments, to deadly fights and the weight of a dark legacy, the main character is under the ever-present threat of meeting expectations and inching towards a goal. Baki is a raw celebration of hand-to-hand combat and the animation does an outstanding job at highlighting the physicality of the characters. For both longtime fans and newcomers, Baki is the ultimate R-rated anime to begin with.
‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ (2022)
Adapted from CD Projekt Red’s video game titled Cyberpunk 2077, this anime serves as a prequel to the main story and is set a year before the events of the game. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners follows David Martinez, a street kid trying to make ends meet in a technology-obsessed world. His life takes a sharp turn when a tragic incident turns him into an “Edgerunner,” a mercenary outlaw, by upgrading his body with cyberware.
Breathtaking Visuals and Immersive Storytelling
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners does a lot of things right. It is set in a neon-drenched, hyper-technological metropolis of Night City and in almost no time, it sends the protagonist into the underworld, where he’s forced to form alliances and face enemies. The narrative is just as high-octane as it is personal, which captivates viewers from the very first frame. The intense action and dark undertones serve to heighten the impact of its R-rating and reward the series with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.
‘Devilman Crybaby’ (2018)
Devilman Crybaby centers around an unassuming and kind-hearted teenager named Akira Fudo who learns from his friend that the line between the demonic and human world has blurred. He merges with a demon to thwart an impending apocalypse and becomes Devilman. But the transformation, while giving him the savagery of a demon, also slowly steals his ability to empathize with humans. Akira must battle evil and retain his true self.
Bold and Emotionally Devastating
Adapted from Go Nagai’s manga series, titled Devilman, this anime is popular because of its daring approach towards storytelling and a narrative that dives deep into the nature of morality and human nature. It embraces its R-rated elements, like graphic violence and dark psychological themes, and establishes itself as a beautifully complex series. The characters, particularly Akira and his friend Ryo Asuka, are flawed to the point where they evoke empathy and add originality to the story.
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