Kara Dennison
October 31, 2024 
However you’re spending this Halloween, why not start it off with a taster plate of some spooky anime? From retro classics to modern marvels, this trio of series is packed to the gills with monsters, demons, and more. (And it doesn’t hurt that they’re all very pretty to look at, too.) Where will you start your holiday anime adventure?
Vampire Princess Miyu
It just wouldn’t be Halloween without some vampire rep! Vampire Princess Miyu might not be anime’s most famous bloodsucker these days, but there was a time when she reigned supreme. Her story started in the shojo manga magazine Suspiria in 1988 and ran until 2002, with several manga spinoffs during its original run and since. In 1997, the manga got a four-episode OVA, which you can watch on RetroCrush!
The series follows the eponymous Miyu, who is the child of a human and a vampire—though whose side the vampirism is on varies across adaptations. At her side is Larva, a Shinma who failed in his goal to kill her before her vampire nature took hold. Now, the two hunt down other Shinma to return them to the darkness. And once she’s finished in her task as Guardian, Miyu longs to return to the darkness herself.
Devilman Crybaby
Demons are prowling on Halloween, but this one is different! Devilman Crybaby is Masaaki Yuasa’s already-legendary take on Go Nagai‘s classic story. But even if you’ve never encountered it in any other form before, you’re fine to start here. It’s weird, wonderful, and absolutely terrifying. And mixed with those iconic Science SARU visuals, it’s a perfect scary night treat.
Akira Fudo is, to be frank, a crybaby. “Gentle soul” would be more diplomatic. But all that changes when his friend Ryo Asuka takes him to a demonic rave. Akira finds himself joined with the demon Amon, but his gentle heart balances out the demon’s power. He becomes Devilman, able to control these powers and hopefully use them for good. But like we said, demons are prowling… and as Devilman, Akira has a massive fight ahead of him.
Undead Murder Farce
Demons? Check? Vampires? Check. Werewolves? Check. A brilliant immortal head in a birdcage?… Okay, that probably wasn’t on your list, but it should be. Undead Murder Farce is a spooky Victorian romp that belongs on your Halloween watchlist, whether you’re a lover of classic monsters, classic literature, or both.
Tsugaru Shunichi is a half-oni who needs to get rid of his demon half before it consumes him. Aya Rindo is a brilliant immortal whose body has been stolen. Together, they fight crime. Monster crime. They’ll also meet Sherlock Holmes, Arsène Lupin, the Phantom of the Opera, and many others. And it seems a certain consulting criminal may be behind both Tsugaru and Aya’s problems.
Need more Halloween horrors? Dive into the work of Junji Ito!
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