5 Best Horror Anime Like Uzumaki

Key Takeaways

Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror explores themes of obsession through eerie spirals in a cursed town
Housing Complex C dives into isolation, supernatural forces, and cultural superstitions in a low-cost housing complex
Junji Ito Collection offers spine-chilling stories filled with disturbing imagery and horrifying scenarios

Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror or simply Uzumaki is a supernatural horror series based on the Japanese manga written and illustrated by Junji Ito. Set in the cursed town of Kurouzu-cho, the anime centres its attention on Kirie Goshima and her boyfriend Shuuichi Saito whose ordinary life spirals into paranoia and madness as mysterious forces grip their town. Before they can make sense of the horrifying reality, eerie spirals take over Kurouzu-cho while the residents desperately fight to hold on to any sense of normalcy.

The story explores Ito’s signature style of amalgamating body horror and psychological terror to explore disturbing themes of obsession, the fragile nature of reality, fear, and death. Fans of Uzumaki will want to consider checking out the series below as they evoke a comparable sense of dread and fear by recounting eerie stories of descent into madness, supernatural forces, and the horrors lurking underneath the seemingly ordinary.

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5 Housing Complex C

A Blood-Curdling Tale of Ancient Evil and Dark Mysteries

Studio Akatsuki’s Housing Complex C explores recurring horror themes like isolation, fear of the unknown, and cultural superstitions. Set in the coastal town of Kurosaki known for its rich fisheries and scenic landscapes, it centers its focus on the eponymous low-cost housing complex which is home to a happy-go-lucky 9-year-old girl named Kimi Shirokado. Despite being young, she appears to live independently while the elderly residents of Housing Complex C look out for her.

When 10-year-old Yuri Koshide moves to the complex with her parents, she ends up befriending Kimi. Although the housing estate appears normal at first, a series of terrifying events start to unfold, revealing the sinister history of the place. As Yuri and Kimi set out to investigate the truth, they find themselves stalked by ancient evil forces that appear to take a special interest in the housing complex. Like Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror, C Danchi or Housing Complex C is a spine-chilling story filled with mystery and unnerving supernatural occurrences that grips the characters with paranoia and fear.

4 Junji Ito Collection

Harrowing Tales That Stir Deep Fears

A prequel of Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre, Junji Ito Collection is a horror anthology series animated by Studio Deen. The show explores themes of the grotesque, the supernatural, and fear to recount blood-curdling stories that stay with the viewers long after the credits roll.

Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror fans who are looking for another anime that adapts Junji Ito’s spine-chilling tales will probably enjoy the Junji Ito Collection. Each episode throws viewers into an unsettling environment and explores the most primitive human fears by engaging them with disturbing imagery, paranoid characters, and horrifying scenarios.

3 Higurashi: When They Cry

Higurashi: When They Cry revolves around Keiichi Maebara who settles down in the serene and idyllic village of Hinamizawa. Soon after his arrival, he becomes close friends with Satoko, Rika, Mion, and Rena, unbeknownst to the dark secrets that lurk beneath the tranquil hamlet’s pastoral facade. During the annual village festival, Keiichi learns about the mysterious disappearances and murders that have taken place in Hinamizawa in the last few years.

Curious to get to the bottom of the bizarre incidents, Maebara turns towards his friends for an explanation but is confused by their silence. As he investigates the matter on his own, more shocking events transpire leaving him even more bewildered. When Keiichi’s search for truth leads him closer to Hinamizawa’s dark secrets, he starts to question his sanity and the loyalty of the people he once trusted.

Higurashi: When They Cry (also known as Higurashi no Naku Koro ni) is set in a small village that seems to hide dark secrets, similar to Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror. Both shows follow characters grappling with the bizarre reality of their surroundings as they are overcome by paranoia and fear. They also use gruesome and disturbing imagery to instil psychological horror and create an atmosphere of dread and tension, all the while exploring the agonising descent of otherwise decent characters into madness.

2 Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre

An Exciting Anthology Series Inspired by Ito’s Works

Studio Deen’s Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre, or simply Itou Junji: Maniac, is an anthology horror original net animation that recounts several terrifying and grotesque short stories. Each tale is set in a unique unsettling environment that blurs the line between reality and horrific nightmares. Some popular stories featured in the anime include Tomb Town, Hanging Balloon, Soichi’s Beloved Pet, Tomie’s Photos, and Headless Statue.

Like Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror, Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre adapts Junji Ito’s most disturbing and iconic works that leave an indelible mark on the viewer. Both anime weaves an unforgettable tale by blending Ito’s signature psychological tension, nightmarish imagery, and body terror.

1 Another

A Psychological Horror Anime That Leaves a Lasting Impression

Inspired by Yukito Ayatsuji’s eponymous Japanese novel, Another is a psychological horror anime that beautifully blends suspenseful mystery with supernatural horror to recount a captivating story that keeps viewers guessing at every turn. The series follows transfer student Kouichi Sakakibara after he joins Yomiyama North Junior High School’s cursed class 3-3 and befriends Mei Misaki. But he soon starts to realize that his classmates refuse to acknowledge Mei’s existence and appear to be gripped by an inexplicable fear.

As Kouichi investigates the puzzling mystery, a gruesome fate begins to befall his classmates, plunging everyone into an inescapable cycle of death and despair. Another, like Uzumaki, creates an atmosphere of uncertainty, paranoia, and tension. Both shows are set in cursed small towns and follow characters who are desperately trying to make sense of mysteries around them as people close to them are consumed by gruesome deaths.