The “anime is for kids” notion never had any legs to stand on.
For decades, major anime producers have invested in every genre of anime that can attract kids as well as a bigger pool of mature audiences. And, in recent years, anime like Attack On Titan and Full Metal Alchemist has really put their foot down.
But true anime-heads know that these modern mature anime shows are only continuing the legacy of classics like Ghost in the Shell (1995).
And with this list, we’re going to help you explore more mature anime shows like these. So let’s get going.
30 Best Mature Anime Series – Wiki & Watch Links
Whether you’re looking for some brutally honest social commentaries, ecchi slice-of-life animes, or just straight-up bloody gore fests, our list of the best mature anime has you covered.
30. Haganai: I Don’t Have Many Friends
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 12
- Creator: Yomi Hirasaka
- Studio: AIC Build
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
Haganai: I Don’t Have Many Friends was clearly aimed at teens but it contains a lot of (necessary?) sexualization.
It’s the story of a transfer student who starts a club at the school to make some friends. As more and more students join in, the club grows, and friendships begin.
This series addresses issues like teen relationships and individuality with great responsibility. However, its suggestive visuals and language make it inappropriate for kids. Still, a good watch for a mature audience.
29. Prison School
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 12
- Creator: Akira Hiramoto
- Studio: J.C. Staff
- Watch On: Funimation
Prison School is an overtly sexual comedy, but one which is actually worth watching for its writing. Yes, ecchi lewdness is in full flow, but so is the hilarious comedy.
The anime is about Hachimitsu Academy, a girls-only school in Tokyo. But they’re going co-ed, and 5 lucky boys join this school with 1,000 girls. However, the school has certain laws that must not be broken; or the students will end up in prison.
And naturally, the boys do exactly that.
28. Deadman Wonderland
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 12
- Creator: Jinsei Kataoka
- Studio: Manglobe
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
Heavily criticized for leaving out some canon characters and drifting way too far from the manga, Deadman Wonderland disappointed fans. But, not before delivering an action-packed, dark season 1.
This mix of sci-fi, drama, horror, and mystery is about a 9th-grade student, Ganta, who gets framed for murdering his entire class.
Ganta ends up in Japan’s worst prison, where he must compete in death matches to survive and get a shot at freedom.
27. Basilisk
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 24
- Creator: Masaki Segawa
- Studio: Gonzo
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
Have you ever wondered how the story of Romeo and Juliet would look if it was a mature anime/manga? Well, wonder no more!
Set in 16 Century Japan, Basilisk is the story of 2 rival clans adamant about finishing each other off. From these clans are 2 young lovers, Gennosuke and Oboro.
But after a peace treaty goes wrong, the clans come face to face again, and so do the ninjas in love.
There’s no shortage of sex/nudity, graphic violence, and mature themes in this generational romance anime.
26. High School DxD
- Seasons: 4
- Episodes: 48
- Creator: Ichiei Ishibumi
- Studio: TNK
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
Based on the light novel of the same name, High School DxD has been one of the most popular ecchi/harem anime in Japan.
The story revolves around Issei Hyodo, who studies in a co-ed school for humans, angels, and devils. After going on a date and getting killed by an angel, a devil revives Issei and makes him her servant.
And so begins a weird and wonderful ecchi anime that’s got a great storyline. Although, it’s overlooked because of all the fan servicing.
25. Dororo
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 24
- Creator: Osamu Tezuka
- Studio: MAPPA, Tezuka Productions
- Watch On: Amazon Prime Video
This action/fantasy anime is one of the best adult anime series in recent times that’s based on a manga from 1967.
It’s the story of a ronin who was born without limbs and was missing internal organs because his father made a deal with 48 demons. After being thrown into the river, the boy somehow survives, gets prosthetic limbs, and becomes a samurai.
Now, he’ll hunt down the 48 demons to claim his body parts. And a young boy named Dororo joins this adventure.
24. The Testament of Sister New Devil
- Seasons: 2
- Episodes: 22
- Creator: Tetsuto Uesu
- Studio: Production IMS
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
Time for some fan servicing.
The Testament of Sister New Devil is only on this list because of its ecchi theme.
A young boy learns that she has two hot step-sisters after his father remarries. The sisters are part of the devil clan, while the boy is from a long line of devil killers. As the three try to live under the same roof, situations get out of hand.
Don’t expect an engaging plot or anything else, just enjoy the lewdness.
23. Erased
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 12
- Creator: Kei Sanbe
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Watch On: Netflix
Erased is a mystery/thriller anime that masterfully combines time travel and some very dark plots.
It’s the story of Satoru Fujinuma who can travel back in time and change the present if something terrible happens. And after his mother’s murder, he decides to go back and change her fate.
But after going back 18 years, he decides to prevent several other incidents.
The show gets really dark when addressing issues like loneliness, abuse, and family.
22. Death Parade
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 12
- Creator: Yuzuru Tachikawa
- Studio: Madhouse
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
If there’s one underrated mature anime that you must watch, it’s Death Parade. This existential thriller has one of the most unique and engaging plots out of all the mature anime TV shows on this list.
It’s the story of a bartender who tends to the recently deceased in the afterlife. Competing in several Death Games, the souls will either be reincarnated or thrown into the void.
The only complaint is that there’s too little to watch.
21. Code Geass
- Seasons: 2
- Episodes: 50
- Creator: Goro Taniguchi, Ichiro Okouchi
- Studio: Sunrise
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
Code Geass did some great world-building to pull off an intriguing plot, and the 8.7 IMDb rating suggests success.
Japan was attacked and stripped of its liberty by the Holy Britannia Empire. Now named Area 11, the citizens have no rights. But, after a young boy gets the Power of Kings, he starts a resistance against the Empire.
You’ll be gripped from episode 1.
20. Black Lagoon
- Seasons: 3
- Episodes: 29
- Creator: Rei Hiroe
- Studio: Madhouse
- Watch On: Funimation
Known to fetishize violence, Black Lagoon is full of bloody gunfights. It’s a fun, cool, and rapid series with hardly a dull moment.
Although there is no fixed storyline, the series follows the misadventures of the Lagoon Company, 4 pirate mercenaries ravaging the waters of Southeast Asia.
As the Lagoon Company takes care of its smuggling missions, we meet an array of interesting characters and get to enjoy some of the most chaotic actions ever seen in anime.
19. Jujutsu Kaisen
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 24
- Creator: Hiroshi Seko
- Studio: MAPPA
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
Ok, so maybe open your doors for this one, but do not let kids anywhere near because some gruesome monsters are about.
Jujutsu Kaisen follows the story of Yuji Itadori who accidentally swallows the finger of a Curse. Now, either the boy kills the Curse, or he dies with him.
Often compared to Bleach, Jujutsu Kaisen was applauded by fans and critics alike for its character development and brilliant execution of the source material.
18. Psycho-Pass
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 22
- Creator: Gen Urobuchi, Makoto Fukami, Aya Takaha
- Studio: Production I.G.
- Watch On: Hulu
We need more adult anime shows in the sci-fi series. Ghost in the Shell is one of the best mature anime, but there’s not enough of it- and there never will be.
But if you like Ghost in the Shell, you have to watch Psycho-Pass.
This cyberpunk psychological thriller is set in a futuristic Japan and follows Akane Tsunemori, a rookie inspector passionate to enforce justice.
The police force uses various biometrics to track potential criminals, but the system is full of loopholes.
17. Interspecies Reviewers
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 12
- Creator: Amahara
- Studio: Passione
- Watch On: 9Anime
This is just hentai with a plot.
Interspecies Reviewers has one of the most “out there” plots you could ever see in a sex comedy anime.
Set in a vast universe full of different species living in perfect harmony, the show follows a human, an elf, and an angel. The three visit different brothels to try out different species and provide reviews about who’s the best at “doing the deed.”
Sexual innuendo, casual nudity, and at least 1 sex scene per episode is the general theme here.
16. How Not To Summon a Demon Lord
- Seasons: 2
- Episodes: 22
- Creator: Naoto Fukuda
- Studio(s): Ajia-do Animation Works, Tezuka Productions, Okuruto Noboru
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
The story follows a shut-in gamer who gets transported into an MMORPG video game. He gets summoned by in-game characters to be their slave and solve their problems, but the spell backfires.
Now, he is the lord, and the summoners are his slaves. But he decides to help them anyway.
Isekai anime almost always have some 18+ aspects, and How Not To Summon A Demon Lord is no different. It’s full of ecchi characters loosely veiled by comedy and goes into full fan-service mode at times.
15. High School Of The Dead
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 12
- Creator: Daisuke Sato, Shoji Sato
- Studio: Madhouse
- Watch On: Funimation
Set in modern-day Japan, High School Of The Dead follows teens from a high school as they try and survive the zombie outbreak.
Nothing new, apart from the fact that the zombies are straight out of Train To Busan- scary as hell. The characters don’t shy away from using strong language, and the action is gruesome.
But the cherry on top is the tag given to the series by the Chinese Ministry of Culture. During a crackdown on adult anime shows, the Ministry labeled Highschool of the Dead as borderline pornographic.
14. God Eater
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 13
- Creator: Takayuki Hirao,Kei Tsunematsu
- Studio: Ufotable
- Watch On: Funimation
God Eater is an 18+ anime- but because of its uncomfortable viewing, it should have a stricter rating.
Based on the God Eater video game, this post-apocalyptic anime has put humanity against monsters. With humanity edging closer to extinction and living behind gargantuan walls, chosen soldiers have to fight the monsters.
If that reminds you of Attack on Titan, you’re not the only one. But God Eater does have its own identity, mostly because of the superior animation.
13. Hellsing
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 13
- Creator: Kouta Hirano
- Studio: Gonzo
- Watch On: Hulu
Vampires and vampire hunters showed in their full bloodthirsty avatars are what we like to see, and Hellsing does exactly that.
Set in modern England, Hellsing follows the story of Professor Van Helsing’s daughter and two vampires as they try to mount a fight against a growing number of the undead.
But it’s not just vampires; Ghouls are on the hunt too. It gets scary and bloody.
12. Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 64
- Creator: Hiromu Arakawa
- Studio: Bones
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
Full Metal Alchemist is the highest-rated mature anime on IMDb, and for good reason.
It’s the story of two brothers looking for a stone that will help them regain their bodies which they lost while attempting to revive their mother. While one brother only lost a leg, the other lost his whole body, and his soul is now trapped inside a knight’s armor.
There’s a lot of violence and profanity in here, but it sits well with the characters.
11. Tokyo Ghoul
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 12
- Creator: Sui Ishida
- Studio: Pierrot
- Watch On: Funimation
Although based on a seinen manga, Tokyo Ghoul is a little too strong for adult teens too.
Tokyo Ghoul is a horror anime that revolves around flesh-eating ghouls who survive by eating human flesh. It follows the story of a high school student who becomes half-human and half-ghoul after being attacked by a ghoul.
The show follows his acceptance of the new reality and features plenty of gore, drug abuse, nudity, and strong language.
10. Fate/Zero
- Seasons: 2
- Episodes: 25
- Creator: Gen Urobuchi, Takashi Takeuchi
- Studio: Ufotable
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
With a 4.7/5 rating on Crunchyroll, Fate/Zero is one the highest-rated shows on the platform.
It’s the story of seven mages that will fight for the Holy Grail in the 4th Holy Grail War. The chosen mages have to summon heroic spirits to win the war and claim the Holy Grail which has the power to grant any wish.
Although the anime lacks any clear nudity, it still got a TV-MA rating because of its graphic violence.
9. Kill La Kill
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 24
- Creator: Trigger
- Studio: Trigger
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
From unnecessary sexualization of the female protagonist to borderline sexual assault scenes, Kill La Kill is definitely an 18+ anime.
As the protagonist looks for her father’s murderer, she ends up in a school full of evil and super-strong students. She challenges them, gets beaten, and retreats to prepare for a second challenge.
Although it has a 17+ rating, the costumes, language, and action deserve a 21+ rating.
8. Rin: Daughters of Mnemosyne
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 6
- Creator: Xebec, Genco
- Studio: Xebec
- Watch On: Netflix
If you’re looking for a mature anime that you can watch over the weekend, Rin: Daughter of Mnemosyne is the one.
This anime follows an immortal private investigator and her assistant who take on small cases in Tokyo. However, the two always find themselves in situations they consciously try to avoid.
There’s a good chunk of violence in the series with the occasional nudity as well. But nothing overshadows a great story led by a fierce female lead.
7. Samurai Champloo
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 26
- Creator: Manglobe
- Studio: Manglobe
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
If you like samurais who don’t shy away from splitting things in two with their swords, you’ll love this adventure/historical anime.
Samurai Champloo follows the story of Fuu, a waitress who is looking for a samurai who smells like sunflowers. After saving an outlaw and a ronin from execution, he forces them to help her find the samurai.
But the government wants the samurai dead.
It’s a gripping adventure chock full of violence, sex, and drinking.
6. Monster
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 74
- Creator: Naoki Urasawa
- Studio: Madhouse
- Watch On: 9Anime
Monster is one of the highest-rated mature anime shows (8.7/10 on IMDb), yet it’s easy to miss because it’s from the 2000s.
Released in Japan in 2004 and worldwide in 2009, Monster is a psychological thriller about a brilliant neurosurgeon, Dr. Kenzo Tenma, who lives in Germany. He is on top of his game, but it all comes crashing down when he decides to save a young boy’s life instead of operating on the mayor, who eventually dies.
This kicks off a series of horrific events, and Dr. Kenzo finds himself hunting for the boy he saved.
5. Ergo Proxy
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 23
- Creator: Manglobe
- Studio: Manglobe
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
Ergo Proxy is a cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic thriller set in a dystopian future where robots and humans live in a domed city. However, when some of the robots become self-aware and start killing humans, the peace is disturbed.
An inspector is tasked to investigate the murders, but it turns out to be something bigger than just an anomaly.
This anime is on here only because of the graphic violence. Apart from that, it’s a fairly tame mature anime.
4. Food Wars
- Seasons: 5
- Episodes: 86
- Creator: Yūto Tsukuda, Shun Saeki
- Studio: J.C. Staff
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
This might be a confusing entry for some because of the PG 13 rating of the series, but we’ve our reasons.
Food Wars is a comedy/slice of life/cooking anime that follows the journey of Soma Yukihira, who wants to take on his father’s restaurant and become a chef. As he joins a culinary school, the journey begins.
And as the chefs prepare some of the best cuisines, the diners have foodgasms. After trying the food, the diners either get fully naked or express sexual arousal.
That’s a whole new level of appreciation.
3. Parasyte
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 24
- Creator: Hitoshi Iwaaki
- Studio: Madhouse
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
It’s hard to believe that it took over 30 years for Parasyte to finally get an anime series. The manga premiered in 1988, and the anime series came out in 2014. Still better late than never.
A 17-year-old Shinichi Izumi gets infected by Parasyte, and now, he must consume humans to keep the Parasyte fed and keep himself alive. As the two try and co-exist, they’ll have to fend off other parasites as well.
Yes, kind of like Venom.
2. Death Note
- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 37
- Creator: Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata
- Studio: Madhouse
- Watch On: Crunchyroll
Death Note might be one of the most popular adult anime shows in the world right now.
Released in 2006, Death Note is the story of Light Yagami who finds a killer notebook. Anyone whose name is written on the Death Note dies. So, Light decides to rid the world of all criminals.
But it has consequences.
The dilemmas he faces and the decisions he makes, and how the whole story progresses is just too good to miss out on.
1. Attack On Titan
- Seasons: 4
- Episodes: 87+
- Creator: Hajime Isayama
- Studio: WIT Studio, MAPPA
- Watch On: Funimation
As Titans ravaged the Earth, humans were forced into massive walled cities. But the Survey Corps has given hope to humanity.
As the best soldiers mount a fight against the Titans, it becomes a bloodfest at times.
Attack on Titan is on par with Full Metal Alchemist in terms of quality but is a lot more popular among the masses. Maybe it’s the recency bias, but many believe Attack on Titan is one of the best mature anime of all time.
There’s definitely a growing audience for mature anime, and the best part is the good quality supply to match the demand. We just hope that as the reach expands, we get more great seinen anime.
But then again, there never will be enough anime.