In the realm of Japanese anime, fantasy can take many different forms, from classic isekai scenarios to angels and demons and far more, and some series dive deep into the occult. As Halloween approaches, anime fans will want to check out anime series with occult elements, and they will find plenty of great series to watch.
Occult elements include mysticism, arcane symbology, witchcraft, voodoo, tarot cards, and more, and these exist outside the realm of traditional Japanese mythology and other organized religions. Fans of the darker side of fantasy are sure to love these occult-style anime series, and some of them are truly dark while others are actually more family-friendly, even if they include demons or witchcraft.
10 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Has Arcane Symbols & Transmutation Circles
The story of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood combines alchemy, mystic symbology and science into one slick package to form an editing combat system, and fans of the occult will have fun spotting all the classic symbols found all over this series. It's a well-researched anime, to say the least.
Alchemic runes and symbols can be found in transmutation circles and even on people's clothing, such as the Ouroboros and a lion eating the sun. In fact, the nation of Amestris was shaped as a giant transmutation circle, a nation born of the occult.
9 Death Note Makes A Deal With The Devil
The story of Death Note is primarily a crime thriller and battle of wits between Kira and the super-detective L, but there are plenty of supernatural elements involved, too. The entire story is only possible because Ryuk the Shinigami dropped the Death Note on Earth, and Light Yagami picked it up.
This notebook is the ultimate occult weapon, including the option for Light to trade half his lifespan for Shinigami eyes. With this supernatural power, Light can make his ambitions a reality, and reshape the world according to Kira's wishes.
8 Mahou Sensei Negima! Has Wizards & Vampires
Some occult stories are dark and scary, but others are cheerful and fun, depending on how the material is presented. Sometimes, witches and vampire can be cute or funny rather than horrifying, and that is indeed the case with Mahou Sensei Negima!, an anime based on a much longer manga series by Ken Akamatsu.
Wizards and witches are present in this series, and they cast all kinds of arcane incantations in Latin and Greek, complete with complex runes and magic circles. The story also features the petite but scary vampire Evangeline McDowell, who dabbles in all kinds of dark magic. In fact, she invented a few spells herself.
7 Konosuba Has Witches, Liches, & Spooky Spells
Konosuba is a popular isekai series that makes the occult colorful and charming rather than spooky, though that doesn't mean Kazuma Sato the hero is in for an easy time. One of his allies is Megumin the explosion witch, and her occult powers always make a boom during battle.
Kazuma's ally Aqua the goddess represents the more positive side of the occult, since she can dispel the many curses, zombies, and skeletons the group comes across. Then there's Vanir, a cursed mask that can attach itself to people's faces and control them.
6 Jujutsu Kaisen Is All About Curses
Jujutsu Kaisen is a hit fantasy shonen series that might remind fans of series such as Bleach and Tokyo Ghoul, though it definitely stands on its own. In this world, negative human emotions can manifest and grow as cursed monsters, and they can haunt an entire school.
The hero is Yuji Itadori, a high school boy who accidentally ate one of Sukuna's fingers and gained dark powers as a result. He must learn quickly how to fight as a jujutsu sorcerer, or be consumed by the horrific monster inside him. And plenty of civilians might get caught in the crossfire.
5 Little Witch Academia Makes Witchcraft Cool
Witches are often depicted as harmless or charming characters rather than wicked abominations in anime, and that is especially true in the cheerful and colorful anime series Little Witch Academia. In this world, witches are more like superheroes or philanthropists than occult-loving pariahs.
The heroine is Akko, who aspires to be just like her witch hero Silver Chariot even if she has no magical power of her own. She and her classmates at the Nova Luna school will learn much about spellcraft, broom riding, hexes and potion brewing and use what they learn to help benefit humanity.
4 Berserk Features The God Hand
The story of Berserk is dark fantasy at its finest, and it has plenty of occult elements throughout, such as the monstrous Apostles and most of all, the fearsome God Hand. These beings can only be summoned when a Behelit is covered in blood, and a portal to another dimension is opened.
In particular, Griffith the mercenary seeks to gain his own kingdom, and he will consort with all kinds of dark powers, including the God Hand, to get exactly what he wants. Then there's Schierke, a young witch who later joins Guts' band of adventurers.
3 Midnight Occult Civil Servants Lives Up To Its Name
True to its name, Midnight Occult Civil Servants is a fantasy anime series where supernatural beings are commonplace, and the human investigators who research those beings call them Anothers. The protagonist of this short series is Arata Miyako, who has the "Ears of Sand" ability.
Arata and his new co-workers investigate all kinds of supernatural and occult occurrences all over Tokyo, and sometimes, they are in for a serious fight against scary spirits, the restless undead and other horrors. It's not an easy job, but someone has to do it.
2 Welcome To Demon School, Iruma-Kun! Takes Place In The Netherworld
Like like the Little Witch Academia series, the popular show Welcome to Demon School, Iruma-Kun! makes the occult colorful and fun rather than scary and horrifying, though protagonist Iruma Suzuki still needs to watch his step. These demons may be friendly, but they aren't harmless.
Iruma is an isekai hero who is surrounded by the occult, from arcane magic and runes taught in class to the demons and their supernatural abilities, plus all the strange creatures who reside here in the Netherworld. To keep up, Iruma wields the ring of Solomon, which includes a spirit that he can talk to.
1 Flying Witch Has Gentle Occult Elements
Flying Witch makes for some easy viewing, and it's a great series for relaxing after a tough day. The heroine is Makoto Kowata, a teenage girl who happens to be a kind witch, and she is secretly practicing her occult arts so she can become a full-fledged practitioner.
In this short series, Makoto has fun experimenting with her craft in modern Japan, and she is joined by her excitable cousin, Akane, who has a bit more experience in witchcraft and can teach her a thing or two. A witch always needs a mentor to look up to.
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