12 Anime About Monsters

In the monster-slayer anime Hai to Gensou no Grimgar, the young protagonists wake up in a mysterious building in a medieval setting blanketed in darkness. The only memory they retain is of their names, and nothing more. Bizarrely, they sometimes find themselves uttering words that, while seeming incredibly familiar, remain incomprehensible to them.

These bewildered strangers are informed that to survive, they must enlist in the Reserve Army. Their role? To defend their town from the menacing creepy creatures lurking nearby, making this a tale of survival and monster slaying in an alien and unforgiving world.

Venture into the universe of Noragami where the gods bear an immense duty: safeguarding humanity from the disruptive influence of Ayakashi. These grotesque specters feast upon human negativity, thriving on their adverse emotions.

Our unconventional hero, Yato, claims the title of a “delivery god,” often finding himself embroiled in mundane tasks like scrubbing people’s bathrooms. But when the time calls, he gallantly battles these menacing phantoms, backed by his two faithful comrades, Hiyori and Yukine.

Although goblins might not take the top spot on the monster hierarchy, they never fail to sow seeds of distress. In the shadowy world of Goblin Slayer, we plunge into the dogged quest of our eponymous hero who is hell-bent on obliterating these pointy-eared pests. This grimly fascinating anime strikes a unique balance in character evolution, gaining immense depth from its tormented and mysterious protagonist.

As the protagonist’s chilling past unravels, his formidable aura doesn’t wane. In fact, understanding the childhood calamity that ignited his intense detestation for goblins sharpens his thirst for vengeance. Goblin Slayer, with its unanticipated severe tone and subversion of monster-hunting tropes, is a captivating feast for those drawn to such narrative elements.

Picture a world under siege – Ravenous creatures known as Kabane have infested the earth, feasting on humans, and chillingly, morphing their victims into fellow monstrosities. Facing what essentially translates into a zombie apocalypse, most of humanity has sought refuge, fortifying themselves behind an impenetrable wall that screams of desperate survival. Yet, cowering in fear is not a perpetual solution.

Step in, Ikoma, a young man with a resolute spirit and a daring plan. Fueled by courage and innovation, he forges a weapon, a ray of hope that promises to pierce through the steel-clad hearts of these Kabane nightmares. An adventure teetering on the edge of life and death awaits…

Our final recommendation, “Claymore,” throws viewers into a world terrorized by shape-shifting demons known as Yoma. To combat this threat, a mysterious organization creates half-human, half-Yoma warriors – the Claymores. 

The series focuses on Clare, a Claymore who battles Yoma while grappling with her increasingly monstrous nature. The themes of identity, humanity, and sacrifice are expertly woven into each episode, painting a poignant picture of what it means to be a ‘monster.’

“Parasyte: The Maxim” is a unique take on anime monsters. The story follows high school student Shinichi Izumi, whose right hand becomes infected with a Parasite, an alien species intent on overtaking the Earth. Despite the initial horror, Shinichi and the Parasite, named Migi, must coexist and collaborate to fend off other Parasites intent on causing harm.

This monster slaying anime is not merely about eradicating the enemy but delves into the ethics of survival, mutual dependence, and the definition of ‘monster’. Is the monster the alien trying to survive, or the human intent on annihilating an entire species?

Craving a blend of heart-thumping action and rib-tickling humor? You’re in for a treat with Chainsaw Man. When life throws a curveball at Denji, leaving him alone after his father’s demise, he is forced to adapt, embarking on a treacherous path of slaying Devils to clear his father’s yakuza debts. His companion on this perilous journey? A small, dog-like Devil named Pochita.

This unconventional alliance sails smoothly until the ruthless yakuza betray Denji. In the ensuing chaos, Pochita fuses with Denji, replacing his heart and transforming him into a formidable human-devil hybrid with the astounding ability to sprout chainsaws from his body.

“Dororo” tells a compelling tale of a ronin named Hyakkimaru, who was born grotesquely disfigured due to his father’s pact with demons. In exchange for power, his father had allowed 48 demons to each take a piece of his unborn child. 

Hyakkimaru embarks on a journey to slay these demons, hoping to reclaim his stolen body parts. Each demon Hyakkimaru slays brings him closer to regaining his humanity, adding depth to the usual monster-slaying narrative.

Berserk, one of the most gruesome animes ever, primarily puts the aptly named Guts in the spotlight. Born from a hanged corpse, Guts is a bloodthirsty warrior whose horrifically grim and abusive early years shape his character. This rough upbringing paves the way for the intense fantasy journey he leads viewers on.

The series throws everything from trolls to the Beast of Darkness at Guts – a sinister, canine-like creature born from Guts’ own rage and hatred. With a plethora of monstrous entities and a liberal dose of blood-and-guts action, Berserk stands out as one of the most thrilling and unsettling series that focus on monster slaying.

In this classic saga, enormous titans with a taste for humans terrifyingly engulf the world. At the onset of the series, humanity’s survivors huddle behind colossal barriers, shielding them from the horrifying Titans. Unsurprisingly, the series focuses on the struggle for survival and the monumental task of taking down these gigantic beings.

These beastly, havoc-wreaking entities, chiefly orchestrated by Intelligent Titans, lay waste to any human enclave they encounter. Even though the series’ finale sparked diverse responses, its portrayal of explosive action and unwavering resilience against adversity solidifies its position as an enduring classic.

Yuuji Itadori’s story is a compelling watch in the realm of monster-slaying anime. He starts as a regular high school boy, spending his days lounging in the Occult clubroom and caring for his ailing grandfather. However, his life takes a drastic turn when he consumes a cursed demon finger in a brave act to save a classmate from curses.

After ingesting the powerful demon Ryomen Sukuna’s finger, Itadori’s normal life crumbles, with Sukuna’s curse now fused with his soul. The bright side is that he is accepted into Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu Technical High School, a hub for training Jujutsu sorcerers. 

There, he hones his skills to battle against curses, thus propelling him into the monster-slaying arena. This transition marks Itadori’s journey, turning his tale into a gripping monster slayer anime to watch.

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” takes us on a poignant journey of a young boy, Tanjiro Kamado, determined to save his sister from a demonic curse. After his family is brutally slaughtered by a demon, his sister Nezuko becomes one herself. Unwilling to give up on her, Tanjiro joins the ranks of the Demon Slayers to find a cure.

As one of the most renowned anime with monsters, Demon Slayer intertwines heart-wrenching drama with electrifying battles, shedding light on themes such as the thin line between humans and monsters. It poses a significant question: who is the real monster – the demon, or the human who abandons their humanity?