Isn’t anime just for kids? If you think cartoons are just for kids, then you haven’t seen these badass adult anime series! They’re filled with hardcore action, violence, demons, anti-heroes, and other mature stuff that’ll make your grandma clutch her pearls.
Similar to movies, anime shows are also made for kids and adult audiences. These animes also had Ratings like PG-13, R-rated, and so on. There are tons of R-rated anime series with violence, or mostly filled with explicit scenes. for mature audiences.
There is no wonder that adult anime series are popular among adult audiences. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you about their notorious reputations! These R-rated anime series show us that cartoons aren’t just for kids. “If you are under 18 check out my beginner’s anime list.” Lets go here is the best r-rated anime series list.
Top 12 Adult R-rated Anime Series List
1. Durarara!!
The city of Ikebukuro is even crazier than Times Square, thanks to its wacky inhabitants like the Black Rider who roams the streets on a supernatural steed! Gang leader Izaya also raises hell by pitting rival groups against each other for giggles. And don’t forget Shizuo, who expresses his anger by chucking vending machines at annoying people.
In this hip hidden-world urban fantasy, the human drama and supernatural shenanigans are equally over-the-top. Adults will get drawn into this off-kilter and engrossing story.
- Plot: Supernatural happenings and gang drama in the streets of Ikebukuro
- Theme: Urban fantasy, action, suspense
- Rating: R
2. Harem in the Labyrinth of Another World (2022)
Harem in the Labyrinth of Another World is r-rated isekai anime,
This is a story about Michio Kaga, a high school boy who finds a strange online game on the internet. The game’s world transports him to a rural village equipped with special skills and an overpowered sword.
In 1st episode, he fought with bandits thinking it is just a game but later he found out he cannot log out and he is stuck in this gaming world where things got real.
For me, the plot is kinda mid but there is blood and some violence in it, as well as a dark ton with a lot of fan service. There is an uncensored adult anime version, and I know you guys will only watch the uncensored one. Because we are the same brother we are the same. This show is straight hanime lol and I hope there will be 2nd season haha.
- Plot: High school boy transported to a fantasy RPG world
- Theme: Isekai, harem, fantasy, ecchi
- Rating: R+
3. Skeleton Knight in Another World (2022)
At the start it makes clear that it is going to be dark gritty r-rated anime, The theme is dark and disturbing
A gamer fell asleep while playing the game and he found himself in the game world as a skeleton when he woke up. He possessed the powerful weapons and armor of his avatar with a skeletal appearance. Now I am not going to talk about this anime because I only watched 3 episodes,
I have mixed feelings about this show, most people think it is a clone of the Overlord, but it is not. In terms of fanservice, I’m not a big fan of assault-style fan service in the name of fan service. But it is worth a try and yes I am going to continue this show.
- Plot: Gamer transported as a skeleton warrior to fantasy world
- Theme: Isekai, fantasy, dark, ecchi
- Rating: R+
4. Hellsing Ultimate (2006-2012)
Man for me Hellsing Ultimate is the best r-rated action anime. If you love dark animation, gore, action, charismatic characters, bombastic plot, and dialogue! Here you are this is the best adult anime for you.
Hellsing is an organization dedicated to destroying these supernatural forces that threaten humanity’s existence. A powerful military is led by Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, who battles the ghouls, vampires, and mercenaries in an all-out VAR inside the Hellsing estate’s Victorian hallways.
- Plot: Organization battling supernatural threats to humanity
- Theme: Horror, action, vampires, violence
- Rating: R
Take a look at this blog about underrated anime series that nobody knows about
5. Highschool of the Dead (2010)
We know Highschool of the Dead is a popular r-rated anime tv show about zombies when suddenly in Japan dead began to rise and the city was in complete chaos.
A group of high school students with the main character named Takashi Kimuro fights these zombies with his friends to survive. As a dark, horror, and creepy theme show, it will surely give you chills at some point, but in order to keep the environment light, it has lots of fan service.
- Plot: Students surviving a zombie apocalypse
- Theme: Horror, action, ecchi
- Rating: R+
You can watch it on Crunchyroll
6. Deadman Wonderland (2011)
When you think anime can’t get dark and disturbing anymore, then you got Deadman Wonderland. This r-rated anime series may not be for everyone to watch an anime about underage children going to a brutal prison.
The prisoners play life-or-death games or fight one another to the death. It is not suitable for all ages, nor is it recommended for all stomachs.
- Plot: Death games in a brutal prison
- Theme: Horror, psychological, violence
- Rating: R+
7. Sekirei (2008-2010)
After Deadman Wonderland I do not want to add any other dark gritty anime back to back, so here I give you Sekirei the best adult anime with a harem, romantic comedy, and supernatural elements.
It’s about a 19-year-old boy Minato Sahashi who failed his entrance exams, While returning home a beautiful woman falls from the sky on him, yup from the sky, That woman is a supernatural being known as Sekirei a humanoid being with powers and abilities. Where Minato Sahashi got dragged into the world of the Sekirei and with her have to battle for survival against others called “Sekirei Plan” It’s a fun anime to watch alone.
- Plot: Boy dragged into supernatural battle for survival
- Theme: Harem, action, ecchi
- Rating: R+
8. Devilman Crybaby
Animation is crap! Netflix did a lazy job with the animation, but the storyline was good and the pacing was solid, but it didn’t work for me. That is the reason I am not going to talk much about this anime. There are some who like it and some who don’t, including me. It doesn’t mean Devilman Crybaby is bad, it has a message for its viewers. Give it a try. It is only 10 episodes.
- Plot: Boy possessed by demon fights evil spirits
- Theme: Horror, supernatural, psychological
- Rating: R
9. GATE (2015-2016)
Gate is about the random opening up of another world in Japan. As supernatural creatures and warriors clad in medieval armor emerge from this gate, they charge through the city, killing and destroying everything in their path.
The story moves toward both sides Japan and the other world calling a truce. Rather than killing each other senselessly. There is no doubt that GATE is violent for kids indeed it is an best r-rated anime series.
- Plot: Fantasy world invades modern day Japan
- Theme: Action, fantasy, violence
- Rating: R
Checkout our blog on how to watch fate series in order
10. Terror in Resonance (2014)
The Tokyo police totally get punked when two bored teenagers calling themselves “Sphinx” decide to play anarchist Joker-wannabes and bomb buildings while speaking in riddles. But the more destruction Nine and Twelve cause, the more their traumatic past in a child experimentation facility comes to light. Can the cops stop these misguided boys from tearing down the city to avenge their stolen childhoods?
Let’s just say things get freakin’ dark as this thriller explores the consequences of violence. parental control advised!
- Plot: Teens become terrorists to destroy the city
- Theme: Psychological, thriller, crime drama
- Rating: R
11. God Eater (2015)
In the year 2071, humanity is in danger of extinction following the appearance of man-eating monsters called “Aragami” that are immune to conventional weapons. During their ravaging, they consumed everything in their paths and left nothing behind. A group called Fenrir was formed to fight them with the aid of “God Eaters” in a last-ditch effort to save mankind.
It is a graphically animated action/fantasy series with disturbingly violent scenes. I found this anime to be one of the most uncomfortable I’ve ever watched. It’s impressive considering it is only 12 episodes long. As you progress down the line, the violence will make you flinch. For me, it is one of the best R-rated action anime.
- Plot: Humanity battles monsters called Aragami
- Theme: Action, horror, post-apocalyptic
- Rating: R+
12. HYPNOSIS MIC -Division Rap Battle
Hypnosis Mic is a rap music group with four teams that compete for their neighborhoods and freedom. After the war ended by women, the country was divided and ruled by women. They made men battle rap instead of fighting to take over areas.
The manga Hypnosis Mic: Before The Battle shows how one rap group called The Dirty Dawg started and ended before the current rap teams.
I think Hypnosis Mic has an interesting idea that some people will like. But if you don’t know the songs or drama tracks, the manga seems confusing. Fans of the series should read it to learn more about the characters’ past.
The art is good and shows more than the tracks tell. But read the manga last as a bonus since it won’t make sense alone.
- Plot: Rival rap crews compete for territory in a post-war world where weapons are banned.
- Theme: Adult Cast, Music
- Rating: R+
13. Undead Unluck
Undead Unluck is simply fun. It keeps your eyes glued to the screen with its comedy, action, and mystery.
It starts wild and gets even more interesting. But there are hints of a deeper plot behind the wacky jokes. It reminds me of popular battle manga with special powers and teams.
The main characters work well together with physical comedy. More characters are introduced who could lead to shonen-style fights.
The animation is flawless with crisp movements. It’s the best-looking anime this season. The opening and ending songs and visuals grab your attention too.
The music fits each scene fine. I highly recommend this entertaining series and can’t wait to see what happens next!
- Plot: An unkillable man and immortal woman team up to find the person who cursed them.
- Theme: Action, comedy, supernatural
- Rating: R+
14. Undead Girl Murder Farce
Undead Girl Murder Farce stands out with its absurd style and mysteries. A demon slayer and a living severed head team up to catch the villain who cursed them both. On the way, they solve various mysteries.
The quick dialogue, great voice acting, and directing keep each episode exciting. It has a unique combo of mystery, action, and comedy.
- Plot: A demon slayer and severed head solve mysteries while chasing their body stealing enemy.
- Theme: Adult Cast, Detective, Historical, Vampire
- Rating: R+
15. Redo of Healer (2021)
As far as r-rated anime series go, Redo of Healer is the king. The anime is far more disturbing, messed up, and believe me when I say it will make you feel disgusted. I personally think that it is one of the most hardcore r-rated anime out there.
This is not to say it’s a bad story, but it’s very heavy and not easily digestible even by adults. This show is sometimes hard to watch and it might be difficult to identify if the protagonist is good or bad. However, it is also true that it is clearly about revenge.
The torture this character undergoes makes it hard not to see some justification for his actions, if not at least some understanding. Be warned this show isn’t for the faint of heart.
- Plot: Healer travels back in time to take revenge
- Theme: Fantasy, psychological, adult
- Rating: R+
Checkout our blog on top 10 thriller anime series
15 Best Adult Anime Series Honorable Mention
I kept it separate because it is very popular among the community, but I wanted to include it in the best adult anime series list since it is trendy among viewers.
1. Full Metal Panic
Full Metal Panic follows Sousuke, a soldier sent to secretly guard Kaname, an ordinary high school girl. Sousuke knows only military life, so normal school makes no sense to him.
His extreme behavior scares the students and irritates Kaname. Though annoyed with Sousuke disrupting her life, Kaname grows to understand him better and even aids his missions sometimes.
The show excels at fusing lighthearted comedy about Sousuke’s cluelessness with intense mecha action. Sousuke fights enemies in his own mechanized robot suit.
These battles feature fluid animation. Some stories explore more dramatic military themes as well.
Overall, Full Metal Panic balances humor about a soldier’s misadventures in school with gritty mecha combat appealing to both comedy and action fans.
- Plot: A soldier guards a high school girl while dealing with his military duties.
- Theme: Mecha, Military
- Rating: R+
2. B: The Beginning
B: The Beginning is a weird but exciting r-rated anime from the studio Production I.G. It mixes together a sci-fi mystery show like Psycho-Pass with a battle of minds like in Death Note.
There is a lot packed into the short 12 episodes anime. This makes some things underdeveloped. But there are more good things than bad.
Good Things:
- Amazing action scenes
- Great animation
- Good voice acting and music
- Interesting characters
- Surprising twists that make you want to rewatch
- Emotional ending
Bad Things:
- Sci-fi world not fully explained
- Many side characters need more development
- Sometimes too fast-paced
- Confusing story at first
There are two main characters. Keith is a former detective helping the police hunt the killer known as B. He is smart but awkward, which is funny.
The other is Koku, a teenage boy with black wings who fights criminals. We don’t learn his full backstory until later. The supporting characters are enjoyable too. Lily is sarcastic but inexperienced, giving a simpler view of things.
In the first half, a criminal group creates chaos while the police try to stop them. The fast pace means less background on the characters and setting early on.
But the animation during the action and chase scenes is fantastic. The creator Kazuto Nakazawa finally got to show his skills.
While confusing at first, the second half explains the twists well, making you want to rewatch it. There is enough comedy and charm to balance the serious tone. I definitely recommend giving B: The Beginning a try for its excitement, action, and surprises!
- Plot: Police pursue a serial killer behind violent crimes.
- Theme: Detective, Psychological
- Rating: R+
3. Chainsaw Man
Hold on to your seat for this rated RX anime to blow your mind with its great storyline, action, and character design that gives it a fresh look. The animation is completely on another level, and it’s fantastic. MAPPA really did a great job.
The story is about an orphan named Denji who takes on massive amounts of his father’s debt to pay it off and even sells some of his organs in order to survive with Pochita, a chainsaw dog devil with whom he kills devils.
Whether it’s gore or sexual scenes, Chainsaw Man does not hold back, that’s why it’s popular with the new generation of anime fans.
- Plot: Orphan boy forms pact with chainsaw devil to battle other devils
- Theme: Action, horror, dark fantasy
- Rating: R+
4. Dark Gathering
Dark Gathering creates an uncomfortable and creepy feeling even if it’s not very scary. Characters suddenly look unsettling compared to how they first appeared. It disturbs you instead of using blood and gore. This works well like in Mieruko-chan anime.
The characters are a key part of making the horror effective. Learning more about certain characters like Yayoi will keep you engaged and wondering what will happen next.
With chilling visuals and sound, Dark Gathering is a creepy R-rated anime to check out.
- Plot: A group of people experience creepy supernatural events.
- Theme: Gore horror
- Rating: R+
5. Jujutsu Kaisen
In Jujutsu Kaisen, high schooler Itadori Yuji gets conned into eating a cursed demon finger and now he’s seeing ghosts! To exorcise these ghastly beings, he enrolls in Jujutsu Tech to master funky magic and beat down these crused sprits Yuji must contend with the evil Sukuna trying to control him from within. Its visceral fight choreography makes Jujutsu Kaisen a top dark action series.
- Plot: High schooler joins sorcerers to fight cursed spirits
- Theme: Action, horror, supernatural
- Rating: R
6. The Eminence in Shadow
Looking for a hilarious isekai parody anime? Then you need The Eminence in Shadow in your life! Our boy Cid gets reborn into a fantasy world and instead of being OP, he decides to pretend to be OP by creating an entire secret society around himself.
He acts like the ominous mastermind behind everything, when really he’s just a goofy chuuni putting on an act. Watching Cid ham it up as “Shadow” while his comrades take his ramblings seriously is comedy gold.
With its satire of overpowered MCs and secret organizations, Eminence in Shadow is a side-splittingly funny adult anime you gotta watch!
- Plot: Boy reincarnated into fantasy world pretends to be mastermind
- Theme: Comedy, parody, isekai
- Rating: R+
7. Attack on Titan
Yes one of the greatest r rated anime of the decades, If someone asks about the best anime series, Attack on Titan will be one of them. It didn’t seem to be a big deal to me when I started watching AOT.
The kid saw his mother die at a very young age when Titan attacked their town and destroyed everything, almost wiping out the entire town’s population, and he vowed he would kill every titan that had ever existed. It seems like a pretty normal storyline to me.
After season 2, everything changed from killing Titans to politics, betrayal, depression, and more… Characters dying in AOT aren’t unusual. Give it a shot if you’re not sure whether to watch it or not, and you’ll love it.
- Plot: Boy seeks revenge against giants that destroyed his city
- Theme: Action, drama, survival, horror
- Rating: R
8. Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These
Blast into outer space for some intergalactic war drama with Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These! It’s like Star Wars for adults but with fewer lightsabers, and more calculations.
Reinhard and Yang are rival geniuses battling to dominate the galaxy with their massive spaceship armadas. But these boys are more into witty banter and 4D chess than pew pew pew space fights. Though with names like Bloody Marquess, you know stuff eventually goes down!
Follow these cerebral badasses as they wage tactical and philosophical war for the fate of the cosmos. It’s a thinking geek’s adult anime classic overflowing with sci-fi intensity and mecha models.
- Plot: Rival geniuses battle tactically and philosophically for the galaxy
- Theme: Sci-fi, space opera, action
- Rating: R+
9. Parasyte
One of my favorite r-18 anime out there, Parasyte is just like MCU’s Venom, parasitic aliens come on earth and take control of the human body by burrowing into their brains. Shinichi Izumi, a 16-year-old high school student, falls victim to one of these parasites, but it does not take over his brain. Instead, it takes over his right hand. Shinichi is the only one who can help Migi survive since the parasite is unable to relocate.
- Plot: Boy’s hand taken over by alien parasite
- Theme: Body horror, psychological
- Rating: R+
10. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
This is a nice sci-fi r+ rated anime show you can enjoy. The story is intense and filled with action and emotion. The anime is a pulse-racing adrenaline rush combined with emotional moments that had me in tears. Studio Trigger creates incredible animations. A lot of things happen to the main characters that you don’t expect.
I must say that this anime has all the elements of a very good cyberpunk story, which is a unique genre of science fiction.
- Plot: Teens battle corruption in dystopian future city
- Theme: Cyberpunk, sci-fi, action
- Rating: R+
Checkout our other blog on who is strongest Akatsuki members
11. Re:Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
Re: Zero is truly one of the most terrifying and unique isekai r-rated anime series I have seen. First few episodes you will find them quite boring at first but it gets better and better. After getting isekai’d to a magical realm, Subaru discovers he’s stuck in a cursed time loop where he gets brutally killed over and over again! The main selling point is he can “Return by Death,”.
Whether it’s getting his guts torn out by demonic clowns or eaten alive by monstrous rabbits, Subaru gets hardcore murdered in every gruesome way imaginable. Follow his descent into madness as he tries to stop his bloody death. Thankfully, the cutie pie half-elf Emilia is around to save his butt and sanity! Just be ready for this R-rated anime show rollercoaster ride.
- Plot: Boy stuck in time loop trying to stop his repeated deaths
- Theme: Isekai, psychological thriller, horror
- Rating: R+
12. Prison School
Prison School is one of the gross funniest r-rated anime series out there and I enjoyed it. It is about a group of young men who are enrolled in a prison-themed school, where they must serve out their sentence and reform themselves.
The story centers around Hachimitsu Private Academy, an all-girls school that has recently decided to admit 5 male students for the first time in its history. However, they quickly find themselves at the mercy of the school’s strict disciplinary committee, led by the beautiful and sadistic president, Meiko Shiraki. The series is known for its blend of dark comedy, drama, and ecchi elements.
- Plot: Boys at a strict all-girls school dominated by a sadistic student council
- Theme: Comedy, ecchi, drama
- Rating: R+
13. Saga of Tanya the Evil
With world politics, war, and complex characters, this r-rated anime series is known for its dark theme and action-packed battles. It is about a salaryman who is killed by a god-like being called “Being X,” and is then reborn into a fantasy world as a young girl named Tanya Degurechaff.
In this new world, Tanya is a brilliant but ruthless military officer who rises through the ranks of the army, using her intelligence and cunning to outmaneuver her enemies. However, she is constantly at odds with Being X, who has a personal vendetta against her and seeks to bring about her downfall.
- Plot: Salaryman reborn as girl battles enemies in magic world
- Theme: Isekai, military, action
- Rating: R
14. High School DxD
The OG of r-rated ecchi anime series, High School DxD is a top contender. Whenever you walk down the road to perverted ecchi anime, these are the ones you will find there, My journey of watching ecchi anime started with High School DxD. It is about a high school student named Issei who is resurrected as a devil servant after being killed on a date.
He joins a devil club at his school and fights against angels and other enemies, while also dealing with romantic conflicts with the other members of the devil club (My man Issei’s life is one every man dreams of). So it is a world where angels, devils, and other supernatural beings exist and often clashes with each other, but we all are going to watch for its fan service.
- Plot: Boy resurrected into a devil club battles angels and demons
- Theme: Ecchi, harem, fantasy
- Rating: R+
15. Ajin: Demi-Human
Ajin is a thrilling r-rated anime series that follows the story of Kei Nagai, a high school student who discovers he is an Ajin, a demi-human with the ability to regenerate and become immortal. As he is hunted by the government and other Ajin, there are compelling characters.
The downside of the show is that animation is crappy and the frame rate is choppy as well. It’s not a visual treat if that is what you are looking for, and it is most CGI animation which is not that bad, you might feel weird at first, but you will get used to it because of its story, which is quite good actually
- Plot: Boy discovers he’s immortal demi-human hunted by government
- Theme: Action, horror, supernatural
- Rating: R
That it guys, these are the best r-rated anime series I feel everybody should watch. Thank you for taking the time to read the blog. There will be more blogs coming soon, so stay tuned
