Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror is a very popular and beloved manga by Junji Ito that has captivated fans worldwide, myself included. However, like many others, I found the four-episode anime adaptation somewhat disappointing, as it didn’t quite do justice to the original story. The first episode built up high expectations, but the subsequent episodes failed to fulfill them. If you’re like me and left wanting more after watching Uzumaki, you’re in luck! I’ve gathered a selection of anime like Uzumaki that will definitely quench your thirst for creepy and unsettling experiences. Let’s dive into these chilling series that capture the same haunting atmosphere and psychological horror.
Corpse Party: Tortured Souls
Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror and Corpse Party: Tortured Souls are similar because both involve people being trapped in terrifying, supernatural situations that lead to gruesome and violent outcomes. In Corpse Party: Tortured Souls, a group of students performs a ritual at school to stay friends forever, but they accidentally get transported to a haunted, alternate dimension. Here, they are trapped in a cursed, abandoned school filled with vengeful spirits. As they try to escape, they face horrific deaths and disturbing events, similar to the way Uzumaki shows people being consumed by the madness of spirals. Both stories focus on a growing sense of dread, where escape seems impossible, making Corpse Party a great choice for those looking for anime like Uzumaki.
Another
Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror and Another are similar because both involve a town or school where strange, deadly events keep happening, and no one can escape the curse. In Another, a new student named Kouichi transfers to a class that is cursed, leading to mysterious and violent deaths among the students and teachers. Kouichi teams up with a girl named Mei to figure out why these deaths are happening and how to stop them. Like Uzumaki, Another builds tension through unexplained, terrifying events that affect everyone around them. Both stories focus on a creeping sense of doom and fear.
Paranoia Agent
Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror and Paranoia Agent are similar because both deal with the spread of a mysterious and growing force that affects people’s minds and lives, creating fear and confusion. In Paranoia Agent, a mysterious attacker called “Lil’ Slugger” goes around hitting people with a baseball bat, but the real horror comes from how people’s lives start unraveling because of their fears and anxieties. As more people are attacked, paranoia spreads across the city, much like the spirals in Uzumaki, which slowly take over the town and drive people to madness. Both stories explore how fear can spiral out of control and affect everyone.
Devilman: Crybaby
Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror and Devilman: Crybaby are similar because both show how people slowly lose control to dark, unstoppable forces that lead to chaos and destruction. In Devilman: Crybaby, a teenager named Akira becomes a “Devilman” after merging with a powerful demon. He tries to protect humans from other demons, but as the conflict between humans and demons grows, society falls into madness and violence. Like Uzumaki, Devilman: Crybaby explores how something beyond human understanding can lead to a complete breakdown of normal life, with horrifying consequences. Both stories have dark themes and disturbing imagery.
Hell Girl
Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror and Hell Girl are similar because both deal with people getting caught in supernatural forces that lead to terrible and unavoidable consequences. In Hell Girl, there is a website that appears at midnight, where people who have strong grudges can type in the name of the person they hate. When they do, the Hell Girl, Ai Enma, shows up and offers them a deal. She will take their enemy to hell, but in return, the person who used the site will also go to hell after they die. This dark deal shows how giving in to anger and revenge can trap people in a never-ending cycle of suffering. Like Uzumaki, Hell Girl explores how people’s lives can be taken over by supernatural forces they can’t escape, leading to tragic outcomes.
Junji Ito Collection
Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror and Junji Ito Collection are similar because both tell strange and creepy stories filled with horror and suspense, created by the same author, Junji Ito. Junji Ito Collection is a series that features different scary stories by Ito, showing his unique way of telling horror. Each episode presents a different, eerie tale, like people haunted by weird shapes or facing terrifying creatures. Like Uzumaki, the stories in Junji Ito Collection often create a feeling of dread, showing how everyday life can quickly turn into a nightmare. There is also an OVA called Itou Junji: Collection – Tomie, which you should watch for more of Ito’s gripping horror stories.
From the New World
Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror and From the New World are similar because both show dark themes and the scary side of people. In From the New World, a group of kids in a nice-looking world learns that their society has awful secrets about their special powers. As they grow up, they find out frightening truths about their world and what happens to those who don’t have powers. Both stories build up tension and fear as characters face the unknown, showing how things that seem normal can turn terrifying. This slow build of horror keeps viewers uneasy and makes them question what is real in their worlds, making it perfect for fans of anime like Uzumaki.
Shiki
Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror and Shiki share similarities in how they explore fear and the effects of a dark mystery on a small community. In Shiki, a quiet village experiences a series of unusual deaths that unsettle the residents. As more people fall ill and die, a small group of villagers begins to uncover the truth behind the strange occurrences. The sense of dread grows as they struggle to understand what is happening and realize that something sinister is at play. Both series create a slow buildup of tension and horror, showing how the characters react to the increasing threat. Just like Uzumaki, where people are haunted by spirals, Shiki reveals how fear and the unknown can change people and lead to terrifying consequences.
Parasyte: The Maxim
Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror and Parasyte: The Maxim share similarities in their focus on body horror and the struggle against terrifying forces that take over people’s lives. In Parasyte: The Maxim, a teenager named Shinichi Izumi becomes infected by a parasite that tries to take over his brain. Instead, the parasite ends up in his hand, creating a strange bond between them. As they fight to coexist, Shinichi must face other parasites that kill and eat humans. Both stories explore themes of fear and loss of control, showing how ordinary people deal with horrifying situations that change their lives forever, making Parasyte a must-watch for anyone seeking anime like Uzumaki.
Serial Experiments Lain
Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror and Serial Experiments Lain share similarities in their exploration of fear and reality. Both series create a sense of confusion and dread as characters face strange and unsettling situations that challenge their understanding of the world. In Serial Experiments Lain, a teenage girl named Lain becomes involved in the mysterious world of the internet after a classmate’s death. As she explores this digital space, she begins to lose touch with reality, encountering eerie messages and strange beings that blur the lines between the real world and cyberspace. Like Uzumaki, it dives into themes of isolation and the impact of outside forces on the mind, creating an unsettling atmosphere throughout the story.
I hope you enjoyed this list of anime like Uzumaki! Each of these series offers its own unique blend of horror and suspense, perfect for fans craving more unsettling stories. Whether you’re looking for psychological thrills or supernatural chills, these recommendations are sure to satisfy your craving for creepy content. Feel free to comment below with your thoughts or any other anime you think should be included!