In anime, a subversive realm exists where boundaries are pushed, themes are mature, and storytelling is unapologetically intense. As such, we've compiled the best R-rated anime worth watching for mature fans.
While not for the faint of heart, these anime offer a compelling and often visceral experience that resonates with mature audiences who want something more than cute characters and lighthearted adventures.
/ 11
Prison School
Starting with Prison School, this ecchi anime series is filled with gag humor and is intended for a mature audience.
Once a prestigious all-girls boarding school on the outskirts of Tokyo, the Hachimitsu Private Academy recently changed its policy to admit boys.
On his inaugural day, Kiyoshi Fujino realizes he's one of only five male students on a campus teeming with thousands of girls, making their situation far from ideal.
The series based on Akira Hiramoto’s manga of the same name is rated "R" for nudity, strong language, and violence.
/ 11
Redo of Healer
Based on a light novel written by Rui Tsukiyo and illustrated by Shiokonbu, Redo of Healer is a fantasy anime series with erotic elements.
The story revolves around Keyarga, a skilled healer, who finds himself consistently exploited by his fellow adventurers.
They ridicule Keyarga and dismiss the fighting abilities of healers.
However, after mastering the ultimate healing magic and using it to heal the world, he is granted the opportunity to rewind his life by four years and start anew.
Redo of Healer pushes the limits with its controversial and explicit content. The series includes scenes of sexual violence and strong adult themes.
/ 11
Dorohedoro
Considered one of the weirdest anime on Netflix due to its absurd nature, Dorohedoro is a fabulous watch in the R-rated genre.
Caiman finds himself in a dire predicament, having lost all memories and transformed into a man with a lizard head by a powerful sorcerer.
Residing in the bleak, urban expanse known as Hole, he embarks on a relentless quest to track down the individual accountable for his transformation.
His goal is not only to reclaim his forgotten past but also to restore his lost face by hunting down magic users.
Dorohedoro is a gorefest with extremely dark and violent themes. It is rated "R" for violence and profanity.
ALSO READ: Great Anime Created By Women
/ 11
Akudama Drive
A sci-fi marvel, Akudama Drive falls under the action and cyberpunk genre.
The series is set in a post-apocalyptic Japan where a war started between the regions of Kansai and Kanto.
This war resulted in the division of the country in two. Kansai turned into a vassal state of Kanto and showcased advancement in technology.
Unfortunately, with the fall of the government and the police force, criminals now rule the streets. These criminals are popularly known as Akudama.
Akudama Drive is rated "R" for having intense violence and graphic scenes with mature themes.
/ 11
Baccano!
Baccano! is an action-comedy anime with a non-linear narrative and many unrelated plots that intertwine with each other.
Speakeasies run by mafia, immortal alchemists, and a pulpy blend of absurdity converge to create a world reminiscent of classic cinema.
Baccano! is an R-rated anime due to extreme violence and profanity.
DISCOVER: Action-Filled Anime Like John Wick
/ 11
Deadman Wonderland
In Deadman Wonderland, Ganta Igarashi finds himself wrongly convicted and imprisoned in a cutting-edge, privately owned prison.
Here, inmates are pushed into the spotlight as the main spectacle, reminiscent of the ancient arenas for gladiators.
Amid this backdrop, strange occurrences emerge, including encounters with a mysterious young girl, newfound extraordinary abilities, and a messy web of conspiracy.
Deadman Wonderland is a brilliant series with a fresh and dark story, and the stellar animation just ups the creepiness factor.
/ 11
Black Lagoon
An action and drama anime, Black Lagoon revolves around a businessman named Okajima Rokuro and his typical day, which includes drinking sessions with clients and being bombarded with work from bosses.
He catches a break when his company sends him to Eastern China's tropical seas to deliver a disc, but his boat is hijacked by mercenaries.
Rock, as he is called by his captors, attracts the attention of the female mercenary named Revy, who takes him hostage, thinking he is valuable.
However, the disc brings more trouble than expected, complicating matters for Rock and the mercenaries.
Black Lagoon is stylish and brutal with trigger-happy characters.
/ 11
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Easily one of the best isekai anime series, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation stands out because of its clever writing, high-quality animation, and deep character development.
The story follows a 34-year-old virgin NEET who finds himself evicted from his home due to financial struggles.
As he grapples with regret over his past choices, a fatal traffic accident abruptly ends his life.
Surprisingly, he awakens in a world brimming with swords and sorcery, reincarnated as an infant.
Determined to make use of this second chance, he vows to live without remorse and use the wisdom from his past life.
Throughout his journey of honing magical abilities, he encounters a young girl who serves as his magic mentor and a beautiful quarter-elf.
/ 11
Akira
A 1988 cult-classic anime movie, Akira is top-notch storytelling with memorable characters.
A nuclear bomb detonated in 1988 devastated Tokyo, leading to the Third World War and a transformed world.
Cut to 2019, a government project researching the paranormal Akira power made a significant breakthrough, with eerie parallels to its 1988 origins.
A young delinquent biker becomes infused with this power, setting off a complex chain of events.
As various factions with different goals race to intercept Tetsuo, the fate of humanity hangs in the balance, but what exactly is at stake remains uncertain.
Akira, an R-rated masterpiece, combines violence with a cautionary tale about the corrupting influence of power on humanity, offering a thought-provoking message for generations to ponder.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Best Sci-Fi Anime to Watch
/ 11
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is a quirky zombie apocalypse anime that breathes new life into the zombie genre.
For the protagonist Akira Tendou, escaping a zombie apocalypse is much better than braving the monotony of wage slavery.
After enduring years of toiling for a soul-crushing corporation, Akira finds his existence devoid of joy.
His apartment is a cesspool of filth, his paycheck meager, and he lacks the courage to confess his feelings to a colleague.
As a zombie outbreak consumes the city, Akira begins to seize life on his terms.
Now, he embarks on a quest to finish the 100 things on his bucket list before time runs out.
/ 11
Berserk
Kentaro Miura’s legendary work, Berserk, is a twisted masterpiece that has endured the test of time.
Guts, self-proclaimed as The Black Swordsman, reflects on his past as a member of the mercenary group, the Band of the Hawk, known as the Grim Reaper of the Battlefield.
Under the leadership of the ambitious and cunning Griffith, they fight their way to the royal court. The events that follow alter their lives forever.
Berserk has rightfully earned the "R" rating because it is gory, intense, and terrifyingly dark.
This Article's Topics
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!
Anime
Have an opinion on this article? We'd love to hear it!