The Best Cute but Dark Anime Fans Shouldn't Miss

cute but dark anime made in abyss
Credit: ©Akihito Tsukushi/Takeshobo/Made in Abyss “The Golden Land of Retsu” Production Committee


cute but dark anime made in abyss
Credit: ©Akihito Tsukushi/Takeshobo/Made in Abyss “The Golden Land of Retsu” Production Committee

Everything is possible in anime, and nothing surprises us anymore, at least for the most part. We now understand that just because an anime features cute characters does not imply that the show is also cute. That said, here are the best cute but dark anime fans shouldn’t miss.

  1. Kotaro Lives Alone

    Just by looking at the title, you can tell that Kotaro Lives Alone has a dark side buried behind its charming main protagonist.

    Kotaro Lives Alone follows a four-year-old protagonist named Kotaro, who decides to live alone in an apartment where he meets his next-door neighbor, Shin Karino.

    At such a young age, Kotaro understands grownup problems and why they behave differently toward him.

    He has a mature style of relating to others as if an elderly guy has taken over his brain from one episode to another.

    Kotaro may be cute, but beyond this side of him, his life story is sad and depressing.

  2. Train to the End of the World

    Train to the End of the World is s surprising anime in the spring 2024 season. It features cute middle school girls on a mission to see their long-lost friend amidst the chaos brought upon by a technological crisis.

    However, don’t be fooled by the presence of the wide-eyed characters. As the plot unfolds, the characters are at risk of turning into animals, mushroom heads, and so on.

    The more the girls attempt to find their missing friend, the more bizarre incidents they experience.

  3. The Promised Neverland

    The first episode of The Promised Neverland will always be remembered for its shocking ending. When it was initially released, it stunned the whole anime community, particularly those who didn't read the manga.

    The Promised Neverland begins pleasant and wholesome, with all of the children running around, playing, and doing their own thing in what appears to be a perfectly safe environment.

    They have their own "Mama," who looks after them and showers them with care as well.

    However, the anime has an unsettling atmosphere that makes viewers fearful and anxious for the protagonists. True enough, the characters are all unsafe.

  4. Delicious in Dungeon

    Who would have imagined that a gourmet anime series would become dark?

    Delicious in Dungeon features cute characters eating tasty monster cuisine, but there's more to it than meets the eye.

    It's not all fun and games for the characters, as they must explore the bizarre dungeon controlled by the mad sorcerer.

    At first, Delicious in Dungeon humors viewers with the characters' funny antics, but as the plot unfolds, the darker it becomes.

  5. Made in Abyss

    This list will not be complete without Made in Abyss, which fans generally consider an incredibly cute but dark anime with lots of violence and abuse.

    It looks like a child-friendly anime at a glance, thanks to the character designs of the protagonists, but it’s inappropriate for young children to watch.

    Even adult anime viewers were having a hard time watching the anime, so be warned.

    Made in Abyss revolves around Reg and Riko’s adventures in the abyss, a gaping chasm full of dangerous vegetation, monsters, and strange occurrences.

Do you have any cute but dark anime recommendations? Let us know in the comments below and follow us on Facebook for all the latest anime news!

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