Summary
Aggretsuko uses heavy metals as a coping mechanism for stress in the anthropomorphic animal world. (120 characters) Darwin’s Game mixes elements of survival games with psychopathic characters, creating a strange and terrifying cartoon. (118 characters) Evangelion features giant robots with monstrous characteristics, normalizing strangeness through themes and character development. (126 characters)
When considering the weirdest anime on Netflix, a platform famous for producing many original series, many lesser recognized anime have come into existence to showcase their unique flair. Additionally, among series not marked as Netflix Originals, sales are expected to be high, with a lot of anime disappearing from the platform as soon as the hype has died down or feeling like they are review.
Furthermore, to classify something as “weird” requires tact and an open mind. Although the word often has a negative connotation, in its modern sense it is used to describe a sense of absurdity or the breaking of some kind of pattern. In the case of discussing the strangest anime series, it is necessary to consider both the shock value it offers as a stylistic singularity in the media, as well as its ability to attract audiences , because series that are weird just to be weird can be created by anyone.
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An original animation directed by Rarecho
The Aggretsuko series, also known as Aggressive Retsuko, is an original series influenced by the Sanrio Franchise. The story follows a company red panda named Retsuko in her daily life and worries about the people she works with, all of whom are human-like animals.
While the premise of the Aggretsuko universe and its heavy anthropomorphism isn’t the only one like it in existence, the series was one of the first to popularize the idea. Besides the absurdity that comes with the society Retsuko lives in, the truly unique aspect of the anime is Her stress coping mechanism: heavy metal scream sessions.
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9 Darwin’s game is survival among psychopaths
Based on the manga by FLIPFLOPs
Darwin’s game begins as one A blend of survival game features and the supernatural qualities of high school lifebut the anime gradually shows a weirder side when main character Sudou Kaname is thrown into the main game of the series.
Despite his first terrifying interaction with Darwin’s Game, Kaname dismissed the experience as a hallucination and reopened the game, but was unsurprisingly punished. Enter masked murderers, muscular psychopaths and even a high school teacher’s knife-wielding panda mascot. Against these enemies, Kaname faces a game of survival, but never expected it to be as strange and scary as the real thing.
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8 Neon Genesis Evangelion Normalizes weirdness in Mecha
An original film directed by Anno Hideaki
Considering Evangelion as a whole, “weird” is not the first thought that comes to mind, as these qualities are overshadowed by Great action, character development and psychological puzzles present throughout the series. Breaking down the details, however, Evangelion depicts children controlling giant robots called EVAs, which grow to exhibit monstrous biological traits and personalities. The series normalizes this strangeness through a heavy and often confusing focus on its themes.
Notably, all the strangeness of the film appears in the last two episodes. For a variety of reasons that have little to do with the actual plot of the series, the final two episodes of Evangelion are a journey into Shinji’s mind and an exploration of his soul. This leads to a philosophical and abstract ending that leaves many fans wondering what is literal and what is metaphorical.
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7 Saiki K will make you laugh out loud
Based on the manga by Asou Shuuichi
At first glance, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K might just show off the strangeness of hair color, which has long since ceased to be a rarity in anime. However, through the premise of the series and the main character, Saiki’s unusual psychological condition, Saiki K often creates strange and unexpected things that make everyone laugh.
Saiki’s main goal is to live a normal life, but this clashes with every interaction he has, creating absurd and hilarious scenes involving talking cats, cockroach battles, and more. Creepy, industrial-grade X-ray vision, perverted ghosts, etc
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6 Dorohedoro is chaos
Based on the manga by Hayashida Q
Dorohedoro is an underrated original anime set in a place called Hole, a district where crime and chaos run rampant, and law and order have no place to be considered. In such a setting, the main character, Kaimen, is a man more reptilian than human, who hunts down magic users who threaten the people of Hole.
Just by its premise, Dorohedoro has no shortage of ammunition for the strange and the absurd, as Kaimen interact with humans as well as human companions in a limitless environment. As a result, the series’ mix of unique characters and storylines that range from gory to humorous, create an enchantingly eerie atmosphere.
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5 JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is exactly what it sounds like
Based on the manga by Araki Hirohiko
First airing in 2012, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure follows the Jostar family, who possess supernatural powers and fight evil for generations. True to its name, this series is a bizarre series that not only introduces frequent unexpected twists but also creates characters that truly embody strangeness.
From the quirky yet drop-dead trendy character designs to the silly historical references, the story of Jojo’s never has a dull moment. Furthermore, the anime structures its seasons uniquely, separating the story into parts and following the respective Jostar family members and their enemies. From this style, the anime allows each new season to have a fresh, impressive punch.
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4 Thermae Romae Novae is an anomaly in the bathroom
Based on the manga by Yamazaki Mari
With a vague title like Bathrooms of New Rome, This anime sets up one of the most outrageous stories to ever exist, while remaining true to its ancient-sounding name. The series follows an architect from ancient Rome named Lucius Modestus, as he explores the wonders of Japanese culture, especially bathhouses.
This anime is for all the steampunks, bathers, and idea seekers, as even Lucius himself is looking for inspiration throughout the story. Although the premise of the series is something never seen before, the setting and movement throughout the show’s plot is smooth and quite laid back, an interesting variation on the chaos often seen in anime. other “strange”.
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3 Kakegurui takes high-stakes realism to its limits
Based on the manga by Naomura Tooru and Kawamoto Homura
Kakegurui is an anime famous for its exaggerated depiction of gambling, pushing the idea of highly decisive psychological warfare to its maximum. The film focuses on Jabami Yumeko, a new transfer student to a school with a scary stomach. Although Hyakkaou Private Academy is a posh prep school by day, the power-hungry, manipulative students come out at night.
However, what is unreasonable is that these nightly gambling behaviors are allowed by the school under the guise of promoting financial and human management abilities. Yumeko rushes into the ultimate absurdity with just her personality, as she comes only looking for the thrill of the bet.
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2 Mononoke is chaos on canvas
An original film directed by Nakamura Kenji
Mononoke is an anime that walks on psychedelic water in an art style, the animation style and story construction, culminates in an explosion of strangeness. The story of Mononoke follows an unnamed man known as “The Medicine Seller,” as he travels through feudal Japan to exorcise a spirit named Mononoke.
While this premise is almost overused in anime, Mononoke creates an extremely sophisticated story that uses unique forms of exorcism as well as a painting-like art and animation style. In addition to splashes of vibrant color, The Apothecary also delves into strangeness through his battles of wits and deep analysis with Mononoke.
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1 Devilman Crybaby is a cinematic work expressing debauchery
Based on Nagai Go’s Devilman
The Devilman Crybaby anime is a fascinating depiction of demonic transformation and descent into decadence, as this is a grotesque and visceral tale of a boy with a conflicted heart. The short original series follows protagonist Fudou Akira, who falls into the world of evil to save his friend Asuka Ryou after being dragged to a party lacking a sense of morality. As a result, the two embark on a new demon-fighting adventure where anything they encounter can range from a traditional beast with horns to a collection of flesh resembling reproductive organs. .
Finally, aside from the terrible enemies, even the way the characters run in Devilman is laughably strange. Series director Masaaki Yuasa is known for his unique animation and sensitive storytelling, elements that pair perfectly with Go Nagai’s already established story. The result is something truly special and captivating Devilman Crybaby is the strangest anime on Netflix.
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