I've been on a kick lately for really dark, gritty fantasy or even horror anime. I loved shows like Berserk (the manga especially) and Devilman Crybaby. I'm looking for something that isn't afraid to go to dark places, with mature themes and maybe some psychological elements. Any hidden gems?
'Attack on Titan' if you haven't seen it! It gets incredibly dark and deals with so many moral ambiguities. The final season is just... wow.
'Made in Abyss' starts off cute but quickly descends into a truly horrifying and beautiful dark fantasy. It's not horror in the jump-scare sense but the world is brutal. Be warned, it's intense.
Definitely check out 'Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World'. It's an isekai, but it gets super dark and explores psychological torment like few other shows. Subaru goes through a lot.
'Parasyte: The Maxim' is a classic body horror sci-fi with some really dark themes and action. It gets pretty philosophical too. A must-watch if you like mature stories.
For something older but still impactful, 'Monster' is a psychological thriller masterpiece. No fantasy elements, but it's incredibly dark and explores human evil. Takes its time, but so worth it.