What is Dark Fantasy manga?
Focus set on darker themes in a fantasy setting, sometimes leaning towards horror elements. Bleak and pessimistic tones often dominate. Dark supernatural beings like vampires may play a significant role.
Random Dark Fantasy Manga You might like
Berserk
(Berserk)
8.47
Description:
His name is Guts, the Black Swordsman, a feared warrior spoken of only in whispers. Bearer of a gigantic sword, an iron hand, and the scars of countless battles and tortures, his flesh is also indelibly marked with The Brand, an unholy symbol that draws the forces of darkness to him and dooms him as their sacrifice. But Guts won't take his fate lying down; he'll cut a crimson swath of carnage through the ranks of the damned—and anyone else foolish enough to oppose him! Accompanied by Puck the Elf, more an annoyance than a companion, Guts relentlessly follows a dark, bloodstained path that leads only to death...or vengeance. (Source: Dark Horse) Notes: - Volumes 1-5 contain the 16 prequel chapters 0A - 0P. - Chapter 83 was omitted from Volume 13 due to the author’s request. - Volume 14 includes “Berserk: The Prototype”. - Due to the author's passing, starting from Chapter 365, the manga is illustrated by Studio Gaga (Miura's assistants) and supervised by Kouji Mori (a close friend of Miura's). Type
manga
Volumes
0
Rating
Horror
Status
current
Started
1989-08-25
Claymore
(Claymore)
8.19
Description:
In a world constantly haunted by demonic predators known as "Youma", the everyday life of humans is full of fear and suspicion, as these monsters easily blend into human society to hunt their hapless prey. However, in this world, there is also a mysterious organization, employing half-human, half-Youma warriors to effectively track down and kill the demons. Called "silver eyed witches" or "Claymores" after the huge Claymore swords they carry, these female warriors are eyed with suspicion and distrust by most because of their inhuman powers. But there are many currents flowing in the shadows, from the mysterious machinations of the Claymore "Organization" and the twisted ambitions of the powerful "Abyssal Ones" to the hopes and desires of each Claymore warrior. This story follows the fate of Clare, one of the Claymore operatives as she sails deeper and deeper down the currents of conspiracies and revenge. Note: 4 Extra chapters are included in the chapter count on this page. Type
manga
Volumes
27
Chapters
159
Rating
Horror
Status
finished
Started
2001-05-06
Made in Abyss
(Made in Abyss)
8.26
Description:
The enormous cave system, known as the Abyss, is the only unexplored place in the world. Nobody knows how deep down goes this titanic pit, inhabited by strange and wondrous creatures and full of mysterious ancient relics which purpose in unknown to modern man. Generations of bold adventurers have been drawn by the cryptic depths of the Abyss. In course of time those bold enough to explore the dangerous pit came to be known as "Cave Raiders." In Oosu, the town at the edge of the Abyss, there lives a little orphan named Rico, who dreams of becoming as great a cave raider as her mother was and solving the great mystery of the pit. One day exploring the murky depths she stumbles upon a little boy, who turns out to be a robot... Type
manga
Status
current
Started
2012-10-20
Goblin Slayer
(Goblin Slayer!)
7.85
Description:
A young priestess has formed her first adventuring party, but almost immediately they find themselves in distress. It's the Goblin Slayer who comes to their rescue—a man who's dedicated his life to the extermination of all goblins, by any means necessary. And when rumors of his feats begin to circulate, there's no telling who might come calling next... (Source: Yen Press) Type
manga
Volumes
0
Rating
Status
current
Started
2016-05-25
Totsukuni no Shoujo
(The Girl From the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún)
8.22
Description:
In a world split between the Inside and the Outside, those living in both realms are told never to cross over to the other side, lest they be cursed. A young girl named Shiva lives on the other side, in a vacant village with a demonic guardian known only as “Teacher.” Although the two are forbidden to touch, they seem to share a bond that transcends their disparate appearances. But when Shiva leaves Teacher’s care to seek out her grandmother, the secret behind her mysterious living arrangement comes to light. (Source: Seven Seas Entertainment) Type
manga
Volumes
11
Chapters
53
Status
finished
Started
2015-09-05
Goblin Slayer Gaiden: Year One
(Goblin Slayer Side Story: Year One)
8.04
Description:
Prequel series revealing Goblin Slayer's past and the events which led him to become an adventurer with the one and only purpose of annihilating all goblins from the world. Type
manga
Status
current
Started
2017-09-15
Kemono Jihen
7.82
Description:
Kemono Jihen is about a boy known as Dorota-bou who is avoided by the people who surround him, and Inugami, a detective who specializes in the occult. The story begins with Inugami arriving at the boy's town to investigate a case where many cattle are dying and their bodies rot in just one night. (Source: Manga Tokyo) Type
manga
Status
current
Started
2016-12-02
Goblin Slayer
(Goblin Slayer)
7.87
Description:
A young priestess has formed her first adventuring party, but almost immediately they find themselves in distress. It's the Goblin Slayer who comes to their rescue—a man who's dedicated his life to the extermination of all goblins, by any means necessary. And when rumors of his feats begin to circulate, there's no telling who might come calling next... (Source: Yen Press) Type
novel
Volumes
0
Status
current
Started
2016-02-15
Bibliomania
7.81
Description:
Alice had woken up in Room 431 of a mysterious manor. "You must not leave this room," warned the Serpent, but she paid it no heed and her body began to rot... Will she be able to escape the cursed manor? (Source: MU) Type
manga
Volumes
1
Chapters
12
Rating
Mature
Status
finished
Started
2016-09-05
Goblin Slayer: Brand New Day
(Goblin Slayer: Brand New Day)
7.52
Description:
Goblin Slayer has enjoyed many an adventure, but the people around him have adventures of their own! A new spin-off from the wildly popular Goblin Slayer series following the lives of the many other characters Goblin Slayer and the main cast have encountered throughout their adventures. (Source: Yen Press) Type
manga
Volumes
2
Chapters
12
Rating
Status
finished
Started
2018-05-25
Kuro no Maou
(Black Demon King)
6.83
Description:
Kurono Maou is a high school student who is sensitive of his sharp eyes and bad expression. No girlfriend but gifted with friends in his own way, he had been living a peaceful life. But one day, without any reason, Kurono was attacked by a mysterious headache while in the literature clubroom and fainted. When he finally awoke.......Swords & magic, filled with monsters, an orthodox different world summoning. (Source: MU) Type
manga
Volumes
6
Chapters
30
Rating
Mature
Status
finished
Started
2018-09-24
Boss-yeusseum
(I Was the Final Boss)
7.38
Description:
Baphomet is the ruthless, dispassionate lord of the Abyssal Tower, a mysterious, monster-filled dungeon plaguing the human world. Many Hunters seek to defeat him and bring the tower down to no avail. Despite his demonic power, Baphomet grows curious about humanity. One day, Baphomet is defeated by Raven, the strongest Hunter, and realizes that his true wish is to be just like the humans he previously looked down on. In death, he is granted his wish, as he awakens as a human – without his powers! (Source: WEBTOONS) Type
manhwa
Status
current
Started
2022-11-23
Boroboro no Elf-san wo Shiawase ni Suru Kusuriuri-san
(The Apothecary Will Make This Battered Elf Happy)
7.73
Description:
Story about an injured slave elf is saved by an apothecary. Type
doujin
Chapters
64
Rating
Ecchi
Status
finished
Started
2021-09-01
Mahou Shoujo Tokushusen Asuka
(Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka)
7.49
Description:
Due to the invasion of Disas—enigmatic creatures of soil from the land of the dead—mankind, who was on the verge of crisis, was saved by the efforts of magical girls who had obtained a mysterious magical power... Three years later, new incidents suddenly occur, tearing apart the normalcy of the girls who had each returned to their normal lives. The saviours of humanity, those magical girls called "The Magical Five" now live each day fighting for their lives, even as they are trifled with by fate... (Source: MangaHelpers) Type
manga
Volumes
14
Chapters
62
Rating
Mature
Status
finished
Started
2015-06-25
ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword!
(ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword!)
7.55
Description:
Flum Apricot was never meant to be a hero. Despite zero stats across the board and a power she can’t even use, she somehow finds herself included in a party of heroes. But Flum’s life hits rock bottom when the party’s renowned sage, Jean Inteige, decides that the useless girl is dead weight, and arranges to have her sold into slavery. Tossed to monsters to be feasted upon for her master’s entertainment, Flum makes the desperate choice to reach for a cursed weapon…and something new awakens within her. A grimdark tale about one woman’s blood-soaked quest to reclaim her life! (Source: Seven Seas Entertainment) Type
manga
Rating
Gore
Status
current
Started
2018-12-27
Tomogui Kyoushitsu
(The Friends-Eater Classroom)
6.05
Description:
At Ogasaka High School, students in class 1-A can get involved in an unreasonable game called "Friendly Play." In which one of the conditions of the game eat the bodies of their friends to survive. Cannibal school begins. (Source: MU) Type
manga
Volumes
4
Chapters
39
Rating
Status
finished
Started
2017-09-17
Kuraki Kyuuden no Shisha no Ou
(The King of the Dead at the Dark Palace)
6.95
Description:
...I don't want to die. I want to be free. If a monster is what I have to become to be free, then that is what I will resign myself to. Striking the infected with incessant pain that runs throughout the body, a strange, debilitating, and deadly illness. The life of the boy who had suffered several years with this affliction had come to end with little time for him to despair as he died without an attendant by his side. When he awoke again, he had been made into the lowest ranked undead by an evil necromancer. Though the boy rejoiced at having obtained a body that could not feel pain, he immediately realized that he was still at the mercy of others. There was no large difference between his present situation and being confined in bed. However, the world could not leave the boy alone when he wished to be at peace. With freedom as his goal, what he needed was prudence and power. Occasionally running, fighting, fearful, and hesitant, this is the story of the cowardly King of Undead as he seeks to be free. (Source: MU) Type
manga
Volumes
2
Chapters
13
Rating
Teens 13 or older
Status
finished
Started
2020-01-24
Aka ya Akashi ya Ayakashi no
(Of the Red, the Light and the Ayakashi)
7.68
Description:
Sheltered Yue, born and raised in a Shinto shrine, is forbidden from leaving the shrine grounds he and a number of other curious residents call home. One day, Yue breaks the rules and wanders down the mountain and into a winter festival. As he takes in the sights and sounds of the human gathering, all the people making merry appear in a uniform guise to Yue's eyes--that of black bestial shadows...until he crosses paths with two human boys, Tsubaki and Akiyoshi. Intrigued by their unique, individual appearances, Yue is eager to make friends with them. However, upon his return home, the shrine goddess informs him that he may pursue these friendships...but only in preparation for the "meal"--for which he must select one of his two new friends as the main course! The world of ayakashi--spirits and creatures from Japanese folklore--comes to life in this modern dark fantasy manga adaptation of the hit otome visual novel from HaccaWorks*! (Source: Yen Press) Type
manga
Volumes
10
Chapters
55
Rating
Status
finished
Started
2012-02-15
Samayoeru Tensei-sha-tachi no Revival Game
7.22
Description:
When "Nice Guy" Asai Manatsu's marriage proposal gets rejected, he thinks his day can't get any worse, until a Knight in a Skull helmet tries to kill him! He's saved by a beautiful, silver-haired swords-woman and told to flee, but his nice guy impulses are too strong and he saves her from an attack, getting himself killed in the process. As he dies he wishes to be reborn in a world where people won't judge him for taking care of others. Type
manga
Volumes
4
Chapters
26
Status
finished
Started
2019-04-09
Goblin Slayer Gaiden 2: Tsubanari no Daikatana
(Goblin Slayer Side Story II: Dai Katana)
7.22
Description:
Goblin Slayer Gaiden 2: Tsubanari no Daikatana is a spin-off series of the main Goblin Slayer! light novel. This is the manga adaptation of the light novel. Set 10 years prior to the original series, the story centers around Sword Maiden's party of six adventurers on their journey to the Dungeon of the Dead to kill the Demon Lord. (Source: MU) Type
manga
Status
current
Started
2019-01-01