Anime is known for its colorful animation andquirky characters. While many anime feature upbeat protagonists and lighthearted humor, there is also a subset of anime that indulges in darker comedy through characters with morbid or sarcastic sensibilities.
Top 10 Dark Humor Anime
Humor is the spice of life, and anime that celebrates dark humor can be incredibly entertaining.
Some of the most popular anime characters have a penchant for deadpan jokes, morbid one-liners, and finding ironic humor in messed-up situations. Though their sense of humor may be an acquired taste, their memorable zingers and no-holds-barred attitude often make them stand out in the casts of their respective shows.
10Souichi Negishi (Detroit Metal City)
Gentle Soul With A Dark Alter-Ego
Detroit Metal City
The humor in Detroit Metal City often comes from the juxtaposition of Negishi’s gentle personality and his wild stagealter-egoand the absurdity of the situations he finds himself in because of this double life.
I don’t have friends. I only have slaves – Johannes Krauser II
As Johannes Krauser II, the leader of the death metal band DMC, Negishi often has to make dark and offensive remarks that are completely out of character for him. These remarks often involve violent, sexual, or generally shocking content, which is part of the band’s shocking and offensive image.
Release Date
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Aug 20, 2025
9Kukuru Anrakutei (Joshiraku)
The Pessimistic Humorist
The humor in the Joshiraku series spans a wide range of styles, from absurdity, wordplay, and puns to cultural references andsatire. Kukuru Anrakutei, one of the main characters, is often portrayed as having a somewhat gloomy and negative personality. She is known for her constant worrying and her tendency to jump to worst-case scenarios.
They (the animators) are working so hard to animate us even though there’s so little to animate! – Kukuru Anrakutei, Episode 1
The humor can also be quite meta, with the characters frequently breaking the fourth wall and making self-referential jokes about the series itself. In addition, the humor in Joshiraku often relies heavily on the understanding of Japanese culture. As a result, some of the humor may be difficult to understand for those unfamiliar with these aspects of Japanese culture.
Jun 05, 2025
8Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler)
The Perfect Butler With A Dark Twist
Black Butler
Black Butler often incorporates elements of dark humor, especially in the way it juxtaposes the grim and often horrifying tasks Sebastian carries out with his unflappable demeanor and commitment to being the perfect butler.
I am one hell of a butler, but please try not to make a mess. Blood is so terribly difficult to clean up – Sebastian Michaelis
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Sebastian’s calm andcomposed demeanor, even while facing or executing violent or morally dubious tasks, contributes to the series' dark humor. He often makes light or dismissive comments during these situations, and there’s a certain irony in the way he manages to balance his demonic nature with the duties of being a butler.
Aug 22, 2025
Funimation
7Kiyoshi Fujino (Prison School)
Humor In Survival
Prison School
Prison School is set in Hachimitsu Academy, once an all-girls school that recently started admitting boys. However, the boys find themselves vastly outnumbered and end up falling into a trap that leads to their imprisonment by the Underground Student Council.
If my escape plan reaches them, I will have another offense on my record, and my sentence will be extended for another month – Kiyoshi Fujino
As one of the main characters and among the five boys who are imprisoned, Kiyoshi often finds himself in ridiculous and embarrassing situations. His reactions, plans to break out of the prison, and interactions with other characters often involve elements of dark humor, particularly when he faces the harsh and absurd punishments from the Underground Student Council.
Jul 12, 2025
Crunchyroll
6Beatrice (Re: Zero)
Sharp-Witted Guardian Of The Forbidden Library
Beatrice is amagical contract spiritwho guards the forbidden library in Roswaal’s mansion inRe: Zero. She is known for her somewhat standoffish and blunt demeanor, and she often engages in sarcastic banter with the protagonist, Subaru Natsuki.
I suppose you’re here to bother me again, in fact, I can’t imagine what else you’re good for – Beatrice
Her humor tends to be more sarcastic and dry, taking the form of teasing or sharp retorts. Beatrice’s personality is more reflective of a tsundere archetype, showing a tougher exterior but occasionally revealing a softer, more caring side. So, even though initially Beatrice pushes everyone away through her taunting remarks, she eventually opens up with people who are worth her time.
Jun 20, 2025
5Juuzou Suzuya (Tokyo Ghoul)
Unnerving Casualty In A Violent World
Tokyo Ghoul
Juuzou Suzuya is a prominent character in theTokyo Ghoulseries. He is known for his unique personality, which includes a certain level of eccentricity and anonchalant attitude towards violenceand gore due to his traumatic upbringing.
Now then, shall we play a game of chef? I’ll be the chef, and you’re the pig – Juuzou Suzuya
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His reactions can be interpreted as disturbingly humorous due to his behavior, but this is more due to his unique perspective on the world, born from histragic past. That said, Tokyo Ghoul does have its dark moments and serious themes, but it doesn’t typically employ dark humor as a major aspect of its storytelling or character development.
June 28, 2025
4Hachiman Hikigaya (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU)
Cynical Observer In A World Of Rose-Tinted Glasses
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU
Hachiman Hikigaya’s humor often comes from his self-deprecating attitude and his critical observations about social norms and expectations. He usually uses this humor as a defense mechanism to distance himself from others. While he may not necessarily crack dark jokes in the traditional sense, his commentary and internalmonologueoften contain a certain level of cynicism and biting sarcasm that could be seen as a form of dark humor.
Hard work betrays none, but dreams betray many – Hachiman Hikigaya
Hachiman’s dark or cynical humor is one aspect of his character that helps to highlight his growth and development over the course of the series. As he begins to open up to others and become more involved in his relationships, his outlook on life and his sense of humor also evolve.
July 24, 2025
3Tatsuhiro Satou (Welcome To The NHK)
Alchemist Of Despair And Laughter
Welcome to the N.H.K.
Welcome to the NHK is a dark comedy that deals with serious and often sensitive topics such as social anxiety,depression, loneliness, and the state of being a hikikomori (a Japanese term for those who withdraw from society and live in isolation). The series is known for its dark, satirical take on these issues, which is where much of the series' humor comes from.
Being alone is best. That’s why I shut myself away in my six-mat one-room apartment – Tatsuhiro Satou
Satou, the main character, is portrayed as a socially anxious hikikomori who often has a pessimistic outlook on life, and his thoughts and reactions to the situations he finds himself in can certainly be interpreted as a kind of dark humor. However, the humor is often used as a means to cope with his circumstances and to highlight the absurdity of his own fears and anxieties.
Jul 20, 2025
2Dazai Osamu (Bungou Stray Dogs)
The Suicidal Satirist
Bungou Stray Dogs
Osamu Dazai is portrayed as a complex and somewhat eccentric character. He is known for his dramatic, often humorous behavior. While his sense of humor isn’t traditionally dark in the sense of being morbid or cynical, he does have a unique, often irreverent sense of humor that can sometimes come across as dark.
Would you like to commit a double suicide with me? - Osamu Dazai, Episode 3
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For example, Dazai’s continual joking attempts at “double suicide” are a recurring theme in the series. He often casually suggests it to various characters in seemingly inappropriate situations, which can be seen as a form of dark humor.
Aug 01, 2025
1Gintoki Sakata (Gintama)
Comedian Of The Samurai World
The humor in Gintama is often characterized by its irreverence, absurdity, and frequent use of parody and satire. It makes fun of everything from everyday life situations to pop culture,politics, and even the conventions and clichés found in anime and manga themselves.
Your name is already on the Death Note – Gintoki to Taizo Hasegawa, Episode 136
There are times when the humor is light and goofy, but there are also moments when it veers into darker or more cynical territory. Gintoki is the embodiment of dark humor in anime. He’s known for his lackadaisical attitude and his ability to turn even the most serious situations into comedic moments, often with a dark or sarcastic twist.
