Animes with the best Nocturne visuals
In anime, “Nocturne visuals” might be described as animations that contain heavy use of night scenes, neon lights, shadows, and a dreamlike or melancholic tone which might set on a mood that feels introspective, serene, or mysterious. Here is a list of the best animes with nocturne visuals that you could watch in your pre-sleep entertainment session.
đŚ Call of the Night
Call of the Night (Yofukashi no Uta) is a stylish and atmospheric anime that blends supernatural romance with introspective coming-of-age themes. Adapted from Kotoyamaâs manga, the series follows Kou Yamori, a disenchanted teenager who wanders the city at night and meets Nazuna Nanakusa, a mysterious and playful vampire.
đ What Makes It Stand Out:
- Visuals & Atmosphere: The anime captures a dreamy, neon-lit nocturnal aesthetic, with striking color palettes and mood-driven cinematography that evoke a surreal, almost hypnotic feelingâperfectly complementing the “nocturne” vibe.
- Themes: It explores loneliness, identity, and emotional disconnection in modern youth, all wrapped in a vampire romance thatâs more philosophical than action-packed.
- Tone: Relaxed, slow-burning, and often introspectiveâmore about vibes and mood than dramatic plot twists.
Verdict:
If you enjoy anime like Monogatari, Durarara!!, or FLCL, and you’re into late-night musings, urban exploration, and a unique take on vampires, Call of the Night is worth watching. Itâs not for adrenaline junkies, but if you love a beautiful, mellow, and stylish nightscape with meaningful undertones, it delivers
Rating: 8.5/10 â for mood, visuals, and subtle character work.
đ Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a gritty, emotional, and visually explosive anime set in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe. Produced by Studio Trigger and directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi, it tells the story of David Martinez, a street kid who dives headfirst into the violent world of edgerunnersâmercenaries in a dystopian, tech-obsessed future.
đ What Makes It Stand Out:
- Visuals & Animation: Triggerâs trademark hyper-stylized animation shines here, blending chaotic action with sleek cyberpunk aesthetics. Neon-drenched cityscapes, chrome enhancements, and visceral fight scenes create a rich, immersive world.
- Story & Emotion: Though itâs packed with action, the heart of the anime lies in its tragic narrative. Davidâs descent mirrors the cost of ambition and survival in a world where humanity is constantly eroded by technology.
- Soundtrack: The music is phenomenalâespecially the opening âThis Fffireâ by Franz Ferdinand and the haunting âI Really Want to Stay at Your Houseâ, which emotionally anchors the series.
Verdict:
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a raw and emotionally heavy rideâshort (10 episodes) but powerful. It balances high-octane violence with surprisingly deep character arcs and social commentary on transhumanism, capitalism, and loss.
Rating: 9/10 â for its emotional impact, killer visuals, and tight storytelling. A must-watch for fans of cyberpunk, even if you havenât played the game.
đ§ Psycho-Pass
Psycho-Pass is a dark, intelligent sci-fi thriller set in a dystopian future where the government uses the Sibyl Systemâan all-powerful AIâto measure peopleâs mental states and predict criminal behavior. If your âPsycho-Passâ shows a high Crime Coefficient, youâre labeled a threatâguilty before doing anything wrong.
đ What Makes It Stand Out:
- Philosophical Depth: It explores themes of free will, justice, and surveillance society, with heavy inspiration from Blade Runner, Minority Report, and Orwellian dystopias.
- Characters: The moral clash between Inspector Akane Tsunemori, an idealist, and Enforcer Shinya Kogami, a former detective turned latent criminal, drives much of the tension. Their dynamic is layered and thought-provoking.
- Writing & Tone: Itâs cerebral and mature, often quoting philosophers like Foucault and Nietzsche. The pacing can be slow at times, but it builds toward major ethical dilemmas and mind-bending reveals.
Verdict:
Psycho-Pass is a must-watch for fans of cyberpunk, psychological thrillers, and moral ambiguity. Itâs more of a thinker than a thrill ride, but it has moments of intense action and chilling insight into authoritarianism.
Rating: 9/10 â for its world-building, sharp writing, and moral complexity. The first season is especially strong.
đ§ Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo Ghoul is a dark fantasy horror anime that dives into the brutal coexistence of humans and flesh-eating creatures called Ghouls. The story follows Kaneki Ken, a shy bookworm who becomes a half-ghoul after a deadly encounter and is forced to live between two worldsâneither fully human nor ghoul.
đ What Makes It Stand Out:
- Themes: Identity, morality, and the struggle between monster and humanity are at the core. Kanekiâs transformation is both physical and psychological, exploring trauma, loneliness, and acceptance.
- Violence & Atmosphere: The series is grim, bloody, and emotionally heavy, with intense battles and haunting visuals. The art style captures a gothic, almost melancholic vibe.
- Character Development: Kaneki’s evolution from a timid boy to a tormented anti-hero is compelling, though later seasons rush his arc.
The Catch:
- Adaptation Issues: While Season 1 is well-received for its pacing and tone, later seasons (âA, :re) deviate from the manga and are often criticized for rushed plots and inconsistent storytelling. Thus, you could also give the manga a try after the anime.
Verdict:
Tokyo Ghoul starts strong with gripping emotional weight and striking visuals but loses narrative cohesion in later seasons. Still, itâs a cult favorite for fans of tragic protagonists and dark, violent worlds.
Rating: 7.5/10 â excellent concept and emotion early on, but the adaptation stumbles. Recommended if you enjoy psychological horror with a tragic edge.
đ§ Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Directed by Mamoru Oshii, this film is a philosophical and atmospheric masterpiece. It follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cybernetic government agent hunting a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master.
đ What Makes It Stand Out:
- Themes: Identity, consciousness, and the soul (“ghost”) in the age of machines.
- Visuals & Mood: Bleak, beautiful, and meditative, with haunting cityscapes and fluid animation.
- Tone: Slow, cerebral, and heavy on existential dialogue. Less action, more introspection.
Rating: 9/10 â iconic, thought-provoking, and visually stunning. A must-see for fans of Blade Runner-style sci-fi.
đŤ Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (SAC)
A TV series that expands the world and characters, giving more time to explore political intrigue, cyber-crime, and deeper character development.
đ What Makes It Stand Out:
- Structure: Mixes standalone detective cases with overarching plotlines (especially the âLaughing Manâ arc).
- Themes: Still philosophical but with more action, team dynamics, and complex cyberpolitics.
- Major’s Personality: More humanized and fleshed out compared to the enigmatic figure in the film.
Rating: 9.5/10 â brilliant balance of smart storytelling and action. SAC is more accessible and layered, making it the definitive Ghost in the Shell experience for many.
Verdict:
If you want pure mood and deep philosophy, start with the 1995 film. If you’re after rich world-building and sharp storytelling, go for SAC. Both are genre-defining classics in cyberpunk anime with unique and stunning visuals.
đŠ¸Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000) is a gothic action-fantasy anime film directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, based on the novels by Hideyuki Kikuchi. It follows D, a stoic half-vampire âDhampirâ who hunts supernatural creatures across a desolate, post-apocalyptic future.
đ What Makes It Stand Out:
- Visuals: Gorgeously hand-drawn, with haunting gothic architecture, moody landscapes, and fluid, stylish action scenes. The art direction blends Western horror and anime fantasy in a unique way.
- Atmosphere: Itâs soaked in melancholia and elegance, with a strong sense of tragic romance and loneliness.
- D’s Character: The silent, tragic anti-hero is compellingâa blend of vampire myth and gunslinger mystique, accompanied by his snarky, symbiotic talking hand.
- Story: A vampire abducts a human woman, but its not always as it seems. The film blends action, mystery, and surprisingly emotional moments.
Verdict:
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust is a visually rich and emotionally resonant gothic tale. Itâs a slow burn at times, but the payoff lies in its style, world-building, and the haunting tone it maintains throughout.
Rating: 8.5/10 â for its timeless animation, elegant atmosphere, and iconic protagonist. A cult classic for fans of dark fantasy and vampire lore.
đľď¸ Darker than Black
Darker than Black is a noir-infused sci-fi action anime directed by Tensai Okamura. Set in a world where mysterious areas called Hellâs Gate and Heavenâs Gate have appeared, it follows Contractorsâpeople with supernatural powers who must pay a strange “price” every time they use them. The story centers on Hei, a masked assassin known as the âBlack Reaper.â
đ What Makes It Stand Out:
- World-Building: The setting is gritty and complex, with espionage, secret organizations, and moral ambiguity. The powers have limits and costs, adding a fresh twist to the usual superpower formula.
- Tone: Stylish and somber, mixing sci-fi mystery with detective drama. It has that urban-nocturne feelâneon-lit nights, rain-soaked streets, and hidden agendas.
- Hei: A compelling protagonistâcold and efficient in combat, but with a buried humanity that slowly unravels. Think Batman meets Spike Spiegel.
- Themes: Identity, emotion vs logic, and the cost of power are woven into the plot and characters.
Verdict:
Darker than Black is a stylish, brooding, and intelligent anime that blends supernatural action with spy-thriller intrigue. While not perfect, itâs memorable for its unique power system and morally complex world.
Rating: 8/10 â sharp, mysterious, and emotionally layered. Great for fans of Ergo Proxy, Psycho-Pass, or Cowboy Bebop with a darker twist.
đŚ Shiki
Shiki is a slow-burning horror anime that flips the vampire genre on its head. Set in a quiet rural village called Sotoba, the story begins with mysterious deaths spreading through the town, eventually revealing a sinister supernatural cause: the rise of the Shikiâvampire-like beings who prey on the living.
đ What Makes It Stand Out:
- Atmosphere: Claustrophobic, eerie, and relentlessly grim. The isolated village, oppressive summer heat, and creeping dread build a heavy sense of paranoia and helplessness.
- Themes: Morality, humanity, and the cycle of life and death. Shiki questions who the real monsters areâthe undead trying to survive, or the humans fighting to kill them?
- Characters: The cast is large and morally complex. No one is purely good or evil. Central figures like Dr. Toshio Ozaki and Natsuno Yuuki undergo radical transformations as they face ethical dilemmas and psychological collapse.
- Visuals: Unusual and stylized character designs, with haunting imagery and vibrant contrasts between beauty and horror.
The Catch:
- Pacing: Itâs deliberately slow in the first half, which may deter some viewersâbut the payoff is worth it. The second half is emotionally and psychologically brutal.
Verdict:
Shiki is a thoughtful, tragic, and deeply unsettling horror story that lingers long after it ends. Itâs less about jump scares and more about dread, decay, and what it means to be human.
Rating: 8/10 â for its haunting tone, philosophical depth, and emotional intensity. A hidden gem for fans of mature, psychological horror.
đď¸ Akira
Akira (1988), directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, is a landmark anime film that helped define the cyberpunk genre and introduced global audiences to mature, high-concept Japanese animation. Set in a post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo, it follows Kaneda, a biker gang leader, whose friend Tetsuo gains dangerous psychic powers after a government experimentâunleashing chaos and triggering echoes of a mysterious force known as Akira.
đ What Makes It Stand Out:
- Animation: Hand-drawn and visually stunning, especially for its time. The fluid motion, detailed cityscapes, and explosive action sequences are still breathtaking today.
- World-Building: Neo-Tokyo is a gritty, vibrant, and anarchic urban sprawl that feels aliveâfull of political unrest, military secrets, and existential dread.
- Themes: Power, identity, corruption, and the fragility of human control over technology and evolution. Tetsuoâs descent is a powerful metaphor for unchecked ego and trauma.
- Sound & Style: The experimental score, body horror elements, and surreal visuals give it a raw, unforgettable edge.
The Catch:
- The story can feel abstract or overwhelming, especially since it compresses a massive manga into a two-hour film. Not all plot points are fully explainedâbut the spectacle and themes still hit hard.
Verdict:
Akira is a visually and thematically groundbreaking anime that helped shape sci-fi storytelling in both East and West. A must-watch for fans of dystopian futures, cyberpunk, and animation history.
Rating: 9/10 â a cinematic milestone, thrilling and thought-provoking even decades later.
đ Cyber City Oedo 808:
Cyber City Oedo 808 is a cult classic 3-episode cyberpunk OVA from 1990, set in a futuristic version of Oedo (Tokyo) in the year 2808. It follows three hardened criminalsâSengoku, Gogul, and Bentenâwho are offered reduced sentences in exchange for working dangerous jobs for the police, hunting down cybercriminals and rogue AI.
đ What Makes It Stand Out:
- Aesthetic & Style: Dripping with raw, retro cyberpunk flairâneon lights, chunky tech, dystopian architecture, and slick â90s character designs. Itâs loud, gritty, and full of attitude.
- Characters: Each of the three leads has a distinct personalityâSengokuâs hot-headed, Gogulâs a tech brute, and Bentenâs a cool, androgynous sharpshooter. They feel like anti-heroes in a dirty system.
- Action & Violence: Fast-paced, violent, and occasionally gruesome, with brutal fights and dramatic stakes.
- Soundtrack: The English dub version features a badass synth-metal soundtrack that elevated its cult status, especially in the West.
The Catch:
- Short Length: At only 3 episodes, it feels more like a stylish sampler than a full story. It hints at a larger world that never fully unfolds.
Verdict:
Cyber City Oedo 808 is pure retro-cyberpunk energyâgritty, cool, and unapologetically â90s. Itâs not deep, but it’s unforgettable if you’re into hard-edged sci-fi with attitude.
Rating: 8/10 â a short, stylish blast of cyberpunk noir. Perfect for fans of Blade Runner, AD Police, or Genocyber.
đ Boogiepop Phantom
Boogiepop Phantom (2000) is a cerebral, psychological horror anime that explores trauma, memory, and identity through a fragmented, nonlinear narrative. Set in a city shaken by mysterious disappearances and strange phenomena, it revolves around the urban legend of Boogiepop, a ghostly figure said to appear when death is near.
đ What Makes It Stand Out:
- Narrative Structure: Nonlinear and puzzle-like. Events are shown from multiple perspectives across different episodes, gradually revealing how the characters and supernatural occurrences connect.
- Themes: Alienation, adolescence, and the hidden darkness in ordinary lives. It dives deep into the psychological and emotional struggles of its cast.
- Atmosphere: Haunting and surreal. The washed-out color palette, eerie sound design, and cryptic tone create a feeling of disorientation and dread.
- Minimalist Horror: More about mood and suggestion than gore or jump scares. Itâs unsettling in a quiet, cerebral way.
The Catch:
- Not for Everyone: It demands close attention. The nonlinear storytelling and abstract symbolism can be confusing if youâre not fully engaged or expecting a straightforward plot.
Verdict:
Boogiepop Phantom is a haunting, experimental anime that rewards patient, thoughtful viewing. It’s more about impression and emotion than resolution. A hidden gem for fans of psychological horror like Serial Experiments Lain or Paranoia Agent.
Rating: 8/10 â challenging but rewarding, with a deeply unsettling tone and layered storytelling
Honorable mentions:
Serial Experiments Lain, Mushishi, Texhnolyze, Ergo Proxy, Paranoia Agent.
People often enjoy anime with nocturne visualsâscenes set at night or in dim, moody lightingâfor a mix of emotional, aesthetic, and psychological response that may bring in a sense of thrill and calmness.
đ Make sure to share your thoughts on your favorite anime from this list in the comments below and let us know if we have missed any anime with great nocturne visuals.
Image credit  LIDENFILMS
