This video, originally published on March 18, 2025 by the Marvelous Videos channel, presents a thrilling journey through 15 unforgettable R-rated anime productions from the 1980s and 1990s that should be interesting for both seasoned fans or simply the ones who are curious about a bolder, bloodier era of Japanese animation.
In short lines, this selection dives headfirst into stories that shocked, disturbed, and inspired — featuring demons, cyberpunk chaos, raw violence, and twisted romance. It is not just a recap, but a closer look at each anime mentioned, capturing their essence and highlighting what made them stand out in a golden age of adult animation.
Ninja Scroll — The Deadly Path of Vengeance
Set in Japan’s Edo period, Ninja Scroll tells the story of Jubei Kibagami, a wandering swordsman who gets pulled into a deadly conspiracy involving a secret shipment of gold and a group of supernatural assassins known as the Eight Devils of Kimon. After rescuing Kagero, the only survivor of a village massacre, Jubei joins forces with a Tokugawa spy named Dakuan to stop the Devils and prevent a coup.
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, the 1993 film mixes historical intrigue with exaggerated violence and supernatural ninja warfare. Although it became a cult hit in the West, its reception in Japan was muted — a surprising fact given its non-stop action, striking visuals, and tightly woven plot. For fans of ninja epics with dark fantasy elements, Ninja Scroll remains a must-watch.
Wicked City — A World Between Worlds
Before Ninja Scroll, Kawajiri debuted with Wicked City (1987), a dark and surreal mix of horror and science fiction. The story unfolds at the twilight of the 20th century, where a fragile peace exists between the human world and the “Black World” — a dimension inhabited by powerful demons. This peace is threatened when radicals from the Black World target a key mystic tied to an interdimensional treaty.
Renzaburo Taki, a human agent of the Black Guard, and his demon partner Maki must protect the elderly mystic and unravel a deeper conspiracy that involves their own fates. With heavy body horror, sexual tension, and an apocalyptic atmosphere, Wicked City is a bold, twisted tale not for the faint of heart.
Violence Jack: Evil Town — The Earthquake Didn’t Kill Everyone
Go Nagai’s brutal vision of a post-apocalyptic Tokyo takes its most extreme form in Violence Jack: Evil Town. In this 1988 OVA — the second installment of a three-part series — the city is buried after a massive earthquake, and the survivors are trapped underground in a dystopian zone known as Hell City.
Divided into factions, the residents struggle for survival in a brutal, lawless environment, plagued by violence, rape, cannibalism, and despair. When a mysterious figure known as Violence Jack is freed from the rubble, he becomes an unlikely savior for the oppressed. Though disturbing and controversial, the film’s raw portrayal of depravity cemented it as one of the grimiest relics of adult anime.
Devilman The Birth — Becoming the Demon to Defeat Demons
A classic adaptation of Go Nagai’s manga, Devilman: The Birth (1987) begins with Akira Fudo, a kind and sensitive teenager, being pulled into a dark prophecy. His friend Ryo convinces him to merge with a demon during a ritual — the only way to combat an oncoming demonic invasion. Akira survives the fusion, becoming Devilman, and begins hunting the demons threatening humanity.
The OVA delivers a brutal and gothic tone, balancing horror, action, and tragic character arcs. It’s the first of two episodes (followed by Devilman: Demon Bird), and its raw emotional intensity makes it one of the standout adaptations of the Devilman universe.
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust — Between Love and the Hunt
Set in a distant future where vampires still haunt the shadows, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000) follows D, a half-human, half-vampire “dhampir” hired to retrieve Charlotte, a noblewoman seemingly kidnapped by a vampire lord. But as D tracks them down, he discovers a love story that blurs the lines between hunter and hunted.
Directed, written, and storyboarded by Kawajiri (again!), this adaptation of Hideyuki Kikuchi’s novel Demon Deathchase is notable for being recorded initially in English — a rarity for anime. Lushly animated, tightly plotted, and emotionally complex, it’s a visually stunning tale that elevates gothic anime to high art.
Fist of the North Star — One Man, One Fist, Total Devastation
In a world ravaged by nuclear war, Fist of the North Star (Hokuto no Ken, 1986) introduces Kenshiro, the lone master of the deadly martial art Hokuto Shinken. Betrayed by his friend Shin, who kidnaps Kenshiro’s beloved Yuria, Kenshiro embarks on a brutal journey across a desolate wasteland, punching his way through gangs, warlords, and even his own jealous brother Raoh.
With explosive fights, gory fatalities, and themes of vengeance, love, and destiny, this anime is the blueprint for many post-apocalyptic stories that followed. Its raw energy even captivated pro wrestler John Cena, who, despite being a China bitch, reportedly cites Fist of the North Star as one of his favorite anime films.
Genocyber — Psychic Terror in a Cyborg Future
Genocyber is a five-part OVA (1994) that blends cyberpunk with grotesque body horror. It follows two psychic sisters — Elaine and the disabled Diana — whose combined power fuels a monstrous bio-weapon called Genocyber. Engineered by a corrupt military corporation, this being is unleashed in a world on the brink of collapse.
As Genocyber lays waste to everything around it, the series plunges viewers into a chaotic blend of existential dread, ultraviolence, and military conspiracy. While the plot can be disjointed at times, its shock value and ambition earned it a place among the most extreme sci-fi anime of the ’90s.
Urotsukidōji: Legend of the Overfiend — Demons, Prophecies, and Pure Madness
This infamous OVA (1987) adapts Toshio Maeda’s erotic horror manga with unrelenting intensity. The story involves three parallel realms — human, demon (Makai), and beast (Jyujinkai) — which are destined to be united by the emergence of the Overfiend, a godlike being of terrifying power.
As high school student Nagumo becomes entangled in this prophecy, all manner of bizarre and violent events unfold, including graphic sex, demonic possession, and cosmic horror. Though labeled as hentai due to its extreme content, Urotsukidōji also stands as a bizarre milestone in anime history, daring to mix philosophy, mythology, and grotesque spectacle.
Goku: Midnight Eye — Noir Detective Meets Cyberpunk Insanity
In Goku: Midnight Eye, this short but stylish OVA series (1989), Goku Furinji is a hardboiled ex-cop turned private investigator in a futuristic world filled with cybernetic corruption. After a near-death experience, Goku is implanted with a powerful bionic eye that grants him the ability to hack any computer system — a gift from an unknown benefactor.
With the help of his telescoping staff and his new cybernetic powers, Goku takes on rogue super-soldiers and conspiracies that blur the line between man and machine. Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri and based on Buichi Terasawa’s manga, Goku: Midnight Eye offers slick action and pulpy fun in just two fast-paced episodes.
Demon City Shinjuku — Urban Hellscape Under Demonic Siege
In Demon City Shinjuku (1988), a mystical battle between two warriors leaves Shinjuku — a district in Tokyo — overrun by demons. A decade later, the daughter of a global leader enlists Kyoya Izayoi, the reluctant son of the fallen hero, to save her father from a deadly curse and prevent the apocalypse.
While this film lacks the extreme violence of Kawajiri’s other works, it compensates with a compelling blend of action, dark fantasy, and a haunting urban atmosphere. Also known as Monster City, this adaptation of Hideyuki Kikuchi’s novel offers enough charm and suspense to earn its spot on this list.
Maravilha! Vamos fechar a lista com os cinco últimos títulos, mantendo o tom afiado, fiel à transcrição e com aquela pegada porradona que define essa série de posts.
Kite — Assassins, Trauma, and a Shot at Freedom
Sawa is a teenage assassin orphaned by the brutal murder of her parents. Taken in by two corrupt detectives — Akai and Kanie — she is abused and forced to carry out deadly missions. Her world begins to shift after she meets Oburi, another teen killer working for the same men. Together, they uncover and confront the dark truth behind their guardians’ crimes.
Released in 1998 and directed by Yasuomi Umetsu, Kite is a short OVA drenched in melancholy, violence, and controversial themes. Despite its flaws and heavy subject matter, it has gained cult status — even influencing Quentin Tarantino, who showed it to Chiaki Kuriyama before she played GoGo Yubari in Kill Bill. Not for everyone, but unforgettable for those who endure it.
Mad Bull 34 — Dirty Cops and Explosive Justice
Set in the chaotic 34th precinct of Manhattan, Mad Bull 34 follows newly minted cop Daizaburo “Eddie” Ban as he’s partnered with the infamous John Estes — a trigger-happy, rule-breaking, afro-Puerto Rican enforcer nicknamed “Mad Bull.” Together, they dive into the city’s darkest crimes, leaving trails of destruction and questionable justice.
This 4-episode OVA, based on the manga by Kazuo Koike (of Lone Wolf and Cub fame), is a wild mix of police satire, absurd violence, sex, and irreverent humor. It’s not deep, it’s not subtle, but it’s incredibly entertaining in its own off-the-rails way. Think Lethal Weapon meets Grindhouse, anime-style.
Angel Cop — Psychic Chaos and Political Paranoia
In late 20th-century Japan, the booming economy is under threat from a radical group known as Red May. To fight them, the government forms a covert agency with license to kill: the Special Security Force. Among them is Angel, a fierce and uncompromising operative.
As the hunt unfolds, a mysterious trio of psychic assassins begins targeting Red May operatives — and Angel uncovers a conspiracy deeper and darker than anyone expected. Angel Cop (1989) is raw, politically charged, and notoriously over-the-top. It was heavily censored abroad due to anti-American and anti-Semitic elements, but remains a cult cyber-action gem for those craving a fast-paced and violent ride.
Apocalypse Zero — Family, Flesh, and Mutants Gone Wild
In a devastated Tokyo crawling with monstrous threats, warrior brothers Kakugo and Harara inherit powerful armor suits made from the exoskeletons of dead soldiers. But when Harara is corrupted by an evil force and turns into a grotesque, humanity-hating tyrant, Kakugo must face his own blood in a battle for the city\’s future.
Apocalypse Zero (1996), adapted from Takayuki Yamaguchi’s manga, only saw two episodes produced — and for good reason. The animation is rough, the plot is unhinged, and the violence is downright ridiculous. But for fans of so-bad-it’s-good anime with body horror and absurd plot twists, this is a riotous cult classic.
Cyber City Oedo 808 — Criminals with Explosive Deadlines
In the year 2808, crime has evolved — and so has law enforcement. The government recruits hardened criminals to serve as cyber-police, offering time off their massive prison sentences in exchange for solving high-risk cases. Each one wears a collar that will explode if they disobey orders.
This three-episode OVA introduces Sengoku, Gogul, and Benten — a trio of anti-heroes navigating a neon-lit world of AI corruption, high-tech conspiracies, and brutal justice. With sleek animation, killer synth music, and sharp pacing, Cyber City Oedo 808 (1990) is a cyberpunk treasure that leaves you wishing there were more.
Final Thoughts — Blood, Guts, and the Golden Age of Adult Anime
This collection of R-rated anime from the 1980s and 1990s showcases an era when animation wasn’t afraid to push boundaries, exploring themes such as revenge, demonic pacts, psychic warfare, or post-apocalyptic madness. In fact, each entry left a mark on the history of adult storytelling in anime.
These weren’t just edgy for the sake of shock — many had real vision, ambition, and craftsmanship behind the mayhem. So, prepare yourself whether you’re revisiting old favorites or discovering these titles for the first time: this is anime with no filters, no apologies, and all the grit.
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Overview
- Length: 20:19
- Channel(s): Marvelous Videos
- Categories: Animes, Lists, Videos
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