Crunchyroll Lists Top 10 Scariest Non-Horror Anime Episodes for Fall 2026

On October 17, Crunchyroll published a curated selection of the ten most frightening episodes from non-horror anime series, intended for viewers to watch ahead of Halloween. The list highlights intense moments from popular titles that utilize suspense and psychological tension rather than traditional horror tropes.

Leading the ranking is "The Serpent's Pupil," the 113th episode of Naruto Shippuden, which explores Orochimaru’s sinister motives. My Hero Academia features prominently with its two-part origin story for Tomura Shigaraki across episodes 111 and 112. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End rounds out the top three with episode 35, "The Divine Revolte," which deals with themes of death and legacy.

Other notable entries include Bright Light, Shine Through Darkness from Trigun Stampede, Sakura and Memories of Her Mother from Cardcaptor Sakura, and The Jet-Black Shadow Invades Tokyo from Digimon Adventures. The compilation also features A Ghost Story from The Apothecary Diaries and Forbidden Magic from Witch Hat Atelier, alongside Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury.

Crunchyroll News reported on October 17 that it highlighted scary episodes in non-horror anime. Earlier, on October 16, the outlet noted that The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 English dub sets an October 16 premiere date.