Anime has always been quite broad in its genres and themes. From romantic comedies, to popular sports like basketball and baseball, to superhero-esque elements for an action-packed adventure, there's something out there for everyone. But for those who are looking for a grittier approach not intended for the eyes of children, then maybe some of these titles might be for you.

Note: When I say “mature” anime, it's not necessarily one that is a complete gore fest or has graphic, sexually charged elements. Rather, “mature” in this context means that it is meant to be thought-provoking and challenges the viewer to contemplate the morality of the anime's characters, their motives, and their ideologies. But I won't deny that many of the anime listed are more on the violent side. Brace yourselves.

1. Claymore

Claymore is a dark fantasy anime set in a land reminiscent of medieval Europe. Humans are constantly preyed upon by monsters called yoma that can disguise themselves as other humans, making them completely undetectable. To combat this threat, a shadowy group known to the public only as “The Organization” send out female warriors to eliminate the yoma for a hefty price. While these warriors, nicknamed “Claymores” due to their large swords that they wield, are meant to save society, they are instead shunned and feared because they are actually human-yoma hybrids themselves. The story follows the life of a Claymore named Clare and her quest for revenge and meaning.

2. Gankutsuou

Gankutsuou is a sort of rarity in anime, where its source material is actually from Western literature. It is an adaptation loosely based on Alexandre Dumas' “The Count of Monte Cristo,” combined with sci-fi elements and some other liberties to help make it stand on its own. In Gankutsuou, our protagonist Albert de Morcerf encounters the Count and is immediately drawn in by his charm and mystique. As their friendship grows, Albert introduces the Count to the people of Parisian society. In doing so, an elaborate scheme of vengeance is set into motion, revealing dark secrets along the way. Another liberty that Gankutsuou takes is through its visuals, creating very innovative scenery and textures, though it can be disconcerting at first watch.

3. Monster

Life is good for Kenzo Tenma. He is a renowned brain surgeon, engaged to a wealthy and beautiful woman, and his future is bright. In his field, there are times where Kenzo has to make tough choices. When confronted with the choice of either saving a child that is in critical condition or saving the town's mayor, Kenzo doesn't hesitate on making the child's survival his first priority. Unfortunately, that decision costs him his promising future and causes his fiancee to break off their engagement. It takes him years to build his career back up again. Nevertheless, Kenzo doesn't regret his choice: until nine years later when he discovers that the young child he saved that night is a dangerous serial killer on the loose. Kenzo's journey to track down the monster that he created by saving that young boy's life is a suspenseful cat-and-mouse game that is guaranteed to keep viewers on their toes.

4. Texhnolyze

Texhnolyze takes place in the Lux, where various factions and organizations battle for dominance. Ichise is a street fighter that gets into trouble with his promoter, resulting in him losing an arm and a leg. His life is saved by a young doctor, who implants prosthetic limbs called texhnolyze in place of his lost ones. As Ichise adjusts to his new prosthetics, he is forced into another fight for survival as the city creeps closer and closer to war.

5. Ergo Proxy

Humanity has been pushed to the brink of extinction after a global catastrophe ravaged the earth. People have moved into sealed, domed cities together with Autoreivs: androids that were created in order to assist people. In one of these utopian cities, Inspector Re-l Mayer is tasked with the investigation of incidents of rogue Autoreivs that have become violent after being infected with a mysterious “Cognito Virus,” in which the androids develop their own consciousness. Re-l is quickly caught in a web of lies and secrets after her encounters with monstrous lifeforms called “Proxies” and their connections to an amnesiac man named Vincent Law.

6. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

For many people, simply taking one look at Kaiji's overly exaggerated visuals is enough to pass this one over. I'll admit that it may not be the prettiest anime out there but that shouldn't prevent you from taking a gamble with it. Kaiji is a young man that wastes his life away through petty gambling and thievery. One day, he learns that one of his former co-workers has gone missing, leaving Kaiji with an insane amount of debt to pay off on his behalf because of a contract he carelessly co-signed. Kaiji is forced into a series of dangerous gambles where losing means either death or years of harsh slave labor to pay off his debts.

7. Berserk

Lauded by countless fans as one of the best, if not the best manga of all time, Berserk is rich in its story, characters, and history. It has spawned several anime adaptations, where the Golden Age movie trilogy is, in my opinion, probably the best out of the bunch. It tells the tale of a man named Guts and his time with the formidable mercenary group called the Band of the Hawk, led by the charismatic Griffith and his second-in-command, a swordswoman named Casca. After years of fighting side-by-side with his companions, Guts decides to leave the group. However, Guts' departure becomes the catalyst to Griffith's descent into despair and the horrific end to the Band of the Hawk. Berserk is full of brutality, especially in regards to demonic abominations that plague the land. Nevertheless, the relationship between Guts, Griffith and Casca, as well as humanity's constant struggle for survival is one that keeps its fans wanting for more; as long as you can stomach it, that is.