Anime bloggers often say that anime can cover any genre, and this is definitely true. While psychological anime may not be as popular as shounen or romance, they are incredibly powerful and elevate the anime industry for generations to come with their complex psychological plots.
1. Monster
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Mystery, Psychological, Thriller, Drama
- Episodes: 74
If there’s an anime with an incredibly complex psychological plot that will make you think, it’s Monster. The series is renowned for its depth and complexity, and fans continue to discuss its ending to this day. Some themes you can expect to see include moral ambiguity, trauma, and the nature of evil.
Monster follows Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a talented brain surgeon whose life takes a dark turn after he saves the life of a young boy named Johan Liebert instead of a prominent politician. As Johan grows up, he reveals himself to be a cunning and manipulative serial killer.
2. Serial Experiments Lain
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Psychological, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Thriller
- Episodes: 13
A 1998 anime, Serial Experiments Lain follows a teenage girl named Lain Iwakura, who gets drawn into the digital world called the “Wired” after receiving an email from a classmate who has just died. As Lain explores this online space, she starts to question what is real, who she is, and what it means to exist.
For those wondering how technology changes who we are, this anime may have some answers. The show also raises deep questions about what it means to be human and how technology can both connect and separate people.
3. Code Geass
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Mecha, Action, Psychological, Drama, Sci-Fi
- Episodes: 50 (Season 1 + Season 2)
Code Geass is truly a masterpiece, and it deserves all the praise it gets. From its exceptional protagonist to the intense mind games, few shows can match its quality. For those looking for an anime with a complex psychological plot that will keep you on your toes throughout the show, this series offers that and much more.
The series tells the story of Lelouch Lamperouge, a young man who gains the power of Geass, which allows him to command anyone to obey his orders. Using this ability, he sets out to overthrow the Holy Britannian Empire, which has oppressed his home country of Japan. As Lelouch leads a rebellion, he faces moral dilemmas, personal sacrifices, and the consequences of his actions.
4. Paranoia Agent
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Psychological, Thriller, Mystery
- Episodes: 13
Paranoia Agent tells the story of a series of mysterious attacks in Tokyo. A young boy on rollerblades, known as “Lil’ Slugger,” assaults different people. The show follows various characters, including a stressed animator, a troubled schoolgirl, and a detective trying to solve the case. As their stories unfold, we see how their personal struggles and the pressures of society connect to the attacks.
Since the series explores themes like collective anxiety, escapism, trauma, reality, and the nature of fear, it also encourages viewers to reflect on their own fears while critiquing modern society.
5. Perfect Blue
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Psychological, Thriller, Drama
- Episodes: 1
Perfect Blue follows Mima Kirigoe, a former pop idol who decides to transition into acting to pursue her dreams. However, her new career comes with unexpected challenges, including a disturbing stalker and the psychological toll of leaving her past behind. As Mima becomes increasingly immersed in her role, she struggles to separate her real life from the characters she portrays.
The mind-bending experience that Perfect Blue delivers is unlike any other. Not only does the anime blur the lines between reality and fantasy, but it also uses powerful imagery and sound to portray Mima’s fear and confusion, prompting viewers to question what is real.
6. Death Note
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller
- Episodes: 37
The craze that Death Note created is something most anime can only dream of. As a highly acclaimed series with nearly 4 million members on MyAnimeList and a rating of 8.62, its rank of #1 in popularity speaks for itself.
The series follows Light Yagami, a highly intelligent high school student who stumbles upon a mysterious notebook called the Death Note. This notebook grants its user the ability to kill anyone simply by writing their name while picturing their face. Disillusioned with the state of the world and the prevalence of crime, Light decides to use the Death Note to rid the world of criminals and create a utopia where he reigns as a god-like figure.
As law enforcement investigates the criminal murders, intense cat-and-mouse games unfold, leading to unavoidable psychological tension and moral dilemmas.
7. Psycho-Pass
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Psychological, Thriller, Action
- Episodes: 41 (Season 1 + Season 2 + Season 3)
Psycho-Pass is set in a dystopian future where society uses a powerful system known as the Sibyl System to measure an individual’s mental state and likelihood of committing crimes, represented as a “Psycho-Pass.” The story follows Akane Tsunemori, a new inspector in the Public Safety Bureau, who enforces the law by apprehending potential criminals before they can act.
Just like Akane, you may find yourself questioning the morality of a system that judges individuals based on their mental states. Themes of justice, morality, and humanity are subjects of ongoing debate in philosophy, law, politics, and everyday life. Even if you don’t discuss these topics openly, Psycho-Pass will make you reflect on them.
8. Madoka Magica
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Magical Girl, Psychological, Drama, Dark Fantasy
- Episodes: 12
Puella Magi Madoka Magica gained critical acclaim for its innovative storytelling and subversion of the magical girl genre. The series is known for its dark themes and psychological depth, contrasting sharply with the typically light-hearted nature of similar anime.
The heroine, Madoka Kaname, is a seemingly ordinary middle school girl who is offered the chance to become a magical girl by a mysterious creature named Kyubey. However, she soon learns that the life of a magical girl is fraught with danger and despair.
9. Another
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Thriller
- Episodes: 12
Kouichi Sakakibara is a high school student who transfers to a seemingly normal school, Yomiyama North Middle School. Upon arriving, he notices a strange atmosphere and a classmate named Mei Misaki, who seems to be shunned by everyone. As Kouichi befriends Mei, he uncovers a dark secret surrounding their class.
A neat blend of horror, mystery, and psychological elements, Another will not disappoint fans of the horror anime genre, as it deals with themes of fear, trauma, and the impact of death.
10. The Promised Neverland
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Mystery, Horror, Psychological, Thriller, Fantasy
- Episodes: 12 (Season 1), 11 (Season 2)
The Promised Neverland follows a group of children living in an idyllic orphanage called Grace Field House. They are raised by a loving caretaker named “Mom,” who seems to care for them deeply. However, the children discover a horrifying secret: they are being raised as livestock to be harvested for their brains by demons.
The anime adaptation of the first season was praised for its art and pacing, but the second season received mixed reviews.
Nevertheless, it tackles heavy themes such as paranoia, manipulation, sacrifice, loss of innocence, and coping with trauma, challenging viewers to reflect deeply on human nature and morality.
11. Erased
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller
- Episodes: 12
Erased became very popular for its gripping story and emotional depth. The anime was praised for staying true to the manga, and it even led to a live-action movie and TV drama in Japan. The series is well-known for exploring themes like trauma, guilt, and the weight of responsibility.
The anime follows Satoru Fujinuma, a 29-year-old man with a unique ability called “Revival,” which allows him to go back in time a few minutes before a tragic event occurs. After his mother is murdered, Satoru is suddenly sent back 18 years into the past, to when he was a young boy. Now in his 11-year-old body, Satoru must solve the mystery of his mother’s death and prevent the abduction and murder of his childhood classmates, which were connected to the crime.
12. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk, Drama
- Episodes: 10
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is based on the world of the video game Cyberpunk 2077, developed by CD Projekt Red. Despite being a standalone story, the anime shares the same universe and has been praised for its stunning animation and faithful representation of the cyberpunk genre. The MC, David, faces intense pressures as he deals with a world where survival often means sacrificing one’s humanity.
Set in the dystopian world of Night City, a sprawling metropolis where advanced technology and cybernetic enhancements are part of everyday life, the story follows David Martinez, a street kid trying to survive in this brutal environment. After a tragic event, David gets involved with a group of mercenaries known as Edgerunners.
13. Steins;Gate
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Psychological, Thriller, Drama
- Episodes: 24
Steins;Gate is part of a bigger series called the “Science Adventure” series, which includes other stories like Chaos;Head and Robotics;Notes. The anime is based on a visual novel, and it became so popular that it inspired spin-offs, a sequel (Steins;Gate 0), and even a stage play in Japan.
The anime follows Rintarou Okabe, a quirky scientist who accidentally discovers how to send messages back in time using a modified microwave. This discovery leads to a series of dangerous events as Okabe and his friends try to change the past, only to realize that meddling with time can have serious consequences.
14. The Future Diary
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller
- Episodes: 26
I still remember watching The Future Diary as a teenager, rushing home to fit in one more episode on top of my studying duties—those were the good old days! With just 26 episodes, it tells a powerful story full of psychological twists and suspense that makes you want to watch the next episode right after finishing the last one.
The anime also popularized the concept of the yandere, embodied by the main character Yuno Gasai, and it continues to be famous even today.
The Future Diary follows Yuki Amano, a shy teenager who discovers that he possesses a diary that can predict the future. This diary allows him to see the events of the next 90 days, but he soon learns that he is part of a deadly game where other diary holders are competing to become the next god.
15. Paprika
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Psychological, Thriller, Fantasy
- Episodes: 1
Dr. Atsuko Chiba is a psychologist who uses a device called the DC Mini that allows therapists to enter their patients’ dreams. When the device is stolen, dreams and reality begin to blur, leading to chaos as people’s fears and desires escape into the real world.
In a nutshell, Paprika is about dreams and how they can affect our lives. It shows how dreams can be weird and scary, but they can also reveal things about ourselves that we didn’t know. The characters in the movie try to understand their dreams and control them, but it’s not always easy. All in all, Paprika is a story about the power of the mind and how our thoughts and feelings can shape our reality.
