Psychological anime are loved for their complex characters, twists, turns, and mind games that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. While some of the most famous anime, like Re:Zero or Death Note fall into this genre, this article will focus on finding the hidden gems among the most underrated psychological anime instead.
15. Welcome to Irabu’s Office
- Type: TV series
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Psychological
- Episodes: 11
- Studio: Toei Animation
Welcome to Irabu’s Office might have bright-colored characters and a vibrant world, but it isn’t your typical cheerful anime. It follows a quirky psychiatrist, Dr. Irabu, with childlike features, who treats patients with bizarre problems through unconventional methods.
While it might seem lighthearted at first, the tackles serious psychological issues like anxiety and the deep struggles of its characters. Those who love dark humor and unorthodox methods to treat patients will love the show.
14. Akagi
- Type: TV series
- Genres: Psychological, Drama, Thriller
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: Madhouse
Akagi throws you into the high-stakes world of underground mahjong gambling. The story centers around Akagi, a genius teen gambler with an insatiable desire to win. He takes on seasoned yakuza in thrilling matches, using his razor-sharp mind and psychological tactics to manipulate them.
The show is a masterpiece in its own right, with intense mind games and constant tension as Akagi pushes his opponents (and himself) to the limit. All in all, it’s a psychological thriller where every tile holds the weight of a fortune and a life.
13. Penguindrum
- Type: TV series
- Genres: Psychological, Drama, Magical Girl, Fantasy
- Episodes: 24
- Studio: Brain’s Base
How about blending fantasy with deep emotional themes? If that tickles your fancy, you will most likely love the wild ride that Penguindrum is. In this anime, two brothers desperately try to save their terminally ill sister with the help of a magical penguin hat.
While the premise might sound a bit silly, the show deals with complex issues like family relationships, grief, and the power of love, all wrapped in a visually stunning and thought-provoking package.
12. Tekkon Kinkreet
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Coming-of-Age, Psychological
- Studio: Studio 4°C
Fans of dark, gritty worlds will find joy in the fictional city overrun by gangs and corruption, which serves as the main backdrop of Tekkon Kinkreet. In this city, two orphaned brothers, Black and White, with distinct personalities, rule the streets with their superhuman abilities. However, their carefree existence is threatened by the arrival of powerful outsiders.
The seemingly vibrant world hides darker realities as Black struggles with his inner rage and White strives to keep him grounded. Moreover, this visually distinctive anime explores mature themes like childhood trauma, the power of imagination, and the struggle of growing up on the streets.
11. Charcoal Feather Federation
- Type: TV series
- Genres: Slice-of-Life, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: Radix
Charcoal Feather Federation tells the story of a girl named Rakka who awakens in a walled town with angel-like wings and no memories. To make matters worse, the whole city is populated by angel-like beings with amnesia.
While the art style is peaceful, the show explores themes of isolation, loss, and the search for identity. The show is slow-burn, focusing on character development and the quiet struggles of the angels. Additionally, the city holds a mysterious past and unsettling rules, like the inability to fly or touch the walls, which is bizarre.
If you are into shows that are subtle yet stimulating, then this underrated psychological anime is perfect for you as it will make you question reality and the meaning of belonging while leaving room for interpretation.
10. When Marnie Was There
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Slice-of-Life, Drama, Coming-of-Age, Psychological
- Studio: Studio Ghibli
You might have recognized the studio behind this anime from just one screenshot. After all, it’s produced by the renowned Studio Ghibli. Unfortunately, the movie did not achieve nearly the same success as other popular Ghibli works, with just under 300k members on MAL it’s just another underrated psychological anime on the list.
When Marnie Was There is a heartwarming yet melancholic story about a lonely young girl named Anna. Sent to the seaside to recover from asthma, Anna encounters a mysterious blonde girl named Marnie who seems to exist only in her dreams. As their bond deepens, Anna confronts her own feelings of isolation and a hidden family secret.
9. MILGЯAM
- Type: Animated Music Video Series
- Genres: Science Fiction, Drama, Mystery
- Episodes: Currently airing
- Studio: OTOIRO
MILGЯAM is a mind-bending mix of phenomenal music and dark short stories. But here’s the crazy part: YOU get to play judge! After you watch the story, you can head online to vote if the character is innocent or guilty.
In this anime, Es wakes up in Milgram, a creepy facility run by a strange talking Jackalope. Thrust into the role of a prison guard, he must judge the souls of ten inmates. Each prisoner has taken a life, but their situations are very different. Es has to explore their minds, facing their deepest traumas and motivations through eerie musical tests.
8. Kaiba
- Type: TV series
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery, Psychological
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Madhouse
Have you ever asked yourself what it means to be human? Kaiba certainly does! In this strange world, memories are like chips you can swap between bodies. The main character, Kaiba, wakes up with no memories and a hole in his chest. He ventures through this confusing world, piecing together his past through fragments of other people’s memories.
The concept of memories is familiar to fans of sci-fi shows, but Kaiba truly delivers. It uses a unique presentation style effectively to tell an emotionally impactful story about love and memories in an unjust world, all within just 12 episodes.
6. Revolutionary Girl Utena
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Magical Girl, Psychological
- Episodes: 39
- Studio: J.C.Staff
Revolutionary Girl Utena breaks the mold of magical girl anime. Utena, a headstrong girl who wants to be a prince, gets drawn into sword duels for the Rose Bride, a mysterious girl said to hold the power to revolutionize the world.
Some liken Revolutionary Girl Utena to Neon Genesis Evangelion, but tailored for a female audience. This surreal and philosophical hidden gem features a complex, thought-provoking plot that defies expectations and challenges common clichés and genres, placing it among the top contenders for the best underrated psychological anime.
5. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor
- Type: TV series
- Genres: Psychological Thriller, Drama, Gambling
- Episodes: 26 (2 Seasons)
- Studio: Madhouse
Even when you’re broke, you can still fight back — just look at Kaiji. A guy down on his luck, he’s tricked into massive debt. To pay it off (and maybe make a million), he’s forced onto a gambling ship. But this isn’t your average poker game. Here, mind games and insanely high stakes turn simple games into life-or-death situations.
What makes Kaiji most intriguing are the intense battles where he relies on his wits and courage to outsmart wealthy gamblers. This is something any fan of psychological dramas with a taste for high-stakes gambling will appreciate.
4. One Outs
- Type: TV series
- Genres: Sports, Drama, Psychological
- Episodes: 25
- Studio: Madhouse
Imagine a baseball pitcher who gets paid every out he throws, but LOSES a ton of cash for every run he gives up. That’s One Outs! Tokuchi, a mysterious player with a killer curveball, joins a struggling baseball team with this insane contract. He’s a total strategist, outsmarting batters and using mind games to win.
A sports anime where strategy is just as important (or maybe even more) than athleticism, One Outs is a good choice for anyone interested in high-pressure battles on the mound and unpredictable tactics.
3. Alien Stage
- Type: Animated Music Video Series
- Genres: Science Fiction, Drama, Mystery, Psychological
- Episodes: Currently ongoing
- Studio: LICO
We are all familiar with singing competitions like The Voice or American Idol where judges can be rather harsh to the contestants. But Alien Stage focuses on a group of kids raised on Earth, trained to sing their hearts out… for aliens! Eight teenagers compete in brutal singing battles, but only one gets to win. The losers? Well, let’s just say the stakes are super high.
It’s no secret that aside from its incredible psychological suspense, one of the strongest aspects of the series is its compelling music. Also, with each episode being just 3 minutes long, it’s worth giving it a try!
2. Mononoke
- Type: TV series
- Genres: Ghost story, Mystery, Psychological horror
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Toei Animation
Mononoke shares part of its name with Princess Mononoke, but it’s unrelated. Unfortunately, unlike Princess Mononoke, this Mononoke is an underrated psychological anime that deserves more attention.
In this anime, the Medicine Seller, a mysterious occult expert, travels feudal Japan hunting malevolent spirits known as “mononoke.” When he encounters these spirits, he must uncover their Form, Truth, and Reason to wield his Exorcism Sword against them.
Mononoke delivers a series of eerie horror tales where the true horror lies in what remains unsaid, blending mystery, murder, and the supernatural.
1. Pluto
- Type: ONA
- Genres: Action, Mystery, Suspense, Sci-Fi, Psychological
- Episodes: 8
- Studio: Studio M2
Sci-fi and cyberpunk fans looking for depth won’t want to miss this anime by Naoki Urasawa (Monster, 20th Century Boys, Billy Bat). Pluto, which aired on October 26, 2023, is highly rated by critics but relatively unknown by the masses.
Based on Osamu Tezuka’s The World’s Greatest Robot arc from Astro Boy, Naoki Urasawa transforms the tale into a sci-fi murder mystery that explores what it truly means to be human. The protagonist shifts from Astro/Atom to Gesicht, a detective with Euro-pol investigating a series of baffling murders where each victim is discovered with horn-like protrusions from their heads.
