Best Psychological Anime

Anime is the home to incredibly fierce battles like those in Dragon Ball, but it also features amazing battles of the mind and stories that examine deeper psychological concepts. These shows can hit hard emotionally and keep viewers on the edge of their seats as they try to figure out what will happen next.

Psychological anime have the potential to either be amazingly constructed or messy disasters that are not fun for anyone to watch. Fortunately, some brilliant minds have carefully crafted some must-watch shows over the years.

Updated March 5, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Winter 2024 is largely devoid of psychological anime. The exception is Classroom of the Elite’s third season, which has been generally good. Otherwise, viewers will have to look to the past.

31 Moriarty The Patriot

MyAnimeList: 8.17 (Season 1)

Sherlock Holmes is arguably the most famous fictional detective of all time, and the character has inspired his share of anime adaptations. Moriarty the Patriot shakes things up by switching the focus to William Moriarty, who is traditionally Sherlock’s arch-nemesis. This perspective change makes for an intriguing setup as it focuses on a complex figure who has a noble soul that has been exhausted by society’s failings.

Moriarty the Patriot does not offer an especially deep psychological case study of its protagonist or Holmes, but it does divide into Moriarty’s psyche a fair bit. While a bit uneven and messy, the anime is generally entertaining.

30 Classroom Of The Elite

MyAnimeList: 7.86 (Season 1)

With its third season airing as part of the Winter 2024 anime line-up, Classroom of the Elite is currently in public discourse. Based on a light novel, this psychological anime takes place in a high school that divides its students into four tiers and then conducts tests to see which class reigns supreme. On the surface, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji seems like a reasonably smart but modest person who prefers to not get involved with the school’s challenges, but that could not be further from the truth.

As the story progresses, Classroom of the Elite slowly reveals its protagonist to be a master manipulator, all the while still giving him flaws and blind spots. The anime’s secondary characters are also very entertaining and often have dark backstories or secrets that are gradually revealed during the episodes. Ayanokoji’s stoic nature can be off-putting since he is not particularly charismatic or even likable.

29 Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War

MyAnimeList: 8.41 (Season 1)

Most psychological anime are deeper, dark, and mind-bending affairs. Love Is Warcompletely subverts this genre cliché and instead manages to be a comedic romance that pits student council members Kaguya and Miyuki against each other in a bid to get the other to confess their love first.

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The show has some downright gut-busting moments alongside incredible character growth throughout the series. It’s hard to imagine a show that pulls on the heartstrings this hard in the genre, but Love Is War delivers in spades. As awesome as this anime is, Kaguya-sama lacks the tension associated with the psychological genre, and it is mainly for fans of comedies and romances.

28 Tomodachi Game

MyAnimeList: 7.72

Tomodachi Game is one of those stories that lives and dies on the strength of its cliffhangers. Nearly every episode of the first season ends with a “what the hell” moment that is absolutely made to encourage audiences to binge. Unlike some of the best psychological anime of all time, this anime favors over-the-top mayhem over subtle storytelling, to the point that the characters can feel like they are at the mercy of the plot’s whims; however, Tomodachi Game is the definition of a fun ride.

Anyone interested in watching this show needs to go in as blind as possible since the story is nothing without its twists. So, to keep the description as vague as possible, Tomodachi Game focuses on a high-stakes contest that tests the bonds between a group of friends.

27 Death Parade

MyAnimeList: 8.15

Blossoming out of a short, Death Parade has a brilliant concept. Focusing on the afterlife, the anime revolves around a bar that welcomes two recently deceased people, who must then engage in a battle to determine where they will be spending eternity. Episodes introduce different games, with the picks typically reflecting the participants’ lives. As the matches progress, the characters’ pasts are not only revealed but they are also forced to confront their failings. In the meantime, the show gradually explores the mechanics and figures behind this system.

Death Parade does not have a single dull moment, and the games are the definition of high-stakes. While perhaps not having the psychological complexity of some other entries in the genre, Madhouse’s series nevertheless tackles a range of heavy themes, all the while telling an engaging story filled with tension.

26 From The New World

MyAnimeList: 8.27

Most coming-of-age stories are rather wholesome but From The New World bucks that genre norm. The show follows Saki Watanabe as she unlocks her psychic powers and is welcomed into the Sage Academy with her friends.

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Things aren’t quite as utopian as they seem and Saki begins to question what happens to children who can’t unlock their psychic abilities. With a secretive group called the Tainted Cats potentially kidnapping children and many other shocking truths about society to uncover, From The New World is gripping until the end.

25 Made In Abyss

MyAnimeList: 8.65

Made in Abyss is a fantastic anime that cannot be recommended without disclaimers. The show can get downright brutal and uncomfortable, especially since it regularly puts its young main characters through hell. The definition of a dark fantasy, this series has more in common with horror than something like One Piece, and it is for adults only.

While certainly fitting the psychological theme, Made in Abyss is primarily an adventure series, particularly its opening season. However, the sequels (including the movie) dive deep into the psyches of the characters, while also presenting the Abyss as almost a living entity that tortures its inhabitants. Made in Abyss is not for the faint of heart, but its strengths warrant a mention.

24 One Outs

MyAnimeList: 8.33

Sticking a moment longer with gambling, One Outs provides a unique twist on the genre since it is also a sports anime. After striking out Saikyou Saitama Lycaons’ star hitter in a street game called One Outs, Toua Tokuchi is recruited as the team’s pitcher, even though he does not particularly care about going legit. However, Toua agrees to a contract with the Lycaons’ owner that will see the pitcher win or lose big depending on his performance.

One Outs keeps Toua’s thoughts and plans secret from the audience while things are still unfolding, opting instead to show events from the perspectives of the hitters. While sports anime typically emphasize skill and hard work, One Outs‘ matches are psychological battles that involve Toua mentally tormenting and destroying his opponents.

23 2003’s Kino’s Journey Or 2017’s Kino’s Journey -The Beautiful World- The Animated Series

MyAnimeList: 8.28 (2003)

Who doesn’t make friends with a talking motorcycle when they’re fifteen? Kino’s Journey starts with this odd premise but opens itself up into being an incredible show with how it shows off all the locations Kino travels to on this magical motorbike.

The show explores strange cultures and customs and gives the viewer a chance to compare them to their own. In this way, Kino’s Journey uses the outside world to explore its psychological content, making it unique compared to other anime in the genre.

22 Terror In Resonance

MyAnimeList: 8.09

Twelve and Nine are teenage terrorists targeting locations in Tokyo, although they take measures to avoid casualties. Terror in Resonance splits its time between the attackers and the detectives trying to catch them, showing the motivations behind both figures. Although they are likable and have sympathetic backstories, Twelve and Nine are not treated as “heroes” by the anime; the show is willing to understand them without excusing them.

Terror in Resonance‘s first few episodes are fantastic, arguably among the best of the 2010s. However, the show’s second half tends to be polarizing, particularly the introduction of a character named Five. Regardless of the latter, the show is still a must-watch for psychological anime fans.

21 The Promised Neverland

MyAnimeList: 8.50 (Season 1)

The Promised Neverland is the definition of an anime with two halves. The first season is a slow-building psychological horror drama about children living in an idyllic orphanage, only for them to learn that things are not quite so lovely. Meanwhile, the second season rushes through multiple arcs, skipping over character development and world-building in its mad dash to the finish line. The former is one of the best psychological anime of all time, while the latter is among the genre’s most disappointing seasons.

Thankfully, season one tells a self-contained story with a beginning, middle, and end. Taken as a standalone cour, The Promised Neverland is thrilling, intense, and horrifying. Along with likable protagonists, the anime features an intimidating villain who manages to be terrifying despite being an average human.

20 Erased

MyAnimeList: 8.30

Erased made a huge splash upon its release, and while the anime’s reputation has diminished slightly over the years, it is still a good mystery show that tackles weighty themes respectfully. When tragedy is about to strike, Satoru travels a few minutes back in time to try and change the course of history. After a particularly traumatic event involving the murder of a loved one, Satoru travels back more than a decade to when he is a child, giving him the opportunity to stop a chain of tragedies at their inception.

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Erased‘s whodunit is gripping and should keep people guessing for a while. However, the anime is at its best when focusing on the characters’ lives away from the murder mystery, specifically Kayo’s awful home life.

19 Ping Pong The Animation

MyAnimeList: 8.62

2014’s Ping Pong the Animation took the sports anime genre in an unprecedented direction. Despite its name, this show is not about ping pong; rather, it dives into the psychological constructs that people create to help them survive in the world. Peco and Smile are polar opposites personality-wise, but they have been close friends for years. Smile idolizes Peco to a certain extent, viewing him as something of a hero.

Ping Pong the Animation explores the psyches of these characters, along with quite a few other people. This anime is complex, visually creative, and endlessly rewatchable.

18 Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World

MyAnimeList: 8.23 (Season 1)

A teenager with little direction in life suddenly finds himself teleported to a fantasy world. Before long, Subaru meets a wide assortment of women and gets involved in the political climate of this universe. Re:Zero has all the trappings of a stereotypical isekai anime, but it is anything but ordinary.

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Desperate to play the hero, Subaru pushes himself beyond his limits to unappreciated results and dire consequences, even if the protagonist can reset following a death. Re:Zero shows the toll Subaru’s actions have on his psyche, and it slowly does the same for characters such as Rem and Emilia.

17 Welcome To The N.H.K.

MyAnimeList: 8.31

Hikikomori is a word used in Japan to describe people who generally don’t go outside and avoid all social contact possible. This is the case for Tatsuhiro who believes in a conspiracy that the Nihon Hikikomori Kyokai (N.H.K) is what is causing him to live this style of life.

The show follows him slowly opening up to try and actually explore the world with lots of drama and a sprinkling of comedy along the way. It’s a fascinating experience watching someone break down a mental health condition and create progress in their own life.

16 Revolutionary Girl Utena

MyAnimeList: 8.21

Revolutionary Girl Utena centers around Utena Tenjou, an Ootori Academy student who wins a duel and the right to marry Anthy Himemiya, the Rose Bride. This coveted position attracts many suitors, and consequently, Utena finds herself constantly fighting off threats. While this description covers the show’s premise, it is not truly what Revolutionary Girl Utena is about.

This yuri classic is drenched in metaphor and symbolism. The anime challenges gender norms, subverts magical girl tropes, and dives deep into its characters, particularly Utena. Revolutionary Girl Utena tells a psychological coming-of-age story that raises just as many questions as answers.

15 Puella Magi Madoka Magica

MyAnimeList: 8.36

For decades, manga and anime have placed the responsibility of protecting the world on the shoulders of children and teenagers, specifically young girls who are bestowed magical gifts and asked to fight all types of horrors. Puella Magi Madoka Magica is another one of those stories, at least that is what the series seems to be on the surface. However, before long, the anime takes a dark turn and begins to tear down its magical girls.

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Puella Magi Madoka Magica explores obsession, depression, and guilt, among a plethora of other mature themes that dive into the psyches of the show’s protagonists. The sequel movie is also a must-watch for fans of the series as it brings the characters’ arcs to a depressing but fantastic conclusion. The Magia Record spin-off is less great.

14 Parasyte -The Maxim-

MyAnimeList: 8.33

What happens when no one knows if their friend has been overtaken by the enemy or is still on their side? Similar to the movie The Thing, Parasyte has aliens invading Earth and burrowing into the minds of the humans that live there.

The catch? One such parasitic alien accidentally messes up when trying to implant inside a high school student named Shinichi and finds the other aliens want it dead as well. The two being forced to work together to survive creates some fantastic scenarios where the two have to examine life from different points of view.

13 Pluto

MyAnimeList: 8.58

Naoki Urasawa’s Pluto manga is a seminal piece that, for the longest time, seemed destined to never gain an anime adaptation. However, that is no longer the case as Netflix released an 8-part ONA series on October 26, 2023, with each episode lasting an hour. This adaptation was a one-and-done project, so it covered the full story.

Inspired by Astro Boy, Pluto revolves around a murder case targeting both humans and robots. Gesicht, a Europol robot detective, is put in charge of the investigation, which quickly proves to be anything but simple. The source material is regarded as a masterpiece, and the anime does a great job of honoring it. While the murder mystery does its job reasonably well, the story is at its best when exploring the psyches of its main characters, Gesicht and Atom, along with the secondary figures who are targeted by the killer. Some of the season’s strongest moments tell personal stories that touch upon guilty, regret, and identity.

12 Neon Genesis Evangelion

MyAnimeList: 8.35 (1995 Series)

NGE is a contender for the most famous mecha anime of all time, but the series is not that representative of the genre as a whole. While hardly the first “dark” mecha story, Evangelion took things in a more uncomfortable direction than most anime are willing to go.

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Human children are enlisted to pilot robots to fight off alien threats known as angels; so far, so mecha. However, the robots are directly tied to their users’ mental states, and these vicious battles take a significant toll on the pilots. Shinji Ikari’s psyche breaks down as the story progresses, and he is not the only one.