The Best Psychological Anime of All Time

Explore the human psyche with these thought-provoking anime.

By Rayan Sayyed

Death Note

The iconic anime is a high-stakes battle of wits between a genius student who has a supernatural weapon and a master detective.

Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World

Re:Zero's time loop plotline and exploration of mental trauma create a gripping psychological thriller.

Welcome to the N.H.K.

An anime that blends dark humour with poignant moments as it follows a young man grappling with social anxiety, isolation, and an all-consuming conspiracy theory.

Steins;Gate

A gripping sci-fi story following a group of friends who stumble upon the ability to time travel, and must confront the repercussions of their actions as they navigate through the unknown consequences of meddling with the past.

Psycho-Pass

Set in a dystopian future where society is controlled by a system that can predict a person's criminal tendencies and thoughts.

Monster

A complex and intense mystery thriller about a doctor's quest to stop a sociopathic killer.

Paranoia Agent

This is a dark and surreal anime that explores themes of trauma, social anxiety, and the blurred line between reality and imagination.

Serial Experiments Lain

Another surreal cyberpunk anime, that explores themes of reality, identity, and the blurred lines between human and machine.

From the New World

A thought-provoking and unsettling anime that explores the consequences of humanity's reliance on power and control, and the potential dangers of a utopian society.

Ergo Proxy

A visually stunning and thought-provoking sci-fi anime that explores identity, consciousness, and the nature of reality in a post-apocalyptic world.

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo

A stylish and visually stunning retelling of the classic revenge tale by Alexandre Dumas, filled with intrigue, deception, and unforgettable characters.

Texhnolyze

Texhnolyze is a dark and dystopian sci-fi anime that explores the consequences of advanced prosthetics and the struggle for power in an underground city.