(Top 10) Best Psychological Anime

Acnologia

Top 10 Psychological Anime

This list is based on Acnologia’s video. It’s a list of their top 10 Psychological Anime.

10. Bokurano

Bokurano is an interesting story that follows fifteen kids when they are tasked with the purpose of fighting for the fate of the Earth. It starts as a typical slice of life anime but takes a hard 180. when the plot suddenly throws this twist at you.

The interesting point about it is that there are no real heroes or villains in this anime. It’s more about human nature when faced against impossible odds where choice truly doesn’t matter.

No matter how these kids succeed or win one battle. Consequences still happen on the planet regardless of showing how someone in their situation would react to that realization.

It’s a work of art and really showcases human nature in an interesting environment.

9. Kuuchuu Buranko

This one is a bit weird and fitting of the psychological theme. It’s an anime that depicts different forms of mental health issues and how an outlandish doctor treats them.

The most interesting part of this anime is that each voice actor for the characters is actually animated into the show itself. So it adds a really interesting meta factor to an already crazy world and story.

This anime is definitely not for everyone but it is worth giving a chance. It’s interesting, and it’s crazy themes make it stand out.

8. Zankyou No Terror

This anime is another interesting one focusing on two terrorists and their actions. The character Lisa is a timid and shy girl who finds herself interested in these two and ends up being wrapped in their riddles trying to figure them out before another attack happens.

What makes it so great is that the audience viewing the anime get wrapped into the riddles themselves. Giving you a real sense of psychological play trying to figure out the riddles yourself.

It’s a fun one and puts your brain to the test while also telling a story giving a large depth to it.

7. Serial Experiments Lain

Psychotic is a good word to describe this one. Along with eerie, not easy to understand, and just plain weird.

It’s a story about a girl who commits suicide but after the fact classmates of hers start receiving emails from her. It’s kind of a Sci-Fi psychological thriller and it’s played nicely.

It’s not a light-hearted story and definitely goes into the dark territories. It’s one of those you have to watch a couple of times to really understand the story.

6. Ghost Hound

This is a story about two characters who witness things in an outside world by having out of body experiences. It is a fantasy story that’s set up like a psychological thriller.

It’s chilling at points and its story goes deep and gets very interesting. The use of imagery and the sound design give this anime it’s own life and universe really making you feel the effects of the scenes involved.

5. Aku no Hana

Aku no Hana is purely a psychological thriller at its core. A setup like it’d be a slice of life romance story, it takes a turn into some pretty dark topics.

It’s quietly disturbing and has a memorable feel to it. The characters are what really set up the atmosphere and the feel of the entire show.

Though not everyone will like this anime, however, it definitely has a divide amongst people. But never the less it is worth a viewing.

4. Ergo Proxy

Some would describe Ergo Proxy as dark and foreboding but philosophically intriguing at the same time. And they would be absolutely correct.

The story is about figuring out who you are and what matters to you and going to the end and back of the earth. The main character goes through some of the weirdest experiences but the price is worth it.

By not running away from their reality they find new sides of them self. The plot moves along quite nicely during the first part then comes to a point where it changes. The atmosphere is great and chilling and it’s insanely good.

3. Texhnolyze

Texhnolyze is a story about the violence of humans and a dark one at that. Taking place in an underground city that’s isolated most of its citizens from their origins it’s a place where intimidation and fear breed power.

In a city where corrupt organizations fight for power while the rest scrounge in the streets it’s overall theme is very bleak. This one is really one for the books when considering a psychological twist.

2. Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

Wasting his life away unable to hold down a job, Kaiji is the lowest of the lowest. His pathetic existence takes a turn for the worst when he finds out an agency is after him for a loan he had cosigned for a friend.

He’s given the option to pay back the loan or board a secret cruise and gamble his way out of poverty. He’s unaware of what happens if he loses being more about gambling away his life more than money.

The psychological factor comes not from violence but from the true feelings of people within. It really shows us we’re no more than animals hiding in human clothes.

1. Monster

Here is a long series well worth its hype in reputation. The story of this anime is brilliantly written and engaging.

The dialogue is the key to this anime because it’s what drives the story. Its character development is what really pushes it in the right direction and makes it great.

The show makes a strong point of mentioning that in the worst possible situations the human psyche endures will lead one to have a monster burst out of them that can be deadly and cruel. It forces us to accept the darkest parts of our mind and lets us realize what’s truly there within us.