Top Psychological Anime Recommendations

DEATH NOTE

Also known as Death Note.

Studio: MADHOUSE
Status: Finished
Genres: Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural , Thriller

Light Yagami is a genius high school student who is about to learn about life through a book of death. When a bored shinigami, a God of Death, named Ryuk drops a black notepad called a Death Note, Light receives power over life and death with the stroke of a pen. Determined to use this dark gift for the best, Light sets out to rid the world of evil… namely, the people he believes to be evil. Should anyone hold such power?

The consequences of Light’s actions will set the world ablaze.



Tags: Crime , Detective , Anti-Hero , Male Protagonist , Police , Philosophy , Tragedy , Primarily Adult Cast , Unrequited Love , Kuudere , Gods , Urban Fantasy , Memory Manipulation , Primarily Male Cast , Urban , Yandere , Amnesia , Espionage , Shounen , Tennis , Suicide , Time Skip , Acting , Feet , Assassins , Achronological Order , Asexual

Tokyo Ghoul

Also known as Tokyo Ghoul.

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural

The suspense horror/dark fantasy story is set in Tokyo, which is haunted by mysterious "ghouls" who are devouring humans. People are gripped by the fear of these ghouls whose identities are masked in mystery. An ordinary college student named Kaneki encounters Rize, a girl who is an avid reader like him, at the café he frequents. Little does he realize that his fate will change overnight.



Tags: Gore , Urban Fantasy , Tragedy , Survival , Torture , Male Protagonist , Body Horror , Anti-Hero , Seinen , Coming of Age , Urban , Police , Cannibalism , Detective , Crime , Henshin , Primarily Adult Cast , Mythology , Heterosexual , College

Yakusoku no Neverland

Also known as The Promised Neverland.

Studio: CloverWorks
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Thriller

Emma, Norman and Ray are the brightest kids at the Grace Field House orphanage. And under the care of the woman they refer to as “Mom,” all the kids have enjoyed a comfortable life. Good food, clean clothes and the perfect environment to learn—what more could an orphan ask for? One day, though, Emma and Norman uncover the dark truth of the outside world they are forbidden from seeing.



Tags: Dystopian , Survival , Primarily Child Cast , Orphan , Tragedy , Found Family , Demons , Coming of Age , Ensemble Cast , Female Protagonist , Male Protagonist , Shounen , Tanned Skin , Gore

Mob Psycho 100

Also known as Mob Psycho 100.

Studio: bones
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Psychological , Slice of Life , Supernatural

The story revolves around "Mob," a boy who will explode if his emotional capacity reaches 100%. This boy with psychic powers earned his nickname "Mob" because he does not stand out among other people. He keeps his psychic powers bottled up so he can live normally, but if his emotional level reaches 100, something will overwhelm his entire body.



Tags: Super Power , Coming of Age , Urban Fantasy , Ghost , Philosophy , Satire , Male Protagonist , Parody , Primarily Teen Cast , Urban , Shounen , Surreal Comedy , Primarily Male Cast , Conspiracy , School , Disability , Slapstick , Demons , Bullying , Delinquents , School Club , Fitness , Cult , Family Life , Gangs , Dissociative Identities , Unrequited Love

Boku dake ga Inai Machi

Also known as ERASED.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural , Thriller

Satoru Fujinuma is a 29 year old manga artist struggling to make a name for himself following his debut. But, that was not the only thing in his life that Satoru was feeling frustrated about… He has a unique supernatural ability of being forced to prevent deaths and catastrophes by being sent back in time before the incident occurred, repeating time until the accident is prevented. One day, he gets involved in an accident that has him framed as a murderer. Desperate to save the victim, he sends himself back in time only to find himself as a grade-schooler one month before fellow classmate Kayo Hinazuki went missing. Satoru now embarks on a new quest: to save Kayo and solve the mystery behind her disappearance.

Tags: Age Regression , Time Manipulation , Crime , Tragedy , Time Skip , Primarily Child Cast , Detective , Male Protagonist , Alternate Universe , Super Power , Snowscape , Seinen , School , Fugitive , Ensemble Cast , Revenge , Teacher , Rehabilitation , Amnesia , Heterosexual , Bullying , Kuudere , CGI

Steins;Gate

Also known as Steins;Gate.

Studio: White Fox
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Psychological , Sci-Fi , Thriller

Self-proclaimed mad scientist Okabe Rintarou lives in a small room in Akihabara, where he invents "future gadgets" with fellow lab members Shiina Mayuri, his air-headed childhood friend, and Hashida Itaru, an otaku hacker. The three pass the time by tinkering with their latest creation, a "Phone Microwave" that can be controlled through text messages.

The lab members soon face a string of mysterious incidents that lead to a game-changing discovery: the Phone Microwave can send emails to the past and thus alter history. Adapted from the critically acclaimed visual novel by 5pb. and Nitroplus, Steins;Gate takes Okabe to the depths of scientific theory and human despair as he faces the dire consequences of changing the past.

Tags: Time Manipulation , Alternate Universe , Conspiracy , Time Loop , Tragedy , Memory Manipulation , Denpa , Male Protagonist , Dystopian , Urban , Primarily Adult Cast , Dissociative Identities , Philosophy , Chuunibyou , Tsundere , Otaku Culture , Heterosexual , Kuudere , Suicide , Amnesia , Ensemble Cast , Transgender , War , Gender Bending , Post-Apocalyptic , Maids , Shrine Maiden , Cosplay , Trains

Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu

Also known as Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-.

Studio: White Fox
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Psychological , Romance , Thriller

In the story, Subaru Natsuki is an ordinary high school student who is lost in an alternate world, where he is rescued by a beautiful, silver-haired girl. He stays near her to return the favor, but the destiny she is burdened with is more than Subaru can imagine. Enemies attack one by one, and both of them are killed. He then finds out he has the power to rewind death, back to the time he first came to this world. But only he remembers what has happened since.



Notes:
- The first episode aired with a runtime of ~50 minutes as opposed to the standard 25 minute long episode.
- In the Winter 2020 season, Re:ZERO was rebroadcast and re-edited to fit into an hour time-slot. This edit included the first OVA and added slight modifications to certain scenes throughout. It also added an additional scene at the end of the final episode.

Tags: Isekai , Time Manipulation , Time Loop , Tragedy , Alternate Universe , Male Protagonist , Witch , Magic , Gore , Cult , Body Horror , Love Triangle , Maids , Suicide , Heterosexual , Primarily Female Cast , Unrequited Love , Elf , Yandere , Demons , Politics , Hikikomori , Coming of Age , Butler , Femboy , Tomboy , Travel , Twins , Assassins , Kemonomimi , Meta , Kuudere , Nekomimi , CGI , Dragons , Body Swapping , Crossdressing , Foreign , Tsundere

Seishun Buta Yarou wa Bunny Girl Senpai no Yume wo Minai

Also known as Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai.

Studio: CloverWorks
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Romance , Supernatural

There's a rumor about a mysterious phenomenon called "puberty syndrome." For example, Sakuta Azusagawa is a high school student who suddenly sees a bunny girl appear in front of him. The girl is actually a girl named Mai Sakurajima, who is Sakuta's upperclassman who is also a famous actress who has gone on hiatus from the entertainment industry. For some reason, the people around Mai cannot see her bunny-girl figure. Sakuta sets out to solve this mystery, and as he spends time with Mai, he learns her secret feelings. Other heroines who have "puberty syndrome" start to appear in front of Sakuta.



Tags: Urban Fantasy , Primarily Teen Cast , Heterosexual , Male Protagonist , Coming of Age , Primarily Female Cast , Memory Manipulation , Rehabilitation , Dissociative Identities , School , Amnesia , Bullying , Time Manipulation , Hikikomori , Urban , Body Swapping , Tsundere , Love Triangle , Acting , Female Harem , Idol

Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensaitachi no Renai Zunousen

Also known as Kaguya-sama: Love is War.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Psychological , Romance , Slice of Life

Known for being both brilliant and powerful, Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya lead the illustrious Shuchiin Academy as near equals. And everyone thinks they’d make a great couple. Pride and arrogance are in ample supply, so the only logical move is to trick the other into instigating a date! Who will come out on top in this psychological war where the first move is the only one that matters?



Tags: School , Heterosexual , Tsundere , Primarily Teen Cast , School Club , Ojou-sama , Episodic , Slapstick , Female Protagonist , Seinen , Male Protagonist , Meta , Ensemble Cast , Parody , Kemonomimi , Rotoscoping , Nekomimi

Akame ga Kill!

Also known as Akame ga Kill!.

Studio: White Fox
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Horror , Psychological , Thriller

In a land where corruption rules and a ruthless Prime Minister has turned the puppet Emperor's armies of soldiers, assassins and secret police against the people, only one force dares to stand against them: Night Raid, an elite team of relentless killers, each equipped with an Imperial Arm - legendary weapons with unique and incredible powers created in the distant past.

Rescued from a fate worse than death by Night Raid, young Tatsumi is offered the chance to join their lethal ranks… but it's a deadly choice, as few can master an Imperial Arm and even fewer survive when two Arms go against each other in combat. The battle is on, and only the strongest will make it out alive.



Tags: Assassins , Tragedy , Shounen , Politics , Gore , Crime , Henshin , Primarily Adult Cast , Swordplay , Revenge , Super Power , Anti-Hero , Female Protagonist , Male Protagonist , Kuudere , Heterosexual , Female Harem , Kaiju , Yandere , Tomboy , Demons , Nekomimi , Time Manipulation , Shapeshifting , Guns , Kemonomimi , Love Triangle

Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu

Also known as Parasyte -the maxim-.

Studio: MADHOUSE
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Horror , Psychological , Sci-Fi

They arrive in silence and darkness. They descend from the skies. They have a hunger for human flesh. They are everywhere. They are parasites, alien creatures who must invade–and take control of–a human host to survive. And once they have infected their victims, they can assume any deadly form they choose: monsters with giant teeth, winged demons, creatures with blades for hands. But most have chosen to conceal their lethal purpose behind ordinary human faces. So no one knows their secret–except an ordinary high school student. Shin is battling for control of his own body against an alien parasite, but can he find a way to warn humanity of the horrors to come?



Tags: Body Horror , Shapeshifting , Survival , Aliens , Male Protagonist , Philosophy , Gore , Anti-Hero , Revenge , Seinen , Heterosexual , Crime , Tragedy , Cannibalism , Environmental , School , Primarily Teen Cast , Urban , Military , Guns , Love Triangle , Villainess , Female Harem , Bullying , Unrequited Love , Nudity

Darling in the Franxx

Also known as DARLING in the FRANXX.

Studio: Trigger , CloverWorks
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Psychological , Romance , Sci-Fi

The distant future: Humanity established the mobile fort city, Plantation, upon the ruined wasteland. Within the city were pilot quarters, Mistilteinn, otherwise known as the “Birdcage.” That is where the children live... Their only mission in life was the fight. Their enemies are the mysterious giant organisms known as Kyoryu. The children operate robots known as FRANXX in order to face these still unseen enemies. Among them was a boy who was once called a child prodigy: Code number 016, Hiro. One day, a mysterious girl called Zero Two appears in front of Hiro. “I’ve found you, my Darling.”



Tags: Orphan , Super Robot , Post-Apocalyptic , Dystopian , Coming of Age , Primarily Teen Cast , Tragedy , Robots , Heterosexual , Conspiracy , Found Family , Psychosexual , Kaiju , Monster Girl , Lost Civilization , Memory Manipulation , Aliens , Male Protagonist , Female Protagonist , Politics , Demons , Environmental , Love Triangle , Military , Clone , Monster Boy , Travel , Family Life , Virginity , Space , Body Horror , Unrequited Love , Nudity , Survival , Yandere , Netorare , Time Skip , Marriage , Tsundere , Drawing , Medicine , Reincarnation , Aviation , Agriculture , Fishing , Gore , Pandemic

Death Parade

Also known as Death Parade.

Studio: MADHOUSE
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural , Thriller

When two people die at the same time, they’re sent to a place that’s neither heaven nor hell—a lavish bar between worlds where the stakes are high and the rules are simple: if you win you live again, if you die… you’re gone for good.

Decim is the bartender charged with serving the souls who enter Quindecim. He may make a mean cocktail, but his true profession is to play the role of arbiter—a judge who determines whether or not a soul is worthy of reincarnation. To aid in his judgment, the bar’s patrons are forced to play simple games laced with sadistic twists designed to bring their true natures to light. To Decim, judgment has always been black and white—that is—until he meets a mysterious young woman whose fate seems impossible to decide. His indecision shakes the very foundation of the games and raises the biggest question of all: Who is fit to judge the dead?



Tags: Death Game , Afterlife , Philosophy , Tragedy , Amnesia , Memory Manipulation , Reincarnation , Bar , Primarily Adult Cast , Episodic , Suicide , Gambling , Female Protagonist , Male Protagonist , Mythology , Kuudere , CGI , Ice Skating , Revenge , Gyaru , Bowling , Tanned Skin

Shin Seiki Evangelion

Also known as Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Studio: Gainax , Tatsunoko Production
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Mecha , Mystery , Psychological , Sci-Fi

In the year 2015, the Angels, huge, tremendously powerful, alien war machines, appear in Tokyo for the second time. The only hope for Mankind's survival lies in the Evangelion, a humanoid fighting machine developed by NERV, a special United Nations agency. Capable of withstanding anything the Angels can dish out, the Evangelion's one drawback lies in the limited number of people able to pilot them. Only a handful of teenagers, all born fourteen years ago, nine months after the Angels first appeared, are able to interface with the Evangelion. One such teenager is Shinji Ikari, whose father heads the NERV team that developed and maintains the Evangelion. Thrust into a maelstrom of battle and events that he does not understand, Shinji is forced to plumb the depths of his own inner resources for the courage and strength to not only fight, but to survive, or risk losing everything.



Note: Later releases include edited versions of Episodes 21-24 called the "Director's Cut" with some visual editing and adding extra scenes that appeared in the theatrical recap 'Death'.

Tags: Philosophy , Psychosexual , Coming of Age , Tragedy , Denpa , Super Robot , Dystopian , Post-Apocalyptic , Angels , Primarily Teen Cast , Suicide , Kaiju , Conspiracy , Male Protagonist , Aliens , Body Horror , Religion , Mythology , Military , Clone , Tokusatsu , Kuudere , Tsundere , Politics , Bisexual , Gore , Trains , Boys' Love , Espionage , Nudity , LGBTQ+ Themes , Episodic

Kakegurui

Also known as Kakegurui.

Studio: MAPPA
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological

During daylight hours, an exclusive, elite private school prepares its illustrious students for careers in business, politics, and high society. But when darkness falls, the halls of this esteemed establishment transform into an underground gambling den where bright-eyed youngsters learn the timeless art of bluffing, backdoor dealings and social manipulation. In this school for the rich and elite, money is power, and the tyrant of the betting books rules with an iron fist. So when the beautiful Yumeko Jabami upsets the academy hierarchy with her voracious appetite for the thrill of the gamble, the entire student body mobilizes to send her house of cards tumbling down.



Tags: Gambling , Female Protagonist , School , Primarily Female Cast , Body Horror , Masochism , Primarily Teen Cast , Poker , Ojou-sama , School Club , LGBTQ+ Themes , Anti-Hero , Shounen , Bullying , Villainess , Slavery , Death Game , Yandere , Delinquents , Battle Royale , Guns , Idol , Male Protagonist

Mob Psycho 100 II

Also known as Mob Psycho 100 II.

Studio: bones
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Psychological , Slice of Life , Supernatural

The second season of Mob Psycho 100.

Kageyama is an ordinary 8th grader who just wants to live a normal life. Although he can disappear in the crowd in a flash, he was actually the most powerful psychic. The lives of those around Mob and his numerous feelings that softly piles up for the eventual explosion. The mysterious group "Claw" stands before him once again. In the midst of his youthful days, where will his roaring heart take him!?



Tags: Super Power , Coming of Age , Urban Fantasy , Male Protagonist , Philosophy , Shounen , Primarily Teen Cast , Satire , Ghost , Terrorism , Primarily Male Cast , Tragedy , Urban , School , Primarily Child Cast , Body Horror , Surreal Comedy , Slapstick , School Club , Bullying , Athletics , Unrequited Love

Mirai Nikki

Also known as The Future Diary.

Studio: Asread
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural , Thriller

This psychological thriller, based on the manga written and illustrated by Sakae Esuno, is about Yuki, a loner who's not very good with people. He prefers to write a diary on his cell phone and talk to his imaginary friend, Deus Ex Machina – The God of Time and Space. However, Yuki soon learns that Deus is more than a figment of his imagination when he makes Yuki participate in a battle royale with eleven others. The contestants are given special diaries that can predict the future, each diary possessing unique features that give it both advantages and disadvantages. Within the next 90 days, the contestants must try to survive until there is only one left standing. The winner will become the new God of Time and Space.



Tags: Battle Royale , Death Game , Survival , Yandere , Tragedy , Alternate Universe , Suicide , Meta , Gore , Gods , Time Manipulation , Male Protagonist , Crime , Super Power , Urban , Female Protagonist , Shounen , Urban Fantasy , Heterosexual , Age Gap , Clone , Anti-Hero , Netorare , Guns , CGI , Terrorism , Police , Henshin , Adoption , Nudity , LGBTQ+ Themes , Bisexual , Orphan , Tanned Skin , Cult , Stop Motion , Disability , Psychosexual , Boys' Love

Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai?: Tensaitachi no Renai Zunousen

Also known as Kaguya-sama: Love is War?.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Psychological , Romance , Slice of Life

After a slow but eventful summer vacation, Shuchiin Academy's second term is now starting in full force. As August transitions into September, Miyuki Shirogane's birthday looms ever closer, leaving Kaguya Shinomiya in a serious predicament as to how to celebrate it. Furthermore, the tenure of the school's 67th student council is coming to an end. Due to the council members being in different classes, the only time Kaguya and Miyuki have to be together will soon disappear, putting all of their cunning plans at risk.
A long and difficult election that will decide the fate of the new student council awaits, as multiple challengers fight for the coveted title of president.


Tags: School , School Club , Ensemble Cast , Tsundere , Female Protagonist , Male Protagonist , Episodic , Primarily Teen Cast , Ojou-sama , Coming of Age , Heterosexual , Slapstick , Parody , Meta , Kuudere , Seinen , Bullying , Villainess , Otaku Culture , Crossdressing , Primarily Female Cast

Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e

Also known as Classroom of the Elite.

Studio: Lerche
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Psychological

Koudo Ikusei Senior High School is a leading school with state-of-the-art facilities. The students there have the freedom to wear any hairstyle and bring any personal effects they desire. Koudo Ikusei is like a utopia, but the truth is that only the most superior students receive favorable treatment.

Kiyotaka Ayanokouji is a student of D-class, which is where the school dumps its "inferior" students in order to ridicule them. For a certain reason, Kiyotaka was careless on his entrance examination, and was put in D-class. After meeting Suzune Horikita and Kikyou Kushida, two other students in his class, Kiyotaka's situation begins to change.



Tags: School , Ensemble Cast , Coming of Age , Anti-Hero , Primarily Teen Cast , Male Protagonist , Philosophy , Survival , Battle Royale , Kuudere , Tsundere , Nudity , Seinen , Female Harem , School Club , Female Protagonist , Yandere

Tokyo Ghoul √A

Also known as Tokyo Ghoul √A.

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural

The second season of Tokyo Ghoul.

The ghouls of Anteiku invaded the Aogiri's site in order to rescue Ken Kaneki who is being tortured. Due to provocation, he unleashed greater power enough to defeat Yamori. To become stronger, he decided to join Aogiri and left Anteiku. Ghoul investigators also making their moves by collecting information about the eye-patched ghoul - Ken Kaneki.



Tags: Anti-Hero , Body Horror , Super Power , Gore , Military , Detective , Police , Urban Fantasy , Seinen , Male Protagonist , Urban , Primarily Adult Cast , Heterosexual , College , Mythology