On the darker end of anime's spectrum, the medium plays host to plenty of psychological thrillers, from nightmares like Paranoia Agent to morbid power fantasies like Death Note. These series exist to disturb and enthrall audiences in equal measure, frightening fans even as they make them think.

Not everyone looks to psychological thrillers for the same thing. Some fans love their dark atmospheres and morally compromised characters. Others are simply looking for a few good scares. Psychological thrillers can be challenging, though, so it's good for fans to know what they're getting into before they start their journey.

Updated on December 22nd, 2023 by Chelsea Steele: Psychological thriller is a popular anime genre, featuring some of the greatest titles found within the medium. This article already covers some of the best psychological anime out there, but it's been updated with even more series that fans need to check out and with more useful, readily accessible formats.

30 Welcome To The NHK Explores The Horror Of Human Isolation

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Welcome to the NHK is an emotional depiction of paranoia and self-isolation, told from the perspective of Tatsuhiro Satou, a former student turned shut-in. After living the hikikomori lifestyle for years, Tatsuhiro becomes lost in his isolation, delving deep into conspiracy theories that haunt his everyday life. The series follows his struggles as he desperately attempts to climb out of his rut and reassimilate into society.

Powerful and thought-provoking, yet humorous at the same time, Welcome to the NHK offers a realistic look into the experiences of a shut-in. The series never pulls any punches in its storytelling, giving a clear picture of the harsh realities of extreme seclusion, as well as its consequences.

29 Angels Of Death Is A Dark & Suspenseful Psychological Horror

Angels of Death is a 2018 psychological series, based on the video game of the same name. This chilling series follows a young girl named Rachel, who wakes up to find herself in a strange, unfamiliar place with no visible way out. She meets a serial killer named Zack along her way, and the two team up, exploring the building and searching for an escape. As they ascend each floor, they encounter many horrific enemies, who all seem to have a mysterious connection to Rachel.

Angels of Death is a dark and twisted horror, featuring a deep, well-written story that makes its audience think. Unafraid to touch on heavier subjects, the series gets pretty grim at times, so viewers should beware.

28 Kakegurui Touches On The Psychological Side Of Gambling

Kakegurui is one of the most beloved modern psychological thrillers out there, starring a cast of thrill-seekers who are more than willing to risk it all. The series follows the students of a very different high school, where the wealthy and prestigious participate in risky gambling to determine their class rank. However, this order gets shaken up when protagonist Yumeko Jabami enters the academy.

While most students gamble for status, she plays merely for the thrills, taking on some of the most dangerous risks imaginable. Kakegurui follows Yumeko's exhilarating adventures as she takes on her fellow classmates and puts it all on the line.

27 Code Geass Is One Of Anime's Most Iconic Psychological Thrillers

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006)

TV-14

Anime

Action

Drama

After being given a mysterious power to control others, an outcast prince becomes the masked leader of the rebellion against an all-powerful empire.

Release Date

October 6, 2006

Cast

Jun Fukuyama , Takahiro Sakurai , Johnny Yong Bosch , Ami Koshimizu

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

2

One of the most popular psychological thrillers of all time, Code Geass is considered a masterpiece of the genre. The series follows the story of Lelouch Vi Britannia, a young man bestowed with a mysterious power known as a Geass. With this newfound ability, he goes on a manipulative campaign to take down Britannia and its King in order to avenge his father.

Though at first Code Geass appears to be a typical action-based mecha series, it doesn't take long for it to take a deep dive into the psychological side of the genre. With its complex characters, shocking plot twists, and puzzling mind games, the story is far more than just a mere sci-fi adventure.

26 The Tatami Galaxy Is A Surreal Story Of Time Travel

The Tatami Galaxy is a time travel-based psychological anime following the adventures of a young man who's given a second chance at life. After wasting the first two years of his college life living miserably, a nameless protagonist looks back on his time bitterly and wishes he could have done things differently. After an encounter with a strange man, he gets the opportunity he longs for and is transported back in time to relive those days.

The Tatami Galaxy is a mind-bending and surreal journey that reminds its audience that even the smallest choices impact the future. With a unique, artful style and gorgeous animation, the series is as beautiful as it is inspiring.

25 Wonder Egg Priority Is A Thought-Provoking Coming-Of-Age Tale

Wonder Egg Priority is a unique title within the psychological genre, blending together elements of horror and fantasy to create a completely original coming-of-age story. The story follows Ai Ooto, a young girl who feels she has nothing left to live for after the tragic loss of her best friend. After acquiring a strange object known as a Wonder Egg, she finds herself in a bizarre new world where she's tasked with saving others from their personal struggles.

Like several other psychological series, Wonder Egg Priority grapples with many difficult subjects and challenges its audience to face many of life's toughest realities. The series covers a range of human emotions, from regret and sorrow to fear and trauma, delving deep into these feelings in a thoughtful and fascinating way.

24 Summer Time Rendering Tells A Murder Mystery With A Time Travel Twist

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Summer Time Rendering is one of many psychological thrillers to use time travel as a key component of its story. The series is a murder mystery anime, following the struggles of protagonist Shinpei Ajiro as he tries to learn the truth about his friend's death. Through a series of strange time loops, Shinpei slowly unravels the grim details of Ushio's demise. However, his search also uncovers many dark secrets that change his world forever.

With many shocking twists and turns, Summer Time Rendering is an exciting and suspenseful tale of tragedy, betrayal, and grief that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. It's an excellent adaptation of a well-loved manga series and is worth checking out.

23 Boogiepop Phantom Is A Must-Watch Of The Psychological Genre

Considered essential viewing by most psychological anime fans, Boogiepop Phantom is a classic title with an intense storyline centered around death, tragedy, and loss. After a string of murders left the city in terror, the nightmare begins again as rumors of the Boogipop Phantom resurface. The series follows a cast of various characters and their harrowing experiences involving this frightful entity.

Boogiepop Phantom is a gem of a series, featuring gripping storylines, stunning visuals, and a thought-provoking message that forces viewers to face some pretty disturbing realities. For those who love a series that makes them think, Boogiepop Phantom is the perfect title to pick up.

22 Psycho-Pass Takes Places In A Futuristic Dystopia

Psycho-Pass is a popular psychological thriller, featuring an action-packed sci-fi detective story that blurs the lines between good and evil. The series takes place in a futuristic Japan, where a device known as the Sybil System is used to determine the threat level of all citizens. Those posing even the slightest danger to society are harshly dealt with, taken out by those in power.

Psycho-Pass tells a classic dystopian horror story that plays up the nuances of human morality and how it's governed by authority. The series features intense emotion that moves its audience and challenges the way they think about right and wrong.

21 Neon Genesis Evangelion Shocks Fans With Its Mindbending Storyline

Neon Genesis Evangelion

TV-MA

Action

Adventure

A teenage boy finds himself recruited as a member of an elite team of pilots by his father.

Release Date

October 4, 1995

Creator

Hideaki Anno, Masayuki, Kazuya Tsurumaki

Cast

Megumi Ogata , Kotono Mitsuishi , Megumi Hayashibara

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

1 Season

Studio

Gainax, Tatsunoko

A beloved anime classic, Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the most well-known and celebrated psychological series of all time. Following the struggles of young Shinji Ikari, Evangelion features a battle for mankind unlike no other as humanity fights off celestial beings known as "Angels" bent on Earth's destruction. Though the series begins as any other mecha series out there, it slowly evolves into a completely different story over time.

The last half of Neon Genesis Evangelion is nothing short of shocking, delving deep into the complexities of the human mind as it alludes to the psychology of man. The series is a bit tough to understand at times, especially as it progresses, but many see it as a masterpiece of the psychological genre and a must-watch title.

20 The Promised Neverland Is A Frightful Story Of Survival

The Promised Neverland is easily one of the most popular psychological anime to come out in recent years. The series features a frightening dystopian world where humans are farmed and shipped out as food for terrifying creatures. One of the rarest delicacies in this horrific world is the meat of young children, leading to the rise of various farms that masquerade as orphanages, where caretakers raise human children and prepare them as offerings to these beasts.

After a young trio of friends discovers the truth about their happy home, they take action and plan their escape. Fans join the kids of Grace Field House as they fight to survive in an unforgiving new world, holding onto the hope that they'll find a place they can call home.

19 Elfen Lied Is A Psychological Horror Classic

Elfen Lied is undoubtedly one of the most intense psychological anime in the genre's history. Filled with violence, gore, and disturbing themes, it's definitely not for the faint of heart. Elfen Lied follows a young woman named Lucy, who was born a Diclonius — a mysterious humanoid subspecies with deadly abilities.

Seen as a threat by the rest of society, Lucy and other Diclonius like her are locked away and subjected to all sorts of horrific tests and abuse. After Lucy escapes her imprisonment, she's hunted down by the military. However, she suffers an injury that leaves her personality divided and wipes her memory clean. Now under the care of two unsuspecting humans, Lucy must face her past as her memories slowly return.

18 Banana Fish Is A Rare Psychological Shojo Series

Based on the classic manga series, Banana Fish is a unique addition to the psychological genre. Though it's listed as a shojo, most fans will agree that it feels less like an adventure and much more like a psychological thriller. Its story covers some pretty difficult and even downright disturbing themes, following the adventures of Ash Lynx, a young runaway who's been in gang life for as long as he can remember.

As he rises through the ranks, Banana Fish's Ash soon finds himself in the middle of a mysterious conspiracy he can't escape. With the mafia on his tail and an all-out gang war in the works, he's got to fight to survive if he ever wants to learn the truth behind the mysterious "Banana Fish".

17 Terror In Resonance Touches On How Fear Can Evolve Into Widespread Panic

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Terror in Resonance is a suspenseful series depicting the effects of the absolute horror raw fear can generate. The story begins with a nuclear threat made during a terrorist attack on Japan. Chaos ensues, and authorities frantically search for the perpetrator, but to no avail, until six months later, when a video of two boys who call themselves "Sphinx" surfaces.

The Sphinx challenges the police directly, threatening to cause even more destruction if they can't capture them. This new set of threats sends the public into a complete uproar, and the panic leaves police utterly helpless in the race to stop Sphinx. Terror in Resonance is a frightfully suspenseful series that's just as disturbing as it is fascinating.

16 Ergo Proxy Is A Psychological Thriller With Strong Sci-Fi Elements

Ergo Proxy is a psychological sci-fi series that takes place in an apocalyptic universe, where most human civilization has died out. All that remains is Romdo, a domed city that protects its citizens from the harsh and uninhabitable outside world. To make up for humanity's decline, scientists have created a new android race, known as the AutoReivs.

However, the AutoReivs are plagued by a mysterious disease called the Cogito Virus, which forces the androids into self-awareness. Ergo Proxy's protagonist, Re-l Mayer, has been assigned to uncover the cause of this condition and stop it from spreading. Heavily influenced by sci-fi films like Blade Runner, Ergo Proxy is a bingeable series that psych-thriller fans shouldn't miss.

15 Paprika Blurs The Fine Line Between Reality & Dreams

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Paprika

R

Anime

Drama Fantasy

When a machine that allows therapists to enter their patients' dreams is stolen, all hell breaks loose. Only a young female therapist, Paprika, can stop it.

Release Date

June 22, 2007

Director

Satoshi Kon

Cast

Megumi Hayashibara , Tōru Emori , Katsunosuke Hori , Tôru Furuya , Koichi Yamadera , Akio Otsuka , Hideyuki Tanaka , Satomi Kôrogi

Runtime

90 Minutes

Main Genre

Anime

Writers

Yasutaka Tsutsui , Seishi Minakami , Satoshi Kon

Production Company

Madhouse, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Fans of Satoshi Kon's work know that the famed director is one of psychological thriller anime's greatest creators. From his compelling films to his heart-stopping series, he always keeps fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Paprika, Kon's final completed film, is also one of his greatest triumphs.

Influencing films like Inception, Paprika is a journey through the human psyche, following Doctor Atsuko Chiba as she becomes a warrior who fights for human sanity inside a universe of dreams. With stunning visuals and an unforgettable hero, it's an anime masterpiece from beginning to end.

14 Parasyte: The Maxim Is Terrifying Yet Brilliant

Beloved and terrifying, Parasyste: The Maxim's gripping story centers on Shinichi Izumi, one of millions of humans infected by alien parasites that can control people's bodies and minds. However, when the parasite doesn't reach his brain, the two are forced to cooperate in order to survive.

Parasyte's themes of overcoming differences and learning from each other are fairly obvious. However, Shinichi and his symbiote, Migi, are strong characters and their journey together is always engaging. The series is also beautifully illustrated, making it a must for psychological thriller fans.

13 Death Parade Focuses On Human Mortality & The Afterlife

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The Death Games in Death Parade look like ordinary games, but they're used to judge the souls of the dead.

To its credit, Death Parade asks some of life's toughest questions. The series touches on the notions of life and death, taking viewers to a mysterious bar named Quindecim, a place in the afterlife where the bartender, Decim, passes judgment on each and every soul who enters.

Quindecim's newly deceased guests are challenged to a game, and the outcome determines whether they get to reincarnate into a new life or are sent into the terrifying void. This thrilling series is a harsh reminder of human morality, the consequences of misspent lives, and the inevitability of death.

12 Puella Magi Madoka Magica Jumpstarted The Popular Magical Girl Subversion Trope

Before Puella Magi Madoka Magica deconstructed Magical Girls, the idea of combining psychological thrillers with children's anime tropes was completely unheard of. Once this trailblazing series hit the scene, though, every new magical girl series wanted to subvert the classic tropes and put a dark spin on the genre.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica starts out like any other magical girl story, with a cute and mysterious creature named Kyubey offering Madoka Kaname and her friends the chance to become real magical girls. However, it turns out that Kyubey's intentions are far from pure, and the girls are trapped in a horrifying cycle of death and destruction.

11 Re:Zero − Starting Life In Another World Is A Classic Isekai With A Psychological Spin

Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World

TV-14

After being suddenly transported to another world, Subaru Natsuki and his new female partner are brutally murdered. However, Subaru awakens to a familiar scene, meeting the same girl again. The day begins to mysteriously repeat itself.

Release Date

April 4, 2016

Main Genre

Anime

Studio

White Fox

Main Cast

Yûsuke Kobayashi, Rie Takahashi, Sean Chiplock, and Kayli Mills

Combining Isekai anime and psychological thrillers is counterintuitive, but Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World pulls it off nicely. On the surface, it looks like an ordinary isekai tale, but it's full of dark, thought-provoking twists.

Re:Zero centers around Natsuki Subaru, an ordinary guy transported to a fantasy world and granted the power Return By Death, essentially letting him respawn from a specific moment each time he dies. While this seems great at first, it takes a huge emotional and mental toll on Subaru, sending him spiraling into an inescapable and harrowing cycle of life and death.