While every genre has its own appeal, there's nothing more scintillating than the psychological explorations of the human mind. This is the bread and butter of every psychological thriller. Take, for instance, Death Note. On the surface, the anime is nothing but a game of cat-and-mouse between a criminal-detective duo. But its deep dive into the genius and cathartic minds of its two main characters is what makes it so entertaining.
Even the ones who aren't too well-versed with the world of anime have heard of Death Note. There are, however, other psychological anime epics, like Ergo Proxy, that are relatively less-known, but brilliant nonetheless. From reality distorting romance dramas to mind-bending thrillers, the anime medium accommodates many psychological gems.
Elfen Lied
Based on an eponymous manga, Elfen Lied is infamously known for its heavy amount of bloodshed and gore. But for those who stick around throughout its runtime, it proves to be a lot more than that. In its short run of 13 episodes, the anime tells the story of a troubled young girl, Lucy, who possesses telekinetic abilities.
After being subjected to inhumane government experiments, she escapes with a head injury that gives her a split personality. While an intense manhunt ensues to find her, she starts living with two college students. But it won't be long before they, too, get dragged down into her dark past.
Terror In Resonance
Shinichiro Watanabe's body of work needs no introduction. From Samurai Champloo to Cowboy Bebop, the auteur has created some of the best-known anime. Although relatively less-known, Terror in Resonance is another one of his genre-bending epics.
The anime follows a group of outlaws named Sphinx who masterfully terrorize the entire nation of Japan. But buried underneath their acts of violence is a sad truth that reflects upon why they're dead set upon destroying their own home.
The Tatami Galaxy
From a visual standpoint, The Tatami Galaxy is unlike any other anime out there. Throughout its runtime, it subtly shifts back and forth between different animation styles in which each style is a metaphor for its narrative.
The series unfolds from the perspective of college student Shimogamo Shrine. After a fateful encounter with a strange man who calls himself the God of Matrimony, Shimogamo finds himself hurling through space and time, reliving the bitter years of his college life.
Erased
With the Groundhog Day "do-over" time travel trope at its fore, Erased takes viewers on a journey through time. The show's protagonist, Satoru Fujinuma, possesses an uncontrollable ability called "Revival," which takes him back in time whenever something bad happens around him. It's this ability that makes him relive his childhood after his mother gets murdered and he becomes the prime suspect.
Like most time-travel series, Erased isn't bereft of plot holes. Even so, its psychological undertones and foreboding suspense are enough to make most viewers stick around throughout its runtime.
Monster
With a slow-burn of a premise, Monster unfolds as an intense crime drama in a world that isn't too different from the real world. With each episode, it delves deeper into the mind of a ruthless killer, Johan Liebert, while slowly immersing a viewer in its world of skewed morals, angst, and suffering.
Dr. Kenzou Tenma, a renowned neurosurgeon, is among the show's primary characters. It's his decision to save the life of a young boy that later leads to some serious ramifications — the young boy turns out to be the master manipulator and serial killer, Johan. Nine years later, as his past returns to haunt him, he must right all his wrongs before it's too late.
Welcome To The NHK
Welcome to the NHK is relevant to the present day. It focuses on a college dropout named Tatsuhiro Satou, who is a hikikomori (a recluse). After spending four years in absolute isolation, he starts believing that his self-imposed solitude is a consequence of a large conspiracy in which an evil organization is secretly spreading the hikikomori culture.
While illustrating Satou's psychological troubles to reach the depths of the conspiracy, the anime shows how he struggles to leave his apartment, find a job, and face society. Because of its lack of fantastical elements and relatable themes, Welcome to the NHK is an anime even beginners to the medium can enjoy.
Mirai Nikki (Future Diary)
For the most part, this one demands a heavy suspension of disbelief from the viewer. However, when it does find its feet, it's hard not to stay glued to it. Mirai Nikki begins by introducing viewers to a lonely high school boy, Yukiteru Amano, who spends most of his time journaling and making imaginary conversations with a literal Deus Ex Machina and its servant.
But it turns out that Deus Ex Machina was real all along and possesses the ability to control space and time. Granting Amano a diary that gives him intricate descriptions of the future, the Ex Machina puts him in the middle of a brutal battle royale against 11 other diary holders. He must now make the best of his wits and use the support of a fellow participant to survive.
Serial Experiments Lain
Serial Experiments Lain was way ahead of its time. Although it came out in the late '90s, its profound ideas surrounding human existence in a technologically driven world still remain relevant. In fact, they seem more relevant than ever today.
Relying less on having a premise and more on the developments of its characters, the anime explores the Wired — a cryptic space that is synonymous with the internet. The deeper she digs into this space, the more the lines between her reality and the cyberworld start blurring.
Inuyashiki
Created by MAPPA Studio, Inuyashiki draws on the good old Spiderman credo: "With great power comes great responsibility." Its central character is a humble old man who's often looked down upon by his own family. Things get even worse when he learns that he only has three months to live because of stomach cancer.
But in a twist of fate, an accident kills him and he reincarnates as a mechanized human weapon. Determined to make the most out of his second chance, he sets out to use his abilities for the betterment of the world. Little does he know that there's another man with similar abilities dead set upon doing the opposite.
Ergo Proxy
Many viewers may feel compelled to give up on Ergo Proxy in its first few episodes because of its complex plot developments. But with a little patience, its premise goes from being jarringly inept to psychologically deep and self-aware, not to mention, it has a fantastic opening theme that grows on you over time.
Set in a dystopian world in which humans and androids co-exist, the cyberpunk anime focuses on inspector Re-l Mayer. While investigating a series of murders, Mayer soon learns that a huge conspiracy is at play and even the most powerful figures of her world are involved in it.