Top 3 Psychological Anime of 2018
There were some really good psychological anime that dropped in 2018. This list of psychological/thriller anime includes Kokkoku, Steins; Gate 0, B: The Beginning, Happy Sugar Life, and Angels of Death, etc.
Here are the top 3 psychological anime of 2018:
3. Satsuriku no Tenshi (Angels Of Death)
Genre: Adventure, Horror, Psychological, Thriller
Studio: J.C Staff
Season: Summer 2018
Episodes: 12
Introduction
With dead and lifeless eyes, Rachel Gardner wishes only to die. Waking up in the basement of a building, she has no idea how or why she’s there. She stumbles across a bandaged murderer named Zack, who is trying to escape. After promising to kill her as soon as he is free, Rachel and Zack set out to ascend through the building floor by floor until they escape.
However, as they progress upward, they meet more twisted people, and all of them seem familiar with Rachel. What is her connection to the building, and why was she placed in it? Facing a new boss on each floor, can Rachel and Zack both achieve their wishes?
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
There are enough quirky and twisted characters in Angels of Death that make it enjoyable as a psychological anime. What makes Angels of Death appealing is the journey Rachel and Zack go through as they face various obstacles or “tests” in order to avoid death and move on to the next floor.
The series is based around a video game that was created using RPG Maker. The spooky setting is a great element that accentuates the psychological nature of Angels of Death.
Conclusion
Angels of Death may not fully meet expectations as a horror anime but it succeeds as an entertaining psychological thriller. For more on this, see Is Angels of Death Scary?
2. Steins;Gate 0
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Psychological
Studio: White Fox
Season: Spring 2018
Episodes: 23
Introduction
The eccentric, self-proclaimed mad scientist Rintarou Okabe has become a shell of his former self. Depressed and traumatized after failing to rescue his friend Makise Kurisu, he has decided to forsake his mad scientist alter ego and live as an ordinary college student. Surrounded by friends who know little of his time travel experiences, Okabe spends his days trying to forget the horrors of his adventures alone.
While working as a receptionist at a college technology forum, Okabe meets the short, spunky Maho Hiyajo, who
later turns out to be the interpreter at the forum’s presentation, conducted by Professor Alexis Leskinen. In front of a stunned crowd, Alexis and Maho unveil Amadeus—a revolutionary AI capable of storing a person’s memories and creating a perfect simulation of that person complete with their personality and quirks. Meeting with Maho and Alexis after the presentation, Okabe learns that the two were Kurisu’s colleagues in university, and that they have simulated her in Amadeus. Hired by Alexis to research the simulation’s behavior, Okabe is given the chance to interact with the shadow of a long-lost dear friend. Dangerously tangled in the past, Okabe must face the harsh reality and carefully maneuver around the disastrous consequences that come with disturbing the natural flow of time.
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
Steins; Gate 0 was one of the most anticipated anime of 2018. This alternate story-line focuses on Okabe’s psychological state after he fails to save Kurisu. Despite knowing this story has a happy ending, watching Okabe mourn Kurisu in Steins;Gate 0 is an interesting experience as a viewer. You really feel Okabe’s depression and anguish in this series and you wonder when his mad scientist persona is going to come back.
Okabe’s mindset can be summed up in this quote:
The way I see it, this world exists because of a choice Kurisu made. I must protect that choice. That is this world’s law. In reliving time, I learned one thing… That certain events converge as if orchestrated by God. Trying to change them… it’s challenging God. And God does not tolerate human arrogance.
Conclusion
Steins;Gate 0 has a darker tone and a more melancholy mood than Steins; Gate. Steins;Gate 0 is the bleak reality of the Beta World Line. It’s a “what if” story and a deep look into Okabe’s troubled mind. Only reason why it’s #2 and not #1 is because it’s more on the thriller side.
1. Happy Sugar Life
Genre: Drama, Horror, Psychological, Shounen
Studio: Ezola
Season: Summer 2018
Episodes: 12
Introduction
Satou Matsuzaka is a beautiful high schooler who has a reputation for being permissive with men. However, a chance encounter with a young girl named Shio Koube makes Satou realize that this is her first and only true feeling of love.
Telling others that she lives with her aunt, Satou secretly shares an apartment with Shio. Despite her innocent appearance, Satou is willing to do anything to protect her beloved, resorting to desperate measures to ensure that their “happy sugar life” remains intact.
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
Happy Sugar Life is the most interesting psychological anime to drop in 2018. It has many of the elements that you want from a psychological anime. That includes mentally unstable characters, tortured relationships between obsessive and pathological characters, paranoia, suffering, violence, trauma and psychosis, etc.
It looks like something you’d avoid from it’s premise, especially with Satou and Shio’s relationship. However, when you dive deeper into Satou’s mindset as well as what it’s other mentally unstable characters bring to the table, it becomes an enjoyable watch.
The characters in the Happy Sugar Life are in various stages of sanity. Scenes can be alittle over the top and dramatic but still very entertaining.
Conclusion
Happy Sugar Life reveals what it takes to gain your happiness and find love and what the lengths people will do to keep that “happiness” from disappearing. For a deeper analysis, check out Is Happy Sugar Life A Good Psychological Anime?
Happy Sugar Life was the best psychological anime of 2018. It’s not without it’s flaws but it makes use of it’s own flaws and manages to be an entertaining ride.
For more lists, check out