Top 5 Psychological Anime of 2019
2019 was a really good year for psychological anime. Good psychological anime are hard to find sometimes but its very satisfying whe you find a good one.
Here are the top 5 psychological anime of 2019:
5. Beastars
Genre: Slice of Life, Psychological, Drama, Shounen
Studio: Orange
Season: Fall 2019
Episodes: 12
Introduction
In a civilized society of anthropomorphic animals, an uneasy tension exists between carnivores and herbivores. At Cherryton Academy, this mutual distrust peaks after a predation incident results in the death of Tem, an alpaca in the school’s drama club. Tem’s friend Legoshi, a grey wolf in the stage crew, has been an object of fear and suspicion for his whole life. In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, he continues to lay low and hide his menacing traits, much to the disapproval of Louis, a red deer and the domineering star actor of the drama club.
When Louis sneaks into the auditorium to train Tem’s replacement for an upcoming play, he assigns Legoshi to lookout duty. That very night, Legoshi has a fateful encounter with Haru, a white dwarf rabbit scorned by her peers. His growing feelings for Haru, complicated by his predatory instincts, force him to confront his own true nature, the circumstances surrounding the death of his friend, and the undercurrent of violence plaguing the world around him.
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
Beastars is an interesting psychological anime. It’s filled with tons of drama but the reason why its an interesting psychological anime is because it really goes deep when it explores the mental state of it’s characters.
The characters are unique and their goals, motivation, and emotions are presented nicely. There is even a great stream of consciousness scene with Haru.
Click HERE for a more in depth analysis of Beastars.
Beastars is a good watch if you are looking for a psychological anime that takes place in a school setting.
4. Psycho Pass 3
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Police, Psychological
Studio: Production I.G
Season: Fall 2019
Episodes: 8
Introduction
Thanks to the Sibyl System, the mental states of society can now be measured on a numerical scale. Using these “crime coefficients,” a culprit can be apprehended before they ever commit a crime. But is it a perfect system? For Inspectors Kei Mikhail Ignatov and Arata Shindou, that remains to be seen, as their career with the Public Safety Bureau’s Crime Investigation Department has only just begun.
Shindou and Ignatov are assigned to investigate the crash of a ship carrying immigrants, but they begin to suspect that it was no mere accident. Meanwhile, a mysterious group called Bifrost is observing them from the shadows, but they aren’t the only ones who have taken an interest in the two new Inspectors…
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
Psycho Pass 3 isn’t as good as Psycho Pass but its slightly better than Psycho Pass 2 and a good psychological anime.
This season lacked a really strong antagonist but still dealt with interesting social and political issues such as immigration and economic evil.
Psycho Pass 3 also excelled at was amazing fight choreography. The fight scenes were incredibly fluid and the hand to hand fight choreography was well done.
3. Babylon
Genre: Mystery, Psychological, Thriller
Studio: Revoroot
Season: Fall 2019
Episodes: 12
Introduction
In the newly formed Shiniki district of Tokyo, Zen Seizaki is a diligent public prosecutor at the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office. Assigned to a case involving false advertisement, Zen—along with his assistant officer, Atsuhiko Fumio—investigate Japan Supiri, a pharmaceutical company that had provided fabricated clinical research on the company’s new drug. While investigating the file of Shin Inaba, an anesthesiologist connected to the crime, the case takes a dark turn when Zen finds a page stained with a mixture of blood, hair and skin, along with the letter “F” scribbled all across the sheet. As he investigates further, the case goes beyond Zen’s imagination and becomes vastly complex, challenging his sense of justice and his knowledge of the truth.
Digging deeper into the investigation, Zen begins to uncover a concealed plot behind the ongoing mayoral election and ties to many people of interest involved in the election and those closer than he thinks. The case grows more severe and propels Zen into an unforeseen hurricane of corruption and deceit behind the election, the establishment of the Shiniki district, and the mysterious woman associated with it all.
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
Babylon is a top 3 psychogical anime of 2019.
It is the most underrated psychological anime on this list.
Babylon is a thrilling ride from start to finish. Seeing Seizaki slowly uncover the mysteries of a corrupt city was very entertaining.
Babylon is very ambitious and at times tries to tackle too much. There’s alot of themes and so many sub plots that it would’ve been better if it was a 2 cour series (24 episodes) and more fleshed out.
Still, Babylon is a good psychological anime with a very controversial ending.
2. Boogiepop wa Warawanai (2019)
Genre: Psychological, Mystery, Horror
Studio: Madhouse
Season: Winter 2019
Episodes: 18
Introduction
Hushed exchanges among the female student populace of Shinyo Academy center around an enigmatic supernatural entity. This entity is Boogiepop, a Shinigami who is rumored to murder people at the height of their beauty before their allure wanes. Few know of his true nature: a guardian who, between periods of dormancy, manifests as the alter ego of a high school girl named Touka Miyashita to fend off “the enemies of the world.” Now, a string of mysterious disappearances—presumed by the school to be merely runaways—has caused Boogiepop to awaken. But somewhere in the academy, a menacing creature hides, waiting for its opportune moment to strike.
Boogiepop wa Warawanai subtly explores the intrinsic associations between human beings and their perception of time, while delving into its characters’ complex relationships, emotions, memories, and pasts.
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
Boogiepop wa Warawanai (2019) was the best mystery/psychological anime to drop in 2019.
It has a different tone and style than the 2000 version but still manages to keep the essense of what made the 2000 version special. It is not a sequel. Click HERE to see the difference between the two anime.
Boogiepop wa Warawanai (2019) deals with alot of deep themes and philosophical ideas. It tackles alot of interesting questions and is a well directed.
1. The Promised Neverland (Yakusoku no Neverland)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Horror, Psychological, Thriller, Shounen
Studio: CloverWorks
Season: Winter 2019
Episodes: 12
Introduction
Surrounded by a forest and a gated entrance, the Grace Field House is inhabited by orphans happily living together as one big family, looked after by their “Mama,” Isabella. Although they are required to take tests daily, the children are free to spend their time as they see fit, usually playing outside, as long as they do not venture too far from the orphanage—a rule they are expected to follow no matter what. However, all good times must come to an end, as every few months, a child is adopted and sent to live with their new family… never to be heard from again.
However, the three oldest siblings have their suspicions about what is actually happening at the orphanage, and they are about to discover the cruel fate that awaits the children living at Grace Field, including the twisted nature of their beloved Mama.
via MyAnimeList
Thoughts
The Promised Neverland was the best psychological anime of 2019.
Not only was it one of the most anticipated winter anime of 2019 but it ended up also being the best anime of winter 2019.
Just reading the premise gave the impression of an some originality and intrigue and boy did it deliver.
The Promised Neverland was able to pull off the horror elements well and really set the mood through interesting camera angles and lighting. It really gave a sense of unease as the children come to grasp with the truth of the orphanage.
What makes The Promised Neverland a good psychological anime is the mind games they go through with Mama to try to escape Grace Field. Ray, Emma, and Norman are all smart, gifted children. However, Mama is also cunning and can be terrifying at times. It’s a wonderful cat and mouse game.
The Promised Neverland has a good original premise but it’s also well executed, which is what made it work.
Click HERE for a more detailed analysis of The Promised Neverland.
The Promised Neverland really delivered and is one of the best psychological anime to come out recently.
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