The 13 Best Psychological Anime of the 2020s

Mind games, existential mysteries and slow-burn descents into the psyche define this new wave of cerebral anime. Where do you stand?

1

Pluto

Naoki Urasawa's 2023 sci-fi thriller reimagining an Astro Boy arc as a robot murder mystery about humanity.

1000pts

2

Talentless Nana

The 2020 thriller flipping a superpower-school premise into a tense game of deception.

728pts

3

Wonder Egg Priority

The 2021 emotionally intense series following girls battling manifestations of trauma to revive the dead.

606pts

4

Heavenly Delusion

The 2023 post-apocalyptic mystery following two travelers across a monster-filled Japan.

606pts

5

Oshi no Ko

The 2023 dark drama blending idol-industry intrigue with reincarnation and revenge.

551pts

6

Odd Taxi

The 2021 noir mystery in which a walrus taxi driver is drawn into a missing-person case.

551pts

7

Sonny Boy

The 2021 surreal series about students drifting through alternate dimensions after their school vanishes.

551pts

8

Summertime Render

The 2022 time-loop thriller about a young man unraveling deadly shadow doppelgangers on his home island.

551pts

9

Vinland Saga Season 2

The 2023 season trading battle for a meditative study of trauma, guilt, and redemption.

551pts

10

Re:Zero Season 2

The 2020 continuation deepening Subaru's psychological torment through his death-rewind ability.

485pts

11

The Promised Neverland Season 2

The 2021 continuation of the orphanage-escape thriller as the children fight to survive outside.

485pts

12

Classroom of the Elite

The cerebral school series, revived with new 2022 and 2024 seasons, built on manipulation and strategy.

485pts

13

Tomodachi Game

The 2022 series trapping friends in a high-stakes psychological game that tests their loyalty.

404pts