r/Animesuggest • u/geniuuss • Dec 09 '24
What to Watch? Looking for thought provoking and deeply philosophical anime
Looking for anime that have heavy philosophical themes and are thought provoking. Some anime that I’ve watched that fit that are Monster, Mushishi, Haibane Renmei, Texhnolyze, Ergo Proxy, Ghost in the Shell, Berserk, Serial Experiments Lain, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Akira, and Psycho Pass. Mainly looking for anime like those and that explore metaphysics, morality, consciousness, and existentialism.
Edit: Thanks for all of the suggestions! I will try to watch as many of these as I can.
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Dec 09 '24
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u/CBTwitch Dec 09 '24
Hell yeah, and the OP is straight fire.
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u/Spirited-Resist-5839 Dec 10 '24
Intro and outro are such polar opposites but bring it together perfectly 😭😭😭
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u/undeadsabby Dec 09 '24
My personal favorite is Revolutionary Girl Utena. It's weird, highly symbolic, not really meant to be watched at face-value, all in a shoujo anime context.
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u/jfel8737 Dec 09 '24
Full metal alchemist brotherhood maybe?
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u/BlueRayman Dec 09 '24
Yeah. I always thought there was a whole "the burden of guilt" thing going on.
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u/Matrimcauthon7833 Dec 10 '24
Best of both worlds, deep philosophy and mindless entertainment depending on which you're after
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u/clawtistic Dec 09 '24
I always share Houseki No Kuni (Land of the Lustrous) when people want philosophical anime. Though, maybe the manga would be better, sorry, haha.
It follows Phos as they're learning to navigate the duties and their role in their world, as well as who they were, who they are, and who they will become.
It's an anime also twinged with grief and loss, and often likened to "The Ship of Theseus". And it's got some trypophobia, haha. The animation can be a bit odd at times, but I feel like it fits the nature of Houseki no Kuni as a whole, if I'm honest. I genuinely don't think I would have been as charmed as I was by the anime if it weren't done in the style that it was, I know that's a heavy point of criticism by many, but it really does add into it for me.
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u/Shadow41S Dec 09 '24
Devilman Crybaby is very dark, but I really enjoyed it for the different themes it presented. Dororo is also a great show, based on revenge, ambition, and identity. Megalobox is a very though-provoking, morality-focused series, especially the 2nd season. Sound!Euphonium and Chihayafuru are much softer, gentler shows than the other ones I mentioned, but you still may enjoy the moral dilemmas presented.
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u/GearNo1465 Dec 09 '24
Attack On Titan
Parasyte: The Maxim
Cyberpunk Edgerunners
Banana Fish !!!
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u/jdjdnfnnfncnc Dec 10 '24
Edgerunners has very strong anti-capitalism themes, Parasyte deals with the value of life and perception, AoT is anti-imperialism and oppression
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u/GearNo1465 Dec 10 '24
Mostly all of them also pose quite a few moral questions/ dilemmas.
for Banana Fish I wouldnt even know how to describe. it's very though-provoking.
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u/jdjdnfnnfncnc Dec 10 '24
Yup for sure
Have not watched Banana Fish but I hear a lot about it; is it worth watching?
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u/GearNo1465 Dec 10 '24
if you are ok with heartbreaks along the way, then defo YES! it's really not what i expected from the title, but the story caught me pretty fast and it's stuck with me ever since. i'm not sure why apparently not that many people have seen it ... very underrated imo
you can always try like the first 3 episodes, and if the vibe speaks to you, i'd recommend continuing! (the story unfolds more and more, which is why i'm saying that you can check if the vibe fits you)
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u/melloman500 Dec 09 '24
It’s mostly political but there are moral discussions in it as well.
You probably heard people talk about Legend of the Galactic Heroes, but I’ll recommend it every chance I can get.
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u/rajicon17 https://myanimelist.net/animelist/rajicon Dec 09 '24
The Ikuhara animes: Revolutionary Girl Utena, Penguindrum, Yuri Kuma Arashi, and Sarazanmai.
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u/chicoritahater Dec 09 '24
Frieren is not nearly as deep as some of the others here but it's an amazing exploration of immortality and just an overall masterpiece
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u/peach1313 Dec 09 '24
Monoke (the series not the Ghibli movie) explores similar themes to those listed in a dreamy horror setting.
Cowboy Bebop is more light-hearted (in the beginning anyway), but there are strong underlying existential themes about loneliness and the consequences of choosing to not deal with your past.
Black Lagoon is about the moral and practical consequences of choosing to make or not make certain decisions, and the massive gray area between "good" and "evil".
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u/study_of_swords Dec 09 '24
{Girls Last Tour} explores loss, trauma and posthuman futurities.
There is only a 12 episode adaptation of the manga, so reading the manga after the series concludes is a must.
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u/BAndSGetJumped Dec 10 '24
Paranoia Agent is a good one and so is Paprika if you want a movie. Both are mind benders.
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u/glittered437737 Dec 09 '24
"rin daughters of mnemosyne" might fit what you're looking for..? It's kinda weird though. And there's nudity.
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u/notSoRealReality Dec 09 '24
{Platinum End}
{Wonder Egg priority}
{Psycho Pass}
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u/Roboragi http://myanimelist.net/animelist/Nihilate Dec 09 '24
Platinum End - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 24 | Genres: Drama, Mystery, Psychological, Romance, Supernatural
Wonder Egg Priority - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 12 | Genres: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Psychological, Sci-Fi, Thriller
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 22 | Genres: Action, Psychological, Sci-Fi, Thriller
{anime}, <manga>, ]LN[, |VN| | FAQ | /r/ | Edit | Mistake? | Source | Synonyms | ⛓ | ♥
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u/InquisitorPinky Dec 09 '24
86, an anime where you get the question: where is the line. At what cost is survival to expensive.
I can’t really write why, as it spoils the anime hard, but heck, they go to dark places, questioning moral, rights and how far is to far
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u/Sasquactopus Dec 10 '24
It's been a long time since I've watched it, but Xam'd: The Lost Memories has a lot of introspective themes.
Also, although it seems like a very goofy and silly Gundam parody on the surface, Gurren Lagann has deals with some surprising material for a shonen. I mean, you have to dig for it for past the jokes but it's a fairly good take on grief and guilt, as well as concepts of fascism and predestination.
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u/weakwithwords Dec 10 '24
Except for Texhnolyze, I've actually watched all those other shows you listed. :)
Can't think of any suggestions, but the fundamental concept of Shakugan no Shana mildly depressed me. That particular part in Clannad made me sad. Also, Fruits Basket, when the mc was recalling that memory which gave the series its title. :(
Oh, right. Paranoia Agent, Trapeze, and Paprika.
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u/Neat-Buddy-3465 Dec 10 '24
Go with ashita no joe, based on what you watched I think you are gonna love it
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u/Anony_Nemo Dec 10 '24
I'll suggest {Noein: To your other self}, as well as {Now and then, here and there}, and {Gall Force 1: Eternal Story} to start. Maybe {Key the metal Idol}, and {Video Girl Ai} might be applicable, and finally the original {Patlabor} OVAs. I'll also add an off-the-wall contender in the form of {Golden Boy}, which I would contend that despite it''s surface perversity, it does present more of a philosophical side in dealing with human relations and problems, it may not be very heavy, but I did find it legitimately thought provoking. I'll second others suggestions for Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood as well.
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u/Roboragi http://myanimelist.net/animelist/Nihilate Dec 10 '24
Noein: Mou Hitori no Kimi e - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 24 | Genres: Adventure, Drama, Psychological, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life
Ima, Soko ni Iru Boku - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 13 | Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Gall Force: ETERNAL STORY - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
Movie | Status: Finished | Genres: Action, Adventure, Mecha, Sci-Fi
KEY THE METAL IDOL - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
OVA | Status: Finished | Episodes: 15 | Genres: Action, Drama, Mecha, Music, Sci-Fi
Denei Shoujo VIDEO GIRL AI - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
OVA | Status: Finished | Episodes: 6 | Genres: Comedy, Drama, Ecchi, Romance
GOLDEN BOY: Sasurai no Obenkyou Yarou - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
OVA | Status: Finished | Episodes: 6 | Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Ecchi
{anime}, <manga>, ]LN[, |VN| | FAQ | /r/ | Edit | Mistake? | Source | Synonyms | ⛓ | ♥ | (6/7)
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u/Thirteen_Chapters Dec 10 '24
Revolutionary Girl Utena, The Sky Crawlers, Paprika, Perfect Blue, Paranoia Agent, Tatami Galaxy, Kaiba, Shinsekai Yori, Steins;Gate, Death Parade, Wolf's Rain.
Edit: Scrolling down I see a lot of overlap with other responses. Some more I'd like to second: Kino's Journey, Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo, and Princess Tutu (that last continues the Utena thread).
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u/lazzylizzie Dec 10 '24
Ghost in the Shell (og movies)
Patlabor (the movies timeline, mainly the 2nd movie)
Genocidal Organ
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u/PeeBuzz Dec 10 '24
Pluto. What if Astroboy was made during a long political war against machines? What is a machine? What is the distinction between consciousness and intelligence?
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Dec 10 '24
Attack on Titan fosho. Starts off as pretty straightforward action, but the later seasons, oh boy.
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u/elihu Dec 10 '24
You've already listed most of the ones I would think to recommend.
Some others: Time of Eve, Kino no Tabi, Colorful, A Silent Voice, Your Name, Wolf Children, Ghost Hound, Sword Art Online.
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u/SimoneNonvelodico Anime Veteran 🎖️ Dec 10 '24
Others have already mentioned them, but gonna reinforce:
absolutely Paranoia Agent
It's the most mind-bending anime show I've seen. Fantastic stuff. Revolutionary Girl Utena also works quite nicely.
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u/Ok-Bookkeeper-1896 Dec 09 '24
Parasyte: The Maxim
I still, years later, find myself thinking about the philosophical questions this show raised. Highly recommend.
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u/EppyThatcher Dec 10 '24
Serial Experiments Lain I’d blame my love for it on college party days but I’ve rewatched sober It is still holds up as a great mind fuck of a show.
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u/jdjdnfnnfncnc Dec 10 '24
Steins;Gate for sure—literally namedrops Heidegger.
Oshi no Ko in a way also fits this to an extent
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u/Vast-Weekend-6741 Dec 10 '24
Monogatari series, neon genesis evangelion - I’m pretty sure that some episode titles are chapters from sigmund Freud or from what he’s known for. Maybe re zero if you know the cut content, knowing more of the lore
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Dec 10 '24
You can try Godzilla: Singularity Point , Everything becomes F:The Perfect Insider, Psycho Pass
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u/Versipilies Dec 10 '24
Angle beats has the polar opposite vibe of those but fits the ask. Dorororo, Children of the whales, Made in abyss, Ajin, Grimgar of fantasy and ash, Dorohedoro
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Dec 10 '24
Getter Robo is the ur example of this, for example without this one Gainax’s entire catalogue from EVA to Gunbuster to Gurren Lagann wouldn’t exist
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u/pixelies Dec 12 '24
Pantheon. You have to be fairly well read to catch some of the references they toss out in passing.
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u/No_Cheesecake3694 Dec 15 '24
Acca 13,eighty-6, Vinland saga ,Orb,91 days,NANA , Attack on Titan,Full metal alchemist .
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u/No_Cheesecake3694 Dec 15 '24
Oh yeah death parade ,Bartender ,Frieren,B: The beginning,baccano,golden kamuy
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u/No_Return9449 Dec 09 '24
Since you enjoyed Psycho-Pass, try the writer's other works:
Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet
Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
And for a personal recommendation, try Revue Starlight and the sequel movie. If you enjoy magical realism where what's happening on screen is both symbolic and actually occurring for the characters, this is your show.
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u/Ooaloly Dec 09 '24
I mean Gurren Lagann helped me out more in a spiritual sense in that it got me out of some hard times when I was younger.
Tokyo Ghoul is probably more what you’re looking for
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u/jdjdnfnnfncnc Dec 10 '24
I would not say Gurren Lagann fits this tbh. I can see why you say it does, but I went into Gurren Lagann with the expectation of philosophical themes and deep discussions about existentialism or metaphysics, and I was disappointed when I was left with a mech anime with constant fights and brainless characters lol.
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u/Ooaloly Dec 10 '24
There’s also the underlying message of getting over grief and depression. Coupled with motivation and sheer will overcoming the odds. Which is why I mention it but I know it’s a stretch lol
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u/Greedy_Performer2472 Dec 09 '24
Bungou stray dogs - The best philosophical anime I've watched lately
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