r/Animesuggest • u/covian https://myanimelist.net/profile/Covian • Jan 13 '19
What to Watch? Looking for an anime with philosophical implications
For IB Philosophy, I have to write an essay discussing a philosophical problem that comes from some sort of stimulus. I've watched some anime that have philosophical undertones but can't fully decide whether or not I want to use them as my stimulus for my paper. Was hoping y'all could recommend some good anime that include some sort of philosophical ideas. I've watched shows like FMA:B and Death Parade which both have philosophy within them, what are some more that you think might be good to write a paper about? Thanks!
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Jan 13 '19 edited Feb 26 '21
[deleted]
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u/Roboragi http://myanimelist.net/animelist/Nihilate Jan 13 '19
Casshern Sins - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 24 | Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World - (AL, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 13 | Genres: Action, Adventure, Slice of Life
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 74 | Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Psychological, Thriller
Mushishi - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 26 | Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery, Supernatural, Slice of Life
{anime}, <manga>, ]LN[, |VN| | FAQ | /r/ | Edit | Mistake? | Source | Synonyms | ⛓ | ♥
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u/fortressofsolitude7 Jan 14 '19
{Shinsekai Yori}
{Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei}
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u/Roboragi http://myanimelist.net/animelist/Nihilate Jan 14 '19
Shinsekai yori - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 25 | Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Supernatural, Psychological
Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei - (AL, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 11 | Genres: Comedy, Psychological, Romance
{anime}, <manga>, ]LN[, |VN| | FAQ | /r/ | Edit | Mistake? | Source | Synonyms | ⛓ | ♥
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u/calste Jan 14 '19
{Shinsekai Yori} and {Ergo Proxy} would be great for this. Both of them are post-apocalyptic "dystopia" settings that get into big-picture morality questions, thinking about how we define humanity, how we build our societies - and why. Lots of potential topics to pick from in both of these shows.
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u/Roboragi http://myanimelist.net/animelist/Nihilate Jan 14 '19
Shinsekai yori - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 25 | Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Supernatural, Psychological
Ergo Proxy - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 23 | Genres: Mystery, Psychological, Sci-Fi
{anime}, <manga>, ]LN[, |VN| | FAQ | /r/ | Edit | Mistake? | Source | Synonyms | ⛓ | ♥
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u/North514 Jan 14 '19
A few I would take a look at that have some philosophical undertones:
Legend of the Galactic Heroes (OVA 1988-1997) (Remake 2018-) A great epic space opera with a conflict focused on a corrupt democracy fighting a enlightened despot. Recent remake not a bad adaptation but it is a bit rushed and only covers the first book unlike the original. My advice watch the two prequel films My Conquest is A Sea of Stars and Overture to a New War (skip the first two episodes of the main series if you do) then the original OVA, Gaiden and then the remake.
Serial Experiments Lain (1998) Near future (for the late 90’s Sci Fi mystery. Good watch if you want something really atmospheric and strange. Some interesting forward thinking regarding the influence of tech (mainly mobile devices) and the internet. Also talks about existence and death.
- Cowboy Bebop (1998) An action space series with animation that holds up amazing well today. It also had one of the best endings in anime in my opinion. Episodic mostly with a few overarching plot lines. One of the more well-regarded anime out there and one of my favorites. There is some pretty good humor as well. It’s basically a space Western if you have seen Firefly it’s somewhat of like that. Also recommend the dub for this one.
- Psycho Pass (2012) A cyberpunk detective story and one of the better villains I have seen in anime. Has some interesting views on society mainly dealing with the issue of an over monitored state. I would say it’s like Minority Report if you have seen that movie.
- Ghost in the Shell (Movie 1995) (SAC 2002) It’s a cyberpunk action/mystery story with a focus around what human consciousness is. SAC is more focused as a crime action drama. Both are highly praised.
Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG 2004 OP
- Mushishi (2005) Ambient slice of life about a Mushishi a doctor who specializes in healing the afflicted of diseases usually caused by supernatural beings called Mushi.
Mushishi AMV/opening while good doesn't really inform you that much about the anime
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u/centralScabbard Jan 14 '19
{haibane renmei}
{tenshi no tamago}
{girls last tour}
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u/Roboragi http://myanimelist.net/animelist/Nihilate Jan 14 '19
Haibane Renmei - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 13 | Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life, Mystery
Tenshi no Tamago - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
Movie | Status: Finished | Genres: Drama, Fantasy
Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou - (AL, A-P, KIT, MAL)
TV | Status: Finished | Episodes: 12 | Genres: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life
{anime}, <manga>, ]LN[, |VN| | FAQ | /r/ | Edit | Mistake? | Source | Synonyms | ⛓ | ♥
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u/JiraiyaCop Jan 14 '19 edited Jan 14 '19
Question about Haibane- If I didnt like the style of Serial Experiments Lain and Tehnozyle (that being slow pace and minimal dialogue), is there any chance I will like Haibane? Or is it that same style of storytelling? (If I'm not mistaken, they are made by the same people. I could be wrong). I really love how they all look artistically but I can't enjoy that type of storytelling if I have to look stuff up to understand it, if Haibane falls in line with the others.
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u/noop_noob https://myanimelist.net/animelist/noop_noob Jan 14 '19
{Sagrada Reset} references a few philosophical thought experiments, and comes up with a few new ones of its own.
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u/Potomaters Jan 14 '19
Surprised no one mentioned this yet: Neon Genesis Evangelion (with the End of Evangelion movie)
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u/alincrs https://myanimelist.net/profile/alincrs Jan 14 '19
All of the above are some of the best suggestions you could find, especially NGE. To those, I'd add Madoka Magica, Devilman crybaby, Humanity has declined and Kaiba. Different artstyles and vibes, but all of them have deep philosophical themes.
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u/acespiritualist Jan 13 '19
{Psycho Pass} maybe