With its first two seasons now available on Crunchyroll, Psycho-Pass is one of the most famous sci-fi anime of all time. The idea of an AI system governing whether a person will commit a crime or not is pretty dystopian, and the gory manner in which this show disposes of its characters is harrowing. The thrilling nature of this series, along with its captivating setting, is one of the biggest reasons why so many people love it.
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These anime openings are so iconic any fan of Japanese animation will instantly recognize them.So many people binge this series and are then left with a vacuum once they are out of episodes. There aren't all that many anime like Psycho-Pass, but people who are willing to experiment with slightly different scenarios can check out the following shows that should be right up the alley of fans who love this series.
Updated on November 8, 2023, by Ritwik Mitra: Fans of sci-fi anime with a unique concept and grotesque imagery will love what Psycho-Pass brings to the table. The Minority Report-esque system of predicting when a person would commit a crime makes for a rather tantalizing watch in every way. While some people argue that Psycho-Pass never reaches the high standards set by the first season, the anime is still worth watching for any fan who loves high-concept sci-fi shows with stellar visuals and memorable characters.
17 Fate/Zero
A Prequel That Focuses On The Holy Grail War With Some Grotesque Imagery
Fate/Zero
- Release Date
- October 1, 2011
- Studio
- Ufotable
- Creator
- Gen Urobuchi
Fate/stay Night is the first chapter in a series that certainly has some disturbing moments of its own, but the entire series doesn't really go all out in its depiction of the heinous activities that take place during the Holy Grail War. However, the first episode of Fate/Zero makes it clear that this show is not for the faint of heart.
Describing the horrifying event that takes place in the show's pilot is harrowing, and people should just check it out for themselves to see if they can stomach such a brutal sight. Of course, Fate/Zero is more than just this shocking event, but, much like Psycho-Pass, players will need to sit through a lot of grotesque events if they wish to enjoy the series to its fullest.
16 Steins;Gate
An Incredible Time-traveling Adventure
Steins;Gate
- Release Date
- April 6, 2011
- Studio
- White Fox
- Based On
- Visual Novel
Steins;Gate is a series that can take a while to get into. The first few episodes do a great job of explaining the machinations of the series — in fact, some people would argue that it goes overboard here. There are many instances of viewers dropping the series during this time, which is a shame, since the latter half of Steins;Gate makes for some of the most enthralling viewing anime fans can subject themselves to.
Best Anime Like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is among the most popular anime ever, and fans looking for similar shows should check out these action series.Powering through the first few episodes can be a pain, but the payoff is more than worthwhile. The zany adventures of Rintaro Okabe as he sends text messages into the past to change the future is a mind-bending tale that is simply riveting after the expository episodes are over and done with.
15 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
A Cyberpunk Anime With Relentless Action
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
- Release Date
- September 13, 2022
- Studio
- Trigger
- Based On
- Video Game
Cyberpunk 2077 has been experiencing a resurgence right now, and a huge part of this is the runaway success of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. The show has done a brilliant job of using the game's universe to tell a compelling story about how people go too far in their journey to become a legend in Night City.
David is a sympathetic figure who gets roped into the world of Edgerunners and starts establishing a name for himself. Honestly, the only bad thing people can say about this anime is that it's simply too short, and viewers would've appreciated more episodes before its saddening ending.
14 Cowboy Bebop
A Fun Sci-fi Adventure Packed With Action, Comedy, And Mystery
A space western that provides a ton of entertainment in every episode, Cowboy Bebop is a legendary anime that everyone has heard of at this point. The story of Spike and his buddies as they work towards a common goal while also resolving their own issues throughout the series is a blast.
Cowboy Bebop is a fun ride that will get viewers attached to the main cast in no time. The individual stories in each episode are pretty riveting in their own right and will keep viewers engaged till the very end.
13 Tokyo Ghoul
A Gory Shonen Series Dealing With Flesh-eating Ghouls
Release Date |
July 4, 2014 |
---|---|
Genre |
Dark fantasy, supernatural thriller |
Studio |
Pierrot |
Creator |
Sui Ishida |
Tokyo Ghoul is another great series that fans of Ergo Proxy should watch. The violence level in both shows is pretty much off the charts and one of their biggest similarities.
Tokyo Ghoul deals with the trials and tribulations Ken Kaneki has to face after being turned into a ghoul. It makes for a riveting time, with Kaneki's descent into chaos and anarchy being a huge blast.
12 Akira
One Of The Finest Anime Movies Ever Made, Set In A Cyberpunk Dystopia
Release Date |
July 16, 1988 |
---|---|
Genre |
Cyberpunk, political thriller, post-apocalyptic |
Studio |
Tokyo Movie Shinsha |
Creator |
Katsuhiro Otomo |
Akira is one of the most groundbreaking anime movies of all time. It's set in the futuristic Neo Tokyo where espers exist, with the unfortunate Tetsuo Shima getting the powers of such an esper after getting into an accident.
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These adventures into space and looks at life in the distant future are sure to please any anime fan.Watching this character try and control his powers only to fail and create an entire universe of his own is definitely an interesting watch indeed. It helps that the art direction and animation in this series are stellar and still hold up to this day.
11 Gantz
A Twisted Game Played By The Deceased With A Lot Of Gruesome Imagery
Gantz
- Release Date
- April 13, 2004
- Studio
- Gonzo
- Creator
- Hiroya Oku
Gantz is a sci-fi action thriller that is full to the brim with gory violence across the board. However, while the series is known for its more shocking moments, it's the thrilling narrative and amazing characters of Gantz that make it such a brilliant watch.
Viewers will easily get attached to the characters in the show before having their emotions curb-stomped by the series over and over again. It's a great series to watch for people who want a unique take on the sci-fi genre.
10 Ergo Proxy
A Psychological Thriller Set In A Cyberpunk World
Release Date |
February 25, 2006 |
---|---|
Genre |
Cyberpunk, psychological thriller, post-apocalyptic |
Studio |
Manglobe |
Director |
Shuko Murase |
A cyberpunk anime that feels a lot like Psycho-Pass, Ergo Proxy is a great series. This psychological thriller poses fascinating questions about whether self-aware androids deserve the same rights as humans.
The only problem with the show is its pacing, which can be ridiculously slow at times. However, if viewers manage to look past this minor inconvenience, they'll be able to enjoy one of the better sci-fi shows around.
9 Monster
A Thriller Anime With One Of The Greatest Antagonists Of All Time
Monster
- Release Date
- April 7, 2004
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Creator
- Naoki Urasawa
Monster is a beloved show that might suffer from slightly slow pacing at times, but that's a pretty small complaint at the end of the day. After all, this faithful adaptation is considered by many to be one of the best thrillers in anime, with a captivating story that will keep viewers on edge all the way to the very end.
The titular Monster, Johan Liebert, is one of the most fascinating antagonists of all time. Watching the main characters try and hunt him down throughout the series feels like a futile exercise due to how smart Johan really is.
8 Darker Than Black
A Riveting Shonen Anime With Contractors Possessing Unique Powers
Release Date |
April 6, 2007 |
---|---|
Genre |
Mystery, science fiction, supernatural thriller |
Studio |
Bones |
Creator |
Tensai Okamura |
A sci-fi action-thriller with an amazing premise, Darker than Black is a rather underrated anime. The show focuses on the idea of certain individuals becoming Contractors, allowing them to use supernatural powers at a cost.
19 Anime With Unique Art Styles
Anime is well known for its striking art and varying styles, but these select anime have some of the more unique art styles out there.Darker than Black is a completely original anime, which is already a massive achievement for how good it is. The action scenes are clever and feel different from the usual raw power battles showcased in, for instance, most battle shonen anime.
7 Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex
A Sci-fi Action Anime With Espionage Elements
Release Date |
October 1, 2002 |
---|---|
Genre |
Cyberpunk, spy, thriller |
Studio |
Production I.G |
Creator |
Masamune Shirow |
Ghost in the Shell is a name that needs no introduction. The show features a cyberpunk aesthetic that will feel right at home with fans of Psycho-Pass.
The original movie is a landmark release in its own right, and Stand Alone Complex adds more complexity to the world. Watching a futuristic version of the police take down heinous criminals could be a straightforward concept, but it's the amazing storytelling of Stand Alone Complex that lets this anime really shine.
6 Paranoia Agent
A Mind-bending Psychological Thriller
Release Date |
February 3, 2004 |
---|---|
Genre |
Mystery, psychological thriller, supernatural |
Studio |
Madhouse |
Director |
Satoshi Kon |
Legendary director Satoshi Kon is responsible for creating one of the most engaging mystery-thrillers in anime history. Paranoia Agent's premise is deceptively simple and hides a wealth of layers that add a ton of richness to this eerie story.
The show is incredibly riveting, and fans will find this show difficult to put down once they've gone through a few episodes. The fact that the brilliant Madhouse produced Paranoia Agent also does not hurt.
5 Id:Invaded
An Anime Where People Explore The Minds Of Serial Killers To Stop Any Potential Murders
Release Date |
January 5, 2020 |
---|---|
Genre |
Murder mystery, science fiction |
Studio |
NAZ |
Creator |
Otaro Maijo |
Id:Invaded is relatively unknown as far as the other anime recommended here. The protagonist of this tale has a haunting backstory, with his motivations being strong enough to make him a highlight of the experience.
Id:Invaded takes a twisted look into the minds of serial killers and how they can be stopped before they complete a crime. A system is in place for the same, which is quite reminiscent of Psycho-Pass.
4 Terror In Resonance
A Riveting Psychological Thriller
Release Date |
July 10, 2014 |
---|---|
Genre |
Psychological thriller |
Studio |
MAPPA |
Creator |
Shinichiro Watanabe |
Speaking of underrated anime, Terror in Resonance also deserves a shout-out of its own. The anime is simply excellent, and it's a shame that not many people talk about this brilliant series.
This psychological thriller has some social commentary that makes it a pretty riveting watch. The turmoil the main characters have gone through is brutal and makes them quite likable, even though they might be morally bankrupt at times.
3 From The New World
A Brutal Take On How Humans Become Psychopaths After Getting Access To Special Psychic Powers
Release Date |
October 3, 2012 |
---|---|
Genre |
Dark fantasy, dystopian, thriller |
Studio |
A-1 Pictures |
Creator |
Yusuke Kishi |
From the New World shows the reality of what would happen if humans gained access to psychic powers. The untold death and destruction that can follow are realistically depicted in From the New World, with modern society collapsing in spectacular fashion before being remolded a thousand years down the line.
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If anime fans thought One Piece was long they'll be shocked at just how many episodes are in these series.This is where the anime starts off, and the setup is so riveting that many people are likely to be hooked from the get-go. Similar to Psycho-Pass, From the New World goes through quite a few twists and turns, particularly during its second course.
2 Death Note
One Of The Most Iconic Mystery Anime
Death Note
- Release Date
- October 4, 2006
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Creator
- Tsugumi Ohba
There aren't many anime as popular as Death Note. The battle of wits between Light Yagami and L is simply legendary, producing a run of about 20 episodes that is as strong as any other anime out there.
The emergence of Near after L's death does make for a rather annoying second half, but it's still a decent show that deserves all its plaudits. Fans of suspenseful thrillers with a touch of the supernatural will have a great time with Death Note.
1 Code Geass
A Mix Of The Mecha And Political Thriller Genres
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006)
- Release Date
- October 6, 2006
- Studio
- Sunrise
- Japanese Title
- Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch
Another amazing mystery thriller where the protagonist's intellect is simply in a class of its own is Code Geass. This show is an absolute masterpiece that makes the most of its premise and uses a morally dubious yet infinitely likable protagonist to great effect.
The power of the Geass allows for some amazing moments where the creativity of the show's writing is extremely palpable. This, coupled with a bunch of great characters and some emotional moments, establishes Code Geass as a must-watch for fans of Psycho-Pass.
Psycho-Pass
- Release Date
- October 12, 2012
- Seasons
- 3
- Studio
- Production I.G, Tatsunoko Production
- Number of Episodes
- 41
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.34 (Season 1)