In the world of anime series, the most loved genre is Thrill. Thriller anime shows leave you on the edge of suspense and make you watch all the episodes until the anxiety goes away.
Psychological thriller anime are action-packed dramas that often focus on the mental states of the characters. These will mess with your mind and makes you think for a while, to clear your suspense.
The one thing that’s best about these is how bad they maybe, but in the end, twists make you surprise, and you will not regret it at all. If you’re looking for some thriller anime to watch, here we are presenting the best thriller anime of all time.
Best Thriller Anime!
1. Death Note
Death Note is one of those anime series, which contains tight plots and keeps getting better in every episode. Besides twists and turns, Death Note also addresses questions about morality and justice. It is a well-paced thriller with a fascinating concept and will surprise you at every instant.
The story starts with a high school student named Light Yagami, who discovers a supernatural notebook that has deadly powers. He can kill anyone he wishes just by writing their name in the Death Note.
With his new power and intelligence, he decides to eliminate those who are unworthy of living and changing the world into a place where there is no crime. Then a deadly game of Cat and Mouse begins when an extraordinary intelligent detective begins to track down the young boy.
The anime never fails to surprise the viewer and gets unbelievable in some instances. If you want more psychological thriller anime like Death Note, here you go: 7 Intense Anime like Death Note That’ll Mess With Your Mind!
2. Monster
Monster is a dark, suspenseful, and extremely entertaining anime that leaves you in a state of surprise. In other words, it is a true Masterpiece! It has a complex and yet beautiful storyline that unfolds over 74 incredible episodes.
Every character resembles human nature. There will be moments where you’ll get speechless and scenes that will get you into tears.
Dr.Kenzo Tenma is a talented young neurosurgeon who lives his life working in a hospital in Germany. He is a well-respected person among his colleagues and engaged to the daughter of the director. But all this changes one faithful day when a young boy and his twin are brought in with a severe head injury.
He is faced with a huge dilemma when his superior orders him to abort the boy’s surgery and operate on the mayor instead. But Tenma goes against his superiors to save the boy’s life, which results in the mayor’s death. Then the horror begins for Tenma, and he has to face the consequences for what he has done. It is undoubtedly one of the best thriller anime of all time.
3. The Promised Neverland
The Promised Neverland reminds me of the intellectual struggle between Light and L in Death Note. You’ll be hyped straight from the beginning. It contains flawless episodes with mind-blowing twists, and as you go through the pace, you will notice the development of each character.
The story starts at an orphanage where children believe it is their home. But what if it isn’t? What if the one they adored is not their mother? As soon as they realize it, the young brains try to escape from the Orphanage.
But avoiding the threat isn’t so easy. It involves a lot of thinking and strategic plans. Can they overcome the threat and escape? The thrill you experience while watching it is immeasurable. If you’re a fan of psychological thriller anime, then this show is perfect for you.
4. Steins; Gate
Stein’s; Gate is a mind-blowing anime that messes with your mind. It will leave a massive impression on you if you give it a try. It is a slow-paced at the beginning, but once you move forward, it gets you in the right spot where you binge-watch the whole series in a single day.
Stein’s; Gate is a story about time travel where a mad scientist, “Rintarou Okabe,” and his friends change their microwave into a device that sends messages to the past. As they continue performing, an organization named SERN, who has been doing their research on time travel, finds them.
Now Okabe and his friends should be aware of the organization. Okabe alters the past, which creates some unusual incidents and faces the consequences. This anime gives you a clear view of Time travel. Make sure not to miss one of the best thriller anime of all time.
5. Terror in Resonance
Most people find it as a slow-paced anime. However, it starts a bit slow in the beginning. But after a few episodes, it is worth the wait. This show is well written and contains an intense plot.
It makes the viewers, allowing them to get their conclusion about the characters, morals, and actions. And more than this, the ending leaves the viewer in a delighted state.
As for the plot, Tokyo hits by a terrorist attack where the only evidence of the culprits is the video uploaded to the internet by the terrorist masterminds known as “Sphinx.” The members are two teenage boys named Nine and Twelve who decides to wake up the world with their terror.
Then how would the government deal with this situation? Well, if you’re looking for a suspenseful show, this is made for you and not to mention it is one of the best thriller anime of all time.
6. Another
Horror is a genre that tends to be rare in the anime genre. And there will be only a few anime with good quality of animation in the horror genre. An example of such anime is Another.
This anime keeps in suspense from beginning to end, and not to mention, twists and turns are one more thing you can forward. The story is compelling and well presented.
The story starts with a boy named Sakakibara, who transfers to a new school in Yomiyama from Tokyo. He finds himself drawn to a mysterious girl named Misaki Mei. Not after so long, he finds himself in terror, which includes a series of gruesome deaths.
With each episode, the story involves twists and turns, which put you in a state of suspense. If you’re looking for an apprehensive concept, then this amazing thriller anime is for you.
7. Parasyte: The Maxim
Even though Parasyte: The Maxim adapts the story of the 90s, this anime proves that good stories can stand at the top in any medium. Also though the first few episodes seem creepy, which turns you away, I would still advise you to watch it. Because the show never feels unnatural.
The whole series explores very humanly, and it excites you from the very start. Everything about the show is terrific, the story, the characters, the animation, and what else. In other words, this is one of my favorite and beautiful shows.
The story starts with a 17-year-old Izumi Shinichi, who lives with his mother. On a faithful day, Shinichi is partially infected by a Parasyte, that butcher and consume humans. He must learn to co-exist with the creature to survive.
However, as unusual events take place with other Parasytes, the story gets right on track, and it will entertain you. It is one of the best thriller anime of all time, and you must not miss it.
8. Deadman Wonderland
Probably if you’re looking for a thriller anime with intense and gore violent scenes, you can’t find a better one than this. The story of the anime starts when Ganta becomes the sole survivor of the brutal murder that takes place in his class.
But unfortunately, he gets framed for it since the killer is a mysterious person with a red crystal embedded in him and appears out of nowhere. Ganta is sent to a prison where entertaining the people with dangerous games is a culture. In every game, his survival gets tougher, and besides that, can he prove his innocence?
Unlike any other thriller anime, Deadman Wonderland takes up a unique environment. In the beginning, everything seems so strange. Probably, you wouldn’t expect the starting to be with a gruesome death scene.
With a tremendous dark theme and showing the multiple sides of the characters, this show leaves you on the edge of your seat. I don’t want to brag much about it, but I can say one thing for sure that it is one of the best psychological thriller anime shows.
9. Alice in Borderland
Alice in Borderland is one rare thriller anime that presents you with an exclusive concept and extreme thriller ride. Since the show is based on a survival theme, you won’t expect what happens next.
That way, you can stay excited throughout the series and it won’t disappoint you a bit. So, make sure to add this thriller anime to your watchlist.
The story follows a high school student named Arisu who gives up on his life and one day with his two friends he witnesses a large firework going off in the sky. Before they notice it, one of the fireworks knocks them out.
They wake up only to find out an unfamiliar place and there aren’t any people except the three of them. Now, they are forced to take part in survival games to find their way out.
10. Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song
The story takes place in an A. I theme park named NiaLand that brings the dreams of people to life through science. Vivy is the first autonomous android to work there, and she makes people happy with her singing.
One day, she meets an A. I teddy bear named Matsumoto, and it seems to come 100 years from the future. Will these both A.Is be able to stop the upcoming war between A.I and human races?
I really can’t say how much I enjoyed watching this anime this year. Probably the best anime I’ve watched in 2021 after Dr. Stone: Stone Wars.
It isn’t a complete thriller, but the way the story moves is spectacular and definitely gives you a couple of thriller vibes. Every aspect is done masterfully, and you’ll thoroughly enjoy it.
11. Paranoia Agent
Paranoia Agent is simply a stunning anime. It is one of those serial creations which have you hooked from the very first episode and have your mind salivating once it concludes. Even though it is a bit darker, the plot is continuously intertwining and leaves you on the edge of each episode.
The story of Paranoia Agent revolves around a mysterious boy, who starts attacking people with a baseball bat in every corner, and now it is up to the police to stop him. Two agents take on the case, but the only connection between the victims they can find is that all victims were in great despair.
With the clue, the two agents try to chase after the boy. Make sure to check it out, and don’t blame me if it messes with your mind. It is, without a doubt, one of the best thriller anime of all time.
12. The Future Diary
The Future Diary is a great anime and an enjoyable ride. The concept is fantastic, and every episode keeps the viewer entertained. Even though it does have some minor issues, this show is brilliant.
The Future Diary sets in a dark environment where Yukiteru Amano a 14-year-boy who spends most of his time recording events in his cellphone “diary.”
His life takes a turn when his diary records the facts from the future, and he discovers there are 11 more people who possess the diaries that predict the future in various ways.
It turns out Yukiteru is a part of the survival game to decide the successor of God of time and space. Can he achieve it on his own? Or does he have an ally? Yes, there is. Make sure to watch it to clear the suspense. And you’ll know why it is one of the best thriller anime of all time.
Conclusion
There you go! The ultimate list of best thriller anime you can watch right now. Since the list has been updated since the last time, you have two more new anime to catch up.
Well then, we hope you enjoy your day with these excellent anime series. What do you think about thriller anime? And what is your favorite? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
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