10 Best Thriller Anime of All Time: Must-Watch Psychological Series (2025)

Psychological anime offers a very different thrill: viewers are kept constantly on edge; it goes beyond just action and mystery, exploring into mind-twisting series that make you question every character’s motivations and transform limitations of both reality and delusion. Best thriller anime has an ability for getting deep into your mind, pulling you into a complex structure of mind games and ethical problems that leave you guessing on how to resolve. These kinds are cleverly made up so that twists become unpredictable long after they have been shown. Some psychological anime hit you with discoveries that changed everything; others developed very slowly like an increasing grip. What truly separates these anime is how they use the art form to create experiences that mess with your mind in the most entertaining and interesting ways possible, challenging your thinking and forcing you to think deeper about what you’re watching.

From high-stakes death games to complex crime mysteries,These anime keep you hooked with tension, mind games, and the excitement of not knowing what will happen next. One wrong move could mean disaster—and you’ll be holding your breath until the very end. If you love stories that keep you guessing, challenge your perception, and refuse to play by the rules, you’re in for a wild ride.

For your enjoyment, we have also compiled lists of recommended anime in other categories, such as 10 Best Sports Anime You Need to Watch in 2025, Top 10 Must-Watch Sci-fi Anime for beginners, etc., and many more. Don’t forget to check it out! For now, let’s explore 10 of the best thriller anime of my picks. Let’s dive into it.

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1. Monster

Talking about a pure classic and one of the best anime series, Monster is a psychological thriller that changes the anime genre with its slow-burning suspense and deep investigation of the nature of humans. The series follows Dr. Kenzo Tenma as he pursues a psychopathic former patient across Cold War Europe, creating mystery, ethical dilemmas, and complex plots together with great elegance. Monster maintains a mysterious, dark, realistic storytelling that would feel more suitable for watching as a premium HBO drama than an ordinary anime series. It intentionally creates excitement, rewarding patient viewers with detailed character development and interesting themes. Among other themes, the series comes up to deal with the nature vs. nurture debate by questioning whether true evil is naturally created or created by the environment. Monster is an excellent example of how genres may deal with complex themes, demonstrating anime’s ability to deliver psychological depth and cinematic storytelling on the same level with the best thrillers in any genre. Monster is an old anime with old animation, but it is still considered a masterpiece and possibly the best psychological thriller anime. The beginning of this series could seem slow, but it is definitely worth watching till the end. Manga is a masterpiece as well. Though the Monster manga is better than the anime, if you’re comfortable reading manga, I highly recommend it.

Series Details:

• Release Date: 2004-2005
• Episodes: 74
• Studio: Madhouse
• Creator: Naoki Urasawa
• Ratings: 8.7/10 (MyAnimeList)
• Where to Watch: Netflix

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2. Death Note

One of the best pieces of fiction ever created for the media, Death Note challenges common ideas and creates an expectation for psychological thrillers with a battle of intelligence that never lets the audience lose excitement until the end. The intense rivalry between Light Yagami and the mysterious detective L is what transforms such an obviously supernatural story into a hooking mental battle, making every move a carefully considered gamble. Death Note’s suspense also mostly depends on mind games rather than action with chips, such as an episode involving potato chips, which suddenly becomes power. As an investigation of justice, power, and corruption, it challenges fans values in a world where the lines between good and evil are always distorted. There are not a lot of action-packed fights or an incredible aura in the plot. Instead, Death Note influences and excites viewers with detail and intelligence gathering, transforming it into an important social and political essay on all possibilities in the minds of the characters struggling with both good and evil ends. Of course, one of the most well-liked anime series and among the best starting series is Death Note. It’s a must-watch series for all anime fans, as many fans started their anime journey with this masterpiece.

Series Details:

• Release Date: 2006-2007
• Episodes: 37
• Studio: Madhouse
• Creator: Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata
• Ratings: 8.6/10 (MyAnimeList)
• Where to Watch: Netflix, Prime Video

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3. Steins;Gate

Steins;Gate stands out in the anime world for challenging time travel traditions through the perspective of its self-proclaimed mad scientist Okabe Rintaro, who must deal with the harsh consequences of transforming at the same time. What makes this series a masterpiece is its exploration of the human condition through the psychological effects of experiencing multiple horrible timelines, which adds massive depth to the plot. The series remarkably balances the abstraction of science with a touching representation of the characters that affects fans minds and hearts. The slow and steady build to a heartbreaking climax, all while maintaining the best dimensions of purification and suffering, breaks from the traditional rhythms of sci-fi and instead breaks down the most challenging thriller-come-anime. As a result, the masterpiece, also known as Steins;Gates has developed over time to become a genre classic, one that is beloved by sci-fi fans as well as fans who appreciate stories with genuine characters. This series is an exceptional and must-watch series for all anime fans.

Series Details:

• Release Date: 2011
• Episodes: 24
• Studio: White Fox
• Creator: Nitroplus, 5pb.
• Ratings: 9.1/10 (MyAnimeList)
• Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix (based on your location)

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4. Perfect Blue (Movie)

This remarkable psychological thriller is more than just an anime film. It tells a haunting story that has influenced filmmakers beyond anime. The movie’s plot follows Mima Kirigoe, a former idol, as she falls into anxiety through her acting. It develops the perfect illusion of reality compared to delusion, keeping fans on edge until the final frame. Satoshi Kon, the director, used animation to manipulate perspectives and represent psychological breakdowns that live action could rarely achieve. The concept of identity, popularity, obsession, and many other themes run through this film, which is surprisingly modern in today’s age of consumption of media because of what it says and does as social thoughts and psychological horror. From strange scenes in dreams to a mind-bending climax, this film makes beyond the limits of what thriller anime can deliver, thrilling suspense and psychological depth that are both chilling.This movie is a masterpiece and remains one of the best and most influential films in anime history.

Series Details:

• Release Date: 1997
• Studio: Madhouse
• Creator: Satoshi Kon
• Ratings: 8.5/10 (MyAnimeList)
• Where to Watch: Apple Tv, Amazon Prime Video (based on your location)

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5. Erased (Boku dake ga Inai Machi)

Speaking of one of the most popular and amazing mini anime series, one you could binge in a single day, Erased brilliantly combines time travel, murder mystery, and childhood drama into a thrilling story that delivers both emotional warmth and spine-chilling suspense. The story is about Satoru Fujinuma’s desperate attempts to stop horrors both then and now, the series builds these supernatural events on human relationships and actual conversations between characters. The core create is the tension developed not only by the central mystery, but also by the protagonist’s desperate attempt to escape time and save those he cares about. It beautifully creates atmosphere in both 1988 and the present, serving as both a nostalgic character drama and a suspenseful crime story. From the personal representation of childhood bonding to heart-pounding experiences with evil, Erased shows how both touching and terrifying these thriller anime can be. Erased is one of the most loved anime, and it’s definitely worth your time, though the last two episodes didn’t meet fans’ expectations.

Series Details:

• Release Date: 2016
• Episodes: 12
• Studio: A-1 Pictures
• Creator: Kei Sanbe
• Ratings: 8.4/10 (MyAnimeList)
• Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

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6. Odd Taxi

Odd Taxi is basically a mystery-thriller based on extremely straightforward concepts that develop over time into a masterclass in storytelling. Hiroshi Odokawa, the quiet walrus taxi driver, turns everyday small talk into a slowly unraveling web of interconnected stories, eventually leading to one of the anime’s most satisfying endings. What makes Odd Taxi stand out is its incredible attention to detail, where every interaction has its own significance. Even minor issues have their own unique logic, rewarding observant fans with deeper meanings. For this reason, the show properly combines a number of plot points to create a whole work that is full of everything from psychological suspense to crime drama to critiques of modern society. Unlike ordinary shows, Odd Taxi is absolutely amazing at the art of words, which leads to a great cast of complex character writing and a simple yet interesting sense of suspense. The storytelling in this series shows real maturity by skillfully blending familiar anime elements at a perfect pace. It never rushes the action, instead letting the narrative gradually deepen and become more complex as it progresses.

Series Details:

• Release Date: 2021
• Episodes: 13
• Studio: OLM, P.I.C.S.
• Creator: Kazuya Konomoto
• Ratings: 8.7/10 (MyAnimeList)
• Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

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7. Psycho-Pass

Perhaps Psycho-Pass reinvented the cyberpunk thriller genre by focusing on issues of justice, liberty, and societal control in a world where mental states can be analyzed. It tells the story of Inspector Akane Tsunemori’s transformation from an idealistic rookie to a solid and strengthened investigator in a world where the promise of perfect justice is used as a tool to expose humanity’s darkest problems. Psycho-Pass stands out for its truly intelligent investigation into law enforcement and morality, raising questions about the cost of security in a society where algorithms determine justice. Whereas Psycho-Pass provides in-depth philosophical analyses of law, order, and justice, it is equally enjoyable in terms of keeping one’s excitement pumping through truly heart-stopping action. Opposing illegal villains and harsh criticisms of Psycho-Pass’s systemic corruption show how thriller anime can combine intellectual storytelling with intense entertainment, confronting its audience with the important nature of justice and control.

Series Details:

• Release Date: 2012
• Episodes: 41
• Studio: Production I.G
• Creator: Gen Urobuchi
• Ratings: 8.3/10 (MyAnimeList)
• Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

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8. Summer Time Rendering

Summer Time Rendering transforms a remote island into the perfect backdrop for supernatural suspense, following Shinpei Ajiro, who returns to his hometown for a childhood friend’s funeral only to discover dark elements at work. What makes this anime different from the others is that it uses time loops not only to create excitement, but also to explore much deeper and more important themes such as sadness, sacrifice and toughness, with each timeline revealing another piece of the horrifying puzzle. The series brilliantly builds tension through clever foreshadowing and nonlinear storytelling, making every information meaningful despite its sunny coastal setting where darkness lies below the surface. The evil twin concept increases the tension, as characters struggle to tell the difference between friends and enemies in a world where anyone could be an impostor. Summer Time Rendering shows how thriller anime can challenge your mind while grabbing at your emotions, creating an unforgettable experience that keeps fans guessing until the end.

Series Details:

• Release Date: 2022
• Episodes: 25
• Studio: OLM
• Creator: Yasuki Tanaka
• Ratings: 8.6/10 (MyAnimeList)
• Where to Watch: Disney+, Hulu

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9. The Promised Neverland

The Promised Neverland is a mind-bending psychological thriller in which a seemingly innocent orphanage is transformed into a battlefield in order to fight for survival. When Emma and her companions discover that the house is full of dark secrets, they realize that running is their only way to survive. For now, brute force won’t work against their intelligent enemies, so they plan to outsmart their captor with a clever escape. Most importantly, what makes this series different from others is its unique way to generate horrid fear without a sense of graphic violence, as it brings the fear in intelligent mind-play storytelling, shocking twists, and psychological mind games. Each and every piece of clue adds on to the mystery, rendering it impossible to tear one’s eyes away from it. The Promised Neverland shows that a good thriller requires only smart characters, a high-stakes plot, and enough horror to keep the audience interested through to the very end. This is showed well within the shocking opening information and a gripping escape plan. Season 2 of The Promised Neverland highly disappointed fans because it skipped some of the best arcs and peak moments. However, season 1 is totally worth watching and is done so well. I recommend stopping there and, instead of watching season 2, continuing to read the manga.

Series Details:

• Release Date: 2019
• Episodes: 23
• Studio: CloverWorks
• Creator: Kaiu Shirai
• Ratings: 8.5/10 (MyAnimeList)
• Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

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10. Death Parade

Death Parade is a unique psychological thriller in which life after death is experienced as a series of intense mental games. Souls visit the mysterious Quindecim bar, where they accidentally play common games like bowling, darts, and so on. From these games, they learn that the decisions they make determine their lives. Decim the bartender, is a solid operator who manages their games and tests the soul’s true natures. What makes this show unique is its ability to create tension without any physical harm to the players; instead, they rely on psychological manipulation and issues of morality. Each episode puts a specific burden on some aspect of human nature, encouraging the question of whether people can be judged by their worst moments. The beauty comes from the combination of philosophical concepts with emotional storytelling and unexpected twists that will keep anyone attached to their seat. The core idea of Death Parade, from its deceptively cheerful opening theme to its touching ending, illustrates how a thriller anime can be both deeply relaxing and completely exciting. Death Parade is still pretty much underrated in my opinion, specifically in today’s world, but it’s definitely worth!

Series Details:

• Release Date: 2015
• Episodes: 12
• Studio: Madhouse
• Creator: Yuzuru Tachikawa
• Ratings: 8.2/10 (MyAnimeList)
• Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll (based on your location)

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Conclusion On Best Thriller Anime

What makes thriller anime different, in fact, from all other kinds of sometimes Shockingly brilliant, delayed-funny twists? Then, to top it all off, it leaves you questioning every character, every decision, and sometimes even your own thoughts. The better thrillers give perfect entertainment, as they say, and then on to haunt their audience after the last scene. From Death Note’s psychological tug-of-war to Monster’s painfully slow burn and Perfect Blue’s unsettlingly real horrors, these anime prove mind games can be as nail-biting as battles. They will leave you riveted and puzzling until the very last. These stories will keep you hooked, making you think and feel until the very end. If you’re ready for a thrilling watch that stays with you, get ready to be left hanging.

Don’t forget to tell me your favorite thriller anime series and recommendations as well. Did I miss any masterpiece thriller series? Let me know in the comment box! I will soon make another list (part 2).

Along with the best thriller anime recommendations, we’ve also made lists on several genres, like the 10 best sports anime and 10 best sci-fi anime, and many more anime recommendations for you! Just click here to discover all our anime recommendations for you!