The best serious anime

Anime covers dozens of genres, where each genre has its own subgenres. Among all the anime out there you can find one that fits all moods. Do you feel to laugh right away? Anime has got you covered. Do you want to cry your eyes? Lots of anime fit the bill. If you want to get a little more serious, there are options for you.

In this list we look at some of the best serious anime out there. For the most part, these anime involves serious situations and subjects without giving too much for tropes or absurd humor. While the tone can be light sometimes, they definitely lean more into the drama aspect.

These are presented in no special order.

9

Attack on titanium

Titan attack is one of the most popular anime out there, with the show broadcast for a decade. Make no mistakes; This show is serious, intense and sometimes incredibly stressful to watch. It is only meaningful, since the show is originally about a walled city that has to defend itself against scary giant people.

Overall, anime is also extremely dark, with moments leaving your jaw on the floor. As you continue to watch the show and follow the role of characters as they get older, things will only become more intense.

8

Wine country law

Are you a fan of historical drama? In that case, Vinland Saga is the perfect show for you. The overall tone of the show is serious and honestly quite bleak sometimes. Vinland Saga does a good job of portraying violence; Instead of being some epic performance, violence feels impact and consequence.

If Vikings, Drama and the Middle Ages interest you, Vinland Saga is definitely worth watching. You may even forget that you are looking at an anime while you bite it!

7

Terror in resonance

Terror in resonance is an anime original that deals with some fairly serious topics, including terrorism. The first section should be enough to connect you, and while many note that it decreases in quality near the end, we think that terror in resonance is a little underestimated.

Although the show is about teenage terrorists, terrorist in resonance manages to remain grounded and realistic without being presented as too over-the-top. In addition, the animation and music are phenomenal.

6

Monster

Monster is an absolutely fascinating story about Doctor Tenma, presented with a serious choice within the first episode of the show. His choice comes with consequences, which ultimately stops affecting him for the rest of the show.

Overall, monsters are definitely a bit of a slow burn, but after seeing some sections you will quickly realize that this show is made for mature audience. The story is complex, filled with unique characters and real questions that give a sense of realism.

5

Psycho pass

Psycho pass is another anime original, although you can find many based on the show. If you are a fan of the movie Minority Report, Psycho pass is just up in your alley. In this show, even thinking about a crime makes you guilty.

This is where executors and inspectors come in, as it is their job to handle these “criminals”. While psycho passes leaning into sci-fi, the show still manages to be tense, serious and leaves you the longing for each section.

4

Paranoia

Paranoia Agent is a classic show created by Satoshi Kon, who has also created iconic anime films such as Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers and Paprika. This show takes place in Toyko, where rumors of a skate boy with a golden bat circes.

Not all Satoshi Kon films are serious, such as Tokyo Godfathers. Yet they are all definitely worth watching.

As with other Satoshi Kon-works, the Paranoia agent does not rely on the Anime Tropes or over-the-top character design. Paranoia agent maintains a serious tone when he handles something as bizarre as a boy with a golden bat.

3

The promised Neverland

The promised Neverland made waves when Anime first came out in 2019. People over the internet talked about the end of the first episode, which sets the tone for the rest of the series. The series looks like a fun anime about children in an orphanage, but it's so much more than that.

The first season of the promised Neverland is absolutely phenomenal, with complex and exciting characters and a tense plot. The second season definitely missed the brand and condensed … many chapters in 11 episodes. Still lasts the first season as fantastic. To get the whole story, we strongly suggest that you read manganese.

2

Serial experiment lain

Serial experiments Lain is a strange anime. If you have advance interest for this show, we suggest you just dive in without knowing a lot. If you need a little more convincing, just know that serial experiments Lain is about Lain, which mainly joins a computer network.

This anime has themes similar to Neon Genesis Evangelion and The Matrix, but it is presented in such a surreal way that it will make you a little confused but still long for the next section.

1

Ergo proxy

Last but not least we have Ergo -Proxy. This is a Cyberpunk -Anime that has a grunge, moody and dystopian vibe. In this world, Androids (Autoreivs) has essentially gained self -awareness through a virus, one of which would be murdered.

This is where our protagonist comes in, because she works as an inspector. Although Ergo Proxy was first broadcast in 2006, the themes that are still relevant today, especially when humanity continues to enter the future.