whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Award Winning

The best award-winning psychological anime you can start from the beginning

25 anime that are both award-winning and psychological, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Perfect Blue, Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei, Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica.

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The list

1. 1 Perfect Blue Film · 1998 · Madhouse · #136 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
2. 2 Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei The Tatami Galaxy TV · 2010 · 11 episodes · Madhouse · #140 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
3. 3 Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Puella Magi Madoka Magica TV · 2011 · 12 episodes · Shaft · #246 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
4. 4 Shinseiki Evangelion Neon Genesis Evangelion TV · 1995 · 26 episodes · Gainax · #265 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
5. 5 Koukaku Kidoutai Ghost in the Shell Film · 1995 · Production I.G · #364 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
6. 6 Shoujo Kakumei Utena Revolutionary Girl Utena TV · 1997 · 39 episodes · J.C.Staff · #396 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
7. 7 Kaiba TV · 2008 · 12 episodes · Madhouse · #532 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
8. 8 Serial Experiments Lain TV · 1998 · 13 episodes · Triangle Staff · #600 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
9. 9 Paprika Film · 2006 · Madhouse · #675 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
10. 10 Evangelion Movie 1: Jo Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone Film · 2007 · Khara · #752 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
11. 11 Tekkon Kinkreet Tekkonkinkreet Film · 2006 · Studio 4°C · #859 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
12. 12 Mind Game Film · 2004 · Studio 4°C · #1150 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
13. 13 Jin-Rou Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade Film · 2000 · Production I.G · #1218 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
14. 14 Memories Film · 1995 · Madhouse · #1371 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
15. 15 Higashi no Eden Eden of The East TV · 2009 · 11 episodes · Production I.G · #1392 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
16. 16 Mousou Dairinin Paranoia Agent TV · 2004 · 13 episodes · Madhouse · #1583 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
17. 17 Mugen no Ryvius Infinite Ryvius TV · 1999 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #2515 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
18. 18 RahXephon TV · 2002 · 26 episodes · Bones · #2735 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
19. 19 Ginga Tetsudou no Yoru Night on the Galactic Railroad Film · 1985 · Group TAC · #2764 on MyAnimeList 74% would recommend
20. 20 Nekojiru-sou Cat Soup OVA · 2001 · 1 episode · J.C.Staff · #2939 on MyAnimeList 74% would recommend
21. 21 Sentou Yousei Yukikaze Yukikaze OVA · 2002 · 5 episodes · Gonzo · #3468 on MyAnimeList 72% would recommend
22. 22 Key the Metal Idol OVA · 1994 · 15 episodes · Studio Pierrot · #5258 on MyAnimeList 64% would recommend
23. 23 Inaka Isha Franz Kafka's A Country Doctor Film · 2007 · Imagica · #6936 on MyAnimeList 59% would recommend
24. 24 Ikuta no Kita Dozens of Norths Film · 2021 · Yamamura Animation · #8176 on MyAnimeList 51% would recommend
25. 25 Atama Yama Mt. Head Film · 2002 · Studio Deen · #8963 on MyAnimeList 50% would recommend

Why this is not a MyAnimeList search. Every entry here is one you can start from the beginning. Anything with a prequel or a parent story is left out, as are recaps and compilation editions — about half of what MyAnimeList ranks. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.