whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Supernatural

The best psychological supernatural anime you can start from the beginning

37 anime that are both supernatural and psychological, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Death Note, Serial Experiments Lain, Mononoke Movie 1: Karakasa.

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The list

1. 1 Death Note TV · 2006 · 37 episodes · Madhouse · #100 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
2. 2 Serial Experiments Lain TV · 1998 · 13 episodes · Triangle Staff · #600 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
3. 3 Mononoke Movie 1: Karakasa Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain Film · 2024 · EOTA · #712 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
4. 4 Tekkon Kinkreet Tekkonkinkreet Film · 2006 · Studio 4°C · #859 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
5. 5 Mawaru Penguindrum Penguindrum TV · 2011 · 24 episodes · Brain's Base · #890 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
6. 6 Shiki TV · 2010 · 22 episodes · Daume · #1402 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
7. 7 Mousou Dairinin Paranoia Agent TV · 2004 · 13 episodes · Madhouse · #1583 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
8. 8 Jigoku Shoujo Hell Girl TV · 2005 · 26 episodes · Studio Deen · #1780 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
9. 9 Wonder Egg Priority TV · 2021 · 12 episodes · CloverWorks · #2084 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
10. 10 Shigofumi Shigofumi: Letters from the Departed TV · 2008 · 12 episodes · J.C.Staff · #2415 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
11. 11 Shinreigari Ghost Hound TV · 2007 · 22 episodes · Production I.G · #2698 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
12. 12 Mirai Nikki (TV) The Future Diary TV · 2011 · 26 episodes · asread. · #2731 on MyAnimeList 74% would recommend
13. 13 Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales TV · 2006 · 11 episodes · Toei Animation · #2754 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
14. 14 Oneechan Gokko Playing Sister ONA · 2026 · 3 episodes · Studio Gohan · #3698 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
15. 15 Re:cycle of the Penguindrum Film · 2022 · Brain's Base · #3830 on MyAnimeList 72% would recommend
16. 16 Ayashi no Ceres Ceres, Celestial Legend TV · 2000 · 24 episodes · Studio Pierrot · #3905 on MyAnimeList 68% would recommend
17. 17 Boogiepop wa Warawanai Boogiepop Phantom TV · 2000 · 12 episodes · Madhouse · #3908 on MyAnimeList 70% would recommend
18. 18 Cong Hong Yue Kaishi Since The Red Moon Appeared ONA · 2023 · 16 episodes · Foch Film · #3912 on MyAnimeList 70% would recommend
19. 19 Mouryou no Hako Box of Goblins TV · 2008 · 13 episodes · Madhouse · #4070 on MyAnimeList 69% would recommend
20. 20 Kyougoku Natsuhiko: Kousetsu Hyaku Monogatari Requiem from the Darkness TV · 2003 · 13 episodes · TMS Entertainment · #4477 on MyAnimeList 69% would recommend
21. 21 Boogiepop wa Warawanai (2019) Boogiepop and Others TV · 2019 · 18 episodes · Madhouse · #4507 on MyAnimeList 66% would recommend
22. 22 Madlax TV · 2004 · 26 episodes · Bee Train · #4620 on MyAnimeList 67% would recommend
23. 23 Red Garden TV · 2006 · 22 episodes · Gonzo · #4633 on MyAnimeList 65% would recommend
24. 24 Umineko no Naku Koro ni Umineko: When They Cry TV · 2009 · 26 episodes · Studio Deen · #4790 on MyAnimeList 66% would recommend
25. 25 Kokkoku TV · 2018 · 12 episodes · Geno Studio · #4966 on MyAnimeList 68% 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.