whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Suspense

The best psychological suspense anime you can start from the beginning

123 anime that are both suspense and psychological, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Steins;Gate, Monster, Death Note.

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The list

1. 1 Steins;Gate TV · 2011 · 24 episodes · White Fox · #6 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
2. 2 Monster TV · 2004 · 74 episodes · Madhouse · #26 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
3. 3 Death Note TV · 2006 · 37 episodes · Madhouse · #100 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
4. 4 Perfect Blue Film · 1998 · Madhouse · #136 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
5. 5 Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei The Tatami Galaxy TV · 2010 · 11 episodes · Madhouse · #140 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
6. 6 Yakusoku no Neverland The Promised Neverland TV · 2019 · 12 episodes · CloverWorks · #185 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
7. 7 Banana Fish TV · 2018 · 24 episodes · MAPPA · #192 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
8. 8 Pluto ONA · 2023 · 8 episodes · Studio M2 · #206 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
9. 9 Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Puella Magi Madoka Magica TV · 2011 · 12 episodes · Shaft · #246 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
10. 10 Shinseiki Evangelion Neon Genesis Evangelion TV · 1995 · 26 episodes · Gainax · #265 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
11. 11 Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu Parasyte: The Maxim TV · 2014 · 24 episodes · Madhouse · #308 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
12. 12 One Outs TV · 2008 · 25 episodes · Madhouse · #312 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
13. 13 Psycho-Pass TV · 2012 · 22 episodes · Production I.G · #313 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
14. 14 Boku dake ga Inai Machi Erased TV · 2016 · 12 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #319 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
15. 15 Koukaku Kidoutai Ghost in the Shell Film · 1995 · Production I.G · #364 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
16. 16 Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor TV · 2007 · 26 episodes · Madhouse · #387 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
17. 17 Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- TV · 2016 · 25 episodes · White Fox · #393 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
18. 18 Shinsekai yori From the New World TV · 2012 · 25 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #410 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
19. 19 Yuukoku no Moriarty Moriarty the Patriot TV · 2020 · 11 episodes · Production I.G · #509 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
20. 20 Death Parade TV · 2015 · 12 episodes · Madhouse · #545 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
21. 21 Serial Experiments Lain TV · 1998 · 13 episodes · Triangle Staff · #600 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
22. 22 Zhan Shen: Fanchen Shenyu Slay The Gods ONA · 2024 · 15 episodes · Shenman Culture · #606 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
23. 23 Zankyou no Terror Terror in Resonance TV · 2014 · 11 episodes · MAPPA · #638 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
24. 24 Paprika Film · 2006 · Madhouse · #675 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
25. 25 FLCL OVA · 2000 · 6 episodes · Gainax · #683 on MyAnimeList 85% 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.