Attention, anime connoisseurs! Embrace yourselves to dive into the enchanting universe of Japanese anime. It can smash preconceived notions and confront unresolved inquiries about life head-on. It goes beyond mere entertainment and imparts profound messages of morality, psychology, and reality. As we delve deeper into the surreal anime on the list, let us embrace the transformative art form that challenges us to think deeply and explore the complexities of our existence and much more. So, be prepared to be spellbound, stunned, and forever enthralled by the infinite wonders of Japanese anime. I hope that you enjoy the Odyssey!
1. Neon Genesis Evangelion
'Tis the tale of a brawl against the mystical beings, the Angels, set in the embattled city of Tokyo-3 after fifteen years of catastrophe. Neon Genesis Evangelion's main character, Shinji, invokes emotions among the viewers. The anime presents psychological concerns and philosophical speculations, creating imagery with rich religious meaning. The 1 hour and 27 minutes will leave you with remarkable revelations and make you rethink life decisions long after the final credits have rolled. This masterpiece unquestionably ranks among the greatest works available on Netflix.
2. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
The Girl Who leapt Through Time has an out-of-this-world concept that makes you question reality. We all believe that the worst catastrophes in our lives are the ones that happen or are perhaps confined for a short period. This wholesome story explores the complexities of time travel and its effects on Makoto's life. This 1 hour, 38 minutes is sure to make you question the very fabric of time itself.
3. Paprika
Reality isn't worth it if our dreams can't be real, as portrayed in this visually stunning masterpiece where dreams and reality intertwine and present a treat for your eyes as well as your brain. Its exploration of the human subconscious will set your imagination ablaze! The portrayal of Dr. Atsuko Chiba, a scientist who, with DC Mini, creates a thin line between dreams and waking life, in "Paprika," with its stunning visuals and crazed sequences in a fast-paced manner, will leave you doubting the very nature of perception and the power of the mind.
4. Perfect Blue
If you are someone who questions themselves one day or another or is struggling to know who they are, Are they the same person everywhere? This psychological thriller, "Perfect Blue," is the way for you to unravel the twisted psyche of a former pop idol turned actress. When the reality and delusion of fantasy coincide, obscuring the view, the enthralling tale keeps us riveted through the dark recesses of obsession, fame, and the fragile nature of identity. Enjoy this psychological tale that is bound to leave you short-winded.
5. Death Note
This anime showcases what happens when the power of death is unleashed. Beware! The humans whose names have been written on the notebook shall face a terrible death. This gripping tale of a high school genius named "Light" and a supernatural notebook allows its viewers to witness the battle of wits. The anime challenges our notions fed from generations of right and wrong; as moral boundaries become blurry and justice is limited to being subjective, "Death Note" takes you on the journey that an insatiable desire for power leads to while questioning the nature of justice.
6. Cowboy Bebop
The dystopian story of Cowboy Bebop, set in the year 2071 in space, explores a broad and robust category of psychological themes: the tale of devotion and affection affected by loneliness and regret. The story explicitly revolves around the crowded space full of societies nurturing crime, theft, and murder and full of bounty hunters, where Spike, Jet, Faye, and Ed take an intergalactic journey through the cosmos driven by their desire to put an end to all their past conflicts for once and all, trying to find meaning in their lives with the hypothesis of the essence of the core being transcended by its existence.
7. Spirited Away
Spirited Away spectacularly teaches the value of balance, providing its viewers with a sense of perspective, creating rhythm and harmony among them, and making them aware of their growth. It also throws light on issues of identity and how our memories behave. It focuses on finding good in others and explores the concept of light and dark, which we all carry within ourselves, and how our choices make all the difference in the world. Even when someone has nefarious intentions, no one is born pure evil. The unforgettable tale of self-discovery, of captivating realms of the spiritual and human worlds, is infused with symbolism through its protagonist, Chihiro, who sets out to rescue her parents working in a bathhouse.
8. The Promised Neverland
The Promised Neverland, as the name suggests, will leave its viewers heartbroken with its moving narrative, but at the same time, it will keep you on the edge of your seats with its fresh take on the horror genre, not focusing on gore and vivid graphics. If you are someone who, as a kid, believed that the world was a dark place, trust us, this anime took those horrors seriously. The story follows the lives of three kids, Emma, Ray, and Norman, living in a perfect orphanage that displays courage and purity of youth among its viewers, but is it so serene there? Or something sinister lies behind those lies, unveiling the twists and turns in bits and pieces. The Promised Neverland is a world of ambiguity filled with obstacles, portraying all aspects of human nature and giving a valuable lesson that, with bravery, one can face anything.
9. Ghost In The Shell
The intriguing sci-fi story deals with issues of identity, existentialism, and the peculiar ways of being human. The anime is set in the futuristic days of 2029 in cyberpunk, dealing with cybercrime causing a menace in Tokyo and cyborg agents. It serves as an inspiration for various other anime. Being the most technologically advanced sci-fi anime of its time with amazing graphics, it is a true masterpiece that features a fusion of dark and psychological themes. The anime provides us with insights into post-apocalyptic Japan by following Motoko Kusanagi and her partner on their search for their identities. They come so close to discovering the secrets, but the puppet master takes control. If you are eager to know what happens next, give this anime a watch!
10. Serial Experiments Lain
The anime is hauntingly prescient, despite all the technological advancements that we have made so far. The 1998 show foresaw the future of technology, which is the cherry on top. Though the show is quite perplexing for many with its centralised theme of Can the internet rule it all? Will it develop into another form of existence? With all these queries, this masterpiece, with its breath-taking aesthetics and unmatched level of creativity shown in its visuals depicting a world full of anxiety, social alienation, and overuse of technology, is an anime where its viewers return for more from time to time and learn something new after every watch. "Present day, present time" is the opening line of each episode and keeps its fans hooked as it showcases the philosophical complexities of one's identity, reality, and interactions. If you are a fan of cyberspace anime with a hint of phycological essence, this anime will take you through adventures and leave you spellbound while Lain shuts one portal of the universe and opens another.
