Top 10 Thriller Anime [Updated Best Recommendations]
Have you ever felt like someone is keeping an eye on you all the time like someone is following you? That’s what a well-written thriller does to you, it tests your sanity. It makes you so unsettled that you just want to curl up under your blanket and close your eyes. Not only does thriller anime make you feel like that, but it can also get you up and running with one adrenaline-pumping episode after the other and make you binge-watch the whole season in one sitting. And sometimes it can trigger you and affect your well-being, so beware of watching such thrillers when you’re not in the right frame of mind. Sadly, thriller anime is also the fifth-lowest in the making so they are not such a common occurrence. But, no worries, we got you covered with a list of thriller anime that will cover all of the elements the genre has to offer. There are spine-chilling sequences, edge-of-the-seat thrillers, roller coaster rides that build their way up to that one moment of truth, and some that can trigger you effortlessly. With that said, this article is an update to our existing list of thriller anime, since many new contenders have entered the competition. You can find the previous list below this one. So, without any further ado, let’s dive right into the list of top 10 thriller anime.
10. Mi Yu Xing Zhe (Uncharted Walker)
A group of people unknown to each other find themselves the prisoners of a deserted island after waking up from sleep. If that wasn’t enough, they are accompanied by primitive tribes, deadly viruses, and various life-threatening situations which they have to survive to escape the island. The thing that is unique about Uncharted Walker is that it is a Chinese anime commonly known as Donghua. Uncharted Walker is a proper survival battle with every element that a survival thriller has to offer. If you are looking for a refresher then you should definitely watch Uncharted Walker as it is a donghua that will give a different perspective from a traditional Japanese thriller anime, be it the animation, storytelling, or character building.
9. Munou na Nana (Talentless Nana)
Far from common people, on a secluded island, teenagers with supernatural powers known as “Talents” are trained in an academy to fight against the “enemies of humanity”. Among those talents is the talentless Nanao Nakajima, who is the favorite target of bullies. Soon, the academy welcomes two other talents, the quiet and mysterious Kyouya Onodera and the charming Nana Hiragi with mind-reading abilities. When everything seems to be fine, sudden disappearances of students begin a chain of events that spreads the seed of mistrust amongst the class making the training regime a battle of survival. Talentless Nana has the qualities of a great edge-of-the-seat thriller where the storyline is like falling dominoes, you just have to push one and the rest will follow. It’s not that Talentless Nana does something extraordinary; instead, it picks up the best from other popular titles and wraps it beautifully into a compact thriller worth watching. Though Talentless Nana can become predictable at times, it fills those gaps with characters like Nana and Onodera who will make you stick to the screen throughout. And if you liked the quirk element of My Hero Academia and enjoyed the thrilling cat and mouse chase of Light and L in Death Note, Talentless Nana is the thriller made for you.
8. Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song
AI has become an integral part of human society. But soon, AI around the world began to kill humans with a mission to eradicate the species. To stop that event, a scientist puts all his hope into Vivy, an AI with a mission to sing and make everyone happy. But little did Vivy know that her actual mission is to stop the event from happening as an AI named Matsumoto travels 100 years back from the future to help Vivy in the mission of saving mankind from going extinct. The element of singing used in a Sci-Fi thriller is a unique concept in itself. And it is not just any other element, singing is the most important aspect of Vivy and not the time travel that it has. What Vivy brings as a thriller anime is very different from any other anime, it has time travel, the constant struggle between humans and AI, the concept of being an idol whose only purpose is to make others happy through singing, the presence of heart in an AI, and last but not the least, blood and tears with a lot of high octane action sequences which you can’t dare to call average. What Vivy does best as a thriller is being unpredictable till the last minute of the final episode.
7. Higashi no Eden (Eden of The East)
A terrorist attack comprising a missile strikes Japan, but, luckily everyone is safe. The day, now known as Careless Monday, is quickly forgotten like any other incident. College student Saki Morimi is on her graduation trip to America when she comes across Akira Takizawa, a suspicious boy who saves her life. Suffering from amnesia, Akira Takizawa has billions of yen in digital cash. Following this incident begins an international death game in which Saki has to survive along with Akira. Eden of the East is one of those thrillers that likes to keep you in the dark until the very moment of truth. As an original, Eden of the East never shied away from trying out different elements but what it gets is a complicated and tightly woven story that begins loosening as it progresses while you get well versed with the characters. But that doesn’t hide the fact that to some Eden of the East felt like a Bourne Flick. If a survival death game sounds thrilling enough to you, then you should definitely watch Eden of the East.
6. Mousou Dairinin (Paranoia Agent)
The citizens of Musashino city are terrorized by the mysterious Shonen Bat, everyone knows his appearance but no one knows where he comes from. With a golden bat in his hand, cap on his head, and riding on roller blades, Shonen Bat’s first victim is Tsukiko Sagi, a character designer known for Maromi, a stuffed animal. Following which more victims of Shonen Bat appear with each passing day. To stop these incidents, detectives Keiichi Ikari and Mitsuhiro Maniwa take it upon themselves to disclose the real identity of Shonen Bat. The fact that Paranoia Agent is written and directed by Satoshi Kon should be enough reason for you to watch this thriller. But if you still need more reasons to watch it, here they are: Paranoia Agent has a mind-bending narrative, it will deceive you into believing that it’s predictable but it’s not. As in any other Satoshi Kon works, you will be confident you know the conclusion but in reality, you are just being played with. And if that sounds thrilling to you, Paranoia Agent is a must-watch for you.
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5. Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu (Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-)
Subaru Natsuki was coming out of a convenience store when he found himself transported into a fantasy world. Already baffled, Subaru was suddenly attacked by a bunch of thugs and got beaten up badly until he was saved by Satella, a girl who was looking for her stolen Insignia. To thank her for saving him, Subaru offered her to search for the Insignia and soon found the whereabouts of it. But little did they know they will get murdered soon and Subaru will find himself experiencing the same events all over again. Is getting revived time after time a blessing or a curse? Re: Zero asks that question throughout the story, reminding us that death is ultimate and you cannot outrun it. Not only does Re: Zero illustrate every shade of death, it also uses death as the main aspect of the story. And this portrayal of death makes Re: Zero such a nerve-wracking thriller. So, if you loved the idea of a thriller that shows both the beautiful and ugly side of death, Re: Zero is the one for you.
4. Yuukoku no Moriarty (Moriarty the Patriot)
Great Britain has become the greatest empire in the 19th century, but that doesn’t mean anything to the working class there, as they are the victims of the rotten class system which provides benefits to the aristocrats instead of the needy. And to end that class system, Willian James Moriarty, along with his brothers, has decided to play the role of necessary evil. Will he be able to change the filthy system rotten to its roots with only his brothers and a few friends as his companions? Moriarty the Patriot is not your usual thriller, it doesn’t keep anything hidden from you, it reveals the key to a lock from the very beginning. Where’s the enjoyment of watching a thriller like that, you ask? The answer is simple, Moriarty the Patriot shows what a brilliant execution of a storyline does to a thriller rather than just playing by the rules. Not only that, Moriarty the Patriot is inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes and if that doesn’t pique your interest, we don’t know what will.
3. Shinsekai Yori (From the New World)
The world was in chaos by the sudden uprise of psychokinesis in 0.1% of the population. To coexist in peace, the psychic humans isolated themselves from the society to create another one with stricter rules to avoid such destructive incidents in the upcoming future. In the present, Saki Watanabe, a psychic, awakens her powers and joins her friends in the sage academy, where the psychics are nurtured to control their powers. But soon, with the sudden disappearances of the students and the rumor of tainted cats abducting children, seeds of suspicion are sown in her head, which leads her to revelations that push her into the darkness of no return. From the New World presents you with a perspective of what might happen if power isn’t exercised well, mirroring the reality we humans exist in. But what makes From the New World a must-watch thriller isn’t only the display of ugly human-conscience but how unpredictable, brave and honest it is to the genre. The anime doesn’t hold back on gore either, it knows how much is needed. And to add the cherry on top, From the New World is unpredictably peaceful at one moment and covered with blood and bones in the other.
2. Yakusoku no Neverland (The Promised Neverland)
Raised by Isabella, the orphans of The Grace Field House call her “Mama” with love. With only one entrance, the orphanage is surrounded by a forest. The orphans are allowed to do anything in their free time besides taking tests every day. Everything seemed fine until the three elder kids, Ray, Norman, and Emma’s suspicion about the adopted orphans never contacting them reveals a crueler fate that awaits them across the gate. The Promised Neverland is exactly how a perfect thriller anime should be. Be it bags full of happiness and hope to turn into despair within moments to the thrill of escaping a heavily guarded orphanage, The Promised Neverland is the perfect edge-of-the-seat thriller. Besides the protagonists Emma, Ray, and Norman, the supporting characters like Gilda and Don play an important role in the story, making you more attached to the characters which in turn enhances the experience of the thriller that The Promised Neverland is. Unpredictability at every step, spine-chilling revelations, and risks that can cost everyone’s lives make The Promised Neverland a must-watch thriller.
1. Monster
Dr. Tenma was a renowned surgeon until he was demoted for saving the life of a young boy instead of the town’s mayor. Not only that, but he loses his fiance and is also criminally charged for murder. Though he was released of the charges due to lack of proper evidence against him, he soon finds himself haunted by the monster, the child that turned his life upside down. There isn’t a better title than Monster in terms of perfectly summarising the story of an anime. Monster personifies chaos through storytelling, it brings out the terror in silence and shows you that the words are mightier than the sword. But what Monster excels in is not the spine-chilling storytelling or the thought-provoking dialogues, it is the well-written supporting characters like Wolfgang Grimmer and Heinrich Lunge that separates Monster from any other anime, let alone thrillers. But that doesn’t mean Johan Liebert as the antagonist and Kenzo Tenma as the protagonist miss the mark anywhere, it is the writing of characters that shines throughout. And just when you think of some episodes as fillers and decide to skip them, Monster will hit you with a surprise on how deeply connected those episodes are to the storyline, so do not skip any episode.
Final Thoughts
Be it anime like Monster that drags you to the bottom of the abyss or Satoshi Kon’s mind-bending thriller Paranoia Agent, these thrillers are gonna run your sweat glands dry, so make sure to add them to your watchlist if you haven’t already. Another anime that didn’t make it on the list was Babylon, which can give any other thriller run for its money. It wasn’t on the list due to the potential trigger it can cause for anyone suffering mentally or is having suicidal thoughts. With that said, have you watched any thriller anime from the list? Or do you have any other thriller anime that deserved a place on the list? If yes, make sure to comment the titles down below.
Thriller is a genre that invokes feelings of excitement, surprise, anxiety, and anticipation. Often supplementing other genres, a good thriller lets emotions run to their threshold and invests them for key moments in the story. In our path towards the top, we’ll be introducing titles that are noteworthy within the genre, explaining ideas that help make an exciting thriller, and commenting on themes that help the success of the respective titles. By doing so, we’ll be judging these titles based on their execution of story, their skill in producing emotions, and their ability to forge those emotions into an effective outcome. Since thriller relies on eliciting emotions, it’s important to think about how emotion is integral to these stories. When reading this list, think of the article as a learning experience, a study on how stories pragmatically use a viewer’s emotion. With that in mind, we hope that you’ll find a greater appreciation for the thriller genre and a show to watch.
10. Another
In the town of Yomiyama, a student named Misaki passed away during the year 1972. However, despite her death, students of that class still pretend she exists. Years later, Kouichi Sakakibara transfers into class 3-3 and discovers that the students are ignoring the existence of one girl. The truth behind her existence will unveil the horror behind the town. Another is a story with its misgivings. As a horror story, it can come off tropey, having characters fall into the usual trappings of the genre. Part of the problem is how it designs its horror, specifically the use of “shock scenes.” These scenes elicit a momentary fear, but it doesn’t last--similarly to a jump scare. Great horror wants to continue, eliciting emotions that keep you thinking, and hopefully help you understand your fears. Despite its weaknesses, Another is a good case study. Thriller is commonly used within the horror genre, and if you’re interested in feelings of suspense or anticipation, Another satisfies that craving. A good thriller wants to supplement its genre--give a much needed push to emphasize a theme, message, or create a viewer’s investment. To do so, the story must balance its emotions effectively. Thrillers are like roller coasters. However any roller coaster that keeps rising or keeps falling will ultimately just make passengers nauseous. This means the best way to keep the ride fun is to introduce periods of rest. These moments let viewers absorb their thoughts, contemplate their emotions, and compare previous scenes. It’s these moments that allow viewers to bask in a show’s successful payoff. While Another is certainly a show that accelerates quickly, giving the much wanted thrill in any thriller, its sporadic use of shock scenes, cash in viewer emotions too quickly, creating a weaker payoff in exchange for small rushes of fear.
9. Shigofumi (Shigofumi: Letters from the Departed)
The passing of the beloved, the death of the spurned, and words from the dead can come in many forms. While people were alive, they might not be able to say what they wanted, but even in death, the Shigofumi can say the words of the departed. Originally a light novel series by Amamiya Ryo, Shigofumi is a relatively unknown series. Shigofumi is an episodic tale, structured to hide your understanding about its protagonist. Instead, most episodes will focus on the recipients of the Shigofumi, the “Letters from the Departed.” Through these interactions, the veil slowly lifts behind the protagonist’s story. As an episodic story, Shigofumi uses most of its emotions in a non-continuous fashion. As such, its strength and weakness is in its variety. Some stories will appeal to audiences, while others simply don’t invoke your interest. The benefit of such storytelling comes later when the payoff of your observations culminate into a grand finale. Whether this style appeals to you, Shigofumi is still an interesting watch for those exploring how thriller invokes empathy.
8. Shiki
Shiki has an enduring and atmospheric musical composition. While not something I always mention about a show, I think Shiki develops a traditional message of horror, one that lasts and endures like its unsettling track. Humans are not so different from monsters. Shiki is a social commentary on humanity and mob mentality. It is also a cautionary lesson against the dangers of never understanding your own fears. As a vampire story, it quickly burns the word “vampire” at the stake and offers a less loaded term: Shiki. This isn’t a story that wants pre-existing biases. If this happens, it would lose its message and impact. Emotion, therefore, is used to elicit fear, but also empathy. Emotion drives the story, influences characters to do outrageous acts, and paves the road for Shiki’s final act. The stages through which the village awakens to its situation helps structure its emotional wavelength. The anxiety of the villagers not knowing what is causing so many deaths, the surprise of the cause, and later, for us, the anticipation and dread of the foreboding end. Characters in the show are, unfortunately, comically clueless. Common critiques of the show tend to be character-focused to the point where viewer disdain is a legitimate obstacle to the show’s themes. If your tolerance for certain genre trappings is decent and you’re interested in conceptual ideas, Shiki is a show worth watching.
7. Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
Phantom is the code name for an elite assassin owned and controlled by an American syndicate, Inferno. By coincidence, a Japanese tourist witnesses Phantom’s assassination and becomes captured. Brainwashed, Zwei becomes his new title, the next generation of Phantoms. Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom was originally a visual novel created by Nitroplus. The visual novel, Phantom Inferno, was also the debut of Gen Urobuchi, known for his work on Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Fate/Zero, and Psycho-Pass. For those who appreciate the previous works, Phantom is exemplary of Nitroplus’s iconic dark, gritty, and dramatic stories. If you’re a fan of assassin stories, Phantom does a lot right: themes of a haunting past, the question of redemption despite misdeeds, the relationship between humanity and sin, and so much more. As one of Nitroplus’s earlier works, some of arcs have an archaic setup, but are still enjoyable. As a thriller, the show has you following the development of Ein and Zwei, assassins of the underground syndicate, Inferno. These two and their growing awareness of their actions will be the focus on Phantom’s plot. As previously mentioned, the show is sectioned into arcs, each developing ideas from the previous. Assassin stories tend to have a strong dichotomy: the real world and the underground world. As your investment grows into the plot, one of the most fascinating ideas from Phantom is the concept of “inheriting sin,” or the idea that past transgressions will inevitably birth more transgressions. It’s from this core idea that much of character investment and emotional swings will arise. If you’re interested in character-focused assassin stories and questions of redemption, Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom is a great introduction into the ideas.
6. Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor (Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor)
Kaiji Itou contributes nothing to society. He spends his day drowning in alcohol and wallowing in his situation--he was tricked into debt by a former co-worker. Unable to pay his debt, Kaiji jumps at any opportunity to quickly get rich, his first jump: into the world of underground gambling. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor is the quintessential gambling anime. When people think of gambling anime, people usually think of Kaiji, and for good reason. This show mirrors the highs and lows of the gambler’s addiction--a perfect example for those interested in the thriller genre. Kaiji does the ultimate gamble, one where life and death is the bet. The underdog aspect of these gambles, and the genius that blossoms to overcome impossible odds is an obvious attraction for the show. Kaiji wants to play with the characters’ emotional highs and the crushing lows. Your investment in Kaiji and his survival have a very tangible payoff--his survival. Kaiji isn’t a genius by any means, but his circumstances require him to push forward. The adrenaline rush of the gambler’s high becomes the guiding star for the story. If your interest in the thriller genre isn’t in its complementary nature, look towards Kaiji for a solid bet.
5. Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch (Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion)
In the year 2010, Britannia has become a world power, dominating much of the world. Countries are now stripped of their name and reduced to a number. Area 11, formerly Japan, is a contentious zone and the home of an exiled prince, Lelouch Lamperouge. In between the conflict between the “Elevens” and the Britannian forces, Lelouch happens upon a secret weapon, C.C., a girl who bestows upon him the “Power of Kings.” Code Geass is a show that lives on a steep cliff. Every episode has viewers wanting more, hanging on the very formula that keeps them climbing. Code Geass is unpredictable, and much of the excitement of the show rides on its setup, the power of the geass. Borrowing its name from the Irish concept, the géis is an obligation or vow, one that bestows upon its recipient a responsibility to do certain actions. Code Geass has an interesting premise, and the show crafts its plots around it well. The ability to control others allows the protagonist to trap his opponents into a well-crafted plan or squirm his way out of a loss. With such power, however, comes the dangers of its abuse, and Lelouch and his rival, Suzaku, soon reflect the uglier sides of their world view. Hubris is a classical folly, and in Code Geass, it is a constant equalizer. Human emotion--their flaws and strengths--root these characters into relatable figures, but as they struggle to meet their ideals, they struggle to keep their former selves. Viewer suspense comes from the hope of a successful plan. Viewer dread comes from the loss of an ideal, a future where things could be better. At times, Code Geass can seem ridiculous--season 2, especially. However, as a show that knows the strength of its design, it produces the most unbelievable excitement, and is a creative addition to the thriller genre.
4. Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni (When They Cry)
In the summer of 1983, Keiichi Maebara has moved into the village of Hinamizawa. Hinamizawa is known for its patron god, Oyashiro. Every year, a festival is held to celebrate their local god. However, Keiichi later learns that with the festival come mysterious disappearances and a malevolent cause: Oyashiro’s curse. Higurashi is an iconic and beloved anime. As one of the most well-received horror anime, it was a series that helped introduce the idea of a “supernatural mystery” to the medium. Originally a visual novel written by the esteemed Ryukishi, Higurashi is a mystery that veils a greater message. However, Higurashi is also one of the hardest anime to recommend because of its gratuitous content. Blood, gore, mutilation, and grotesque imagery, Higurashi’s first season did not hold back. However, despite all of its stomach-churning content and questionable animation (season 1), the show promised a payoff to its violent mystery. Lurking in the background, past the fear of the unknown, past the bloody veils was a cathartic story that truly changed its viewers. Ever since, horror anime would constantly be compared to Higurashi. Due to Higurashi’s nature (a mystery), I’m being cautious on the details. As a thriller, it easily supports the horror elements of the story, first investing viewers in the survival of its characters, then in the salvation of its characters. The payoff for the show’s emotional investment is exemplary of the thriller genre. If you’ve ever been nervous about the horror genre or simply want to understand how thrillers use emotions, Higurashi is a must watch.
3. Death Note
In the world there exists shinigami, death gods who can kill any person by looking at their victims and writing their names into the Death Note. Wanting to satisfy his curiosity, drops a death note into the human world where it’s picked up by a high school prodigy, a genius with no parallel, Light Yagami. Recognizing the power of the Death Note, Light decides to kill criminals, building a new world where people worship him as a god. When Death Note released, it exploded in popularity, capturing the attention of popular media. When one thinks of anime, Death Note has become a recognizable icon that’s embedded its way into pop culture, producing several movie adaptations. Death Note’s fame comes from one particular arc, when the protagonist must face his greatest rival, an equally intelligent, social outcast by the name of L. Under that pseudonym, L is able to avoid the powers of the Death Note. In a dramatic battle of wits, the story became iconic as a thriller. A single mistake could reveal Kira’s identity. The tension that arose from living a double life made for some of the best suspense the genre can produce. While Death Note is memorable for one arc, the show is more than a psychological thriller; it evolves with its arcs. It begins as a supernatural thriller, then moves to psychological thriller, finally ending as a crime thriller. The show, through a multitude of subgenres, portrays a decent spectrum of the genre, helping its place in this list’s rankings. If your interest in thriller is any of the above subgenres, then Death Note is highly recommended.
2. Monster
Monster revolved around Dr. Kenzou Tenma, a famous brain surgeon, one lauded by his peers as a revolutionary mind in the medical field. However, his life comes to change when he’s confronted with a grave decision: to save the life of the town’s mayor or the life of a child. His morals push him to save the child, despite the pressures from his superiors, and years later, his beliefs are questioned when the very child he saved becomes a killer. Monster is a thriller mystery, and one that has caught the public eye. Guillermo del Toro, known for his directing of Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy, and The Shape of Water, has shown interest in a Live-Action adaptation of Monster, and for those in the know, there’s plenty of reason why. Monster has a unique way of telling its story. While most of the plot will center around Dr. Kenzou Tenma, other seemingly disconnected characters are introduced, interwoven, and brought to relevance. The strength of its characters are their depth and relatability. The main antagonist of the show becomes a reflection of society, its dark underpaths and the moral questions of the story, the justification of saving a murderer’s life. If you’re interested in a a story for an adult audience, Monster is one of the best psychological thrillers even outside the anime medium. The responsibilities, ethics, and psychological toll of being a doctor is the main focus, not just a side story. The emotional investment in its characters and especially in the psychology of its protagonist, culminate into one of the best stories the medium has to offer.
1. Steins;Gate
Rintarou Okabe is a self-proclaimed mad scientist. As a college student, he spends his time inventing “future gadgets,” most of which are hardly useful. However, when Okabe and his lab members create the “Phone Microwave,” it seems innocuous of first, morphing its contents into a green gel. It is only later that they learn of an unexpected result, this invention can send text messages into the past. Steins;Gate is part of the science adventure series, a collection of stories that share a single universe. Of this series, Steins;Gate is the most popular, debuting first as a visual novel with the famous artist, Huke, then later as an anime adaptation. Steins;Gate is a marvelous addition to time travel stories, choosing to focus more on the misdeeds of time travel than the splendor of its power. By following the invention of a prototype time machine, the cast has unwillingly cast the die for the global race for power, the control of time. For time travel stories, the suspension of disbelief is usually assumed. After all, time traveling doesn’t exist--or does it? Utilizing real world events, Steins;Gate builds up its tension by first creating a connection, that our history is interwoven with the abuse of time travel. By doing so, Steins;Gate creates an incredible immersion, going so far as to explain the mechanics of its travel as intricately as possible. The value is in the details. To specify so much creates immersion, to have immersion allows for investment, and to have investment, means your emotions can be influenced. Steins;Gate is not just science fiction; it’s a thriller. The elements of both genres graces the medium with a thought-provoking and emotionally compelling story. If suspense and excitement are your interests or if you want to see a great science adventure story, Steins;Gate brings new life to its genres.
Final Thoughts
Thriller is a genre that is often partnered with others. As an emotionally-driven genre, part of the appeal of thriller is how it supports the story, creating an investment for viewers and a memorable experience. There are many noteworthy stories within the thriller genre, and while this list cannot include all of them, we do hope that you leave with a new appreciation for the genre and a show to watch. If you enjoyed the article or wish to share shows you think would appeal to thriller fans, please comment below!
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Introduction
Thrillers are characterized by capturing the audience’s attention with heightened feelings of suspense, excitement, and surprise. Suspense being the main factor as the purest form of a thriller relies on an unknown aspect that piques either a psychological fear or an intense curiosity. It’s a big reason why murder mysteries, hard-boiled detectives, and police procedurals are common narrative pieces for a thriller. Now, it’s been almost a couple years, since we a released a thriller list. With the passing seasons, we’ve been introduced to some shows that contend with past entries, even with the classics, and so it’s time to update the list and show some love for the dominating forces of modernity. Apologies here and now as this list will only cover the past decade. Monster and When They Cry fans can cry foul now if they want, but the last ten years have shown some great strides in the thriller genre deserving recognition.
10. Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo has become a dangerous and divided city with the existence of ghouls, beings that must eat humans to live. Even though humans have found ways to fight against the ghouls, a violent revolutionary group of ghouls threaten to overthrow everything. In the midst of these changing times, a college boy, Ken Kaneki, finds himself thrown fully into the war as he’s turned into an artificial half-ghoul. Like most thrillers, there’s fear of the unknown, uncertain livelihoods, precarious relationships, and epic battles. However, what Tokyo Ghoul does best is portray both sides to the story with characters of various levels understanding and tolerance. On the ghouls side, we have characters like Hinami who has never eaten a living human, and yet must live knowing that she’s considered a monster. There’s Kureo Mado on the human side who’s very inhumane is his relentless and disturbed pursuit to kill ghouls. Thus, personalities intermix and histories are revealed in a seamless, yet shocking fashion.
9. Ajin
Polygon Pictures’s winter thriller, Ajin, takes us into a world where supernatural beings, said to be immortal, exist. For a long time, these supposed immortals have lived in relative peace with humanity with a few documented interactions. However, this all changes in Japan, when one Ajin, Satou, begins to terrorize the nation. No longer are Ajin some mysterious force for scholars to theorize about, but a daily terror. It’s when this fear is growing that Kei Nagai discovers in a terrible bus accident that he is one of these supernatural beings. If you’re not into CG, this might be a tough one to swallow. However, it’s definitely worth a shot. Ajin provides a very detailed portrait of a society and its dependence on information. Between students gossiping about a viral video in which an Ajin is murdered multiple times to news reports with the names of suspected Ajin an innate sense of fear and paranoia is built throughout the world. Heightening the fear and causing mass discrimination towards the Ajin are the extreme, gritty terrorist actions of Satou. Overall, this anime not only sets up intensive questions of morality and truth, but feels extremely relevant to many contemporary dilemmas.
8. Koutetsujou no Kabaneri (Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress)
Otherwise known as Attack on Titan season two, Koutetsujou no Kabaneri is the best thriller this season. Created by Wit Studio, this anime follows the main character, Ikoma, in a steam punk, apocalyptic world that is overrun by zombie-like monsters, the Kabane. A perfect mix of the graphic novel Snowpiercer and the series Attack on Titan, Koutetsujou no Kabaneri pushes and pulls viewers between a desire to find out the historic events that triggered such a world calamity and the fear of what further discoveries the future will hold. Though many might see it as a rip off of AoT, the creators have clearly developed a more concise narrative. You won’t find yourself pointlessly watching an episode of training that was difficult due to a technicality. From the first episode, there’s a train attack, a city overran, and a hero who wants to haunt the memories of those who left him to die by sacrificing himself for them.
7. Mirai Nikki (The Future Diary)
Mirai Nikki sends Yukiteru Amano down one terrifying journey as he finds himself in a rat race to become the new god of time and space. With 11 other contestants, each holding a future diary with an incredible power, Yuki must meticulously maneuver himself through increasingly dangerous situations in order to survive. Episode by episode, Miraii Nikki proves itself to be a thriller of outstanding proportions. Paranoia, fear, and excitement mix together into a compelling narrative is Yuki propelled through a world where he can’t trust anyone. Furthermore, the one person he relies on frequently, Yuno Gasai, is an insane stalker. The best part of this is show is that you always feel a cold sweat, as if someone’s watching you. However, instead of being able to turn around, you’re shot forward, as Yuno decidedly blows up entire classrooms of students or axes someone in the face to protect Yuki.
6. Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu (Parasyte the Maxim)
Normal life is challenging enough, but apparently to Madhouse it’s not hard enough. Apparently, Earth needs to be invaded by aliens who are able to burrow into brains and take full control of their hosts. From there they basically normal, but are able to morph into insane forms in order to kill and eat their prey, more humans. That’s the setting that Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu throws you into. Now, our protagonist in this world, Shinichi Izumi is one such human who has had an alien species invade his body. However, it wasn’t able to get to this brain and thus it simply resides in Izumi’s right hand. Essentially he has become a hybrid of sorts that threatens the parasitic invaders and so has a hit on his head. This circumstance forces a tenuous collaboration between Izumi and his right hand, Migi, who together must carefully navigate this dangerous environment. Keeping us strapped in each and every episode is this thriller’s extraordinary synthesis between brutal fights and murders to the personal drama of Izumi as he tries to side step the attention of friends and family in order to protect them.
5. Death Note
Death Note’s narrative follows the events after the Shinigami Ryuk drops his Death Note into the human world. By chance, it falls into the hands of the idealistic and slightly bored high school senior Light Yagami. From there, Light begins to use the Death Note, which has the power to kill anyone whose name is written within its covers, in order to create a utopia. However, his version of justice is questionable to say the least and catches the attention of the world-renowned detective known as ‘L’. It’s hard to believe that almost a decade ago Death Note had us chasing after Light Yagami as he made himself into a literal god. This anime is considered a classic for a reason. Government officials, secret societies, gods of death all come together in glorious battles of the mind. However, the main two in the ring, consistently challenging each other more, is Light and L. Whether it’s admitting to Light he’s “L”, challenging him to a tennis match, or handcuffing himself to Light; L constantly throws down the gauntlet. From there, we get the joy of watching Light finesse his way out after some intense reasoning.
4. Death Parade
You find yourself in a bar-like setting, with a person you may or may not know. There’s also a bartender with great hair who goes by the name Decim. He says it’s time to play a game to decide whether or not you’ll be reincarnated or sent to a void. This is Death Parade. Death Parade demands your attention from start to finish as it presents an extremely unique thriller. With its singular environment, our attention focuses in on the characters as they play rather ordinary games to decide their fate. However, each game has a twist, and so every single character quirk or twitch becomes heavily pronounced and holds levels of meaning. Emotional and psychological warfare are a constant in this thriller, and you won’t be able to look away as you consistently wonder what death really means in this world.
3. Zankyou no Terror (Terror in Resonance)
Zankyou no Terror follows the activities of the two-member terrorist organization, Sphinx, and the desperate attempts of the government to solve each of their riddles. Now, Nine and Twelve, two high-school aged boys, are the ones leading the attacks in order to enact revenge against the experimental and cruel government program that they were brought up in. As they, push forward though, they recruit a quiet and reserved girl into their schemes as well as earn the attention of some incredible detectives. Zankyou no Terror is the modern portrait of the police procedural/psychological thriller that shows like Monster and Death Note popularized years ago. It shares their twisting plot, dynamic characters, and unflinching look at the darker depths of human nature. However, it’s more concise in its narrative, driving each episode home with one battle in this war having been won or lost. Thus, there is never a wasted moment as we are pulled into a terrorized world where stuffed animals are the make up for bombs and Greek riddles must be analyzed and situated in context of modern infrastructure. Really pushing this show forward is the intelligence of the characters and their ability to test one another to greater degrees. It’s a constant chess match, with explosions for every pawn or rook taken. Everyone has something invested in the plot and everyone, whether or not they care to admit, have something to lose.
2. Steins; Gate
Steins; Gate shoves us through the maddening consequences of time travel as we follow the adventures of Okabe Rintarou, a self-proclaimed “Mad Scientist” and head of the Future Gadget Research Laboratory. Alongside two other members of the Future Gadget Research Laboratory, Okabe happens to invent a phone microwave capable of sending messages to the past and thus changing their lives. In the words of the main character, “No one knows what the future holds. That’s why its potential is infinite.” This quote is the show’s inherent strength. Anything is possible and as his crew’s antics with time travel unravels into a universe ripe with tragedy, Okabe finds himself frantically sending messages to the past and getting into insane situations in order to get a happier outcome. Nailing this show so high up on the list is the fact that it is successfully able to incorporate so many different aspects into its narrative with ease. Okabe’s Dr. Pepper jokes, the perverse nature of Daru, and the swift tongue of Kurisu play out humorously, adding an extra layer to the show overall as well as enhancing the darker aspects of the show.
1. Boku dake ga Inai Machi (ERASED)
Boku dake ga Inai Machi blew the anime community away this this January. Without trepidation, it sends Satoru Fujinuma into the past, and, in doing so, throws viewers into an emotionally charged, dramatic thriller. You see, Satoru has this strange ability, which he calls ‘Revival,’ that activates when a tragedy occurs. Basically, said tragedy occurs, his ability activates, and then the he is sent back generally several minutes just before the incident. For the most part, he uses this ability to constantly save the lives of others. However, when his mother is killed and he’s framed for the murder, his ability goes into overdrive sending him 18 years in the past, to when he was only 11. This happens, as Satoru soon figures out for himself, because his mother’s death might have something to do with the abduction and murder of his quiet classmate, Kayo Hinazuki. So not only can he possibly save his mother, but also a child whose memory has haunted him. Well, rather than turn this show into a simple murder mystery, which could have been solved in about half the episodes, the creators at A-1 Pictures focus on the complex ways that human interactions can play out and how intensely certain relationships can define our personalities and actions. Parental abuse and bullying play a heavy part in this anime, but so does friendship and a mother’s uncompromising love. In many ways, Boku dake ga Inai Machi really portrays the range of humanity and the importance of connecting with one another. However, to make such ideals shine as brightly as possible, an extremely dark shadow must be cast over the entirety of the show. Be prepared to be glued to your screen for this one as you explore just how impressionistic human nature is.
Conclusion
Word of warning: starting any of these shows will likely have you binging the series until it’s finished. As a result, starting one of them while finals or something important is coming up might not be the best idea. Also, two small shout outs must be given. One to Pscyho-Pass, which has continued to impress with its futuristic dystopian finally overlapping into international territories, and the other to Gakkougurashi!, which has such a deceptive art style when compared to the psychological horror that plays out within its 12 episodes. That being said, those are the top 10 thriller anime in the past ten years. Were there any shows perhaps overlooked or deserving of at least an honorable mention?
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There are a lot of various genres of anime where everyone can find what they like, and there is always a specific anime or genre that we enjoy the most. Among them, thriller anime. A particular dark genre of anime where the pressure is always high and the viewers cannot do anything except hold their breath until the very end. Whether they are associated with horror, action or science fiction, the particular genre of thriller anime keeps the attention of the viewers and often remains stuck in their mind even after they finished viewing it. Among all the existing thriller anime, some of them could shock the viewers because of its events, but this genre of anime is unquestionably popular. So, this Top 10 would mention some of the best thriller anime ever among all those which have been created until now. As it is hard to rank some anime without being subjective, I hope you would agree with my choice for this selection !
10. Higurashi no naku koro ni (When they cry)
The story follows Keiichi Maebara, who just moved to the little town of Hinamizawa. Making friends and having a peaceful life there, he will soon be in the middle of strange events. Keiichi will realize that his friends are not really what he thought they were as a lot of horrific events will begin all around him. In this show, there are a lot of different stories which are dealt within a few episodes. The story then goes back to the beginning and follows a totally different scenario with different characters. It is interesting in the way, all characters are treated equally until their darker side is awakened.
9. Mirai Nikki (The Future Diary )
Yuki is a high school student who doesn't have any friends and doesn't want to make any. He is always fantasizing about unreal things and writing a diary in his phone about every little thing that happens to him. Until the day he is offered to enter a battle royale where each participant owns their specific and unique diary which allows them to see the future. An anime with a lot of psychology well mixed with the thriller aspect. The pressure is always present and the characters are interesting for they are as dark as the scenario itself. The suspense is also present until the very end and the story is amazing.
8. Another
Kouichi Sakakibana is a transferred student who just came to the Yomiyama North Middle School. In his new class, there is a dark and loud atmosphere that he can feel, but he doesn't know why. Mei Misaki, one of his new classmates, is a mysterious young girl and Kouichi will find himself attracted to her, as she seems to be a loner with a lot of secrets. Also, everyone else in their class doesn't seem to notice her presence, and Kouichi will try to discover this as well as all the other mysteries of his new class. Mostly considered as an horror and mystery anime, there is still a lot of thrilling aspects in this show which is brought mostly by the main character and his feelings of perception as the show progresses. Fans of intense anime would like this!
7. Shin Sekai Yori (From the New World)
In a futuristic Japan, Saki Watanabe lives a peaceful life with her family in an idyllic place separated from the outside world and said to dangerous to live in. Some people of her world have psychokinesis powers, which allows them to be part of the leaders of their community. Saki discovers she is able to use these powers, she then goes to the Zenjin Academy and will be teamed with five other students during their division. In the academy, there are some rumors about the disappearance of some students, who are captured and killed by a monster. Because of this, the world Saki has known will gradually collapse and with their friends, she will discover the truth behind their community and their origins. This show is intense, with a lot of tension and turnarounds, the story is really stunning and the viewer should be sucked up by all the different events as well as the mysteries of this anime.
6. Death Note
Light Yagami is a 17 year old genius who is tired of the world around him and doesn't find anything fun or interesting. One day, as he is attending his classes, he sees a strange diary falling from nowhere and when he goes to pick it, he discovers that this is a particular diary which has the power to kill anyone who writes their name in it. With this diary, Light is destined to change the world he's living in. A really famous show that the majority of people should have seen and it should be a classic as a thriller anime. The tension is well presented in the story and the psychological aspect is also interestingly mixed with the disturbed characters that we can see evolve.
5. Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
Madoka Kaname is a middle school girl who lives an ordinary life with her loving friends and family. She can see herself being very happy with her life and nothing could change the way she was. Until she meets with some evil forces and is saved by a magical girl. Not aware of an unknown world until now, the familiar, Kyubey, will propose to her to become a magical girl as well, in exchange for a wish. Everyone who hasn't seen this show would never wonder why it is on this selection, but we cannot say that this is the normal magical girls type show. The story is dark, tense and psychological in a lot of aspects. Bye, bye to cuteness and romance, hello to thriller and horror !
4. Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan)
After humanity was almost annihilated by the Titans, survivors have built walls tall enough to protect themselves from other Titan attacks. A few hundred years after, humanity is still fighting and surviving, but the sudden appearance of a colossal Titan whose able to break the walls will change everything and sink humanity in despair once again. ç, with his friends, will enlist in the army and try to fight against this threat. A doomsday scenario with horror in a fantastic world where the pressure is always high enough to make us spellbound. A recent anime which has probably kept everyone's attention and remains famous with a great scenario.
3. Zankyou no Terror (Terror in Resonance)
In a modern Japan, Tokyo is struck by a violent threat planned by a group of two young terrorists who have posted a video on the internet just before the explosion of the building they targeted. Calling themselves the “Sphinx,” the two young terrorists, Nine and Twelve, will continue their terrorist attacks in order to reach their goal and to “awake” the world they are living in. With a tense topic, the story makes us hold our breath until the end, and the characters are in total adequacy with the scenario. There are a lot of psychological aspects mixed with the tension and pressure as a great thriller anime.
2. Psycho Pass
In the futuristic world of Psycho Pass, it is possible to measure an individual mental condition and to determine if someone could be a danger for the population or not. Based on a standard of mental state, people considered dangerous to some point are not allowed to do certain things. Shinya Kougami, member of the Enforcement Division, is charged to maintain order in a disturbed civilization. A present police atmosphere mixed with a science fiction environment which offers a really interesting story full of action, pressure and psychology. The tense scenario of Psycho Pass is fabulous and this is one of the best anime of this genre!
1. Steins;Gate
Kyouma Okabe, self named the "Mad Scientist," is the chief of the Future Gadget Research Laboratory with two friends. As they spend their time in the construction of strange items, they will accidentally make a phone microwave able to send messages to the past and changing their lives, especially Kyouma, who possesses a particular ability. Everything in this anime is stunning, whether the story, the characters, or the topic they deal with. The show talks about all the consequences of time travel with the main character totally disturbed and tries to change some events in order to catch up with things that are beyond his control. This one deserves the first spot of this Top 10 list!
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With all the thriller anime that have been aired throughout the years, all of them could, of course, not be mentioned in this list. However, I hope the majority of you would agree with this ranking. The selection was hard, and a lot of other anime could have been mentioned in it, like Shiki, Monster or Rainbow, but these selections felt best. So, as for you,what do you think about this Top 10 list? What anime would have you choose for it? Let us know in the comments below!
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