Top 10 Psychological Anime of 2023
1. Kaguya-sama: Love is War -The First Kiss That Never Ends-
Shuchiin Academy’s student council room: the place where Student Council Vice President Kaguya Shinomiya and President Miyuki Shirogane met. After a long battle in love, these two geniuses communicated their feelings and, at the Hoshin Festival, had their very first kiss. However, there was no clear confession of love. The relationship between these two, who assumed they would be a couple, remains ambiguous. Now, overly conscious of their feelings, they must face the biggest challenge yet: Christmas. It’s Shirogane who wants it to be perfect versus Kaguya who pursues the imperfect situation. This is the very “normal” love story of two geniuses and the first kiss that never ends.
(Source: Aniplex of America)
Note: The anime first premiered in theaters across Japan on December 17, 2022. It was later split into 2 parts on TV, and 4 episodes on streaming, and Blu-Ray/DVD.
2. Attack on Titan Final Season THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 1
The fate of the world hangs in the balance as Eren unleashes the ultimate power of the Titans. With a burning determination to eliminate all who threaten Eldia, he leads an unstoppable army of Colossal Titans towards Marley. Now a motley crew of his former comrades and enemies scramble to halt his deadly mission, the only question is, can they stop him?
(Source: Crunchyroll)
3. Attack on Titan Final Season THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 2
Eren, as the Founding Titan, advances on Fort Salta with countless other Titans. Appearing before the refugees, who stand on the brink of despair, are Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Conny, Reiner, Pieck, and Levi, who narrowly escaped from the rumbling. The battle between former comrades and childhood friends with Eren concludes here.
(Source: Crunchyroll)
4. Idol
Music video directed by Naoya Nakayama for the song Idol by YOASOBI. The song is based on the original novel "45510" written by Aka Akasaka.
Note: The song featured in this music video also serves as the opening theme of the anime [Oshi no Ko]. There exists two versions of this video; the first being a Japanese version uploaded on April 12, 2023 and an English version of the song also titled "Idol" by YOASOBI, which was uploaded on May 26, 2023.
5. Oshi No Ko
When a pregnant young starlet appears in Gorou Amemiya’s countryside medical clinic, the doctor takes it upon himself to safely (and secretly) deliver Ai Hoshino’s child so she can make a scandal-free return to the stage. But no good deed goes unpunished, and on the eve of her delivery, he finds himself slain at the hands of Ai’s deluded stalker — and subsequently reborn as Ai’s child, Aquamarine Hoshino! The glitz and glamor of showbiz hide the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry, threatening to dull the shine of his favorite star. Can he help his new mother rise to the top of the charts? And what will he do when unthinkable disaster strikes?
(Source: HIDIVE)
Note: Episode 1【推しの子】Mother and Children was pre-screened in advance in Japanese theaters on March 17, 2023. The regular TV broadcast began on April 12, 2023. The first episode has an extended runtime of ~82 minutes.
6. PLUTO
A murder occurs in an orderly world where robots are unable to kill humans. The robotic Europol investigator Gesicht takes the case, but the mystery deepens when he finds no trace of a human at the scene of the crime. As he pursues the truth, Gesicht uncovers the most evil manifestation of hate that history has ever seen, one that is bent on bringing destruction to the world ...
(Source: Netflix)
7. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid
March begins, and there is only one month left in the third term. Sakuta Azusagawa is about to celebrate the graduation of his girlfriend Mai Sakurajima. As he waits for Mai at Shichirigahama beach, an elementary school-aged girl who looks like Mai did when she was a child actress appears in front of him. While reflecting on this mysterious encounter, he receives a phone call from his father. Kaede’s mother never came to terms with what happened to Kaede. Having been hospitalized for so long, their mother finally wants to see her daughter. To fulfill their mother’s wish, Sakuta makes the decision to meet face-to-face–something they haven’t done in a long time. He’s unable to hide his nervousness about all this. Never-before-seen scars begin to appear on Sakuta’s body. Could these be warning signs of a new type of puberty syndrome?
(Source: Fathom Events)
8. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out
WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO MAKE HER WISH COME TRUE?
After a draining December, Sakuta is quickly nearing the end of his second year of high school. Since Mai is a third-year student, they don’t have much time left together before graduation rolls around. Meanwhile, his sister, Kaede, is slowly but steadily venturing outdoors again. Just as she begins to find her footing, she announces her most ambitious goal yet—attending her brother’s high school! Sakuta knows better than anyone how difficult this will be for Kaede, and he’s ready to support her however he can. He’s just not sure if that’s what’s best for her…or what she really wants…
(Source: Yen Press)
9. VINLAND SAGA SEASON 2: Drowning in the Shadow
Episode 6.5 of VINLAND SAGA SEASON 2.
The short video depicts a scene not shown in the anime where Thorfinn, as he appears as a member of Askeladd's raiders, cuts down some men in the middle of a raid. When he enters a nearby house, he sees a family cowering within...
(Source: Anime News Network, edited)
10. PSYCHO-PASS: Providence
January 2118. Chief Inspector of the Criminal Investigation Department, Akane Tsunemori, receives a report of an incident on a foreign vessel – the body of Professor Milicia Stronskaya has been discovered. Behind the incident is a group known as the Peacebreakers, a foreign paramilitary organization and a new outside threat who are targeting the professor's research documents known as the “Stronskaya Papers.” Reunited with Shinya Kogami, a former fugitive from the Criminal Investigation Department, Akane grapples with a case that quickly escalates beyond their expectations. The Stronskaya Papers could reveal a truth that would shake Japan's government, and even the Sibyl System, to the core. It is in this untold story that the missing link is revealed.
(Source: Crunchyroll)