Top 10 Best Mind Games Anime to Give Your Brain a Workout

Action is awesome, romance is sweet, but these Top 10 Best Mind Games Anime will give your brain a workout. Prepare to have your mind blown.

10. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Evangelion is a well-known and divisive anime that nevertheless finds itself squarely inside this list of Top 10 Best Mind Games Anime. There may be mechs, action, and world saving, but the anime is more about character development and flaws.

Whether you love it or hate it, Evangelion makes references and allusions to psychology and the human psyche, and tackles topics in a way that was unique for its time.

9. Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell has a typical complexity to its story and characters. The show tries to tackle some ethical debates and philosophical arguments, means that whilst there is a lot of action, there is actually a point to it all instead of it being just mindless violence.

This is very much an intelligent series with complexity, while there are some who won’t enjoy it, I found the blend of action, mystery, philosophy and thriller to be truly excellent.

8. Erased

Erased hasn’t been out even a year, and already it’s shot up to become one of the highest ranked and rated anime. What makes it so great? A deep story that plays with time, combined with elements of mystery and suspense.

Despite the high ratings, reactions to this one seem divided right down the middle. Watch it and decide for yourself if it truly deserves a spot among the top psychological anime.

7. One Outs

What happens when a person who in an ace pitcher is also an expert gambler? With his pitching skills and people reading skills he can even make a pro-baseball player bet his career!

Welcome to psychological side of a sport and get ready to be blown away by the shrewdness and tactics of out our terrifying pitcher Toukuchi Toua.

6. The Future Diary

The basic premise of this great psychological anime is not unique: 12 people are pitted against each other in a battle for survival. The winner is the last one standing. In this battle royale-esque nightmare, each character is equipped with a “future diary” which gives them a special power.

Watching players use their own strengths and weaknesses to survive is part of the thrill. Insane characters, crazy plot, twisted realities, The Future Diary is a crazy psychological anime like no other!

5. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

As human beings, we all have an innate drive to survive. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor takes viewers through the greasy underbelly of the gambling world.

Along the way, this psychological anime exposes what people are capable of when their survival instinct switches on, and when there’s nothing left to lose.

4. Code Geass

With the brilliant minds of the cast of Code Geass and its plot’s action-packed execution, this show blows off some steam that would literally make you say – mindblown!

The main component of mind games in Code Geass is Lelouch’s commands. When he uses them creatively you will be wowed. Lelouch is also pretty good at battle tactics. But it’s his charisma and leadership that makes the show so fun to watch.

3. Psycho-Pass

Are humans innately good or evil? They do things for self interest or personal gain? Forging relationships, creating bonds; are they simply methods to reach the end goal?

Psycho Pass portrays and addresses this issue through excellent storytelling, proficient pacing, and a cast of realistic characters. The anime keeps its audience consistently alert and interested, with plot twists and shifts that are unpredictable and wholeheartedly intriguing.

2. Monster

Standing above most of the rest with a story that’s so close to what we have in reality, Monster depicts the true nature and psyche of humanity and society with extreme relevance.

With the difficult decision of saving the life of the mayor or the life of the young child, Dr. Kenzo Tenma – a well-renowned doctor in the world of medicine – chooses to save the life of the person who shall soon become the cause of the havoc to his life, to his beliefs, and to the world’s foundations.

1. Death Note

Death Note says it all! Mind games, strategies, twists, brain clashes… name it! This show has everything that an anime of the psychological genre would ever need – and this one does so exceedingly well! Try watching it and you won’t ever regret that you did.

Write a name inside, and you doom that person. This top psychological anime shows what happens when someone with a genius intellect comes into contact with this kind of power.