Sci-fi Harry

Although none of these anime have a tag/theme that denotes them as psychological, they all use cinematographic tactics often seen in psychological media to explore different aspects of the human condition and tackle atypical and philosophical topics.

Anime made by the first generation of anime fans.

I’m coining the term Anime New Wave in reference to the French New Wave and the Japanese New Wave in film canon. Like both of these movements, the first generation of creatives to achieve any kind of mainstream success were establishing the medium themselves and were drawing inspiration from outside their art form, such as how Osamu Tezuka was inspired by the work of Fritz Lang or how Hayao Miyazaki’s adaptation of Lupin III was deeply entrenched in film noir and Golden Age Hollywood aesthetics. With the rise of an otaku culture punctuated by the first doujin anime and the development of Studio Gainax, anime began to have its ideas and themes codified into a replicable series of cinematic references. Dezaki’s beautiful use of intense lighting and postcard memories, Tomino’s frantic paneling and action set pieces, Takahata’s evocative pastoral landscapes and slow takes, the language of anime was being written one word at a time. In the late 80s we saw the rise of talented creators who speak that language as their first tongue, and the results were inimitable and immediate.

Some directors I am considering under the term include Hideaki Anno, Shinichiro Watanabe, Kunihiko Ikuhara, and Satoshi Kon, just so there’s a point of reference here. I’m trying not to include directors who are usually lumped in with others on this list but were actively working as primary creatives in the studio system in the 80s, such as Mamoru Oshii. Lastly, I’m trying to keep the list centered on the initial wave of anime created even though plenty of these creatives have gone on to work on other things, just so I don’t have it be too confusing to look at. Arbitrary, I know.

Feel free to post comments on my page if you have any suggestions.

Series that utilize philosophical approach when it comes to their portrayal of society. Usually featuring "outsider" perspective as a main vehicle for the exploration of the "society" and the philosophy.

Essentially a character that acts outside of the "society", that is at focus of the series, as far as the philosophy of the character goes when it comes to approaching the society. This role can also be called as the "observer". A role that acts as a tool for the audience to be able to gain understanding of the contrast of the philosophies of the "observer" and the supposed "society".

This approach enables that the audience is able to experience the contrast of these two philosophical approaches when it comes to the society and is able to experience often both sides the "observer" and the supposed "society" that is approached through the eyes of the "observer".

These series often also propose an alternative approach to the philosophy that is in contrast with the approach of the "observer" and present us an alternative way of seeing the "observer" through the eyes of the supposed "society"

All these anime either:

A.) Have a psychological tag but their manga/ novel adaptations do not have a psychological tag
B.) Do not have a psychological tag, but their manga/ novel adaptations have a psychological tag

Delicate explorations of heavy topics, alongside depressing or suicidal undertones; often dealing with dark, dramatic and psychological elements not limited to the matters of mental illness or death. Mature themes generally presented in subtle or vague forms, and likewise difficult to pinpoint or comprehend at times.

For anime which have 20+ episodes and only one opening and one ending