Forums

Basically, I'm looking for an anime (psychological most likely)that deals with issues such as any form of depression or mental disorder or a social tabu such as eating disorders (no chance, I know). Possibly also topics such as drug abuse or gambling. To some extent homosexuality or incest, but I don't mean yaoi/shonen-ai or yuri/shoujo-ai or stuff like Kiss X Sis (or whatever that show is called). I want the protagonist to be dealing with an issue, not to be looking for a love interest.

I heard that Revolutionary Girl Utena or Perfect Blue might be what I'm looking for so any extra info on what these two actually deal with would also be appreciated (no spoilers?).
Some anime about this topic I actually enjoyed are Evangelion or the first half of Paranoia Agent.

Welcome to the NHK, maybe? Though I haven't watched it or read much of the manga, so I can't really tell you how well it fits what you're looking for. Might be worth checking out though.

Koi Kaze is about incest, but it's treated seriously (i.e. not as fanservice) and the characters do have to deal with the impact it has on their lives, etc.

I feel like I should be suggesting Gantz, but I'm not entirely sure you'll like it. Each of the characters are unlikeable and have "issues" that they work through during the show, though. If I had to describe it ... I'd say it's the love child of Men in Black, Six Feet Under, and Lost.

Another has an example of a really emotionally stunted girl. She doesn't develop too much throughout the series, but you do get to see her struggle with this and improve a little toward the end, and you come to understand her better.

Black Rock Shooter deals with what you're describing in the first four episodes.

For a series in which girls are just trying to deal with everyday-ish life (although ... there is a focus on friendships and relationships), definitely see Maria-same ga Miteru. (MAL says it's yuri, but it's really not. One of the characters just happens to be a lesbian.)

I have at least one 100% recommendation: Welcome to the NHK! It's definitely what you're looking for.

Hourou Musuko deals with transexuality and gender issues.

@ DYRE: I've seen the first few episodes of Koi Kaze but the pace was so slow I decided to put it on hold. I plan to pick it up though... at some point. Hard to satisfy a person who likes psychological with a fast pace
@ Oof: I'll check out Gantz, thanks.
I've seen Another and I quite enjoyed it, but definitely not for Mei.
Black Rock Shooter ... I've heard so much negative criticism of this I don't even want to go near.
Maria-sama ga Miteru ... I do plan to finish it at some point...
@ LolitaDecay: Not that into manga, but thanks for the rec.

As for Welcome to the NHK, it's been on my PTW for ages so yeah I'll give it a try.

Mahoraba - on first glance it's typical rom-com with main couple and irritating side-characters
but than it goes into showing why those characters are like (clingy, depressed or apathetic) they are plus main character with Multiple Personality Disorder (plus I like how they shown both this and reaction of others towards it)
great series, worth of surviving first 2 or 3 episodes and if not there is also manga - which is bit darker

and about rest
Candy Boy - you have there: incest and yuri... but series is adorable, yes I've said it

What, it's an anime.

http://myanimelist.net/anime/8426/Hourou_Musuko

Hah I was going to recommend Hourou Musuko too. One of the best anime of 2011. Also Eve no Jikan is a good choise. Aoi Bunkaku and Utena's younger sibling Mawaru Penguindrum too. Kaiba, Kawamo wo Suberu Kaze, Belladonna of sadness and Paprika and Trapeze propably.

Oh right, wrong title. Sorry lol. I might check it out, thanks.

Seconding Koi Kaze, not sure why you dropped it.
Aoi Bungaku Series.
Perfect Blue.

Definitely Utena and Perfect Blue. ANYTHING by Satoshi Kon, really.

Yup, NHK should definitely be your cup of tea; it touches on a variety of issues from marketing scams to gaming addictions. And while there is a romance element it's not central to the plot.

Very intrigued by this. Thanks for the tip.

--Excellent show. It is in three separate arcs. The first one is very much what you are looking for, the middle one, not so much, and the third to some degree.

Echoing several already mentioned and adding a few:

.Anime Title - .Year - .Eps - .My Rating
Neon Genesis Evangelion - 1995 - 26 - 10
Revolutionary Girl Utena - 1997 - 39 - 10
Tokyo Godfathers - 2003 - 1 - 10
Aoi Bungaku Series - 2009 - 12 - 9
Koi Kaze - 2004 - 13 - 9
Onii-sama e... - 1991 - 39 - 9 (sexual orientation, bullying, drugs, and dealing with death)
Kuragehime - 2010 - 11 - 8 (an even more upbeat look at social dysfunction)
Paprika - 2006 - 1 - 8
Paranoia Agent - 2004 - 13 - 8
Perfect Blue - 1997 - 1 - 8
Hourou Musuko (gender ?) - 2011 - 4/11 + - 7
Welcome to the NHK! - 2006 - 24 - 8
Kaiji - 2007 - 2/26 + - 5 (Gambling)
Akagi - 2005 - 26 - ptw (Gambling)

Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei