Koi wa Ameagari no You ni is a great example if you are looking for a drama or romance with drama elements. It is definitely one of Wit Studio's best productions and one that was largely ignored due to the prejudice built on its premise.
Another work I would highly recommend is Boogiepop wa Warawanai. The Boogiepop Series Light Novel is my second favorite work of all time, and while the anime isn't quite as amazing, it's definitely a rich in substance and fantastical experience that will likely teach you a lot and drag you into the work. If you prefer, start with the Light Novel, but I would recommend watching the 2018 anime for a better start-up of the work. Certainly, a must-watch when it comes to psychological thrillers and philosophical works of enormous caliber.
From the creators of Steins;Gate, Occultic;Nine is perhaps the most underrated example of my recommendations. If you are a lover of mysteries and works with an interconnected plot, in which every detail matters, you will most likely love this one. Unfortunately, the incredible direction and masterful connections between events were largely ignored by audiences when Occultic;Nine aired, largely due to the very fast-paced dialogue style and Ryoka's scenes in the first episode. The anime does have some fanservice in its first episode, true, but it definitely lacks that Ecchi element and he's barely seen in the rest of the series, if that's your concern.
Finally, two recommendations if you prefer works involving art, or even career and sports as a whole. Both invest on the topic of dance. The first of these is Ballroom e Youkoso, a distant "cousin" of Haikyuu!!, Kuroko no Basket, Kaze wa Tsuyoku Fuiteru and other sports works by Production I.G. Ballroom is a Shonen sports that is about ballroom dancing and that focuses especially on the element of passion, the awakening of a career and competition. In contrast, the other example is Dance Dance Danseur, my favorite anime among the new ones released last year. The second features a greater element of drama and focuses on building a career, revolving around Ballet and introducing us to Murao Junpei's self-realization in contrast to Mori Luou and his tragic past. Both works are sensational in direction and promise great events for you, and I strongly recommend them. |