Regardless of not yet receiving further clarification, decided to put forward what I think constitute the best array of choices for this in the meantime. In no way is this intended to be a full and comprehensive list. Not only not of the sprawling and extensive, boundless-seeming library of all anime out there. But not even necessarily of what I myself have personally seen. But these are the ones which first come to mind, stand out, and resonate best with me in this respect.
This may not be true to the same level or degree in all of them, but I can see certain traits and a mindset inherent to what at least would be classified by others as a form of "mentally ill" reflected and embodied in either one or more of the characters or in some other way a part of the plot and themes of the world and stories themselves in these series. I can relate to certain ones strongly, which is probably why some are among my top favorites - a thought which might give some cause for pause but I find definitely makes them more intimate experiences.
Here goes:
- Higurashi no Naku Koro ni/Kai (the single best depiction of medical horror I've seen employed in all fiction)
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Elfen Lied
- The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (I feel Haruhi definitely is...let's just say not a denizen of the neurotypical world)
- Happy Sugar Life
- Mahoutsukai no Yome
- Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World (2003 one) (arguments could be made about Kino themself as a person, but it's even moreso the case about the world as a whole portrayed here. It could also be argued that it just initiates a philosophical debate, but I would say that several episodes not only lightly critique but fundamentally question some of the basic assumptions about the nature of humanity, society, and reality from a standpoint of an outsider looking in)
- Aku no Hana
- Subete ga F ni Naru
- Gakkougurashi! (PTSD with psychosis or PTSD-induced psychosis)
- No Game No Life (If you include hikikomori/NEETs)
- Welcome to the NHK! (Same as NGNL except a little more diverse, more realistic, and somber)
- Super Cub
- Mayoiga (Kind of/to an extent - I think this may be the weakest suggestion as the characters which would be the strongest candidates representing that are all relegated to side/supporting characters and used as comic relief and parodies, but still maybe worth considering to check out, especially if you're a horror fan)
traed said:Some parts of schizophrenia has been argued as neurodivergence or even neurotypical before such as with the Hearing Voices Movement and from psychiatrists like R. D. Laing (whom Lain is named after)
I have heard and read a bit about this briefly and in passing, but I will admit I haven't looked into it in-depth and will have to do so more thoroughly. I'm torn because a part of me always heard of something like this and automatically equated it with other, what I saw as absurd, attempts to anchor a worldview around framing clear-cut illnesses, injuries, and disabilities like deafness as not an unambiguous negative and even a valid extension of the diversity of the human genome and a subculture with merit worthy of preservation. I want to reject that firmly in my view on issues like hearing loss, because in my way of thinking, what's to prevent the same being said to rationalize a supposed benefit of having one's arms or legs chopped off or being born without them? Yet on the other hand I try to keep an open mind on the subject, because I know I am in the same boat and could be seen as somewhat hypocritical for definitely emphatically viewing certain neurological profiles which would easily be written off as illness by many, likely a majority of others, as very much a valid difference and alternative subset of the human experience rather than a disease to be eradicated. I'm referring specifically to ASD, SPD - autistic spectrum, schizophrenia spectrum disorders likes schizoid, BPD, etc.