Interest Stacks

Anime with "Bite": Mature & Brutal Portrayals of Disturbed Reality

Anime
byMordredEX
Oct 12 2022, 8:42 AM | Updated Jan 29, 2024 8:40 AM
These anime have strong & dark depictions of suffering, mental illness, trauma violence, sex and various sociopolitical and economic problems in a grounded way and without sugarcoating it, although in fiction it is often impossible to completely avoid the distorting lense of epicness or melodrama when portraying reality.

When I say that these shows portray reality, I don't mean to say that they are necessarily based in material reality, as some are sci-fi or fantasy. What I mean, is that these shows portray the bleak and harrowing aspects of human condition without pulling any punches, and without romanticizing it (to some extent).

These shows often have a positive and hopeful overall message and/or ending sometimes, so I wouldn't call this a list of "depressing" shows. However, they have in common that they revolve around brutal and mature depictions of psychological, physical and spiritual pain of individuals and society, while also having a haunting and opressive feel to them.
Chainsaw Man
TV, 2022
8.46
1,722,114
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
ONA, 2022
8.61
890,936
Devilman: Crybaby
ONA, 2018
7.74
1,213,513
Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season
TV, 2020
8.78
2,136,041
Hadashi no Gen
Movie, 1983
7.76
57,286
Hotaru no Haka
Movie, 1988
8.53
718,962
Nido to Mezamenu Komoriuta
Movie, 1985
5.72
4,393
Kenpuu Denki Berserk
TV, 1997
8.60
712,112
Ima, Soko ni Iru Boku
TV, 1999
7.58
153,433
Texhnolyze
TV, 2003
7.76
268,326
Monster
TV, 2004
8.88
1,218,293
Fate/Zero
TV, 2011
8.27
1,550,760
Yakusoku no Neverland
TV, 2019
8.48
2,058,765
Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
TV, 2016
8.24
2,322,788
Densetsu Kyojin Ideon: Hatsudou-hen
Movie, 1982
7.90
11,476
Kidou Senshi Victory Gundam
TV, 1993
6.71
30,208
Clannad: After Story
TV, 2008
8.93
1,236,044
Malice@Doll
OVA, 2001
6.22
9,099
Kanashimi no Belladonna
Movie, 1973
7.19
55,827
Chika Gentou Gekiga: Shoujo Tsubaki
Movie, 1992
4.73
70,795
86
86
TV, 2021
8.32
871,017
Soukou Kihei Votoms
TV, 1983
7.68
27,285
Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor 2 the Movie
Movie, 1993
8.00
41,726
Vinland Saga Season 2
TV, 2023
8.81
729,282
Shigurui
TV, 2007
7.35
129,694
Dororo
TV, 2019
8.25
1,301,176
Ashita no Joe 2
TV, 1980
8.74
58,074
Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu
TV, 2014
8.32
1,954,276
Death Note
TV, 2006
8.62
4,081,513
Death Parade
TV, 2015
8.14
1,844,968
Zankyou no Terror
TV, 2014
8.08
1,222,590
Psycho-Pass
TV, 2012
8.33
1,691,231
The Sky Crawlers
Movie, 2008
7.25
59,523
Chirin no Suzu
Movie, 1978
7.13
15,336
Jin-Rou
Movie, 2000
7.78
193,894
Aku no Hana
TV, 2013
7.15
236,745
NHK ni Youkoso!
TV, 2006
8.31
786,962
Aoi Bungaku Series
TV, 2009
7.66
227,350
Fumetsu no Anata e
TV, 2021
8.34
928,450
Shinsekai yori
TV, 2012
8.25
800,574
Shiki
TV, 2010
7.72
622,935
Inuyashiki
TV, 2017
7.63
676,347
Wonder Egg Priority
TV, 2021
7.56
794,215
Perfect Blue
Movie, 1998
8.55
761,523
Cowboy Bebop
TV, 1998
8.75
1,956,210
Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu
OVA, 1988
9.01
339,963

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