The most intense Anime are often those where psychological games and tactics create tension. We show you 5 anime hits from this genre.
If you look at the most successful anime, they are mostly action series with spectacular effects or strong visuals, such as Solo Leveling or Frieren. However, there are many anime where psychological power plays are in the foreground, and the characters try to win by cleverly seeing through their opponents – whether it’s about world domination, winning at gambling, or simply the sweet joy of being superior.
We have picked out 5 anime of various genres that all contain stories with psychological games of different kinds. Have fun!
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Monster
Alternative Names: /
Genres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Episodes: 74
Where can you watch Monster? Netflix
What is Monster about? The extremely successful Dr. Tenma is on the verge of the pinnacle of his career. As a neurosurgeon, he often has to perform life-saving surgeries – and occasionally decides which operation takes precedence. When he saves a child’s life, the mayor of the city, who he was supposed to treat, dies simultaneously.
Dr. Tenma loses his reputation and it takes years to restore it. But then strange incidents occur. The boy, Johann Liebert, whom he once saved, is now grown up – and has become a manipulative, cold-blooded killer. A monster that wouldn’t exist without Dr. Tenma’s interference.
Why are psychological games important in Monster? The psychological games in Monster are primarily perpetrated by the antagonist. He continuously manipulates his victims into recognizing the darkest corners of their psyche as their true selves and often drives them to desperate acts – to madness or suicide – through a mix of manipulation, trauma, and guilt. This isn’t always easy to endure and yet shows a fascinating depth with which the villain of this story operates.
However, be aware that Monster does have some lengthy parts where the plot progresses somewhat slowly. It is not an anime that one can quickly binge-watch in a day or two – it simply has too many episodes for that.
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