From time to time, anime has proven to be a versatile and impactful medium for exploring the complexities of mental health and depression. These series and films address the often stigmatized or misunderstood mental disorders, offering viewers a chance to empathize with characters who face similar challenges.

Whether through raw realism or symbolic storytelling, these anime titles delve deep into the human psyche, shedding light on the intricacies of mental health issues while navigating the path towards healing and recovery. In this article, we’ll delve into some of the best anime that tackle these sensitive and important themes. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

10. Wonder Egg Priority

Wonder Egg Priority is an original anime by CloverWorks that delves into some very mature themes like grief and loss. The 12 episodes series centers on a young girl Ai Ohto, who gets transported to an alternate world after breaking a mysterious sentient egg.

In a world that materializes during her sleep, melancholic Ai and three other girls fight the physical manifestations of trauma that come their way while avoiding a similar fate, all of which may somehow bring her own dead friend back in the process.

9. Fruits Basket

Even though Fruits Basket comes off as a romantic supernatural anime, the anime tackles a diverse range of mental health issues like OCD and PTSD. The series advocates for mental disorder to be less taboo and for society to approach the concern with compassion rather than judgment and criticism.

The story of Fruits Basket follows orphaned girl Tohru Honda who moves into a house owned by the Sohma family. She soon gets involved with zodiac spirits bearers, humans who could change into various zodiac animals and people who have their own twisted and dark pasts.

8. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of the most critically acclaimed mecha anime to be ever made. The series is a perfect picturization of a psychological drama seen through the eyes of the protagonist in a dystopian setting where monstrous celestial beings called “Angels” have invaded the futuristic city of Tokyo-3.

Shinji Ikari, a reluctant young man joins a small squad of pilots while grappling with mental hurdles. Under the command of his cold and dictatorial father, he’s forced to drive back the angelic threat using giant humanoid bio-machines named “Evangelions” that seem to have minds of their own!

7. Your Lie In April

Your Lie in April is a critically acclaimed high school romance anime series about loss, love, and music. The anime tells the story of a young piano prodigy named Kōsei Arima who falls into a state of depression after his mother’s demise and he never takes the stage thereafter.

His monochrome life turns upside down the day he encounters the eccentric violinist Kaori Miyazono, who thrusts Arima back into the spotlight as her accompanist. With music as a medium, the anime manages to give an insightful check on the grieving process and its affect on an individual’s mental fortitude.

6. March Comes In Like A Lion

March Comes In like a Lion is an introspective anime that explores themes of loneliness, depression, and the importance of family. The series tells the story of Rei Kiriyama, a 17-year-old who lives a successful shogi player career but struggles to cope with the loneliness and peer pressure.

Being lonely, introverted, and apathetic to the world around him Rei eventually meets the Kawamoto sisters who help him to open up and learn to care for others. March Comes In like a Lion goes a long way toward presenting a brighter horizon on the mental health subject.

5. Colorful

Colorful is a thought-provoking film that brings forward the modern day problems of the youth who’re burdened with several issues leading them to suicide and mental breakdowns. The film walks us through the story of a soul who wakes up in the body of Makoto, a 14-year-old boy who attempts to die by suicide.

With no memories of its past life, the soul is given a second chance at life only if it can find out the reason why Makoto committed suicide and redeem his sins within six months! Colorful is a beautiful and moving film that tells the importance of finding your place in the world.

4. Death Parade

Psychological thriller Death Parade begins with an intriguing question of whether people are inherently good or bad, and how their actions in the afterlife can determine their fate. Set in the the afterworld, the story follows multiple deceased people who’re taken to a bar called Quindecim.

Decim, an arbiter and bartender challenges the customers to a series of games, and their souls are judged based on how they play. The customers are not aware that they are playing for their lives, and they must reveal their true selves in order to survive.

3. A Silent Voice

A Silent Voice is one of the critically acclaimed romantic anime movies that deals with the central theme of bullying and its repercussions on the people involved. The film follows middle school student Shoya Ishida as he becomes a victim of bullying himself after he bullies a deaf classmate named Shouko Nishimiya.

While Shoya was not the only person who bullied Shouko, he is ostracized by the very people who encouraged his bullying. As Shoya enters high school and continues grappling with feelings of guilt and despair, he confronts his insecurities head-on and endeavors to make amends for his past grievances.

2. Orange

Orange uniquely raises mental health awareness by focusing on the immense emotional and mental toll that depression has taken on the lead cast. The story sees Naho Takamiya as she receives a letter from her future self about a new transfer student Kakeru Naruse who will die soon.

At first, Naho is skeptical of the letter, but as she begins to experience the events that are described in it, she realizes that it is real. With the letter as her guide, Naho vows to change the course of future and save Kakeru’s life before it’s too late.

1. Welcome To The N.H.K.

Welcome to the NHK is an actual account of the author being a Hikikomori (adults who withdraw from social life) fighting against depression and the royalties. The anime highlights the life of university dropout Tatsuhiro Sato who’s too anxious to leave his home and barely interacts with people.

Being concerned about his recluse behaviour a friend of his named Misaki tries to help him overcome his deep-seated insecurities so that Tatsuhiro can get over his miserable life and enjoy it to the fullest while experiencing the unseemingly beautiful world with his own eyes.

Which one of the following anime that deals with mental health is your favorite? Feel free to comment down your thoughts and make sure to recommend some other anime like the ones listed above, also don’t forget to share this article with your fellow otaku friends.

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