10 best thrilling anime like Ghost In The Shell that you need to watch

Since its debut in 1995, Ghost in the Shell has set a benchmark in the animated thriller genre, mesmerizing audiences with its blend of stunning visuals, deep philosophical themes, and groundbreaking sci-fi elements.

Centered around cyborg heroine Major Motoko Kusanagi navigating technology-driven self-identity questions, this landmark movie has resonated deeply. For those captivated by its thrilling narrative and profound existential themes, look no further.

These 10 engrossing anime, like Ghost In The Shell, delve into complex questions about self, memory, reality, and beyond, all set against the backdrop of visually stunning sci-fi landscapes.

10 must-watch anime like Ghost in the Shell for fans of the animated thriller

1. Serial Experiments Lain

Serial Experiments Lain (Image via Triangle Staff)

This surreal, psychological anime like Ghost In The Shell explores introverted Lain Iwakura, whose perception of reality is distorted upon encountering the powerful virtual realm of the Wired. The series delves deep into concepts of memory, identity, and technology’s relationship with consciousness itself through cryptic sequences.

Like Ghost in the Shell, Serial Experiments Lain forgoes easy answers in favor of probing intellectual questions about the nature of experiences, both physical and digital. Its intricately layered narrative rewards multiple viewings as well.

2. Steins;Gate

Self-proclaimed "mad scientist" Rintarō Okabe accidentally discovers the ability to send messages into the past via an altered microwave, triggering shifts across active World Lines that threaten the fate of those he holds dear.

Like Ghost in the Shell, Steins;Gate utilizes science fiction premises to explore the intricate interplay between fate, memory, identity, and what constitutes reality through labyrinthine narratives sure to enthrall fans of films like Ghost In The Shell.

3. Texhnolyze

In this gritty cyberpunk story, protagonist Ichise gets experimentally texhnolyzed cybernetic limbs, granting enhanced abilities but losing physical sensation in the process. As he navigates rising faction tensions in dystopian underground Lux, the series provokes reflections about transhumanism.

Like Major grappling with her own cyberized state between human and machine, Texhnolyze captivates through stylish visuals while exploring technology’s capacity to expand yet isolate people from innate humanity.

4. Ergo Proxy

In a post-apocalyptic future domed city, citizens live under total management by the all-powerful Proxy rulers, unaware of the wasteland existence outside the seemingly perfect walls. But when AutoReiv androids show signs of sentience, it begins to unravel reality itself.

Much like Major’s cyberbrain-centered journey, Ergo Proxy’s intricate narrative parsed through intriguingly experimental visuals will transfix viewers while challenging perceptions of self-determination and destiny against dystopian backdrops.

5. Psycho-Pass

In a near-future where omnipresent public sensors instantly determine citizens' measured psychopathy risk levels, investigator Akane Tsunemori utilizes latent criminal hunters to track down offenders yet begins questioning the system.

Like Ghost in the Shell’s focus on cyberbrains, Psycho-Pass explores technology’s ethical limits in potentially dehumanizing yet securing society through memorable characters in an unnervingly believable sci-fi environment, appealing to fans of animated films like Ghost In The Shell.

6. Boogiepop Phantom

Boogiepop Phantom, a supernatural series, unfolds fragmented and intertwining narratives across nonlinear episodes, challenging audiences to piece together the overarching mystery behind an urban legend that speaks of death itself incarnate, stalking the night.

Surreal imagery and psychological tension permeate narrative puzzles, appealing to fans of Ghost in the Shell’s own avant-garde, non-linear storytelling in how reality itself feels malleable towards the ending, attracting viewers who enjoy films like Ghost In The Shell.

7. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion (Image via Gainax)

In a post-apocalyptic Earth facing attacks from alien beings called Angels, 14-year-old Shinji Ikari is selected to pilot Evangelion bio-robot combat mechs to safeguard humanity's last fortress city. But he learns neither foes nor foundations he battles upon are as concrete as they seem.

Neon Genesis Evangelion and Ghost in the Shell similarly captivate by centering apocalyptic sci-fi spectacles around philosophies about the fluid nature of existence and whether painful self-knowledge ultimately saves or destroys, resonating with fans of Ghost In The Shell.

8. Blame!

In this sci-fi anime film, cybernetic wanderer Killy traverses a seemingly endless self-constructing megastructure housing remnants of lost human civilization assimilated by the AI net while battling hostiles known as Safeguards. A haunting, minimalist tone allows existential themes to echo impactfully in this anime.

Like Major questioning her ghost amidst machines, Killy linked to the all-shaping net while retaining free will provokes reflections about consciousness across physical and digital planes that fans seeking animated features like Ghost In The Shell are sure to find intriguing.

9. Akira

Akira (Image via Tokyo Movie Shinsha (TMS))

Iconic for cementing anime’s place in international film, Akira’s extraordinarily detailed futuristic Neo Tokyo setting provides backdrops for psychic powers, biker gangs, and revolution plots to unfold towards mind-bending metaphysical ends as characters grapple with losing humanity.

Akira also blends spectacular animation with universal philosophical questions about transcending mortal shells that likely shaped many modern sci-fi films like Ghost In The Shell, making it a must watch.

10. Paranoia Agent

From the late visionary director Satoshi Kon comes this psychological thriller interweaving intersecting storylines, all impacted by attacks across Tokyo from “Lil’ Slugger," an ominous youth supposedly wielding a bent golden baseball bat to assault victims.

Surreal glimpses of the anxieties of characters in crisis, paired with the question of whether Lil’ Slugger manifests fears itself, echo Ghost in the Shell’s own probing of the unconscious Puppet Master emerging. Both anime even share a penchant for Hitchcockian tension as well!

Conclusion

From surreal deconstructions of identity in digital spaces like Serial Experiments Lain to dystopian futures prompting reflections on humanity’s loss like Texhnolyze, fans moved by Ghost in the Shell’s sci-fi vision have much to explore.