10 best dystopian anime you should watch

Dystopian anime usually showcases disturbing visions of the future which compel introspection about problems in modern society. Be it the totalitarian regimes, loss of identity and privacy, or apocalyptic scenarios – these shows amplify present-day issues as warnings if we ignore the ethical implications of technologies.

Riveting plots meet social commentary to make dystopian anime highly binge-worthy. Let’s explore some acclaimed classics like Attack on Titan alongside relative newcomers like Darling in the Franxx which deserve more fans. Both types pack thoughtful punches in their unique ways.

10 must-watch best dystopian anime that will blow your mind

1) Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan (Image via Wit Studio/MAPPA)

Set in a bleak world where towering man-eaters called Titans have brought humans to the brink of extinction, Attack on Titan highlights the struggle for freedom against terrifying threats to civilization.

After the Titans suddenly breach the protective walls after over 100 years, hotheaded protagonist Eren Yeager joins the war alongside Mikasa Ackermann and Armin Arlert - his close comrades. They enlist in the Survey Corps military regiment venturing out to unravel the mystery behind the Titans’ origin and shocking assault.

Backed by its top-notch animation, well-written characters plus exhilarating action – Attack on Titan keeps viewers hooked with its unpredictable plot progression spanning conspiracies, ideological clashes, politics, and war.

2) Psycho-Pass

A futuristic sci-fi thriller, Psycho-Pass is set in a dystopian world where a person's likelihood of committing a crime is constantly scanned to judge their criminal intent. Known as their Psycho-Pass, this rating is used to judge their criminal potential.

The show follows Inspector Akane Tsunemori as she joins forces with Enforcers - latent criminals - to track down extremely aberrant criminal minds threatening the system.

An introspective look at an Orwellian system of judgment, Psycho-Pass presents complex themes about crime and punishment through Akane's ideological clashes with her cynical partner Shinya Kogami. This dystopian anime highlights the moral ambiguities within a society that relies on predictive policing.

3) Ergo Proxy

In a post-apocalyptic future where humans live in utopian cities controlled by artificial intelligence, Ergo Proxy tells the story of an investigator named Re-L Mayer hunting mysterious monsters called "Proxies."

Her quest for answers leads to revelations about the domed city of Romdo's deeper secrets. Re-L and her companions ultimately embark on a journey to the barren wasteland outside seeking the truth.

A dark sci-fi tale with philosophical undertones, Ergo Proxy is a cult favorite. Known for its eerie atmosphere, this dystopian anime offers a high-concept look at questions about self-identity and humanity's relationship with technology.

4) Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell (Image via Production I.G)

A hugely influential sci-fi property, the Ghost in The Shell franchise spans films, shows, manga, and video games. The story is centered in a "cyber brain" future with human enhancements where Public Security Section 9 deals with technology-related crime including cyber terrorism.

Led by the mostly cybernetic Major Motoko Kusanagi, Section 9 investigates the mysterious master hacker known only as the Puppet Master in the first Ghost in the Shell movie.

With its iconic mix of hand-drawn visuals and CGI, Ghost in the Shell raises thought-provoking questions about the blurring of identity in a digital world where memories can be hacked, edited, and implanted. As a dystopian anime, it challenges the boundaries between humanity and technology.

5) Texhnolyze

Set in the underground city of Lux, Texhnolyze depicts a brutal struggle for control between warring factions as the town descends into chaos. Caught in the crossfire, orphaned prizefighter Ichise loses an arm and a leg and receives experimental texhnolyzed prosthetics granting him immense power.

Ichise then sets down a path that uncovers darker truths about Lux and the organization subtly controlling the technologically advanced Texhnolyzed humans.

Surreal imagery and avant-garde storytelling make Texhnolyze a uniquely transcendent experience. More subdued yet just as impactful as other dystopian anime, this work of art remains enigmatic while confronting themes about human despair.

6) Akira

A hugely influential anime movie classic, Akira is set in the dystopian megalopolis of Neo Tokyo in 2030. The cyberpunk story follows Shōtarō Kaneda, leader of a local bōsōzoku bike gang whose world spirals into chaos after his friend Tetsuo develops immense telekinetic abilities due to secret government experimentation.

With incredible action sequences, Akira is considered a landmark anime work for pushing the possibilities of animation and storytelling aimed at mature audiences when it was released in 1988.

Its visuals pairing dystopian cityscapes with apocalyptic horror still impress decades later, marking it as a definitive dystopian anime.

7) Darling in the Franxx

Darling in the Franxx (Image via Trigger/A-1 Pictures/CloverWorks)

A coming-of-age mecha anime laced with romance, Darling in the Franxx depicts Squad 13 of boy-girl pairings fighting to defend the last bastions of humanity. They pilot giant mechs called Franxx to defeat monster invaders known as Klaxosaurs.

However, when Zero Two, a human-Klaxosaur hybrid, arrives as a highly-skilled yet infamous Franxx pilot, her pairing up with Hiro offers glimpses into mankind's forgotten history.

While not overtly dystopian initially, Darling in the Franxx early on reveals thought-provoking world-building explaining how humanity lost its ability to reproduce and now relies on magma energy and cloning technology to survive. This dystopian anime explores the consequences of technological dependence and biological limitations.

8) Blame!

In a vast automated megastructure known as The City, the mostly cyberized Killy roams aimlessly searching for humans with the Net Terminal Gene, confronting advanced Silicon Life and the Safeguard.

Blame! offers fascinating visual depictions of a self-replicating world run by AI where mankind faces extinction with Killy, searching for humans with the Net Terminal Gene, confronting advanced Silicon Life and the Safeguard.

A unique take on dystopia done beautifully in CGI and minimal dialogue, Blame! is a brilliant sci-fi action flick condensing a complex manga into film format quite effectively. This dystopian anime stands out for its minimalist storytelling and atmospheric visuals.

9) No. 6

Set in a technologically advanced city No. 6 touted as a utopia, No. 6 follows Shion whose life takes a drastic turn when he helps an injured Nezumi fleeing authorities. This fateful meeting exposes Shion to the horrifying truth about No. 6's overtly sinister secrets as he becomes involved in uncovering and challenging the dystopian regime of No. 6

A thought-provoking dystopian tale, No. 6 offers suspenseful plotting combined with rich debates around privilege, systemic discrimination, and the true meaning of equality through Shion and Nezumi's slowly blossoming relationship. As a dystopian anime, it delves deep into societal issues masked by a façade of perfection.

10) Plastic Memories

In a world where advanced androids called Giftia serve humans, they get regularly retrieved once nearing the end of their service time of approximately nine years to have their memories wiped since rogue Giftia can be dangerous.

At the Terminal Service One retrieval company, newbie Tsukasa Mizugaki is partnered with the Giftia Isla on retrievals of Giftia nearing their 81,920-hour lifespan while they also develop a unique connection outside of work during their time together.

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A poignant sci-fi romance, Plastic Memories explores thoughtful concepts about love, loss, and letting go in a futuristic setting where bonds between humans and AIs provoke intriguing questions about life's meaning. This dystopian anime poignantly addresses the emotional impact of artificial life reaching its end.

Conclusion

The best dystopian anime engages our minds as much as our emotions. Their grand themes capture a shared vision about societal failures that could someday come eerily true unless we change course. Yet even among unflinching warnings, nostalgic memories and human intimacy shine as redeeming graces.

Which other dystopian anime would you suggest? Do share your favorites, and as we traverse questionable technological and social progress - we must discuss ideas from futuristic shows that inspire actions to build a better tomorrow. Our very humanity depends on ordinary people daring to challenge inevitable-seeming darkness threatening to engulf freedoms and rights.