Death Note is one of the most popular anime series, and few can compete with it. These series, on the other hand, contain themes that fans will enjoy.
Anime like Naruto and Death Note have found a home in mainstream Western media. Fans of Death Note had an unusual encounter with the two main characters, Light Yagami and L. It developed a story that captivated both new and experienced anime fans. The series also demonstrated maturity, as the show’s events called into question various “normal” ethics and raised pertinent moral and philosophical issues.
With so much to unpack from the series, fans were left with a sense of dread when it came to a close. It sparked interest in anime shows that kept viewers guessing and made them question life itself. While there will never be another Death Note, there are a few shows that maintain a high level of visuals and storytelling.
Death Note is a fantastic first-time anime that also provides a largely unique experience. The anime is thrilling, ridiculous, well-written, iconic, and endearingly cheesy all at the same time. Death Note is a rare anime, but it shares tones, pacing, and plot ideas with several other series. Psychological thrillers come in a variety of flavors, and if you’re looking for something similar to Madhouse’s classic series, this is the best place to start. So, if you enjoy Death Note, here are ten anime series you should watch!
Anime Like Death Note
10. Psycho-Pass
Justice and the administration of it have evolved over time. Japan implements the Sibyl System in the 22nd century, an objective method of determining each citizen’s threat level by examining their mental state for signs of criminal intent, known as their Psycho-Pass. Inspectors enforce the law by subjugating anyone with the slightest ill-will, often with lethal force; alongside them are Enforcers, jaded Inspectors who have turned into latent criminals and have been granted relative freedom in exchange for carrying out the Inspectors’ dirty work.
Akane Tsunemori, a young woman with a genuine desire to uphold justice, enters this world. However, as she works with veteran Enforcer Shinya Kougami, she quickly realises that the Sibyl System’s judgments are not as perfect as her colleagues believe. With everything she’s ever known turned upside down, Akane wonders what true justice is and whether a corrupt system can uphold it.
9. Parasyte: The Maxim
They appeared out of nowhere: parasitic aliens who descended on Earth and quickly infiltrated humanity by burrowing into vulnerable targets’ brains. In order to feed on unsuspecting prey, these insatiable beings gain complete control of their host and can morph into a variety of forms.
Shinichi Izumi, a sixteen-year-old high school student, contracts one of these parasites, but instead of infecting his brain, it settles in his right hand. Migi, the parasite, is unable to relocate and must rely on Shinichi for survival. As a result, the couple is forced to coexist in an uneasy manner and must defend themselves against hostile parasites in the hopes of eradicating this new threat to their species.
8. Ergo Proxy
Romdo, a domed city, is home to one of the planet’s last human civilizations. A global ecological disaster doomed the planet thousands of years ago; now, life outside these domes is nearly impossible. “AutoReivs,” humanoid-like robots, have been created to assist people in their daily lives and to help humanity recover faster. AutoReivs, on the other hand, have begun to contract the enigmatic “Cogito Virus,” a disease that grants them self-awareness. Romdo’s ruler’s granddaughter, Re-l Mayer, is tasked with investigating the incident with her AutoReiv partner, Iggy. What starts out as a routine investigation quickly turns into a conspiracy as Re-l confronts humanity’s darkest sins.
When strange events begin to occur in the vicinity of Vincent Law, an AutoReiv specialist in Romdo, he is forced to confront his demons. Re-l, Iggy, Vincent, and a young AutoReiv named Pino will form an unlikely alliance as they try to solve Romdo’s mysteries and learn the true purpose of the mythical beings known as “Proxies.”
7. Death Parade
Most people will either go to Heaven or Hell after death. Death, on the other hand, brings a select few to Quindecim—a bar that only allows pairs of people who die at the same time to enter. Decim, the enigmatic figure who also serves as the arbiter, is at the bar. He judges those who end up at Quindecim by forcing them to choose between life and death. These games determine whether the patron’s soul will be reincarnated or cast into the void, never to be seen again.
From darts and bowling to fighting games, each patron’s true nature slowly emerges as they wager their souls. Despite the fact that his methods remain unchanged, the unexpected appearance of a black-haired amnesiac forces Decim to reconsider his own choices.
6. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
In the not-too-distant future, humanity will have advanced to the point where complete body transplants from flesh to machine will be possible. This allows for significant gains in both physical and cybernetic abilities, blurring the distinction between the two. Criminals, on the other hand, can fully exploit such technology, resulting in new and potentially deadly crimes. In response to such innovative new methods, the Japanese government established Section 9, a self-contained police unit that deals with such sensitive crimes.
Section 9, led by Daisuke Aramaki and Motoko Kusanagi, successfully prosecutes such crimes across the board. When confronted with a new A-level hacker known as “The Laughing Man,” the team is forced to play a dangerous cat-and-mouse game, following the hacker’s trail as it leaves its imprint on Japan.
5. The Future Diary
Yukiteru Amano is a shy middle schooler who uses his phone to keep a digital diary of his daily activities. Despite the fact that he has no classmates, Yukiteru is frequently seen conversing with his ostensibly imaginary friends Deus Ex Machina, the god of time and space, and Deus’ servant, Mur Mur.
Yukiteru awakens one day to discover that certain events from his day have been pre-displayed on his cell phone. While he initially dismisses it as a coincidence, he gradually realises that the incidents recorded on his phone will happen soon. Yukiteru discovers that his classmate Yuno Gasai has a diary similar to his after spending the day using this new asset.
According to Deus Ex Machina, they have been drawn into a survival game with ten other contestants, the winner of which will become the deity’s successor, as the two work together to defeat an unusual pursuer and return to their respective homes. To survive this merciless battle royale, Yukiteru and Yuno must rely on their cellphones, now dubbed “Future Diaries.”
4. Terror in Resonance
All that remains of a terrorist attack on a nuclear facility in Japan is the word “VON” in red. The government’s inaction has shattered it, and the police are scrambling to find ways to punish the perpetrators. The general public is unaware—until a strange video appears on the internet six months later. In it, two teenage boys known only as “Sphinx” confront the police and threaten to devastate Tokyo. Detective Kenjirou Shibazaki is caught in the middle of it all, unable to stop the widespread panic that is spreading throughout the city and desperate for any leads in their investigation.
Terror in Resonance tells the story of Nine and Twelve, the two boys who are behind the masked figures on the Sphinx. They shouldn’t exist, but they do, causing the city to crumble around them in the hopes of burying their own tragic truth.
3. Monster
Dr. Kenzou Tenma, an elite neurosurgeon who recently married the director’s daughter at his hospital, is rapidly rising through the ranks. That is, until one night when a seemingly insignificant event alters Dr. Tenma’s life forever. He receives a call from the hospital director instructing him to switch patients and instead perform life-saving brain surgery on a famous performer while preparing to perform surgery on someone. His coworkers, fiancée, and hospital director congratulate him on his achievement; however, as a result of the switch, a poor immigrant worker dies, causing Dr. Tenma to have a moral crisis.
When a similar situation arises, Dr. Tenma maintains his resolve and chooses to operate on Johan Liebert, a young boy, rather than the mayor of the town. Unfortunately, Dr. Tenma’s decision has serious consequences, including the loss of his social standing. Dr. Tenma’s position is restored following the mysterious deaths of the director and two other doctors. He is freed because there is insufficient evidence to convict him, and he later becomes the director of the hospital.
When Dr. Tenma saves a criminal’s life nine years later, his past returns to haunt him in the form of the monster he operated on. He must now set out on a journey to atone for the devastation caused by the person he saved.
2. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
The Holy Empire of Britannia is establishing itself as a dominant military nation, beginning with the conquest of Japan in 2010. Japan was renamed Area 11 after its swift defeat, and it has seen significant resistance against these tyrants in an attempt to regain independence.
Lelouch Lamperouge, a Britannian student, is caught in the crossfire between the Britannian and Area 11 rebel armed forces. However, he escapes thanks to the timely appearance of a mysterious girl named C.C., who bestows Geass, the “Power of Kings,” on him. Recognizing the vast potential of his newly discovered “power of absolute obedience,” Lelouch sets out on a perilous journey as the masked vigilante Zero, leading a merciless onslaught against Britannia in order to exact ultimate vengeance.
1. Steins;Gate
Rintarou Okabe, an eccentric scientist, is obsessed with scientific knowledge. Rintarou co-founds the Future Gadget Laboratory with his eccentric but well-meaning friend Mayuri Shiina and his roommate Itaru Hashida in the hopes of creating technological innovations that perplex the human mind. Despite their lofty claims, the trio’s only noteworthy “gadget” is a microwave that mysteriously turns bananas into green goo.
However, when Rintarou decides to attend a time travel conference hosted by neuroscientist Kurisu Makise, a series of strange events occur, leading him to believe that the “Phone Microwave” gadget is more than meets the eye. Rintarou tests the “time machine,” attracting the ire and attention of the enigmatic organisation SERN.
As a result of the novel discovery, Rintarou and his friends are constantly in danger. He is fighting not only to save his loved ones, but also to keep his sanity as he works to repair the damage his invention has done to the timeline.
That was it for the list, let us know what’s your favorite anime on this list in the comments below!