While few anime are marketed as dystopian, many have dystopian elements and feature sinister worlds we're glad not to be a part of. In line with that, here are some of the best dystopian anime to watch.
The dystopian genre was probably not many people's first choice during a global pandemic, but it remains one of the most intriguing speculative subgenres, scaring or warning us while simultaneously revealing truths about our world.
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From the New World
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
From the New World or Shinsekai Yori tells the coming-of-age story of a friend group who finds out that their supposedly utopian world is anything but that.
In a futuristic land where children develop psychic powers when they hit puberty, Saki is relieved for hers to awaken, so that she can join her friends in middle school.
Those who never develop such powers don't turn out to be so lucky, however.
When Saki starts to question their fates, she and her friends uncover sinister truths about their seemingly perfect society.
The world Shinsekai Yori creates is truly memorable, and so are the characters.
Their struggle for agency and their reactions, when faced with shocking realizations, are relatable, and you won’t be able to recover from the chilling atmosphere of the show anytime soon.
86
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
86 is one of the most recent titles on this list. New as it is, it managed to establish itself beautifully in the ranks of dystopian anime, being quite similar to the young adult dystopian works that gained immense popularity in the past decade.
In this heartbreaking yet hopeful story, the Republic of San Magnolia fights a theoretically bloodless war with the Gead Empire.
They claim to use unmanned mecha, but the truth is much more sinister; the young residents of the undesirable area 86 are forced to fight to the death, to protect the other 85 districts.
When Lena, an elite soldier, is appointed as Handler for a squadron of 86 soldiers and meets Shin, also known as the Undertaker, an 86 soldier with a troubled past, both their lives change forever.
What makes the dystopian story successful is not the mecha, the action, or the politics, but how human it is.
Action scenes are juxtaposed with profoundly human ones, making the world of 86 a living, breathing place we gladly allow to break our hearts.
The Promised Neverland
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
The Promised Neverland focuses on a group of orphan children who come up with a master plan to escape their orphanage after discovering the sinister secret their foster mother had been hiding from them.
The show features an amazing friendship between the main character and two of the boys she grew up with, as well as clever mind games and a truly terrifying villain with a well-written backstory.
The Promised Neverland is an interesting case due to the big quality difference between its two seasons.
While Season 1 was faithful to the manga it's based on, the second season all but derailed the anime.
The poorly executed Season 2, however, does not take away the awesome experience that is Season 1, so it's worth streaming, even if only to go on with the manga afterward.
This clever dystopia features some of the smartest anime characters you’ve seen on screen.
Attack on Titan
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Attack on Titan needs no introduction. Whether or not you're a fan, you have probably heard of the last remaining members of human society, who live barricaded behind three concentric walls to guard themselves against Titans.
Humanity's fight against the Titans is tense and heartbreaking to watch, and later seasons bring revelations and plot twists you'd never have seen coming.
The setting is extremely well done and the indomitable spirit of humanity in the face of adversity is a major takeaway from the show.
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Neon Genesis Evangelion
Where to Watch: Netflix
A world being attacked by monstrous creatures in the very near future is bleak enough. That the only way to deal with them is through mecha manned by 14-year-olds makes it infinitely showier.
The characters of Neon Genesis Evangelion shoulder the weight of the world, and it shows.
As what seems like your typical mecha anime descends into something much more sinister and mind-bending, the main character, Shinji, and those who pilot mecha robots with him face unimaginable challenges.
One of the most iconic anime of the 90s, Neon Genesis Evangelion is a must-watch for fans of nuanced and thoughtful dystopian stories.
Psycho-Pass
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Psycho-Pass is a dystopian anime by Production I.G that attempts to speculate the possible dangers of depending on AIs too much.
In 22nd century Japan, the Sibyl System is a definitive way to examine citizens' predilection to crime, known as Psycho-Pass.
When Akane Tsunemori starts working in law enforcement alongside Shinya Kougami, she finds that the system might be flawed and that what she must do to uphold justice isn't as straightforward as society would have her think.
Psycho-Pass is a very clever anime that has maintained relatively high popularity over the years, so it’s worth checking out whether or not you like dystopian and sci-fi anime as a rule.
READ MORE: The Best Sci-Fi Anime With a Female Lead
Claymore
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
In the bleak world of Claymore, humans coexist with shapeshifting, flesh-eating demons known as the "yoma".
The story begins with Raki, a young boy who is saved by Claire, a “Claymore” or a half-human, half-yoma woman dedicated to exterminating the monsters.
Claymores are despised by humans due to their supernatural qualities, although they are admittedly necessary to keep humanity alive.
From there on, Raki and Claire begin a journey together.
If you hop along, you’ll find out about the other Claymore warriors, and eventually, the enemy that made Claire choose to undergo modification and become part-demon.
No. 6
Where to Watch: Prime Video (for US viewers)
No. 6 is a captivating Boys' Love anime unfolding in a gritty dystopian society.
In a world devastated by a past world war, Shion lives safely in the last of six protected, privileged areas.
Shion’s perspective about his seemingly utopian world changes when he encounters Nezumi, a fugitive from a wasteland, who has suffered under terrible conditions his whole life.
An act of kindness towards Nezumi causes Shion to be demoted and relocated to a grittier part of the city, finally finding out the true nature of the world he inhabits.
Years later, he and Nezumi reunite and, together, they uncover the secrets of area No. 6.
Seraph of the End
Where to Watch: Netflix
Few things are scarier than a deadly illness, and dystopian works often make use of that. Seraph of the End is no different.
In its futuristic world, a deadly virus has wiped out everyone over 13 years of age. Vampires then emerge with the promise to protect the survivors – but will they?
The vampires’ reign proves tyrannical and utterly dystopian, prompting a few orphans to rebel.
Of course, this goes horribly wrong. Years later, the sole survivor swears to take revenge against those who slaughtered his family – but at what cost?
Highschool of the Dead
Where to Watch: Prime Video (for US viewers)
When a zombie apocalypse leaves Japan in chaos, it's only a matter of time before they start terrorizing a high school.
Student Takashi Kimuro is forced to kill his best friend, who gets bitten and becomes infected.
From there on, Takashi vows to protect Rei Miyamoto, the girlfriend of the boy he has just killed.
The two manage to escape from the school, only to find out that the society that awaits them outside isn't any better.
From there on, they team up with other surviving students and try to find any surviving family members and uncover the cause of the zombie apocalypse.
Many fans of the show agree that Highschool of the Dead deserved a season 2, and if apocalyptic school settings interest you, it’s definitely worth checking out!
Wolf's Rain
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
There are many fantasy and fairy tale elements in Wolf’s Rain, but its environmental message and its preoccupation with the extinction of wolves make it decidedly dystopian.
In a futuristic setting, wolves – who are thought to have gone extinct – are the only ones holding the key to paradise.
In truth, said wolves hide in plain sight, taking human form to survive.
The characters’ journey is both painful and hopeful, and, if you like wolves, it’s likely to leave you in tears!
Chainsaw Man
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Chainsaw Man isn't primarily known as a dystopian anime but its world is decidedly dystopian.
The notoriously gory shonen anime unfolds in a world that looks very much like ours but is plagued by devils, all of whom are associated with human fears.
In our current society, fear for the future is already enough of an issue. Knowing that devils will spring out of these fears and threaten public safety makes everything so much worse.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Where to Watch: Netflix
Ghibli movies are most known for their beautiful, magical locations, but Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is pretty dystopian as settings go.
Unfolding in the aftermath of a catastrophic nuclear war, this film follows Nausicaa, the young princess of a peaceful kingdom known as the "Valley of the Wind".
Her calm life is disrupted when an airship from the Kingdom of Tolmekia lands in the Valley.
When the Tolmekian military attempts to revive a dangerous nuclear weapon, Nausicaa must fight to protect not only the Valley but what remains of Earth.
Made in Abyss
Where to Watch: HIDIVE
Dystopian works don't have to always look gloomy. As such, Made in Abyss has some pretty dystopian themes but it is deceptively cute.
The original setting is not dystopic as such, but when young Riko meets a boy-like robot and they descend into the Abyss in search of Riko's missing mother, things get dark really fast.
READ MORE: The Most Disturbing Moments in Made in Abyss
Heavenly Delusion
Where to Watch: Disney+
Heavenly Delusion follows a two-fold story in different timelines.
On one hand, we have a boy and his mysterious bodyguard navigating post-apocalyptic Japan in search of heaven.
On the other hand, a group of children are brought up in an orphanage run by robots, never having seen the outside world.
What is the mysterious connection between the two timelines, and what really happened to the ravaged world?
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