Out of the many genres of animated storytelling, anime focused on mental health stands out as particularly unique. In the past, conversations about mental health were not common in Japan, but numerous anime series have brought attention to these issues in a positive way over time.
These anime focus on mental health by either directly incorporating the destructive impact of mental illnesses into the storyline or by portraying these challenges through prominent characters.
Despite this, it is crucial to address the impact of mental health on individuals in their daily lives. Therefore, let us explore the top 8 anime that shed light on this topic and showcase its significance.
Exploring the portrayal of mental health in the top 8 anime
8) The Psychological Thriller of Perfect Blue
The movie Perfect Blue is a compelling thriller that blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality, ultimately leaving audiences in a state of introspection by the conclusion. It has also been acclaimed as one of the greatest psychological horror films of all time. Mima Kirigoe, a former idol now pursuing acting, becomes the target of a stalker in the film’s narrative.
As she navigates her way into the movie industry, Mima faces tremendous pressure and prioritizes her reputation over her mental well-being. This ultimately results in her gradual decline into mental instability. As the story progresses, Mima’s struggle with Dissociative Identity Disorder becomes more severe, ultimately leading to a terrifying loss of touch with reality.
7) The World of NHK
Although not directly addressed, Welcome to NHK effectively conveys the themes of social anxiety and agoraphobia through its main character, Tatsuhiro Satou.
Despite being a 22-year-old college dropout, Tatsuhiro has chosen to avoid social contact and isolate himself in his home for nearly four years. The only time he leaves his home is to visit the local convenience store to purchase food. His prolonged seclusion has led him to believe that a covert group known as NHK is responsible for his current situation.
6) Tangerine
Through the character of Kakeru Naruse, Orange skillfully portrayed the devastating consequences of depression, guilt, childhood trauma, and the loss of a loved one. Kakeru, who was struggling with severe depression and feelings of guilt for not being able to save his mother, embodied all of these themes.
Kakeru’s mother was also struggling with depression, and as her mental health continued to decline, she tragically took her own life. Without the help of Naho Takamiya and his group of friends, Kakeru may have followed in his mother’s footsteps and faced a similar fate.
5) The Dark and Tragic World of Banana Fish
Ash Lynx’s troubled and abusive upbringing resulted in him suffering from depression and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). The highly praised Banana Fish series effectively depicted the destructive impact of childhood trauma on an individual.
Despite Ash’s constant battle with his troubled past, he and his comrades become entangled in a complex web of conspiracies throughout the entire anime. In addition to confronting challenges such as depression, PTSD, and childhood trauma, Banana Fish delves into the difficulties of grappling with gender identity.
4) Silent Communication: The Story of Komi
Despite being the most popular and desired girl in her high school, Shouko Komi’s extreme social anxiety in the popular anime Komi Can’t Communicate prevents her from speaking or expressing herself most of the time. This ultimately hinders her from fully enjoying her newfound fame and status due to her unparalleled beauty.
Despite her efforts, her anxiety prevented her from achieving her goal of making 100 friends during her high school years. As the series progressed, it became increasingly evident that Komi struggled with other mental health issues, which only added to the challenges she faced in her social life.
3) Attack on Titan
In addition to its reputation as a highly praised anime featuring epic battles between mechas and aliens, Neon Genesis Evangelion also tackles topics such as depression and trauma. The protagonist, Shinji Ikari, is a multi-faceted character who not only faces a destructive and violent war against extraterrestrial beings, but also battles his own internal struggles.
The passing of his mother and the emotional neglect inflicted by his father caused Shinji to develop a severe form of depression, which remains a constant battle for him throughout the series.
2) Your Lie in April: A Heartwrenching Tale of Music and Love
Despite its heart-wrenching conclusion, Your Lie in April is known for evoking strong emotions from its audience. The main character, Arima Kousei, is a compassionate but cynical young boy who has abandoned his once-promising piano career after the loss of his mother.
The anime showcases Kousei’s challenges and psychological issues, stemming from the traumatic abuse he experienced in his childhood. However, the entrance of Kaori Miyazono brought a much-needed source of brightness into his bleak existence. Despite her own struggles, Kaori inspires Kousei to pursue his passion and find purpose in life for the sake of his loved ones.
2) Your Name
Despite her gentle and kind nature, Shouko Nishimiya faced relentless bullying from her classmates due to her hearing disability during her elementary school years. The situation escalated when she was physically bullied by Shouya Ishida, ultimately leading to her having to transfer to a different school.
As a result, Shouya’s entire class turned against him and refused to take any responsibility for their actions. Consequently, Shouya was ostracized by his peers and became the target of their bullying. This caused him to spiral into depression and contemplate suicide. However, as time passed, Shouya was able to find a way to make amends for his past behavior and form a close friendship with Shouko later in life.
Conclusion
The depiction of mental health in anime adds a sense of realism by portraying the challenges faced by individuals in the real world. As such, it can be argued that anime focusing on mental health is equally significant as other genres, such as fantasy or action, as it sheds light on important issues commonly disregarded in reality.
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