What is this genre all about? Stories that have mind-destroying plots. The goal of dementia stories is to mess with the audience's mind through the characters progress into insanity.
We present you the list of Dementia anime you should watch right now.
Try our anime quiz: Anime Characters Guessing Quiz/Game
Top 20 Dementia anime you should watch right now. [2026 List]
- 20. Neon Genesis Evangelion
- 19. Serial Experiments Lain
- 18. Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion
- 17. FLCL
- 16. Perfect Blue
- 15. Angel's Egg
- 14. Uzumaki
- 13. Yami Shibai 9
- 12. FLCL Progressive
- 11. Boogiepop wa Warawanai: Boogiepop Phantom
- 10. PUPARIA
- 9. Panty & Stocking in Sanitarybox
- 8. AD Police
- 7. Poputepipikku Special
- 6. Yonimo Osoroshii Grimm Douwa
- 5. Cat Soup
- 4. Yami Shibai 8
- 3. Nouryou Anime: Denkyuu Ika Matsuri
- 2. Atama
- 1. Nihon Animator Mihonichi
20. Neon Genesis Evangelion
In the year 2015, the world stands on the brink of destruction. Humanity's last hope lies in the hands of Nerv, a special agency under the United Nations, and their Evangelions, giant machines capable of defeating the Angels who herald Earth's ruin. Gendou Ikari, head of the organization, seeks compatible pilots who can synchronize with the Evangelions and realize their true potential. Aiding in this defensive endeavor are talented personnel Misato Katsuragi, Head of Tactical Operations, and Ritsuko Akagi, Chief Scientist.
Face to face with his father for the first time in years, 14-year-old Shinji Ikari's average life is irreversibly changed when he is whisked away into the depths of Nerv, and into a harrowing new destiny—he must become the pilot of Evangelion Unit-01 with the fate of mankind on his shoulders.
Written by Hideaki Anno, Neon Genesis Evangelion is a heroic tale of a young boy who will become a legend. But as this psychological drama unfolds, ancient secrets beneath the big picture begin to bubble to the surface...
Neon Genesis Evangelion has finished airing and it has 26 Episodes. It is also Known as: Shinseiki Evangelion, 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン, Neon Genesis Evangelion
19. Serial Experiments Lain
Lain Iwakura, an awkward and introverted fourteen-year-old, is one of the many girls from her school to receive a disturbing email from her classmate Chisa Yomoda—the very same Chisa who recently committed suicide. Lain has neither the desire nor the experience to handle even basic technology; yet, when the technophobe opens the email, it leads her straight into the Wired, a virtual world of communication networks similar to what we know as the internet. Lain's life is turned upside down as she begins to encounter cryptic mysteries one after another. Strange men called the Men in Black begin to appear wherever she goes, asking her questions and somehow knowing more about her than even she herself knows. With the boundaries between reality and cyberspace rapidly blurring, Lain is plunged into more surreal and bizarre events where identity, consciousness, and perception are concepts that take on new meanings.
Written by Chiaki J. Konaka, whose other works include Texhnolyze, Serial Experiments Lain is a psychological avant-garde mystery series that follows Lain as she makes crucial choices that will affect both the real world and the Wired. In closing one world and opening another, only Lain will realize the significance of their presence.
Serial Experiments Lain has finished airing and it has 13 Episodes. It is also Known as: シリアルエクスペリメンツレイン, Serial Experiments Lain
18. Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion
With the final Angel vanquished, Nerv has one last enemy left to face—the humans under Seele's command.
Left in a deep depression nearing the end of the original series, an indecisive Shinji struggles with the ultimatum presented to him: to completely accept mankind's existence, or renounce humanity's individuality. Meanwhile, at the core of a compromised Nerv, Gendou Ikari and Rei Ayanami approach Lilith in an attempt to realize their own ideals concerning the future of the world.
The End of Evangelion serves as an alternate ending to the polarizing final episodes of Neon Genesis Evangelion. With the fate of the universe hanging in the balance, the climactic final battle draws near.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: Shinseiki Evangelion Gekijouban: The End of Evangelion, 新世紀エヴァンゲリオン劇場版 THE END OF EVANGELION, Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion
17. FLCL
Nothing interesting happens in Naota's life since his brother left for America, leaving him with his grandfather and father in their boring little town. On his way home with Mamimi—his brother's ex-girlfriend—a pink-haired, crazy woman riding a Vespa, named Haruko, suddenly slams into him, kisses him, and then bashes him in the head with her guitar before riding off. The next thing he knows, the crazy girl is working as his housekeeper, two robots sprout from his forehead to do battle, and the surviving one starts living with him as well. I think it's fair to say that Naota has parted ways with his old mundane life.FLCL is a kooky coming-of-age story with surprisingly deep undertones as the twelve-year-old Naota develops through the wild antics of Haruko and matures along the way into adulthood.
FLCL has finished airing and it has 6 Episodes. It is also Known as: フリクリ, Fooly Cooly, Furi Kuri
16. Perfect Blue
Perfect Blue revolves around the main protagonist, Mima Kirigoe, a member of a pop idol group named “CHAM!”. After evaluating her situation, she decides to give up her idol status to pursue a career as an actress, what she believes to be the next step in making a name for herself in the industry. However, one of her most hardcore fans, Me-Mania, is less than happy about the path she has decided to take.
Now reborn as an actress, Mima accepts an interesting role, ignoring her manager, Rumi Hidaka's reservations about it. While on set, strange things begin to happen to people who are involved with the film. As time goes on, Mima begins to break down mentally, struggling to distinguish fantasy from reality.
Will Mima be able to escape the grip of her stalker and turn in a break out performance, or will she descend into madness?
Perfect Blue has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: パーフェクト・ブルー, Perfect Blue
15. Angel's Egg
In a desolate and dark world full of shadows, lives one little girl who seems to do nothing but collect water in jars and protect a large egg she carries everywhere. A mysterious man enters her life... and they discuss the world around them.
Angel's Egg has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: Tenshi no Tamago, 天使のたまご, Angel's Egg
14. Uzumaki
Kurozu-cho, a small fogbound town on the coast of Japan, is cursed. According to Shuichi Saito, the withdrawn boyfriend of teenager Kirie Goshima, their town is haunted not by a person or being but by a pattern: uzumaki, the spiral, the hypnotic secret shape of the world. It manifests itself in small ways: seashells, ferns, whirlpools in water, whirlwinds in air. And in large ways: the spiral marks on people's bodies, the insane obsessions of Shuichi's father, the voice from the cochlea in your inner ear. As the madness spreads, the inhabitants of Kurouzu-cho are pulled ever deeper, as if into a whirlpool from which there is no return...
Uzumaki has finished airing and it has 4 Episodes. It is also Known as: うずまき, The Spiral, Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror
13. Yami Shibai 9
The ninth season of Yami Shibai.
Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories 9 has finished airing and it has 13 Episodes. It is also Known as: 闇芝居 9期, Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories Ninth Season, Theater of Darkness 9th Season
12. FLCL Progressive
In the new season of FLCL, many years have passed since Naota and Haruhara Haruko shared their adventure together. Meanwhile, the war between the two entities known as Medical Mechanica and Fraternity rages across the galaxy. Enter Hidomi, a young teenaged girl who believes there is nothing amazing to expect from her average life, until one day when a new teacher named Haruko arrives at her school. Soon enough, Medical Mechanica is attacking her town and Hidomi discovers a secret within her that could save everyone, a secret that only Haruko can unlock.
But why did Haruko return to Earth? What happened to her Rickenbacker 4001 she left with Naota? And where did the human-type robot "Canti" go?
FLCL: Progressive has finished airing and it has 6 Episodes. It is also Known as: フリクリ プログレ, Fooly Cooly 2, Furi Kuri 2, FLCL Progressive, FLCL 2, Fooly Cooly Progressive, Furi Kuri Progressive
11. Boogiepop wa Warawanai: Boogiepop Phantom
Five years ago, a string of grisly murders shook the city to its core and now the rumors have begun once more. Boogiepop... Everyone knows about Boogiepop: meet her one dark night and you are taken. People tell each other the stories and laugh: no one believes that she can possibly exist in this day and age. Still, strange things appear to be going on and the darkness is taking on many forms. Something is out there. Are you safe?
Boogiepop Phantom has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: ブギーポップは笑わない Boogiepop Phantom, Boogiepop Never Laughs, Boogiepop Doesn't Laugh
10. PUPARIA
Independent Short by Shingo Tamagawa
PUPARIA has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: PUPARIA
9. Panty & Stocking in Sanitarybox
A special short included with the 5th DVD/BD release.
Panty & Stocking in Sanitarybox has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt Special, Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt In Sanitary Box
8. AD Police
The year is 2027 in MegaTokyo, six years before the Knight Sabers will make their debut. Boomers (artificial humans) are still a relatively new advancement, and the implementation and integration of boomers into society is still a bit buggy -- sometimes fatally so. Whenever a boomer incident occurs, though, there is the Advanced Police, a special force trained to deal with boomer crimes.
Leon McNichol is a rookie in the AD Police, and is just starting to become exposed to the horrors and tragedies one finds every day in MegaTokyo. He and his veteran partner, Gina Marceau, slowly learn about the ever-fading line that separates man from machine.
AD Police Files has finished airing and it has 3 Episodes. It is also Known as: ADポリス, A.D. Police
7. Poputepipikku Special
Episode 13 and 14 of Poputepipikku. The special has four versions shown on four different broadcasters: Tokyo MX (Blue Dragon ver.), Nico Nico Douga (Vermilion Bird ver.), Abema TV Anilive (White Tiger ver.) and Abema TV Pop Team Epic Channel (Black Tortoise ver.). Each version has a unique combination of seiyuus.
Pop Team Epic TV Special has finished airing and it has 8 Episodes. It is also Known as: ポプテピピック (2019), Pop Team Epic (2019)
6. Yonimo Osoroshii Grimm Douwa
The truth behind the well-known Grimm's Tales is cruel and full of blood and lust!
Episode 1: "Hansel & Gretel": Two brothers lost in the woods were actually criminals...
Episode 2: "The Blue Beard": The true character of the Blue Beard was a cannibal who was unable to tolerate his wife's adultery.
Episode 3: "Cinderella": Actually Cinderella had abnormal affections toward the prince.
Yonimo Osoroshii Grimm Douwa has finished airing and it has 3 Episodes. It is also Known as: 世にも恐ろしいグリム童話, The Truth of Grimm Brothers' Fairy Tale, Otona no Douwa, Otona no Dowa, Otono no Douwa, Otono no Dowa, Adult Fairytales, Adult Fairy Tales
5. Cat Soup
The main character, a cat named Nyatto, embarks upon a journey to save his sister's soul, which was ripped in two when Nyatto tried to save her from Death. She trails after him, brain-dead. They encounter many brilliant, mind-bending situations, beginning with a disturbing magic show.
Cat Soup has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: Nekojiru-sou, ねこぢる草, Cat Soup
4. Yami Shibai 8
Eighth season of Yami Shibai.
Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories 8 has finished airing and it has 13 Episodes. It is also Known as: 闇芝居 8期, Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories Eighth Season, Theater of Darkness 8th Season
3. Nouryou Anime: Denkyuu Ika Matsuri
Death is the gateway to birth. The deceased crosses the line to join the kingdom of the dead. He sees there the dance of the sperm and the egg. He is drawn towards the sky. This is the path to the afterlife.
Squid Festival has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 納涼アニメ 電球烏賊祭, Ikamaturi, Metempsychosis
2. Atama
Short animation by Keita Kurosaka for MTV Japan.
Atama has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: Atama
1. Nihon Animator Mihonichi
The short film series "Japan Anima(tor)'s Exhibition" presented by Studio Khara and Dwango. Original projects, spin-off projects, promotional films, Music PV, and VJ Films, etc... Various omnibus animations produced with love and energy, regardless of any genres. The digital distribution anime series bring opportunities for project development, R&D, human resources development, and free production under limited period and budget, to explore the possibilities of future film production.
Japan Animator Expo has finished airing and it has 35 Episodes. It is also Known as: 日本アニメ（ーター）見本市, Japan Anima(tor)'s Exhibition, The Dragon Dentist, Ryuu no Haisha, 龍の歯医者, HILL CLIMB GIRL, ME!ME!ME!, Carnage, Yoshikazu Yasuhiko & Ichiro Itano: Collection of Key Animation Films from Mobile Suit Gundam, Yasuhiko Yoshikazu Itano Ichirou Gensatsu-shuu, 安彦良和・板野一郎原撮集, 20min Walk From Nishi-Ogikubo Station, 2 Bedrooms, Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, 2mos Deposit, No Pets Allowed., Nishi-Ogikubo-eki Toho 20-bu, 2 LDK, Shikirei 2 Kagetsu, Petto-fuka, 西荻窪駅徒歩20分2LDK敷礼2ヶ月ペット不可, until You come to me., Tomorrow From There., Sokokara no Ashita., そこからの明日。, Electronic Superhuman Gridman: boys invent great hero, Denkou Choujin Guriddoman boys invent great hero, 電光超人グリッドマン boys invent great hero, Yamadeloid, Yamaderoido, ヤマデロイド, POWER PLANT No.33, Evangelion:Another Impact, Kanón, Sex&VIOLENCE with MACHSPEED, Obake-chan, おばけちゃん, Tokio of the Moon's Shadow, Tsukikage no Tokio, 月影のトキオ, Three Fallen Witnesses, Sanbon no Shougensha, 三本の証言者, The Diary of Ochibi, Ochibi-san, オチビサン, I can Friday by day!, ME!ME!ME! CHRONIC feat.daoko/Teddyloid, {"(Making of)evangelion"=>"Another Impact"}, Iconic Field, Guuzou Sen'iki, 偶像戦域, On a Gloomy Night, Ibuseki Yoruni, イブセキヨルニ, Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen, Bikachou Shinshi Kaikoroku, 鼻下長紳士回顧録, Rapid Rouge, Shinsoku no Rouge, 神速のRouge, Hammerhead, Hanmaheddo, ハンマーヘッド, "COMEDY SKIT 1989" Conte (Hitman) 1989, Konto (Koroshiya) 1989, コント（ころしや）1989, Bubu & Bubulina, Bubu to Buburiina, ブブとブブリーナ, ENDLESS NIGHT, BUREAU OF PROTO SOCIETY, Hisutorii Kikan, ヒストリー機関, The Ultraman, Za Urutoraman, ザ・ウルトラマン, GIRL, Neon Genesis IMPACTS, Shin Seiki Inpakutsu, 新世紀いんぱくつ。, "Ragnarok" Hello from the Countries of the World, Sekai no Kuni kara Konnichi wa, 世界の国からこんにちは, Robot on the Road, Kabi no Robo kara, 旅のロボから, Cassette Girl, Kasetto Garu, カセットガール, Mobile Police Patlabor Reboot, Kidou Keisatsu Patoreiba REBOOT, 機動警察パトレイバーREBOOT
