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. [2024 List]
- 20. Uzumaki
- 19. Neon Genesis Evangelion
- 18. Serial Experiments Lain
- 17. Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion
- 16. FLCL
- 15. Perfect Blue
- 14. Ousama Game The Animation
- 13. Yami Shibai
- 12. FLCL Progressive
- 11. Boogiepop wa Warawanai: Boogiepop Phantom
- 10. Yami Shibai 2
- 9. FLCL Alternative
- 8. Chao You Bing
- 7. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sotsu
- 6. Nihon Animator Mihonichi
- 5. Yami Shibai 8
- 4. X Densha de Ikou
- 3. Popee the Performer
- 2. Angel's Egg
- 1. Ryokunohara Meikyuu
20. 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 According to Shuichi Saito, the withdrawn boyfriend of teenager Kirie Goshima, their town is haunted not by a person or being but by a pattern: uzumaki, the spiral, the hypnotic secret shape of the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
19. 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
18. 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
17. 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
16. 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
15. 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
14. Ousama Game The Animation
Nobuaki Kanazawa, who transferred to a high school far away, is afraid of getting intimate with his new classmates because of the events that happened from his previous school. This led him to shut his heart. However, he starts to open up during the sports festival's class relay. He and all his classmates received an email from "Ousama." At first, his classmates didn’t take what they were told seriously, thinking it's just a joke, but Nobuaki, the only one who knows the real meaning of it, fights against the "death" game that will soon begin…
The rules of the Ousama Game are as follows:
1. All class members must participate.
2. The order sent by Ousama thru email must be followed within 24 hours.
3. A punishment will be given to those who don't follow the order.
4. Quitting the Ousama Game halfway is forbidden.
King's Game has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 王様ゲーム The Animation, Ou-sama Game
13. Yami Shibai
The mysterious, yellow-masked Storyteller is a man whose true name and origin are both unknown. He appears at dusk where children gather and recites sinister tales based on Japanese urban legends, to which his young audience eerily intakes. However, the Storyteller is no ordinary teller of tales. He incorporates a kamishibai, a traditional paper-scrolling device, to add visuals to his already demented narration.
A series of short horror stories, Yami Shibai begins with a bachelor who, after moving into a new apartment, immediately starts sensing a malevolent glare being pressed into him. A single talisman rests on his ceiling, but he has no way of knowing it is one of the few safeguards that separate him from a bottomless pit of suffering. Each story is more terrifying, more appalling, and more sickening than the last as the Storyteller's audience find themselves being sucked into the vicious world of his words.
Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories has finished airing and it has 13 Episodes. It is also Known as: 闇芝居, Theater of Darkness
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. Yami Shibai 2
Yamishibai is a picture-story style of animation whose motif is surrounded and based off rumors and urban legends throughout the history of Japan.
Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories 2 has finished airing and it has 13 Episodes. It is also Known as: 闇芝居 2期, Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories Second Season, Theater of Darkness 2nd Season
9. FLCL Alternative
Life seems to drift by for Kana Koumoto and her friends in their small Japanese town. Every day is just like the last, and it feels like every new day will be the same. Kana goes to school, hangs out with her friends, and likes to paint her nails and listen to music, but it feels like nothing special is ever going to happen.
As a change of pace, Kana and her friends decide to design a bottle rocket and launch it into space, even though it might not get there at all. However, just when the rocket is completed, a robot suddenly crashes into and destroys it, shortly followed by a pink-haired woman claiming to be a "Galactic Investigator." Kana's life quickly becomes more exciting than she ever imagined, dealing with new feelings, changing friends, and even boy troubles. It turns out life can go by in the blink of an eye, fast enough to even miss it, so what's with these weird robots that seem to show up at the worst times?!
FLCL: Alternative has finished airing and it has 6 Episodes. It is also Known as: フリクリ オルタナ, FLCL 3, Fooly Cooly Alternative, Furi Kuri Alternative
8. Chao You Bing
A collection of animation that the highlights the Sickness(increasing stupidity) that is plagueing this generation: Chao You Bing
Chao You Bing has finished airing and it has 4 Episodes. It is also Known as: 超有病之勇者传说, Chao You Bing: Zhi Yongzhe Chuanshuo,The brave story, Chao You Bing: Zhi Yongzhe Chuanshuo, Chao Youbing
7. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sotsu
Sequel to Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Gou.
Higurashi: When They Cry – SOTSU has finished airing and it has 15 Episodes. It is also Known as: ひぐらしのなく頃に卒, The Moment the Cicadas Cry, When the Cicadas Cry
6. 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
5. 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
4. X Densha de Ikou
Ishihara Toru is an everyday guy with an on-and-off girlfriend and a position working for a train buff. Things become complicated when a ghostly vehicle dubbed the X Train begins to ride the rails, destroying everything in its path. Somehow, it seems that Toru is connected with the X Train by a strange power, which draws the attention of some very dangerous and power hungry people who would wield it for their own...
X Densha de Ikou has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: X電車で行こう, Take the X Train
3. Popee the Performer
Popee the Performer deals with a circus that operates in the middle of the desert. Each episode deals with the small cast of characters attempting at times to rehearse their performances, but it usually dissolves into the characters trying to humorously destroy each other in the usual cartoon manner.
The star of the show, Popee, is a clown in an odd red-striped jumpsuit and bunny ears. He is adept at juggling, being a clown, pulling large knives and small bombs out of thin air. He is not adept at ever succeeding in his nefarious plans to hurt his poor assistant or the owner of the circus. His mischievous nature is the driving force of each episode.
Popee the Performer has finished airing and it has 39 Episodes. It is also Known as: POPEE the ぱフォーマー, Popee the Clown
2. 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
1. Ryokunohara Meikyuu
Hiroki and Kanata have been together since they were children. One day Hiroki is caught up in an accident while trying to save a little girl. The next thing he knows, he is looking down on his own body. Seperated from his body, Kanata, and everything else, he tries to figure out just what is going on.
Why is he outside his body which is living on as if nothing has changed, how can he convince Kanata that he is there, and who is the strange girl, Fhalei, who keeps appearing for him?
Ryokunohara Meikyuu has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 緑野原迷宮, Ryokunohara Labyrinth - Sparkling Phantom, Ryokohunohara Labyrinth
