Monster (2004) follows neurosurgeon Kenzo Tenma’s moral odyssey after saving a child who grows into a manipulative sociopath. The series explores power dynamics, underdog struggles, and subverted expectations through psychological depth and slow-burn storytelling.
These 15 lesser-known anime deserve attention for mirroring Monster’s thematic complexity while offering unique narratives and visual styles.
Anime Recommendations
1. Hell Girl (2005)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
- Plot: A supernatural entity grants revenge through a cursed website, but users face eternal damnation. Episodic tales dissect human morality.
- Similarities: Moral ambiguity, interconnected stories, and a haunting antagonist.
- MAL: 7.8 | Episodes: 26
- Studio: Studio Deen | Awards: None
2. 91 Days (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A Prohibition-era revenge saga where a man infiltrates a mafia family to avenge his murdered family.
- Similarities: Slow-burn pacing, moral grayness, and antihero protagonist.
- MAL: 7.9 | Episodes: 12
- Studio: Shuka | Awards: Crunchyroll Anime Awards nominee (2017).
3. Boogiepop Phantom (2000)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Plot: A surreal urban legend disrupts a town, unraveling fragmented character psyches.
- Similarities: Non-linear storytelling, existential dread, and psychological depth.
- MAL: 7.4 | Episodes: 12
- Studio: Madhouse | Awards: Cult classic status.
4. Mushishi (2005)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Plot: A wandering “Mushi Master” resolves supernatural phenomena tied to primordial life forms.
- Similarities: Episodic philosophy, atmospheric tension, and muted protagonist.
- MAL: 8.7 | Episodes: 46
- Studio: Artland | Awards: Tokyo Anime Award (2006).
5. Paranoia Agent (2004)
- Streaming: Hulu
- Plot: A bat-wielding assailant’s attacks expose societal anxieties in Tokyo.
- Similarities: Social commentary, unreliable narratives, and psychological horror.
- MAL: 7.7 | Episodes: 13
- Studio: Madhouse | Awards: Nominated for Tokyo Anime Award.
6. Texhnolyze (2003)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Plot: A dystopian underworld’s power struggles escalate as factions vie for dominance.
- Similarities: Bleak tone, existential themes, and anti-establishment critique.
- MAL: 7.6 | Episodes: 22
- Studio: Madhouse | Awards: None.
7. Ergo Proxy (2006)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Plot: In a post-apocalyptic city, an inspector uncovers secrets about android consciousness and human identity.
- Similarities: Philosophical depth, dystopian world-building, and moral ambiguity.
- MAL: 7.8 | Episodes: 23
- Studio: Manglobe | Awards: Cult following.
8. Sonny Boy (2021)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Students stranded in a void dimension grapple with newfound powers and societal collapse.
- Similarities: Abstract storytelling, existential crises, and subverted tropes.
- MAL: 7.8 | Episodes: 12
- Studio: Madhouse | Awards: Praise for avant-garde style.
9. The Garden of Sinners (2007)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A psychic girl solves supernatural cases tied to a string of suicides.
- Similarities: Non-linear chronology, moral complexity, and psychological horror.
- MAL: 8.0 | Episodes: 13
- Studio: Ufotable | Awards: None.
10. Ghost Hound (2007)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Plot: Three boys explore a spirit world to confront trauma linked to their pasts.
- Similarities: Slow-burn mystery, psychological depth, and surreal visuals.
- MAL: 7.4 | Episodes: 22
- Studio: Production I.G | Awards: None.
11. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor (2007)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A debt-ridden gambler enters high-stakes games to escape poverty5.
- Similarities: Underdog protagonist, societal critique, and tension-driven narratives.
- MAL: 8.3 | Episodes: 52
- Studio: Madhouse | Awards: None.
12. Kemonozume (2006)
- Streaming: Amazon Prime
- Plot: A monster-hunting clan member falls for a flesh-eating demon.
- Similarities: Taboo morality, stylistic experimentation, and antihero arcs.
- MAL: 7.3 | Episodes: 13
- Studio: Madhouse | Awards: Unique art style recognition.
13. From the New World (2012)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: In a utopian future, children uncover their society’s horrifying secrets.
- Similarities: Societal critique, slow-burn suspense, and moral dilemmas.
- MAL: 8.3 | Episodes: 25
- Studio: A-1 Pictures | Awards: None.
14. Psycho-Pass (2012)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Plot: In a dystopia where AI judges criminal intent, detectives confront systemic corruption.
- Similarities: Ethical debates, anti-establishment themes, and complex villains.
- MAL: 8.3 | Episodes: 41
- Studio: Production I.G | Awards: Tokyo Anime Award (2014).
15. Mononoke (2007)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Plot: A “Medicine Seller” exorcises malevolent spirits by uncovering their origins.
- Similarities: Anthology format, psychological horror, and avant-garde animation.
- MAL: 8.3 | Episodes: 12
- Studio: Toei Animation | Awards: Cult following for art style.
Why These Anime Work for Monster Fans
These series prioritize moral complexity, atmospheric tension, and character-driven narratives, mirroring Monster’s refusal to simplify human nature. Their underrated status often stems from niche appeal or unconventional storytelling, offering fresh perspectives on power, justice, and identity.
