Please recommend some older anime with complex themes

[u/pococura]

I'm feeling burnt out on all the high octane, over powered protagonist stories. Shows like JJK and Hell's Paradise are visually interesting, but its difficult to connect with the characters. I want a complex story with interesting characters, relationships, themes and world building. (OG Naruto, FMA, Evangelion)

I think older shows like around the time of Toonami or before might be refreshing? I recently watched Banana Fish and enjoyed it and I've been watching Wolf's Rain. I was thinking about Berserk but not sure where to watch or if I want to be traumatized. Please give me some recommendations!

Preferences:

dark themes • gangster themes • seinen preferred but all genres welcome • evokes sadness or other strong emotions • pretty art • no gore unless the story makes it worth it • dynamic relationships • romance enjoyed but not required • growth or moral decline • plot twists

Loved:

• 86

• The Promised Neverland (s1)

• Vinland Saga

• Psycho-Pass

• Golden Kamuy

• Naruto

• FMA

• Evangelion

• Dorohedoro

• Gangsta.

• Yakuza Fiance

• Banana Fish

• Princess Mononoke

Liked:

• Yona of the Dawn

• Gachiakuta

• Apothecary Diaries

• Wolf's Rain

• Demon Slayer

[u/Revolutionary-Ad5]

mushishi - doctor helps people with their problems with mystical bugs essentially. bugs are not really shown if they're upsetting

silent mobius - cyberpunk future of 2010 or something but like there's demons and a task force to deal with them

twelve kingdoms - og isekai, girl in our world is sent to another world because she's supposed to rule a country its a bit slower but it has a lot of development

boogiepop phantom (personal fave but it's very disjointed) - drug crimes !! a manifestation of death! a big, weird hat! it's got it all

[u/pococura → u/Revolutionary-Ad5]

Thanks for the descriptions! These look interesting. I tried starting Twelve Kingdoms but I'm not vibing with it yet.. how many epsiodes would you recommend I give it? Its early so she just seems.. kind of wimpy. Which is suppose is reasonable for her circumstances lol.

[u/Revolutionary-Ad5 → u/pococura]

HONESTLY i wasn't totally invested until she got separated from her friends lmao. not to spoil but there's a character from the universe who helps her a LOT who really pushes her development, but it's not til ep 6. it's really a pretty slow-burn anime but god i do feel like i really enjoyed it once it got it's stride

[u/pococura → u/Revolutionary-Ad5]

Oh cool. I'll give it a fighting chance then lol. The manga art made her look so tough so I was like hell yes but.... yeah. Its underwhelming at the start. We shall see. I'm interested in this mystery person