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/pococura]

I keep hearing this is so good. I dropped it after a few epsiodes because it felt confusing, but I could give it another try. How far into it do things pick up?

[u/Skafreak1 → u/pococura]

Steins Gate will be up your alley based on your list. It has an insane plot twist that happens on episode 12 that will make you binge the rest of the series in 1 sitting. I’m pretty picky when it comes to anime and really enjoy grounded stories with good casts, character development, and believable non-corny dialogue, that being said it’s my favorite series of all time.

[u/pococura → u/Skafreak1]

Oh, nice. Now I have an idea of when I'll know if it's truly for me or not. I kept thinking surely everyone loves it for a reason. It sounds like you like the same types of shows, did you have any more to recommend?

[u/Skafreak1 → u/pococura]

For sure. And I agree, a lot of our top is the same. I also recommend these:

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad (music / coming of age / drama) (has romance)

Oshi No Ko (mystery / drama)

Nana (music / drama / romance) (very realistic)

Code Geass (drama / political / mech)

A Lull In The Sea (drama / romance)