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Best anime with smarts?

So I'm looking for animes that are "smart". Like ones where in the end they describe the persons thought process or the character acts outside of the box.

Deathnote is a good example of this. So basically an anime similar to that.

October 12, 2014

36 Comments • Newest first

Dauntaro

Akagi is one that hasn't been mentioned yet. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 2: Battle Tendency lampshades this so hard.

Reply October 17, 2014
osmund

Samurai 7 looks good

Reply October 16, 2014 - edited
arahiroayazi

Neon Genesis Evangelion, Tokyo Ghoul, Ergo Proxy..... there are many that I forget at the moment. I definitely recommend Tokyo Ghoul since it's a brand new anime (manga was amazing also) and ... god, it's messed up. The anime shows that the world is not just black and white.. and much more that I cannot even attempt to explain w/o having a mental breakdown.

Reply October 16, 2014 - edited
Carlosc

Psycho Pass fits that criteria perfectly.

Reply October 15, 2014 - edited
tyuli

Currently watching Psycho Pass, so damn good.

Reply October 15, 2014 - edited
SpearCrusher

Yu Yu Hakusho

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
Maypurstori

[quote=gamer255][EDIT] No game No Life is probably a better example of what I am looking for[/quote]

as you get more into anime, you'll see that no game no life has lacks in smarts because it pulls concepts and elements out of thin air, but death note was amazing and everybody in the history of ever lumps death note with code geass, i'd recommend that first

aldnoah zero also closely relates closely with this internal monolouge of the person's thought process concept that you like (and i do as well), but his thoughts are really downplayed in how intricate and intelligent they are to a more humanistic standard, the author seemed to want to show that while he can asses and control a situation even when outclassed and outnumbered in sheer force, he can out strategize the enemy to the point where it doesn't even matter
it was a magnificently done anime and i can't wait for season two to air this coming winter <3 <3

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
drager260

Code Geass or Shin Sekai Yori may interest you.

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
Stubbies0506

Hyouka is really good for that

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
GizzyJones

Why is Log Horizon good? It seemed pretty lack luster when I watched the first episode.

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
TheATMchoker

you spelled fanfiction wrong.

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
osmund

cowboy bebop , black lagoon , jormungand , The Mystic Archives of Dantalian

No.6

All anime are smart in some way

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
Xreniya

Doraemon

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
zpattack12

Neon. Genesis. Evangelion.

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
LiliKoby

@bleachedguy: serial experiments lain is da bomb. OT: I think the tag you are looking for is "Psychological", of which there are many animes within that genre, just do a search.

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
bleachedguy

No one listed Serial Experiments Lain? Am dissapoint. Also, Casshern Sins.

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
Maedhros

Puella Magi Madoka Magica is a really good one. It's sort of dark spin-off of the magical girl genre.

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
sparkshooter

Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei / The Irregular at Magic High School
It has a lot of explanations and complexities regarding magic. Plus the main character is a genius.

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
SunsetChaos

Steins;Gate
Code Geass
No Game No Life
Log Horizon

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
UchihaNight

[quote=KamikazeDes]Gosick.
MUH VICTORIQUEEEEEEE[/quote]
I second this. So kawaii

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
Raginroxas

[quote=Kazzooey]Not sure that it fits the bill, but it is a very smart psychological and philosophical show/movie. They don't usually explain as they go, they usual expect you to be smart and figure it out yourself, then give you a complicated analysis of what was happening or what they think is/going to happen. Ghost in the Shell is the title. But it might not be quite what you're looking for.[/quote]

Gotta agree, Ghost in a Shell is a wonderful example, its also a really great anime too.

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
Kazzooey

Not sure that it fits the bill, but it is a very smart psychological and philosophical show/movie. They don't usually explain as they go, they usual expect you to be smart and figure it out yourself, then give you a complicated analysis of what was happening or what they think is/going to happen. Ghost in the Shell is the title. But it might not be quite what you're looking for.

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
Luapxal344

Code Geass and Steins;Gate seem to fit ur description.

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
KamikazeDes

Gosick.
MUH VICTORIQUEEEEEEE

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
StrikeFreedm

Everybody who's saying Kaiji knows what they're talking about.

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
Deciduous

Phi Brain, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Kaiji, One Outs, Un-Go, HunterxHunter

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
gamer255

[quote=gamer255]So I'm looking for animes that are "smart". Like ones where in the end they describe the persons thought process or the character acts outside of the box.

Deathnote is a good example of this. So basically an anime similar to that.[/quote]

[EDIT] No game No Life is probably a better example of what I am looking for

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
MarshMallows

The ones that comes to mind:
Code Geass
Death Note
Steins;Gate
No Game No Life
Zankyou No Terror
Zetsuen No Tempest

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
Novagnome24

You mean a psychological?

Kaiji is a decent example of what you just asked for, and similar is the manga Liar Game.

Reply October 13, 2014 - edited
Ohwellz

Space dandy.

Reply October 12, 2014 - edited
leopard16

Code Geass

Reply October 12, 2014 - edited
SoulBlade

Good "smart" anime is hard to find.
The only ones I know that are close enough are Log Horizon and Code Geass.

Dangan Ronpa is a good mystery and Hyouka is decent mystery.

Reply October 12, 2014 - edited
BRSlove

Nichijou everyone is like super smart

Reply October 12, 2014 - edited
FlyChopin

I really enjoyed watching Darker than Black. The basic concept is no more different than from, lets say, superman, or even naruto, where people just use crazy abilities. But in darker than black, the people bound to these abilities all have their reasons to use, so there isn't really a 'bad guy' ruining everyone's life, but rather trying to find their way to survive. There is action, there are many mysteries that some unfold towards end and some are left untold. There is romance, but mature. It is short and character development is rather static, but i enjoyed watching it through all these sequels.

Reply October 12, 2014 - edited
Hellksing

Sword Art Online

Reply October 12, 2014 - edited