10 Deep and Dark Anime Like Neon Genesis Evangelion
If you’re a fan of Neon Genesis Evangelion, chances are you’ve been chasing that same haunting, thought-provoking feeling ever since you finished it. There’s just something about the psychological depth, philosophical musings, and raw emotional breakdowns that sticks with you. It’s not just another mecha anime — it’s an experience.
So, if you’re hungry for more anime that push the boundaries of storytelling, challenge your emotions, and leave you with more questions than answers, you’re in for a treat.
Here’s a curated list of 10 deep and dark anime that fans of Evangelion will absolutely want to check out — from eerie existential journeys to twisted tales of identity and trauma.
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#10: Serial Experiments Lain
Ever asked yourself: “Where does the self end and the internet begin?” Well, Serial Experiments Lain is here to make you question everything you thought you knew about identity, consciousness, and reality.
This anime is pure psychological mind-bending goodness. It’s abstract, it’s weird, and it’s brilliant. Like Evangelion, it doesn’t spoon-feed its themes — you have to work for it. Lain Iwakura’s descent into the Wired (a virtual reality internet) parallels Shinji’s emotional unraveling, but in a more digital, detached way. If you enjoy complex metaphors and piecing together cryptic storytelling, this one’s a must-watch.
#9: Darling in the FranXX
At first glance, Darling in the FranXX might look like your typical futuristic mecha anime — but dive in, and you’ll find layers of symbolism, emotional struggle, and thematic parallels with Evangelion.
Both shows feature teens piloting giant robots to combat mysterious creatures threatening humanity. Sound familiar? Oh, and the main character? He’s emotionally broken and can’t sync with his robot anymore. Enter a bold, mysterious girl in red (yep — that girl) who changes everything. While Darling in the FranXX is more visually bright and perhaps less existential than Eva, its exploration of trauma, identity, and connection makes it a strong spiritual cousin.
#8: The Future Diary (Mirai Nikki)
If you thought Shinji was mentally stressed, wait till you meet Yukiteru. The Future Diary throws its young protagonist into a survival game where losing equals death, and trust is a luxury he can’t afford.
It’s intense, bloody, and emotionally exhausting in the best way. Yukiteru, like Shinji, is a reluctant fighter, constantly forced to confront his fears. And then there’s Yuno — the unstable, obsessive female lead whose chaotic energy mirrors the emotional instability of Evangelion’s characters. This one leans more into horror and suspense, but the psychological breakdowns are just as brutal.
#7: Gurren Lagann
Let’s shift gears for a second. Gurren Lagann might seem like a fun, over-the-top mecha adventure — and it is — but there’s more beneath the flashy battles and giant drills.
Coming from the same studio (Gainax), this anime carries the philosophical torch in its own way. It explores themes of human evolution, loss, and the burden of leadership. And yes, there’s emotional turmoil and moments of despair hidden behind the energetic tone. If you liked the evolution of Shinji from passive to decisive, Simon’s arc will feel oddly familiar… but with way more shouting and sunglasses.
#6: Bokura no
Dark. Heavy. Unforgiving.
Bokura no is what happens when you take the mecha genre and strip it of all its glory. Here, a group of kids accidentally sign up to pilot a giant robot — sounds cool, right? Not when each battle costs a pilot their life.
This anime doesn’t pull punches. Like Evangelion, it asks hard questions about sacrifice, purpose, and the morality of war. The enemy is ambiguous, the stakes are cosmic, and the emotional weight is crushing. There’s no hero complex here — just tragedy, loss, and a stark confrontation with mortality.
#5: Attack on Titan
You’ve probably already watched Attack on Titan, but if you haven’t — and you loved Evangelion — it’s time.
While there are no robots here, the psychological tension, existential dread, and genre subversion scream Evangelion. Eren’s journey mirrors Shinji’s in many ways: burdened with expectations, crippled by doubt, and eventually, consumed by his mission. The later episodes even go full Eva-mode — abstract, symbolic, and brutally introspective.
Plus, there are legit visual homages to Eva. A character watching a giant arm fly past? A still-faced observer covered in blood? Yeah, someone did their homework.
#4: Devilman: Crybaby
Hideaki Anno has openly admitted that Devilman was one of his biggest inspirations, and once you watch Devilman: Crybaby, that influence becomes crystal clear.
This anime is raw, disturbing, and deeply symbolic. The protagonist, Akira, fuses with a demon to protect humanity — but as the story unfolds, lines between good and evil blur into complete moral chaos. Just like Eva, it touches on religion, loss, identity, and human cruelty. It’s bold, artistic, and not for the faint-hearted — but if you loved Eva’s harsh truths and tragic spirals, this is essential viewing.
#3: Tokyo Ghoul
Meet Kaneki: your average bookworm who suddenly becomes part monster. Tokyo Ghoul is a rollercoaster of identity crisis, trauma, and transformation.
Shinji and Kaneki are basically spiritual siblings. Both are thrust into worlds they don’t understand and are forced to survive, adapt, or break. What makes Tokyo Ghoul stand out is how it blends horror with deep psychological introspection. Kaneki’s descent into madness, isolation, and eventual acceptance of his identity is haunting — and very, very Eva-like.
#2: Elfen Lied
Looking for raw emotion, psychological scars, and brutal violence? Elfen Lied delivers all that — and more.
This anime doesn’t shy away from the darkness. It’s violent, yes, but it’s also deeply emotional. Lucy, the main character, is both a victim and a monster — much like the duality explored in Evangelion. There’s a constant tension between innocence and rage, humanity and monstrosity. Plus, both shows use symbolic storytelling and damaged characters to question the world around them. You might need a moment to breathe after watching this one.
#1: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
At the top of the list is Code Geass — a series that takes everything you love about Evangelion (mecha, emotional complexity, philosophical depth) and adds a big ol’ helping of political intrigue.
Lelouch is a master strategist, a broken soul, and a tragic anti-hero. He fights not because he wants to, but because he must — echoing Shinji’s reluctant descent into the cockpit. The difference? Lelouch owns his decisions, even when they destroy him. It’s cerebral, emotional, and packed with moral ambiguity. If you’re craving something that combines giant robots with shocking twists and emotional devastation, this is it.
Conclusion
Neon Genesis Evangelion left a hole in many anime fans’ hearts — a gaping, philosophical, often depressing hole. And while no show can perfectly replicate that unique blend of trauma, mecha, and metaphor, these 10 anime come close in their own ways.
Whether it’s through psychological horror (The Future Diary, Elfen Lied), existential dread (Serial Experiments Lain, Bokura no), or emotional breakdowns wrapped in giant robots (Darling in the FranXX, Code Geass), there’s something here for every Evangelion fan looking to spiral into something deep and dark again.
So, which one are you watching next?
