Anime Like King of Thorn

Parasitic aliens descend from space to infiltrate Earth, seizing human brains to transform their hosts into predators. When seventeen-year-old Shinichi Izumi narrowly avoids full possession, a parasite named Migi fails to reach his brain and instead takes control of his right hand. Deprived of its primary objective, Migi must depend on Shinichi for survival, binding them in an uneasy alliance as they confront other dangerous parasites intent on eradicating this deviation from their kind.

In the 22nd century, Japan operates under the Sibyl System, which measures an individual's criminal potential via their Psycho-Pass. This technology allows Inspectors to identify and neutralize societal threats, frequently using lethal force, while being supported by Enforcers—ex-convicts given conditional liberty to aid the Inspectors. Akane Tsunemori, a principled young Inspector, enters this environment with a steadfast belief in justice. Partnering with the experienced Enforcer Shinya Kougami, she begins to notice flaws in the Sibyl System's judgments, undermining her initial convictions. As she grapples with these revelations, Akane starts to question the true essence of justice and whether it can truly be realized through a system that might be fundamentally defective.

Around the year 2011, a segment of humanity began to manifest telekinetic abilities called Cantus. A millennium later, in the village of Kamisu 66, Saki Watanabe is the final member of her cohort to awaken these powers and enter the Sage Academy, an institution dedicated to Cantus users. Despite every student possessing such abilities, true equality remains elusive; shortly after Saki starts her education, a classmate deemed less powerful vanishes without a trace. While returning home with her companions—Maria Akizuki, who is resolute; Shun Aonuma, recognized for his intellect; Satoru Asahina, keen and perceptive; and the shy Mamoru Itou—Saki encounters two strange creatures known as Monster Rats. These mole-like entities revere Cantus users as kami. When Saki employs her power to assist one, she is greeted with profound gratitude. As Saki contemplates the role of Monster Rats in their society, she and her friends uncover yet another disappearance. With each passing day, they delve deeper into the surrounding enigmas, gradually realizing that the seemingly utopian new world hides the grim realities of human history.

In this sequel to the sci-fi psychological drama, Akane Tsunemori continues her duties as an inspector, executing the Sibyl System's judgments. She is joined by new enforcers and Mika Shimotsuki, a dedicated junior inspector who faithfully adheres to Sibyl. As Akane contemplates her responsibilities and starts to question the correctness of Sibyl's decisions, a mysterious threat emerges. An unknown attacker has discovered a method to manipulate the Crime Coefficient, the metric the Sibyl System uses to evaluate mental stability and identify potential criminals. Exploiting this flaw, the assailant commits murder and leaves a cryptic message—"WC?"—written in blood at the scene. Division 01, including Akane, becomes embroiled in a dangerous struggle against this new enemy. They uncover a conspiracy that challenges the validity of the Sibyl System and undermines the very core of Akane's convictions.

Think your life is bad? Sometimes death is worse. There's no salvation, no peace, and no god waiting to take you under their wing. But a god? Maybe you're referring to that huge black sphere stuck in the room with you. Now you're thrust into a game, battling green aliens and robotic monsters for a shot at survival. When Kei Kurono is killed, he ends up in exactly such a game—a trial of his abilities, morals, and will to live. His life no longer belongs to him, and his death is spat on and trampled again and again. What happens if he refuses to obey? God knows. A fair warning: Gantz isn't for the weak-hearted, nor is it as straightforward as it appears. Gore, rape, and violence run rampant, as do depictions of greed, cruelty, and every ugly aspect of today's society.

At sixteen, Yuri Honjou sees a gruesome killing with an axe, which makes her run into an empty building where all the ways out mysteriously close shut after her. Scared and by herself, she goes up to the roof and finds a strange scene of empty tall buildings spreading without end around her. With no chance left, Yuri decides to keep going and find her brother, who she finds out is also stuck in this odd world. But, killers wearing masks who enjoy pain and murder might stop her journey before it starts.

After escaping from Hope's Peak Academy, Makoto Naegi and the other survivors join the Future Foundation, an organization dedicated to fighting despair. But things take a grim turn when Naegi is arrested for treason after defending the Remnants of Despair. Alongside Kyouko Kirigiri and Aoi Asahina, he is brought before the Foundation's leaders, where his fate is uncertain. The situation worsens when Monokuma breaks through the group's supposedly secure defenses and announces the start of another killing game. With the first victim appearing, signaling despair's return, Naegi, the Super High School-Level Lucky Student, must solve the mystery as his allies are picked off one by one. This time, without class trials, the rules are different: among the sixteen participants, only one is the killer, and their death will end this nightmare.

In the distinctive setting of Class 77-B at Hope's Peak Academy, the students welcome Chisa Yukizome, a former pupil known as the Super High School-Level Housekeeper. With her lively personality and abilities, Chisa is committed to repairing the strained relationships among her diverse group of students, which includes a princess, a nurse, a yakuza member, and someone with extraordinary luck. Driven by a conviction in the power of hope, she works to guide them through their conflicts. Meanwhile, Hajime Hinata, a Reserve Course student who doubts his own capabilities, forms a connection with Chiaki Nanami, the Super High School-Level Gamer. Through their interactions, Chiaki helps Hajime gain a new outlook on life. Unbeknownst to Hajime, however, the school authorities are devising a sinister scheme centered on him, one that could bring disaster to Hope's Peak Academy and beyond. Zetsubou-hen captures the daily life at this prestigious institution while shadowy figures orchestrate malevolent plans in the background. As despair begins to eclipse hope, the masterminds behind the Biggest, Most Awful, Most Tragic Event in Human History set their plan into motion, signaling the beginning of the end.

Second-year economics student Kimimaro Yoga believes that money equals power, and without it, life has no meaning. Struggling financially in a nation suffering from economic collapse, he watches his peers enjoy comfortable lifestyles. One evening, a mysterious man in a top hat named Masakaki visits him, inviting him to the Eastern Financial District, a place where abundant wealth awaits those willing to risk their "future" as collateral. Initially reluctant, Yoga's desire for riches overcomes his hesitation, and he agrees to become an Entre. He soon discovers that this world of opulence is an alternate dimension modeled after his own, where Entres engage in weekly battles called Deals, putting their collateral on the line. To survive in this new reality and protect both his wealth and his future, Yoga must adapt quickly, facing off against other competitors and the whims of fate, ultimately uncovering the true value of money.

In a world where the Sibyl System quantifies mental states through "crime coefficients," law enforcement can arrest individuals before they commit crimes. However, is this system infallible? As Inspectors Kei Mikhail Ignatov and Arata Shindou embark on their careers in the Public Safety Bureau's Crime Investigation Department, they ponder this very question. Their initial assignment involves investigating the crash of an immigrant transport ship, leading them to believe the disaster may have been intentional. Meanwhile, a secretive organization called Bifrost observes their every move, and other unseen entities also monitor the newcomers closely.

In "Pluto," Gesicht, an android detective working for Europol, is assigned to investigate the murder of Montblanc, a highly respected veteran robot. While the case initially points toward another robot as the suspect, Montblanc's status as a key figure in the fight for robot rights adds layers of complexity. Robots are generally programmed with safeguards preventing them from harming humans, with the exception of a single, unexplained incident that occurred eight years prior. The murder scene, which shows no signs of human involvement and shares striking similarities with that earlier event, leads Gesicht to believe that one entity—whether human or robotic—may be responsible for both killings. Not long after Montblanc's death, another former elite war robot is also killed under mysterious circumstances. Gesicht begins to recognize a pattern: both victims were among the seven most powerful war machines ever created. To prevent the killer from targeting the remaining five veterans, Gesicht joins forces with Atom, a highly advanced android who looks like a human child. Together, they work to identify the culprit behind these murders and stop the threat from causing further harm to society.

In the 21st century, humanity dispatched algae and cockroaches to Mars to begin terraforming the planet, relying on their resilience against its harsh environment. These species adapted beyond expectations. By the 26th century, Earth is ravaged by the deadly Alien Engine Virus, with its cure rumored to exist only on Mars. However, Mars is now inhabited by the "Terraformars," intelligent and powerful humanoids that evolved from the original cockroaches. To counter this threat, the genetically enhanced Annex I team, composed of one hundred individuals modified with traits from Earth’s most resilient organisms, is sent to Mars. Their mission is to locate the source of the Alien Engine Virus and save humanity, sparking a perilous struggle for survival among the crew.

After the Future Foundation's collapse at the conclusion of the Final Killing Game and the exposure of its mastermind, a single survivor devises a drastic plan to eliminate despair across the entire world. To prevent this possibly catastrophic outcome, the remaining members of the Future Foundation must unite. Their efforts gain unexpected strength from an alliance with improbable allies as they fight against time to protect their world's stability. This concluding chapter of the Hope's Peak Academy storyline within the Danganronpa series shows the participants of the ongoing killing game beginning to grasp the deep consequences of despair, hope, and the path to redemption.

In the past, the massive corporation Toue Inc. seized control of the Japanese island of Midorijima to construct Platinum Jail, an opulent utopia reserved exclusively for the world's wealthiest individuals. Upon the project's completion, the island's original inhabitants were forcibly relocated to the Old Residential District and left to fend for themselves. Two prominent games dominate the island: Rib and Rhyme. Rib revolves around territorial skirmishes between rival gangs, while Rhyme is an advanced virtual reality game. Participation in Rhyme requires an "All-Mate," typically an AI pet-like companion, with matches overseen by an "Usui." Aoba Seragaki seeks a tranquil existence with his grandmother and his All-Mate, Ren, avoiding both games. Yet, after being coerced into a dangerous Rhyme match and hearing whispers of Rib players vanishing, Aoba's hopes for a peaceful life are shattered.

Kurono Kei and his former elementary school classmate Kato Masaru have made it through the first two missions sent by the mysterious black sphere known as Gantz. Exploding limbs, fighting to survive until the final seconds, and watching their fellow comrades fall in pools of blood and viscera have become routine for them. They now understand that Gantz can summon them along with any new recruits at any moment for another encounter with aliens. Will Kato's experiences inside the Gantz world give him the same bravery in the real world? With fellow veteran Gantz player Kei Kishimoto currently living at Kurono's place as his "adopted pet," can Kurono resist his growing desire for her breasts? What the hell is Gantz?

A vehicle transporting Izumi Yasaka, a counselor who recently fled from the latent criminal containment facility called Sanctuary, crashes into the Public Safety Bureau headquarters during a high-stakes situation. As Inspectors Mika Shimotsuki and Akane Tsunemori prepare to interrogate the suspect, an urgent directive from Sanctuary orders Izumi's immediate return. Interpreting this as an order from Sanctuary's leadership, the inspectors comply but insist on escorting her themselves. Tsunemori plans to continue the investigation with her team. This case provides Inspector Shimotsuki with a crucial opportunity to lead a major investigation as the primary officer. The story follows Shimotsuki and her team of Enforcers as they uncover the hidden truths behind Sanctuary.

In "Psycho-Pass 3: First Inspector," Inspectors Arata Shindou and Mikhail Kei Ignatov uncover a dangerous conspiracy threatening the Sybil System, Japan's ultimate judge of human behavior. A shadowy criminal organization is secretly amassing influence and resources, endangering the system's integrity. Bifrost agent Kouichi Azusawa then launches a bold attack on the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), seizing control of their headquarters and taking Inspector Shindou and others inside as hostages. To reclaim the facility and save the captives, CID Unit 01's supervisor, along with Chief Mika Shimotsuki and former unit members Shinya Kougami and Nobuchika Ginoza, must launch a counteroffensive. While the immediate crisis involves Azusawa's demands for Tokyo Governor Karina Komiya's resignation, a deeper plot looms, forcing Inspector Shindou to confront both Azusawa and his own personal history. As these events unfold, they bring Shindou closer to solving the mystery that has puzzled him and his close friend, Ignatov, for years.

In the Southeast Asian Union (SEAUn), Shinya Kougami roams free from the surveillance of Japan's Sibyl System. While traveling through the Tibet-Himalayan Alliance Kingdom, he meets Guillermo Garcia, the leader of a paramilitary force aiming to unite the region's scattered factions and bring peace to the war-torn land. Although Kougami is hesitant to get involved with another mercenary group, he agrees to a ride to the Tibetan capital with one of Garcia's subordinates. His attempts to avoid conflict fail when a group of armed insurgents attacks a bus carrying refugees. Among the passengers is Tenzing Wangchuck, a young woman of Japanese and Tibetan descent. After witnessing Kougami's exceptional combat skills as he single-handedly defeats the attackers, Wangchuck begs him to teach her how to fight so she can take revenge on the warlord who murdered her family. Understanding the deep impact that killing has on a person, Kougami is reluctant to mentor Wangchuck. Yet, her thirst for vengeance resonates with the darkness inside his own soul, forcing him to carefully consider his decision.

Enforcer Teppei Sugou, once the top pilot of the National Defence Army's 15th Integrated Task Force, finds himself considering a return to military service after being contacted by a recruiter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, the memory of his final deployment weighs heavily on his mind. Operation Foot Stamp, a secret military campaign aimed at the Southeast Asian Union, descended into chaos, leading to severe casualties among the ground troops. Sugou's First Guardian drone was sent in to provide aerial assistance and deliver supplies to the cut-off units. Despite his personal misgivings, Sugou followed his orders and withdrew to base, abandoning his fellow soldiers. That operation resulted in many deaths, including that of his commanding officer, Itsuki Ootomo. Yet three months later, after a violent outbreak at the Ministry of Defence, Ootomo was spotted on security footage at the scene of the crime. Now regarded as a terrorist, Sugoo works alongside Enforcer Tomomi Masaoka and investigators from the Criminal Investigation Department's Division 01 to track down his one-time mentor.

In "Gantz:O," death does not mark the end if one can survive the trials set by the mysterious black sphere known as Gantz. Masaru Katou, a courageous and kind-hearted student, is fatally stabbed on his way home to celebrate his younger sibling's birthday. Waking up in a small room with a view of Tokyo, he finds himself joined by others in what seems to be a preparation area for a dangerous game where their lives are at stake. Before he can grasp the situation, Masaru is given a gun and sent to the center of Osaka with a clear objective: eliminate all encountered aliens. Teamwork becomes essential as Masaru allies with Yoshikazu Suzuki, an elderly companion; Reika Shimohira, a popular idol; and Jouichirou Nishi, a distant yet experienced partner. Together, they must face their deepest fears to ensure survival and return to their former lives, including Masaru's desire to see his brother again.

In Terra Formars: Revenge, the Annex I crew persists in their struggle against the Terraformars—enormous humanoid cockroaches that developed from samples initially sent to Mars. Instead of discovering a remedy for the devastating Alien Engine Virus ravaging Earth, the Annex I team finds that various squads are motivated by their own nationalistic objectives. Consequently, the fighters must battle both the Terraformars to stay alive and one another in an endless pursuit of global supremacy.

The year is 2029. In a near-future Japan where the world has become intensely information-driven, a vast corporate network spans the planet with electrons and light pulsing through it. Yet nation-states and ethnic groups still endure. Motoko Kusanagi, a full-body cyborg, leads an elite combat unit that includes Batou. While commanding her team, Kusanagi envisions creating a specialized task force to strike preemptively against emerging threats. Meanwhile, Daisuke Aramaki of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who had been planning to form a similar unit, recruits Kusanagi and her team. Together, they begin operations as Public Security Section 9—an offensive tactical unit known as "Shell Squad." As they confront complex cybercrimes and international conspiracies, the existence of a mysterious, unidentified hacker called the "Puppet Master" appears on the horizon of their investigation. What fate awaits Kusanagi? And what is the Puppet Master's true objective? A new era of cyberpunk action begins.

In "GYO: Tokyo Fish Attack!," college student Kaori Sawahara's dream vacation to Okinawa becomes a nightmare when sea creatures emerge from the ocean, transformed by mysterious mechanical devices into walking monsters on land. Together with her friends—the outgoing Erika and the quiet Aki—Kaori endures a brutal assault defined by the creatures' foul odor. After surviving the initial wave, Kaori attempts to contact her fiancé, Tadashi, in Tokyo, but finds the phone lines dead amid what seems to be another attack. Worried for Tadashi, Kaori hurries to the city, unaware that the disaster has not ended, leaving Erika and Aki to defend themselves in Okinawa.

In 2113, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dissolved its secret paramilitary unit known as the Peacebreakers, but the group vanished without explanation, keeping their operations concealed. Five years later, the operatives resurface by killing Milcia Stronskaya, a researcher who possesses key documents critical to the future of the Sybil System, Japan's social surveillance system designed to identify potential criminals. To address this crisis and prepare for an impending confrontation with the Peacebreakers alongside the MFA, the Public Safety Bureau's chief reactivates former Enforcer Shinya Kougami. Despite his previous defection, Kougami now operates under Frederica Hanashiro's command within the MFA. His return creates tension with his former partners, Akane Tsunemori and Nobuchika Ginoza, forcing them to set aside their past conflicts and unite to protect the Sybil System.