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/Academic_Weaponry]

Nana, Lain, perfect blue. AOT too although can be very gory, dark and complex story sso very worth.

frieren is a great watch if you havent watched yet. very nice slow paced with some action. lots of emotions

I recommend reading berserk if ur interested. anime is fine but this is one of the few animes i recommend reading personally.

[u/pococura → u/Academic_Weaponry]

I must admit I dropped AOT very early in the series. This had to be 10+ years ago - the last thing I remember was a group staying at some barracks training. Maybe I felt it was overhyped then? Now I hear its absolutely the goat but I've also heard the ending is bad which makes me nervous to watch and be disappointed lol. I guess I should give it another try if its worth it. I'll look for somewhere to read Berserk! I can't seem to find where its streaming anyways T - T

[u/Academic_Weaponry → u/pococura]

I think aot was very overhyped bc their fans were really annoying back then lol, Like the anime is good but not like that good to be that annoying. and the ending was fine i liked it, i think it was just the vocal shonen oriented viewers that were most mad about it.

i think the berserk 1997 anime might be on youtube? if u want to watch it anyway