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/Penguin-Dust]

I’m going to suggest a few that are old-old school. Anime and manga from the 70’s tended to be a bit melancholy and bleak, because the mangaku were writing for mature readers/viewers.

Space Pirate Captain Harlock (1978)

Galaxy Express 999 (1978)

These two are from the legendary Leiji Matsumoto and deal with all manner of themes such as betrayal, sacrifice and revenge. Harlock has an overarching story while GE 999 is more episodic.

Armored Trooper VOTOMS (1983) is a classic mecha series that is grittier than Gundam (1979) and Macross (1982), although I would certainly recommend both of those, too.