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Discover 8 dystopian anime worlds no one wishes were real. Explore the different elements of each setting as well.
Anime takes us through many worlds, ranging from extreme realism to marvelous fantasy. Dystopian societies are one such setting that captivates viewers through their dark, twisted realities and a sense of dread. Stories can also get very creative with this mode of world-building, displaying a setting of injustice through post-apocalyptic landscapes or oppressive systems.
While these may be engaging to watch, fans fear the possibility of personally visiting them. Hence, here are 8 dystopian anime worlds no one wishes were real.
1) Attack on Titan
As one of the most beloved anime ever made, Attack on Titan’s fame can be heavily attributed to its chill-inducing world. The story takes us to a setting where humanity is on the brink of extinction due to monstrous entities known as Titans.
The only safe harbor is the island of Paradis, protected by three walls. Unfortunately, should these walls be infiltrated, humanity is left at the mercy of creatures far overpowering them. Even without the Titans, life inside the walls is far from a paradise.
Resources are scarce while there is rampant corruption and a military with unchecked power. Even with the expansion of the world into Marley and other nations, there is unending war, oppression, and segregation between races. While these richen the narrative, we hope we never have to experience this in our society.
2) Psycho-Pass
At first glance, Psycho-Pass doesn’t seem to be as bad a world compared to other dystopias. There are proper laws and competent officials to upkeep society. However, the very illusion of peace in Psycho-Pass is created through a faulty system.
This anime’s world is governed by the Sibyl System, a surveillance network that determines the future of a person by assessing their psychology. Should the result show that the person might have ill will or be detrimental to society, they are arrested or worse.
As a result, a cold environment where an ambiguous machine’s choices take precedence over human judgment is created. Additionally, the Sibyl System can also be fooled by masking one’s feelings, as shown through the main antagonist’s crimes. This makes for a fearsome world where personal freedom doesn’t exist.
3) Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion is set in a post-apocalyptic world living under the threat of extraterrestrial enemies known as Angels. These beings showcase the fragile nature of humanity, easily destroying society with their destructive powers.
Despite the existence of Evangelion robots meant to protect humanity, the users of the machines go through immense psychological trauma of their own. With Gendo Ikari’s mysterious plans using the enigmatic NERV and the eventual disastrous ending for Neon Genesis Evangelion’s world, normal humans would feel very few emotions apart from pain and suffering.
4) The Promised Neverland
The Promised Neverland starts as a series revolving around a happy orphanage with its energetic children and their caretakers. However, over the course of the story, we find the truth of this world, and it is much more shocking than our wildest imaginations.
In reality, The Promised Neverland’s world is infested by dangerous demons who feast on humans. The children in the orphanage were being bred for that purpose, being brutally killed early in life. Even after escaping the orphanage, the world is horrifying for a human.
There are all kinds of supernatural threats and human meat farms. The manga expands on these dystopian elements, showcasing the devastating difficulties faced by the protagonists to carve out a brighter future for themselves.
5) Gantz
Gantz is a scary dystopian setting because the story originally revolves around the normal events of the world. It showcases real places and people we witness in normal society. However, things soon worsen when characters at the edge of death are forced to fight in a death game.
Armed with guns and suits, they face all sorts of enemies, ranging from aliens to dinosaurs. While the story originally restricts itself to the game’s participants, it soon involves normal humans. The manga also explores mass killings, widespread paranoia, and the potential destruction of the world.
Hence, Gantz may look to be a fun video game-like story at first, but it is a dangerous world where players are forced into an endless cycle of battle and death.
6) Berserk
Most fans consider Berserk one of the greatest stories ever made, and its dystopian world plays a huge role in that. Berserk’s setting feels like a medieval fantasy nightmare, filled with evil celestial beings, their Apostles, and various supernatural monsters.
Apart from these, there is a constant war between nations, where all sorts of atrocities occur. This results in a dog-eat-dog society where betrayal and sacrifice are common. The infamous Eclipse stands as proof of this, dragging the protagonist Guts and all his friends into a horrifying ritual of slaughter and trauma.
Therefore, Berserk is a rare world where there is very little we would like to explore personally. Despite the existence of fairies and elves, its grim setting ensures peace and happiness are an unreachable dream.
7) Blame!
Blame! is a depressing and lonely portrayal of the world where human society has been reduced to exist inside decayed megastructures. Despite being a vast plain, this ever-expanding labyrinth has very few people and features deadly androids and robots that exterminate any signs of life.
In contrast to the technologically advanced enemies, humanity possesses limited abilities, with communication and contact being close to non-existent. Blame! focuses on the protagonist, Killy’s, hopeless adventures around this world. While the intricate structures and ancient architecture excite our curiosities, it is a dreadful prospect should it come to reality.
8) Made in Abyss
Made in Abyss presents a deceptively beautiful world filled with mystery. It introduces us to a cast of charming characters with cute designs and an enigmatic chasm known as the Abyss. This hole in the world contains all sorts of treasures and induces the exploratory spirit of many.
However, what originally seemed fun soon became a horror story. The Abyss contains unspeakable horrors, dangerous monsters, and diseases. It traumatizes those who enter it, both psychologically and physically.
The deeper one goes in, the more suffering awaits, bearing a high cost for the pursuit of knowledge. As a result, Made in Abyss has appalled most viewers, leaving little hope for those who dream of exploring it in reality.
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