Anime can transport the. audience into the complex, immersive, powerful, emotional, and enticing world. Few films exemplify this more than Paprika (2006), a surreal masterpiece from director Satoshi Kon that blurs the line between dreams and reality.

It explores Dr. Atsuko Chiba and her alter ego who navigates the dream of her patient and helps the patient and comfort the subconscious issues. But the DC mini machine is stolen and if it gets into the wrong hands, it can be used negatively.

If you are one of us, who watched Paprika and could not get the sheer immersive experience with its dreamlike narrative and beautiful visuals, then we have handpicked anime like paprika that have fantastical imagery, complex themes, and emotional depth.

ANIME MOVIES LIKE PAPRIKA

“The sun during midday will light up the dark night. Night dreams of the day. Light dreams of darkness. But the ignorant sun will chase away the darkness and burn the shadows, eventually burning itself” – Himuro Kei

Welcome to the world of surreal narrative that takes you on a deep psychological journey. Bizarre landscapes, infrequent characters, and poignant world of dreams. These movies explore mysticism and fuse magic to form delicate storytelling.

Paprika for many is one of the greatest anime movies ever made. It inspired movies like Inception. I know you are already excited to explore other movies like Paprika. A thrilling story of Atsuko Chibaa as she breathes between the world of dreams and reality. If you loved its unique plot I understand your feeling, You want more. So here are some lists of movies like Paprika that will sprout your realm of fantasy.

Mind Game (2004)

Director: Masaaki Yuasa

Nishi is a young man from Osaka with dreams of becoming a comic artist. He has a crush on his childhood friend, Myon. In a deadly encounter, Nishi plunges into the psychedelic experience with Myon.

The ingredients of the afterlife and death will intrigue you. Nishi gets trapped on the journey of heaven and back. He ends up in an unconvincing place as he tries to escape from it.

Mind Game has one of the most innovative animations ever used. Like paprika, it deals with the themes of reality and imagination. The use of psychological and surreal elements makes this a unique watch.

Cat Soup (2001)

Director: Tatsuo Sato

Cat Soup got its inspiration from the work of Nekojiru, a manga artist. It follows the story of a humanlike Kitten and his effort to save his sister, Nyaako. Nekojiro travels to a fascinating and eerie land of gods and humans. God has the power to bend time. A man trying to soup themselves, and bizarre landscapes add flavors to the film.

In the end, the story gets emotional. After healing Nekojiro, both siblings return home but their family has disappeared. The only thing remaining is a flashing TV.

Cat Soup has achieved a cult status in animation culture. Its innovative animation and surreal plot fuse well with movies like Paprika. 

Metropolis (2001)

Director: Katsuhiro Otomo/Rintaro

Set in a dystopian world it tells a story of Robots and Humans living together. Its central plot revolves around Shunsaku Ban (Detective) and his nephew Kenichi. They are on the hunt for a new scientist named Dr. Laughton.

The story will hook you with the introduction of an advanced humanoid robot, Tima. Duke Red a famous industrialist ordered Dr. Laughton to create this robot. His motive is to gain control over the city center, which is called Ziggurat.

Metropolis explores themes of humanity, identity, and division between robots and humans. If you watched other movies like Paprika and loved its narrative depth and visuals this is a must-watch.

Fantastic Planet (1973)

Director: Rene Laloux

Draags are a race of giant blue humanoids that live on the distant planet Ygam. A young girl Tiwa from the Draag race has domesticated Terr. Terr is a human-like creature from another race called Oms. Both races are unable to live in harmony. Draags that dominate the planet Ygam see Oms as animals.

Fantastic Planet explores themes of suppression and violence. This other world story favors authentic storytelling to captivate you till the very end. A thought-provoking movie.

It received positive claims for a dreamlike world and allegorical stories like Paprika. It ranks 36th in Rolling Stone’s greatest animated films of all time. A must-watch movie if you are a fan of the sci-fi genre.

Perfect Blue(1999)

Director: Satoshi Kon

The plot revolves around a pop singer, Mima Kirigoe. She decides to leave her idol group, CHAM, and pursue her career as an actor. This doesn’t turn out to be a good decision for her. She becomes a victim of being stalked by her fans followed by socking murders.

Perfect Blue has a touch of psychological thriller. The story flows well with blends of fantasy. It sets a significant challenge in drawing lines between fantasy and reality. There are similar ideas in movies like Paprika where the main character goes through a cycle of psychological events.

Critics praise this movie for its complex storyline and characters. Both plot and character development assist its story development to keep you intrigued. It has influenced movies like Requiem for a Dream and Black Swan.

Paranoia Agent (2004)

Director: Satoshi Kon

This is the story of Lil Slugger, a juvenile delinquent. He attacks people with a golden baseball. Two detectives, Keiichi and Mitsuhiro investigate the attack and find the culprit. As the story continues we find out a thrilling reveal. Lil Slugger attacks people with dark backgrounds and struggles. These victims either have a hard life or are living with social anxieties.

Paranoia Agent delves into the emotional and psychological states of each character. It shows the effects of urbanization and its consequences on daily life. Like Paprika, the main character struggles between a world of reality and illusion. You will enjoy its psychological punch with a touch of uncanny elements.

Serial Experiments Lain

Director: Ryutaro Nakamura

Serial Experiments Lain delves into a combination of advanced science and human psychology. The main character Lain Iwakura gets a devastating email sent by her friend. Lain receives an email from a dead friend. This leads her to discover a global network like the internet called ‘The Wired’.

The plot takes an interesting turn after these events change the nature of the real world. Like characters in Parika, Lain is now confused between her real world and digital realm.

Serial Experiments Lain has a great influence on the anime culture. It received positive acclaim for blends of psychological elements with the cyberpunk genre.  A story of computer and web. Be ready to delve into a dystopian world of web and computers.

Spirited Away (2001)

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Chihiro Ogino is a 10-year-old girl. She along with her parent are moving to a new community. Everything seems normal until they stumble upon an eerie park. As they enter the park Chihiro discovers it is inhabited by gods, witches, and monsters.

Chichiro parents turn into pigs after eating food meant for spirits. This is quite a horrifying scene. To bring her parent to the normal world Chichiro must find her way out.

One of those movies that gets you emotional. The worldbuilding and environment of this film is a top-notch. It will grip you till the end with unusual and creepy creatures along the way. Do not worry. There are good people too. In every movie like Parika, you will find helpers here too. Like Paprika, it explores themes of surrealism to convey a deeper message and experience.

Akira (1988)

Director: Katsuhiro Otomo

Set in a dystopian world, Akira tells the story of Kaneda, the leader of a Biker gang, and his friend Tetsuo. Testuo is a also member of the gang in Tokyo. After getting in a bike accident, Testuo gains powerful psychic abilities. Unfortunately, his powers become uncontrollable posing threats to the whole city.

Like Paprika, it delves into themes of reality and how technology can affect our world. Both the characters face challenges as their reality with the real world narrows.

Akira was a huge success and gained wide popularity. It made anime well-known in the West. Many regard it as one of the greatest anime movies ever made because it influenced modern anime. There aren’t anime lovers who haven’t watched or heard of Akira. Do not miss this movie.

Tokyo Godfathers (2003)

Director: Satoshi Kon

Another great Satoshi Kun film revolves around the story of Homeless individuals. Gin, Miyuki and Hana. Gin is an alcoholic. Miyuki is a dependent runaway girl. Hana is a pro-cyclist. On Christmas Eve, Miyuki sees an abandoned child in a pile of garbage. Three now go through misfortunate events while trying to find the parents of the child.

Satoshi Kon has paid intense attention to details in Paprika and Tokyo Godfathers. To create movies like Paprika one must take note of its non-linear storytelling. Tokyo Godfathers achieved this note. Both films have significant details on character depth and visual artistry. Touch Social issues, human emotions, and surrealism are thought-provoking.

CORALINE (2009)

Director: Henry Selick

The plot follows Coraline Jones. She is a young girl. Her parents are busy and distracted so she moves to a new home. There she discovers a secret door that leads to a parallel universe.

It should have been an easy and happy world for Coraline. But this world is not what she expected. It turns out this universe possesses danger in itself. Her bravery is now tasted while trying to save herself and her parents.

The protagonists of both movies set out to explore an unexplored world. Like Paprika, Corlaine puts its main character to the ultimate test. Both movies emphasize the characters’ adventures with a touch of surrealism and human emotions.