Anime That Promote Mental Health Awareness: Find which Anime casts a positive light on mental health awareness, giving beneficial survival techniques.
Sadly, mental health issues are generally not an acceptable subject of conversation in Japan, as being a particularly private matter is normally considered. While this may be valid, the custom has ultimately hurt mental health awareness, a vital part of treating and accepting disorders.
Thankfully, several Anime have stepped in to create relatable characters (that are not automatically manic, deranged antagonists) who show watchers how best to process and adapt to their emotions and traumas.
A portion of the accompanying Anime has, by and large, declared that the subject of a particular mental illness will be examined. In contrast, others have characters that portray typical characteristics novel to those experiencing certain disorders.
Those marked with a (+) are educated assessments of the individual personalities and are not a declaration of their official mental health status.
Cherry And Smile: Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop
- Severe Social Anxiety, (+) Autism Spectrum Disorder, Communication Disorder, and (+) Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Cherry and Smile live in two separate worlds (metaphorically). Yet, both feel they should stow away from it in their specific manner. Yui Sakura, aka Cherry, chooses outside sound-blocking headphones (a triumphant formula for many who fall on the Autism spectrum).
In contrast, Yuki, otherwise called Smile, canโt go anywhere without her facemask, which has nothing to do with the pandemic.
Although the little kid is stunningly popular on social media, she gives particular indications of Body Dysmorphic Disorder by being excessively reluctant about her appearance, appearing to exaggerate the unmistakable quality of her buckteeth, which every other person agrees are adorable.
Cherryโs issues are more challenging to stow away, as his Communication Disorder constantly manifests, which is why he would prefer to avoid individuals altogether by wearing headphones.
If given the decision, Cherry would much rather communicate his thoughts through-composed Haiku, for which he has an unmistakable talent, and tracks down solace by veiling himself in beautiful words.
All Protagonists: School-Live!
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, (+) Schizophrenia, and Psychosis
One cannot anticipate that many teenagers should endure a zombie apocalypse while trapped in a school and walk away without a few traumatic side effects.
Yuki Takeya displays the most elevated level of instability as her brain starts playing games with her, and reality turns out to be, to a greater degree, an idea as opposed to a differentiating factor.
Regardless of her profound battles, Yuki is rarely seen without a splendid and lively smile plastered to her face, as the constant ray of daylight at Megurigaoka Private High School.
Different individuals from the School Life Club, Kurumi Ebisuzawa, Miki Naoki, and Yuuri Wakasa, all display various levels of PTSD and discouragement, instigated by the trauma and isolation caused by the apocalypse.
Many watchers accept that mental health awareness courses should be mandatory in schools to assist children with building advantageous survival techniques instead of waiting for adulthood to address potential issues.
Toya Sagami: Orbital Children
- (+) Conduct Disorder, (+) Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and (+) Antisocial Personality Disorder
Toya isnโt the most likable protagonist, yet his requirement for individuals to please vacated the premises when humanity retreated to Earth, abandoning him and Konoha Nanase in space as infants. The lack of gravity has caused Toya physical development issues.
In contrast, the isolation has harbored areas of strength for an aggressive disdain towards all individuals, save a chosen handful. Toyaโs social abilities are scrutinized when three youthful Earthlings visit the space station, and his antisocial tendencies flare up in full power.
Toya is determined to save Konoha and himself from an early grave. Although he does not have the unnecessary narcissistic requirement for admiration, he holds almost no regard for othersโ sentiments, focusing on his goal and ideals above all else.
Toya also appears to accept he is above the law, constantly breaking the rules and regulations by playing with potentially deadly AI technology. Be that as it may, regardless of the spikey personality, Toya has a decent heart and unadulterated expectations and is ultimately the legend of the day.
Wakana Gojo: My Dress-Up Darling
- Severe Social Anxiety, Trauma, and (+) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Although Gojoโs mannerisms donโt indicate extreme OCD, he does track down solace in ritualistic behavior and social isolation. He also chips away at his Hina dolls and cosplay outfits with an obsessive force, sacrificing his rest, health, education, and sometimes even finances to finish his responsibilities.
Gojo finds his passion for Hina dolls at an exceptionally youthful age and practically withdraws totally from the world to sharpen his talents for creating them. He has next to zero social life starting there onwards.
Gojoโs given dedication/fixation on his craft is likely a survival technique for his sorrow, having been out of nowhere orphaned at such a youthful age.
Having grown up with basically just his grandfather to talk to, Gojo has exceptionally restricted social abilities and is a seriously awkward person, particularly regarding the romance department.
He battles to communicate well when bothered and isnโt excessively great at getting social prompts. Yet, Gojo always recognizes everyone around him and has a heart of gold.
Shลya Ishida: A Silent Voice
- Suicidal Tendencies and Major Depressive Disorder
Shouko is a sweet-natured, pink-haired little kid with a hearing disability who finds it hard to fit in at her new school, with countless intolerant classmates to deal with.
Most of the class makes rude remarks at Shoukoโs cost. Yet, Shouya specializes in physically menacing the girl to where she (and Sahara) transfers schools.
When Shลya called out for the atrocious behavior, the class turned on Shouya, denying any accountability as far as concerns them in tormenting and disregarding him from all social groups.
Dismissed and overpowered by guilt, Shouya goes through the paces of planning his self-destruction by totally isolating himself from his friend group, either selling or offering all of his assets, and counting the time until his death on his calendar. Fortunately, Shouya figures out how to atone for his past actions and learns to focus light on others also experiencing in this grim world.
All Protagonists: Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai
- Dissociative Identity Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Severe Anxiety
Adolescent Syndrome may be a fantasy, yet it consistently addresses the genuine issues that individuals face. In Sakuta Azusagawaโs world, mental disorders manifest themselves physically.
They are introduced to the world in various ways, contingent upon the person in question. Sakuta and his child sister, Kaede, are the principal known occurrences in the series, by which Kaedeโs anxiety became so extreme that her body is physically injured, so severely that she has to be hospitalized.
The stress of everything causes a massive gash to tear through Sakutaโs chest. Kaede consequently loses her memories and adopts a new personality as a survival technique, typical of โexchangingโ in DID victims.
The infamous Bunny Girl, also called Mai Sakurajima, her sister, Nodoka Toyohama, and even the levelheaded Rio Futaba all become helpless to Adolescent Syndrome when their mental health deteriorates.
However, after opening up and examining their issues, they start to heal. Perhaps mental health battles would be much easier to notice, handle, and accept if the injuries were physical and undeniable.
Shouko Komi: Komi Canโt Communicate
- Severe Social Anxiety and (+) Selective Mutism
Shouko Komi starts her career at Itan Private High School with a head start, as her astonishing beauty rockets her into the Class Goddess position in a matter of seconds!
Unfortunately for Komi, her personality doesnโt match her status because her super social anxiety has delivered the unfortunate girl practically mute.
The most popular pupil in Class 1-1, Komi, ends up without a solitary companion until the savvy Hitohito Tadano urges Komi to start communicating her thoughts through writing.
Together, the new friends bashfully navigate their way through secondary school. At the same time, Tadano assists Komi with conquering her battles and making 100 friends.
It becomes obvious that Komi isnโt the only one disabled by mental health issues. She has more in the same manner as her classmates than initially assumed. Besides encouraging Komi to develop her communication abilities further, none of her friends at any point recommend that anything is off with her and accept Komi for her identity, characteristics, and all.
Kakeru Naruse: Orange
- Suicidal tendencies and Major Depressive Disorder
The tale of Kakeru Naruse in Orange shows watchers exactly how important a support structure can be, as only a tad piece of exertion and understanding is all it takes to save a daily existence.
Sadly, Naho Takamiyaโs intercession isnโt sufficient to save Kakeruโs mom, whose mental health has taken a thump, and she winds up taking her own life.
Thankfully, Nahoโs time-traveling letter from the future saves Kakeru from the same fate by alerting his friends about whatโs happening behind his fake smile.
In the original timeline, Kakeru had told nobody of his momโs death and gradually slipped into guilt-filled despair from which he saw no return, consequently ending it all.
Presently knowing all this, Naho and her friends change the course of occasions by supplying constant companionship and encouragement, dragging him out of the darkness before it is past the point of no return.
Wretchedness and suicidal tendencies should never be disregarded, regardless of oneโs personal suppositions.
Mima Kirigoe: Perfect Blue
- Dissociative Identity Disorder and Folie ร deux
This classic psychological horror follows Mima, an up-and-coming star going through an existential emergency at the peak of her prosperity. Mima has been under significant tension since transitioning from the music industry into acting and is battling to maintain some kind of control.
More worried about her reputation than her mental health, Mima spirals wild as the split between her acting and reality becomes obscured after she is set off by a particularly violent scene and is acted out busy working.
Mimaโs reality and identity are not as concrete as hers. DID takes hold, yet the entire world appears against her to make matters more terrible. Mimaโs manager, Rumi Hidaka, shows similar side effects (Folie ร deux). An extraordinary stalker rises out of the woodworks, causing Mima to fear for her life.
