The BEST List Of Relevant Anime For 40+ Year Olds

I’m obviously not in this age group, but I’ve spoke to anime fans around 40+ before. And nobody’s addressed this topic so I wanna touch on it.

It’s a tough thing to address from my point of view because most fans are Millennials or teenagers.

I can only put myself in a 40+ year old anime fans shoes and be broad with my choices.

So with that said, here’s some relevant anime worth sharing.

Anime For 40+ Year Olds:

1. Psycho Pass

Psycho Pass is an underrated series these days. Not many people talk about it as much.

It’s a police series in a technology driven society (robots, tech-powered guns, holograms, etc).

The police force works to monitor society with a gun called a “dominator” which measures a person’s Psycho Pass (mental health).

Under the surface and further down the line, it’s a thought provoking, mature and clever series with GREAT characters.

Akane Tsunemori is an example of a female lead that outshines most.

2. Naruto

Naruto is an anime for all ages.

Not just that, but Naruto is an anime with characters of all ages as well, including Kakashi, the Hokage and so on.

Life lessons you can learn from Naruto:

Making hard choices as a parent.
Overcoming your pain.
Friendship and why it matters.
How mistakes are a necessary part of life.
Dealing with the death of people close to you.

Naruto goes into so much as an anime, and age tends to be used to put people’s interests in a box.

I disagree with that notion and feel Naruto should be a solid choice for 40+ year olds.

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3. Sakura Quest

Sakura Quest is an anime in the rural countryside of Manoyama, a real Japanese village.

Yoshino Koharu, a main character from Tokyo ends up in Manoyama by mistake and takes on a tourism job.

You get a lot of business elements here since everyone’s working to make Manoyama a thriving village once again where people come to do business and travel.

The teamwork, friendships, hard work and slice of life elements are something everyone can appreciate and connect with.

4. Hell Girl

Hell Girl is a character who sends people to hell for doing wrong. But only when a victim summons her at 12AM to seek their revenge.

The anime is realistic and tells all kinds of stories, episode by episode, and never repeats the same story twice.

There is a repetitive element since the first 10-ish episodes follow a format, but it’s mature content, and to me is an underrated anime in the horror genre.

It’s worth checking out.

5. No Guns Life

No Guns Life is a Seinen released in 2019, with a 2nd season in 2020. It’s still airing in September 2020.

Made by Madhouse (like a couple of good Seinen) the art style has more realism to it than your average anime. And it’s about ex-war veterans and their new lives after being modified, physically.

It moves at a nice pace that I appreciate and has a subtle mix of comedic elements with its more serious tones and meaningful episodes.

6. How Heavy Are The Dumbbells You Lift?

How Heavy Are The Dumbbells You Lift? Is a bit of a silly, daft, entertaining and fun anime series.

It’s about going to the gym, exercising, and living a “keep fit” lifestyle as far as workouts and even foods to eat.

You get to learn all about it in the stupidest but funniest way possible (with a little cringe to top it off). But in a good way.

It’s as good as it gets as far as anime that manages to be mature under the surface, but silly in the way it presents itself.

7. Goblin Slayer

Goblin Slayer is a brutal, savage, dark fantasy series that’s stirred up all kinds of controversy. But that’s mostly with a minority in the anime community.

Ignoring the first episode’s dramatic introduction, Goblin Slayer is an anime I’d have no problem watching as a 40+ year old.

Tons of adventures, comical conversations and dialogue, violence, action and characters of all ages.

A season 2 would be nice.

8. God Eater

God Eater is an anime you don’t see too often in recommendations online. But it’s one of the best horror style shows I’ve seen.

I just don’t talk about it much.

Lenka Itsugi is the main character who wants revenge against the Origami (a type of monster), so the theme is close to Attack On Titan and Owari No Seraph.

The main stand out feature of God Eater is the animation quality and the top notch CGI. Almost no CGI anime comes close.

The theme is dark enough for anyone to watch but the visuals are something else.

9. She And Her Cat

She And Her Cat is one of my favourite movies by Makoto Shinkai.

It’s a movie about Miyu, a girl who’s somewhat depressed, and how her cat – Chobi observes her daily life.

It’s all from the cat’s point of view and that’s what makes this movie so unique and different.

It’s packed with mature themes and messages and I can’t see most of any age not being interested in this.

10. Guardian Of The Sacred Spirit

One of my underrated favorites that I don’t talk about too much. Moribito is made by Production I.G, same studio as Psycho Pass.

It’s about a female warrior who becomes a bodyguard for a prince. And their journey and adventures together.

A lot of “mother-son” types of bonds and relationships going on here. And some action to change up the pace when necessary.

The ending (and music) is spot on. Deserves more credit.

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11. Akame Ga Kill

Akame Ga Kill is a mature Shounen and in a league of its own for that.

It’s about a group of assassins called Night Raid, and their mission to destroy the corrupt government and create a revolution.

Poverty, impossible taxes, beheadings for even disagreeing with politics or how things work… The society in this anime is a literal hell and it gives Akame Ga Kill a lot of purpose (especially since when characters die, they die, it’s realistic).

Try this one.

12. You’re Under Arrest

You’re Under Arrest is about two female police officers.

Natsumi Tsujimoto knows martial arts and uses it to take down and apprehend criminals.

Miyuki Kobayakawa is the “brains” of the team and uses tactics, strategy and more to catch criminals.

It’s an old school series (1980’s) but there’s something about the animation, the themes, and the characters that makes this worth mentioning.

Even if it’s no longer relevant today.

13. Kino’s Journey – The Animated Series

Kino’s Journey is the new version of Kino’s Travels (which was made in the 2000s).

The new version aired 2017.

The anime is about Kino, a girl who travels the world on her motorbike. Staying in each town, village, city or country for no more than 3 days.

She feels if she stays any longer, she’ll get “too comfortable”.

There are almost no comparable anime like this, and the travelling aspect and each adventure brings something fresh to the table.

It’s an all-rounder as far as appeal.

14. Monster

Another one by Madhouse Studios, Monster isn’t an anime everyone can appreciate.

It starts off slow, is a psychological series with serial killers, and is more thought provoking than it is flashy or “cool”.

But for anyone with the patience or a taste for this horror series, it’s nothing short of a masterpiece and few anime today can compare to it (in similar genres).

It’s a classic that deserves much more credit today.

15. Golden Kamuy

Golden Kamuy’s another underrated series few shout about. It has a 3rd season on the way.

The anime is about the hunt for “gold” without saying too much. But one thing unique about it is the historical elements.

The Ainu (an ancient ethnic group in Japan) plays a big role in Golden Kamuy’s story and context. It’s one of the anime’s best highlights because of the depth it goes into.

I’ve never seen an anime like it and it’s definitely catered to a mature group of fans.

16. Spice And Wolf

Spice And Wolfis another unique series that fits the bill.

The anime follows a female and male main characters who travel and make money together (stocks, etc).

Both Holo and Lawrence (main characters) have a synergy and chemistry in their role that makes them a memorable pair.

It’s an anime that will teach you more about economics, money and business than you’ll ever learn in school.

So if you’re into business or finance topics this anime should be right up your alley.

17. Rurouni Kenshin

Rurouni Kenshin is a samurai classic. Not my personal favorite but I enjoyed watching it and appreciate the art and story.

It’s about Kenshin Himura, who has a bloody past from the previous war where he earned the name “manslayer”.

He’s trying to put the past behind him and even uses the reverse end of his blade in self defense to avoid “killing” anyone.

This burden makes Kenshin a character who’s easy to connect with and understand, and even like because it takes a lot of inner strength to achieve a thing like that.

18. Death Note

death note anime cover light and l lawliet

No matter how I look at it Death Note has to be mentioned. It’s a masterpiece with some of the most clever characters, plot and villains seen in the industry to this day.

This is a rare anime considering how mature it is, because all ages seem to like it (which makes sense).

If you like to think about what you’re watching, you’ll fall in love with this.

19. Nana

A realistic anime series about 2 girls called Nana, who live together.

One is chasing her dreams as a musician, and the other is “stuck” and isn’t sure what she wants to make of herself. But is energetic, cheerful and optimistic.

The anime explores relationships, romance, sex, hardships and a lot more wrapped into one slice of life series.

This is the kind of anime you can learn from or relate to in so many ways.

Absolute classic.