The 13 Best Esper Anime Series of All Time

Today’s list features the top esper anime series that you should really check out. This list is different from our usual content, as it’s not about anime with overpowered, badass, or villainous protagonists. Instead, we’re focusing on anime series with main characters possessing psychic powers.

You may have already seen Mob Psycho 100, Tokyo ESP, and The Disastrous Life of Saiki, and been impressed by their awesome and overpowered esper protagonists. If you’re looking for similar shows, you’re in luck because we’ve compiled a list of 13 other great anime series with esper main characters. So keep reading on, to discover some new and exciting anime to add to your watchlist!

Here We Go!

13. Closers: Side Blacklambs

Kicking off the list of the best esper anime with Studio Animal’s “CLOSERS” is a game-based fantasy anime that takes place in the futuristic city of New Seoul, which was rebuilt after being destroyed by dimensional monsters in the year 2020. The story follows the members of the Black Lambs, a UNION squad made up of high school students who possess psychokinetic powers. After the First Dimensional War, the CLOSERS who survived became part of the UNION organization, which aims to research and prevent another war. However, when dimensional gates all over the world started shaking once again, even stronger outbreed creatures begin their attack on Earth, and the Black Lambs must face the new threat head-on.

12. Night Head Genesis

Moving on, among the best and underrated esper anime is Nigh Head Genesis,  a drama, mystery, sci-fi, and supernatural anime about two brothers, Naoto and Naoya Kirihara, who escape a research facility after being secluded for 15 years due to their supernatural powers. They strive for a normal life but soon find themselves using their talents to save lives as the world is engulfed by “minus energy” and crimes involving psychic abilities multiply. With the help of a mysterious girl who can see into the future, they must find a way to stop an organization linked to harmful events related to gifted individuals.

11. Ghost Hunt

Brought to you by J.C. Staff; Ghost Hunt is a unique psychic power anime that follows the story of Mai Taniyama and her friends, who enjoy telling ghost stories at school. The abandoned school building on their campus is said to be haunted, and when a mysterious male figure named Kazuya Shibuya appears, their ghost-hunting adventure begins. Shibuya, the president of the Shibuya Psychic Research Company, was called to investigate the strange occurrences in the building. After Mai accidentally breaks a camera during their investigation, she is hired by Kazuya to pay for the damages and his injured assistant. From then on, Mai embarks on a journey of discovering the paranormal world and the profession of ghost hunting.

10. Occult Academy

Occult Academy is your next good anime to watch, this is a 13-episode series produced by A-1 Pictures, which spans genres of science fiction, mystery, school, and supernatural. The story follows Maya, the daughter of the former headmaster of Waldstein Academy, a school known for its focus on the occult. In the year 2012, the world is being invaded by aliens, and time travelers are sent back to the year 1999 to prevent the apocalypse by finding and destroying the Nostradamus Key. Maya returns to the Academy in 1999 with the intention of destroying it but meets Fumiaki, a time-traveling agent, who informs her of the impending destruction. Although she initially distrusts Fumiaki, the two form a pact to find the Nostradamus Key and save the world.

9. From the New World

Among the darkest anime series of all time is Shinsekai yori, a 25-episode psychological tv show produced by A-1 Pictures. Set in a future where humans possess psychic abilities, the story follows Saki Watanabe and her friends as they attend Sage Academy, a special school for psychics. However, unease looms as Saki questions the fate of those unable to awaken to their powers, and the children become embroiled in mysterious matters such as the rumored Tainted Cats said to abduct children. As the children grow into their roles in the supposed utopia, they are faced with the dark and shocking truths of society, and the impending havoc born from the new world. 

8. Kotoura-san

Next up, among the top esper anime shows is Kotoura-san, a short school fantasy drama anime series produced by AIC Classic that follows the story of Kotoura Haruka, a 15-year-old girl with psychic powers that enable her to read people’s minds. Due to her ability, she faces various troubles, including her parents’ divorce. Haruka later moves to a new high school to start anew but keeps her distance from her classmates. However, Manabe Yoshihisa, one of her classmates, accepts her power and helps her make new friends, leading to heart-touching moments filled with joy, tears, and humor.

7. Unlimited – Hyoubu Kyousuke

Produced by Manglobe studio, Unlimited – Hyoubu Kyousuke is a good esper anime that centers around Kyousuke Hyoubu, one of the most powerful ESPers who was betrayed many years ago and is now a fugitive. Despite his villainous methods, Kyousuke has a kind heart and his main mission is to make a future where espers can gain their rights under the leadership of his queen, Kaoru Akashi. His group, P.A.N.D.R.A., has saved many ESPers’ lives, gaining their loyalty even by force. This action-packed anime features a powerful esper main character, who will take you on a thrilling journey through a world filled with superpowers and supernatural abilities.

6. Elfen Lied

Now we have Elfen Lied, a popular gore anime with psychic powers that follows the story of Lucy, a special breed of human called “Diclonius” who possesses telekinetic hands and short horns. She becomes a victim of inhumane scientific experiments by the government, but eventually escapes and goes on a killing spree due to the confinement and torture she endured. After receiving a head injury during her escape, she develops a split personality of a child-like mentality. When she is taken in by two college students, Kouta and Yuka, they are unaware of her murderous tendencies and become unwittingly involved in a world of government secrecy and conspiracy.

5. Charlotte

Charlotte is a recommended anime where the mc is an esper. Produced by P.A. Works with genres of drama, school, and superpower, the story follows the charming and intelligent teenager, Yuu Otosaka, who has been using his ability to control people’s bodies for five seconds at a time to gain the highest grades for years. When he is caught by the enigmatic Nao Tomori, she coerces him and his sister into transferring to Hoshinoumi Academy, a school for students with supernatural abilities. Yuu is forced to join the student council, tasked with secretly tracking down those who abuse their powers, and together, they face formidable challenges that bring him closer to the shocking truth about himself. Charlotte explores the supernatural lives of these teenagers and the price they must pay for being special.

4. Tokyo ESP

Tokyo ESP is a show that focuses on the main character Rinka Urushiba, a part-time waitress who leads a peaceful life with her unemployed father until a mysterious incident transforms her into an esper. With the power to phase her body through solid matter and a head of white hair to show for it, Rinka becomes Tokyo’s new hero, the “White Girl.” Alongside her friend, who can teleport, Rinka sets out to fight other espers with villainous intentions and right the wrongs in the city. This Xebec action superpower anime is a must-watch for fans of espers and psychic powers.

3. A Certain Scientific Accelerator

Know in Japanese as Toaru Kagaku no Accelerator, this a popular anime series, part of the Toaru Majutsu no Index franchise. The anime has 12 episodes and is produced by J.C. Staff and A.C.G.T. The series belongs to the genres of Super Power, Supernatural, Fantasy, and School.

The anime features so many esper characters, but mainly follows the story of Accelerator, the most powerful Level 5, who saved Last Order, a cheerful young girl, at the cost of his power. After recovering at the hospital, Accelerator finds himself leading a relatively quiet life until he meets Esther Rosenthal, a mysterious girl who carries a photo of Last Order. Unfortunately, Accelerator is dragged into a new conflict involving a sinister organization called Disciplinary Action. This group plans to use Last Order for a dangerous mission, putting her in danger.

As Disciplinary Action sets their plan into motion and pursues Last Order, it’s up to Accelerator and his newfound companion to protect the young girl and defend Academy City. With the world’s most powerful esper on her side, Last Order may stand a chance against her pursuers.

2. The Disastrous Life of Saiki

Coming at number 2 of the best esper anime of all time is the popular Saiki Kusuo no Psi-nan, a comedy Japanese series produced by J.C.Staff. The plot follows the life of Kusuo Saiki, a high school student with an extraordinary set of supernatural powers, ranging from telepathy to x-ray vision.

Even with his impressive abilities, Kusuo sees them as nothing but a burden and tries to keep them hidden from his classmates. However, he ends up attracting the attention of eccentric people such as the ditzy Riki Nendou and the delusional Shun Kaidou. As a result, Kusuo is forced to deal with the craziness of the people around him and learns that ordinary, hassle-free life is much harder to achieve than he expected.

1. Mob Psycho 100

Finally at number 1 on our list of the best esper anime is Mob Psycho 100, an epic show that follows the story of Kageyama, a young and powerful esper who has tapped into his psychic abilities at a young age. However, he soon realizes the potential danger that comes with his powers, causing him to suppress them. His only use for his ability is to impress his longtime crush, Tsubomi, who eventually grows bored.

To gain control of his skills, Kageyama enlists himself under the wing of Arataka Reigen, a con artist who claims to be a psychic and exploits Kageyama’s powers for money. As a result, Kageyama finds himself exorcising evil spirits on a daily basis, with his vast potential and unrestrained emotions constantly on the brink of triggering a cataclysmic event that would render him unrecognizable. Despite his efforts to control his powers, the progression toward Kageyama’s explosion is rising and attempting to stop it is futile. With an exciting and unique plot and well-developed characters, Mob Psycho 100 is a must-watch for fans of the psychic powers themed-series.