If you're a fan of high-stakes psychological thrillers like 'Kaiji (2007),' you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 gripping movies and shows that share the same intense atmosphere, mind games, and life-or-death stakes. Whether you love the tension of gambling, survival, or strategic battles, these recommendations will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Steins;Gate (2011)
Description: Explores themes of fate, sacrifice, and the psychological toll of time manipulation, with characters facing impossible choices and moral dilemmas.
Fact: The series is based on a visual novel and is known for its intricate plot and scientific theories, particularly those related to time travel. It has a dedicated fanbase and multiple spin-offs.


Psycho-Pass (2012)
Description: Delves into psychological and moral dilemmas, with characters facing extreme pressure and making life-altering decisions under duress, often in a dystopian setting.
Fact: The show's dystopian world is heavily inspired by classic literature, particularly George Orwell's '1984' and Philip K. Dick's works. It also features a unique crime-prediction system that determines a person's likelihood to commit crimes.


Attack on Titan (2013)
Description: Involves characters constantly facing life-or-death situations, with strategic planning and psychological warfare playing key roles in their survival.
Fact: The manga's ending was highly anticipated and controversial among fans. The series is known for its intense action scenes and deep lore, which explores themes of freedom and oppression.


No Game No Life (2014)
Description: Features intense psychological battles and strategic gameplay where characters must outwit opponents in high-stakes games, often with their lives or freedom on the line.
Fact: The series is known for its vibrant and surreal color palette, which reflects the fantastical world the characters inhabit. It also explores themes of existentialism and the nature of reality.


Tokyo Ghoul (2014)
Description: Features a protagonist thrust into a brutal world where survival depends on outsmarting and outmaneuvering both enemies and allies, often under extreme psychological stress.
Fact: The manga was a commercial success, with over 47 million copies in circulation. The story's dark themes and complex characters have made it a standout in the horror genre.


Death Parade (2015)
Description: Centers around high-stakes games that determine the fate of the participants, blending psychological tension with moral questioning and intense emotional moments.
Fact: The series originated from a short film called 'Death Billiards,' which was part of an animation project. It explores themes of life, death, and human nature through its unique bar setting.


The Promised Neverland (2019)
Description: Revolves around characters using their intellect and strategy to survive in a deadly game-like environment, with constant psychological pressure and high stakes.
Fact: The manga was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump and won the 63rd Shogakukan Manga Award for the shonen category. The story's setting is inspired by classic children's literature but with a dark twist.


Alice in Borderland (2020)
Description: Centers around deadly games where participants must use their wits and strategy to survive, with intense psychological and physical challenges.
Fact: The live-action adaptation gained international popularity on Netflix. The story's premise is inspired by 'Alice in Wonderland,' but with a dark and survivalist twist.
