Anime has been around for more than half a century in the commercial sense; Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy launched a phenomenon that would go on to become one of the largest and most lucrative industries in the artistic and entertainment departments. Anime series come in all shapes and sizes, some of which are more famous and some of which are less. The same applies to the protagonists of these anime, who are going to be the main topic of discussion in this article.
The topic of this article is going to be those anime series that are focused on the topic of the supernatural or paranormal. The phenomenon is officially called extrasensory perception (ESP) and people who possess these abilities are called ESPers. In this article, we have decided to give you a list of the best anime where the main character is an ESPer. The list is going to contain a total of 10 titles, and we’re going to tell you a bit about them and why they fit the category.
1. Mob Psycho 100
Original Release: July 12, 2016 – present
Number of Episodes: 25
What it’s about: The narrative centers on fourth-grader Kageyama Shigeo, who possesses psychic abilities. He has the mental ability to bend and lift any item. He eventually backed away from using his powers in public though, realizing that doing so would have unfavorable effects on “regular” people. He wants nothing more than to date Tsubomi, a student at his college, right now. Along with his powerless mentor, he carries on peacefully while working toward his objective.
Who is an ESPer: Well, the protagonist of Mob Psycho 100, Mob, is one of the most popular characters in modern-day anime series and there is absolutely no doubt that he fits our category. He could arguably be the most popular ESPer in the world of anime, but alongside him, there are numerous other ESPer characters you’ll enjoy.
2. Occult Academy
Original Run: July 6, 2010 – September 27, 2010
Number of Episodes: 13
What it’s about: The focus of the plot is on Maya Kumashiro, the daughter of the recently deceased director of the private Waldstein academy, which is oriented on the study of the occult. It is the year 1999 and agent Fumiaki Uchida, a mysterious young man, has arrived in 2012 through a journey through time, with the aim of destroying the Key of Nostradamus, an unknown element that in a few months will trigger a crisis that will allow an extra-dimensional invasion, leading humanity into a war that threatens to end them in the future.
Who is an ESPer: Well, the title reveals it all, doesn’t it? Occult Academy is a very interesting anime series that will both scare you and make you laugh, but for those who like ESPer characters, we have both Maya Kumashiro and Fumiaki Uchida, as the two ESPer protagonists that will definitely make it worth your while.
3. From the New World
Original Run: October 3, 2012 – March 27, 2013
Number of Episodes: 25
What it’s about: Set in a thousand-year-old Japan, Shinsekai Yori tells the story of Saki, a girl from the 66th district of Kamisu. In this age, all humans possess powerful telekinesis abilities and idyllically live in agrarian villages. Despite her parents’ fear that she could not awaken the power within her, Saki gains her powers at the age of twelve and joins her friends Satoru, Maria, Mamoru, Shun, and Reiko at the academy to develop her powers. But the kids are unaware that the city council monitors and influences the kids through teaching.
According to some evaluation criteria, some students are removed from society, such as those who cannot master the powers, such as Reiko, or those who violate the rules. The removed students are soon forgotten by all the other children; Saki and her friends have no recollection of Reiko.
Later, during a camp unsupervised by the professors, Saki and her friends come across a False White Nudibook, a legendary creature that turns out to be an ancient device containing a library. The False Nudibianco reveals to the boys the heinous crimes of their ancestors and what lies behind their powers.
Who is an ESPer: All the main characters of Shinsekai Yori actually have some form of extrasensory abilities and that is why we absolutely had to include it on this list. This is also a very complex and dark anime series that we have recommended on numerous occasions before and we think you’ll definitely love it.
4. A Certain Scientific Accelerator (anime, 2019)
Original Run: July 12, 2019 – September 27, 2019
Number of Episodes: 12
What it’s about: Accelerator finds itself involved in a new war connected to a dark group named Disciplinary Action that intends to exploit Last Order for a risky mission after saving Last Order at the cost of most of its power. The group of adversaries have already begun to carry out their plan and are looking for the child, so it is up to Esther Rosenthal, the most potent ESPer in the world, and her new adventure partner, to safeguard Last Order and the Academy City.
Who is an ESPer: A more recent installment of the A Certain Scientific… something, Accelerator is an intriguing and beautifully animated story that builds on the foundations of its prequels. ESPers are a completely normal thing in this series, but you’ll definitely want to focus on Esther Rosenthal if you’re in it for the ESP.
5. The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.
Original Run: July 4, 2016 – December 28, 2018
Number of Episodes: 145 (+ 7 OVA)
What it’s about: Kusuo Saiki is a high school student who was born with all kinds of psychic abilities, including telepathy, telekinesis, teleportation, and many more. Despite having all these powers, Saiki faces endless difficulties and tries to keep as low a profile as possible. The story follows Saiki as he attempts to secretly use his powers to live a normal high school life while dealing with his less-than-ordinary classmates at P.K.
Who is an ESPer: Well, this is more on the funny side, but Saiki K. is still a character that will go down in anime history. The series itself is both moderate and ridiculous at the same time, but ESPer fans will definitely enjoy it because it will satisfy all their needs. Plus, the guy’s name is a pun on the word “psychic” so… what more can you ask?
6. Psychic Squad
Original Run: April 6, 2008 – March 29, 2009
Number of Episodes: 51 (+ OVA)
What it’s about: In the future, there will be a large number of people with supernatural abilities (ESP), which should therefore also be used for the common good. But some of these particularly gifted people abuse their power to commit crimes. The Japanese government founds the organization B.A.B.E.L. to deal with the supernaturally gifted criminals. (Base of Backing ESP Laboratory). This takes care of people with supernatural abilities, seeks them, trains them, and protects them. 50 years later, B.A.B.E.L. over three level 7 talents, the highest attainable. These are called The Children and are all three young girls. This is how B.A.B.E.L. now has the task of raising Kaoru Akashi, Shiho Sannomiya, and Aoi Nogami, training their skills, and above all preventing them from using their skills against other people.
Who is an ESPer: Well, if the title isn’t revealing enough – khm, Psychic Squad, khm – we can only confirm that all the protagonists are actually ESPer characters. Psychic Squad might not be the most popular title on this list, but it is definitely a classic that fans of ESPer characters will enjoy without any doubt.
7. Unlimited Psychic Squad
Original Run: January 7, 2013 – March 25, 2013
Number of Episodes: 12
What it’s about: One of the most powerful ESPers today, Kyōsuke Hyōbu, is also on the run after being betrayed many years ago. He has a good heart, though, and his main goal is to protect ESPers who are being abused by people, even if that means using force. He has garnered the loyalty of people he has helped by using his ways to save numerous ESPers’ lives. His organization is called P.A.N.D.R.A.
Who is an ESPer: Unlimited Psychic Squad is actually a 12-episode spin-off of the above-listed Psychic Squad. Everything we’ve said above about ESPers being the focal point can be applied here as well, although the show is much darker and the animation is more complex, which is why this is a great addition to the original work.
8. Charlotte
Original Run: July 5, 2015 – September 27, 2015
Number of Episodes: 13 + OVA
What it’s about: Yu Otosaka, a young student, is endowed with supernatural powers: he can possess anyone in his field of vision for five seconds. Using his power to cheat on exams, he is spotted by Nao Tomori, also a holder of a strange power and a member of the student council of the prestigious Hoshinomi Academy. These powers, which emerge during adolescence and disappear in adulthood, affect a certain number of young people in a mild, controlled, or even dangerous form.
Their origins, however, are unknown, but linked to a mysterious comet called Charlotte – which gives the series its title – and few people outside of the Holders know of its existence. Nevertheless, these teenagers are strongly sought after by several groups of scientists wishing to use them as guinea pigs, then by criminals eager to exploit these gifts for their profit. After his transfer, Yu’s new mission within the Hoshinomi student council will be to protect other young people of his age by warning them of the danger of using their abilities.
Who is an ESPer: All the protagonists of Charlotte have some sort of paranormal ability, which they live with and use for various purposes. But, this is where the plot gets tricky because people want to abuse them and exploit these abilities, which gives rise to a thrilling and beautifully animated story that you will definitely enjoy.
9. Tokyo ESP
Original Run: July 11, 2014 – September 26, 2014
Number of Episodes: 12
What it’s about: Rinka Urushiba is a fairly poor high school student whose only family is her father. So, she works as a waitress after school to raise money to pay rent and food. One day, after seeing a penguin and a school of glowing fish in the sky, she develops the power to move through inanimate objects. Later, she meets a student named Kyōtarō Azuma who possesses the ability to teleport. They both decide to use their powers of extrasensory perception (ESP) against individuals who use theirs to do evil.
Who is an ESPer: This is also one of those anime series where the title reveals it all. Tokyo ESP is all about ESPers and there is really no doubt that you will enjoy it if you like anime with such elements. ESPers are an essential element of this thrilling story, which is why we definitely recommend it to fans of this subgenre.
10. Kotoura-san
Original Run: January 11, 2013 – March 29, 2013
Number of Episodes: 12
What it’s about: Haruka Kotoura is a young girl born with the ability to read minds. This power causes her to be discriminated against at school, and she is shown to be responsible for the divorce of her parents by the latter two. Kotoura is then raised by his grandfather and becomes solitary. However, things begin to change when she enters high school and meets Yoshihisa Manabe.
The latter offers her his friendship and promises to never abandon her regardless of their differences. He helps her become sociable again and makes three new friends: Yuriko Mifune, Daichi Muroto, and Hiyori Moritani, with whom she forms the PES club in high school.
Who is an ESPer: The protagonist of this story is an ESPer and while there is very little action here, this romantic comedy is very endearing and wholesome, with lots of humor and a very sweet and likable plot. We decided to wrap this up with a lighter title to show that ESPer characters can appear in all shapes and sizes and in various anime series.
