Anime: Any recommendations for other anime that have a similar emotional impact like Elfen lied?

[ModReap]

Um... Code Geass? (And Code Geass R2)

 

[ckam]

Emotional impact, huh?

Now and then, Here and There is a fine choice.

A recent one: Puella Magi Madoka Magica

 

[razuk]

I'd recommend Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien, Ga-Rei: Zero, and H2O: Footprints in the sand.

 

[BNguyen]

another good show would have to be
Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin

it follows six teenage boys and their lives during and after their time spent in a hellish youth prison in the years following Japan's defeat in World War 2

 

[Paragon Fury]

After watching Elfen lied numerous times I always appreciate the sadness, despair and loneliness portrayed by Lucy's life and the set of heart-wrenching events she had to witness and experience.

As a third year psychology student, I can appreciate the complexity of her character by looking at how her childhood and environment shaped the character that she is now. Looking beyond the gore, murderous rage towards those that hurt her and complete rejection of humans, I see a severely troubled soul that have desires revolving around the need to be loved and accepted without persecution.

Anyway, I would appreciate any anime recommendations that have a tremendous emotional impact like Elfen lied or characters similar to Lucy.

Psychology student?

Watch Neon Genesis Evangelion. The original, not the remake, since the original lays into the personal issues a bit heavier.

The entire series is basically the DSMV - IV, animated, and with a few giant robot/monster fights thrown in for good measure. For example, any episode involving Asuka Langley is a good example of Histrionic Personality Disorder, and what not to do with an especially gifted (read: MENSA-level) 12-year old. (Hint: Don't force them to go to school with other children their age but who are far below their intelligence level).

Or watch Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. It deals with a lot of the intelligence and cognition problems psychologists and scientists often argue over.

 

[Ladette]

Fate/Stay Night hasn't been recommended yet, perhaps with good reason. Still it's intresting to see the different characters motives and reasons for their struggles. It's also got a really strong, bittersweet ending.

NGE and Death Note may intrest you, although I didn't really like either.

Grave of the Fireflies makes an emotional impact. Don't watch it more than once though, you'll want to kill yourself.

Monster is supposed to be really good, and it sounds like something you'd really be intrested in.