Is all Anime so lighthearted?

[EpsilonVector]

Hello,

I just started exploring Anime with the goal of finding new and unusual story ideas, but having tried a bunch of series/movies from recommendation lists I found online (Planetes, Spirited Away, Last Exile) I discovered them all to be very good-nautred and kind-spirited

Planetes:

Tanabe's naive idealisms about love and goodness

Spirited Away:

A series of good deeds done by the main character eventually helps her save her parents and escape the city

Last Exile:

Very "fun adventure"-like episodes

...and this kinda bums me out. Where are the brooding dystopian settings like the Matrix movies or Blade Runner? Where are the grandiose space operas like the Hyperion novels? Where's the heavily character driven stories like Joss Whedon's stuff?

Am I looking in the wrong place, or is this stuff out there and I just don't know how to look for it?

[LinkSword]

brooding dystopian settings

Texhnolyze
Shigurui
Berserk
Rainbow: The Seven Men from Complex 2 Cell 6
Serial Experiments Lain
Boogiepop Phantom
Kaiba
Now and Then, Here and There
Kaiji

grandiose space operas

Legend of the Galactic Heroes

Where's the heavily character driven stories like Joss Whedon's stuff?

Monster
Tatami Galaxy
Gungrave
Perfect Blue


Shall I keep going...?

[BrainBlow]

Not to mention
-Death Note
-Code Geass
-Baccano
-Chrono Crusade
-Deadman Wonderland
-C: The Money of Soul and Possibility Control,
-Elfen Lied
-Fullmetal Alchemist
-Gantz
-Trigun
etc etc etc
Some of these have comedic elements, but are not "lighthearted".

[greektornado]

I second what the previous posters said. Also i'll add Aoi Bungaku. Based on Japanese novels, it builds a rather heavy atmosphere, and centers around "dramatic" characters. From your post i believe you'd enjoy it.

Mind you that since most anime are aimed for younger audiences (shounen==kid), most try to keep an optimistic side, with hopeful, kindhearted characters. Of course exceptions do exist

[Schizm]

Add Welcome to the NHK! to the list of heavily character-driven stories :)

[sysmibmip]

You will rarely find anime that has absolutely no 'lightherted' bits here and there. But like any other entertainment medium, you may come across 'heavy' anime. Examples;
Grave of the Fireflies
Hellsing

[LinkSword]

^ Those anime are Texhnolyze and Shigurui - especially Shigurui. Ruthlessness made anime.

[JacobM]

Originally Posted by EpsilonVector

...and this kinda bums me out. Where are the brooding dystopian settings like the Matrix movies or Blade Runner? Where are the grandiose space operas like the Hyperion novels? Where's the heavily character driven stories like Joss Whedon's stuff?

Am I looking in the wrong place, or is this stuff out there and I just don't know how to look for it?

you say this now but soon you will just be watching k-on! on loop, trust me.

[Schizm]

Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin is another good example for heavy anime. I haven't seen it yet, but heard so much good things about it. Especially recommendable if you're into movies like 'The Shawshank Redemption'.

[Kenikki]

The characters in Rainbow cry so goddamn much it makes Kaiji look like the most dry-eyed anime ever.