Monogatari Series

You might like Re:Zero.

Golden Kamuy

Legend of Galactic Heroes

Madoka Magica

I mean...that's very subjective, but Fruits Basket (2019) has some of the best characterization I've seen in an anime. Don't be fooled by it - it gets extremely dark in parts.

mushoku tensei jobless reincarnation is a phenomenal anime I would highly recommend it's an iseikai where the MC has to grow out of his fears/ problems from his old life (and the side characters have so amazing growth as well)

Gundam (OG, Zeta, ZZ, and CCA)

Vinland Saga

planetes

Nana, you are welcome.

Bungou Stray Dogs

Tomodachi game.

• Monster
• Orb
• The Dangers in my heart
• Gurren Laggen

Sonny Boy

Talentless Nana

Not really a thriller but Kaleido Star has awesome character development

I always thought 12 kingdoms had good character development.

Monogatari series. Amazing development, amazing art, amazing atmosphere, amazing everything

{Hunter X Hunter 2011}, {Steins;gate}, {Fmab}, {Shingeki no Kyojin}, {Vinland Saga}.

AOT

Ranking of Kings has probably some of the best character development in recent anime.

One piece

Houseki no Kuni
Katanagatari
Princess Connect! Re:Dive

Not a hidden gem but Mob Psycho 100 has amazingly well done character development.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica is amazing with great character development. Don’t forget to watch movie 3 rebellion after the series. Also not a hidden gem.

Parasyte the Maxim has some good character development in the main character. Not really a hidden gem either.

You’ve probably seen it but Hunter x Hunter has amazing character development in the antagonist of the Chimera Ant arc.

I apologize that I can’t recall any actual hidden gems at the moment.

Yona of the dawn

Bleach

Monogatari Series

Tatami Galaxy

Planet With

Mawaru Penguindrum

Ping Pong the Animation

Ghost in the Shell

Katanagatari

What exactly do you mean by "story driven"? By my understanding, most of the shows you listed are character driven

Furuba and dai no daibouken

86

Gurren Lagann. The MC goes through a ridiculous amount of development

Someone please tell me that Araragi changes from being the pushover he is in Bakemonogatari. I can't stand someone who is friendly towards someone who lied and tried to kill you.

FINALLY!! Yes, to me Araragi is bar none the most well written and nuanced character in the story and I have written pages and pages of analysis for him that I aim to make into a video script. Bottom line is that there is a reason most arcs in the series are narrated by him.

Underrated? I think people mostly agree that his character development is amazing, if not the best in the series (though I prefer Hanekawa and Nadeko's arcs).

New season uwhaaaa??

That became really clear to me during the final season, everything was setting up for Araragi's growth at the end of owari, its just so well written. I had to look back at the series as a whole after owari and it changed my view on so much, mainly because Araragi throughout Bake and 2nd season had his character shown on the sidelines while highlighting the characters of the other Monogatari girls, so i never thought he would have gotten perhaps my favorite character arc in the monogatari series

When I think of character development in anime, I think of {The Twelve Kingdoms}, {Yona of the Dawn} and {Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit}

Thanks! Both Yona and The Twelve Kingdoms have amazing characters development, but they’re both a slow burn (in terms of character development) at first, so be patient with them. It’s worth it

Have you watched Shingurui before? The anime only adapted half of the manga's content. Its story center around two samurai, their characters probably didn't "develop" much, but through the story we get to understand them better (I think the female protagonist has more character development). A very gore and violent anime/manga, highly recommend though.

Edit: just to clarify what I meant protagonists have little character development. The theme of the manga is using a story to convey their contrast personality/idealogy, so imo their characters develop very little in that aspect. But they get to experience a lot of wild stuff and able to keep my interest throughout the whole read.

Vinland Saga is a grand masterpiece of character.

Planetes is the author's previous work that is smaller in scope but still achieves insane results.

He really is amazing at telling stories where characters seek and find true change of self.

And don't forget the manga continuation. One of the best things I've watched/read.

BANG! a masterpiece of an anime! i could use a rewatch of this

this show was sooo good. i can’t wait for season 2 if ever. plus the character are all cuties

Really good. It is a little bit lower on the large ace pilot action, and focuses more on a Zeon pilot on a spy mission to try to stop the main character from the original series from getting a new prototype Gundam, and some random kid decides to come along and gets PTSD. The ending is really sad.

War in the pocket is an OVA. If you don’t mind not having all the background lore, it will still be fun. And bc it’s Gundam, character development still slaps.

Every protagonist in the original 3 Gundam series. Between Amuro, Kamille and Judau - you experience PEAK character development in all of anime.

But it’s Gundam, so unless you’re ready for some heavy ass dialogue, a lot of world building and lots of thinking - then don’t bother lol

Try the Monogatari series

Natsume Yuujinchou

Turn A Gundam

Actually most mecha shows have what you are looking for.

Aishiteruze Baby 

Akatsuki no Yona 

Ghost Hound 

Fantastic children 

Kemono no Souja Erin 

Please Save My Earth 

Shiki

Shion no Ou 

Tasogare Otome x Amnesia 

Wolf'rain 

Anime movies: A Silent Voice,  A Whisker away, Sakasama no Patema,  Tokyo Godfathers,  Grave of the fireflies and Wolf children 

3-gatsu no Lion

Fruits Basket

Orb: On the movements of the earth

Vinland Saga