This New Anime That Inspired 'Squid Game' Is the Best Psychological Thriller of 2026

Hwang Dong-hyuk, creator of Squid Game, said that he was inspired by the manga Liar Game when crafting his story about the lust for money and human greed.

A new anime title based on the cult manga premiered in 2026. Unlike its Korean counterpart, the anime avoids violence and gore, focusing instead on psychology, strategy, and mathematics.

From Madhouse, the studio behind Death Note, the title invites viewers to immerse themselves in a world where every move could be their last and where truth and lies shift at breakneck speed.

What Is 'Liar Game' About?

The story centers on a girl named Kanzaki Nao. Her name means "honest," and she has never lied and is incapable of doing so. One day, she receives a strange box containing an invitation to participate in the Liar Game.

Inside is 100,000 yen. The rules are simple: keep your money, or take your opponent's money by any means necessary – deception, manipulation, or cunning. Whoever loses their money loses the game and owes the organizers the same amount.

Nao's opponent in the first round is her teacher, whom she trusts implicitly. After discovering that he deceived her, Nao decides to take a lawyer's advice: "Con men are best understood by other con men." She turns to Shinichi Akiyama, a notorious con man.

'Liar Game' Offers Madhouse's Signature Style and Tension Without the Bloodshed

The anime was created by Madhouse, the studio behind iconic works such as Death Note and Parasyte: The Maxim – Liar Game largely continues this tradition. It has a calm, ascetic, and clinically cold style with a muted gray-blue palette and occasional flashes of color illustrating money and moments of deception.

The lack of typical anime stylization gives the anime a simple look, but this creates a slightly unpleasant and disturbing atmosphere. Unlike most modern anime, there is no murder, blood, fighting, or monsters.

Liar Game is a true psychological thriller in which understanding game theory, making mathematical calculations, and reading opponents' minds are key.

'Liar Game' Is a Tense Psychological Thriller That Will Keep You Hooked Until the Very Finale

Liar Game is more than just an entertaining show, it's a moral lesson about the importance of trust and the many lies that surround us today.

Even the manga's author, Shinobu Kaitani, noted that these are key questions for him: where is the line between being pure, like the kind and humane Nao, and understanding this world, accepting its cruel rules, and joining the game, like Akiyama?

If you love Death Note or other stories where intellect and psychology are more important than brute force, Liar Game is your perfect choice.

What Did Viewers Think of 'Liar Game'?

• On IMDb, Liar Game has a score of 7.2/10.

Where to Watch 'Liar Game'?

Liar Game is available to stream on Crunchyroll.