Detective anime offers a thrilling combination of mystery, suspense, and sharp minds that keep viewers engaged. Whether it’s solving complex crimes, uncovering hidden truths, or catching criminals with clever deductions, detective anime is full of intriguing plots and brilliant characters. Here’s a list of the top 20 best detective anime that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
20. Detective Conan (Case Closed)
Year: 1996 Genres: Mystery, Crime, Drama
A classic in the detective anime genre, Detective Conan follows Shinichi Kudo, a brilliant teen detective who is transformed into a child after being poisoned. Under the alias Conan Edogawa, he continues to solve complex cases while trying to uncover the truth behind the organization that caused his transformation.
19. Death Note
Year: 2006 Genres: Psychological, Thriller, Supernatural
While not a traditional detective anime, Death Note revolves around a deadly cat-and-mouse game between the genius detective L and Light Yagami, a high school student who gains a supernatural notebook that allows him to kill anyone whose name he writes in it. The intense battle of wits is both thrilling and intellectually stimulating.
18. Monster
Year: 2004 Genres: Thriller, Psychological, Mystery Monster follows Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a neurosurgeon who saves the life of a young boy who grows up to become a monstrous killer. The series delves into moral dilemmas and the search for a mysterious murderer. It’s a dark and intricate psychological thriller with a deep sense of mystery.
17. Psycho-Pass
Year: 2012 Genres: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Crime
Set in a future where people’s mental states and likelihood of committing crimes are measured by a system called the Sibyl System, Psycho-Pass follows rookie inspector Akane Tsunemori as she works with enforcers to track down criminals. It explores themes of justice, morality, and control in a dystopian society.
16. Sherlock Holmes
Year: 1984 Genres: Mystery, Crime
This adaptation of the classic Sherlock Holmes stories features the famous detective and his companion, Dr. Watson, as they solve intricate crimes in Victorian England. The clever writing and character development stay true to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original work while adding a fresh anime twist.
15. Great Pretender
Year: 2020 Genres: Mystery, Comedy, Crime
This stylish anime follows the story of Makoto Edamura, a con artist who gets caught up in the world of high-stakes heists. While not a traditional detective anime, the series involves plenty of clever schemes, mysteries, and intense plot twists as the characters go after international criminals.
14. Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo (The Kindaichi Case Files)
Year: 1997 Genres: Mystery, Crime, Thriller
The series features Hajime Kindaichi, a high school student with an uncanny ability to solve mysteries, as he becomes involved in various cases that are often based on classic whodunits. The show is full of suspense and intricate plots that keep the audience guessing.
13. Baccano!
Year: 2007 Genres: Action, Mystery, Supernatural
Set in the 1930s, Baccano! follows multiple storylines involving gangsters, immortals, and detectives trying to solve the mystery of a missing immortality elixir. The series is fast-paced, full of twists and turns, and features a diverse set of characters that all have their own part to play in the unfolding mystery.
12. The Perfect Insider
Year: 2015 Genres: Mystery, Psychological, Thriller
In this anime, a group of university students and a genius professor are trapped in a secluded island, where a murder mystery begins to unfold. The mystery is complex, and the characters’ intellects are tested to the limit as they try to figure out who the killer is and how the crime was committed.
11. Hyouka
Year: 2012 Genres: Mystery, Slice of Life, Drama
Hyouka follows Oreki Houtarou, a high school student who is forced to join the Classics Club and investigate a series of seemingly trivial mysteries. The series is lighthearted and focuses on solving small but intriguing mysteries with a subtle and intellectual approach.
10. Kara no Kyoukai (The Garden of Sinners)
Year: 2007 Genres: Supernatural, Mystery, Psychological The Garden of Sinners features Shiki Ryougi, a girl with the ability to see the true nature of things. Her talent helps her solve mysteries, often involving supernatural occurrences and complex murders. The dark and intense tone adds to the gripping atmosphere of the series.
09. 91 Days
Year: 2016 Genres: Mystery, Crime, Drama
Set during the Prohibition era in the United States, 91 Days follows Angelo Lagusa as he seeks revenge against the Mafia family that killed his parents. While it’s not a traditional detective anime, the series involves investigating crime syndicates, uncovering secrets, and solving mysteries in a gritty, historical setting.
Year: 2018 Genres: Horror, Mystery, Psychological
In Angels of Death, a young girl named Rachel awakens in a strange building and is forced to work with a killer named Zack to escape. As they move through the floors, they uncover dark secrets. The mystery is gradually revealed through their intense interactions and cryptic plot.
07. The Morose Mononokean
Year: 2016 Genres: Supernatural, Mystery, Comedy
This anime follows a high school student who becomes involved in helping lost spirits move on to the afterlife. The detective element comes from the protagonist, Haruitsuki Abeno, who helps spirits solve their lingering issues before they can pass on. It’s a quirky supernatural mystery with a humorous twist.
06. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
Year: 2023 Genres: Zombie, Comedy, Thriller
Although it revolves around zombies, Zom 100 contains elements of investigation and solving mysteries about the outbreak. The protagonist, Akira, must find ways to survive in a post-apocalyptic world while uncovering the truth behind the zombie invasion.
05. Paranoia Agent
Year: 2004 Genres: Psychological, Thriller, Mystery Paranoia Agent follows detectives investigating a series of mysterious attacks by a figure known as “Lil’ Slugger.” As the story unfolds, the detectives uncover deeper, more psychological elements behind the attacks, making it a mind-bending mystery with a strong psychological twist.
04. Nodame Cantabile
Year: 2007 Genres: Romance, Comedy, Music
Although it focuses on music, Nodame Cantabile also includes elements of personal investigation, especially when the characters explore their own strengths and weaknesses. The detective-like investigation of character development is what sets this anime apart.
03. Erased (Boku Dake ga Inai Machi)
Year: 2016 Genres: Mystery, Psychological, Drama Erased follows Satoru Fujinuma, a man who can travel back in time to prevent tragic events. When he is framed for a murder, he travels back to his childhood and must solve the mystery of a serial killer before it’s too late. The plot keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as Satoru uncovers secrets from his past.
Year: 2014 Genres: Supernatural, Mystery, Psychological Tokyo Ghoul centers around Ken Kaneki, who becomes a half-ghoul after a near-fatal encounter with a ghoul. As he navigates his new life, he must unravel the mysteries surrounding the ghouls and their society while struggling with his identity. The detective aspect arises from Kaneki’s attempts to uncover the truth behind the ghoul world.
01. Future Diary (Mirai Nikki)
Year: 2011 Genres: Psychological, Thriller, Mystery
In Future Diary, a group of people is given diaries that allow them to predict the future. The participants must outwit and eliminate each other to become the last survivor. The constant unraveling of clues and strategies between characters offers a thrilling mystery as the plot unfolds.
Detective anime brings out the best in intellectual storytelling, mystery, and suspense. Whether you’re following a traditional investigator or dealing with supernatural forces, these shows provide endless thrills and mysteries to solve. If you’re a fan of clever deductions, intriguing plots, and intense suspense, these 20 detective anime should definitely be on your watchlist!
Dev King is a passionate fan of manga, manhwa, and webtoons, with a love for Korean, Japanese, and Chinese cartoons. Always exploring new worlds and stories, he finds joy in every unique style and plot twist.
