Are you a fan of thrilling mysteries and edge-of-your-seat suspense? If so, you’ll love our list of the best mystery anime series.
Whether you prefer your mysteries with a dash of romance or a helping of action, you’ll find something to love on this list of the most popular mystery anime series. So put on your detective hat and join us as we countdown the best mystery anime series of all time!
28/28
Vampire Knight
Vampire Knight is a supernatural romance anime series that follows the story of Yuuki Cross, a high school student who is a member of the Day Class and the Night Class at Cross Academy, a school that is home to both humans and vampires.
As Yuuki navigates the challenges and dangers of her dual roles, including rivalries between the Day Class and the Night Class, the threat of vampire hunters, and the complex and often volatile relationships of those around her, she must also confront the secrets of her own past and the true nature of her feelings for two of her classmates, Zero Kiryu and Kaname Kuran.
27/28
Great Pretender
Great Pretender is a crime drama anime series that follows the story of Makoto Edamura, a con artist who becomes involved in a series of international scams and schemes, and his partners and rivals, including Laurent Thierry, a wealthy and sophisticated swindler, and Abigail Jones, a FBI agent who is investigating the scams.
As Makoto and his associates navigate the challenges and dangers of their profession, including powerful and dangerous foes, complex and elaborate schemes, and their own personal motivations, they must also confront the secrets of their own pasts and the true nature of their relationships.
26/28
Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers
Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers is a fantasy anime series that follows the story of Adlet Mayer, a self-proclaimed “strongest man in the world,” who is chosen to be one of the “Braves of the Six Flowers,” a group of heroes who are chosen by the gods to defeat the demon god and save the world.
When Adlet and the other Braves are betrayed and become suspects in a murder, they must work together to uncover the truth and clear their names, while also facing the challenges and dangers of their mission and the secrets of their own pasts.
25/28
Ergo Proxy
Ergo Proxy is a science fiction anime series that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has retreated into domed cities to escape the dangers of the outside world. The series follows the story of Re-l Mayer, an inspector who is tasked with investigating a series of strange events in the city of Romdo, and Vincent Law, a mysterious stranger who is connected to the events and possesses special abilities.
As Re-l and Vincent navigate the challenges and dangers of the city and the outside world, including powerful organizations, dangerous mutants, and their own inner demons, they must also confront the secrets of their own pasts and the true nature of the world they live in.
24/28
Serial Experiments Lain
Serial Experiments Lain is an anime series about a young girl named Lain Iwakura who becomes interested in the concept of the “Wired,” a global network that connects people’s minds and allows them to share information and experiences.
As Lain becomes more immersed in the Wired and investigates its mysteries and dangers, she begins to experience strange occurrences and confront the blurred lines between reality and the virtual world. The series combines elements of drama, mystery, and science fiction as it explores themes of identity, consciousness, and the human desire for connection and understanding.
23/28
K
K is a supernatural anime series that follows the story of Yashiro Isana, a high school student who is accused of murder and becomes embroiled in a conflict between rival clans of powerful individuals known as “Kings,” who possess special abilities and are locked in a struggle for power.
As Yashiro tries to clear his name and uncover the truth behind the murder, he becomes allied with and opposed by a variety of Kings, including a swordsman, a teleporter, and a manipulator of memories, and must also confront the secrets of his own past and the true nature of his own abilities.
22/28
Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches
Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches is a romantic comedy anime series that follows the story of Ryuu Yamada, a delinquent who is transformed into a studious and hardworking student after he accidentally kisses a classmate, and discovers that he has the ability to switch bodies with anyone he kisses.
As Ryuu and his classmate, Urara Shiraishi, try to uncover the secrets of their abilities and the mystery of the Seven Witches, they must also navigate the challenges and complexities of their own relationship and the relationships of those around them.
21/28
From the New World
From the New World is an anime series set in a distant future where humanity has evolved to possess psychic powers and lives in a utopian society where conflict and crime are virtually nonexistent.
The main character, Saki Watanabe, is a young girl who has just gained her powers and is about to start her education at Sage Academy, a prestigious school for psychic children. As Saki and her friends learn about their powers and the history of their society, they begin to uncover dark secrets and the true nature of their world, and must confront the challenges and dangers that come with this knowledge. The series combines elements of drama, mystery, and science fiction as it explores themes of identity, society, and the human desire for knowledge.
20/28
When They Cry
When They Cry is a horror anime series that is based on the popular visual novel franchise of the same name. The series follows the story of a group of high school students who become trapped in a small village and are forced to participate in a deadly game, in which they must uncover the secrets of the village and survive the terror that lurks within it.
As the students navigate the challenges and dangers of the game, they must also confront their own motivations, secrets, and weaknesses, and navigate the complex and often volatile relationships of those around them.Â
19/28
Mushi-Shi
Mushi-Shi is a supernatural anime series that follows the story of Ginko, a Mushi Master who travels the countryside and helps people who are affected by Mushi, mysterious and often harmful beings that exist on the border between the natural and the supernatural.
As Ginko encounters a variety of Mushi and the people they affect, he must also confront his own past and the secrets of the Mushi world, and navigate the complex and often volatile relationships of those around him.
18/28
Tower of God
Tower of God is a fantasy anime series that is based on the popular Korean webtoon of the same name. The series follows the story of Baam, a young man who becomes embroiled in a quest to climb the Tower, a mysterious and magical structure that is home to a variety of powerful beings and is said to grant the wishes of those who reach the top.
As Baam embarks on his journey, he meets a diverse cast of characters, including a swordsman, a princess, and a gambler, and must confront the challenges and dangers of the Tower, including powerful foes, treacherous allies, and his own inner demons. Along the way, he also discovers the secrets of his own past and the true nature of the Tower, and must grapple with the weight of his own choices and the consequences of his actions.
17/28
Baccano!
Baccano! is a historical fantasy anime series that takes place in the 1930s and follows the story of a diverse cast of characters who are connected by a series of events, including a series of train robberies, the discovery of an immortality elixir, and the machinations of a secret society.
As the characters navigate the challenges and dangers of their respective worlds, including rival gangs, dangerous criminals, and supernatural threats, they must also confront their own motivations, secrets, and weaknesses, and navigate the complex and often volatile relationships of those around them.Â
16/28
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is an anime series about a high school student named Kyon who is drawn into a strange and mysterious world by his classmate, Haruhi Suzumiya, a girl with extraordinary abilities and a desire to find the extraordinary in the mundane.Â
As Kyon and the other members of the SOS Brigade, a club founded by Haruhi, investigate supernatural and paranormal phenomena and deal with the challenges of Haruhi’s eccentric and unpredictable behavior, Kyon must also confront his own feelings for Haruhi and the true nature of her powers. The series combines elements of comedy, drama, and supernatural as it explores themes of friendship, identity, and the human desire for purpose.
15/28
Black Bullet
Black Bullet is an anime series set in a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction due to a deadly virus that turns people into monsters called “Gastrea.”
The main character, Rentaro Satomi, is a young man who works as a civil officer and fights against the Gastrea using his powers as a “Promoter,” a human who has a special bond with a “Curse,” a weapon that can transform into different forms. Along with his partner, a young girl named Enju, Rentaro battles the Gastrea and confronts the challenges of being a Promoter in a society that treats them as outcasts. The series combines elements of action, drama, and science fiction as it explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and the human desire for survival.
14/28
Danganronpa: The Animation
Danganronpa: The Animation is a psychological thriller anime series that is based on the popular video game franchise of the same name. The series follows the story of a group of high school students who are trapped in a school and forced to participate in a deadly game, in which they must kill one of their own in order to graduate and escape.
As the students navigate the challenges and dangers of the game, they must also confront their own motivations, secrets, and weaknesses, and navigate the complex and often volatile relationships of those around them.
13/28
Darker than Black
Darker Than Black is an anime series set in a world where people with supernatural abilities, known as “Contractors,” are forced to work for various organizations and governments.
The main character, Hei, is a Contractor who works as a spy and assassin for the Syndicate, a secret organization, and uses his powers to manipulate electricity to carry out missions and fight against other Contractors. As he navigates the complex and dangerous world of the Contractors and confronts the consequences of his actions, Hei must also grapple with the mysteries of his past and the true nature of his powers. The series combines elements of action, drama, and science fiction as it explores themes of identity, morality, and the human desire for power.
12/28
Monster
Monster is a psychological thriller anime series that follows the story of Dr. Kenzou Tenma, a brilliant neurosurgeon who is faced with a moral dilemma when he is asked to choose between saving the life of a young boy or a powerful politician. When the politician dies and the boy survives, Tenma becomes the target of a conspiracy and goes on the run, trying to clear his name and uncover the truth behind the events.
As Tenma travels across Europe and confronts a variety of challenges, including rival doctors, corrupt officials, and dangerous criminals, he must also grapple with the weight of his own actions and the consequences of his choices, and come to terms with his own past and the darkness within himself.Â
11/28
Terror in Resonance
Terror in Resonance is a psychological thriller anime series that follows the story of two young terrorists, Twelve and Nine, who stage a series of bombings in Tokyo and release cryptic messages online, challenging the authorities and the public to try and stop them.
As the police and the public race to uncover the identities and motives of the terrorists, the story also explores the backstories and relationships of the main characters, including their connections to a mysterious organization and a young girl named Lisa Mishima.
10/28
Black Butler
Black Butler is a supernatural anime series that follows the story of Ciel Phantomhive, a young and wealthy aristocrat who is the head of the Phantomhive household and the queen’s watchdog, and Sebastian Michaelis, his loyal and impeccably skilled butler, who is secretly a demon bound to serve Ciel.
As Ciel and Sebastian navigate the challenges and dangers of their roles, including solving crimes, fighting supernatural threats, and dealing with rival nobles, they must also confront the secrets of their own pasts and the true nature of their relationship.
9/28
Bungo Stray Dogs
Bungo Stray Dogs is a supernatural anime series that follows the story of Atsushi Nakajima, a young man who is kicked out of his orphanage and left on the streets, and Osamu Dazai, a suave and enigmatic detective who is a member of the Armed Detective Agency, a group of powerful individuals who possess special abilities and use them to solve crimes and protect the city.
As Atsushi becomes involved with the Agency and its battles against rival groups and dangerous criminals, he must also confront the secrets of his own past and the true nature of his abilities, and navigate the complex and often volatile relationships of those around him.Â
8/28
Made in Abyss
Made in Abyss is an anime series about a young girl named Riko who is an orphan living in the city of Orth and dreams of becoming a Cave Raider like her mother, who disappeared in the mysterious Abyss, a vast and unexplored chasm that contains ancient artifacts and mysterious creatures.Â
When Riko finds a robot boy named Reg who has fallen from the Abyss, she sets out on a journey to the bottom of the Abyss to find her mother and uncover the secrets of the mysterious chasm. As they descend deeper into the Abyss and confront the dangers and mysteries within, Riko and Reg must also grapple with their own emotions and the bonds of friendship and love that hold them together. The series combines elements of adventure, drama, and fantasy as it explores themes of friendship, determination, and the human desire for knowledge.
7/28
Hyouka
Hyouka is a mystery anime series that follows the story of Oreki Houtarou, a high school student who is a member of the Classics Club, a group of students who are passionate about literature and historical artifacts. When a classmate named Chitanda Eru joins the club and inspires Oreki to become more involved in its activities, he finds himself drawn into a series of complex and intriguing mysteries, including the disappearance of a club member, the secrets of a school festival, and the mystery of an old film.
As Oreki and Chitanda work together to solve the mysteries and uncover the secrets of the past, they must also confront their own motivations and limitations, and navigate the complex and often volatile relationships of those around them.
6/28
Bakemonogatari
Bakemonogatari is a supernatural anime series that follows the story of Koyomi Araragi, a high school student who is turned into a vampire after a chance encounter with a mysterious girl named Hitagi Senjougahara. As Koyomi struggles to come to terms with his new condition and the challenges it presents, he becomes embroiled in a series of supernatural cases and encounters a variety of strange and otherworldly beings, including a surly cat spirit, a vengeful crab spirit, and a ghostly classmate.
With the help of his friend Tsubasa Hanekawa and a cast of eccentric characters, Koyomi must confront the darkness within himself and the dangers that threaten those around him, and navigate the complex and often volatile relationships of those in his life.
5/28
Durarara!!
Durarara!! is a urban fantasy anime series that takes place in the bustling and chaotic city of Ikebukuro, where a diverse cast of characters intersect and become involved in a series of strange and dangerous events. The story follows Mikado Ryuugamine, a young man who moves to the city and becomes drawn into the world of the “Dollars,” a mysterious and powerful gang, and his friend Masaomi Kida, who tries to protect him from the dangers of the city.
As Mikado and Masaomi navigate the complexities of life in Ikebukuro, they encounter a variety of eccentric and dangerous characters, including a headless motorcyclist, a teenage doctor, and a powerful information broker, and become embroiled in a web of intrigue, betrayal, and supernatural threats.
4/28
Kakegurui
Kakegurui is a psychological anime series that takes place at the prestigious Hyakkaou Private Academy, where students are ranked by their ability to gamble and win in high-stakes games of chance and skill. The story follows Yumeko Jabami, a transfer student who arrives at the school and quickly becomes embroiled in the cutthroat world of gambling, and Ryota Suzui, a former classmate who is drawn into her orbit and becomes her ally and rival.
As Yumeko and Ryota face off against the school’s most elite and manipulative gamblers, including the Student Council and its president, Kirari Momobami, they must also confront their own demons and motivations, and navigate the complex and dangerous world of high-stakes gambling.
3/28
Another
Another is a horror anime series that follows the story of Kousei Arima, a high school student who is still grieving the loss of his mother, a famous pianist, and struggling to come to terms with his own musical talent. When he is transferred to a new school, he becomes drawn into a series of mysterious and sinister events that seem to revolve around a classmate named Mei Misaki, who is believed to be cursed and is avoided by the rest of the class.
As Kousei and Mei become closer and try to unravel the mystery of the curse, they must also confront their own dark pasts and the supernatural forces that threaten them, and grapple with the weight of their own choices and the consequences of their actions.
2/28
The Promised Neverland
The Promised Neverland is an anime series about a group of orphaned children who live at an idyllic orphanage called Grace Field House.
When they discover the dark truth about their lives and the fate that awaits them, the children, led by Emma, set out on a mission to escape and find the “Promised Neverland,” a place where they can live free and safe. As they confront obstacles and betrayal on their journey, the children must also grapple with the moral implications of their actions and the bonds of love and friendship that hold them together. The series combines elements of action, drama, and mystery as it explores themes of survival, loyalty, and the human desire for freedom.
1/28
ERASED
ERASED is a psychological thriller anime series that follows the story of Satoru Fujinuma, a young man with the ability to “erase” time and transport himself back a few minutes before a tragedy occurs, allowing him to prevent it from happening. When his mother is murdered and he is falsely accused of the crime, Satoru is forced to use his power to travel back 18 years to when he was a grade school student, in an effort to uncover the truth about the murder and prevent it from occurring.
As he navigates his childhood self through the challenges and mysteries of the past, Satoru must confront his own troubled history and the demons of his present, and come to terms with the weight of his abilities and the consequences of his actions.
