There are very few genres as compelling and captivating as detective stories, that’s why best mystery anime The series is also one of the most memorable series in the medium. While other shows can easily be enjoyed in a more passive way without requiring much attention, these shows often require viewers to become truly invested and find out the truth along with the characters. main object.
The idea of mystery can appear in many different ways, from conventional murder cases in which a detective or reluctant third party is forced to find the culprit, to an atmosphere of mystery. and the overall appeal of worlds where truth always seems to be within reach. Covering every type of mystery the medium has to offer, these are iconic stories that can best be described as strange and puzzling.
10 Overcoming mentality
Psycho-Pass is set in a world defined by the Sibyl System, whose mission is to evaluate Japanese citizens perfectly and objectively, not only assigning them suitable career paths but also tackle crime before it happens, by identifying hidden criminal potential. of people. Those who follow this system and uphold justice are the pair of Inspectors and Enforcers, whose job it is to find and subdue criminals. There are many different intriguing mysteries to solve in this show, from short but intriguing murder cases, to the question that everyone seems to ask, but few have the courage to investigate, itself. the true nature of the Sibyl System.
9 Noise!
Experience watching Baccano! is like solving a puzzle, as seemingly disparate pieces are presented to the viewer, who must somehow put them together and figure out how the events are linked. Despite being set in completely unrelated times and places, different stories are told simultaneously, some revolving around mafia crime drama, while others follow groups of one who seeks to achieve immortality. The unique storytelling and pacing methods allow this title to not only stand out from its peers, but also be recognized as one of the genre’s most engaging and compelling mysteries.
8 Created from the abyss
Mystery titles often involve an element that motivates people to discover the truth behind a situation, such as a crime occurring or a pressing question being raised. Made in Abyss departs significantly from that formula, as the source of its magic is not an event but a place. The Abyss itself is a vast, largely unexplored chasm, believed to be inhabited by ancient creatures and filled with long-lost technology. However, it is also extremely dangerous, which is why so few have taken on the task of investigating it and no one who has reached its depths has returned alive to tell the tale, but Reg and Riko all have their reasons.
7 From the new world
The events of From the New World take place in a world where the sudden awakening of psychic powers in 0.1% of the population leads to regimes of power abuse, violence, and enduring oppression. In an effort to achieve peace, those in power decided to isolate themselves from the rest of humanity. The story mainly takes place around the town of Kamisu 66, which appears to be a utopia where spiritual people live freely, but eventually reveals itself to be more of a dystopia. This complex world is truly mysterious, as much of society’s past is shrouded in mystery and many truths are buried deep beneath the surface.
6 Gosick
Gosick revolves around two students of Saint Marguerite Academy, a luxury boarding school in Southern Europe. One of them is Kazuya Kujou, a student from Japan known as the “Black Death” due to his hair and eye color, and the other is Victorique de Blois, the “Golden Fairy” with a family background. and her childhood made her develop. her intelligence is at an unparalleled level, to the point where she can almost predict the future. After meeting each other by chance, the two are caught up in many cases of inexplicable events, but they always get to the bottom of the truth, because Victorique likes challenges and doesn’t like feeling bored.
5 great pretenders
One of the best original anime titles, Great Pretender is an engaging and entertaining show in which the mystery is often solved not by the characters but by the viewer. The story revolves around Makoto Edamura, Japan’s greatest conman, as he is lured into the world of high-stakes fraud by Laurent Thierry and many associates. Not too different from typical mystery shows, which are often presented as cases, Great Pretender is also separated into different scams, the details and methods of which can sometimes confuse viewers. confusing, but in the end all the details always fall into place, leading to a satisfying reveal.
4 odd taxis
A title that can hardly be compared to any other title of its kind, Odd Taxi took the anime world by storm upon its release, surprising viewers with its original theme and unique atmosphere. The film is about famous taxi driver Hiroshi Odokawa, a “walrus” who, unlike the interesting customers he drives around, lives a mostly peaceful life. At least until he gets caught up in the case of a missing girl. As details about the various characters are gradually revealed and various developments take place, the truth behind everything seems to be at hand, but nothing can prepare viewers for Final reveal.
3 Summer time rendering
The events of Summer Time Rendering take place on a small island that Shinpei Ajiro left to pursue higher education in Tokyo. After returning to his hometown to attend the funeral of Ushio Kofune, his childhood friend who was believed to have drowned while trying to save others, he eventually notices contradictions in the world around him. himself and gets caught up in a plot far more complicated than he is capable of. ever expected. Even with Shinpei’s power to travel back in time and the help of his allies, his mission to learn the truth about the island and keep his friends safe is certainly not easy.
2 Terrifying resonance
A terrorist attack on a Japanese nuclear facility stuns the government as they find themselves unable to find the culprit and prepare for further events. The public remained unaware of this, until six months later, two teenage boys calling themselves “Sphinx” posted a video online, openly challenging the police with riddles and threatening to cause trouble. the destruction and disruption of Tokyo’s peace without causing anything regrettable. any request or disclosure of their reasons. Resonant Terror revolves around the mysterious identities and purposes of Nine and Eleven, the boys behind the Sphinx, as they stand firm in a world where they should not exist.
1 DELETED
ERASED follows Satoru Fujinuma, a man with the ability to travel back in time just before an accident, an ability he often uses to prevent tragedies and save people. However, everything he thought he knew about his powers is challenged when instead of the usual time frame of a few minutes, he is transported 18 years into the past, tasked with finding out the truth behind the kidnapping and murder of one of his men. classmate. Although set in a school, this film is quite mature, expertly portraying themes such as abuse and loneliness. Furthermore, it is not only a good mystery title but also one of the best time travel anime.
Some of the entries on this list are more grounded in nature and follow realistic yet compelling stories, while others lean more towards the supernatural, sometimes even incorporating time loops, seeks to present a mystery that could not exist in any other medium. Either way, what they have in common is that they know exactly when and how to reveal new information, while allowing for new developments, resulting in great pacing and a captivating experience. This is exactly the point best mystery anime showing off the difference from the rest and allowing them to shine.