Anime is always famous for its variety of genres, from popular Science Fiction and Fantasy to less popular Horror or Drama. As anime goes global, filmmakers are constantly looking for new storylines to attract audiences and avoid repetition.
However, one booming genre that is rarely officially listed is True Crime, which has always appealed to lovers of the macabre and gloom. Although no anime is 100% based on true crimes, there are many series that excellently explore themes of crime, mystery, and psychological horror.
Below are 7 perfect anime titles for fans of this genre.
7) Moriarty the Patriot
This series brings a completely new and unique view of the Sherlock Holmes universe by flipping the central role to the classic villain: William James Moriarty. Set in Victorian England filled with class division and injustice, Moriarty is no ordinary criminal.
He is a “Crime Lord” with a superhuman intellect who uses elaborate plots and crimes as a means to destroy corrupt social systems from within, with a strong belief that his noble purpose justifies every action.
6) Durarara!!
Detailed summary: The story takes place in Tokyo’s dynamic and chaotic Ikebukuro neighborhood, where anything can happen. Durarara!! is a complex and colorful picture that intertwines the lives of a series of characters with their own secrets: from a new transfer student (Mikado Ryuugamine) trying to fit in, rival street gangs (Dollars and Yellow Scarves), a cunning information broker, to a mysterious headless urban legend riding a black motorbike. The film is a unique blend of organized crime, supernatural and fast-paced urban drama.
5) ID: Invaded
Belonging to the science fiction genre combined with psychological detective, ID: Invaded introduces Akihito Narihisago (also known as Sakaido), a famous former detective serving a sentence for murder. To regain his freedom, he was forced to work for the Kura special unit.
His job is to use advanced technology to “dive” into the “ID well”—the unconscious mind—of serial killers. Sakaido’s mission is to collect clues from the depths of criminals’ souls to solve cases from the inside, turning this into an extremely intense intellectual adventure.
4) Psycho-Pass
Set in a futuristic Japanese society where the government uses the Sibyl System to evaluate and control citizens. This system can measure and predict a person’s propensity to commit crimes through the “Crime Coefficient”.
The story follows Akane Tsunemori, a new Inspector of the Ministry of Public Security, who quickly realizes the arbitrariness and hypocrisy hidden under Sibyl’s perfect facade, as she must hunt down individuals at high risk of committing crimes, raising big questions about personal freedom and justice.
3) Odd Taxi
Behind the adorable appearance with anthropomorphic graphics, Odd Taxi is a slow and extremely intelligent mystery film. The central character is Odokawa, a quiet walrus taxi driver. Through seemingly innocuous conversations with customers, from K-Pop idols, college students to a broker… all are gradually strung together into a complex web revolving around the mysterious disappearance of a female high school student. The film is a slow puzzle, connecting many seemingly unrelated lives.
2) Death Note
Genius student Light Yagami finds the Death Note of the God of Death (Shinigami), which allows him to kill anyone simply by writing their name in it. Tempted by the power, Light decides to use it to purge criminals, declaring himself “Kira” (Lord) of the new world. The film is a classic battle of wits between Light and the anonymous genius detective L, revolving around the boundaries of morality, justice, and a person’s power complex.
1) Monsters
Considered anime’s masterpiece of psychological horror and realistic crime, Monster doesn’t need supernatural elements or action to create tension. The story begins when Doctor Kenzo Tenman, a talented surgeon, decides to save the life of a young boy instead of the mayor.
Years later, that boy (Johan Liebert) became a cold, inhumane serial killer. Kenzo must give up everything, live in a wanted situation to find Johan and atone for his “mistake”, facing the core question: Can human nature change? Are monsters created or born?
