It’s hard not to love a detectiveanimeshow. Whether the story is spread out across multiple seasons or condensed into alimited series, the thrill of watching the main character and their group solve different mysteries is unmatched.
Admittedly, not all shows in the detective anime genre feature excellent plot structure and well-crafted characters, and that can be disappointing. Fortunately, you may still find anime with a solid narrative and unique mysteries that lean towards the detective genre. Watching any of the anime in this list will keep you on your toes, as it’s almost impossible to predict who the bad guy is until the show’s nearly done.
10Pluto
Excellent Visuals And A Terrific Villain
Released in 2023, Pluto follows the story of seven of the world’s strongest robots and the efforts of Gesicht, a robot detective, in tracking the culprit. The anime stands out for its remarkable character design and introduction of memorable characters, which make the limited series a terrific watch.
From the first murder shown in episode one, it’s difficult to stop watching Pluto as you’ll want to follow the story until the end. The anime features several plot twists and purposefully builds its characters, which makes the anime a great way to spend a lazy weekend. While not on the same level aslegendary villainssuch as Pain and Light from Naruto and Death Note, respectively, Pluto’s villain has the qualities of an unforgettable antagonist.
9Detective Conan
One Of The All-Time Best Police Anime
Many anime series released in the ‘90shave gone on to become cult classics. This includes shows such as Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, and Detective Conan. Also known as Case Closed in some countries, Detective Conan ran for over 1,000 episodes.
From episode one, you get introduced to Shinichi Kudo, a detective who is forced to take on the identity of an elementary school student after some criminals plot to shrink him down in size. With the new name of Conan Edogawa, the protagonist puts his wits to the test and foils the plans of criminals. The anime also leans towards the comical side, so prepare for some laughs along the way.
8B: The Beginning
Mystery Meets The Supernatural
Even in a world where technological advancements abound, an act as old as murder still occurs. Set in a fictional nation of Cremona modeled after an actual Italian city, Keith Flick, a retired investigator, is called back to the field to track down a new serial killer.
While B: The Beginning has all the attributes of a detective anime, it also features supernatural elements as seen in the character called Koku, another protagonist who’s a demi-human with shape-shifting abilities. As expected, the show offers a healthy amount of suspense to keep you entertained.
7Double Decker: Doug & Kirill
Unique Blend Of Humor And Mystery
Double Decker: Doug & Kirill follows the stories of Doug Billingham, an experienced detective, and Kirill Vrubel, a rookie Investigator with too much adrenaline in his soul. Both men race around the clock to put an end to a growing wave of crime caused by the distribution of a new drug called Anthem.
Sold by a criminal organization called Esperanza, Anthem, once taken, can transform the user into a monster with diverse abilities. As expected, this makes the user invulnerable to the police. While this show tackles a serious issue, it also makes time for jokes, as seen in Kirill’s overly playful nature. It’s the perfect dose of mystery and humor.
6Bungou Stray Dogs
An Absolute Must-Watch For Dark Anime Fans
If you’ve been looking for an anime that deals withorganized crime, Bungou Stray Dogs might be right up your alley. The anime introduces you to Atsushi Nakajima and the Armed Detective Agency, a group of people who attempt to solve crimes using their skills and supernatural powers.
Set in the city of Yokohama, the anime brings together supernatural and detective elements, allowing you to enjoy moments of mystery and action-packed scenes. At the end of each episode, you’ll be eager to see what happens next. The anime also has a psychological side, as some characters often face each other in heated battles of intellect.
5Ron Kamonohashi
The Tale Of A Dynamic Duo
Another detective anime that features a crime-solving duo, Ron Kamonohashi, features two protagonists: Totomaru Isshiki, a struggling detective, and Ron Kamonohashi, an outstanding investigator who prefers the life of a hermit. By joining forces with Ron, Totomaru’s detective abilities suddenly improve, and he starts getting praised for his efforts at work, even though Ron is the brains behind the operation.
With each unique mystery that the duo has to solve, Ron’s incredible deductive skills are spotlighted in the best of ways. Although the anime maintains a serious tone as seen in the slew of murder cases that the duo are presented with, you’re able to still get a good laugh now and then.
4Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex
A Perfect Mashup Of Cyberpunk And Anime
If a detective anime that’s set in a cyberpunk kind of world is your jam, then the two seasons of Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex will be a thrilling watch. This police procedural is set in a world where men and machines aren’t so different anymore. People can get chips implanted in their brains, with some even paying for procedures to become human cyborgs.
Major Makoto Kusanagi, Batou, and Togusa, the main characters in the anime, make up a special unit called the Investigation Public Security Section Nine. Throughout the show, the protagonists take on major crimes such as hacking and terrorism. Section Nine’s investigations often put them at loggerheads with other government agencies, highlighting the show’s political undertones.
3Spy X Family
Spot-On Comedy And Action
Based on one of the most popular manga in recent years, Spy X Family is a masterful blend of action and comedy. Unlike other detective anime that feature a lone character or a duo, this one sees a family band together for the sake of a mission.
But here’s the twist: the family isn’t exactly perfect. Along with Yor, an undercover assassin, and Anya, a seemingly naive girl with mind-reading abilities, Twilight, a celebrated spy, attempts to solve the trickiest missions. This anime shines by offering short bursts of action scenes coupled with some well-written mysteries that’ll keep you puzzled till the end.
2Psycho Pass
A Tale Of Authoritarian Policing
Not many animewith cyberpunk vibesmanage to impress viewers the way Psycho Pass does, and that’s a major reason why it’s one of the best shows detective anime fans should check out. In a dystopian future society where citizens’ mental states are constantly monitored to determine the likelihood of them committing crimes, Psycho Pass follows the story of Akane Tsunemori, a young detective in the Public Safety Bureau.
Although the anime delivers major cyberpunk vibes, it also stands out in terms of world-building. You get introduced to several intriguing characters, a handful of criminal cases, and many scenes of stellar detective work that will leave you awed at the end of each episode.
1Death Note
A Flawed Sense Of Justice
While some fans may argue thatDeath Noteis more supernatural than detective, the fact remains that it delivers an overwhelming dose of mystery that will keep you glued from start to finish. What happens when Light Yagami, an intelligent young man, stumbles upon a book that allows him to take out violent criminals by simply writing down their names?
Although Death Note focuses on Light’s seemingly heroic acts with the mysterious note, it also offers adequate screen time to L, a brilliant detective who seeks to uncover Light’s identity. It’s a game of wits, a battle of the brains, and a never-ending sequence of tension for viewers.
