Summary
From classic whodunnits to dramatic world conspiracies, there’s nothing like uncovering a goodanimemystery. The medium is no stranger to these types of stories, but if you’re in the market for a new mystery series to binge, it can be tough to know where to look.
Presented for longtime sleuths and new mystery solvers alike, here are our picks for some of anime’s most engaging capers, as well as where to go if you’re looking to watch them for yourself.
All Streaming service information is correct at the time of writing for the US, and is subject to change.
10The Perfect Insider
The Classic Novel Comes To Life
Based on Hiroshi Mori’s novel Subete Ga ‘F’ Ni Naru, The Perfect Insider has been one of anime’s most beloved hidden gems ever since it first aired back in 2015, as anyone who has seen this classic locked-room mystery series will happily tell you.
The mystery at its core is riveting and contains plenty of twists and turns which we’re loathe to spoil, but if you need a good caper to solve, you can’t go wrong with The Perfect Insider.
9Gosick
Gothic Period Piece With A Mysterious Twist
In the fictional country of Sauville in the 1920s, the students of Saint Marguerite Academy can’t get enough of rumorsand ghost stories.From tales of werewolves to more in depth conspiracies, the entire area is crawling with legends, but some may turn out to be more fact than fiction.
A must-watch for any mystery enthusiast, Gosick weaves an intricate and insidious mystery with elements ofslice of life, drama, romance, and even horror. Trust us, give Gosick a chance and you won’t be disappointed.
8Hyouka
No Mystery Is Too Small
Hyouka is a slice of life anime from the legendary Kyoto Animation, and unfortunately, it’s low-key mysteries and slow pace, combined with a lack of a Western release when it first aired led to a lot of fans passing this adorable mystery series by back in 2012.
Luckily, these days you’ll find Kyoto Animation’s Hyouka is easily accessible on Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime, and while it might not have the hi-stakes murder cases of some other mystery series out there, the delightful characters and gorgeous animation make it worth watching if you’re looking for a more lo-fi mystery to solve.
7Kubikiri Cycle
If You Like Monogatari, You’ll Love This
Based on the work of Monogatari series author Nisio Isin, Kubikiri Cycle’s dense and convoluted murder mystery is one we recommend for anyone who finished the Monogatari series and found themselves craving more.
Featuring a delightfully difficult mystery and a truly unique cast of characters, Kubikiri Cycle is one mystery we guarantee will stump even the most devout mystery fans the first tim e around. Unfortunately, Kubikiri Cycle was never licensed for a Western release.
6The Lost Village
A Paranormal Headscratcher
Also known as Mayoiga,this supernatural mysterythriller sees a varied group of people setting off on a bus toward the mysterious Nanaki Village, a place where, supposedly, just about anybody can start over and live out their fantasies of a new and better life.
The only problem is that the legend of Nanaki Village, and what Nanaki Village actually is, are two very different things. If you like psychological mysteries and stories about confronting your inner demons, The Lost Village is your show.
5Heaven’s Memo Pad
It’s The Only NEET Thing To Do
The best mysteries require thinking outside the box, and unfortunately, if you’re looking to experience this mysterious hidden gem about a group of closet detectives, a child genius, and their mystery solving adventures, you’ll have to do just that.
It’s one of the medium’s most interesting mystery shows, especially if you enjoy shows like Hyouka. Heaven’s Memo Pad may not be for everyone, but if it’s for you, it’sreallyfor you.
4Paranoia Agent
Satoshi Kon’s Only TV Series Packs A Mysterious Punch
From the late Satoshi Kon, director of Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers and Paprika, comes a psychological mystery thriller not fit for the feint of heart. For those who can handle the show’s more mature themes and graphic content, Paranoia Agent isan all time great.
When mass hysteria begins to overtake Tokyo in the aftermath of a series of unusual attacks, the hunt for the culprit is on, and the question remains: who is the kid with the golden shoes and golden baseball bat they call Little Slugger? And why do his attacks seem to solve more problems than they cause?
3Erased
Can He Save Her In Time?
If you haven’t already seen Boku Dake Ga Inai Machi, known in English as Erased, now is the time to give the best mystery anime onNetflixa watch. When mysterious circumstances result in pizza delivery boy Satoru traveling to 18 years in the past, he’ll need to race against the clock to save a little girl before history can repeat itself.
Featuring plenty of bread crumbs and spider threads for you to follow if you’re looking to solve the mystery yourself, Erased is a fan favorite anime for a reason, and we can’t recommend it enough.
2Ghost Hunt
Not To Be Confused With Ghosthunters
Ghost Hunt is a bit different compared to most other mysteries out there, since it’s not really a question of ifsomething paranormal is going onin the various locations Shibuya Psychic Research visits, but what kind of haunt it is and what they can do to fix it.
Even so, the mystery element is still very strong here, and despite some aspects of the series (especially its English dub) which haven’t aged the best, we still wholeheartedly recommend Ghost Hunt as one of anime’s finest mystery shows.
1Detective Conan
Anime’s Greatest Detective
Also known as Case Closed in the United States, Detective Conan is one of Japan’s most beloved manga and anime series, featuring a genius mystery-loving teen who gets just a little too close to his case, and as a result, ends up in the odd role of child detective.
Whether you’re watching the latest Conan films, or the classic TV series, mystery lovers young and old will absolutely adore Detective Conan. Conan’s adventures are streaming in some form on practically every streaming service there is, but you’ll find the originalanime serieson Crunchyroll.
