Best Mystery Anime

Who doesn’t love a good mystery anime? Watching all the pieces of a puzzle come together can make even the average anime viewer feel like Sherlock Hound by the end of a series.

Mystery plots either come in two forms — well-crafted masterpieces or sloppily constructed misadventures where the ending is far too obvious. Fortunately, Japanese animators and storytellers seem to have a knack for tackling the genre with grace and style. Let’s take a look at the best mystery anime on the market.

Updated April 13, 2024 by Mark Sammut: While not overflowing with options, the Spring 2024 anime season has a few stories that cater to mystery fans.

Exciting Mystery Anime Of Spring 2024

Spring 2024 is underway, and the season has a couple of options for mystery fans. As always, the genre’s selection is fairly limited, but the qualifying series merit some excitement. Mysterious Disappearances has had an OK opening episode and will hopefully grow into something special. What are Spring 2024’s two other notable mystery anime​​​​​​?

Train To The End Of The World

Although mystery stories are generally associated with whodunits, these are ultimately only a small part of the equation. Train to the End of the World might not be a “traditional” mystery, but the original anime is shaping up to be a quirky and charming entry into the genre. Set in a world twisted by 7G, the story follows four girls as they leave their remote village and head out on an adventure to find a missing friend. Fortunately, they have access to a train; unfortunately, they are ill-prepared for this journey.

Train to the End of the World brings to life a surreal universe that seems to throw all the rules out of the window, which can be both thrilling and frustrating. So far, the show has been entertaining, and it has raised a few mysteries that will hopefully receive satisfying answers by the time the train stops rolling.

Black Butler: Public School Arc

New Black Butler seasons don’t happen often, but when they do, they are usually great. Even the non-canon season 2 has good moments, despite its release having an overall negative impact on the anime adaptation’s reputation. Spring 2024’s sequel will cover the “Public School Arc,” which lasts roughly 20 chapters in the manga.

At the request of the queen, Ciel and Sebastian infiltrate a school that houses some fairly important children. The students are not only exhibiting strange behavior but are also refusing to leave the school. With a strong hook, well-defined characters, and a fascinating setting, Black Butler: Public School Arc should offer a gripping blend of mystery, action, comedy, and supernatural elements.

Now, let’s get into the best mystery anime of all time…

16 Made In Abyss

MyAnimeList: 8.66 (Season 1)

When someone thinks “mystery,” they might be inclined to imagine whodunits, but those stories only make up a small part of the genre’s scope. Even if it does not feature a case that needs to be cracked, Made in Abyss is completely about the unknown. The anime follows two kids of wildly different origins as they venture down a massive dungeon known as the Abyss, a place that defies logic and explanation. Despite serving as the graveyard for many adventurers, the Abyss has a strange pull that continues to relentlessly attract new victims, many of whom are driven by a desire to uncover the location’s secrets.

Made in Abyss is dark, hauntingly beautiful, and viscerally gory. It is a surreal adventure anime that drops its characters (and audience) into a world they cannot possibly hope to comprehend.

15 Pluto

MyAnimeList: 8.55

An adaptation that seemed destined to never happen for the longest time, Pluto is finally available to watch on Netflix, and the 8-part OVA does a great job of honoring Naoki Urasawa’s source material. A series of murders targeting humans and robots sends the world into chaos, and Gesicht is tasked with solving the case.

Pluto is a very interesting show that tackles common sci-fi themes like human identity in a novel way due to the presentation of its society. The story’s strength lies in its character exploration, particularly Gesicht and Atom. The central case is engaging, but it is not an especially strong mystery.

14 Mononoke

MyAnimeList: 8.42

Mononoke not only features one of the most visually stunning art styles in all of anime but also complex mysteries to work through in each episode. The Medicine Seller must figure out each spirit’s form, truth, and reason before being able to exorcise it with his sword.

The series really digs into the darker parts of human nature with a supernatural backdrop as humans must take terrible actions for vengeful Mononoke to exist in the first place. The revelations of the final episode will leave viewers particularly stunned, so be braced for impact when watching.

13 Undead Murder Farce

MyAnimeList: 7.91

Based on Yuugo Aosaki’s novel series, Undead Murder Farce was Summer 2023’s definitive mystery anime, in the sense that it was the genre’s quintessential representative. In an alternative version of the 19th century, humans live alongside monsters, although the relationship is far from harmonious. Paid to fight creatures by a circus, Tsugaru’s purposeless life is given direction when he meets an immortal woman without a body, and the two agree to go on a journey to find the person responsible for her predicament. Along the way, they decide to take on an array of supernatural-themed cases, starting with the murder of a female vampire.

Aya and Tsugaru have fantastic chemistry, with the former serving as the brains of the operation while the latter acts as the muscle who makes the remark, witty or otherwise. While the anime dedicates its opening episode to setting up the protagonists’ situations and the core mystery, the second episode immediately dives into the first case, and the show does not slow down from that point on.

12 Baccano!

MyAnimeList: 8.36

What does a group of alchemists from 1711 have to do with a transcontinental train in the 1930s? Baccano! follows several seemingly unrelated events while slowly creating a full picture of a much more expansive story. The show is perfect for fans of historical dramas who want a bit of puzzle-solving to go along with their viewing experience.

Based on a light novel that has won several awards, this adaptation is sure to entertain anyone who watches it. The main negative thing about Baccano! is that the anime only covers a very small fraction of the source material, and there is nothing to suggest that a continuation is on the cards. Consequently, while the show is definitely worth watching, it is really just an appetizer for the light novel.

11 Mushi-Shi

MyAnimeList: 8.66 (Season 1)

Ginko is a Mushishi — a person who studies the mysterious entities known as Mushi. The Mushi are almost unknowable entities that are capable of taking on basically any form and seem to lack any human concept of mortality.

Mushi-shi leads fans on Ginko’s journey as he tries to chase down any sightings of the strange creatures and tries to figure out what their existence means both physically and philosophically. Compared to other mystery anime, Mushi-shi moves at a far slower and more relaxed pace, and the show is more of a slice of life than a suspenseful thriller; nevertheless, it is great.

10 The Promised Neverland

MyAnimeList: 8.50 (Season 1)

While not a perfect adaptation of the manga, The Promised Neverland is still a perfect blending of the thriller, psychological, horror, and mystery genres.

Without giving too many spoilers, three children who live in an orphanage slowly learn that being adopted out to a family isn’t what it really seems. With well-written plot twists peppered through the episodes, The Promised Neverland is sure to leave viewers on the edge of their seats. Season 1 is especially strong, telling a well-paced story filled with suspense and mystery. The sequel is a bit more polarizing and rushed.

The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries was one of the best shows of two subsequent years (2023 and 2024), and a sequel has been confirmed. The story follows Maomao, a girl who has learned medicine through her father, as she finds herself unwillingly employed by the Imperial Palace. Initially, she wants to just stay out of trouble so she can leave as soon as possible; however, her inquisitive mind gets the better of her when she hears about a curse afflicting two babies. After solving that mystery, Maomao catches the eye of an eunuch named Jinshi, leading her to take on many different mysteries that plague the Imperial Palace.

The Apothecary Diaries regularly introduces new puzzles to test Maomao’s medical knowledge, and these cases are generally entertaining. However, the anime’s core appeal is its characters and setting rather than its mysteries, most of which are introduced and solved within the same episode without too much fuss. Maomao is a fantastic and charismatic lead who carries the story on her back, although she is generally surrounded by interesting secondary characters.

9 The Garden Of Sinners

MyAnimeList: 7.57

Based on a Type-Moon light novel, The Garden of Sinners is a challenging sit, both thematically and narratively. Consisting of eight movies and some short entries, the series revolves around a detective agency that investigates supernatural-themed cases, although that description makes this story sound much more conventional than it actually is.

Telling its story out of chronological order, The Garden of Sinners is first and foremost a character study, specifically of Shiki Ryougi. An anti-social girl who possesses the ability to see someone’s death lines, Shiki is an enigmatic and compelling figure; she is not necessarily likable, but she is deeply fascinating. The movies weave a tale of suffering, growth, and compromise. Now, it should be said that not every entry is a mesmerizing watch, particularly on initial viewing, but when the series hits the mark, The Garden of Sinners is among the best mystery anime. Paradox Spiral and A Study in Murder – Part 2 are especially strong.

8 Erased

MyAnimeList: 8.30

One of the most well-known mystery anime, Erased gets off to a flying start, and it largely succeeds in maintaining that standard for its most of its run. After suffering a personal tragedy, Satoru suddenly finds himself teleported nearly two decades in the past, where he must investigate the (impending) disappearance of one of his classmates since it directly ties to his future situation.

Erased is a whodunit with a time travel twist, and the anime prioritizes its characters over telling a story packed with turns and complications (although it has those too). Tackling themes like abuse, the story covers some rather challenging ground with maturity and intelligence.

7 Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex

MyAnimeList: 8.42

With Yutaka Maseba of Sailor Moon, Trigun, and Akira fame behind Stand Alone Complex, it’s no wonder it is remembered as one of the best parts of the Ghost in the Shell franchise.

The special police force at Station 9 face a lot of unique enemies but none as challenging to take down as “The Laughing Man.” Watching the team try to play a game of cat and mouse with the mysterious hacker is thrilling right through the end. Combining action, social commentary, and suspense, Stand Alone Complex is the complete package, with both seasons being fantastic.

6 Death Note

MyAnimeList: 8.62

It’s impossible to mention anime in the mystery genre without discussing this masterpiece of psychological anime. Death Note’s signature twists and turns as Light Yagami and L engage in their battle of wits are so intense that even the most seasoned detectives might have a hard time seeing them coming.

What makes the show particularly strong is the limitations placed upon its titular Death Notes making it so that Light must find clever ways to evade them without shortening his own lifespan with L hot on his trail. If even a bag of potato chips can be the ultimate psychological weapon, imagine what else the two come up with.

5 Oddtaxi

MyAnimeList: 8.68

Oddtaxi deserves to be watched by as many people as possible. The lore and mystery that unfolds throughout the series expands beyond the show itself. There are real-life Twitter accounts for characters, a hidden audio drama on YouTube, and even foreshadowing for the series finale in the official music video for the opening song.

Fans will have many opportunities to try and untangle the web of what happens in the show. Just be prepared to still guess wrong in the end.

4 Summer Time Rendering

MyAnimeList: 8.50

One of the best anime of 2022, Summer Time Rendering did not get the attention it deserved during its initial run due to not being readily available on a Western streaming service. Set on a Japanese island, the story follows Shinpei, a teenager who returns home following the death of a close childhood friend. Before long, the protagonist begins to experience unusual phenomena, and he eventually finds himself stuck in a time loop that resets whenever he is killed.

Summer Time Rendering largely sticks to Shinpei’s perspective, who is not only a likable and proactive main character but also has an analytical mind that does not venture into superhuman territory. The anime is expertly paced too, with most episodes concluding with a shocking reveal or powerful moment.

3 The Tatami Galaxy

MyAnimeList: 8.56

Who hasn’t wanted the chance to go back and relive a moment to make their future better? This is the opportunity Watashi is given during his third year of college — a chance to make his miserable life much better by making better choices.

Watching the show unravel how each minor decision Watashi makes changes the alternate timelines he can go through is utterly fascinating and results in a payoff that is sure to leave fans satisfied. With so many intertwining storylines taking place, it might be necessary to take notes to solve the mysteries of the show.

2 Monster

MyAnimeList: 8.87

Is the life of a celebrity worth more than an immigrant worker? How about a small child or a town’s mayor? These are the tough questions asked in Monster where elite neurosurgeon Dr. Kenzou Tenma is forced to make difficult decisions that result in deep traumas and even deeper social intrigue.

When the doctor eventually saves the life of a young kid who grows up to be anything but wholesome, everything turns upside down as the former must try to make up for the mistakes he made in preserving the latter’s life. Brilliantly written and featuring one of the best villains in anime, Monster is a tour-de-force.

1 Owarimonogatari

MyAnimeList: 8.45 (Owarimonogatari Season 1)

While the entire Monogatari series is highly regarded, Owarimonogatari is considered to be the best of them all. Ougi and Koyomi’s adventures trying to discover how and why a classroom exists in a place where it should not is full of twists and turns.

While it helps to have watched the previous parts of the series, it’s not impossible to get a lot out of Owarimonogatari all by itself due to its fantastic writing and storyline. That said, people should really start with Bakemonogatari since the show deserves to be experienced in its entirety.

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