Mystery anime, known for unpredictable twists and turns and surprising storyline reveals, entice viewers to watch one episode after another. On that note, we've compiled a list of the 15 best mystery anime you should watch to keep you entertained.
In contrast to other anime genres, the mystery genre is one of the most intriguing and exhilarating – keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
Related: The Best Adventure Anime to Watch
Case Closed
Case Closed, commonly known as Detective Conan, is one of the most popular anime series of all time, with over 960 episodes and multiple films to date. It appears that there is no end in sight for this mystery anime, thanks to the excitement of fans all over the world.
The mystery of this anime, coupled with aspects of logical thinking and quick deduction, keeps viewers entertained.
Case Closed, which debuted in 1984, follows an aspiring Sherlock Holmes detective, high school prodigy Shinichi Kudo, as he solves one case after another.
One fateful day, Shinichi is targeted by a criminal gang known as the Black Organization.
In an attempt to kill Shinichi, the Black Organization forced him to ingest a dangerous medicine that – albeit did not kill him – transforms him into a child.
Shinichi solves cases with his romantic interest, Ran Mori, and her father, Kogoro Mori, from episode to episode.
Related: Detective Conan Case Closed Episode 1056 Release Date and Time, COUNTDOWN
Death Note
Death Note is one of the most well-known anime series of all time, with a plot that has spread to many countries around the globe.
Death Note, which has been dubbed in different languages, takes the mystery genre of anime to new heights.
Death Note follows the mysterious and charismatic high schooler Light Yagami as he comes upon a black notebook labeled "Death Note" in class one day.
After acquiring the notebook, Light discovers that the Death Note has the potential to kill anyone whose name is inscribed on its pages.
With the help of the fearsome reaper known as Ryuk, Light ushers in a new era of purity by eradicating all corruption in the world.
Related: Death Note: Are Platinum End Angels The New Version of Shinigami?
Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan, also known as Shingeki no Kyojin, is one of the most popular anime series ever made. Attack on Titan is a hugely successful anime that has spawned a lot of anime seasons, OVAs, live-action adaptations, and a reported film.
It has a cult following that anticipates every piece of the show, whether it is manga or anime.
The mystery behind the humanoid-like giants known as Titans is explored in Attack on Titan. The plot follows Eren Yeager and his friends Mikasa and Armin as they battle the man-eating Titans in order to uncover the truth beyond the walls.
Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo Ghoul is a mystery anime about ghouls, which are grotesque and predatory creatures. Despite the fact that Tokyo Ghoul has been around for a long time, it is still a popular anime that fans like watching over and over.
Tokyo Ghoul tells the story of Ken Kaneki as he becomes embroiled in the realm of carnivorous monsters known as "ghouls".
Ken is a typical high school student at first, but that changes when he gets a chance to date the lovely Rize Kamishiro. After Rize changes into a ghoul and attempts to devour Ken, what appears to be a joyful and enjoyable date becomes disastrous.
The plot then changes to Ken's hardships as he transforms into a one-eyed artificial ghoul.
Related: Tokyo Ghoul: 10 Things You Should Know About Kaneki Ken
Future Diary
Future Diary follows aloof and shy middle schooler Yukiteru Amano and his classmate Yuno Gasai as they become embroiled in a battle royale to become Deus Ex Machina's successors against 10 other contenders.
What began as a simple diary on Yukiteru and Yuno's phones escalates into a complex and deadly life-or-death situation.
Mirai Nikki, or Future Diary, is a psychological thriller that combines mystery, action, supernatural, and suspense genres.
Mirai Nikki continues to be a popular anime not only because of the iconic yandere Yuno Gasai but also because of its reputation as a solid and respectable anime among the great majority of the anime community.
Another
Another is a well-known mystery anime with a reputation for having disturbing moments.
The anime has some of the most gruesome and bizarre death sequences, including the notorious "umbrella death scene" in Episode 3, as well as the best beach episode in anime history. You're missing out on a lot if you haven't watched Another yet.
Another chronicles the investigation of a series of gruesome and senseless killings involving people and pupils who are associated with a certain Yomiyama Middle School class.
The plot revolves around Koichi Sakakibara, a transfer student who becomes entangled with Mei Misaki, a mysterious girl in his class who only he seems to notice.
Death Parade
Despite its short length of only 12 episodes, Death Parade is an outstanding mystery anime. It's a captivating animation that entices viewers to watch episode after episode.
Aside from its wonderful opening song, the anime's power comes from its underlying messages, which hold the audience's attention.
It's a short, charming anime with just the appropriate amount of emotional turmoil to affect its audience.
The anime follows Decim, an adjudicator for the dead and a bartender who, along with his assistant, serves people at the Quindecim bar. They serve as arbiters for people who died at the same time and are transported to the Quindecim bar, which is on the 15th floor of the afterlife tower.
There, Decim monitors the Death Games of those who have died and whose souls are on the line.
Durarara!!
The premise of Durarara!! may be perplexing to some viewers in the first few episodes. Anime viewers may become lost in the events that are occurring simultaneously in the anime due to the large cast of characters with distinct tales.
That, though, is part of Durarara!!'s allure and mystique. Despite its large ensemble, the stories are all connected, and as the series progresses, they become increasingly intertwined.
Durarara!! (also known as DRRR!!) follows the exploits of a mysterious internet-based gang known as "Dollars," a Dullahan (headless rider) called Celty who works as an underground courier in Ikebukuro, and the turmoil that erupts among the city's most dangerous residents.
Mikado Ryuugamine, a newcomer to the city, is at the center of the anime. On his first day, he witnesses the appearance of the Dullahan and the rest of Ikebukuro's odd events.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
What appears to be a simple slice-of-life anime in a high school setting turns out to be much more.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is a mystery anime that follows Haruhi as she starts the SOS (Spreading Fun All Over the World with Haruhi Suzumiya) Brigade club with the silent and aloof Yuki Nagato.
Alongside them are the shy and voluptuous Mikura Asahina, the optimistic Itsuki Koizumi, and the non-believer Kyon.
This story, however, just touches the surface of the anime.
Danganronpa
Danganronpa is based on Kazutaka Kodaka's dark adventure video game franchise. It follows Makoto Naegi, a mediocre student, as he is accepted into the exclusive Hope Peak Academy, which only the best of the best may enter.
However, after enrolling at the academy, Naegi is placed in the gymnasium with the rest of the hand-picked kids, only to discover that their principal is Monokuma, a mechanical teddy bear.
The gist is that the students must kill each other without being discovered in order to graduate from Hope Peak.
Danganronpa is a must-see for fans of mystery-filled survival programs, thanks to its intriguing premise and unusual character designs.
In case you missed it: The Best Anime Coming Out in Fall 2022
Tomodachi Game
Tomodachi Game, also known as Friends Game, is the mystery anime that drove the community insane during the 2022 Spring season.
Unlike other survival shows, Tomodachi Game offers mystery, logic, and mind-bending games.
While the anime did an excellent job of explaining the series of friendship games, the ending was abrupt, leaving viewers wanting more.
When Katagiri Yuuichi and his friends find themselves in front of Manabu-kun, the mascot, they know something is wrong. Someone in the group is apparently deeply in debt!
To pay off the debt, they must engage in a series of games designed to put their friendship to the test and reveal who the true traitor is.
Tomodachi Game was created by Okuruto Noboru's studio and includes psychological, thriller, and dramatic elements.
Summer Time Rendering
The premise of Summer Time Rendering is full of mystery. From Shinpei’s ability to time loop to the shadows that haunt Onigashima Island, it’s no wonder that mystery anime fans fell in love with the series.
Summer Time Rendering is a mystery anime produced by OLM that involves the otherworldly and some time travel in between.
Shinpei Ajiro returns to Onigashima Island to attend the funeral of his late childhood friend, Ushio Kofune. However, things take an unexpected turn when Shinpei discovers that the island conceals a secret that will affect everyone's lives in the future.
Made in Abyss
Made in Abyss is a popular mystery and adventure anime series. Fans have adored the innocence of the anime since its inception. However, as the plot unfolds, Made in Abyss gets darker and darker as Reg, Riko, and Nanachi descend deeper into the abyss.
The anime follows Riko, an aspiring cave delver, on her quest to find her missing mother, the white whistle, Lyza.
She ventures into the abyss with the Aubade, Reg, in the hopes of discovering the truth about everything the abyss has to offer.
The Case Files of Jeweler Richard
The Case Files of Jeweler Richard is a 12-episode TV anime produced by Studio Shuka that premiered in the winter of 2020. It is a drama and mystery anime based on a light novel of the same name.
It revolves around Richard, a foreign jeweler, and Seigi Nakata, a college student.
When their fates collide, the two decide to solve mysteries one after the other in their Ginza office, the Jewelry Etranger.
Woodpecker Detective’s Office
Kitsutsuki Tantei-Dokoro, also known as Woodpecker Detective's Office, is a spring 2020 mystery anime set at the end of the Meiji period. Based on a novel, the anime features detectives, writers, and other historical figures.
It follows Ishikawa Takoboku, a brilliant poet, as he attempts to set up a detective agency in his lodgings. Ishikawa solves various mysteries with the assistance of his hometown acquaintance, Kindaichi Kyosuke.