Welcome to the world of mystery anime, where every episode brings a new puzzle to solve, and every character holds a secret. The advantage of this genre is that the presented stories usually have surprises that amaze the audience because the stories are unexpected.
For the mystery genre, usually, an anime uses a detective theme. Still, there are other genres, such as action, horror, supernatural, etc., so the impression is unique, and watching it is even more exciting.
For mystery anime lovers, otakukan has prepared a list of recommendations for the best mystery anime that will satisfy you.
Best Mystery Anime List
As usual, our list of mystery anime choices is a list that prioritizes the story and is sorted according to how strong the mystery element is in the anime.
The stories and concepts are arranged in various ways, such as stories about detectives, ordinary people with high intelligence who are involved in solving a problem, secret agents, people with special abilities, or stories about uncovering mysterious places that are still unknown.
1. Death Note
- Number of Episodes: 37
- Rating MAL: 8.68
- Genre: Mystery, Police, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller
Synopsis :
The concept of a Shinigami, also known as a death god, involves the ability to cause the death of any person at any time and place by writing their name in a Death Note.
The story of Ryuk, a bored god of death who drops a Death Note into the human world to find entertainment, follows a high school student named Light Yagami. As the son of the police chief, Light is highly intelligent and a genius.
When Light discovers the Death Note, he initially doubts its power to kill people by writing their names. However, he soon tests its ability and becomes a believer.
Light begins to use the Death Note to eliminate various criminals, one by one, and aims to create a world without crime and establish himself as a god. With Ryuk by his side, Light’s actions draw the attention of authorities and the mysterious Detective L, leading to a game of cat and mouse to determine who will come out on top.
Review:
The top spot for Best Mystery Anime goes to Death Note, featuring a protagonist who transforms into an anti-hero as the series progresses.
The storyline is of exceptional quality, with numerous exhilarating brain battle scenes that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The production studio Madhouse has done a remarkable job of adapting the anime in a gripping and satisfying manner.
Each scene and dialogue is intricately crafted to ensure that you are never bored and always intrigued in every episode. The tension builds as the story progresses, particularly during L’s actions that appear to corner Light, only to be unexpectedly overcome in unique ways.
2. Another
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Rating MAL: 7.75
- Genre: Mystery, Horror, Supernatural, Thriller, School
Synopsis :
In 1972 at Yomiyama High School, 26 years after a popular 3-3 high school student named Misaki Mei was found to have died during class due to an accident.
After the accident, a series of mysterious events continued to occur. It starts with one of the students from the class saying that Misaki is still in the class when he has died.
After Misaki’s strange and mysterious appearance, the whole class finally accepts Misaki’s presence again and thinks she is still alive. When entering graduation time, the principal also prepared a special chair for Misaki.
After graduation, the mysteries are still happening now and now class 3-3 is considered as a very mysterious class. One day Yomiyama High School had a transfer student from Tokyo named Koichi Sakakibahara who was placed in class 3-3 at Yomiyama High School.
When he entered the mysterious class, Koichi felt strange because the class atmosphere was very gloomy and the presence of Misaki who was sitting on one of the classroom benches caught Koichi’s attention.
However, he felt that something was wrong because it seemed that the students and teachers there thought that Misaki didn’t exist.
Because Koichi doesn’t know anything about the mysteries of Yomiyama High School, all students in the class including Misaki warn Koichi not to interact and get close to him but he ignores this warning.
Koichi continues to approach Misaki without knowing the repercussions and after that, a mysterious past curse around enigmatic class 3-3 has caused Koichi to be involved in a series of death events.
Review:
List of Anime Mystery combined with the horror genre to provide a gripping and goosebumps atmosphere so that it differs from the others.
This is a story about students trying to discover the mystery surrounding various terrible incidents at school with a series of events that will surprise you.
The artwork and sound are very well made; these two things can adjust the atmosphere in the story so that it seems real and makes the audience immersed in the story.
3. The Perfect Insider
- Number of Episodes: 11
- Rating MAL: 7.31
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Psychological
Synopsis :
On a remote island, there lives a genius programmer named Shiki Magata, who has always shut himself up and been isolated from the outside world for years. Meanwhile, a professor from the Saikawa Research Lab named Souhei Saikawa is known to be heading to the island for a vacation.
There he meets Moe Nishinosono, a university student who is the daughter of his mentor.
When intending to enjoy a vacation together, they are instead faced with a shocking mystery where they see a corpse, which involves them in a serial murder case around the research lab on the island.
Instead of wanting to enjoy their vacation, they face a new challenge. Will their decision to get involved in the danger make Moe and Shiki’s vacation last?
Review:
Suppose you like to train your brain skills when watching anime. In that case, this series is highly recommended because the mystery plot is rather complicated, with the characters being made realistic, especially the main characters’ designs, which are made casually.
Even though he looks normal, his realistic nature can interest the audience. Even though this series has a weakness, namely, the story is told a bit slowly, it aims to make the cases in the series interesting.
4. Higurashi: When They Cry
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Rating MAL: 8.08
- Genre: Mystery, Dementia, Horror, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller
Synopsis :
Around the small village of Hinamizawa, there is a boy who has just moved there, Keiichi Mibara, an ordinary teenager who becomes a new transfer student and immediately gets along with new friends from Hinamizawa School consisting of Rena Ryuuguu, Mion Sonozaki, Rika Furude, and others.
At first, they lived together in a pleasant daily life to prepare for the annual festival.
However, when Keiichi tried to find out about the past of Hinamizawa village, he learned a terrible fact: there had been a series of sadistic murders where the perpetrator killed and cut his victim into several pieces.
The incident occurred at a landfill once known as dam construction. Even more terrifying, this dark past is known to be still happening today.
Review:
Before watching Higurashi: When They Cry, please read this review before being fooled by the initial impression that it has a happy atmosphere, especially with the addition of cute Loli characters.
At first, it seemed to provide a cool story. Still, after the end of the first episode, there was a surprise where the story was immediately gripping, with lots of very sadistic gore scenes and various dark mysteries that are guaranteed to be tense and make you curious.
5. Durarara!!
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Rating MAL: 8.27
- Genre: Action, Mystery, Supernatural
Synopsis :
Hoping for his life to change, a teenager from a village named Mikado Ryuugamine chose to move to Tokyo at the invitation of his best friend, Masaomi Kida and attended the same school.
He moved to the Ikebukuro district, where there are many strange and unique residents, from interesting to scary. Some of these strange residents of Ikebukuro are Shizuo Heiwajima, a man with superpowers who has a violent nature, and Izaya Orihara, a cunning man who likes to play tricks on people and others.
Of all these oddities, an Urban Legend is said to have appeared around Ikebukuro Street, where a mysterious headless rider rides a motorbike but makes a sound of a horse.
These riders are referred to as “Black Riders”. All the unique things around Ikebukuro seem to be related, and Mikado’s actions get him involved with them in the commotion in each region.
Review:
The mystery about the identity of the characters and the state of the city can be hidden and then conveyed properly to give the audience a sense of curiosity.
At first, it wasn’t very clear, but after little, by little the mystery that has been revealed, you will understand it and be more interested in watching the next episode.
All the characters have various characteristics, and all of them are also influential in the story. The voices are also good. Many top seiyuu were involved in creating this series, plus the songs are very pleasant to listen to.
6. Terror in Resonance
- Number of Episodes: 11
- Rating MAL: 8.19
- Genre: Psychological, Thriller
Synopsis :
In this anime series, the people of Tokyo are in a state of fear due to the terrorists’ attacks on nuclear facilities. Despite the government’s efforts to handle the situation, the perpetrators remain unidentified. However, after six months, two individuals named Nine and Twelve emerge as the culprits and go by the name “Sphinx.”
The duo challenges the police through videos in which they provide riddles before attacking different areas around Tokyo. Unbeknownst to the authorities, Nine and Twelve are escapees from the “Athena” Project, a project that aimed to create humans with extraordinary abilities.
Nine and Twelve aim to expose the truth about the Athena Project by causing chaos in Tokyo. However, their actions create panic among the public, and the police struggle to find the two terrorists. To solve this issue, the government enlists the help of Kenjirou Shibazaki, a renowned detective.
Review:
The central idea of the main character as a terrorist is portrayed in a way that appears plausible and realistic, making the story quite satisfying. The series opens with visually stunning scenes and captivating characters whose intelligence is demonstrated by their ability to outsmart the government through surprising actions that keep the audience engaged.
With its numerous strengths, this series unquestionably deserves a place among the Recommended Best Mystery Anime List.
7. Erased
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Rating MAL: 8.55
- Genre: Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural, Seinen
Synopsis :
The story centers on a 29-year-old man named Satoru Fujinuma who works as a mangaka. It is known that Satoru has a supernatural ability that makes him return to a few minutes before the incident.
He had this ability after his mother died from a murder incident. This Supernatural ability which he calls “Revival”, he might be able to use at any time to save the lives of those he cares about by rewinding time.
One day Satoru was accused of being the perpetrator in a murder that happened to those closest to him. To prove his innocence and find the real culprit, Satoru uses his ability to return to before the incident.
But after using it, he was shocked because he had rewinded the time 18 years ago where he was still in elementary school.
Satoru soon realizes that the murders may have something to do with the kidnapping and disappearance of one of his childhood friends, Kayo Hinazuki. This unexpected event provides a great opportunity for Satoru to unravel a mystery that has not been solved for a long time.
Now Satoru struggles to find out the truth about what happened in the incident 18 years ago and save the people around him.
Review:
In addition to providing the theme of time travel, the storyline of the murder mystery is made amazing.
How not? As the story progresses, there are plot twists that surprise you. Apart from that, the hidden mysteries in the series are also well-managed.
Apart from the story aspect, the visuals are also good, the coloring is very suitable for the atmosphere you get, so this series is highly recommended for you as the Best Mystery Anime List.
8. From the New World
- Number of Episodes: 25
- Rating MAL: 8.50
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Horror, Psychological, Supernatural, Drama
Synopsis :
Utopia is a world ruled by people who have psychokinetic powers. Watanabe Saki is one of the residents in that world who learns about psychokinesis at an academy called Sage Academy with his five themes, namely: Satoru Asahina, Shun Aonuma, Maria Akizuki, Mamoru Itou, and Reiko Amano.
One night, Saki’s power suddenly awakens and suddenly awakens her ability, which makes her officially a resident of Kamisu City 66. But she immediately realizes something and feels something strange.
He had time to think about the fate of children who could not awaken their powers, and this had not occurred to anyone else, but he tried to hide it.
One day Saki and her friends meet a mysterious creature who shows them a history that happened 1000 years ago.
In that history, it turns out that various incidents have occurred and they begin to realize that the world they live in is not what they think and that the world they live in is immediately threatened.
Saki and his friends have now decided to go on an adventure to protect the world and protect the people they care about.
Review:
When watching it, it is recommended to focus on the dialogue and plot so you can understand because the stories are always serious.
The plot is quite interesting and can make the audience curious. Still, please note that this series has a bit of Yaoi and Yuri elements, but this is just a side effect and will not make the story worse so you can still enjoy it if you understand it carefully.
9. The Promised Neverland
- Number of Episodes:
- Rating MAL:
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Horror, Shounen
Synopsis :
“The Promised Neverland” follows the story of Grace Field House, an orphanage where children are cared for and provided a comfortable life by their caretaker, Isabella. However, the children are strictly forbidden from leaving the orphanage until adoption.
One day, a resident named Conny is adopted, leaving behind her beloved rabbit doll. Emma and Norman, two of the smartest children, venture outside to return the doll and discover a shocking secret about Grace Field House.
The show presents a unique and intriguing concept, keeping the audience hooked with its thrilling plot and well-developed characters. It is a perfect blend of mystery, horror, and suspense, making it one of the best mystery anime.
Review:
One of the Best Mystery Anime adaptations of one of the best-selling Shounen jump manga that is guaranteed to satisfy the audience.
In addition to the solid story, the characters are also interesting, this series is played by children, but their actions can surprise the audience and provide something unexpected with the intelligence they have.
The plot twist is also cool, and some episodes have gripping scenes that make you shiver and get addicted to watching it, especially for you Mystery Horror anime lovers.
10. Death Parade
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Rating MAL: 8.30
- Genre: Game, Mystery, Psychological, Drama, Thriller
Synopsis :
There is no heaven or hell, only a bar called “Quindecim,” a special bar for the dead who will later experience two destinies: Forgotten or Reincarnated.
The fate of the dead after entering the bar, they are asked to play some dangerous games to determine their destiny. Even though it looks like an ordinary game, it is connected to the player’s internal organs.
They will be served by Decim, a silver-haired male bartender with a flat expression where he will be the arbiter (the party who becomes the mediator) to judge the problems experienced by each person who dies and determine the outcome of the game.
Their true nature will be revealed through the game from the bar. In the story of Decim’s existence as the barman of Quindecim’s bar to judge dead people who enter the bar via an elevator, the presence of a mysterious black-haired woman makes Decim choose his own decision.
Review:
The concept of a world is arranged uniquely, namely the world of death in the form of a bar with a bartender serving. This series has a dark feel and various deadly games in the story seem tense.
Besides that, the mystery about the bar and the elements of the drama are very interesting and make you curious. So, if you are a lover of Anime Mystery, this series can be the best recommendation that must be watched and not to be missed.
11. Boogiepop Wa Warawanai
- Number of Episodes:
- Rating MAL:
- Genre: Psychological, Mystery, Horror
Synopsis :
A legend says that a group of death gods is said to be able to free anyone from the pain they experience. They have a name, and that name is Boogiepop.
It’s a shame that the story didn’t get much response because nowadays, only a few people believe in the legend. Maybe Boogiepop really exists, and the case of the disappearance of female students from Shinyo Academy proves this.
The authorities thought that this incident was an ordinary escape carried out in groups. Still, in fact, several students who knew said that there was a mystery whether it was Boogiepop’s doing or something else that might be even more terrifying.
Review:
Anime Mystery that twists the brain of an anime remake in 2000. The storyline is mixed and can be complicated because each episode has a plot that sometimes goes backward and sometimes forwards, which aims to make the mystery feel.
Apart from the unique and cool story, the animation and music are also good because they can adjust to the atmosphere of the story so that the audience feels like they are inside the story.
12. Hyouka
- Number of Episodes: 22
- Rating MAL: 8.15
- Genre: Mystery, School, Slice of Life
Synopsis :
The story centers on a student from Kamiyama High School who is apathetic toward everything, has a flat face, and is lazy. He is Houtarou Oreki, a man who lives life with the principle of conserving as much energy as possible.
But his life principles start to go awry after he is forced into the Koten-bu club by his older brother, Tomoe Oreki.
The reason Houtarou’s older brother asked him to join the club was that the Koten-bu Club would be in danger of disbanding due to a lack of members, while within the club, there were still mysteries that had not been uncovered until now.
After becoming a club member, Houtarou met Chitanda Eru, a student who joined the Koten-bu club due to her curiosity.
After they joined, it wasn’t long before two other students also joined the club. They were Satoshi Fukube and Mayaka Ibara. With the genius that Houtarou has, along with other members, they try to solve various club mysteries from the past.
Review:
One of the best Mystery Anime is famous for its two main characters that attract the attention of the audience, namely Chitanda, and Houtarou. Stories like detectives with various mysteries are guaranteed to make you curious.
What amazed the audience was Houtarou’s intelligence which made him able to solve mysteries unexpectedly, and he only showed that intelligence when Chitanda forced him.
For graphics, you don’t need to ask anymore. As one of the Best Kyoto Animation Anime, the artwork is pleasing to the eye with a beautiful background.
13. Monster
- Number of Episodes: 74
- Rating MAL: 8.69
- Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Police, Psychological, Seinen, Thriller
Synopsis :
Dr. Kenzou Tenma is a surgeon from Japan who is considered a great doctor and is always praised by his colleagues.
He worked in a European regional hospital and got a promotion, and was blessed by a fiancé named Eve, a woman who is the daughter of the director of the hospital where he worked after he successfully performed the surgery.
Unfortunately, he was not happy because, in the hospital, there is a political relationship in treating his patients.
One day, dr. Kenzou has been faced by several patients consisting of Liebert’s twins, Anna and Johan, and a politician.
In his decision, Dr. Kenzou chose to save Johan over a politician because he thought everyone was the same.
Johan’s life was saved, but unfortunately, the politician’s life was not saved, and he ended up dying. Because he failed to save the politician, his proud status has disappeared, including his casting, Eve, who is also leaving him.
Nine years later, Dr. Kenzou has been involved in a murder case, and to his surprise again, the case leads to Johan, the child he once saved.
Dr. Kenzou tries to uncover who this person is, and he thinks that Johan might become a world influencer.
Review:
If you’re looking for an underrated anime with a solid storyline and a series of murder mysteries, then look no further than Monster. Set in Europe, this anime offers a story concept that is realistic and engaging.
The characters in Monster are complex and full of questions, leaving the audience curious about their motives and actions. This anime is a great choice for anyone looking for a murder mystery series to add to their Best Anime Mystery List. Give it a chance, and it’s sure to leave you addicted.
14. Gosick
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Rating MAL: 8.19
- Genre: Mystery, Historical, Drama, Romance
Synopsis :
The story is set in France during the 20th century, revolving around the luxurious Saint Marguerite Academy in the Sauville/Saubure area. This school is notorious for its collection of horror stories. One day, a new transfer student from Japan named Kazuya Kojou arrives. Due to his jet-black hair, Kojou earns the nickname “Black Reaper,” derived from a horror legend.
The students at the academy love discussing scary legends, and to make friends, Kojou visits the library to learn about horror stories. However, he meets Victorique de Blois, a blonde girl who spends her time in the library solving various murder cases and mysteries.
Kojou and Victorique develop a relationship and get involved in various complex cases and mysteries. This anime, which is underrated and not widely watched, provides a solid story full of murder mysteries and characters that raise questions and pique the audience’s curiosity. If you’re looking for the Best Anime Mystery List about murder cases, this series is highly recommended and keeps you hooked.
Review:
This anime series showcases female characters who may be small in stature but do not rely on loli-loli-moe tropes. The plot is intriguing, featuring elements of mystery that captivated the audience’s curiosity.
Additionally, it incorporates a heartwarming drama that evokes emotions and a touch of romance that adds to the overall storyline. Due to its well-rounded approach, this anime is a popular choice for those who appreciate mystery and drama genres and has earned a spot on the Recommended Best Mystery Anime List.
15. Heaven’s Memo Pad
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Rating MAL: 7.63
- Genre: Mystery
Synopsis :
The story centers around a high school student named Narumi Fujishima, a loner who doesn’t want to get involved with anyone because he feels his friends isolate his life.
When he wants to do something, Narumi prefers to be alone, to the point that he has a life principle where he doesn’t want to attract anyone’s attention. Because of that nature, Narumi joins a computer club known to have no members.
One day he meets a schoolmate named Ayaka Shinozaki, an active and cheerful girl who comes from a gardening club.
After they met, Ayaka forced Narumi to join the gardening club, and because of this coercion Narumi finally agreed even though he was reluctant.
After agreeing, Ayaka took Narumi to a ramen shop, where Ayaka was working part-time. While they were in the shop’s upstairs room, Narumi saw a group of people who all knew were NEETs.
But they are not ordinary NEETs, but a group of detective NEETs led by Alice, a girl with extraordinary hacker abilities. They are investigating a case regarding the disappearance of a female student, and Narumi must now also be involved with them.
Review:
The list also features Detective-themed Mystery Anime. One of these is Kamisama no Memochou, which features a unique twist in its main character, a skilled hacker, a NEET. Like Gosick, the girl protagonist in this anime is also cute.
The storyline is engaging, and as the episodes progress, the dark ambiance of the story intensifies, making it more interesting to watch. The character designs are also remarkable. This anime primarily focuses on the mystery genre. Thus, there are no added genres like romance for additional entertainment.
16. Darker Than Black
- Number of Episodes: 25
- Rating MAL: 8.20
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Super Power
Synopsis :
A strange event occurred ten years ago when a mysterious area called Hell’s Gate appeared in Japan. A similar phenomenon also appears in the Americas, but it is different from Japan; the phenomenon there is called Heavens Gate.
After this phenomenon occurred, the Stars in the Sky began to disappear, change, and fake stars replaced the stars. The gates have given rise to a new human existence known to possess supernatural power. They are referred to as “Contractors.”
Their existence is known from a star messier catalog number belonging to them, which is linked to a fake star in the sky. The existence of the contractors is kept secret from the public, and only certain people are allowed to know about it.
As time passed, Heaven’s Gate in America suddenly mysteriously disappeared. On the other hand, around the area where hell’s Gate is located, the Chief of Police named, Misaki Kirihara, is having a dispute with a famous Contractor with the code name “Hey” called “Black Reaper”.
Review:
Now for this one, the Mystery is combined with the action genre about a murdered agent with supernatural powers.
The whole show managed to amaze the audience. Apart from having a cool story, the main character is also interesting, cool, and badass. There, characters like this are in great demand by most anime fans who like Anime Main Characters Pretending to be Weak.
The fight animation is also not bad. The fighting movements are smooth and feel very well, making this series worthy of being made on the List of the Best Mystery Anime of All Time with action spices.
17. Danganronpa: The Animation
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Rating MAL: 7.46
- Genre: Mystery, Psychological, School
Synopsis :
Harapan Peak Academy is known as the students’ dream place because the school is an elite school where the students there live the most enjoyable school life of any other school.
One day a teenager named Naegi Makoto became one of the lucky people selected to enter this popular school after receiving an invitation letter.
His joy made Naegi imagine that Hope Peak Academy is a school full of happiness.
After arriving at school and heading to the gym to take part in the entrance ceremony for new students, Naegi meets his middle school friend named, Maizono Sayaka, as well as a new student named Togami Byakuya.
In the middle of their conversation, suddenly, the atmosphere started to get gloomy immediately after knowing that every student’s cell phone was missing, followed by the presence of a living teddy bear.
After the doll’s appearance, he said a shocking thing to all the students they would stay at the peak of Hope Academy forever, and to get out of there, they had to kill without being noticed.
Review:
A survival anime full of shrouded mysteries with an unusual school setting makes this series interesting to watch as the Best Mystery Anime. This anime adaptation of the PSP game always makes people curious.
A combination of game, mystery, and survival-themed genres where the audience seems to be involved in a murder mystery to guess who the culprit is.
There are tense moments, especially when entering a court decision as to who is the perpetrator of the murder. There are also unexpected plot twists that make this series cool to watch as the Best Mystery Anime.
18. Detective Conan
- Number of Episodes: 900++
- Rating MAL: 8.25
- Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Comedy, Police, Shounen
Synopsis :
The story revolves around Shinichi Kudou, a 17-year-old young detective who is very smart and kind enough to make him solve various cases and mysteries that are even difficult to solve.
One day at an amusement park, when Shinichi was with his childhood friend Ran Mouri, Shinchi accidentally saw two suspicious people dressed all in the dark.
When Shinichi secretly follows them, he notices illegal activity by these suspicious people.
But amid his supervision, suddenly Shinichi was hit by a group member, which made him unconscious. To hide his identity, they gave Shinichi a poisoned drug.
Shortly after that, Shinichi, who woke up, was surprised that he had turned into a 7-year-old child but still had permanent memories. Because of what happened to him, Shinichi asked for help from Professor Agasa, a scientist and Shinichi’s neighbor.
The scientist said to hide Shinchi’s identity by changing his name to Conan Edogawa.
To carry out his detective activities, Shinichi, now disguised as Conan, chooses to help Kogorou Mouri, Ran’s father, who is also a detective, by utilizing various sophisticated tools created by the Professor.
Review:
Maybe old kids already know about this series because it was once broadcast on a TV channel. Every few episodes that present stories about various murder cases arranged in detail along with hidden clues make us, as viewers, participate in guessing the cases and the perpetrators.
If you like watching this anime, it is recommended to watch the movies, where each story is amazing and exciting.
19. Monogatari Series
- Number of Episodes: 15
- Rating MAL: 8.37
- Genre: Mystery, Supernatural, Romance, Vampire
Synopsis :
A high school teenager named Koyomi Araragi has experienced an unpleasant fate because a vampire attacked him. Luckily, his strange friend named Meme Oshino saves Araragi after he almost dies due to an attack from the vampire.
Unfortunately, even though Araragi is alive, he has to accept that he is now a vampire. Living as a vampire gives Araragi a super regeneration ability, and in his life, it seems that Araragi can still live his daily life at school as usual.
One day, Araragi meets a purple-haired female student named Hitagi Senjougahara. When Hitagi fell and was caught by Araragi, he caught her feeling something strange, namely Hitagi’s lightness, as if she didn’t have any weight at all.
Because he has an unusual problem, Araragi intends to help Hitagi’s problem by asking Oshino for help.
Finally, Hitagi accepts Araragi’s help even though she initially feels reluctant and refuses the help. Starting from here, Araragi starts to get involved with people with problems related to supernatural things.
Review:
The following list of Best Mystery Anime is anime with full dialogue, where you have to be careful and pay attention to the dialogue so that it follows the storyline.
The story is unique and cool, where you will be presented with mysteries related to the supernatural, and the characters are interesting, especially the female characters who are beautiful and waifu able.
For those interested in watching this series, it is recommended first to read our instructions for the Order and How to watch the Monogatari Series because there are many series and have back-and-forth plots.
20. Steins; Gate
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Rating MAL: 9.14
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Mystery
Synopsis :
Rintarou Okabe is a mad scientist who likes to do various unusual research. Currently, he is in an old building in the Akihabara area, researching to create a gadget that can make someone travel through time.
Okabe didn’t do it alone. He researched with his lab partners, Hashida Itaru and Mayuri Shiina.
In creating something they want, they continuously work hard to achieve it. After working so hard, finally, their efforts were not in vain, and the result is a device called a “Microwave Phone,” which is known to be able to send messages at different times.
However, after the tool was used, there was something strange where a series of mysterious events occurred, including a message that was able to change history, followed by the occurrence of various death events.
Now Okabe has to face a series of mysteries due to his research tool and must save people with the help of his time travel tool.
Review:
The recommended anime in this list explores the concept of time travel. Okabe’s main character must travel through time to prevent death by finding clues. The mystery element in the story is both unique and interesting, and each tense moment is accompanied by plot twists that will leave you wanting more.
However, to fully grasp the plot, it is important to pay close attention to the story and dialogue as it can sometimes be confusing and complex. This anime is a great addition to any best mystery anime list.
21. Ergo Proxy
- Number of Episodes: 23
- Rating MAL: 7.98
- Genre: Psychological, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Synopsis :
After an ecological catastrophe turned Earth into an uninhabitable planet, the survivors now form cities in ” Romdos ” domes and create humans called “AutoReivs” to help with their daily activities.
In this dystopian world, artificial humans are more numerous than ordinary humans. Initially, human life and AutoReivs were peaceful, but when a virus called “CogitoVirus” attacked the AuroReivs, the robots turned into dangerous killer robots threatening human life.
Re-I Mayer, a child of the ruler of Romdo, is tasked with investigating various murder cases committed by AutoReivs along with his AutoReivs companion named Iggy.
In another Romdo region, a member of “AutoReivs” named Vincent is very influential in this case. In his research, there are strange and surprising secrets behind the peace found in Romdo.
Review:
This series on the Best Mystery Anime List Recommendation stands out from others due to its unique theme of a dystopian world in a future city filled with secrets. It provides an authentic story that distinguishes it from other Mystery Anime.
The intriguing plot is set in a dystopian atmosphere. The clues to the mysteries gradually revealed throughout the series keep the audience on edge, making it hard to predict what will happen next. The tension builds as the story unfolds, making it a must-watch for fans of the Mystery genre.
22. Ghost Hunt
- Number of Episodes: 25
- Rating MAL: 7.91
- Genre: Comedy, Horror, Mystery, Shoujo, Supernatural
Synopsis :
Sharing scary stories is common among school teens, especially when their school has its own chilling legend. Mai Tanimiya, a first-year female student, enjoys sharing ghost stories with her friends. One day, a mysterious man named Kazuya Shiba interrupts them.
He is a member of Shibuya Psychic Research (SPR), tasked with investigating various mysteries in the school.
While walking to school one day, Mai spots a suspicious building with a strange camera. Her curiosity gets the best of her, and she ventures inside, only to be shocked by the presence of an injured SPR member and a destroyed camera. As a result of her actions, Mai becomes a substitute assistant for Kazuya, and together they solve various supernatural mysteries.
Review:
The combination of the school setting, the horror genre, and the detective theme in anime mystery can be a great watch if executed properly. While this series falls under the horror genre, it doesn’t rely heavily on spooky ghost scenes and delivers a sense of horror without being overly terrifying.
Instead, it primarily focuses on mystery and detective elements, which will keep you hooked on every episode.
23. Beautiful Bones -Sakurako’s Investigation
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Rating MAL: 7.47
- Genre: Mystery
Synopsis :
Once upon a time, an ordinary high school student named Shoutarou Tatewaki attended school in Hokkaido and met a beautiful girl.
However, behind her beauty, she has a strange trait not shared by ordinary women, namely liking bones.
Sakurako Kujou is a female osteologist around 20 years old whose life is always related to various kinds of bones. It is known that Sakurakou often analyzes the bones he finds in various places and then reconstructs them as a collection.
Sometimes the analytical skills that he has are needed by the Hokkaido Prefectural Police to solve various cases by investigating his bones.
His love for bones makes him slightly apathetic toward the social world and its surroundings. Once upon a time, Sakurako appointed Shoutarou as a permanent assistant.
Maybe by becoming his assistant, Shoutarou might be able to find out more about bones, and one thing he knows is that he will be involved in a case related to corpses.
Review:
This particular female character has a rather unusual interest – bones. This distinctive trait has captured the attention of many mystery anime enthusiasts.
The series not only has a fascinating storyline but also boasts beautiful, soothing, and vibrant graphics, making it a worthy addition to the Best Mystery Anime list.
It’s worth noting that, despite the main character’s strange interest, the anime does not delve into cute or luxurious themes that typically appeal to women. Instead, it leans towards a more unique and unconventional approach that differentiates it from other anime shows.
24. Haibane Renmei
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Rating MAL: 8.02
- Genre: Slice of Life, Mystery, Psychological, Drama, Fantasy
Synopsis :
Haibane is a creature shaped like an angel with wings and a halo above their heads, but they are born from inside a cocoon.
In a dream of a girl falling from the sky, suddenly, the dream stops, and a cocoon opens. The girl in the dream wakes up from her dream without remembering all of her past, even her own identity.
The girl is known to be in the “Old Home,” a home for the Haibane to live, learn, understand, and look for opportunities to get out of their world’s boundaries.
Every dream that the new Haibane has is considered to embody his dream. For this reason, the girl who dreams of falling is named “Rikka.” While there, Rikka had to obey the strict rules of the Old Home, which were not to leave the village or approach the surrounding walls.
Rikka and their friends try to find each other’s goals along with other new Haibane friends.
Review:
Anime Mystery with a story that makes the audience happy with the drama. Unfortunately, there are still very few people who know this anime.
If you watch this series, the story’s beginning might be a little boring because the story focuses more on world-building. Still, when it enters the middle, the story will become more exciting, with mystery elements that make you want to watch the next episode plus drama that can drain your tears.
25. Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou (Girls’ Last Tour)
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Rating MAL: 8.17
- Genre: Adventure, Slice of Life, Mystery
Synopsis :
As time went by, the Human Culture that was increasingly rapidly developing had finally reached its peak.
However, at the peak of this prosperity, the end of the world occurred and caused most living things to die, and the cities that stood strong and majestic were now ruins.
Within this dead civilization, life remains, which is an extraordinary miracle. Chito and Yuuri, humans trying to survive by riding a Kettenkrad vehicle, explore and wander the world aimlessly.
After a day of despair, they searched for food and fuel for their onward journey.
As long as they are together, they are not afraid at all, even in living a gloomy life, and even though they have no hope, they believe there is a light of hope to carry them even though the possibility is very slight.
Review:
Combining light stories set in destruction can be a unique and interesting show. Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou is one of the Best Anime of 2017, where the main character is a woman with a meaningful story and moral message in it.
The mystery of how the destruction and what happened after the world was destroyed can be hidden and well conveyed so that it becomes an interesting spectacle.
The artwork is also good, the various sound effects that are applied make this series look real so this series deserves to be recommended as the Best Mystery Anime List.
26. Hamatora: The Animation
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Rating MAL: 7.41
- Genre: Comedy, Mystery, Super Power
Synopsis :
At a minimum, it is a supernatural ability that is only owned by certain people who are known to be able to create a miracle.
People with Minimum abilities are referred to as “Minimum Holders.” Minimum Holders are specially trained to develop their talents at the Facultas Academy so that when they graduate, they will get a great abilities,
Nice is a 17-year-old teenager and one of the Minimum Holders who attends the Faculty Academy. Nice graduated faster than the others because he has a higher talent and genius than the other Minimum Holders. After Nice, his partner, Murasaki, became the second person to graduate.
After that, they became a Yokohama detective agency under the name “Hamatora” and established a Cafe to serve as a gathering place and a meeting place for clients.
One day, they received a serial murder case caused by Minimum Holder. Nice and his colleagues investigate the murder case and find out the kept secrets.
Review:
Anime with the theme of overpowering and the Main Character being Underestimated. The plot is good; the story is similar to Code: Breaker but interspersed with mystery elements.
The performances are also cool; some stories have unexpected plot twists that surprise the audience, so they are curious about the next episode.
27. Mushishi
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Rating MAL: 8.75
- Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Historical, Mystery, Seinen, Slice of Life, Supernatural
Synopsis :
The anime series occurred during Japan’s Edo and Meiji Eras when the country still used 19th-century technology. It’s a world filled with mysterious creatures, including one called Mushi. These creatures are considered the most basic life form, yet their purpose is unknown to most humans. They could be either good or evil.
Mushi is primitive creatures that can take on various forms, such as disease, plants, or even natural phenomena. They seem to have a supernatural aspect, making them invisible to the average human. To investigate matters related to Mushi, a Mushishi is needed – a person who can see where Mushi are and find more information about them.
Ginko, one of the Mushishi, is on a mission to discover the whereabouts of Mushi and their true purpose. He travels from place to place investigating various events related to Mushi, aided by residents who assist him in obtaining valuable information. The show’s storytelling and animation style is top-notch, making it a must-watch for fans of the mystery and supernatural genres.
Review:
For those of you who like anime with a cool atmosphere, deep stories, and relaxed and slow but still have fantastic mystery elements, you can watch one of the best mystery anime with this fantasy theme.
The storytelling involving the supernatural and character figures is arranged attractively, without having fanservice, and you are guaranteed to feel satisfied while watching it.
28. Dusk Maiden of Amnesia
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Rating MAL: 7.83
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Romance, School, Shounen, Supernatural
Synopsis :
Inside the Seikyou Private Academy school is an old building with a female ghost named Yuuko Kanoe, who has been a caretaker for 60 years.
Teiichi NIya, one of the school’s teenagers, had just entered the school but ended up getting lost and finally made himself meet with Yuuko. It turns out that the ghost is not too scary. You could even say the ghost is beautiful.
It is known that Ghost Yuuko’s memory has been lost, so she does not know about her identity before becoming a ghost and its causes. What Yuuko only remembers when she became a ghost is the room where she met Teiichi.
After the meeting, they became friends. Teiichi decided to help Yuuko by forming a “Paranormal Investigation Club” club to make it easier for him to find Yuuko’s death case.
They are seeking answers to Yuuko’s death with the help of several students who joined the club. They consist of one of Yuuko’s relatives, Kirie Kanoe, and a second-year student, Momoe Okonogi.
Review:
For this Anime Mystery List, the story is about a ghost girl’s puzzle of identity, cause of death, and so on.
Apart from the excellent mystery elements, this series also has a romance with a pair of two worlds which is guaranteed to be interesting to watch, as well as additional funny comedy, which is very entertaining as the Best Mystery Anime.
29. Shiki
- Number of Episodes: 22
- Rating MAL: 7.90
- Genre: Mystery, Horror, Supernatural, Thriller, Vampire
Synopsis :
The days of the residents in Sotoba Village are peaceful and quiet. Until Summer, the peace begins to crumble, starting with the emergence of a series of strange mysteries scattered around the village.
It starts with a girl named Megumi Shimizu who wants to live life like a city person full of luxury.
One day it was reported that Megumi had mysteriously disappeared. After the residents tried hard to find Megumi, they finally found Megumi in a pathetic and helpless state.
Moments later, Megumi is finally declared dead for no apparent reason. After Megumi’s death, a few days later, the villagers of Sotoba also suffered the same fate as Megumi, where they disappeared, were found in terrible conditions, and eventually died.
A doctor from Sotoba Village named Toshio Ozaki, who investigated the residents’ diseases, concluded that the incident was caused by a bite from a creature appearing in early summer.
Natsuno Yuuki, a quiet teenager who goes to the same school as Megumi’s crush, feels a strange sensation and that Megumi is watching him.
Starting from here, Yuuki’s days begin to be filled with fear. He and Natsuno work with Toshio to solve this problem and the mystery in Sotoba Village.
Review:
In the first episode, you will immediately be presented with a gripping horror scene and many sadistic scenes that will make you shiver.
In this list of the Best Mystery Anime, the story is well organized, the mystery about the cause of death of the residents in the village can be conveyed well and provides surprising developments so that the audience is even more interested in watching the next episode.
The graphics are also good, and the atmosphere and background can match the atmosphere of the story so Shiki is very suitable to be included in the Best Mystery Anime List list.
30. Rokka Braves Of The Six Flowers
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Rating MAL: 7.54
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Magic, Mystery
Synopsis :
In the Demon God’s attempt to destroy the world, his actions were thwarted by the Goddess of Destiny who managed to defeat the Demon God and prevent the world from being destroyed. But the victory gained was only temporary because after the Demon God perished, the Goddess of Fate said that the Demon God would revive soon.
To prevent the Demon God’s threat, Six brave knights known as “Rokka no Yuusha” have been chosen by the Goddess of Destiny as heirs to her power to defeat the Demon God who is trying to turn the world back into hell.
Time has passed, and the Demon God’s third awakening is approaching. Adlet Mayer, a man who thinks himself to be the strongest person, becomes one of the heroes chosen by the Goddess of Fate to fight the Demon God even though he himself knows nothing about the Demon God.
Upon arriving at the meeting place, the Piena Continent, it turned out that the desire to become a hero did not go smoothly.
When all the heroes gathered, the number of heroes that should have been 6 turned out to be seven. One of the heroes was deemed a fake hero who sided with the Demon God and Adlet was considered a suspicious person by the other heroes.
Can Adlet find the real fake hero and convince the other heroes that he is real?
Review:
In the first episode, the audience is introduced to a surprise where instead of 6 selected heroes to be collected, there are actually 7. The storyline of this series focuses on uncovering the mystery of the fake hero, rather than fighting demons.
Despite this shift in the plot, the show remains entertaining with thrilling action battles, stunning animations, and fantastical elements. The numerous plot twists make it an addictive watch and a top pick for the Best Mystery Anime list.
31. Blast of Tempest
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Rating MAL: 8.12
- Genre: Action, Mystery, Psychological, Drama, Magic, Fantasy, Shounen
Synopsis :
It was only a matter of waiting for it to enter the time of World Ruin. In this big threat, two friends are destined to be involved in a problem related to the threat of a destroyed world.
Yoshino Tokigawa and Mahiro Fuwa, are two ordinary teenagers who have nothing special. Mahiro’s younger sister, Fuwa Aika, is known to have secret dates with Yoshino. However, one day, Aika is suddenly found dead miserably.
Not knowing the cause of Aika’s death, his brother Mahiro, who was very sad, vowed to find the cause and the people involved in his sister’s murder.
After Aika’s death, Mahiro disappeared for months. Meanwhile, Yoshino, who doesn’t know Aika’s whereabouts, chooses to live her usual daily life.
After several months, when Yoshino visited Aika’s grave, she met again with Mahiro who had been missing.
Even though he doesn’t know what happened, Yoshino realizes that since Mahiro left, a lot of things must have happened to Mahiro. Sure enough. While Mahiro was away, it turned out that he had made a contract with a wizard named Hakaze Kusaribe to help him find the person who had killed Aika.
However, because Hakaze is currently exiled to a remote island, he cannot use his magical powers and cannot help Mahrio.
Review:
Zetsuen no Tempest is an action-packed anime with a thrilling mystery twist that is highly recommended for fans of the genre. Unlike other mystery anime, the plot is expertly crafted and keeps the audience engaged without being too difficult to decipher.
As the story progresses, the element of romance slowly begins to take center stage, adding another layer of intrigue. The battle scenes are also expertly executed, making the anime an all-around epic experience. Given its exceptional storytelling, Zetsuen no Tempest is definitely worthy of being crowned as the best mystery anime.
32. Eden of the East
- Number of Episodes: 11
- Rating MAL: 7.93
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Synopsis :
The plot of Eden of the East revolves around an event known as Careless Monday, where ten missiles were launched at Japanese cities on November 22, 2010. Despite the incident causing no harm, it was forgotten over time and life returned to normal.
While on a graduation trip to Washington DC, Saki Morimi encounters trouble with the police but is saved by a mysterious naked man named Akira Takizawa. Akira suffers from amnesia but possesses a gun and a cell phone with a digital account worth 8.2 billion yen.
Upon returning to Japan, Saki and Akira work together to uncover his true identity, leading them to discover a puzzle related to money, cell phones, and the Careless Monday incident. Their investigation ultimately puts the world’s safety at risk.
Review:
Rarely does anyone discuss this series, even though the story is extraordinary, especially the mystery, which is very solid with the main character’s role as a terrorist.
The more episodes go on, little by little, the mystery of this Best Mystery Anime, which raises questions, can be conveyed very well with only 12 episodes because the storyline is kept short without being verbose.
33. Made in Abyss
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Rating MAL: 8.91
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Mystery, Drama, Fantasy
Synopsis :
Made in Abyss tells the story of the mysterious city of Orth, located on the island of Beoluska. The city is home to a deep and enigmatic ravine known as the Abyss, which holds many unsolved secrets, including undiscovered relics.
The Abyss is a treacherous place, filled with deadly creatures and a disease known as the “Curse of the Abyss.” Only a select few, known as Delvers, have the courage and bravery to explore the depths of the Abyss and uncover its mysteries.
Delvers are categorized by the color of their whistle, which determines their level of expertise and the areas of the Abyss they can explore. The story centers around Riko, the daughter of the legendary white whistle Delver named Lyza, who disappeared mysteriously.
To follow in her mother’s footsteps, Riko aspires to explore the Abyss and solve all its secrets. However, as a low-level Delver with a red whistle, she is only permitted to explore the upper part of the Abyss.
One day, Riko encounters an unconscious robot boy without a memory. She names him Reg and discovers that his technology is designed to assist Delvers in exploring the Abyss. With Reg’s help, Riko embarks on a journey to explore the Abyss and uncover its secrets, unaware of the dangers that await her.
Review:
It should be noted that at the beginning of the presentation of this series, it described happy anime and ordinary adventures.
But when it enters the middle of the story, this Mystery Anime turns out to have a dark atmosphere that gradually begins to be felt, lots of dark stories that will make you emotional, and mysteries about the Abyss that make you curious.
Besides the excellent storyline, the graphics are also very extraordinary, colorful, and of course very pleasing to the eye.
34. Sakurada Reset
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Rating MAL: 7.40
- Genre: Mystery, Super Power, Supernatural, School
Synopsis :
In a region near the Pacific Ocean, a city called Sakurada City was built, with a population where half of the population there have various unique supernatural powers. But if they leave the city, their power will disappear, along with the memory that they have that power.
Kei Asai, a student who has supernatural powers to remember the past, one day, he meets an ignorant girl named Misora Haruki. It is known that Misora has the power to rewind the world’s time 3 days before the event, along with the memories of all living things.
Their supernatural powers unite them as members of the Service Club at school to carry out various assignments from organizations that oversee residents with supernatural powers around Sakurada City.
Combining their strengths, where Kei’s past memory ability can be used after Misora rewinds 3 days before the event, which makes memories also disappear so that lost memories can be returned by Kei, and this is used to make it easier to solve the mysteries around Sakurada City.
Review:
The following Best Mystery Anime provides more dialogue with a slower-paced delivery. It’s a bit boring if you find a series like this, but its mysteries are very interesting, especially with the addition of supernatural elements.
But the story is a bit confusing, and while watching it you need to pay attention to the dialogue and story development.
35. Bungou Stray Dogs
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Rating MAL: 7.82
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Mystery, Seinen, Super Power, Supernatural
Synopsis :
Bungou Stray Dogs follows, Nakajima Atsushi, A teenage resident of an orphanage whose life is very disturbed because of the presence of a tiger figure who seems to have a relationship with him.
One day, Atsushi was kicked out of the orphanage because of all the residents; Atsushi was the one who spent the most money because he needed so much food.
After being kicked out, Atsushi, confused because he didn’t know where to go while holding back his hunger, saw someone trying to commit suicide.
That person is Dazai Osamu, a person who had attempted suicide but was stopped by Atsushi. It is known that he is a detective with a supernatural power that is able to make himself investigate various dangerous cases.
Currently, Dazai Osamu is investigating with his partner, Kunikida Doppo, about the appearance of a tiger that turns out to be the same tiger that Atsuhshi met.
Dazai finally forces Atshishi to join their organization and participate in investigating various dangerous cases that the police and military members cannot handle them.
Review:
Combining anime with the shounen concept, with the mystery genre of detective plus action, is able to produce a very good anime.
The action is cool, there’s a comedy, and it’s funny, especially Dazai’s behavior that makes you laugh, and the graphics are consistent with little or no defects from the Bones studio, making this series highly recommended as the Best Mystery Anime that you shouldn’t miss.
