The ultimate list of mystery, crime, and psychological investigation anime
Detective anime is one of the most gripping genres, blending suspense, mystery, crime-solving, psychological twists and complex character writing. Whether you enjoy noir-style investigations, futuristic crime worlds, or deep psychological mind games, the last two decades have produced some of the best detective stories in animation.
Here is the ultimate Top 10 Detective Anime list—perfect for fans of crime thrillers, mysteries and plot-driven storytelling.
1. Pluto
Genre- Sci Fi/Psychological/Thriller
Pluto is a masterpiece that redefines what detective storytelling can be. A robot detective investigating murders sounds simple, but Pluto delivers emotional depth, political intrigue, and revelations that hit hard.
Short, cinematic and deeply moving.
2. Monster
Genre- Psychological/Crime/Thriller
Monster is widely considered one of the greatest detective and psychological anime ever created. Dr. Tenma’s pursuit of Johan Liebert becomes a terrifying exploration of morality, evil and human nature.
A slow-burn, realistic investigation with one of the best villains in history.
3. Erased
Genre- Psychological/Thriller/Mystery
A gripping time-travel detective thriller where a young man must prevent a serial kidnapping case from his childhood. With only 12 episodes, Erased has one of the cleanest and most powerful mysteries in modern anime.
4. ID: Invaded
Genre- Sci Fi/Psychological/Thriller
This anime dives inside criminals’ subconscious worlds to solve murders. Smart, stylish and conceptually brilliant, ID: Invaded is a treat for fans who enjoy puzzle-like mysteries and psychological riddles.
5. Psycho-Pass (Season 1)
Genre- Sci Fi/Psychological/Crime Thriller
Set in a dystopian future, Psycho-Pass follows inspectors who solve crimes based on mental readings. Philosophical, tense and morally complex, the show blends deep psychology with cyberpunk detective action.
6. Odd Taxi
Genre- Mystery/Crime/Thriller
What appears to be a calm slice-of-life show evolves into a tightly woven mystery involving missing persons, crime syndicates and identity twists. Odd Taxi rewards patient viewers with one of the smartest endings in anime history.
7. Bungo Stray Dogs
Genre- Action/Mystery/Detective
Armed detective agents investigate supernatural crimes while facing powerful organizations and hidden conspiracies. Stylish action meets clever detective work, making this perfect for fans who want mystery with energy.
8. Detective Conan
Genre- Mystery/Detective/Crime
A classic for a reason. While long-running, Conan remains the gold standard for episodic detective storytelling. Brilliant deductions, clever murder set-ups and satisfying reveals make it timeless.
Recommended for new viewers
Watch the major story arcs and movies, which condense the best cases.
9. Death Note
Genre- Psychological/Crime Thriller
Not a traditional detective show, but a psychological cat-and-mouse duel between Light and L. Their battle of wits, deductions and mind games is one of the most iconic detective narratives in anime history.
Perfect for beginners
Fast-paced, tightly written and brilliant from the start.
10. Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex
Genre- Sci Fi/Psychological/Investigation
This cyberpunk detective masterpiece follows Section 9 as they decode political crimes, cyber terrorism and identity-shifting criminals. The Laughing Man and Individual Eleven arcs are legendary in the genre.
Why it’s essential
Deep sci-fi, layered mystery and groundbreaking philosophical themes.
Final Thoughts
This Top 10 Detective Anime list brings together psychological thrillers, sci-fi investigations, crime dramas and classic whodunits. Whether you love cerebral mysteries like Monster or stylish crime adventures like Odd Taxi, each anime here offers unforgettable storytelling and brilliant detective writing.
Detective anime holds a special place in storytelling because it challenges the viewer to think, question, unravel clues and experience suspense in a deeply personal way. The titles in this list showcase just how rich and diverse the genre has become over the last two decades.
From the philosophical depth of Pluto and Psycho-Pass to the chilling realism of Monster and the brilliantly structured mystery of Odd Taxi, each anime offers a unique approach to crime, psychology and human behavior. These aren’t just shows about solving cases—they explore what motivates people, how society shapes justice, and how fragile the line between truth and illusion can be.
What makes detective anime truly stand out is its ability to stay with you long after the final scene. Whether it is a shocking twist, a haunting villain, a tragic revelation or a moral dilemma, great mystery storytelling leaves an impact that lingers in the mind. This top 10 list represents some of the finest examples of that impact—series that are gripping, unforgettable and designed with exceptional narrative care.
No matter what kind of detective story you love, there is something here that will pull you in, challenge you and keep you thinking until the very end.