16 Best Detective Anime: Decoding Mysteries and Motives

Imagine a detective agency where every member has a supernatural ability. That’s Bungou Stray Dogs.

At the center is Atsushi Nakajima, a homeless young man burdened by a power he doesn’t understand.

His life takes a sharp turn when he meets Osamu Dazai, an eccentric detective who draws him into the Armed Detective Agency.

This isn’t your average group of investigators, they solve cases while clashing with rival organizations, each boasting their own bizarre abilities.

And here’s the clever twist: every character is named after a famous author, with powers inspired by their literary works.

It’s stylish, action-packed, and still full of mystery. If you like detective work with a supernatural and literary twist, this one’s a gem.

Bungou Stray Dogs info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Spring 2016
• Studios: Bones
• Genres: Action, Mystery
• Themes: Adult Cast, Detective, Organized Crime, Super Power
• Score: 7.80 (MAL), 7.8 (IMDb)

Watch Bungou Stray Dogs trailer:

Set in a future where people’s mental states can be measured, Psycho-Pass turns detective work upside down.

Here, investigators don’t just track down criminals. They scan a person’s mind to see if they’re a threat before anything even happens. Creepy, but effective.

That system raises moral questions: is it justice to punish someone for something they haven’t done yet?

As the story unfolds, the mix of tense action and moral dilemmas pulls you in, forcing both the characters, and you, to second-guess the idea of a perfect society.

With its blend of sci-fi policing and psychological drama, Psycho-Pass isn’t just thrilling to watch, it’s one of the most thought-provoking detective anime out there.

Psycho-Pass info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 22
• Released: Fall 2012
• Studios: Production I.G
• Genres: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Suspense
• Themes: Adult Cast, Detective, Psychological
• Score: 8.33 (MAL), 8.1 (IMDb)

Watch Psycho-Pass trailer:

For a lighter, flashier take on the genre, meet Daisuke Kambe. He’s a detective who solves crimes the only way he knows how: by being obscenely rich.

Daisuke tackles cases with drones, luxury cars, and whatever high-tech gadget money can buy. Justice, for him, usually means throwing cash at the problem and making it look stylish.

Of course, that approach doesn’t sit well with his partner Haru, a by-the-book detective whose sense of justice constantly clashes with Daisuke’s reckless spending.

Their dynamic fuels the show’s sleek action and good humor.

Beneath the comedy and spectacle, the story teases intriguing mysteries about his wealth and past. If you’re in the mood for a lighter but stylish detective show, this is it.

The Millionaire Detective – Balance: Unlimited info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Fugou Keiji: Balance:Unlimited
• Episodes: 11
• Released: Spring 2020
• Studios: CloverWorks
• Genres: Mystery
• Themes: Adult Cast, Detective
• Score: 7.51 (MAL), 7.2 (IMDb)

Watch The Millionaire Detective – Balance: Unlimited trailer:

Set in a fictional European country during the 1920s, Gosick is a gothic mystery that blends atmospheric intrigue with character-driven drama.

At its heart is Victorique, a sharp-minded, doll-like girl who solves mysteries from the comfort of her library, aided by Kazuya, a Japanese transfer student who acts as her legs in the outside world.

What begins as a series of cozy detective cases slowly expands into a tale of dark political conspiracies, with personal bonds tested against the backdrop of looming turmoil.

Gosick feels like a gothic detective novel brought to life, full of atmosphere, charm, and romance. Think Sherlock Holmes, but with a haunting, whimsical twist.

Gosick info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 24
• Released: Winter 2011
• Studios: Bones
• Genres: Drama, Mystery, Romance
• Themes: Historical
• Score: 8.04 (MAL), 7.3 (IMDb)

Watch Gosick trailer:

This one flips the detective formula on its head.

Instead of following a detective chasing down a criminal, Terror in Resonance tells the story of two brilliant teens who stage acts of terrorism, while the police scramble to uncover their motives and stop them.

What follows is an intense cat-and-mouse game that feels emotional, suspenseful, and laced with sharp social commentary.

But it’s not just about solving puzzles or stopping crimes. The heart of the series lies in understanding why the culprits do what they do, and how trauma and alienation shaped them.

The detective on their trail is as compelling as the teens themselves, making both sides of the conflict equally gripping.

With stunning visuals and a story that balances tension with poignancy, Terror in Resonance is perfect if you’re looking for a detective story told from the other side of the chase.

Terror in Resonance info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Zankyou no Terror
• Episodes: 11
• Released: Summer 2014
• Studios: MAPPA
• Genres: Mystery, Suspense
• Themes: Detective, Psychological
• Score: 8.08 (MAL), 7.8 (IMDb)

You can’t talk about the best detective anime without mentioning Detective Conan. With over a thousand episodes, it’s practically an encyclopedia of mystery tropes.

The series follows Shinichi Kudo, a teenage prodigy who’s poisoned by a secret organization and transformed into a child.

Taking on the alias Conan Edogawa, he solves case after case while secretly working to uncover the truth behind the group that shrank him.

What makes Detective Conan special is its consistency. It’s classic, clever, and still pulling in new fans decades after it began.

But fair warning: if you’re just starting out, you’ll need some stamina to take on its massive episode count.

For anyone serious about detective anime, though, Detective Conan remains an essential watch. Conan’s daily life is full of mysterious case.

Detective Conan info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Case Closed, Meitantei Conan
• Episodes: –
• Released: Winter 1996
• Studios: TMS Entertainment
• Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Mystery
• Themes: Detective
• Score: 8.18 (MAL), 8.5 (IMDb)

ID:Invaded dives straight into the subconscious, where detectives enter the fragmented mental landscapes of criminals to uncover their motives and identities.

It’s a wildly original concept that blends sci-fi with classic mystery, turning each case into a twisted puzzle that explores both psychology and morality.

As the investigations unfold, the line between detective and suspect begins to blur, creating a tense, mind-bending experience.

Imagine Inception, but darker, sharper, and far more unsettling.

I:Invaded info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 13
• Released: Winter 2020
• Studios: NAZ
• Genres: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Suspense
• Themes: Adult Cast, Detective, Psychological
• Score: 7.81 (MAL), 7.5 (IMDb)

Watch I:Invaded trailer:

Pluto, from Naoki Urasawa (Monster), is a masterful reimagining of a classic Astro Boy arc, transforming it into a dark, detective-driven noir.

In a future where humans and advanced robots coexist uneasily, someone begins murdering the world’s most powerful robots, and the humans who support their rights.

The case falls to Gesicht, a Europol robot detective, who must navigate a string of chilling murders that blur the line between machine and man.

But this isn’t just a whodunit. Beneath the mystery lies a profound meditation on identity, morality, and what it truly means to be human.

Beautifully crafted and deeply moving, Pluto isn’t just one of the finest detective anime, it’s one of the greatest mystery stories in anime and manga history.

Pluto info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 8
• Released: 2023
• Studios: Studio M2
• Genres: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Suspense
• Themes: Detective, Psychological
• Score: 8.45 (MAL), 8.1 (IMDb)

One isolated mansion. One brilliant professor. One impossible murder. The Perfect Insider is a modern take on the classic locked-room mystery, a crime that seems physically impossible.

The story begins when university professor Sohei Saikawa and his student Moe Nishinosono visit a remote research facility, only to be confronted with a baffling murder.

The prime suspect? A genius scientist who has lived in total isolation for years.

What unfolds is a cerebral battle of wits that digs into philosophy, human nature, and the very limits of logic.

Heavy on dialogue and deduction, it’s less about flashy action and more about unraveling an intellectual puzzle piece by piece.

If you love slow-burn detective stories that challenge you to think, The Perfect Insider is a locked-room mystery at its finest, dressed in modern anime style.

The Perfect Insider info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Subete ga F ni Naru
• Episodes: 11
• Released: Fall 2015
• Studios: A-1 Pictures
• Genres: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Suspense
• Themes: Adult Cast, Detective, Psychological
• Score: 7.23 (MAL), 6.7 (IMDb)

Paranoia Agent is less about catching a culprit and more about unraveling the psychology of society itself.

The story begins with two detectives chasing after Lil’ Slugger, a mysterious figure on rollerblades who assaults people with a golden bat.

What starts as a straightforward case quickly spirals into something far stranger, a surreal exploration of paranoia, fear, and the power of urban legends.

Directed by Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Paprika), the series blurs the line between reality and delusion, pulling viewers into a world where the truth feels just out of reach.

It’s not your usual detective story, but Paranoia Agent stands as one of the most unsettling and thought-provoking mystery anime ever made.

Paranoia Agent info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Mousou Dairinin
• Episodes: 13
• Released: Winter 2004
• Studios: Madhouse
• Genres: Avant Garde, Drama, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense
• Themes: Adult Cast, Detective, Psychological
• Score: 7.66 (MAL), 8.0 (IMDb)

Undead Murder Farce is pure genre-bending fun.

Set in 19th-century Europe, it throws vampires, werewolves, and immortals into detective tales straight out of classic mystery fiction.

At the center is Aya Rindo, an immortal whose body was stolen. Alongside half-demon Tsugaru and her loyal assistant Shizuku, she travels the continent solving bizarre supernatural crimes.

What makes the series shine is its mix of clever mystery-solving and sharp, witty banter. Each case feels like a puzzle pulled straight from classic detective fiction, but dressed in stylish, supernatural flair.

Undead Murder Farce info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 13
• Released: Summer 2023
• Studios: Lapin Track
• Genres: Fantasy, Mystery
• Themes: Adult Cast, Detective, Historical, Urban Fantasy, Vampire
• Score: 7.85 (MAL), 7.5 (IMDb)

Set in a world where supernatural “Contractors” wield eerie powers at a personal cost, Darker than Black fuses espionage, noir, and detective work into one sleek package.

At its center is Hei, a mysterious Contractor who operates in the shadows, taking on covert missions while investigating strange incidents linked to a cosmic phenomenon.

His search pulls him deeper into a web of conspiracies and government cover-ups, where every truth uncovered raises new questions.

Stylish, atmospheric, and tinged with moral ambiguity, the series explores not just hidden agendas but also what it means to be human in a world reshaped by power.

For fans of detective stories with espionage flair and noir aesthetics, Darker than Black is a perfect fit.

Darker than Black info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Darker than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha
• Episodes: 25
• Released: Spring 2007
• Studios: Bones
• Genres: Action, Mystery
• Themes: Super Power
• Score: 8.04 (MAL), 7.7 (IMDb)

Black Butler isn’t a detective anime in the traditional sense, but its gothic cases and investigations are a huge part of its appeal.

Set in Victorian England, young noble Ciel Phantomhive serves as the Queen’s watchdog, unraveling mysteries and eliminating threats with the help of his demon butler, Sebastian.

From haunted mansions to underground cults, each arc blends gothic horror, intrigue, and sharp social commentary.

Sebastian’s refined charm masks terrifying power, while Ciel’s icy composure conceals the scars of deep trauma. Together, they create a partnership that’s as stylish as it is sinister.

While later seasons lean more into spectacle, the early arcs deliver tightly plotted cases with emotional weight and deliciously dark twists.

For fans of detective tales with a gothic edge, Black Butler is hard to resist.

Black Butler info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Kuroshitsuji
• Episodes: 24
• Released: Fall 1008
• Studios: A-1 Pictures
• Genres: Action, Mystery, Supernatural
• Themes: Historical, Mythology
• Score: 7.65 (MAL), 7.6 (IMDb)

In a quiet mountain village, a string of eerie disappearances hints at something far from human.

That mystery leads us to Kabane Kusaka, a stoic boy with mysterious origins who soon finds himself in Tokyo, working with a quirky team of supernatural investigators.

Together, they tackle kemono, monsters rooted in folklore and urban legend, through cases that mix action, fantasy, and detective work.

While Kemono Jihen leans more toward shounen action than pure deduction, its episodic mysteries are satisfying, and the overarching question of Kabane’s true nature gives the story real weight.

Blending folklore, urban legend, and detective drama, it’s a fresh, energetic take on the genre that balances monster-hunting spectacle with a deeper, ongoing mystery.

Kemono Jihen info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Winter 2021
• Studios: Ajia-do
• Genres: Action, Mystery, Supernatural
• Themes: Detective, Mythology
• Score: 7.36 (MAL), 7.2 (IMDb)

Inspired by Edogawa Ranpo’s legendary Boy Detectives Club, Trickster reimagines classic Japanese mystery fiction in a modern setting.

The story follows a group of young detectives tackling modern-day crimes while facing off against a mysterious figure known as the “Fiend with Twenty Faces.”

At the center is Hanasaki, a reckless but brilliant detective, and Kobayashi, a near-immortal boy who feels neither pain nor emotion.

While it didn’t get as much buzz as other detective anime, it’s worth checking out if you’re into Ranpo’s influence on the genre.

Trickster info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Trickster: Edogawa Ranpo “Shounen Tanteidan” yori
• Episodes: 24
• Released: Fall 2016
• Studios: TMS Entertainment, Shin-Ei Animation
• Genres: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
• Themes: Detective, Psychological
• Score: 6.25 (MAL), 6.4 (IMDb)

This Netflix anime throws a lot at you: a genius investigator, a dark serial killer case, and a vigilante known as “Killer B” who takes justice into his own hands.

At the center is Keith Flick, a brooding, coffee-loving detective with a tragic past, paired with Lily, a mysterious girl whose ties to the killer run deeper than they first appear.

Together, they navigate a case that grows darker and more tangled with every revelation.

With crisp animation, taut pacing, and a mix of psychological tension and high-octane action, the series feels like a bridge between classic detective fiction and modern sci-fi thrillers.

The mystery coils tighter with each episode, building to a payoff that makes the cat-and-mouse chase all the more satisfying.

B: The Beginning info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 12
• Released: 2018
• Studios: Production I.G
• Genres: Action, Mystery, Suspense
• Themes: Detective, Psychological, Super Power
• Score: 7.15 (MAL), 7.0 (IMDb)

And That’s a Wrap, Detective!

At their core, detective anime aren’t just about solving crimes. They’re about curiosity, patience, and the thrill of connecting the dots alongside the characters.

That’s what makes them linger with us. They challenge us to think critically, to notice the smallest details, and to savor the chase as much as the resolution.

The best detective anime keep us leaning forward, questioning everything, and sharpening our own powers of observation.

And when the mystery finally clicks into place, that rush of discovery is what makes the genre so endlessly rewarding.