Top 15 Best Detective Anime
15. Alice & Zoroku
Sana is a “special child” who escapes a facility and into the public. She finds herself in the care of reluctant yet empathetic elderly man Zoroku and his granddaughter. While he can be a grouch despite how much Sana likes him, he knows this child must be protected. Because she’s no ordinary girl. She’s the “Dreams of Alice”.
Father-adopting-daughter anime is common (with disgusting manga). But this is a rare grandfather-adopts-granddaughter one.
The scientific/fantasy elements are added because without them, this anime would be boring.
Zoroku may seem like an ass in some scenes, but then again he’s an old man. An old man whom we can learn from, just as Sana does.
So he’s a wiseass.
14. Den-noh Coil
The world has changed. Becoming more virtually even. Society has entertained itself with these internet-connecting, VR glasses that show a better world. Yuko and her family move to the technologically-advanced city in the world. There, her grandmother delights her with the task of working for her “agency”. A group of children provided the tools and resources to investigate the virtual world. It couldn’t come at a better time. Because something sinister and virus-like embeds itself into the internet.
So...Ready Player One BEFORE Ready Player One?
Videogame anime where people are sucked into another world can be good anime. If done right.
After exposing myself to Sword Art Online and that really dumb one PiPoPa (it’s very obscure, just Google it), I’m not sure about this one.
But child detectives are pretty cute! And this anime does prove that children can be smarter than the average adult.
13. UN-GO
Shinjurou is what he likes to call himself the “Last Great Detective”. His passion for mystery-solving is what makes him stand up. And practically an outcast. While his skills have earned him the detest of the criminal world, the “good guys” like the police especially can’t stand him. He’s not alone, however, thanks to his brilliant-minded assistant Inga.
A lesser-liked version of Jimmy from Case Closed (and if he never turned back into a kid)
Still, who doesn’t like a good mystery solved by a charming yet slightly egotistical nobody?
Even Sherlock Holmes had his fair share of haters.
12. Heaven’s Memo Pad
Narumi was a loner by choice. Never could connect with his classmates, and most certainly was not looking for a serious relationship. However, just above a ramen shop lives a girl with similar beliefs. Her name is Alice, and she’s a NEET. While simple and almost child-like, she’s actually an expert hacker who has a team of crime-fighters. And Narumi just got recruited.
The word NEET gives me chills (and not in the aroused kind of way).
Alice already gives me creepy vibes. And her stuffed animals don’t make it easier (this is some Five Nights at Freddy’s sh*t).
Narumi comes off as somewhat of an ass. But points for making introverts relate.
What can we learn from an anime like this?
Go outside every once in a while. And don’t hack the government.
11. Detective School Q
Kyuu has the heart of an angel and the mind of a detective. Wanting to pursue his interests, he attends the Dan Detective School. There, he meets other brilliant-minded students who all have a special skill. Together, they search for truth and justice.
So if Jimmy from Case Closed stayed a teen...and we actually get to see his school life?
The whole school thing has been overdone in anime. But a detective school? Finally, something interesting besides stupid crushes and perverted teachers!
Have you ever read those Cam Jansen books when you were a kid? There’s a character in this anime whose photographic memory is just as good.
10. Psycho-Pass
In the future, it’s possible to measure a person’s emotions, desires, every bit of their mood. It’s even possible to determine their crime tendency, which is used to judge criminals. Shinya and his enforcement team ensure to keep crime off the streets, thanks to this new technology. However, sometimes a blessing can be a curse. And sometimes people are more than what they are judged.
There’s this 2002 movie called Minority Report. It had Tom Cruise as a cop working for an organization that specializes in “mind-reading technology” just like the anime introduces.
Both have serious consequences, of course. More to know means more people to hurt.
There was also a Black Mirror episode with a similar concept but that one is different. (and the MC deserved her karma at the end)
If you like technology both helping and letting you down, then this anime is for you!
9. Lovely Detective Labyrinth
In the forgotten town of Tokyo, stange, supernatural occurrences haunt the streets. No one knows what these are and why they roam about. However, one young boy with a detective brain can find the answers. After all, he does not fear them. In fact, he has some connection to them.
Can we take a moment to acknowledge that Hyuga Mayuki is the absolute CUTEST detective ever? Conan Edogawa (Case Closed) has some serious competition!
I’d like to think maybe this anime is scary. But it mainly gives me Elegant Yokai Apartment Life vibes (if you haven’t watched that yet, you’re missing out. WATCH IT RIGHT NOW).
We got this fearless young kid who is able to interact with those any Average Joe could not even handle for a second. Sure, we’re worried for a moment that it’ll turn into Elfen Lief in a heartbeat. But somehow Mayuki just lets us know everything will be alright.
I realize he looks like he would belong in Ouran High School. Only the cutest (and most ballsy) attend there.
8. Holmes of Kyoto
Aoi never expected to get a part-time job at the simple antique store in the Teramachi district. Nor did she expect to work alongside the owner’s son Yagashira. However, it’s more than just handling antiques. More often than not, the store receives clients who are in need of mystery-solving. And Aoi finds herself unexpectedly becoming a detective as well.
Simple plot. Mystery-solving. A bunch of meddling kids.
This is Scooby Doo if it were an anime!
Aoi is the mix of Daphne and Velma. And Yagashira is the combination of Freddy and Shaggy.
Not sure who would be Scoob though. But there are a lot of bitches in this anime (lol)!
Mystery anime can hurt my head. Case Closed overdoes it and their mysteries leave me with the fear of sleeping.
This is a humble slice-of-life with mystery tagged to it. Something you can sit in front of and watch while multitasking.
7. Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor
Sistina attends the renowned magical academy in hopes of solving the mystery of the Sky Castle, something her late grandfather told stories about. However, her favorite teacher has announced retirement, and his specially hand-picked replacement takes over. And he’s lazy! Sistina believes he’s a bastard instructor and should just leave. But she starts changing her mind the more she learns about him. There was a good reason why he was hand-picked.
Yeah, just like Sistina, I really thought Glenn was a total asshat too. I honestly would not feel bad if he got hurt. Or even killed.
But just like Sisti, my mind completely changed. Sometimes he can be a real dick, but like Naruto he has immeasurable powers.
Also, he’s actually a pretty nice guy. It’s no wonder Sisti slowly begins to fall for him.
I hope to god they’re working on a second season. You cannot just go end a 12-episode season on a cliffhanger and leave me to wonder if Glenn likes her back!
Oh, yeah, and if the bad guy will ever be stopped, sure...
6. Layton’s Mystery Detective Agency: Kat’s Mystery-Solving Files
Katrielle is a young detective living in London. Every day is a new mystery for her to solve! Come along as she and her dog Sherl solve the next big case!
I am not the only one who notices the designs in this anime look VERY similar to Pokemon, right? Sherl the dog could practically be mistaken for a Smeargle (and I LOVE Smeargle!).
I know this anime was made mainly for the child demographic. But plenty of grown-ups love this too!
I mean, finally, an anime where no one gets killed. No heavy plot. And the MC is totally nice and kawaii!
This is a reliever to something like Tokyo Ghoul (that anime has the mystery tag, and yes, I’m comparing it to this).
5. Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace
It was just another ordinary day at school. Except it turned into murder as Yoshio suddenly finds his teacher’s corpse. And him holding the weapon. Along with his friend Souji, together they must clear his name. But not without a little fun first.
I just realized there’s horror in this (I mean, there’s a f*cking DEAD BODY in the first episode!). But this was a highly-recommended mystery anime that deserved to be in the Top 5 of this list.
Yoshio may look cute, but he’s got a rebellious side. I don’t want to say sinister, but he does enjoy the “thrill” of being framed. Makes me wonder if going to prison would have been a good idea after all.
This isn’t Deadman Wonderland, but the way each kickstarts their plot is very similar (SPOILER: it involves someone from a school getting killed and the MC being framed).
If you’re into that dark, arousing sh*t like Black Butler, then here’s something that might get Aleister Chamber off your mind.
4. Nanana’s Buried Treasure
Nanae Island was a place where people could let their mindset and inclinations soar. With more than 100,000 people (most being students) inhabiting the island, the project has become a success. Jugo, who just got disowned by his family, transfers to his island hoping to finally be alone. That doesn’t happen because he suddenly meets the spirit of Nanana, who was killed 10 years prior. Now he has to solve her mystery while also searching for her treasure that’s hidden on the island.
Island mysteries are so Indiana Jones-esque. Remember the traps and threats Indy barely escaped in the movies?
Well, switch him with a bunch of kids and we got Goonies!
And just like that nostalgic film, some of the characters in this anime can be really annoying. And the romance is confusing. (seriously, why did they had to add hints of harem in this?)
But like any attentive watcher, you’ll stick to the end (and this anime only has 11 episodes) to figure out if they ever find the treasure.
3. Idaten Jump
Sho Yamato enjoys mountain biking. So when a bunch of tough-looking kids challenge him to a race, of course, he accepts! However, just when he thinks he’ll win this, they all end up being transported to another world. There, they must compete in similar mountain biking challenges for the sole entertainment of the higher-ups. Sho will have to complete these risky events if he ever wants to go home.
The idea of dirt biking and intergalactic mystery is a new one for me. While it does feel like it was made for the younger audience, a lot of adults do like this. (after all, we obsess with Pokemon, Bakugan, and especially Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Of course most of the characters are kids. And anime kids can be annoying real quick.
But if you ignore the bratty characters and welcome the development through the episodes, this is actually a good watch!
2. Super Gals!
Ran is trendy, fashionable, and loves shopping. But don’t let her make-up and accessories fool you. She comes from a family of cops. And she’s not afraid to lay down the law if you mess with her town! She and her girlfriends will prove themselves to be the best crime-fighting group in Shibuya.
This anime screams 2000s. Because there is no way in hell anyone in 2021 would dress up the way Ran and her girls do.
But questionable taste aside, this is a good, homely anime where all the characters are perky, comedic, and unforgettable.
It also reminds you that if you were born in the 2000s, that’s what YOU used to dress like.
1. Detective Opera Milky Holmes
The girls at Holmes Detective Academy are well-educated and respected. But during a stormy night, amidst the chaos against their rivals from the Gentlemen Thief Empire, the girls go through some very drastic changes.
If Sherlock Holmes was a cute anime girl.
Cute is an understatement. This entire series is overloaded with adorable imagery.
If you’ve watched Pretty Cure, Mewkledreamy, or any magic girl/Hello Kitty type of show, this one should definitely go on your list.
Sometimes you’re going to forget their solving a mystery because of how absolutely girly the characters are. I’m not saying this is sexist (although Japan tends to do that in their anime), but keep in mind this was especially made for younger children. (or adults with sick minds)
Also Be Sure To Read:
- Best Adventure Anime of All Time
- Best Horror Animes of All Time (Part 1)
- Best Anime with Magic
- Best High School Anime
- Best Romance Anime
- Best Slice-of-Life Anime
- Top 10 Mecha Anime
- 25 Best Demon Anime
- 25 Best Action Animes of All Time
- Best Detective Anime of All Time
- [Top 15] Anime Horror Games With Great Storylines
- Log in or register to post comments