Top 10 Engaging Murder Mystery Animes Worth Watching

Murder mystery animes offer exciting experiences with a variety of options to choose from. Fans of suspense, intrigue, and unexpected plot twists will be drawn to this genre. Viewers are sure to be kept on their toes until the very end.

Here, we present 10 of the top murder mystery animes that showcase peculiar crimes, surprising culprits, and unique detectives. Whether it's a traditional locked room mystery or a modern cybercrime investigation, there is something for every murder mystery enthusiast.

Disclaimer: This list is not ranked in any particular order and reflects the writer's opinions.

Top 10 murder mystery animes to add to your watchlist

1) The File of Young Kindaichi

The File of Young Kindaichi (Image via Toei Animation) - 1) The File of Young Kindaichi - Top 10 murder mystery animes to add to your watchlist

The File of Young Kindaichi (Image via Toei Animation)

The File of Young Kindaichi is a beloved anime series that revolves around the adventures of amateur detective Hajime Kindaichi. Throughout the franchise, viewers are taken on a thrilling journey as Kindaichi solves a variety of complex murder mysteries. These cases often involve puzzling scenarios such as locked room mysteries, mass killings, and elaborate death traps reminiscent of Rube Goldberg machines.

Detective Conan

One of the most popular mystery anime series is Detective Conan. Following the adventures of a teenage detective who gets transformed into a child, the show is filled with intriguing cases and clever solutions. With its engaging plot twists and lovable characters, Detective Conan is a must-watch for fans of detective stories.

Detective Conan (Image via TMS Entertainment) - 2) Detective Conan

Detective Conan (Image via TMS Entertainment)

Shinichi Kudou, a teenager, is the main character in one of the longest-running anime franchises. He was turned into a child after accidentally ingesting an experimental poison.

Now known as Conan Edogawa, Shinichi uses his child form to solve challenging murder cases. He works undercover, helping the police and trying to uncover the criminal organization behind his transformation. Detective Conan has over 900 anime episodes, each featuring a variety of intriguing murder mysteries.

Some of the best mysteries include the Sunflowers of Inferno case spanning multiple episodes and the confrontation with the elusive black organization sniper, Chianti.

3) Erased

Erased (Image via A-1 Pictures) - 3) Erased

Erased (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Satoru Fujinuma has a special ability where he goes back in time a few minutes before a tragedy happens, giving him the chance to stop it. One day, his mother is killed by someone he doesn't know, and he is sent back 18 years to when he was in elementary school.

In order to change the future and save his mother, Satoru decides to protect his classmate Kayo Hinazuki from being kidnapped and murdered. This story is a suspenseful murder mystery focusing on Satoru's mission to prevent Kayo's tragic fate.

4) B: The Beginning

Join Satoru as he races against the clock to reveal the killer's identity, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats with thrilling twists and turns until the jaw-dropping truth is unveiled.

B: The Beginning (Image via Production I.G) - 4) B: The Beginning

B: The Beginning (Image via Production I.G)

In the futuristic island nation of Cremona, royal investigator Keith Flick is on a mission to solve a murder case that has hit a dead end. The victims are discovered enclosed in steel frames, leading Keith to team up with the intelligent AI assistant Olivia and the daring motorcycle rider Koku. Together, they delve into the mystery surrounding the elusive killer known as "Killer B".

This Netflix original anime offers stunning cyberpunk visuals and a captivating cat-and-mouse chase between Keith and Killer B. The strategic clues left at each crime scene not only add to the suspense but also allow viewers to put on their detective hats and try to unravel the killer's motives and next steps.

5) Monster

Monster (Image via Madhouse) - 5) Monster

Naoki Urasawa, a famous anime legend, is known for his captivating mystery and suspense series. One of his highly praised works is Monster, which revolves around brain surgeon Kenzo Tenma. When Tenma saves the life of a sociopathic young boy named Johan Liebert, his life takes a dark turn. As the years pass, Tenma finds himself on a mission to find Johan, who is now on a killing spree across Germany.

6) Gosick

Gosick is like the anime version of a gritty crime novel, with a mature storyline that delves into the mystery behind Johan’s traumatic past and psychology. Viewers are kept on their toes as they try to uncover Johan’s motives and end goal while following Tenma's pursuit.

Gosick (Image via Bones) - 6) Gosick

Gosick (Image via Bones)

Set in a fictional European country during the 1920s, Gosick follows eccentric detective prodigy Victorique and her assistant Kazuya as they solve mysteries for their fellow students at the Saint Marguerite Academy. From stolen treasures to ghost ships, each case requires Victorique’s sharp intellect and deductive reasoning to crack.

Viewers enjoy clever mystery plotlines in Gosick's 24 episodes as Victorique unravels the secrets behind each puzzle using historical context and other subtle clues. The odd supernatural case also gets thrown in, such as the werewolf murder mystery featured towards the end.

7) The Perfect Insider

The Perfect Insider (Image via A-1 Pictures) - 7) The Perfect Insider

Professor Sohei Saikawa and his student Moe Nishinosono receive an invitation from Dr. Shiki Magata to visit her secluded research lab. They are excited to meet the renowned computer scientist, who is known as one of the most brilliant minds alive today.

When a murder happens inside her locked lab, which was off-limits to outsiders, Sohei and Moe need to uncover how the killer got in and out. As they learn more about Dr. Magata's mysterious life and past experiments, the puzzle becomes even more complex.

"The Perfect Insider" presents a modern twist on the traditional locked room murder mystery, revealing the truth behind the perplexing crime one step at a time.

8) Heaven’s Memo Pad

Heaven’s Memo Pad (Image via J.C.Staff) - 8) Heaven’s Memo Pad

After his father passed away, Narumi Fujishima relocates to a quiet town where he crosses paths with the NEET Detective Agency. This group of quirky misfits offers their unique services as "researchers". Working alongside the agency's brilliant member Alice, Narumi finds himself delving into a puzzling double suicide case.

Hyouka

Houtarou Oreki joins the Classic Literature Club at his sister's request, where he meets the energetic Eru Chitanda. Together, they solve various mysteries and uncover hidden truths in their school. Hyouka is a captivating blend of slice-of-life and mystery genres, with a focus on character development and subtle storytelling.

Hyouka (Image via Kyoto Animation) - 9) Hyouka

Hyouka (Image via Kyoto Animation)

Houtarou Oreki, a lazy high schooler, always tries to save energy and avoid unnecessary effort. However, when his sister convinces him to join the Classic Literature Club to assist in solving a mysterious case, Houtarou's natural deductive abilities and keen eye for detail are unexpectedly ignited.

Teaming up with club mate Eru Chitanda, whose curiosity motivates them to delve into new mysteries, they embark on uncovering the strange events unfolding within their school.

Psycho-Pass is a gripping sci-fi anime series that delves into the complexities of a futuristic society where people's mental states are constantly monitored to prevent crime. The thought-provoking storyline, well-developed characters, and intense action sequences make Psycho-Pass a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers and dystopian settings.

Psycho-Pass (Image via Production I.G) - 10) Psycho-Pass

Psycho-Pass (Image via Production I.G)

In a dystopian future, the Sibyl System monitors citizens to predict if they will commit crimes. Inspector Akane Tsunemori and her Enforcers chase after clever criminals who evade detection. Each case reveals more about the true nature of the Sibyl System.

As Akane and her team tackle challenging cases, they spark debates about judging someone based on their potential to commit crimes rather than their actions. The complex crimes, unexpected villains, and thought-provoking themes make it a captivating show for fans of sci-fi mystery thrillers.

In summary, murder mysteries are a thrilling choice for anime fans to enjoy. The anime series mentioned above showcase how the genre combines traditional whodunits with unique twists like supernatural elements and futuristic cyber crimes.

For more information, check out these related links:

Editor's P/S:

The article on murder mystery animes provides an intriguing overview of the genre, highlighting its diverse offerings and captivating storylines. The selection of 10 top animes showcases the variety of murder mysteries, from classic locked room puzzles to modern cybercrime investigations.

Each anime series mentioned offers unique elements that appeal to different tastes. "The File of Young Kindaichi" and "Detective Conan" are classic whodunits with complex mysteries and clever solutions. "Erased" and "B: The Beginning" introduce time-bending and futuristic elements, while "Monster" and "Gosick" delve into the psychological aspects of crime. "The Perfect Insider" and "Heaven's Memo Pad" present modern twists on the traditional locked room mystery, and "Hyouka" and "Psycho-Pass" blend mystery with slice-of-life and sci-fi elements.