Anime is renowned for its wide range of genres, from popular science fiction and fantasy to lesser-known horror and drama. As anime reaches global audiences, creators constantly seek fresh storylines to keep viewers engaged and avoid repetition.
One genre that’s booming but often overlooked is True Crime, captivating fans who love dark and chilling tales. While no anime is based entirely on real cases, many series skillfully explore crime, mystery, and psychological horror.
Here are seven perfect anime picks for fans of these gripping genres.
7) Moriarty the Patriot
This series offers a fresh and unique perspective on the Sherlock Holmes universe by shifting the focus to the iconic villain William James Moriarty. Set in Victorian England, a society rife with class divides and injustice, Moriarty is no ordinary criminal.
He is the “Crime Lord” with extraordinary intellect, using intricate plots and crimes as tools to dismantle the corrupt social system from within, believing his noble cause justifies all his actions.
6) Durarara!!
Set in the lively and chaotic Ikebukuro district of Tokyo, Durarara!! weaves a complex and colorful tapestry of interconnected lives. From Mikado Ryuugamine, a new student trying to fit in, to rival street gangs Dollars and Yellow Scarves, a cunning information broker, and a mysterious headless rider on a black motorcycle, the series blends organized crime, supernatural elements, and fast-paced urban drama.
5) ID: Invaded
Combining sci-fi with psychological detective work, ID: Invaded follows Akihito Narihisago (aka Sakaido), a former top detective imprisoned for murder. To earn his freedom, he must work with the special Kura unit.
His job is to dive into “ID Wells”, the unconscious minds of serial killers, using advanced technology. Sakaido gathers clues from deep within the criminals’ psyches to solve cases from the inside, creating a tense and cerebral adventure.
4) Psycho-Pass
Set in a futuristic Japan where the government uses the Sibyl System to monitor and control citizens, this system measures and predicts crime tendencies through a “Crime Coefficient.”
The story follows Akane Tsunemori, a new Inspector in the Public Safety Bureau, who soon uncovers the authoritarian and hypocritical nature beneath Sibyl’s perfect facade. As she hunts high-risk individuals, the series raises profound questions about personal freedom and justice.
3) Odd Taxi
Beneath its charming anthropomorphic graphics, Odd Taxi is a slow-burning, highly intelligent mystery. The story centers on Odokawa, a quiet walrus taxi driver. Through seemingly casual conversations with passengers, from K-Pop idols and university students to shady brokers, a complex web unfolds around the mysterious disappearance of a high school girl. The show is a carefully crafted puzzle connecting seemingly unrelated lives.
2) Death Note
Genius student Light Yagami discovers the Death Note, a notebook belonging to a Shinigami that allows him to kill anyone by writing their name. Tempted by its power, Light decides to use it to purge criminals, crowning himself “Kira,” the god of a new world. The series is a classic battle of wits between Light and the enigmatic detective L, exploring themes of morality, justice, and the corrupting influence of power.
1) Monster
Widely regarded as a masterpiece of psychological horror and realistic crime anime, Monster creates tension without supernatural elements or action-packed scenes. The story begins when Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a talented surgeon, chooses to save a young boy over the mayor.
Years later, that boy, Johan Liebert, becomes a cold-blooded serial killer. Kenzo abandons everything, living as a fugitive to track Johan down and atone for his “mistake,” confronting the fundamental question: Can human nature truly change? Are monsters born or made?