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Detective Anime continues to thrill fans with sharp minds, deep mysteries, and surprising twists. These anime challenge viewers to solve the puzzles alongside the characters. Sherlock Holmes may be the gold standard of detectives, but anime offers its own brand of brilliant minds.
From killers hiding in plain sight to corrupt systems and emotional truths, these shows explore more than just crime. The detectives in these stories don’t just uncover facts—they face danger, moral choices, and personal growth.
Here are ten detective anime that prove they can match, and sometimes even outshine, the world's most famous fictional sleuth.
Ranking of the Detective Anime
1. Death Note
Episode count: 37
In this intense anime, high school student Light Yagami finds a notebook that lets him kill anyone just by writing their name. He tries to use it to create a New World rid of evil, but a genius detective named L stands in his way.
What follows is a battle of wits between two of the smartest minds in anime. As L was trying to set Light up, Light was throwing L’s plans into disarray. Their mind games, traps, and moves felt like a high-stakes chess match.
Death Note is more than just a crime story. It’s about justice, power, and the thin line between right and wrong. With great power comes a lot of challenges, and this detective anime showed that.
2. Monster
Episode count: 74
Dr. Kenzo Tenma is a kind-hearted surgeon whose life changes after saving a young boy who grows up to become a serial killer. Blaming himself, Tenma sets off on a long journey across Europe to stop the monster he helped create.
Monster is a very dark anime. It is emotional and full of mystery. Every episode adds new layers to the story, making the puzzle harder to solve. The anime explores human nature, morality, and the extent to which humans can go to achieve their objectives.
The deep plot and psychological tension make Monster one of the most gripping detective anime out there.
3. Detective Conan (Case Closed)
Episode count: > 1,150
Shinichi Kudo is a teenage detective who solves crimes with ease. But after being drugged, he turns into a seven-year-old child and continues solving cases. He takes on the name Conan Edogawa, inspired by two famous mystery writers. He hides his true identity while helping the police crack case after case.
The mysteries in Detective Conan are clever, and the clues are always there for viewers to follow. Sometimes, it feels like the story was written in reverse, with how some clues are overlooked by viewers playing a large role.
The show has been running for years and still keeps fans guessing. Its mix of logic, humor, and suspense makes it a top choice for anyone who loves detective anime with a classic feel.
4. Psycho-Pass
Episode count: 41 episodes across 3 seasons
In a future society, people’s mental states can be measured using a cymatic scanner to predict if they will commit crimes. The police use this system to catch criminals before they act. However, rookie officer Akane Tsunemori begins to question how fair this system really is.
The anime explores freedom, justice, and what it means to be truly human. Can a bunch of computers with preset models really determine if a person is a criminal or not? From the first season with Shogo Makishima, a lot of deep questions are asked.
The investigations are complex, and the cases are deeply tied to individual characters’ beliefs. Psycho-Pass combines crime-solving with science fiction in a very unique way. This makes it one of the more distinct detective anime out there.
5. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Episode count: 52 episodes across 2 seasons
In the year 2030, people can connect their minds to the internet. As such, crimes have gone digital. Major Motoko Kusanagi leads a task force called Public Security Section 9 that solves technology-related acts of crime and terrorism. These include cybercrimes like cyberbrain hacking.
This anime mixes deep themes like identity, consciousness, and ethics with intense investigation and action. It also showed that technology is not evil; it is the people who use it that are bad. The case was smart and involved a large-scale conspiracy.
Ghost in the Shell was already an iconic detective anime, and this sequel stands out because it combines brainy plots with futuristic tech. This shows how crime and justice evolve with society.
6. Erased
Episode count: 12
Satoru Fujinuma has the power to go back in time when something bad is about to happen. After his mother is killed, he goes back 18 years to his childhood. He realizes that the kidnapping of his childhood classmate is connected to his mother’s death. Now he must solve the past to change the future.
Erased mixes the supernatural with mystery, emotion, and suspense. It explores the concept of the butterfly effect in a more emotional setting. The connection between past and present makes the mystery more personal.
With a strong lead and touching story, Erased is a Detective Anime that balances heart and mind.
7. Moriarty the Patriot
Episode count: 24 episodes across 2 seasons
Instead of following Sherlock Holmes, this anime focuses on his famous rival. This detective anime follows William James Moriarty, a brilliant man who wants to bring down England’s corrupt upper class.
William took the name Lord of the Crime and plans elaborate schemes as a criminal. He uses his mind to plan perfect crimes that expose the unfair system. The show turns Moriarty into a hero fighting for justice in his own way.
With stylish visuals and clever writing, Moriarty the Patriot offers a fresh and smart take on detective anime. The twist of following Sherlock’s rival instead of the iconic detective is a brilliant subversion.
8. The Kindaichi Case Files
Episode count: 148 episodes. Returns for 44 more episodes
Hajime Kindaichi is a lazy high schooler, and as such, not much is expected from him, especially with his failing grades. But in actuality, he's a genius when it comes to solving mysteries. Hajime often finds himself involved in tough cases filled with hidden clues and unexpected twists.
The Kindaichi Case Files brings classic murder mysteries to anime, with logical deductions and clever storytelling. The locations for many of the mysteries are also ever-changing. The cases are often dark and complex, making the solutions more satisfying than traditional detective anime.
This detective anime captures the spirit of old-school mysteries. It is not a very popular anime because of the time it came out. There have been a couple of live actions so far, though.
9. Un-Go
Episode count: 11
In a world recovering from war, detective Shinjurou Yuuki, who is referred to as the Last Great Detective, works with Inga, another detective, to solve crimes. They travel around the world to prove the truth of cases. But things aren’t always what they seem.
Un-Go explores truth, lies, and the power of information. The concept of a traumatized detective trying to make the lives of others better is heartwarming. The partnership between Yuuki and Inga is also interesting. Inga is a supernatural being with various abilities. This makes the anime different from most entries on this list.
With each case, the line between justice and deception gets blurred. The unique characters and artistic style give this detective anime a different but powerful feel, making it a hidden gem for mystery fans.
10. Paranoia Agent
Episode count: 13
Tokyo is shaken by a strange boy on golden inline skates who attacks people with a bent golden bat. Two detectives, Ikari and Maniwa, try to track him down, but the case becomes more confusing as people’s realities begin to fall apart.
The premise for this detective anime is somewhat intriguing. Without giving too much information, the anime mixes mystery with psychology, showing how fear and stress affect the mind. The anime makes you question what’s real and what’s not.
Its bold storytelling and eerie mood make it one of the most original detective anime. It’s not just about solving a crime; it’s about exploring the human mind.
Conclusion
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Detective anime brings a fresh and smart approach to the mystery genre. These shows prove that anime can create complex stories filled with suspense, emotion, and plot twists.
Each anime on this list offers something special, showing that Sherlock Holmes isn’t the only one who can crack a tough case. Fans of crime dramas and mind games will find plenty to love in these series. If you enjoy clever stories with deep characters, these detective anime are worth watching.
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