7 Best Anime to Watch for Fans of the True Crime Genre

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Anime has always explored many different types of stories, from well-loved genres like sci-fi and fantasy to less typical ones like horror and drama. As anime becomes more popular around the world, it’s natural to expect even more creative and unique shows. Repeating the same stories endlessly would quickly become boring, even for dedicated fans.

While streaming services don’t always categorize them as such, true crime is a hugely popular genre. Many people are fascinated by dark and unsettling stories. Although you won’t find anime directly based on real serial killers or cases (and that’s a good thing!), there are lots of anime series that explore crime, mystery, and horror. Here are seven anime that fans of true crime will likely enjoy and that deserve a wider audience.

7) Moriarty the Patriot

Moriarty the Patriot offers a fresh perspective on the classic Sherlock Holmes stories. This anime, which began in 2020 and currently has two seasons, is set in Victorian England and tells the tale of Sherlock Holmes’s famous rival, James Moriarty. Instead of portraying him as a villain, the show explores his motivations, offering a compelling and surprisingly sympathetic look at a complex character. It’s a unique twist on the familiar story that makes you want to see Moriarty succeed.

Moriarty the Patriot follows William James Moriarty, a criminal mastermind known as the Lord of Crime. Moriarty is driven by a desire to fix the inequalities he sees within the British Empire, believing the lower classes are trapped in a hopeless situation. He decides to use crime as a way to build a better world, justifying his schemes and actions as necessary for achieving his ultimate goals.

6) Durarara!!

Durarara!! is still considered one of the best anime at telling a unified and captivating story through many different characters’ perspectives – something few shows have managed to do as well. Originally released in 2010, it remarkably still feels current and engaging compared to many newer anime. The series blends crime, supernatural themes, and a vibrant city setting to drive its plot. Fans continue to praise Durarara!! for its fantastic characters, immersive world, and overall enjoyable experience.

Durarara!! follows the lives of several people in Tokyo whose stories become intertwined. The anime centers around Mikado Ryuugamine, a newcomer to the Ikebukuro area, and his experiences help introduce the audience to the city’s unusual events. The show explores the wild and unpredictable side of city life, featuring conflicts between gangs, a mysterious information dealer, and a widespread urban legend.

5) ID: Invaded

The anime series Invaded is a hidden gem – a fantastic crime thriller that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. Released in 2020, it only had one season of 13 episodes, which is unfortunate because it excels in several areas. Viewers often commend its smart plot, compelling mysteries, and strong focus on psychological thrills – a genre that’s relatively uncommon in anime.

The anime ID: Invaded centers around Akihito Narihisago, formerly a celebrated detective known as Sakaido. After a personal tragedy and a wrongful imprisonment, Sakaido is released from prison to assist a special forces team called Kura. His unique ability allows him to enter the ‘ID wells’ – the unconscious minds – of criminals, helping them solve cases by extracting crucial information.

4) Pyscho – Pass

Psycho-Pass is a fascinating anime that explores a seemingly perfect society and reveals the problems hidden beneath the surface. Originally released in 2012, the series consists of three seasons and several films that continue its story. The animation was excellent for its time, and the plot is smart and thought-provoking, tackling complex themes like free will, corruption, the relationship between the government and citizens, and the nuances of morality. If you like shows that challenge your perceptions of right and wrong, Psycho-Pass is definitely worth checking out.

In the futuristic world of Psycho-Pass, a system called the Sibyl System constantly tracks people’s mental states to predict and prevent crime. It identifies individuals likely to commit offenses, and those deemed a high risk – especially for violent crimes – are arrested or even executed to maintain order. The story follows Akane Tsunemori, a new government Inspector, as she uncovers the flaws and corruption within this system, which has sparked opposition from some in Japan.

3) Odd Taxi

Odd Taxi is a charming anime with a cute art style and animal characters, but it tells a surprisingly complex and interconnected story. The show first aired in 2021 and has one season of 13 episodes. A movie, Odd Taxi: In the Woods, followed a year later. What makes the series great is how it skillfully connects all the characters and builds a slow-developing mystery that feels natural and believable.

Odd Taxi follows Odokawa, a walrus taxi driver who chats with his passengers. These seemingly random conversations slowly weave together a complex mystery surrounding the disappearance of a high school student. Each episode introduces new characters and reveals more about how they’re all connected to the missing girl.

2) Death Note

Death Note is a hugely popular anime known for its thrilling crime story and supernatural elements. What sets it apart is that the story is told from the perspective of the villain—a rare approach in anime. The series delves into complex ideas like the dangers of believing you’re all-powerful, the blurry line between good and evil, the nature of justice, and whether people can truly be redeemed.

The anime Death Note centers around Light Yagami, a high school student whose father is a police officer. One day, a god of death offers Light a special notebook—the Death Note—that kills anyone whose name is written in it. Light accepts and, driven by his own ideas of right and wrong, decides to use the notebook to eliminate crime and create a supposedly perfect world, effectively becoming a self-proclaimed god.

1) Monster

If you like crime anime, you’ve likely come across Monster. It’s famous for being a realistic thriller that focuses on psychological horror and complex characters, rather than action or fantasy. The series features a truly memorable villain and explores thought-provoking themes about what it means to be human and the nature of good and evil. If you enjoy anime that delves into these kinds of ideas, I definitely recommend checking it out.

The story of Monster delves into the question of whether people are born evil or become monsters, and what it means to commit your life to battling them. Dr. Kenzo Tenman faces this question when a boy he once saved in surgery becomes the prime suspect in a series of murders. Accused of wrongdoing himself, Kenzo is determined to find his former patient and bring him to justice, believing he failed years ago by letting the boy survive.

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2025-11-09 17:17