Justice isn’t always clear-cut between right and wrong. The savior isn’t necessarily the one with a badge. Sometimes, the seemingly kind are the ones who cause trouble. The justice system doesn’t always get it right, and sometimes ordinary people take matters into their own hands. In crime dramas, things aren’t always as they appear. Yet, one thing remains certain: these shows will undoubtedly keep you biting your nails in anticipation, trying to predict the next move and solve the mystery.
From being a ruthless serial killer, a powerful mafia figure, an enigmatic supernatural entity, or a corrupted legal system, to assuming the role of a virtuous detective, an innocent child, or a humble taxi driver – no matter who you are, these crime dramas hide a multitude of unanswered questions, unexpected twists, and shocking revelations beneath their ominous surfaces. Whether you’re in search of a show to consume in one sitting or for the long term, there’s undoubtedly one of these captivating anime series that will keep you enthralled!
7) Odd Taxi
In his role as a taxi driver, Hiroshi Odokawa frequently encounters an array of intriguing passengers, such as Taichi Kabasawa, an unemployed individual aiming for internet stardom, Miho Shirakawa, a nurse concealing her own mysteries, the struggling comedic duo known as “Homo Sapiens,” and notorious delinquent Dobu. Navigating the challenges of his profession isn’t straightforward, however, when a young woman disappears and clues point to him, with both the yakuza and corrupt police officers relentlessly pursuing him in connection with the case.
At first glance, “Odd Taxi” seems like a light-hearted anime with anthropomorphic animal characters engaged in trivial matters. However, it soon becomes apparent that this series delves into deeper, more complex themes than one might initially expect. It subtly layers mystery after mystery, some of which may even go unnoticed as mysteries at the start. This intricate layering brings a fresh, intelligent spin to the crime drama genre.
Odd Taxi can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
6) Erased
A 29-year-old manga artist named Satoru Fujinuma has an unusual ability called “Revival,” where he can go back several minutes before an accident happens, enabling him to prevent accidents and save lives. However, when he’s falsely accused of murdering someone close, he finds himself transported 18 years back in time to 1988 during his childhood. Thinking that the recent murder might be linked to a tragic event from his past – the kidnapping and murder of his classmate Kayo Hinazuki – Satoru sees this as an opportunity to rectify the situation, unravel the mystery, and prevent future calamities.
Erased offers a unique spin on crime dramas by assigning the role of investigators to a child instead of experienced detectives or police forces. Despite its popularity, this gripping mystery remains somewhat overlooked. The suspenseful storyline will keep you guessing as Satoru’s underestimated investigations encounter dangerous challenges, such as being disregarded by unperceptive and indifferent adults who downplay genuine problems faced by children, sometimes until it’s too late.
Erased can be streamed on Hulu or Crunchyroll where available.
5) Death Note
In a bid to spice up his monotonous eternal existence in the Shinigami Realm, Ryuk decides to introduce some excitement by dropping his Death Note into the human world. It’s a young, intelligent high school student named Light Yagami who discovers this mysterious notebook. Doubting if the gruesome practice of ending lives by writing names was a cruel joke, Light experiments with it by eliminating a criminal, thereby confirming the authenticity of the Death Note. Assuming the pseudonym “Kira,” Light begins to justify his continued usage of the Death Note by targeting individuals he considers evil. However, as Kira gains infamy, a renowned detective named L becomes determined to unmask him, leading to an intelligent cat-and-mouse game.
As an avid anime enthusiast, I can’t help but sing praises for the legendary Death Note by Madhouse. This captivating masterpiece has served as an entry point into more mature realms of anime for countless coming-of-age fans like myself. Its iconic status has even extended beyond the realm of anime, with numerous other forms of media referencing it as a familiar classic. The crime drama genre meets the supernatural and psychology in this thrilling series that will leave you on the edge of your seat, guessing who the next victim could be.
Death Note can be streamed on Netflix, Prime, Hulu, Peacock, Pluto, or Tubi where available.
4) 91 Days
In his childhood, Angelo Lagusa experienced the horrific event of his entire family – his parents and younger sibling – being brutally killed by the Vanetti mafia gang, residing in a town known as Lawless. Losing everything, Angelo makes the decision to forsake whatever was left of his home, town, and even his name by adopting a new identity, Avilio Bruno. He spends seven years hiding out, biding his time and honing his skills for the chance at revenge. When he finally receives an enigmatic letter, Avilio returns to Lawless and befriends Nero, the son of the Vanetti don. With the right set of skills now at his disposal, Avilio takes his time and systematically eliminates each member responsible for his family’s massacre.
This Prohibition-era crime drama presents a historically authentic feel to its genre, with the central character finding himself compelled to confront the injustices inflicted upon him and his family. When confronted by the ruthlessness of the mafia, Avilio responds through strategic maneuvering and careful planning, his journey towards revenge being marked by a dark, blood-soaked path that unfolds gradually over time.
3) Psycho-Pass
In the 22nd century of Japan, I’ve observed a unique evolution in the concept of justice. It’s now primarily entrusted to an advanced system called the Sibyl System, which evaluates individuals’ mental states to determine potential threats or criminal intent, often referred to as Psycho-Pass. These assessments dictate how people are treated within society.
The law enforcement officers, known as Inspectors, are responsible for maintaining order, even using lethal force against those with the tiniest hint of dissent. Enforcers, who are considered potential criminals themselves, receive clemency if they agree to serve on the frontlines enforcing the law.
A new Inspector named Akane Tsunemori recently joined the force, eager to fulfill her civic duty with unwavering righteousness. However, as she works alongside veteran Enforcer Shinya Kougami, she begins to question the integrity of this seemingly flawless justice system. She starts to suspect it may be corrupted and ponders what true justice truly entails.
In the future, as technology evolves significantly, we can anticipate a more streamlined and morally sound legal system, right? This captivating psychological science fiction crime series delves into intriguing questions about the essence of fairness, the role of justice systems in upholding true justice, and whether an objective realization of justice is truly achievable.
Psycho-Pass can be streamed on Prime, Crunchyroll, or Hulu where available.
2) Terror In Resonance
During a school outing at the Tokyo Metropolitan office, Lisa Mishima finds herself in the midst of turmoil when a terrorist inadvertently implicates her as an accessory while rescuing her from their own bombing attack. Fleeing with them, she discovers that they are responsible for the mayhem plaguing Tokyo, setting off bombs, disseminating cryptic video riddles, and inducing widespread fear. They identify themselves as Nine and Twelve, the masked characters in the videos famously called “Sphinx.” In defiance of the authorities, these terrorist acts and riddles serve a dual purpose: to provoke the police and government, and more importantly, to reveal a hidden truth about their tragic past – a secret that the government has been concealing.
Not every dystopia is characterized by obvious pain and inequalities, nor do they all feature societies that are either futuristic or dilapidated. The MAPPA crime drama series presents something more relatable – an ordinary, contemporary setting with a hidden, shady underworld.
Terror in Resonance can be streamed on Crunchyroll and Tubi.
1) Monster
In this scenario, when acclaimed brain surgeon Dr. Kenzou Tenma encounters an ethical dilemma by having to choose between saving a child’s life or operating on the town’s mayor as instructed, he opts for the former and saves young Johan Liebert’s life. However, his noble actions lead to unforeseen repercussions. Over time, Tenma loses his job and his fiancée, and a string of mysterious deaths occur, leading many to suspect him. This ultimately leads Tenma to grapple with the aftermath of his decisions and confront the potential monster he may have inadvertently allowed to survive.
If you’re on the hunt for a riveting crime drama that’ll hold your attention from start to finish during a marathon session, “Monster” is just the ticket! Spanning 74 episodes, this thrilling journey with Tenma will take you on a lengthy, multi-year odyssey filled with psychological intrigue and moral dilemmas that will make you ponder.
Monster can be streamed on Netflix.
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2025-08-19 04:18