The best mystery anime From Paprika to Tatami Galaxy

Anna Last Updated: March 30, 2024

12 minutes read

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Suppose you are one of the fans of mysterious and enigmatic anime. In that case, you will enjoy watching the secrets that are gradually revealed and the questions that are answered.

Who can claim not to enjoy solving a complex problem or uncovering a well-kept secret? Watching how all the puzzle pieces are put together and how difficult and complex puzzles are easily solved is a pleasant experience. This experience can give viewers the feeling of being Sherlock Holmes.

Mysterious conspiracies are usually either well-executed and make the conclusion difficult, or on the contrary, we witness a chaotic adventure whose end is evident from the beginning of the story. Fortunately, Japanese animators and writers have been very subtle in dealing with this genre and have displayed their skills well.

So, in the rest of this article, stay with us to look at some of the best mystery anime. You may find the place of some big names empty in this article, but instead, we will introduce some other well-made anime to your dear ones, whose names may have been mentioned less. But of course, attractive animes such as Death Note, made in Abyss, Monster, and other products of the anime world, with their riddles and complex questions, are among the attractive, enigmatic animes.

The best mystery anime

15- The Garden of Sinners anime

The Garden Of Sinners anime

Genre: Action, Crime
Directors : E Aoki, Takuya Nonaka, Takayuki Hirao and others
Voice actors : Maya Sakumoto, Kenichi Suzumura and Takako Honda
Production studio: Ufotable
Broadcast time and number of seasons: seven short films between 2007 and 2009 and the final film in 2013
The average score of The Garden Of Sinners on IMDB: 7

The Garden of Sins anime consists of seven short films from different periods that are distinct from each other but come together to create an impressive ending. The story’s main character is Shiki Ryugi, who wanders in life and chooses his goals. The audience follows her relationship with Mikiya Kokoto from her teenage years to early adulthood and witnesses how a girl on the verge of becoming a serial killer turns into a powerful woman with a sincere demeanour.

The story’s narrative structure will nail you to the seat and pull you along. At the same time, every moment, you wonder how the story is so well connected and how each part of it fits in its proper place.

14- Shiki anime – corpse demon or the spirit of death

Anime Shiki

Genre: Drama, Horror
Director : Tetsuro Aminu
Voice actors : Toro Okawa, Kuki Uchiyama and Kazuyuki Okitsu
Production studio : Daume
Broadcast time and number of seasons: 2010- one season with 22 episodes
Shiki’s average rating on IMDB: 7.6

The stylish anime was inspired by the horror novel of the same name by Fuyomi Ono. Of course, in the making of it, a book centred on vampires by “Stephen King” was also considered. The work called “Salem’s Lot” is a profound story about humanity and violent degeneration.

The events of this anime take place in a small village called Sutoba, where a young doctor faces a strange mystery after the sudden death of a young girl. He soon learns that something more than an epidemic is causing the death toll. Ultimately, he and the ضvillage residents face a big question about morality and humanity.

Of course, the survival instinct is inevitably powerful in humans, so it sometimes surpasses the attention to morality. Finally, Shiki tries to tell his fascinating story in the best possible way with the presence of solid characters and excellent music and tests the audience’s empathy with his storyline.

13- Higurashi anime: When they cry

Anime Higurashi: When They Cry

Genre: Mystery, horror, supernatural
Director : Chiaki Ken
Voice actors : Soichiro Hoshi, Mai Nakahara and Satsuki Yukino
Producer Studio: Studio Deen
Broadcast time and number of seasons: 2006 to 2007 – two seasons
Average rating of Higurashi: When They Cry on IMDB: 7/8

The story of the anime Higurashi When They Cry takes place in a remote village called Hinamizawa, which seems to be cut off from normal society.

Transfer student “Keichi Maebara” gets to know and befriend a group of students after entering a local school where all children of different ages study. A group that each has its complicated secrets; this issue is significant because the village of Hinamizawa hosts strange rumours about events such as madness, suicide, and brutal murder. Gradually, the story takes on a paranoid colour and takes the audience into a spiral of terror and madness.

This psychedelic take on the beloved visual novel series of the same name is entertaining, mysterious, and confusing. However, it can be considered a worthy work that impresses the viewer.

12- Anime Gankotsu: The Count of Monte Cristo

Anime Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Adventure
Director : Mahiro Maeda
Voice actors : Joji Nakata, Daisuke Hirakawa and Jun Fukuyama
Production studio: Studio Gonzo
Broadcast time and number of seasons: 2004-2005-24 episodes
Average rating of Gankutsuou on IMDB: 7/9

As the name of the anime suggests, this work is based on the novel The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. It is a story about revenge in the style of the French aristocracy, frustration, and money that smells like blood.

Albert is a young man who likes to experience life as best as possible. When he meets a mysterious nobleman named the Count of Monte Cristo during an opera performance, he becomes fascinated by his lifestyle, which includes staying in luxurious hotels, having strong bodyguards, and, of course, the presence of beautiful women. However, Albert, who does not know the story behind the curtain, suddenly finds himself involved in a decade of conspiracy, revenge, decadence, and misery.

Almost two decades ago, Studio Gonzo brought this sci-fi masterpiece to the audience with unique and strange puzzles, a story full of constant plot twists that enthralled the viewer.

11- Mononoke anime

Anime Mononoke

Genre: fantasy, horror
Director: Kenji Nakamura
Voice actors : Takahiro Sakurai, Eiji Takemoto and Yukana
Production studio: Toei Animation
Broadcasting time and number of seasons: 2007 – one season with twelve episodes
Average rating of Mononoke on IMDB: 8.2

In the anime Mononoke, not only is one of the most stunning art styles used in its creation, but also complex mysteries and mysteries are displayed in each episode that plays with the audience’s mind. The story is about a mysterious man who travels to the corners of Japan in the feudal era and tries to understand the form, truth, and why of the existence of evil spirits called Mononoke. He must do this before he destroys them with his sword.

The Mononoke anime delves into the dark parts of human nature and intertwines it with a background of supernatural issues. Because a person must have committed terrible deeds for the evil spirit of Mononoke to arise. The revelations of the last part of this series amaze the viewer. So, if you enjoy watching mysterious and mysterious anime, don’t miss watching this series.

10- Baccano anime!

Anime Baccano!

Genre: Action, Adventure
Director : Takahiro Omori
Voice actors : Masaya Onosaka, Sayaka Aoki and Kunihiro Kawamoto
Producer Studio: Brains Base
Broadcast time and number of seasons: 2007-16 episodes
The average rating of Baccano on IMDB is 2.8

Baccano anime! It depicts several different, seemingly unrelated events. For example, a relationship between a group of alchemists in 1711 and a transcontinental train in the 1930s does not exist. But as the story progresses, we realize the more complete picture these pieces have created. An image that ultimately reveals a broader story.

The anime Baccano is one of the series that is interesting for fans of historical dramas, especially those who are also interested in solving mysteries. This anime is adapted from the light novel of the same name and is an entertaining work worth watching.

9- The Land of Rakhshan anime

Anime Land of the Lustrous

Genre: action, fantasy
Director : Takahigo Kyogoku
Voice actors : Tomoyo Kurosawa, Ai Kayano and Yumi Uchiyama
Production studio: Studio Orange
Broadcast time and number of seasons: 2017-12 episodes
Average rating of Land of the Lustrous on IMDB: 7/9

The Land of Rakhshan or Derakhshan is an unusual and strange work that surprisingly reveals the power of Orange Studio in combining CGI technology and animation.

The story of this anime takes place in the distant future. There is a big battle between humanoid beings made of crystal called “Gems” and alien beings known as “Lunarians” or lunar people—creatures who aim to obliterate jewels and repurpose their bodies as ornamental items. The story’s main character is one of the weakest types of gems called “phos” (phosphophyllite), who likes to live in a different world.

This anime constantly prompts the viewer to speculate, and at the same time, some of its scenes are very surprising. It is a short and sweet anime that can entertain the audience.

8- Ovari Monogatari anime

Owarimonogatari anime

Genre: fantasy, comedy
Director : Tomoyuki Itamura
Voice actors : Hiroshi Kamiya, Satsuki Yukino and Marina Inoue
Production studio: Shaft
Broadcast time and number of seasons: 2015-2017-20 episodes
The average rating of Owarimonogatari on IMDB: 3.8

While the audience highly appreciated the entire Monogatari series, the Ovari Monogatari section became more popular than the others. It was praised as one of the best. In this section, we accompany the two characters, “Ogi” and “Koyomi,” who try to find out why there is a classroom in a place where it shouldn’t exist.

Although different parts of the Monogatari series can be watched separately, it is worth watching the previous episodes to understand this series’s excellent storyline better. For this reason, it is generally recommended that anime fans start watching Monogatari anime by watching “Bakemonogatari” (Bakemonogatari) because watching this work in its entirety is an unforgettable experience.

7- The Strange Taxi anime

Oddtaxi anime

Genre: Comedy, Crime
Director: Baku Kinoshita
Voice actors : Natsuki Hanae, Ryohei Kimura and Makoto Furukawa
Production studio: OLM, PICS
Broadcast time and number of seasons: 2021-13 episodes
Average rating of Oddtaxi on IMDB: 8.4

The Strange Taxiime was one of the most attractive and successful animes of the spring of 2021, which received much attention. The truth of the mysterious story of this anime is gradually revealed and developed throughout the series.

While watching it, fans of this series can pay more attention to this storyline and scrutinize the events that happened in it. Of course, it is possible that despite all your efforts to unravel this complex coil, you will finally realize that you were thinking wrong all along.

6- Paprika anime

Anime Paprika

Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Director : Satoshi Ken
Voice actors : Megumi Hayashibara, Toro Imori and Katsunosuke Hori
Production studio: Madhouse
Publication year: 2006
Average rating of Paprika on IMDB: 7/7

You can only go to mysterious and mysterious animes and mention Paprika. The story of this anime is about using a device called “DC Mini” that allows the user to penetrate the dreams of others.

Atsuko Chiba and Kosaku Tokita are using this advanced technology to manipulate and explore dreams and reduce the mental abnormality of patients. The world of dreams can be a window to a person’s deepest desires, wishes, and repressed memories. Like any technology, this device can be surprisingly helpful, provided it’s in the hands of the right person. However, the theft of the device complicates the situation, and we continue to see the efforts of Atsuko, Toshimi, and an unusual girl named “Paprika,” who try to return everything to normal.

According to some claims, Paprika is a masterpiece by Satoshi Ken, which was the source of inspiration for the movie “Inception” by Christopher Nolan. The similarity between these two cinematic works is fantastic. However, Paprika has been at the forefront, and Satoshi Ken has done great work.

5- Deleted anime

Anime Erased

Genre: Crime, Drama
Director: Tomohiko Ito
Voice actors : Shinotsuke Mitsushima, Tao Tsuchiya and Minami Takayama
Production studio: A-1 Pictures
Broadcasting time and number of seasons: 2016 – one season with twelve episodes
Average scores of Erased on IMDB: 8.5

Exciting anime, deleted, pulls the audience to the end with features such as a strong story, a unique aesthetic style, and a suspenseful atmosphere.

The main character of this anime is Fujinuma Satoru, who is wrongly accused of murder. He is on the run when he suddenly realizes that he has returned to his teenage years, carrying the memories and abilities he acquired in the future. Satoru tries to use these privileges to change the future lives of himself and others and, in this way, prove his innocence. In the meantime, he might even save his old classmate from an ominous and cruel fate.

Deleted anime is one of the attractive and exciting series that takes the viewer with him on the way to uncover the secrets.

4- Summer days recovery anime

Anime Summer Time Rendering

Genre: Drama, fantasy, mystery
Director : Ayumu Watanabe
Voice actors : Natsuki Hanae, Anna Nagase and Yoko Hikasa
Production studio: OLM
Broadcast time and number of seasons: 2022-25 episodes
Average points of Summer Time Rendering on IMDB: 8.2

One of last year’s best anime was The Restoration of Summer Days, which received much attention in its initial broadcast despite not being easily accessible on streaming services in Western countries.

The story of this anime takes place on an island in Japan, where a teenage boy named Shinpei returns home to attend the funeral of his childhood best friend. It doesn’t take long before he experiences unusual phenomena and suddenly finds himself trapped in a time loop.

Restoring Summer Days looks at issues from the perspective of Shinpei, a lovable and active character. This point is critical because this teenager has an analytical mind and needs to enter the realm of superhuman issues quickly. The structure of the anime is skillfully designed, and most episodes end with the revelation of a shocking secret or the display of powerful scenes.

3- Tatami galaxy anime

The Tatami Galaxy anime

Genre: Black comedy, romantic comedy, psychological
Director : Masaki Yuasa
Voice actors: Shintaro Asanuma, Hiroyuki Yoshino, and Maya Sakamoto
Production studio: Madhouse
Broadcasting time and number of seasons: 2010- one eleven-episode season
The average score of The Tatami Galaxy on IMDB is 4/8

Who wouldn’t like a chance to step back in time? Going back in time can put you in a position to change your wrong decisions and have a way to improve your future. This is the same opportunity given to a student named Watashi in the Tatami Galaxy anime, a chance to improve his miserable life by making better choices.

This anime shows us how every small decision in different timelines can affect your future. It is an attractive work that attracts the attention of the audience. Despite the intertwined stories, you may even have to take notes or watch each episode multiple times to solve the puzzles.

2- Mouse-thing anime

Mushi-Shi anime

Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Director: Hiroshi Nagahama (first season) – Koichiro Sotome (second season)
Voice actors : Yuto Nakano, Yutaro Honjo and Mio Suzurahara
Production studio: Artland
Broadcasting time and number of seasons: 2005-2006-26 episodes/2014-20 episodes
The average score of Mushi-Shi on IMDB is 8.6

Ginko is the main character of the Moshi-Shi anime; she has the power to see mysterious creatures known as “Moshi” and study them. Mice are almost unknown creatures that can take any form and imitate the creatures around them, such as humans, plants, animals, pathogens, and even phenomena such as rainbows. These creatures also lack any human concept, including mortality.

By watching this anime, you accompany Ginko during his travels and follow his observations of these strange creatures. While he is simultaneously trying to understand what the existence of mice means, both physically and philosophically?

1- Bongo Stray Dogs anime

Anime Bungo Stray Dogs

Genre: action, mystery, supernatural
Director : Takuya Igarashi
Voice actors : Mamoru Miyano, Yuto Omura and Hiroshi Kamiya
Production studio: Bones
Broadcast time and number of seasons: 2023-11 episodes
Average rating of Bungo Stray Dogs in Myanimelist: 8.7

One of the best anime of this summer is the fifth season of the Bongo Stray Dogs anime, although the broadcast of this new season has yet to end. To better understand the story of this anime, it is recommended to follow this series from the beginning.

While the storyline of this series is usually related to mysteries and solving them, the story arc depicted in the fifth season is more inclined to the mystery genre. Mainly because the character of Ranpo, the bespectacled genius of the armed intelligence agency, plays a more prominent role this time. Since this anime is still airing, we won’t go into the details of its story. But it must be said that the attractive atmosphere full of tension and the extraordinary action have made the Bango Stray Dogs anime be compared with the best shounen shows of recent years.

In the end, what do you think about these fascinating anime? Apart from the ones mentioned in this list, what is your experience of the best mystery anime? If you have a specific anime in mind, share it with us and your other friends. I appreciate your cooperation.