whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Action

The best detective action anime you can start from the beginning

26 anime that are both action and detective, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Pluto, Psycho-Pass, Koukaku Kidoutai (TV).

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The list

1. 1 Pluto ONA · 2023 · 8 episodes · Studio M2 · #206 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
2. 2 Psycho-Pass TV · 2012 · 22 episodes · Production I.G · #313 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
3. 3 Koukaku Kidoutai (TV) The Ghost in the Shell TV · 2026 · 10 episodes · Science SARU · #854 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
4. 4 Bungou Stray Dogs Bungo Stray Dogs TV · 2016 · 12 episodes · Bones · #1165 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
5. 5 Meitantei Precure! Star Detective Precure! TV · 2026 · Toei Animation · #1612 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
6. 6 Meitantei Holmes Sherlock Hound TV · 1984 · 26 episodes · Gallop · #2556 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
7. 7 Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens TV · 2018 · 12 episodes · Satelight · #2869 on MyAnimeList 77% would recommend
8. 8 Kemono Jihen TV · 2021 · 12 episodes · Ajia-do · #2876 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
9. 9 Fuuto Tantei Fuuto PI TV · 2022 · 12 episodes · Studio KAI · #2974 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
10. 10 Witch Hunter Robin TV · 2002 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #3542 on MyAnimeList 73% would recommend
11. 11 Dantalian no Shoka The Mystic Archives of Dantalian TV · 2011 · 12 episodes · Gainax · #3607 on MyAnimeList 72% would recommend
12. 12 B: The Beginning ONA · 2018 · 12 episodes · Production I.G · #4098 on MyAnimeList 71% would recommend
13. 13 Sabu to Ichi Torimono Hikae Sabu & Ichi's Arrest Warrant TV · 1968 · 52 episodes · Toei Animation · #4934 on MyAnimeList 65% would recommend
14. 14 Night Walker: Mayonaka no Tantei Nightwalker: The Midnight Detective TV · 1998 · 12 episodes · AIC · #5217 on MyAnimeList 63% would recommend
15. 15 Yoroshiku Mechadock Leave it to Mecha-Doc TV · 1984 · 30 episodes · Tatsunoko Production · #5295 on MyAnimeList 61% would recommend
16. 16 Clamp Gakuen Tanteidan CLAMP School Detectives TV · 1997 · 26 episodes · Studio Pierrot · #5619 on MyAnimeList 62% would recommend
17. 17 Switch OVA · 2008 · 2 episodes · Actas · #5826 on MyAnimeList 62% would recommend
18. 18 City Hunter: Ryou no Propose OVA · 2016 · 1 episode · Kamikaze Douga · #5849 on MyAnimeList 61% would recommend
19. 19 Double Decker! Doug & Kirill TV · 2018 · 13 episodes · Sunrise · #5986 on MyAnimeList 60% would recommend
20. 20 Cop Craft TV · 2019 · 12 episodes · Millepensee · #6500 on MyAnimeList 60% would recommend
21. 21 Tokkou Tokko TV · 2006 · 13 episodes · AIC Spirits · #7820 on MyAnimeList 54% would recommend
22. 22 Midnight Eye: Gokuu Goku: Midnight Eye OVA · 1989 · 1 episode · Madhouse · #7865 on MyAnimeList 54% would recommend
23. 23 L/R: Licensed by Royal Licensed by Royalty TV · 2003 · 12 episodes · TNK · #7991 on MyAnimeList 50% would recommend
24. 24 Sukeban Deka Delinquent Detective OVA · 1991 · 2 episodes · SIDO LIMITED · #8012 on MyAnimeList 53% would recommend
25. 25 Koukaku Kidoutai: Ghost Chaser Ghost in the Shell: Ghost Chaser Film · 2018 · Production I.G · #9038 on MyAnimeList 48% would recommend

Why this is not a MyAnimeList search. Every entry here is one you can start from the beginning. Anything with a prequel or a parent story is left out, as are recaps and compilation editions — about half of what MyAnimeList ranks. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.