whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Action · Mystery

The best mystery action anime you can start from the beginning

114 anime that are both action and mystery, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Steel Ball Run: JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken, Guimi Zhi Zhu: Xiaochou Pian, Mo Dao Zu Shi.

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The list

1. 1 Steel Ball Run: JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Steel Ball Run: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure ONA · 2026 · David Production · #5 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
2. 2 Guimi Zhi Zhu: Xiaochou Pian Lord of Mysteries ONA · 2025 · 13 episodes · B.CMAY PICTURES · #106 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
3. 3 Mo Dao Zu Shi The Master of Diabolism ONA · 2018 · 15 episodes · B.CMAY PICTURES · #197 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
4. 4 Pluto ONA · 2023 · 8 episodes · Studio M2 · #206 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
5. 5 Houseki no Kuni Land of the Lustrous TV · 2017 · 12 episodes · Orange · #243 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
6. 6 Jiyi Guanli Ju (2026) False Memory (2026) ONA · 2026 · 7 episodes · Flint Sugar · #263 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
7. 7 Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen Kizumonogatari Part 1: Iron-Blooded Film · 2016 · Shaft · #277 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
8. 8 Baccano! TV · 2007 · 13 episodes · Brain's Base · #290 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
9. 9 Psycho-Pass TV · 2012 · 22 episodes · Production I.G · #313 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
10. 10 Great Pretender TV · 2020 · 23 episodes · Wit Studio · #464 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
11. 11 Durarara!! TV · 2010 · 24 episodes · Brain's Base · #611 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
12. 12 Darker than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha Darker than Black TV · 2007 · 25 episodes · Bones · #682 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
13. 13 Koukaku Kidoutai (TV) The Ghost in the Shell TV · 2026 · 10 episodes · Science SARU · #854 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
14. 14 City Hunter TV · 1987 · 51 episodes · Sunrise · #901 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
15. 15 Vanitas no Karte The Case Study of Vanitas TV · 2021 · 12 episodes · Bones · #945 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
16. 16 Zetsuen no Tempest Blast of Tempest TV · 2012 · 24 episodes · Bones · #995 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
17. 17 Tiger & Bunny TV · 2011 · 25 episodes · Sunrise · #1103 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
18. 18 Bungou Stray Dogs Bungo Stray Dogs TV · 2016 · 12 episodes · Bones · #1165 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
19. 19 Wolf's Rain TV · 2003 · 26 episodes · Bones · #1208 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
20. 20 Princess Principal TV · 2017 · 12 episodes · Actas · #1546 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
21. 21 Kuroshitsuji Black Butler TV · 2008 · 24 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #1609 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
22. 22 Meitantei Precure! Star Detective Precure! TV · 2026 · Toei Animation · #1612 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
23. 23 R.O.D: Read or Die R.O.D - Read or Die OVA · 2001 · 3 episodes · Studio Deen · #1758 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
24. 24 Blood+ TV · 2005 · 50 episodes · Production I.G · #1769 on MyAnimeList 78% would recommend
25. 25 Tianbao Fuyao Lu Legend of Exorcism ONA · 2020 · 13 episodes · Sparkly Key Animation Studio · #1797 on MyAnimeList 79% 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.