whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Action · Suspense

The best suspense action anime you can start from the beginning

64 anime that are both action and suspense, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Guimi Zhi Zhu: Xiaochou Pian, Shingeki no Kyojin, Banana Fish.

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The list

1. 1 Guimi Zhi Zhu: Xiaochou Pian Lord of Mysteries ONA · 2025 · 13 episodes · B.CMAY PICTURES · #106 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
2. 2 Shingeki no Kyojin Attack on Titan TV · 2013 · 25 episodes · Wit Studio · #126 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
3. 3 Banana Fish TV · 2018 · 24 episodes · MAPPA · #192 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
4. 4 Pluto ONA · 2023 · 8 episodes · Studio M2 · #206 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
5. 5 Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song Vivy -Fluorite Eye's Song- TV · 2021 · 13 episodes · Wit Studio · #266 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
6. 6 Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu Parasyte: The Maxim TV · 2014 · 24 episodes · Madhouse · #308 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
7. 7 Psycho-Pass TV · 2012 · 22 episodes · Production I.G · #313 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
8. 8 Zhan Shen: Fanchen Shenyu Slay The Gods ONA · 2024 · 15 episodes · Shenman Culture · #606 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
9. 9 Koukaku Kidoutai (TV) The Ghost in the Shell TV · 2026 · 10 episodes · Science SARU · #854 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
10. 10 Tekkon Kinkreet Tekkonkinkreet Film · 2006 · Studio 4°C · #859 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
11. 11 Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom TV · 2009 · 26 episodes · Bee Train · #915 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
12. 12 91 Days TV · 2016 · 12 episodes · Shuka · #1109 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
13. 13 Tokyo Ghoul TV · 2014 · 12 episodes · Studio Pierrot · #1206 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
14. 14 Jin-Rou Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade Film · 2000 · Production I.G · #1218 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
15. 15 Inuyashiki Inuyashiki: Last Hero TV · 2017 · 11 episodes · MAPPA · #1709 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
16. 16 Ling Long: Incarnation Ling Cage ONA · 2019 · 6 episodes · YHKT Entertainment · #1820 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
17. 17 Akudama Drive TV · 2020 · 12 episodes · Studio Pierrot · #1924 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
18. 18 Ga-Rei: Zero Ga-Rei-Zero TV · 2008 · 12 episodes · AIC Spirits · #1931 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
19. 19 Kara no Kyoukai Movie 1: Fukan Fuukei The Garden of Sinners Chapter 1: Overlooking View Film · 2007 · ufotable · #1984 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
20. 20 Golgo 13 (TV) Golgo 13 TV · 2008 · 50 episodes · The Answer Studio · #2015 on MyAnimeList 77% would recommend
21. 21 Elfen Lied TV · 2004 · 13 episodes · Arms · #2394 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
22. 22 Gantz:O Film · 2016 · Digital Frontier · #2582 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
23. 23 Gunslinger Girl TV · 2003 · 13 episodes · Madhouse · #2684 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
24. 24 Mardock Scramble: The First Compression Film · 2010 · GoHands · #2689 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
25. 25 Mirai Nikki (TV) The Future Diary TV · 2011 · 26 episodes · asread. · #2731 on MyAnimeList 74% 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.