whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Drama · Suspense

The best suspense drama anime you can start from the beginning

74 anime that are both drama and suspense, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Steins;Gate, Monster, Shiguang Dailiren.

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The list

1. 1 Steins;Gate TV · 2011 · 24 episodes · White Fox · #6 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
2. 2 Monster TV · 2004 · 74 episodes · Madhouse · #26 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
3. 3 Shiguang Dailiren Link Click ONA · 2021 · 11 episodes · LAN Studio · #67 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
4. 4 Odd Taxi TV · 2021 · 13 episodes · OLM · #103 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
5. 5 Shingeki no Kyojin Attack on Titan TV · 2013 · 25 episodes · Wit Studio · #126 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
6. 6 Perfect Blue Film · 1998 · Madhouse · #136 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
7. 7 Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin Rainbow TV · 2010 · 26 episodes · Madhouse · #189 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
8. 8 Banana Fish TV · 2018 · 24 episodes · MAPPA · #192 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
9. 9 Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Puella Magi Madoka Magica TV · 2011 · 12 episodes · Shaft · #246 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
10. 10 Shinseiki Evangelion Neon Genesis Evangelion TV · 1995 · 26 episodes · Gainax · #265 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
11. 11 Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- TV · 2016 · 25 episodes · White Fox · #393 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
12. 12 Shinsekai yori From the New World TV · 2012 · 25 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #410 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
13. 13 Death Parade TV · 2015 · 12 episodes · Madhouse · #545 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
14. 14 Gankutsuou Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo TV · 2004 · 24 episodes · Gonzo · #581 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
15. 15 Serial Experiments Lain TV · 1998 · 13 episodes · Triangle Staff · #600 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
16. 16 Omoide no Marnie When Marnie Was There Film · 2014 · Studio Ghibli · #692 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
17. 17 Evangelion Movie 1: Jo Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone Film · 2007 · Khara · #752 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
18. 18 Mawaru Penguindrum Penguindrum TV · 2011 · 24 episodes · Brain's Base · #890 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
19. 19 Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom TV · 2009 · 26 episodes · Bee Train · #915 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
20. 20 Death Billiards Film · 2013 · Madhouse · #998 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
21. 21 91 Days TV · 2016 · 12 episodes · Shuka · #1109 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
22. 22 Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e Classroom of the Elite TV · 2017 · 12 episodes · Lerche · #1139 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
23. 23 Beastars TV · 2019 · 12 episodes · Orange · #1209 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
24. 24 Jin-Rou Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade Film · 2000 · Production I.G · #1218 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
25. 25 Texhnolyze TV · 2003 · 22 episodes · Madhouse · #1292 on MyAnimeList 78% 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.