whatanimeshouldiwatchnext

The best mystery anime you can start from the beginning

25 mystery anime 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, Monster, Kusuriya no Hitorigoto.

Recommend me one mystery anime

Narrow it down: Action 114 · Drama 107 · Supernatural 97 · Suspense 84 · Sci-Fi 84 · Psychological 73 · Detective 73 · Adult Cast 65 · Adventure 59 · Comedy 52 · Fantasy 52 · Horror 49 · Historical 40 · Romance 34 · Super Power 32 · School 31 · Mythology 25

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 Monster TV · 2004 · 74 episodes · Madhouse · #26 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
3. 3 Kusuriya no Hitorigoto The Apothecary Diaries TV · 2023 · 24 episodes · OLM · #33 on MyAnimeList 98% would recommend
4. 4 Shiguang Dailiren Link Click ONA · 2021 · 11 episodes · LAN Studio · #67 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
5. 5 Mushishi Mushi-Shi TV · 2005 · 26 episodes · Artland · #87 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
6. 6 Made in Abyss TV · 2017 · 13 episodes · Kinema Citrus · #102 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
7. 7 Odd Taxi TV · 2021 · 13 episodes · OLM · #103 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
8. 8 Guimi Zhi Zhu: Xiaochou Pian Lord of Mysteries ONA · 2025 · 13 episodes · B.CMAY PICTURES · #106 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
9. 9 Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei The Tatami Galaxy TV · 2010 · 11 episodes · Madhouse · #140 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
10. 10 Yakusoku no Neverland The Promised Neverland TV · 2019 · 12 episodes · CloverWorks · #185 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
11. 11 Summertime Render Summer Time Rendering TV · 2022 · 25 episodes · OLM · #190 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
12. 12 Mo Dao Zu Shi The Master of Diabolism ONA · 2018 · 15 episodes · B.CMAY PICTURES · #197 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
13. 13 Pluto ONA · 2023 · 8 episodes · Studio M2 · #206 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
14. 14 Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex TV · 2002 · 26 episodes · Production I.G · #213 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
15. 15 Houseki no Kuni Land of the Lustrous TV · 2017 · 12 episodes · Orange · #243 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
16. 16 Jiyi Guanli Ju (2026) False Memory (2026) ONA · 2026 · 7 episodes · Flint Sugar · #263 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
17. 17 Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen Kizumonogatari Part 1: Iron-Blooded Film · 2016 · Shaft · #277 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
18. 18 Baccano! TV · 2007 · 13 episodes · Brain's Base · #290 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
19. 19 Psycho-Pass TV · 2012 · 22 episodes · Production I.G · #313 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
20. 20 Boku dake ga Inai Machi Erased TV · 2016 · 12 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #319 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
21. 21 Koukaku Kidoutai Ghost in the Shell Film · 1995 · Production I.G · #364 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
22. 22 Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou Girls' Last Tour TV · 2017 · 12 episodes · White Fox · #397 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
23. 23 Shinsekai yori From the New World TV · 2012 · 25 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #410 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
24. 24 Tengoku Daimakyou Heavenly Delusion TV · 2023 · 13 episodes · Production I.G · #454 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
25. 25 Great Pretender TV · 2020 · 23 episodes · Wit Studio · #464 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend

Why this is not MyAnimeList's mystery ranking. 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 — so there are no second seasons or side stories to work backwards from. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.