whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Mystery

The best historical mystery anime you can start from the beginning

40 anime that are both mystery and historical, 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, Kusuriya no Hitorigoto, Mushishi.

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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 Kusuriya no Hitorigoto The Apothecary Diaries TV · 2023 · 24 episodes · OLM · #33 on MyAnimeList 98% would recommend
3. 3 Mushishi Mushi-Shi TV · 2005 · 26 episodes · Artland · #87 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
4. 4 Mo Dao Zu Shi The Master of Diabolism ONA · 2018 · 15 episodes · B.CMAY PICTURES · #197 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
5. 5 Baccano! TV · 2007 · 13 episodes · Brain's Base · #290 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
6. 6 Yuukoku no Moriarty Moriarty the Patriot TV · 2020 · 11 episodes · Production I.G · #509 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
7. 7 Gosick TV · 2011 · 24 episodes · Bones · #685 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
8. 8 Mononoke Movie 1: Karakasa Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain Film · 2024 · EOTA · #712 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
9. 9 Takarajima Treasure Island TV · 1978 · 26 episodes · Tokyo Movie Shinsha · #787 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
10. 10 Vanitas no Karte The Case Study of Vanitas TV · 2021 · 12 episodes · Bones · #945 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
11. 11 Undead Girl Murder Farce Undead Murder Farce TV · 2023 · 13 episodes · Lapin Track · #1083 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
12. 12 Princess Principal TV · 2017 · 12 episodes · Actas · #1546 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
13. 13 Master Keaton TV · 1998 · 24 episodes · Madhouse · #1580 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
14. 14 Kuroshitsuji Black Butler TV · 2008 · 24 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #1609 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
15. 15 R.O.D: Read or Die R.O.D - Read or Die OVA · 2001 · 3 episodes · Studio Deen · #1758 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
16. 16 Tianbao Fuyao Lu Legend of Exorcism ONA · 2020 · 13 episodes · Sparkly Key Animation Studio · #1797 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
17. 17 Koukyuu no Karasu Raven of the Inner Palace TV · 2022 · 13 episodes · Bandai Namco Pictures · #2063 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
18. 18 Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales TV · 2006 · 11 episodes · Toei Animation · #2754 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
19. 19 Bai Yao Pu Fairies Album ONA · 2020 · 12 episodes · Haoliners Animation · #3125 on MyAnimeList 74% would recommend
20. 20 Dantalian no Shoka The Mystic Archives of Dantalian TV · 2011 · 12 episodes · Gainax · #3607 on MyAnimeList 72% would recommend
21. 21 Tactics TV · 2004 · 25 episodes · Studio Deen · #3707 on MyAnimeList 69% would recommend
22. 22 Le Chevalier D'Eon TV · 2006 · 24 episodes · Production I.G · #3930 on MyAnimeList 69% would recommend
23. 23 Mouryou no Hako Box of Goblins TV · 2008 · 13 episodes · Madhouse · #4070 on MyAnimeList 69% would recommend
24. 24 Shaonian Ge Xing Great Journey of Teenagers ONA · 2018 · 26 episodes · CG Year · #4377 on MyAnimeList 70% would recommend
25. 25 Kyougoku Natsuhiko: Kousetsu Hyaku Monogatari Requiem from the Darkness TV · 2003 · 13 episodes · TMS Entertainment · #4477 on MyAnimeList 69% 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.