whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Mystery

The best psychological mystery anime you can start from the beginning

73 anime that are both mystery and psychological, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Monster, Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei, Yakusoku no Neverland.

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The list

1. 1 Monster TV · 2004 · 74 episodes · Madhouse · #26 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
2. 2 Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei The Tatami Galaxy TV · 2010 · 11 episodes · Madhouse · #140 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
3. 3 Yakusoku no Neverland The Promised Neverland TV · 2019 · 12 episodes · CloverWorks · #185 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
4. 4 Pluto ONA · 2023 · 8 episodes · Studio M2 · #206 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
5. 5 Jiyi Guanli Ju (2026) False Memory (2026) ONA · 2026 · 7 episodes · Flint Sugar · #263 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
6. 6 Psycho-Pass TV · 2012 · 22 episodes · Production I.G · #313 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
7. 7 Boku dake ga Inai Machi Erased TV · 2016 · 12 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #319 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
8. 8 Koukaku Kidoutai Ghost in the Shell Film · 1995 · Production I.G · #364 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
9. 9 Shinsekai yori From the New World TV · 2012 · 25 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #410 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
10. 10 Yuukoku no Moriarty Moriarty the Patriot TV · 2020 · 11 episodes · Production I.G · #509 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
11. 11 Kaiba TV · 2008 · 12 episodes · Madhouse · #532 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
12. 12 Serial Experiments Lain TV · 1998 · 13 episodes · Triangle Staff · #600 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
13. 13 Zankyou no Terror Terror in Resonance TV · 2014 · 11 episodes · MAPPA · #638 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
14. 14 Paprika Film · 2006 · Madhouse · #675 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
15. 15 Omoide no Marnie When Marnie Was There Film · 2014 · Studio Ghibli · #692 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
16. 16 Mononoke Movie 1: Karakasa Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain Film · 2024 · EOTA · #712 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
17. 17 Haibane Renmei TV · 2002 · 13 episodes · Radix · #755 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
18. 18 Koukaku Kidoutai 2.0 Ghost in the Shell 2.0 Film · 2008 · Production I.G · #821 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
19. 19 Koukaku Kidoutai (TV) The Ghost in the Shell TV · 2026 · 10 episodes · Science SARU · #854 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
20. 20 Mawaru Penguindrum Penguindrum TV · 2011 · 24 episodes · Brain's Base · #890 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
21. 21 Ergo Proxy TV · 2006 · 23 episodes · Manglobe · #930 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
22. 22 Zetsuen no Tempest Blast of Tempest TV · 2012 · 24 episodes · Bones · #995 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
23. 23 Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Higurashi: When They Cry TV · 2006 · 26 episodes · Studio Deen · #1001 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
24. 24 Id:Invaded ID: INVADED TV · 2020 · 13 episodes · NAZ · #1143 on MyAnimeList 87% 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.