whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Mystery · Romance

The best romance mystery anime you can start from the beginning

34 anime that are both mystery and romance, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei, Princess Tutu, Kaiba.

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The list

1. 1 Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei The Tatami Galaxy TV · 2010 · 11 episodes · Madhouse · #140 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
2. 2 Princess Tutu TV · 2002 · 38 episodes · HAL Film Maker · #524 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
3. 3 Kaiba TV · 2008 · 12 episodes · Madhouse · #532 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
4. 4 Gosick TV · 2011 · 24 episodes · Bones · #685 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
5. 5 Natsu e no Tunnel, Sayonara no Deguchi The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes Film · 2022 · CLAP · #761 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
6. 6 ef: A Tale of Memories. ef - a tale of memories. TV · 2007 · 12 episodes · Shaft · #1024 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
7. 7 Tasogare Otome x Amnesia Dusk Maiden of Amnesia TV · 2012 · 12 episodes · SILVER LINK. · #1157 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
8. 8 Higashi no Eden Eden of The East TV · 2009 · 11 episodes · Production I.G · #1392 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
9. 9 Cike Wu Liuqi Fanwai Scissor Seven: Extra Episodes ONA · 2018 · 4 episodes · Sharefun Studio · #2009 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
10. 10 Fantastic Children TV · 2004 · 26 episodes · Nippon Animation · #2012 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
11. 11 Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches TV · 2015 · 12 episodes · LIDENFILMS · #2170 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
12. 12 RahXephon TV · 2002 · 26 episodes · Bones · #2735 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
13. 13 Kowloon Generic Romance TV · 2025 · 13 episodes · Arvo Animation · #2932 on MyAnimeList 78% would recommend
14. 14 Sekai Saikou no Ansatsusha, Isekai Kizoku ni Tensei suru The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat TV · 2021 · 12 episodes · SILVER LINK. · #3167 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
15. 15 Angel Heart TV · 2005 · 50 episodes · TMS Entertainment · #3291 on MyAnimeList 71% would recommend
16. 16 Cat's Eye TV · 1983 · 73 episodes · Tokyo Movie Shinsha · #3363 on MyAnimeList 73% would recommend
17. 17 11-nin Iru! They Were Eleven Film · 1986 · Magic Bus · #4392 on MyAnimeList 69% would recommend
18. 18 Blue Seed TV · 1994 · 26 episodes · Production I.G · #4845 on MyAnimeList 66% would recommend
19. 19 Kyokou Suiri In/Spectre TV · 2020 · 12 episodes · Brain's Base · #5261 on MyAnimeList 66% would recommend
20. 20 Megazone 23 OVA · 1985 · 4 episodes · Artland · #5810 on MyAnimeList 62% would recommend
21. 21 Vampire Knight TV · 2008 · 13 episodes · Studio Deen · #5831 on MyAnimeList 61% would recommend
22. 22 Shingetsutan Tsukihime Lunar Legend Tsukihime TV · 2003 · 12 episodes · J.C.Staff · #6145 on MyAnimeList 63% would recommend
23. 23 Cat's♥Eye ONA · 2025 · 12 episodes · LIDENFILMS · #6353 on MyAnimeList 56% would recommend
24. 24 Nishi no Yoki Majo: Astraea Testament The Good Witch Of The West TV · 2006 · 13 episodes · HAL Film Maker · #6877 on MyAnimeList 57% would recommend
25. 25 Blue Seed 1.5 OVA · 1996 · 2 episodes · Production I.G · #7696 on MyAnimeList 53% 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.