No matter we look, we'll eventually find it in our favorite television shows, movies, books, and folklore. It's the basis of our creative work: The mystery. The mere question of "Whodunit?" is the linchpin that keeps us coming back for more time and time again. We need to satiate our need and curiosity to see and figure out what happens next.
The degree of mystery found within our favored media varies on a case by case basis. While some stories center around the mystery itself, others subtly present its form. From similar redefinitions of Sherlock Holmes to puzzle-solving cases, the following 10 anime each represent their own flavor and degree of mystery. Also, you should watch this as soon as possible. The (anime) game is afoot!
10 Hyouka (2012)
Eru Chitanda's curiosity is the bane of Houtarou Oreki's highschool life. Houtarou spends his days conserving energy until he meets Chintada. Hyouka revolves around mysterious coincidences that Chitanda cannot help but be curious about, so much so that once she's heard a rumor or story, it won't let go until her curiosity is satisfied.
Due to Houtarou's detective skills and ability to solve mysteries, Chitanda implores him to help her in solving the cases that come their way. While the mysteries are unique in themselves, Hyouka focuses on the slice-of-life aspect as it brings forth each character's ultimate motives and personalities.
9 Holmes Of Kyoto (2018)
A lot of thought goes into the name Holmes in Holmes of Kyoto. Holmes is the nickname of protagonist Kiyotaka Yagashira, which is used as a pun from his surname. The nickname also suits him because of his incredible deduction skills.
The anime follows Holmes and his sidekick Aoi as they survey antiques and determine which are real and which are replicas. As they encounter mysteries and search for the con artist causing waves in the antique dealer's markets, Holmes and Aoi steadily build a fast friendship. Looking for a similar anime? Check out recently simulcasted The Case Files of Jeweler Richard as well!
8 Beautiful Bones: Sakurako's Investigation (2015)
Sakurako is obsessed with bones. In fact, she'd rather converse with the dead than any live human being. Shotaro is her highschool student assistant, and together they stumble upon human corpses and crack open the mysteries behind them.
The lifelike cases, morals of life and death, and the examination of bones is a part of what makes this anime so unique. Sakurako would rather shut herself into her lab and collect information on bones than become involved in cases. However, Shotaro has a knack for drawing her out and into the mysteries.
7 Phi Brain: Puzzle Of God (2011 - 2012)
Philosopher's Puzzles are life-threatening puzzles created by a group known as P.O.G or Puzzle of God. When puzzle-loving Kaito and his childhood friend Nonoha find themselves involved in a rumored unsolvable puzzle, Kaito ends up solving it and becomes known as a Solver under the name Einstein.
Phi Brain: Puzzle of God is unique in that it's based on a wide array of puzzles. As Kaito and Nonoha continue to challenge P.O.G's puzzles, they meet other Solvers as they travel to different locations. It's a heart-stopping anime as they fight for their lives in a world filled with puzzles.
6 Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai (2018)
Adolescence Syndrome is the term Sakuto uses for strange phenomena that have no rhyme nor reason. When Sakuto meets actor Mai Sakurajima dressed in a bunny costume and wandering about, he's just as confused as she is when no one notices her. Sakuto resolves to help Mai solve this mystery in order for her to return to her normal life.
This anime is unique in that it deals with the natural and unnatural with an uncanny twist. It follows Sakuto as he encounters other cases of Adolescence Syndrome and works to solve them, all the while deepening his relationship with Mai.
5 Sunday Without God (2013)
Ai is a Gravekeeper, a person who's able to properly put the dead to rest. Her role is all too important in a world that God has abandoned. Unless properly buried, the dead continue to live. Ai wishes to save the world and figure out how it reached its current state.
To do so, Ai travels and encounters a broad range of individuals who come to befriend Ai and attempt to help her figure out the ins and outs of this supernatural world. Upon arrival, Ai stumbles upon various mysteries and occurrences that she pushes to solve. Her stubborn personality is her one endearing trait and one that carries her through obstacles time and again.
4 Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens (2018)
There's not a whole lot of ramen in this one, but it does have a nice balance of detective work and scheming. When Lin finds out that the agency he'd been working for had murdered his sister, all bets are off. This crossdresser hitman is out for blood. Banba, a famous assassin and current detective agency owner, helps Lin exact his revenge.
Afterwards, the pair continue to work together and help others in need, which comes as no surprise as Banba is a full-fledged detective. He's also a baseball fanatic, along with the rest of his city colleagues. In this one, Hakata becomes a network of individuals whose skills help catch those who are corrupt.
3 Blood-C (2011)
This anime is a psychological thriller that deals with the supernatural and altered reality. Saya Kisaragi is a shrine maiden in a rural town. Her nightly duties include slaying Elder Bairns, monsters that possess objects in order to feast on human blood.
As Saya's memories begin to return, she's forced to confront a horrifying reality. Her whole life is based on a lie, and the one pulling the strings is a malicious person working to break the ancient covenant Shrovetide. When the experiment is brought to life, Saya must work to defend herself and confront her new reality if she wishes to survive.
2 Toilet-bound Hanako-kun (2020)
Rumors, supernatural occurrences, and the seven mysteries of Komome Academy make this school perfect for occult lover Nene Yashiro. Her goal is to find a boyfriend and to do so, she follows a rumor that says a ghost in the girls' bathroom will grant a wish at a price.
Nene is obviously ready to pay this price as she encounters the ghost, only it's not a girl, it's a boy. Thus begins the adventures between a ghost and a human as they work to maintain the balance between the spirit and human worlds.
1 ID: Invaded (2020)
Ever wish to look into the mind of a killer? This anime has you covered. In ID: Invaded, former detective Narihisago travels into a killer's unconscious, otherwise known as their ID well. This mental plane provides tips and clues as to the murderer in fragmented pieces. Although it's possible to experience death in an ID well, a user has the ability to inject themselves into the ID well again.
This unique anime delivers the viewpoint of the murderer, while also showcasing how vital information easily rests in the unconscious part of the brain. It's a place where a killer is sent to catch another killer.