Naoki Urasawa's Monster is a psychological mystery series that focuses on a doctor who's tormented by a life choice he made to save a boy's life instead of his town's mayor. This boy, known as the series's villain, Johan Liebert, would become a criminal mastermind that some fans would say can outsmart Marvel's most-beloved characters like Professor X.
Monster is a well-loved classic with iconic characters and a rich story. Many argue it is one of the best murder-mystery anime out there. Here are ten anime to watch if you like Monster.
10 Death note
Death Note is about a shinigami named Ryuk who leaves a murderous notebook in the human world that gets discovered by a boy named Light Yagami. After getting intel from Ryuk, Light decides to use the notebook to kill off notorious criminals under his hero alias Kira. Not loving Light's actions, the police require the help of a detective named L Lawliet who's goal is to end Kira's tirade.
Like Monster, Death Note follows a character who believes their actions are in the right and are what's best for humanity. Both anime are also mainstays in the psychological and thriller genre with many on MyAnimeList arguing that Death Note is one of the best detective anime out there.
9 Gankutsuo: The Conte of Monte Cristo
Gankutsuo: The Conte of Monte Cristo is about two French aristocrats named Viscount Albert D. Morcerf and Baron Franz d'Epinay who are attending a festival while looking for something to appease themselves. Furthermore, Albert meets and befriends a nobleman named The Count of Monte Cristo who's secretly plotting revenge against people who exploited him. Thus the anime follows these men and highlights the negatives of enacting revenge.
Gankutsuo: The Conte of Monte Cristo is an anime that'll keep viewers guessing on what will happen next and has a character-driven narrative. Gankutsuo: The Conte of Monte Cristo is also known as one of the best drama anime to air during the early 2000s, according to IMDb.
8 Psycho-Pass
Psycho-Pass is about a girl named Akane Tsunemori who wishes to uphold justice in Japan based on the merits of her nation's Sibyl System, which detects the threat level of citizens by analyzing their minds for unlawful plans. However, Akane will question her morals when she discovers the truth of her nation's corrupt system.
Like Monster, Psycho-Pass is a psychological mystery thriller anime that follows investigators trying to catch a mysterious murderer who acts from afar. Psycho-Pass also features realistically grounded characters and will leave viewers questioning their morals.
7 Paranoia Agent
Paranoia Agent is about a weird assailant named Shounen Bat who's continuously attacking the residents in his area with a bat. Although two investigators are tasked with stopping him, they must hurry before everyone in there succumbs to anxiety at the hands of this cruel attacker.
Paranoia Agent features drama concerning humanity's mindset toward identity, human nature, and law-enforcement. Paranoia Agent is a must-watch for most fans of detective anime to the point where some argue it's a mystery anime fans absolutely need to see.
6 Terror in Resonance
Terror in Resonance is about a terrorist group run by two boys named Nine and Twelve who not only caused destruction to a Japanese nuclear facility, but also plan to cause more mayhem in Tokyo. After these boys upload a mysterious video on the internet declaring their other heinous plans, the police, along with detective Kenjirou Shibazaki, decide to take action. Thus the series follows the battle between these two forces.
Like Monster, Terror in Resonance is a thriller anime with complex characters and a plotline involving child experimentation to some degree. Terror in Resonance also makes sure to keep viewers at bay with each episode and their stellar story-telling.
5 Berserk
Berserk is about a man named Guts who hungers for battle and is taken in by a mercenary leader named Griffith for his dedication to the sport. Although Guts becomes a great ally to Griffith's army, he will soon discover his leader's evil ways that'll lead to nothing but pain and sorrow for him.
Berserk tackles human complexities and features an alluring, charismatic, yet manipulative antagonist who'll do anything it takes to reach their goals. Although Berserk can get more intense regarding the violence shown in the series, it also captures the same dark atmosphere one will attain from watching Monster.
4 Erased
Erased is about a boy named Satoru Fujinuma who must clear his name from a murderous crime by time-traveling to his childhood because he discovers a connection between this murder and an old classmate's disappearance. The story follows Satoru's quest to solve these two mysteries while protecting everyone he cares about in the past and present.
Erased is a psychological seinen series that's suspenseful, centers around death, and highlights themes concerning child abuse, false accusations, and close relationships. This series will keep viewers at the edge-of-their-seat in anticipation of each new episode.
3 Parasyte: The Maxim
Parasyte: The Maxim is about a boy named Shinichi Izumi who one morning discovers an alien has occupied one of his hands. Shinichi later learns of an alien threat related to this hand creature that's arrived at the earth and must destroy all of them before it's too late.
Like Monster, Parayste: The Maxim incorporates mature and dark themes surrounded by crime, mystery, and violence. Both series feature main protagonists trying to deal with societal change and moral responsibility. Parasyte: The Maxim, is well-beloved by many, as MyAnimeList argues, it's one of the best horror anime of all time.
2 Higurashi When They Cry
Higurashi When They Cry is about a boy named Keiichi Maebara who is a new Hinamizawa village resident that later discovers the darkness and mystery surrounding the village during their sacred festival. An anime told through different story arcs, Higurashi When They Cry encourages viewers to solve the series's questions alongside its character cast.
Like Monster, Higurashi When They Cry is a series surrounded by mystery, chilling and intriguing characters, and suspense. Higurashi When They Cry's spooky and intriguing storytelling has captured the love of many fans, to the point where MyAnimeList declares it's one of the best thriller anime.
1 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood tells the tale of two brothers who failed at resurrecting their mother because they utilized alchemy. This failed ritual causes both brothers to lose their bodies, which ultimately is the focus of their quest -- to return their bodies to normal.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood features plotlines concerning revenge, human tests, manipulative and powerful antagonists, and deeply interconnected characters. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is also known for being a well-loved anime with each episode unraveling mysteries and secrets that'll keep fans engaged. If one loved Monster's plot and characters, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood will satisfy them.