Mystery and Thriller is the perfect combination of genre in anime. It gives different kind of vibes like feeling of excitement, surprised, fear and/or even anxiety. Most of its plot involves crimes, murder, revenge, supernatural events and violence. That's why most of them aren't suitable for childrens.
One of it's strong points is the Plot and Storyline. Its story is full of suspense and mystery that the main characters need to solve and will give you anticipation especially at the climax. Unpredictable plot twists but didn't ruined the main plot and story is the most essential ingredient of a good Mystery and Thriller anime.
AND HERE'S THE TOP 10 MYSTERY THRILLER ANIME SERIES THAT YOU MUST WATCH
Note: All anime mentioned in the list are rated as "Rated 17+" which means children below 17 years old need adult supervisions or aren't allowed to watch the show at all.
10. Shiki
Episodes: 22
Year: 2010
Studio: Daume
Shiki (translated as "Corpse Demon") is one of those anime inspired by success of Twilight movie on its time. Its story happen at small town in Japan named Sotoba. The town suffers from a mysterious death mostly linked to the arrival of Kirishiki family. To uncover this incident, A young doctor in Sotoba named Toshio Ozaki and antisocial youth Natsumo Yuuki formed an alliance to investigate the bizarre incident. Later, they learned the existence of "Vampires" called Shiki and their connections to Kirishiki family. Both of them will do their best to save the town from this ferocious monsters.
Actually I dropped this anime. The story progress slowly and I got bored. But to be fair its plot is good, not a typical vampire series. Worth to watch if you love vampires.
9. Gankutsuou (Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo)
Episodes: 24
Year: 2004
Studio: Gonzo
One of the classics that you need to watch. Its plot happen in the year 5053 where two forces in the world is at war for an unknown period of time. The two forces are Planet Earth and the Alien-dominated Eastern Empire. One day Viscount Albert de Morcerf and Baron Franz d'Epinay (French Aristocrats and The Main Protagonists of Story) attend the Festival of Carnival on the Moon city of Luna. Thats where they met a mysterius self-proclaimed nobleman called "The Count of Monte Cristo". As the story progress they learned the true identity of the mysterious count and its true motifs. He is planning to get revenge to the people who false accused him for a murder.
One of the best revenge anime. Love the character design and animation despite of the year created. I also love how they use CGI in this anime, not annoying at all.
8. Zankyou no Terror (Terror in Resonance)
Episodes: 11
Year: 2014
Studio: MAPPA
This must be lesser dark and not gore among the list. However, it still contains Terrorism and Crime that makes it fall to Thriller and Mystery genre. Its story is all about our two main characters named Nine and Twelve. They are a survivor from a secret experiment for a goal to make orphaned children with "Savant Syndrome" turned into human weapons. The two steals a prototype of an atomic bomb and threatens to destroy Tokyo. With their thrilling plans against the society and with unexpected acquaintance with a girl named Lisa who get caught in the middle of chaos. What could be their possible goal?
The back story of the characters is really good. I love how good the animation in this series (as expected from its animation studio). The ending is frustrating but its a good judgement for the show.
7. Mirai Nikki (Future Diary)
Episodes: 26
Year: 2011
Studio: Asread
Yukiteru Amano, a loner high school students who got a hobby of writing a diary in his cellphone. His life drastically changed when his supposedly just an imaginary friendd Deus ex Machina, who called himself "God of Time and Space", and Murmur the "God's Servant" is actually a real deity. Deus turn Yukiteru's phone into a "Future Diary". His phone got an ability of predicting the future of up to 90 days. Along with his obsessive stalker and yandere (crazy in love) Yuno Gasai who's also a holder of another Future Diary, they are forced into participating in a battle royal against other 10 persons with the same device for the title of next " God of Space and Time".
The plot and plot twists in this anime is unpredictable and its really good. I love the character of Yuno Gasai in this anime even though she's a yandere. I really recommend this one.
6. Yakusoku no Neverland (Promised Neverland)
Episodes: 12
Year: 2019
Studio: Cloverworks
In a supposedly normal orphanage called Grace Field House managed by the caretaker they usually called "Mama" hides a mystery uncovered by three oldest orphans named Emma, Ray and Norman. They learned the dark secret of the house and the lies they usually believed for their adoption. The three of them along with other children, devised a plan for the most thrilling prison break in anime. The young children will break through the house they believed to be their home and escape outside the walls without any knowledge what kind of environment awaits them.
Most of the latest anime nowadays didn't focus on Mystery Thriller genre that much. So it is refreshing to see something good and new like The Promised Neverland. The plot never disappoints me and the manga is really good.
5. Another
Episodes: 12
Year: 2012
Studio: P.A Works
One of the most impressive plot and story in anime. The story begins when a popular students in Yomiyama North Middle School's class 3-3 named Misaki mysterious passed away. Since then the town is engulfed in a dark atmosphere from its hidden secrets. Twenty six years later, a 15 years old Kouichi Sakakibara transferred into the same class. He already noticed the gloomy atmosphere of the classroom and found himself attrated to a mysterious eyepatched girl named Mei Misaki. But everything seems wrong because it looks like the whole class treated Misaki Mei as a person that never existed. As Kouichi and Mei are getting close to each other, they are also getting close to the secrets that hides in a mysterious phenomenon that sorrounds the town.
Never underestimate the anime especially in the horror genre. Who says a mere drawing can't scare you? The plot is good added with sound effects and background music that really suits the vibe of this anime. If you love horror genre, go for this one.
4. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (When They Cried)
Episodes: 26
Year: 2006
Studio: Studio Deen
This classic horror series will never gets old. Its plot revolves around Keiichi Maebra who kust moved to the village of Hinamizawa in the year 1983. It isn't hard for him to befriend his classmates named Rena Ryuuguu, Mion Sonozaki, Satoko Houjou and Rika Futude. However, his peaceful and easygoing new life seems to reach it end when the village annual festival came and learned some local legends of the town. He discovered that there are several murders mysterious disappearance and murder happens in a last few years and it seems that the festival and their deity has something to do with it. When madness and fear engulfed his heart, he asked his friends about it but they refused to give him some answers.
Despite of Studio Deen's issue in animation. There are still few works of them that are good. And one example of this is When They Cried. This anime is really disturbing and I don't recommend this to anyone with weak guts. Overall, the plot and story (which consists of arcs) is something you'll look forward to.
3. Death Parade
Episodes: 12
Year: 2015
Studio: Madhouse
Okay this show is quite something. The philosophy of the the characters is very commendable and its message is something you can relate in real life. Its plot is all about life after death. When someone die, they aren't sent to heaven or hell but instead to a bar where they decide whether you will be reincarnated or fall into void with nothingness and your soul will vanish. Your rebirth will be decided through a games managed by the bartenders.
This anime deserves my Top 3. I like how the characters defines death and the plot is really something. The animation is on top too. I love how they show the different sides of people when exposed in death to life situations. The backstory of every characters involved is relatable. Definitely one of the best.
2. Death Note
Episodes: 37
Year: 2006
Studio: Madhouse
I think everyone heard about this anime. One of the most popular because of its great story. Its story is all about a high school student named Light Yagami who happens to find a mysterious notebook in the school grounds. The notebook happens to be owned by a Shinigami (Grim Reaper or God of Death) named Ryuk. It has a mysterious power that whoever is the name written in it will die. With the power of the notebook, Light decided to change the world and starts writing the name of the criminals and people who opposed his plan. To stop Light's wrong doing, the government hire a young man believed to be the world's best detective only known by the name L. Will L be able to stop Light's plan or will he just fall to one of the victim of the Death Note. (Grim Reaper or God of Death) named Ryuk. It has a mysterious power that whoever is the name written in it will die. With the power of the notebook, Light decided to change the world and starts writing the name of the criminals and people who opposed his plan. To stop Light's wrong doing, the government hire a young man believed to be the world's best detective only known by the name L. Will L be able to stop Light's plan or will he just fall to one of the victim of the Death Note.
The most popular anime based on MAL. But the reason why its on the top is its story. I love how unique the story is and the main character is anti hero. I like how the author gives importance to all of the characters and the designs that is so much different from any other shounens.
1. Monster
Episodes: 74
Year: 2004
Studio: Madhouse
This anime is one of series I considered as masterpiece that's why it is in my Number 1 spot. It is a story of an elite neurosurgeon, Dr. Kenzou Tenma. Despite of his skill and title as the best neurosurgeon, Tenma chose to save the life of a young boy over the life of a mayor. Because of this he lose his position and credibility in the hospital. But not a long time later the hospital director and some higher ups are mysteriously murdered and his position skyrocketed once again. But the police still suspects Tenma involvements in the incidents. In this story, the main character will uncover the mystery of the murdering as well as the true identity of the "Monster".
Highly recommended. One of the masterpiece in anime. The character development is super good. And my most favorite villain, Johan Liebert is in this anime. The number of episodes is in normal which means not too long to get bored and not too short for cliffhangers. The ending gives a proper closure to the show. If you have free time, check this anime and you'll know what I mean.
Here's your request @Nyctofiles . Hopes you find something interesting in my list XD.
You Should Check This Too:
Yay, thank you! I already watched:Terror in Resonance, it is one of my favorite in the said genre with interesting background story of character; Another, it is unpredictable and gory—reasons I like this anime;The Promised Neverland, interesting story and I love the characters,waiting for the next season; Death Parade and Death Note, I love both and how they give me ideas how human think and act when near in and about death. I love your list and it is perfect because it's nearly xmas break. I can now watch because of there's no schoolworks. Maybe I'll go with Future Diary and Monster first.