Anime is not just for action and science-fiction. There are anime movies and series that cove every genre of entertainment you can think of; anime is a style, not a genre, especially in its native Japan. This means that there are many great mystery anime movies.
The ability of the genre to communicate the supernatural and psychological in a unique way makes for a unique way to tell a mystery story, so if you haven’t checked out anime mysteries, give it a shot!
Here are the 10 best Japanese mystery anime movies for you to start with:
1. The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (2010)
This fantasy mystery anime movie is a follow-on to The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya television series. The SOS Brigade, a group of school friends who investigate unusual events, are planning a Christmas Party, but one of them, Kyon, wakes up one day to find reality has totally changed and the friends are not friends and never were.
How did this happen? Can it be fixed? The answers to these questions drive the plot of movie. It won many awards in Japan and is well worth a watch for fans of drama and mystery.
2. Psycho-Pass Providence (2023)
This mystery sci-fi thriller anime that explores a cyberpunk dystopia. Chief Inspector of the Public Security Bureau, Akane Tsunemori, finds himself investigating the murder of an official on a foreign vessel.
It is based on the Pyscho-Pass anime series and fans will be happy to see familiar faces in high-quality animation. The complex story makes it a must for mystery-thriller fans, especially if you enjoy the cyberpunk genre.
3. Ghost in the Shell (1995)
This movie is a cyberpunk and anime legend, one of the classics of both gene. At heart, however, it is a mystery story.
Major Motoko Kusanagi of Section 9 is leading an investigation into the mysterious hacker “Puppet Master”, who strips people of their memories. This is far from a straightforward case, leading not only to twists and turns but also contemplation of deep philosophical questions.
It is based on a manga of the same name, though it takes a far more serious tone than the manga does. This film has inspired media all over the world, including the western Matrix movies. Any fan of sci-fi or mystery should watch Ghost in the Shell.
4. When Marnie Was There (2014)
A strange story of growing up and self-discovery, this movie from the legendary Studio Ghibli tells the story of sickly young Anna Saski. To help her sickness, Anna is sent to the countryside, where she finds a not-so-abandoned house and meets Marnie, opening a world of strange mystery.
The atmosphere and animation are both amazing, as one can expect of Studio Ghibli, and the twists of this story make it worth a watch. You can watch it on prime video.
5. Colorful (2010)
This otherworldly mystery tells the story of a soul given a timed second chance to learn about himself and his choices by living the life of a young boy who just committed suicide.
Guided by an entity named Purapura, our protagonist must learn and explore not only who he is but must also navigate the hard life of the boy whose body he is in. This film won multiple awards in Japan. It is an interesting and dramatic ride.
Colorful anime film is directed by Keiichi Hara!
6. Perfect Blue (1997)
This wild and psychological fan follows a former Japanese pop star trying to establish her acting career who finds herself being stalked by an obsessive fan while gruesome murders occur.
Reality is always in question with this movie, asking viewers to follow the heroine along a strange ride caught up in dreams, hopes, pain, fear, and the past.
It is a highly influential movie, having helped inspire the western live-action movie Black Swan, and is a must for any fan of classic anime.
7. The Case of Hana & Alice (2015)
When the girl Alice gets transferred to a new school, she finds herself named the new “Judas”, a cursed student. As she deals with trying to find her new way in a new place, she wonders who the old “Judas” was and uncovers a school mystery bit by bit.
This is a prequel to the live-action friendship drama Hana & Alice. This was uniquely a rotoscoped film, a technique rarely used in more modern animation, offering it a unique look that complements its core mystery.
8. Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva (2009)
This film stars the famous and popular video game character Professor Layton, known for his puzzle-solving prowess. After being invited to the opera performance of a former student, Professor Layton finds himself drawn into a challenge where the winner is promised eternal life.
Ancient mysteries and modern tragedies combine with action, adventure, and of course puzzles to make for a thrilling movie that is enjoyable for almost any audience.
9. Penguin Highway (2018)
Based on a popular novel and the later manga adaptation, Penguin Highway tells the strange story of penguins suddenly arriving in a town. While at first seeming merely absurd, the stakes grow as the main character Aoyama investigates further into this and other strange occurrences.
The film has won multiple awards in many countries, marking itself as a classic mystery sci-fi anime. It is a strange and mysterious movie, with far more heart than the premise makes you initially believe. If you like absurd premises and weird science fiction, this is an anime film for you.
10. Higashi no Eden Movie I: The King of Eden (2009)
The anime this movie follows is called Eden of the East in English and is itself a complex web of strange mysteries and conspiracies.
The movie continues this, with main character Takizawa having saved Japan and now vanished, leaving the female lead Saki with a cryptic message to help her find him. The danger is not yet past.
This film functions as the second season of the show, with gorgeous animation. This is an excellent mystery thriller anime.
