Many fans believe that romance and action are the most popular genre in anime. However, there is an underdog that everyone overseas while searching for their next binge. It’s a fantasy thriller! Even if we go by statistics, thriller-based shows perform exceptionally well in both viewership and box offices. Shows like Death Note and Pokemon have earned a name for themselves over the years. Today, we have handpicked only the Best Thriller Anime for you that are going to entertain you for months.
Erased
To inaugurate this list, what is a better show than the 2016 mini anime series Erased. The thriller plot revolves around Satoru Fujinuma, who is a middle-aged man with almost no ambition left for his life. However, one twist that sets him apart from other people is the fact that Satoru has the unique ability to travel back in time and alter realities. While this power has helped him in solving many petty conflicts, this time, he is stuck in an irreversible situation.
Now, Saturo must go back in decades to prevent the murder of his mother. The mystery of this murder and Saturo’s troubles will keep you engaged throughout the show.
Sword Art Online
If we talk about the best Isekai anime series of all time, Sword Art Online will be the first choice of many fans. With five successful seasons in a span of eight years, the series has a reputation of its own. As for the plot, SAO follows a group of gamers who cannot escape the role-playing action video game anymore. As a result, they have to abide by the rules of the game makers. The only way out of this video game is to complete level 100th. The action and thrill of this anime are unmatched. Thus, it gains a top spot on this list of the Best Thriller Anime.
Death Note
The first show that people would suggest if you are looking for a thriller anime is Death Note. Many non-anime fans begin their otaku journey with this show. Death Note is a pretty decent entry in the anime world. The plot revolves around Yagami Light, who is a prodigal high school student and the son of the CBI chief. One day, a shinigami decides to drop his Death Note into the human world only to enjoy the chaos. As it happens, Light gets his hands on the magical object.
What follows is a thrilling war between the right and wrongs of justice. Yagami Light becomes Kira and kills every single criminal with the help of Death Note to serve instant justice. The back and forth between Yagami Light and detective L makes up for one of the most thrilling plots of all time.
Ergo Proxy
Ergo Proxy is a show that combines a post-apocalyptic world and a psychological thriller. The single-season show that came out in 2006 is still relevant amongst Redditors and other anime communities. The story of Ergo Proxy deals with the conflict of two competing races residing together. Humans and Androids live together, but as the resources and space exhaust, both begin to downplay the other as the unwanted race. Thus, Re-l Mayer is tasked to investigate the plans of Androids before the war starts.
Pokemon
Pokemon has been a fan favorite ever since it began airing in 1997. More than twenty years have gone by, and people still love watching the battles of Pokemon. The story revolves around the adventures of Ash and his companions as he travels from city to city in search of different species of Pokemon. There are also various championships that offer badges that can make a player a Pokemon champion.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Another show that comes from the same time as Pokemon is JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Since 1993, JBA has come out with four successful seasons. The plot revolves around the Joestar family, which is one of the weirdest families that you will come across. Hence, the story of this popular anime follows different characters in their eccentric adventures and even strange conflicts. If you are willing to watch an unconventional thriller, then JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is the show for you.
Death Parade
One of the darkest and gritty thrillers that is a part of this list is the 2015 fantasy show called Death Parade. The story revolves around a bartender that watches the gate of hell and heaven. His job is to tackle and decisive souls and decide their destiny in hell or heaven. The bartender does so by asking the souls to play a game of right and wrongs, which ultimately decides their afterlife. If he is satisfied with the choices of a soul, he places them in heaven. And if not, hell is the place for them. If you are looking for the vibes like Death Note, then this one is the best choice for you.
Steins;Gate
The Steins;Gate anime series follows the thrilling story of time travel. You can call this fantasy drama the Tenet of 2011. The premise revolves around a group of Highschool students who accidentally invent a gadget that allows humans to travel back in time. However, a Mafia has been trying to get their hands over this tech for ages. Now, these kids must protect their invention from getting into the wrong hands. The confusing plot will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the course of this show. So, buckle up for an adventurous roller coaster journey.
Psycho-Pass
Next show in the list of the 13 Best Thriller Anime is the 2012 anime series that goes by the name of Psycho-Pass. The plot is set in modern-day Japan where the government introduces a technology that can predict the future of potential criminals. While this technology is extremely helpful in identifying murders, it also points out innocent citizens even before they could ever perform a crime. Hence, this leads to outrage within the authority. Many high-ranking officers disapprove of this current system of justice. Thus, the story of rebellion makes up for the plot of Psycho-Pass.
Code Geass
The popular anime series Code Geass first came out in 2006 with two seasons. The story revolves around a war-ridden Japan where Lelouch Lamperouge is caught in a crossfire. However, CC saves him from the Britannica armies just in time. What is surprising is the mystery of Geass that gives one absolute power. The Geass enables people to follow a leader blindly. Thus, Lelouch builds a team of rebels to free his country from the invasion of Britannicans. Moreover, watch this show to find out about the mystery of CC and her purpose.
Another
One of the most popular horror-thriller anime of Japan happens to be Another. The show began airing in 2012. Since then, its popularity has only risen. The story follows Kouichi Sakakibara, who is new in the town of Yomiyama. After shifting from another country, he and rolls into a new school in the outskirts of his town. There, he comes across a strange student Mei who is being ignored by everyone in the class.
Kouichi soon learns that the girl he has been following around is not even a human. We don’t want to spoil your watching experience by revealing the truth behind Mei’s identity. Watch Another for yourself to find out the real mystery.
Classroom of The Elite
We understand that many fans are going to bash us for adding Classroom of The Elite to the list of Best Thriller Anime. But, there is enough thrill in this high school drama to keep you engaged. For a start, it has one of the most exciting panels of characters amongst any anime show. Kiyotaka Ayanokouji is a careless introvert who gets a low rank in the entrance test of an elite Ivy League School. However, he enjoys his life amongst mediocre students. Enters Suzune Horikita and her group of eccentric friends who annoy Kiyotaka like never before.
The Promised Neverland
The last name of the list of the Best Thriller Anime is the 2019 anime series The Promised Neverland. The plot revolves around a group of orphans who are not allowed to leave their secluded orphanage in any case. However, one day they leave the space anyway. What they meet outside the boundaries will leave you awestruck. Do watch The Promised Neverland if you’re looking for a thrilling watch for your Sunday.
With this, we can conclude our list of the Best Thriller Anime of all time. Which show do you plan on watching next? Please share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. For more such listicles on popular anime, keep coming back to The Anime Daily.