In a medium that’s as diverse as anime, there is something for everyone to watch. Whether you want a high-action thriller or a wholesome family show, you’re going to find something to watch. The thriller genre has some of the best anime shows, but they often go underappreciated.
So, I’ve compiled a list of some of the best anime to watch in 2024.
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But, wait a minute. When you sit down to binge-watch one of the anime in this list, wouldn’t you yell out “NANI!?” when your internet decides to say “Omae Wa Mou Shindeiru” to your internet speed? Of course, you would! So, to avoid these unfortunate circumstances, we recommend using an internet provider like Spectrum, which provides some of the best internet plans with no data caps.
But enough of that, here is a list of my picks for the five best thriller anime.
The Promised Neverland
Spoiling any part of the story of The Promised Neverland would be a sin, but what I will tell you is that this is one of the best seasons of anime I’ve seen.
It kept me hooked from the start, and at times, I was at the edge of my seat, dreading what was to come. The story starts at an orphanage called the Grace Field House, where kids seem to live a happy carefree life with their caretaker Isabella.
The only thing wrong is that they aren’t allowed to leave the orphanage. Things start getting dark when the oldest children, Ray, Emma, and Norman, uncover the horrifying truth about their adoption.
For now, I recommend only watching the first season as the story unfolds nicely. It has some shocking twists, that create an amazing experience, best for thriller and mystery genre fans.
ERASED
Often referred to as the best mystery anime series, ERASED creates and maintains a suspenseful atmosphere that keeps viewers engaged.
The story is about Satoru Fujinuma, who has a bizarre supernatural ability called “Revival,” which allows him to travel a few minutes back into the past, right before a lethal accident occurs. When this happens, he analyses all outcomes and tries to prevent as many deaths as he can.
However, one day, he becomes involved in an accident and gets framed as a murderer. Satoru finds himself in another revival. However, this time, he’s sent back 18 years.
He realizes that, Kayo Hinazuki, his classmate, is about to go missing which might be connected to his involvement in the murder case after 18 years. Satoru decides to be the savior and uncover the truth.
Death Note
Yeah, I know. Another list of the best anime that has Death Note on it. But, it’s for a good reason. Death Note is one of the best mystery-thriller anime I’ve seen.
The story starts when Light Yagami, a genius, hard-working high-school senior, stumbles upon a mysterious notebook that has the power to kill anyone whose name is written on it. Light decides to kill everyone who he considers evil. Blinded by his quest for justice, Light becomes a serial killer trying to eliminate other criminals.
This attracts the attention of Detective L, which marks the beginning of an intense mental chess match between the two. Both try to outsmart each other by using some genius tricks.
Not just these two, but the other characters in Death Note are just as good. The anime is suspenseful throughout and the competition between the two geniuses is a delight to see on screen.
Monster
This classic detective story is set in a terrifyingly realistic world. The twists and turns in this anime are sure to keep the viewers engaged by avoiding most of the overdone tropes and telling a straightforward story.
I found the pacing to be a little slow for my taste but the outstanding characters and story are complemented by great sound design and animation, even for an anime series that’s 20 years old.
The story is about Doctor Kenzo Tenma, who is a neurosurgeon with a good reputation and is working at one of the best hospitals in Germany. His colleagues are seriously impressed with his skills. However, things go south when he chooses to save a young boy’s life instead of the mayor.
He loses his social status and is accused of a string of murders. After finding out, Kenzo sets off to make amends.
Perfect Blue
I love watching movies and shows where my mind persistently tries to figure out what’s happening. I loved Perfect Blue just for this reason as the story is told in a fractured chronology.
This anime is one of the most influential anime films of all time, and most of the suspense comes from the intricate, captivating story that dives deep into topics about the consequences of fame as well as personal identity.
The story is about Mima Kirigoe, a member of a popular J-Pop group, who seeks to make changes in her life by switching her career. Although this change isn’t welcomed by her fans, she remains steadfast in pursuing her dreams.
Things take a dark turn when she begins to struggle with various issues, from a fan stalking her to several mysterious murders happening around.
When you dive deep into the long list of thriller anime, you’re sure to find yourself lost in a sea of shows you can watch for hours on end. But this is only a small list. Feel free to leave some of your suggestions in the comments below.
