Top 10 Best Detective Anime Films of All Time

Psychic Detective Yakumo follows the story of Yakumo Saitou, a student at a special college, born with a red left eye. Yakumo often hides his eye behind contact lenses, but with this eye, he can see spirits, a gift that brings him both challenges and hardships. One day, a fellow student named Haruka Ozawa knocks on Yakumo's door, pleading for his help to save her friend, who she believes is haunted by a ghost. Reluctantly, Yakumo agrees, leading them on a journey filled with supernatural events, mysteries to unravel, and Yakumo's own struggle to free himself from a painful past.

Based on the acclaimed manga, the anime Monster delivers a brilliant script paired with a haunting, classic art style. This anime perfectly captures the essence of Naoki Urasawa’s original storytelling.

The story follows Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a brilliant medical doctor who defies his superiors to save the life of an orphaned boy. However, this child turns out to be a monstrous figure, devoid of humanity, committing horrendous crimes a decade later. This sets off a thrilling chase between Inspector Lunge and Dr. Tenma, with Tenma himself trying to confront the terrifying creature Johan.

Set during the Cold War in the 1980s, in a divided Germany still grappling with political unrest, Monster explores the stark battle between good and evil, diving deep into the psychological complexities of human nature and justice. With its intricate and tightly woven plot, Monster will captivate and haunt you, leaving you with a chilling sense of fear and intrigue. It stands as a masterpiece of detective fiction for the 21st century.

The story follows Kindaichi, a brilliant high school student with a unique talent for solving mysterious murders, whether in locked rooms or on remote islands, where the culprits are often emotionally or psychologically damaged individuals.

Not only does Kindaichi captivate audiences with its thrilling cases and suspense, but it also delves deeply into the complex psychological development of its characters. The series conveys a significant message: a warning to today’s youth to respect the law, as crimes will be punished, and justice will restore order to society.

With the iconic line, "In the name of my grandfather, I will solve this case," Kindaichi inherits the wisdom and skills of his legendary detective grandfather, Kindaichi Kosuke. His quest isn’t just about cracking cases; each mystery reveals deeper, often tragic stories and human values, offering a powerful moral lesson for the younger generation.

Sherlock Holmes in Kyoto is a captivating series that follows Kiyotaka Yagashira and Aoi Mashiro, a high school student, as they team up to solve intriguing mysteries brought to them by the customers of the Teramachi Sanjou store.

Mashiro, a young girl who recently moved from Saitama to Kyoto, begins a part-time job at an antique shop in the Teramachi Sanjou shopping street. It’s here that she meets Yagashira, the handsome son of the shop owner, known as Kyoto's finest detective. Together, they embark on a journey of deduction, uncovering the secrets behind the mysterious cases brought by the store’s customers.

Sherlock in Kabukichou follows a team of detectives in the chaotic Kabukichou district as they investigate a series of murders that occur under the cover of nightfall.

The Kabukichou area, located in the Shinjuku district, is known for its flickering neon lights and its always-bustling, disorderly atmosphere. But when a murder suddenly occurs, it sets off a chain of similar killings, all taking place at night. The common link between these crimes is that the killer strikes after dark.

The Kabukichou detectives embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind these mysterious murders. Their investigation leads them to a shocking discovery: the infamous Jack the Ripper may be behind it all. Can the detectives successfully track down this elusive killer?

Fugo Keiji Balance: Unlimited - The Rich Detective follows the unique investigation style of Daisuke Kambe, a detective from a wealthy background with an unconventional approach to solving crimes. Kambe is assigned to the Modern Crime Task Force, a special unit reserved for talented officers with complicated personal issues who need to stay away from others. His partner in crime-solving is Katou, a young and hot-headed detective who despises dishonesty and authority.

In addition to the thrilling plot and intense crime-solving moments, Kambe's extravagant spending habits have made Fugo Keiji Balance: Unlimited - The Rich Detective a sensation online. Fans eagerly track each moment and every large sum of money he spends to advance the investigation. With hundreds of millions, even billions of yen, at his disposal, no expense is too great for Kambe—he even spends 83 billion yen (more than 18 thousand billion VND) to buy a building in order to catch a criminal.

Bungou Stray Dogs centers on the conflict between the Armed Detective Agency and dangerous underground factions. The agency consists of extraordinary individuals with abilities that surpass human limits. By utilizing these powers, they can solve cases that ordinary police forces cannot. The main character, Nakajima Atsushi, is an orphan who is recruited into the Armed Detective Agency.

What makes Bungou Stray Dogs unique is its cast of characters named after famous writers and poets from Japan and around the world. Each character's power is inspired by the works of these literary figures, adding a fascinating layer to the story. This unique concept pulls viewers into the world of Bungou Stray Dogs. Due to the literary theme, Bungou Stray Dogs is referred to in Vietnam as "The Literary Outcasts".

Detective Conan follows the story of Kudo Shinichi, a 17-year-old high school detective known for solving tough cases. While investigating a blackmail case, he is discovered by members of the Black Organization. After being knocked unconscious, they force him to ingest a deadly poison, APTX 4869, designed to silence him. However, instead of dying, the drug shrinks him to the size of a 6-year-old child. Taking on the new identity of Edogawa Conan, he is adopted by Mori Ran, his childhood friend and the daughter of famous detective Mori Kogoro. Throughout the series, Conan secretly assists Mori in solving cases while attending elementary school and forming the Junior Detective League.

Later, a fellow student named Haibara Ai, who also shrank after taking the APTX 4869 in an attempt to escape the Black Organization, reveals she was part of the team that developed the poison. As Conan works on cases related to the Black Organization, he collaborates with agents from the FBI and CIA to bring them down.

Death Note follows the story of a young detective, L, who works with Interpol to track down the identity of Light Yagami, a high school student who possesses a dangerous notebook. Light, a brilliant but disillusioned student, stumbles upon the Death Note, a book that grants the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it. Using this newfound power, he embarks on a mission to rid Japan of criminals, aiming to create a crime-free world.

Adopting the alias 'Kira', Light's actions draw the attention of Interpol, who enlist the help of the mysterious detective L to uncover Kira's true identity. Will L's keen deductive skills be enough to unmask Kira?

Psycho Pass - Crime Coefficient revolves around Akane Tsunemori and Shinya Kogami, along with their team, as they use the Dominator device to investigate and solve mysterious crimes. Set in a futuristic society, humans are monitored by sensor devices that measure their crime potential. These sensors help authorities identify and prevent criminal activity before it happens. The Dominator weapon is designed to assist officers in managing these threats.

Akane, a new recruit in the Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Investigation Division, is tasked with investigating latent criminals. During her first case, she accidentally injures Shinya, but he is grateful as she prevents him from committing murder. Shinya convinces Akane to stay on the team, and together they tackle increasingly complex and dangerous cases.