Best Mystery Anime of 2016

Satoru Fujinuma, a detached twenty-nine-year-old manga artist, possesses a mysterious ability known as Revival that sends him back in time by mere minutes whenever tragedy is imminent. He has used this power to save numerous lives. However, after being falsely accused of killing someone dear to him, Satoru is transported back eighteen years to 1988. He soon discovers a potential link between his current predicament and the childhood abduction and murder of his classmate, the enigmatic and solitary Kayo Hinazuki. Seizing this opportunity to set things right, Boku dake ga Inai Machi chronicles Satoru’s quest to solve the mystery of the past while preventing Kayo’s death and safeguarding his loved ones in the present.

For weeks, a mystical tiger has been haunting the orphanage where Atsushi Nakajima lives, yet only he seems oblivious to its presence. Suspected of causing the strange occurrences, the 18-year-old is suddenly expelled from the orphanage, left hungry, homeless, and wandering the city streets. While starving on a riverbank, Atsushi saves a peculiar man named Osamu Dazai from drowning. An eccentric suicide enthusiast and supernatural detective, Dazai has been investigating the same tiger that has been tormenting the boy. Alongside Dazai's partner, Doppo Kunikida, they unravel the mystery, but its resolution leaves Atsushi in a difficult situation. As various odd events unfold, Atsushi is pressured into joining their agency of supernatural investigators, taking on unusual cases the police cannot handle, alongside his many enigmatic colleagues.

At the end of each day, the youngest senior executive of the Port Mafia, Osamu Dazai, the lowest-ranking member, Sakunosuke Oda, and intelligence agent Ango Sakaguchi meet at the Lupin Bar to unwind and enjoy each other's company despite their differing ranks. But one night, Ango vanishes, leaving behind only a photograph of the trio. In the present, Dazai has joined the Armed Detective Agency. As the American gifted organization, the Guild, moves to seize the Agency's work permit, Dazai must juggle the threats posed by both the Guild and the Port Mafia, two factions determined to destroy the Agency's existence.

The mysterious immortal entities known as Ajin first appeared in Africa seventeen years ago. Because their indestructible bodies pose a threat to humanity and they could be exploited for malicious purposes, they are immediately detained upon discovery. Kei Nagai, a hardworking high school student with aspirations of becoming a doctor, largely ignores the school curriculum concerning these beings, having only seen them occasionally in the news. Although he is taught that Ajin are not human, his ignorance proves irrelevant when he survives a fatal accident that triggers his transformation into an Ajin, plunging him into intense suffering. As he flees alone from a world that hunts him, Kei learns that other members of his kind might be hiding in plain sight.

While in his second year at Naoetsu Private High School, Koyomi Araragi happens to meet Tsubasa Hanekawa, the top student in his class. During their chat, she shares a disturbing rumor about a vampire with stunning blonde hair and icy eyes haunting the area. Araragi dismisses the tale as he enjoys the company of a new friend. Later, on his way home, he notices bloodstains leading down to the subway stairs. Intrigued, he follows the trail deep into the station. There, he discovers the source: the blonde vampire mentioned in the rumor, torn apart. When she asks for his assistance, Araragi faces a choice that could alter his fate forever.

Koyomi Araragi, now no longer fully human, sets out to recover the severed limbs of Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade, stolen by three powerful vampire hunters. Standing in his way are Dramaturgie—a vampire who hunts his own kind; Episode—a half-vampire capable of turning into mist; and Guillotinecutter—a human priest who is the most dangerous of the trio. Unbeknownst to Araragi, each moment he spends chasing down Kiss-shot's body parts pushes him further from humanity and deeper into vampirism. Can he hold onto his hope of becoming human again by the time his battles come to an end?

Mikado Ryuugamine continues to purge the Dollars from within, driven by his distorted sense of justice. Masaomi Kida hopes to bring his friend back to his senses by reuniting the Yellow Scarves. Neither is aware that a far more powerful force is about to enter their power struggle—one their friend Anri Sonohara knows all too well. Meanwhile, the group gathered at Shinra Kishitani's apartment senses they are on the verge of a life-changing event that will plunge Ikebukuro into chaos. Their fears are confirmed when reports of Celty's head being found in public begin appearing across the news, as Kasane Kujiragi starts making her move. The brief moments of peace are gone, and the current turmoil sets the stage for one final act in this thrilling conclusion to the story of Ikebukuro's finest.

After escaping from Hope's Peak Academy, Makoto Naegi and his fellow survivors join the Future Foundation, an organization dedicated to fighting despair. But the situation takes a turn when Naegi is arrested for treason after defending the Remnants of Despair. Alongside Kyouko Kirigiri and Aoi Asahina, he appears before the Foundation's executives, facing an uncertain fate. Things worsen when Monokuma infiltrates the organization's supposedly impenetrable security, immediately announcing the start of a new killing game. As the first victim appears as an omen of renewed despair, Naegi, the Super High School-Level Lucky Student, must once again solve the mystery while his comrades fall one by one. However, without class trials, the rules have changed: among the sixteen desperate participants, there is only one killer, and their death will finally bring this hellish game to an end.

The unusual Class 77-B at Hope's Peak Academy gets a new homeroom teacher, Chisa Yukizome, a former student known as the Super High School-Level Housekeeper. Full of energy and skill, she works to heal the broken relationships among her varied students, who include a princess, a nurse, a yakuza member, and an incredibly lucky person. Trusting in the strength of hope, she tries to steer them through their disputes. At the same time, Hajime Hinata, a Reserve Course student who feels he lacks any special ability, meets Chiaki Nanami, the Super High School-Level Gamer. Through their time together, she gives him a new way of looking at life. But without Hajime's knowledge, the school's administration is engineering a dark scheme involving him that could bring down Hope's Peak and devastate the world. Zetsubou-hen follows the daily life at the famous academy while dark forces work in the background. As despair slowly takes over hope, those responsible for the Biggest, Most Awful, Most Tragic Event in Human History start their plan, marking the start of the end.

Having survived their narrow escape from death, Kei Nagai and his new ally Kou Nakano scheme to take vengeance on Satou, a fellow Ajin obsessed with ruling the world. While Satou carries out a series of public executions, humanity scrambles to find a way to halt the immortal threat. Kei finds unexpected support from former enemies: Yuu Tosaki, a high-ranking government official whose deep knowledge of Ajin provides a strategic edge against Satou, and Tosaki’s Ajin subordinate, Izumi Shimomura. As Kei’s group expands, he must act quickly to halt Satou’s campaign before it destroys civilization.

A bus carrying a group of eccentric individuals is traveling toward the urban legend known as Nanaki Village—a place where one can supposedly start over and live a perfect life. Many of them have different theories about why the village appears on no map and why even the police cannot locate it, but they all look forward to their new lives and what awaits them at their destination. After a few mishaps, they successfully arrive at Nanaki Village only to find it completely abandoned. Based on the state of disrepair, it has been vacant for at least a year. However, secrets soon emerge as some of the group begin to go missing while exploring the village, and amid the confusion, they discover bloody claw marks in a forest. As mistrust and in-fighting erupt, will they ever uncover the truth behind this lost village?

As World War II approaches, intelligence on foreign nations' social and economic conditions becomes increasingly valuable. To acquire this asset, Japan creates a covert spy network called the "D Agency." Led by Lieutenant Colonel Yuuki, eight operatives are tasked with infiltrating and monitoring several powerful countries, reporting any war-related developments. To carry out these perilous missions, these men have conditioned their bodies to endure extreme environments and mastered subjects like communications and languages. Yet their true edge lies in their skill at manipulating others to extract the intelligence needed to give Japan the advantage.

A blog run by NEET teenager Yuuta Gamon and his eager best friend Ryouka Narusawa, which aims to debunk the paranormal, becomes the unexpected link that draws together a collection of individuals who ordinarily have no reason to cross paths. These figures include high school fortune-teller Miyuu Aikawa, who partners with Yuuta on the blog; realist Sarai Hashigami, left reeling when a tragedy strikes his family; doujin artist Ririka Nishizono, whose artwork possesses an eerie capacity to foresee future events; black magic practitioner and local curse specialist Aria Kurenaino, accompanied by her spectral companion; Shun Moritsuka, a childish otaku detective; and reporter Touko Sumikaze. As this improbable group, connected only by the threads of destiny, gradually find one another, they are faced with murders and other incidents cloaked in supernatural influence. Together, they must unite to unravel the mysteries that weave through the city and their own lives.

From childhood, Ryuuichi Naruhodou aspired to become a defense attorney who would protect the innocent when no one else would. But when the rookie lawyer finally takes on his first case under the guidance of his mentor Chihiro Ayasato, he discovers that the courtroom is a battlefield. In these fast-paced trials, Ryuuichi must think creatively to uncover the truth behind the crimes committed and prove his clients' innocence. Gyakuten Saiban: Sono "Shinjitsu", Igi Ari! follows Ryuuichi as he takes on cases to clear the falsely accused of the charges they face. It won't be easy—standing in his way is the ruthless prosecutor Reiji Mitsurugi, who will stop at nothing to secure guilty verdicts. With his back against the wall, the defense attorney must scrutinize both evidence and witness testimony, sifting through lies to solve the mystery behind each case. With a cry of "objection!" the courtroom battle begins!

Kogorou Akechi established a private investigation agency called the Boy Detectives' Club, a team that handles inquiries of varying scales. During an assignment, junior member Kensuke Hanasaki encounters Yoshio Kobayashi, a mysterious boy who cannot die and has lost his memory. Impressed by Yoshio’s immortality, Kensuke proposes a pact: Yoshio joins the club to assist with cases, and in return, Kensuke will help him find a way to end his life. Though reluctant and indifferent to others, Yoshio agrees, unaware of the significant changes awaiting him. As he spends more time with his new companions while working on cases, he slowly starts to recognize their value. Based on Edogawa Ranpo’s "Shounen Tanteidan," this series follows Akechi and the Boy Detectives' Club as they tackle diverse mysteries while facing a concealed menace lurking in the shadows: the Fiend with Twenty Faces.

Sixty years ago, a strange insomnia epidemic struck the population, forcing people to remain awake for over a week until they all went mad from sleep deprivation. To treat this illness, a new drug was created, but its side effects transformed patients into vampires. Humanity waged war against these new beings and emerged victorious, yet some vampires survived. Born from both a human and a vampire, Mi Liu—known as "The Child of Hope"—is meant to symbolize a new bond between the two races. After masterminding a bank robbery, Mi Liu is captured and transferred to a special prison operated by the National Defense Agency, which keeps vampires under surveillance. While trying to escape alongside Anji, Mi Liu is attacked by mysterious monsters and learns that the prison sits on the site of the vampires' origin: the old capital of Blue Town. Why are vampires confined in Blue Town? What are those strange creatures attacking them? The heroes must fight to uncover these secrets.

Chika Homura starts high school determined to cultivate a cute girl image. Despite her volleyball prowess, she leaves the team to join the school's overlooked Wind Instrument Club, playing the flute because she considers it the most feminine choice. She unexpectedly reunites with her childhood friend Haruta Kamijou, her polar opposite, who remains unimpressed by her attempts to appear more endearing. Undeterred, Chika falls for band instructor Shinjirou Kusakabe, a feeling Haruta also shares. As Chika’s plans unravel, strange mysteries emerge around her and her peers. The club members must collaborate to solve these school-wide puzzles while recruiting new members to compete in musical events.

During a dark night, a spy raids the Japanese police. Secret files from intelligence agencies including England's MI6, Germany's BND, America's CIA, and the FBI are about to be taken, but public safety officers led by Tooru Amuro arrive just in time. The spy steals a car and escapes. On the highway, the spy and Amuro are locked in a dead heat, and just as it is about to cause a multiple-car accident, FBI agent Shuichi Akai's rifle bullet hits the spy's car, sending it off the road. The next day, Conan and his friends visit a newly-remodeled aquarium in Tokyo. Beneath the Ferris wheel, the main attraction, Conan discovers a beautiful woman who is alone and injured. Her left and right eyes are different colors. The woman is suffering from amnesia and does not even remember her own name, and the cellphone she carries is broken. Conan and his friends promise to help her regain her memory, so they stay with her. Throughout this, Vermouth is watching from behind the scenes. Afterwards, she pulls out a silencer and speaks into an attached intercom, "It's as planned, Gin."

In an alternate version of Japan, the impossible is everyday reality. This world is populated by extraterrestrial Titans, beings from mystical realms, ancient phantoms and goblins, scientist-made cyborgs, and artifacts resurrected from lost civilizations. While some of these superhumans hide their true identities, others revel in their celebrity status. Jiro Hitoyoshi works for the Superhuman Bureau, tasked with monitoring the activities of these extraordinary individuals.

Having endured the assault on Sarugaku headquarters, Sousuke Banba continues his pursuit of the Kagewani monster hybrids. Now possessing the capacity to channel Kagewani energy, he has found a way to destroy these beasts. However, this ability comes at a steep cost: Sousuke faces an ongoing battle to preserve his sanity, as the power threatens to devour his physical form. New and familiar dangers emerge as Sarugaku’s leadership reactivates and an assassin driven by personal vengeance targets Sousuke. Undeterred, he presses forward with his mission, resolved to uncover the origins of the Kagewani and permanently neutralize the threat they pose.

Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki form the elite ninth unit of the Sushi Police—a task force dedicated to detecting and eliminating restaurants that serve illegal or non-traditional sushi, regardless of how minor the infraction might be. The Sushi Police travel freely across the globe day and night in pursuit of these miscreants, driven by their unwavering sense of justice and backed by the World Food-Culture Conservation Organization. No one who violates Japan’s traditional cuisine can evade their punishment! During one of their purification missions, the Sushi Police come across Sara, an attractive young television reporter intent on exposing both them and the World Food-Culture Conservation Organization for corruption. They interrogate her, but her cunning, skills, and charm allow her to slip out of their grip with ease, triggering a series of events that ultimately unveil the true mission of the Sushi Police.

The third installment of the Kaitou Joker anime series follows the enigmatic thief Joker, who is more than just a burglar. This daring and elusive miracle worker roams the globe in search of treasure alongside his partner and chef, Hachi. Their journey involves evading police traps and participating in diverse contests as they strive toward their ultimate objective: the Timeslip Treasure.

The fourth installment of the Kaitou Joker anime follows the enigmatic thief known as Mysterious Joker, who is less of a conventional criminal and more of a daring, elusive miracle worker. Accompanied by his companion and chef Hachi, he journeys across the globe in pursuit of hidden riches. Along the way, the duo must evade police traps and vie in numerous contests as they strive to attain their ultimate objective: the Timeslip Treasure.

Two siblings solve spooky mysteries and handle ghosts with assistance from a 102-year-old goblin living under their haunted apartment building.