Best Mystery Anime of 2020

In the realm of Tower of God, a mysterious structure beckons selected individuals called Regulars, offering to grant their deepest desires. Whether seeking riches, renown, power, or something greater, all such ambitions await at the summit of this enigmatic tower. Bam Twenty-Fifth spent his life trapped in a shadowy cave, knowing nothing beyond a ragged cloth and a faint, distant glow. His world changed when Rachel, a girl emerging from that light, entered his life. As their bond deepened, Rachel revealed the existence of the world outside, yet the news that she must leave to climb the Tower shattered Bam's reality. Driven to follow her, he resolved to pursue her at any cost. Upon fixing his gaze on the Tower, a miraculous event occurred. Thus begins Bam's journey: the story of a boy who was never summoned by the Tower but forced its gates open himself. Such figures are known as Irregulars, beings whose presence has historically disrupted the very foundation of the Tower.

After a string of misfortunes, Makoto Edamura adopts a life of theft and deception, surviving by pickpocketing and tricking others. However, his attempt to scam a seemingly naive tourist backfires when the stranger outsmarts him, forcing Makoto to flee from the police. During his escape, he encounters the tourist again, who reveals himself to be Laurent Thierry, another master swindler. Makoto follows Laurent to Los Angeles and challenges him to a contest to determine who is the superior con artist. Accepting the challenge, Laurent leads them to a grand mansion, identifying their target as the most powerful mafia boss on the West Coast. As Makoto becomes entangled in Laurent's elaborate schemes, working alongside his charismatic crew within a complex web of global high-stakes fraud, he realizes that his reputation as "Japan's Greatest Swindler" may soon be tested to its very limits.

High school student Kaname Sudou becomes intrigued by the mysterious mobile app Darwin's Game after a classmate recommends it. Upon installing the application, Kaname is suddenly knocked unconscious when a digital green snake lunges from the screen and bites him. After waking up in the school clinic with no physical wounds, he dismisses the incident as a hallucination and returns home, but his curiosity compels him to launch the app once more. Initially convinced it is merely a standard combat game, Kaname soon discovers the terrifying reality when his virtual opponent materializes in the real world and assaults him with a weapon. Understanding that Darwin's Game is a lethal battle royale, Kaname desperately flees to save his life.

Shuuichi Kagaya seems like a typical high schooler, yet he harbors a mysterious power to transform into a monster, the origin and purpose of which remain a complete enigma to him. While trying to save a girl named Claire Aoki from a fire, Shuuichi involuntarily shifts into his monstrous form. In the chaos of the rescue, he loses his phone. The following day, Claire confronts Shuuichi, convinced he is the creature she witnessed. When he denies it, she shoves him off the school rooftop to test her hypothesis, forcing him to transform once more to prevent serious injury. Claire records the event and blackmails Shuuichi into sharing whatever he knows about monsters, even though his understanding is minimal. Her real objective is to locate her own sister, who has also experienced a similar transformation. United in their quest for answers, the two embark on a search, unaware that others are hunting for the same truth.

Bound together by shared sorrow, Nanachi accompanies Riko and Reg as they descend deeper into the Abyss. Their expedition brings them to the fifth layer, the Sea of Corpses, the deepest point reachable without risking one's sanity. However, their progress is halted by the sinister masked figure Bondrewd, whose horrifying laboratory stands as a massive barrier for anyone wishing to proceed. This deranged scientist plans to exact a heavy toll on Riko and her companions. Nanachi is haunted by recollections of Bondrewd's past crimes, suffering immense emotional turmoil upon facing his former nemesis again. The group discovers that Bondrewd's sole vulnerability is Prushka, a stubborn young girl who asserts she is his daughter. By forming a friendship with Prushka, Riko, Reg, and Nanachi unite to thwart her father's evil schemes and push forward into the sixth layer of the Abyss.

In a realm where youkai and humans coexist in peace, a few malevolent spirits endanger this delicate harmony. Kotoko Iwanaga, revered as the God of Wisdom, acts as a mediator to settle these supernatural disputes. She approaches Kurou Sakuragawa, a university student recovering from a recent breakup, suspecting a connection to a hidden supernatural entity. Motivated by her feelings for Kurou, Kotoko recruits him to assist with youkai-related matters. Two years later, an idol dies in a tragic accident, only to return as a faceless woman wielding steel beams as weapons. As Kotoko and her partner investigate this haunting, they uncover a situation far darker and more personal than they initially anticipated.

Set in late 19th-century Great Britain, the world's premier empire, society is rigidly stratified by an economic hierarchy where worth is dictated by status and fortune. This structure overwhelmingly favors the aristocracy, condemning the working class to stagnation with no hope for upward mobility. William James Moriarty, the second son of the Moriarty family, presents himself as a typical nobleman while covertly aiding commoners in resolving their struggles. Beneath this calm exterior, however, lies a fervent drive to dismantle the oppressive social order and strike at those who prey upon it. Alongside his brothers Albert and Louis, William is prepared to employ extreme tactics to reshape their corrupted world, even if such reform demands violence.

Assigned to the Modern Crime Prevention Headquarters, Daisuke Kanbe is a detective of staggering wealth who partners with Haru Katou, a police officer who holds justice as their supreme priority. Their contrasting approaches often ignite ethical friction, as Haru challenges Daisuke's reliance on financial power to resolve cases, insisting that money cannot fix everything. Despite these recurring clashes, the pair must collaborate to unravel the diverse mysteries they face.

In the world of ID: INVADED, the Mizuhanome System is a cutting-edge technology that allows access to the depths of the human mind. Using cognition particles found at crime scenes, members of the elite police unit Kura can enter a virtual space called an "id well," where they navigate the criminal's subconscious to reveal their true identity. Entry into these id wells is restricted to those who have themselves committed murder. Former detective Akihito Narihisago, known as "Sakaido" within the id wells, is one such individual. Having once been a celebrated detective, he turned to crime following a personal tragedy. Even in confinement, Narihisago assists Kura with his unparalleled detective skills. However, as he delves deeper into each case, he uncovers a more sinister reality lurking behind what initially seem like isolated murders.

In the secluded mountain village of Hinamizawa, Rika Furude and her companions welcome new transfer student Keiichi Maebara in June 1983, making him the sole boy in the group. The friends spend their days playing games and treasuring their time together. But Keiichi begins to notice something off about his new friends, who appear to be concealing dark secrets regarding the village. A distant observer watches these disturbing events unfold and recalls prior iterations of this story and its variations. Armed with that memory, the observer attempts to repair the fractured realities. However, as certain details shift, they come to a terrifying realization: they have no clue what will happen next or how to avert the oncoming disaster.

In the lively district of Ikebukuro, where multiple businesses and street gangs operate side by side, Makoto Majima has earned a reputation as a "troubleshooter." He works to resolve conflicts between various groups, keeping the peace with the help of the G-Boys, his steadfast allies. The G-Boys, under the command of the intense and magnetic Takashi Andou, are the most powerful gang in Ikebukuro. When a new faction called the "Red Angels" starts moving into G-Boys territory, clashes break out immediately. Facing pressure from both outside enemies and internal strife within the G-Boys, Makoto struggles to navigate the dangerous streets. As he continues to mediate disputes, he stumbles upon a dark scheme that could spark a full-scale war and endanger the entire Ikebukuro area.

In "Psycho-Pass 3: First Inspector," Inspectors Arata Shindou and Mikhail Kei Ignatov uncover a dangerous conspiracy threatening the Sybil System, Japan's ultimate judge of human behavior. A shadowy criminal organization is secretly amassing influence and resources, endangering the system's integrity. Bifrost agent Kouichi Azusawa then launches a bold attack on the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), seizing control of their headquarters and taking Inspector Shindou and others inside as hostages. To reclaim the facility and save the captives, CID Unit 01's supervisor, along with Chief Mika Shimotsuki and former unit members Shinya Kougami and Nobuchika Ginoza, must launch a counteroffensive. While the immediate crisis involves Azusawa's demands for Tokyo Governor Karina Komiya's resignation, a deeper plot looms, forcing Inspector Shindou to confront both Azusawa and his own personal history. As these events unfold, they bring Shindou closer to solving the mystery that has puzzled him and his close friend, Ignatov, for years.

Imagine possessing the power to reach into someone's mind and rewrite their memories—to twist their perceptions, make them see things that aren't there, or recall events that never took place. A person could be sent careening off a cliff while believing the road stretched safely ahead, or commit murder with no recollection of the act. Now picture being born with such an ability. When you know how effortlessly an entire reality can be dismantled, would you be willing to take orders to do the same to others? That is the dilemma facing Hiroki, Satoru, and Tsukasa, who work as psychic hitmen and enforcers for a shadowy organization. Or at least, that may be what's happening. Because they themselves are almost certainly being manipulated, and when you are one of the terrifying beings called a pet, the very notions of truth and reality lose all meaning.

In "The Case Files of Jeweler Richard," Richard Ranasinghe de Vulpian, a captivating and well-informed British jeweler with expertise in mineralogy, runs a small shop in Japan. One night, Seigi Nakata, an honest college student, rescues Richard from rowdy drunks who had targeted him because of his appearance. After learning of Richard's knowledge, Seigi asks him to appraise a pink sapphire ring left to him by his late grandmother. Over time, Seigi becomes a trusted part-time employee at Richard's store. Together, they handle various jewelry-related cases for a range of clients, gradually uncovering the secrets and emotions connected to each gem. Through their work, they seek to understand and build connections with the personal stories woven into every piece of jewelry.

Second season of 7 Seeds.

After losing her father, a young woman inherits control of Miracle Entertainment and its once-successful but now faltering show, Miracle Finder. Determined to save it from cancellation, she searches for a fresh angle and stumbles upon Evol—a rare gene granting supernatural abilities, representing the next stage of human evolution. This revelation could ignite a deadly conflict over humanity's survival. As she explores the realm of Evolvers, she meets four men: Kira, a cheerful idol; Simon, a Loveland University professor and neuroscientist; Zen, the stern CEO of Loveland Financial Group and Miracle Entertainment’s benefactor; and Haku, her former high school senpai who transformed from a troublemaker into a police officer. With strange events unfolding across the city, she must uncover the truth behind Evol and the secretive organization Black Swan, linked to numerous attacks and her father's death. She also needs to determine her role in their grand scheme and understand how these men are connected to the mystery.

In 2045, the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence has transformed society, as governments rely on AI-driven continuous warfare to sustain their economies. Major Motoko Kusanagi leads the mercenary group GHOST, navigating this intricate environment. However, the swift advancement of AI introduces a new danger. After leaving Public Security Section 9, Kusanagi and her team carry out various global missions tied to these proxy conflicts. A routine assignment to track down an arms dealer thrusts GHOST into a covert struggle against cybernetically enhanced individuals with extraordinary intellectual and physical capabilities. Known as "post-humans," these beings trigger a series of events that lead to the reformation of Section 9. With a fresh objective, Kusanagi and her reassembled unit must prevent the post-humans from triggering worldwide chaos.

In the Asakusa Juunikai building, on the 12th floor, reports of a ghost have emerged, leading a local newspaper to publish an article about the sightings. This prompts Takuboku Ishikawa, who runs a private detective agency to support his family, and his assistant Kyosuke Kindaichi to look into the supernatural claims.

The second season of Muhyo to Rouji no Mahouritsu Soudan Jimusho.

The one-year anniversary of the reformed ACCA administration is approaching. In preparation for the upcoming celebrations, Jean Otus, acting on behalf of ACCA's inspection department, travels across the Kingdom of Dowa to confirm that every territory is prepared for the festivities. Despite this seemingly peaceful period, Jean struggles to bridge the distance with his subordinate, Parrot, who holds deep suspicions that another treacherous act against Dowa is imminent. At the same time, Jean's hectic schedule prevents him from addressing concerns about his younger sister, Lotta, who appears to be concealing something significant. Their mutual friend, Niino, takes the initiative to assist Lotta. While Jean remains confident about Dowa's safety, he aims to ease Parrot's fears before the festival and patiently waits for Lotta to open up.

An original story included with volume 10 of the Nakanohito Genome [Jikkyouchuu] manga.

The story takes place in an ordinary convenience store, following a clerk who struggles with effective communication, acting as a window into modern difficulties in forming connections. As events progress, the narrative also uncovers the secrets regarding the mysterious person named Mutou.

This OVA features six short side stories, shifting between the past and present, centered on the everyday lives of Sherlock, Watson, Moriarty, and the other residents of the Row House in Kabukicho.

The series Hentatsu depicts the journey of two girls as they explore a deserted iteration of Nakano Broadway, a shopping center in Tokyo famous for Mandarake and various stores that serve enthusiasts of anime and pop culture.

Episode 0.5 is a special feature found on the second Blu-ray volume. It centers on Kujaku Nijou and his first days as a member of the team, set one year prior to the main series timeline.

The narrative takes place in Minami Shimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture—the legendary birthplace of the Shimabara Rebellion, which shook all of Japan during the early Edo period. Here, a third-year junior high school student named Shirou spends his days alongside his school friends. One summer day, Shirou’s older childhood friend Akane returns to Minami Shimabara from Tokyo. Together with another longtime friend, Tokiya, Shirou and Akane go for a walk around the city. As these friends grapple with feelings of nostalgia and more complicated emotions, a mysterious creature called Goron suddenly appears before them. This encounter with a small, seemingly insignificant being sets off a chain of great events in the city once more.

The candy shop Zenitendo is a mysterious establishment that only fortunate individuals can find. Every piece of candy recommended by Beniko, the shop's owner, is perfectly matched to the customer's personal struggles. However, whether that candy leads to happiness or misfortune hinges entirely on whether it is used or consumed correctly.

Fourth season of Oshiri Tantei.

Promotional video for the Naver Webtoon manhwa Garden Club Detective Squad.

The second Oshiri Tantei (Butt Detective) movie, released in 2020. Butt Detective is sent by his father, Butt Dandy, to investigate the Ladybug Ruins, where a treasure said to be concealed within could put an end to the drought afflicting Dim Dim Village. When the phantom thief U issues a criminal notice, things become more complicated, and Butt Detective and his companions must solve the ruins' many enigmas.