The year 2020 was a spectacular year for anyone who loves a good puzzle. We were treated to a wave of mystery and crime anime that didn’t just entertain—they dared us to solve the case alongside the characters.
From supernatural sleuths to high-stakes psychological battles, these series gave us a truly mind-boggling experience. They presented questions that urged our curious minds to speculate, theorize, and inevitably be surprised by major plot twists.
If you’re ready to revisit the best detective work, conspiracies, and mind games of the year, here are the top 10 mystery anime series of 2020 that delivered fantastic rides, deep drama, and unforgettable psychological thrills.
Top 10 Mystery Anime of 2020
In/Spectre
-
The Hook: This series perfectly blends romance, supernatural drama, and investigative mystery. We follow Kotoko, the self-proclaimed “Goddess of Wisdom,” who lost an eye and a leg to become a mediator between the human and spirit worlds (yokai).
-
The Mystery: The brilliance of In/Spectre lies in its approach to solving cases: not by finding the truth, but by crafting a convincing false narrative that satisfies the public or supernatural entities. It’s less about what happened and more about what people will believe.
-
Why You Need to Watch: Kotoko is a funny, forceful, and brilliant character. Her dynamic with her immortal boyfriend, Kuro, provides a unique romantic layer to a stunning crime-mystery narrative.
Related Merchandise: Get Yourself a Copy of In/Spectre Manga
The Millionaire Detective – Balance: Unlimited
-
The Hook: It’s a modern, stylized police procedural with a massive twist: one of the detectives is absurdly rich.
-
The Mystery: We meet Daisuke Kambe, who solves cases by deploying high-tech gadgets, luxury items, and unlimited funds. His partner, Haru Katou, is the grounded detective who prefers conventional police work. This creates a fascinating tension as they tackle various crimes.
-
Why You Need to Watch: While it appears to be a drama where money is everything on the surface, the story quickly evolves into an exciting adventure, revealing a deep-seated conspiracy tied to Daisuke’s family and the origin of his wealth.
Talentless Nana
-
The Hook: A runaway hit from the Fall 2020 season that masterfully subverts expectations—often described as “My Hero Academia meets Death Note.”
-
The Mystery: On a remote island, super-powered students are being trained to fight “Enemies of Humanity.” But one girl, Nana, is seemingly “talentless” and is actually a spy tasked with eliminating the talented. This is a thrilling game of Among Us where Nana tries her best to deceive everyone while a suspicious classmate, Kyouka, keeps finding clues to unveil her dark mission.
-
Why You Need to Watch: The psychological clash and continuous shifting of loyalties and suspicions make this a high-stakes series where everything is a mystery until the final truth surfaces.
Related Review: Talentless Nana Anime Review: My Hero Academia Meets Death Note.
The Case Files of Jeweler Richard
-
The Hook: A beautifully paced, character-driven mystery set within a slice-of-life framework.
-
The Mystery: We follow handsome British jeweler Richard Ranasinghe de Vulpian and his Japanese assistant, Seigi Nakata, as they solve various mysteries concerning their clients and the intricate history of their gemstones.
-
Why You Need to Watch: While it’s not bloody or high-octane, the series presents well-written, episodic mysteries that are compelling and often touch upon deep emotional and interpersonal issues. The quiet progression of the main characters’ relationship and Richard’s backstory adds layers of intrigue.
Related Post: Top LGBTQ-related Anime Recommendations
Woodpecker Detective’s Office
-
The Hook: A historical mystery series featuring real-life Japanese literary figures as the main characters.
-
The Mystery: Follows the brilliant but unconventional poet Takuboku Ishikawa and his devoted novelist friend, Kyosuke Kindaichi, as they solve various crimes in Meiji-era Tokyo. Though they aren’t official detectives, their sharp minds lead them to the heart of various cases.
-
Why You Need to Watch: The beautiful visuals, nostalgic historical setup, and the central focus on the delicate relationship between the two main characters make this an unconventional and character-rich mystery that is worth checking out.
ID:Invaded
-
The Hook: A dark, visually stunning psychological thriller that explores the human psyche to solve murders.
-
The Mystery: The story centers on a specialized detective unit that uses the “Mizuhanome” machine to dive into the “ID wells” (the unconscious minds) of serial killers. Our protagonist, Akihito Narihisago (Sakaido), must navigate these surreal and broken worlds to find the criminal’s identity.
-
Why You Need to Watch: ID:Invaded is a hauntingly beautiful sci-fi crime drama that excels in world-building and delivers an exquisite adventure for lovers of deep, speculative mystery.
Related Post: ID:Invaded is the second best anime of 2020
Gleipnir
-
The Hook: A thrilling action-mystery where two high schoolers get entangled in a deadly game after one gains a monstrous, alien-gifted power.
-
The Mystery: Shuichi Kagaya has the mysterious ability to transform into a huge, plushie-like monster. When he meets Claire Aoki, they are forced to partner up to look for answers behind the strange coins, the alien entity, and the high-stakes battle for survival.
-
Why You Need to Watch: This series is a rollercoaster of action and suspense as the characters fight, search for clues, and try to uncover the greater conspiracy behind their newfound powers.
Related Merchandise: Get Yourself a Copy of the Book Series: Gleipnir (12 book series)
Higurashi: When They Cry – GOU
-
The Hook: The sequel/reboot of the legendary horror-mystery series. This is a psychological-thriller that grapples with fate and the struggle for salvation.
-
The Mystery: When death and destruction seem inevitable, Rika Furude and her friends find themselves in a deadly loop, experiencing various tragedies over and over. The core mystery is: how can Rika defy fate and turn back time to finally find the future where salvation exists?
-
Why You Need to Watch: Even if you’re new to the series, GOU is a tense and horrifying ride that demands viewers try to piece together the fractured reality of the village of Hinamizawa.
Babylon
-
The Hook: A dark, philosophical drama that tackles profound questions about morality, ethics, and the definition of evil.
-
The Mystery: Zen Seizaki, a prosecutor in the newly established Shiniki area of Tokyo, finds himself deep in an investigation that quickly spirals into a terrifying conspiracy that questions the very nature of human existence.
-
Why You Need to Watch: Babylon is a heavy psychological-drama that dares to mess with your psyche and ask unsettling questions: Is evil necessary? Does evil need to exist to justify the good? While it may have divided audiences, it is a mystery that stays with you long after the final episode.
Moriarty the Patriot
-
The Hook: A magnificent spin on the classic Sherlock Holmes tale, focusing on the story’s ultimate villain, Professor William James Moriarty.
-
The Mystery: Moriarty is a brilliant crime consultant who believes the only way to achieve revolution and dismantle the corrupt class system is to bring chaos. We watch him orchestrate the perfect crimes to challenge and ultimately destroy the societal norms of London, setting the stage for his destined clash with Sherlock Holmes.
-
Why You Need to Watch: If you enjoy sharp writing, political intrigue, and the thrill of watching a genius execute flawless plans, this historical crime-mystery is a must-watch.
Related Post: 10 Anime Similar to Moriarty the Patriot
What Was Your Favorite Mind-Bender?
The year 2020 truly delivered some of the best crime and mystery anime in recent memory. Which series caught your attention the most? Did a plot twist completely surprise you, or did you figure out the mystery before the characters?
Share your thoughts and favorite theories with us by leaving a comment below!
Last Updated on October 31, 2025 by Yu Alexius
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.