Noir anime have their own devoted cult of fans. It owes its popularity to the origin of various 90s crime thriller anime that catapulted the genre to the mainstream.
But as much as the genre is loved, it can be hard to find any good watch. So, today, we bring you a perfect list of the top 10 noir anime that will keep you wanting more.
10Steins;Gate
The anime will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions with its plot twists and feels. Steins Gate is based on the original visual novel by 5pb. and Nitroplus. The series follows a group of friends who accidentally discover the way of time travel, leading to a series of catastrophes.
The anime is the perfect culmination of an intricate storyline, well-written characters, dark themes, and a whole lot of Okabe’s sufferings. It’s a wonderful story for all time travel lovers and science lovers.
9Akira
Popularly known as one of the Japanese Film masterpieces, Akira is a cyberpunk action film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo. The story is set in the alternate dystopia-Neo Tokyo.
The story revolves around the secret military project set to threaten the world once again when Shotaro’s friend gains frightening powers after an accident. The series is perfect for noir film fanatics searching for good stories based on evil and corruption.
8Monster
Monster is based on the acclaimed Japanese manga series by Naoki Urasawa. The series follows a Japanese surgeon whose life enters into unexpected turmoil after encountering a serial killer who also happens to be his former patient.
Simply put, the characters are not your typical good person, and the story is not set on the spectrum of black and white. It’s the crime drama that will surely keep you on your toes.
7Moriarty the Patriot
The Sherlock Holmes-inspired series is perfect for your crime thriller craving. Moriarty the Patriot is based on the original Japanese manga by Ryosuke Takeuchi and Hikaru Miyoshi.
The story is about the noble William James Moriarty, who works as a private consultant for people in need. But actually, he is just a frustrated individual, strategizing to destroy the corrupt societal structure.
691 Days
91 Days is another Shuka animated project, which is a must-watch for all the revenge drama lovers out there. It is set during the prohibition era of the United States and follows a young man who swears revenge for his family, killed in a mafia dispute.
91 Days is praised for its compelling storyline, unexpected twists, and excellent dialogue. It seems to be inspired by the style of the famous British television drama- Peaky Blinders.
5Ghost in the Shell
Calling all the fans of Seinen media for this one! Based on the manga by Masamune Shirow, the anime has influenced some of the biggest projects like The Matrix and Avatar.
The plot is set in a cyberized advanced society where a cyborg officer and her partner investigate a mastermind, ‘Puppet Master,’ who can hack and control the cyborg’s bodies. This sci-fi film divulged into the deep question of humanity and self-identity in the era of technology.
4The Millionaire Detective Balance: Unlimited
The millionaire detective who took the whole internet by storm in 2020. Inspired by the novel of Yasutaka Tsutsui, this CloverWorks anime follows two detectives of contrasting personalities who must work together to solve the cases.
Millionaire Detective seems to be very much inspired by noir film elements like unorthodox heroes, witty dialogues, femme fatale, and much more. The anime is an interesting watch with a good mystery, but beware, there is no second season.
3Psycho-Pass
Another cyberpunk thriller drama to add to your watchlist. Psycho-Pass is an original Production I.G anime set in the alternate future where the Sybil system measures crime intent.
Akane Tusemori, a morally just police officer, believes in the system but soon learns the truth of the system. The enforcer, Shinya Kogame, is not your typical rule-obeying protagonist and believes in his own perception of justice outside the system.
2Detective Conan
Helmed as one of the popular 90s detective phenomena, Detective Conan is based on the original manga series by Gosho Aoyama. Over the years, the series has spawned several spin-offs, OVAs, and films due to its growing popularity.
Shinichi Kudo is a genius detective who, during one of the cases, is turned into a child after being fed a drug. Now, he must adapt to his new body and alias and solve the crimes while hiding his true identity.
1Cowboy Bebop
The perfect neo-noir anime that is also hailed as one of the best-animated television series of all time. It is an original anime created and animated by Studio Sunrise.
The series follows a bounty hunter and his group who embark on quirky adventures aboard the spaceship Bebop to catch criminals across the galaxy. It also has a live-action Netflix series released in 2021.
So, these are the best noir animes to watch if you’re a fan of the genre. Did we miss any series? If yes, then do not hesitate to stop by the comments!
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