The anime adaptation of Bungou Stray Dogs first aired in April of 2016 and quickly became a fan favorite. With its blend of mystery, action, and comedy, the series appealed to both old and new shounen fans.
Bungou Stray Dogs revolves around Atsushi Nakajima, who seems to be the only one aware of the strange incidents of a mystical tiger in the orphanage. He has no food and nowhere to go until he saves a mysterious man called Osamu Dazai from drowning. To the annoyance of his partner Doppo Kunikida, Dazai offers Atsushi a meal and tells him that they are part of the Armed Detective Agency, an agency of gifted individuals who solve criminal cases that the authorities can’t.
They ask Atsushi for help in tracking down a supernatural tiger that has been wreaking havoc in the city, and he reluctantly agrees.
You’re sure to enjoy these series if you enjoyed Bungou Stray Dogs for its combination of suspense and comedic relief.
1. Kekkai Sensen
Hellsalem’s Lot, previously known as New York City, has long been a place where supersonic monkeys, vampires, talking fishmen, and other supernatural creatures live alongside humans. New Yorkers and creatures from the other world were forced to live together when a gateway connecting Earth and the Beyond opened three years ago.
A secret organization, Libra, is composed of eccentrics and superhumans to maintain order in the city and prevent chaos from spreading.
A photographer by hobby, Leonardo Watch, lives a normal life with his parents and sister. But after obtaining the “All-seeing Eyes of the Gods” at the expense of his sister’s sight, he goes to Hellsalem’s Lot to help her by learning more about the mysterious power he has received.
Libra soon enters his life, and when Leo unexpectedly joins them, he gets more than he bargained for. Kekkai Sensen chronicles Leo’s misadventures in the most unusual place on Earth with his similarly bizarre comrades—as the normal boy unwittingly sees his life take a turn for the extraordinary.
2. Durarara!!
There are many strange rumors and warnings about anonymous gangs and dangerous occupants in Tokyo’s downtown district of Ikebukuro, but one urban legend stands out above the rest: a headless “Black Rider” is said to drive a jet-black motorcycle through the city streets.
Having always wanted to experience city life, Mikado Ryuugamine accepts an invitation from a childhood friend to move to Tokyo.
His expectations already seem to have been fulfilled upon seeing the Black Rider on his first day in the city. He, along with Ikebukuro’s most colorful inhabitants, are caught up in the commotion as supernatural events begin to unfold.
The series contains a wide range of characters and story arcs. Characters are by far the most interesting and amazing aspect of this anime. The series possesses a lot of originality and is unique enough to be one of the best anime shows. There’s no doubt that this is the best-written series in a long time, filled with thoroughly intriguing characters and engaging storylines.
3. Hamatora The Animation
A limited number of humans are gifted with the ability to create miracles, which is not just a supernatural phenomenon. People who possess the powers of “Minimum,” or small miracles, are called “Minimum Holders.”
Hamatora, or Yokohama Troubleshooting, a detective agency, is headed by “Minimum Holder PI Duo,” Nice and Murasaki. The pair and their coworkers wait for new clients at Cafe Nowhere, where they work from a lone table.
Suddenly, the jobs that they begin to receive seem to have strange connections to the serial killer whom their friend Art, a police officer, is searching for. The murder victims share a single similarity: they are all Minimum Holders. Nice and Murasaki, as holders themselves, are drawn to the case—but what exactly is the link between Nice and the one who orchestrates it all?
In spite of some crazy and confusing elements, the main characters of the series have very likable personalities. You’ll love a few, dread a few, and hate a few because of the different personalities presented.
4. Vanitas no Karte
Vanitas, a vampire born during the blue moon, became fearful and desolate after being mocked. Legend has it that he created a cursed grimoire known as the “Book of Vanitas,” and used it to bring vengeance upon all vampires of the crimson moon.
The fabled Book of Vanitas is being sought by Noé Archiviste in Paris during the 19th century. On an airship, Vanitas, a vampire hunter carrying the very tome he seeks, saves him from a vampire attack.
Despite claiming to be an expert on vampires, the self-proclaimed specialist is only a human who inherited both his name and the book from the same Vanitas of legend. In the odd case of the Charlatan’s Parade, the doctor’s ability to restore sanity to vampires by recovering their true name will prove to be most beneficial.
As a character, Vanitas is self-assured and full of personality. Playful, sarcastic, and mischievous are the characteristics of his personality.
Despite Vanitas no Carte’s various degrees of light humor, it must be taken seriously. Behind the humor lies a dark secret. Our understanding of vampire origins, the purpose of the Book of Vanitas, and even some secrets may surprise us.
5. Boku no Hero Academia
Over the years, “quirks,” newly discovered superpowers, have steadily increased, with 80 percent of humanity possessing various abilities from manipulating elements to shapeshifting. In this situation, the remainder of the world is rendered powerless, and Izuku Midoriya is one such person.
The ambitious middle schooler has dreamed of becoming a hero since he was a child. Due to his unfair fate, Izuku admires heroes and takes notes on them whenever he can. However, his persistence has paid off: Izuku meets All Might, the number one hero and his personal idol. All Might’s quirk is something that can be inherited, and Izuku has been chosen to carry on his legacy!
Izuku completed many months of grueling training before enrolling in UA High, a prestigious school with an excellent hero training program. This year’s freshmen seem especially promising. In time, Izuku will learn what it truly means to be a hero, thanks to the odd but talented classmates he has and the looming threat of a villainous organization.
6. Noragami
You may find a strange phone number scrawled in red if you look in the right place during times of need. You will be answered by a young man who introduces himself as Yato God if you call this number.
A minor deity, Yato dreams of having millions of worshippers and declares himself a “Delivery God.” Unfortunately, he does not have any shrines dedicated to his name. He spends his days doing odd jobs for five yen apiece until his weapon partner becomes fed up with her useless master and deserts him.
Just as things seem to be looking grim for the god, his fortune changes when a middle school girl, Hiyori Iki, supposedly saves Yato from a car accident, taking the hit for him. Remarkably, she survives, but the event has caused her soul to become loose and hence able to leave her body.
Hiyori demands that Yato return her to normal, but upon learning that he needs a new partner to do so, reluctantly agrees to help him find one. And with Hiyori’s help, Yato’s luck may finally be turning around.
7. Tokyo Ghoul
Tokyo has become cruel and inhumane – a city where “ghouls” live among people. These bloodthirsty savages constantly threaten this once great metropolis. As ghouls can blend in with society and appear as humans, they pose the greatest threat to society.
Tokyo Ghoul tells the story of Ken Kaneki, a shy college student who is instantly drawn to Rize Kamishiro, a fellow reader.
Unfortunately, Rize is not who she seems, and this unfortunate meeting thrusts Kaneki into the inhuman world of ghouls. The mysterious waitress Touka Kirishima rescues Kaneki, starting him on a new journey as a half-human/half-ghoul.
In an anime, did you ever think you’d root for man-eaters? If you disagree, Tokyo Ghoul is here to prove you wrong. One of the best anime series, Tokyo Ghoul, will keep you on your toes the whole time. Despite its darkness and gore, it will most likely appeal to horror fans, though non-horror fans can also enjoy it.
8. Kemono Jihen
Kohachi Inugami, a detective specializing in the occult, arrives at a remote village in the Japanese countryside, where a hostess tasks him at a local inn to investigate a series of incidents involving rotting and mutilated livestock corpses that appear out of nowhere.
Inugami observes a peculiar boy working in the fields while surveying. The young farmhand, nicknamed “Dorotabou” for his stench, is surprised that anyone would pay attention to him.
Despite scorned looks from the villagers, Inugami enlists the help of Dorotabou for the investigation. Unbeknownst to Dorotabou, this investigation will show him a strange new world–one of the beast-like entities known as Kemono living alongside humans–along with giving him a new meaning in life.
With its underlying dark elements and the stories it tells, Kemono Jihen demonstrates a fragile, yet unyielding determination and emotion shared by the protagonists. Sometimes, it can get really dark, yet at the same time, you cannot help but crave for more of their heartfelt moments.
9. K
The term “King” refers to individuals with extraordinary supernatural powers and the ability to recruit others for their clans. In addition to protecting their clansmen, kings are responsible for protecting their honor. An unassuming student Yashiro Isana is accused of murder after a video depicting the heinous killing of a Red Clansman goes viral.
Currently, a manhunt is underway for his head, bringing him into contact with the infamous “Black Dog” Kurou Yatogami, a skilled swordsman and martial artist determined to follow the wishes of his late master, the Seventh King.
As the search for Yashiro narrows, the current Red King, Mikoto Suou, risks his own demise. While Yashiro struggles to prove his innocence, a greater conspiracy is unfolding behind the scenes; clouds begin to appear in his memory, and close friends begin to question his existence. What began as a simple murder is now leading toward a full-blown war between Kings with the very fate of the world at stake.
10. Charlotte
Yuu Otosaka would be an everyday high school student if it weren’t for his ability to control people’s minds and bodies. It only occurs for five seconds at a time, but Yuu’s mysterious power allowed him to cheat his way to the top of his class and into a prestigious high school.
Eventually, Nao Tomori, the headstrong student council president at Hoshinoumi Academy, sees through his ruses and stops him. As a result of coercion, Nao convinces Yuu to transfer to Hoshinoumi and join the student council. Secretly, Hoshinoumi Academy is a school for teenagers with supernatural abilities, with the student council serving as an investigative tool.
Yuu reluctantly assists in council affairs as the group searches for and protects new ability users. Further investigation of the abilities, however, entangles them in far more complex matters than they could have ever anticipated.