15. Alice & Zoroku
Sana is a “special child” who escapes a facility and into the public. She finds herself in the care of reluctant yet empathetic elderly man Zoroku and his granddaughter. While he can be a grouch despite how much Sana likes him, he knows this child must be protected. Because she’s no ordinary girl. She’s the “Dreams of Alice”.
Father-adopting-daughter anime is common (with disgusting manga). But this is a rare grandfather-adopts-granddaughter one.
The scientific/fantasy elements are added because without them, this anime would be boring.
Zoroku may seem like an ass in some scenes, but then again he’s an old man. An old man whom we can learn from, just as Sana does.
So he’s a wiseass.
14. Den-noh Coil
The world has changed. Becoming more virtually even. Society has entertained itself with these internet-connecting, VR glasses that show a better world. Yuko and her family move to the technologically-advanced city in the world. There, her grandmother delights her with the task of working for her “agency”. A group of children provided the tools and resources to investigate the virtual world. It couldn’t come at a better time. Because something sinister and virus-like embeds itself into the internet.
So...Ready Player One BEFORE Ready Player One?
Videogame anime where people are sucked into another world can be good anime. If done right.
After exposing myself to Sword Art Online and that really dumb one PiPoPa (it’s very obscure, just Google it), I’m not sure about this one.
But child detectives are pretty cute! And this anime does prove that children can be smarter than the average adult.
13. UN-GO
Shinjurou is what he likes to call himself the “Last Great Detective”. His passion for mystery-solving is what makes him stand up. And practically an outcast. While his skills have earned him the detest of the criminal world, the “good guys” like the police especially can’t stand him. He’s not alone, however, thanks to his brilliant-minded assistant Inga.
A lesser-liked version of Jimmy from Case Closed (and if he never turned back into a kid)
Still, who doesn’t like a good mystery solved by a charming yet slightly egotistical nobody?
Even Sherlock Holmes had his fair share of haters.
12. Heaven’s Memo Pad
Narumi was a loner by choice. Never could connect with his classmates, and most certainly was not looking for a serious relationship. However, just above a ramen shop lives a girl with similar beliefs. Her name is Alice, and she’s a NEET. While simple and almost child-like, she’s actually an expert hacker who has a team of crime-fighters. And Narumi just got recruited.
The word NEET gives me chills (and not in the aroused kind of way).
Alice already gives me creepy vibes. And her stuffed animals don’t make it easier (this is some Five Nights at Freddy’s sh*t).
Narumi comes off as somewhat of an ass. But points for making introverts relate.
What can we learn from an anime like this?
Go outside every once in a while. And don’t hack the government.
11. Detective School Q
Kyuu has the heart of an angel and the mind of a detective. Wanting to pursue his interests, he attends the Dan Detective School. There, he meets other brilliant-minded students who all have a special skill. Together, they search for truth and justice.
So if Jimmy from Case Closed stayed a teen...and we actually get to see his school life?
The whole school thing has been overdone in anime. But a detective school? Finally, something interesting besides stupid crushes and perverted teachers!
Have you ever read those Cam Jansen books when you were a kid? There’s a character in this anime whose photographic memory is just as good.
10. Psycho-Pass
In the future, it’s possible to measure a person’s emotions, desires, every bit of their mood. It’s even possible to determine their crime tendency, which is used to judge criminals. Shinya and his enforcement team ensure to keep crime off the streets, thanks to this new technology. However, sometimes a blessing can be a curse. And sometimes people are more than what they are judged.
There’s this 2002 movie called Minority Report. It had Tom Cruise as a cop working for an organization that specializes in “mind-reading technology” just like the anime introduces.
Both have serious consequences, of course. More to know means more people to hurt.
There was also a Black Mirror episode with a similar concept but that one is different. (and the MC deserved her karma at the end)
If you like technology both helping and letting you down, then this anime is for you!
9. Lovely Detective Labyrinth
In the forgotten town of Tokyo, stange, supernatural occurrences haunt the streets. No one knows what these are and why they roam about. However, one young boy with a detective brain can find the answers. After all, he does not fear them. In fact, he has some connection to them.
Can we take a moment to acknowledge that Hyuga Mayuki is the absolute CUTEST detective ever? Conan Edogawa (Case Closed) has some serious competition!
I’d like to think maybe this anime is scary. But it mainly gives me Elegant Yokai Apartment Life vibes (if you haven’t watched that yet, you’re missing out. WATCH IT RIGHT NOW).
We got this fearless young kid who is able to interact with those any Average Joe could not even handle for a second. Sure, we’re worried for a moment that it’ll turn into Elfen Lief in a heartbeat. But somehow Mayuki just lets us know everything will be alright.
I realize he looks like he would belong in Ouran High School. Only the cutest (and most ballsy) attend there.
8. Holmes of Kyoto
Aoi never expected to get a part-time job at the simple antique store in the Teramachi district. Nor did she expect to work alongside the owner’s son Yagashira. However, it’s more than just handling antiques. More often than not, the store receives clients who are in need of mystery-solving. And Aoi finds herself unexpectedly becoming a detective as well.
Simple plot. Mystery-solving. A bunch of meddling kids.
This is Scooby Doo if it were an anime!
Aoi is the mix of Daphne and Velma. And Yagashira is the combination of Freddy and Shaggy.
Not sure who would be Scoob though. But there are a lot of bitches in this anime (lol)!
Mystery anime can hurt my head. Case Closed overdoes it and their mysteries leave me with the fear of sleeping.
This is a humble slice-of-life with mystery tagged to it. Something you can sit in front of and watch while multitasking.
7. Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor
Sistina attends the renowned magical academy in hopes of solving the mystery of the Sky Castle, something her late grandfather told stories about. However, her favorite teacher has announced retirement, and his specially hand-picked replacement takes over. And he’s lazy! Sistina believes he’s a bastard instructor and should just leave. But she starts changing her mind the more she learns about him. There was a good reason why he was hand-picked.
Yeah, just like Sistina, I really thought Glenn was a total asshat too. I honestly would not feel bad if he got hurt. Or even killed.
But just like Sisti, my mind completely changed. Sometimes he can be a real dick, but like Naruto he has immeasurable powers.
Also, he’s actually a pretty nice guy. It’s no wonder Sisti slowly begins to fall for him.
I hope to god they’re working on a second season. You cannot just go end a 12-episode season on a cliffhanger and leave me to wonder if Glenn likes her back!
Oh, yeah, and if the bad guy will ever be stopped, sure...
