Mystery (351)

Whether its solving a crime or finding an explanation for a puzzling circumstance, the main cast willingly or reluctantly become investigators who must work to answer the who, what, why, and/or how of the current dilemma. The narrative of mystery stories is always on collecting evidence, identifying suspects, and theorizing possible scenarios for the unexplainable, before finally capturing the perpetrator or resolving the current situation. Almost always, the audience has the same information as the main characters and anticipation is directed towards discovering the explanation, not what will transpire after the answer is found. Contrast with Suspense or Horror where often the audience has more information than the cast, which heightens the tension or fear of what will happen next.

Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo: File Series

Kibayashi, ShinKanari, Youzabu 2024
Kindaichi (frequently with best-bud, Miyuki) travels to various places where a murder has taken place, typically involving ghosts, curses, myths and folklore of significant events from the distant past, and solves the mystery using ingenious deductions of curious clues and his cool magic.

(Source: Tokyopop)
Oct 14, 1992 to Oct 22, 1997 | 219 chp | Publishing

King of Bandit JingJing: King of Bandits - Twilight Tales

Kumakura, Yuuichi 2024
Take a fantastical, far-out journey in the out-of-this-world adventures of Jing and his feisty, feathered friend Kir. Twilight Tales is an awesome new series with a fresh, original look for our heroes! When Jing sets his sights on a valuable jewel in the coffin of a notorious mafia boss, is he really playing with fire? Will Jing get away with it all, or does la cosa nostra's reach extend beyond the grave?

(Source: Tokyopop)
This series is currently on indefinite hiatus.
1999 to May 26, 2005 | 35 chp | Publishing

Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World

Sigsawa, KeiichiKuroboshi, Kou 2024
Destination is a state of mind. A tale of one girl and her bike and the road ahead. Kino wanders around the world on the back of Hermes, her unusual, anthropomorphic motorcycle, only staying in each country for three days. During their adventures, they find happiness, sadness, pain, decadence, violence, beauty, and wisdom. But through it all, they never lose their sense of freedom. They discover that because of the world's imperfections, it is actually a thing of beauty. "The world is not beautiful, therefore it is."

(Source: Tokyopop)
Mar 10, 2000 to ? | chp | Publishing

Missing: Kamikakushi no Monogatari

Kouda, GakutoMutsuki, Lay 2024
Kyoichi Utsume, a.k.a. "His Majesty, Lord of Darkness," is a dark and compelling mystery, so much so that his fellow Literature Club members would rather discuss him than books! When "His Majesty" vanishes in front of their very eyes, his friends are left with several unanswered questions: what is the source of Kyoichi's long-standing obsession with the "other side"? And just who is Ayame, the eerily ghostlike girl Kyoichi brought to school as his girlfriend the day before he disappeared?

(Source: Tokyopop)
2003 | 12 chp | Publishing

Cossette no ShouzouLe Portrait de Petit Cossette

Katsura, Asuka 2024
Eiri Kurahashi is an art school student, with a job at a local antique store. It's there that he develops a strange obsession. He finds himself entranced by a portrait of a Victorian-era girl named Cossette. It's a portrait with a strange history--everyone who has owned it has been murdered in a bizarre fashion. But the story runs much deeper than that. Cossette was savagely murdered by her lover, who also happens to be the artist who painted the portrait. When the new owner of the portrait nearly kills himself, Eiri decides to get involved. And that's when Cossette begins speaking to him...

(Source: Tokyopop)
2004 | 9 chp | Publishing

Mushishi

Urushibara, Yuki 2024
"Mushi": the most basic forms of life in the world. They exist without any goals or purposes aside from simply "being." They are beyond the shackles of the words "good" and "evil." Mushi can exist in countless forms and are capable of mimicking things from the natural world such as plants, diseases, and even phenomena like rainbows.

This is, however, just a vague definition of these entities that inhabit the vibrant world of Mushishi, as to even call them a form of life would be an oversimplification. Detailed information on mushi is scarce because the majority of humans are unaware of their existence.

So what are mushi and why do they exist? This is the question that a "Mushishi," Ginko, ponders constantly. Mushishi are those who research mushi in hopes of understanding their place in the world's hierarchy of life.

Ginko relentlessly chases rumors of occurrences that could be tied to mushi, all for the sake of finding an answer.

It could, after all, lead to the meaning of life itself.

[Written by Animeranku Rewrite]
Nov 1999 to Aug 25, 2008 | 50 chp | Publishing

Lupin IIILupin the 3rd

Monkey Punch 2024
This is the first time Monkey Punch's original, classic series has been published in the U.S. International man of mystery and master thief extraordinaire, Lupin III comes from a long line of high stakes bandits, all committed to stealing from the rich and giving to themselves. Fortunately, Lupin tends to avoid robbing society's virtuous and, instead, targets some pretty shady characters.

Of course, he partners with some pretty shady characters as well: Daisuke Jigen is an ex-mafia hit man who carries himself with a somber demeanor, his trademark black fedora tilted forward to hide his eyes. Goemon Ishikawa is a cipher-like swordsman with samurai-ish overtones who mysteriously fades in and out of Lupin's exploits. Fujiko Mine is the object of Lupin's affections, but, since she is a thief herself, the duo's romance more than occasionally clashes with their competition for big scores.

The global police force, Interpol, and in particular the tenacious Inspector Zenigata, long to capture Lupin and his gang. Zenigata's relationship with the eponymous master thief is a complicated one, characterized by mutual respect laced with utter disdain. The two have even worked together when it's served both their interests, but they understand that when the crisis ends, they must resume their former wariness and animosity toward each other.

(Source: Tokyopop)
Jul 7, 1967 to Apr 1972 | 109 chp | Publishing

Model

Lee, So Young 2024
Jae is a Korean student who came to Europe to study art. Things aren't going her way, but she's determined to make it. One night, her friend Melissa brings a drunk guy to her apartment and asks if he can stay there for the night. Jae doesn't like it, but agrees. That night she has a dream that the drunk guy drinks her blood...which, of course, turns out NOT to be a dream.

Jae is surprisingly unafraid of the vampire, Michael, and starts to paint his portrait. The two strike an unusual deal: if Jae allows the vampire to feed on her, he will pose for her. His beauty and alluring preternatural energy could be exactly what Jae needs to finally succeed as a painter.

(Source: Tokyopop)
Jun 2000 to Oct 2002 | 10 chp | Publishing

Shin Petshop of Horrors (Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo)

Akino, Matsuri 2024
Count D has opened his petshop again, this time in Tokyo's Shinjuku!
For those who haven't read Petshop of Horrors, Count D's Petshop is a place where one can find animals from the most ordinary housepets to savage predators to mystical beasts that should belong only in legends. Customers often find that their new pets change their lives more than they expect, fulfilling their dreams, or realizing their nightmares.
(Source: MU)
Apr 22, 2004 to Nov 15, 2012 | 45 chp | Publishing

Nishi no Yoki MajoThe Good Witch of the West

Ogiwara, NorikoMomokawa, Haruh 2024
Firiel is a 15-year-old girl who lives with her father, the astronomer Professor Dee, and their servants, the Holys. When she is invited to a fancy ball at a count's castle, she discovers that her past is more complicated then she had thought. A necklace given to her by her father proves that she is of royal blood—and a candidate to be the next Queen!

(Source: MU)
Dec 29, 2003 to May 30, 2007 | 39 chp | Publishing

Ou Dorobou JingJing: King of Bandits

Kumakura, Yuuichi 2024
A flying ghost ship filled with gold-stuffed zombies? Now that sounds like a worthy target for Jing, King of Bandits. Joined by his avian sidekick Kir and the lovely Rose (who is actually an undercover cop trying to catch him in the act!), Jing hitches a ride onboard the ghost ship only to discover that the ship is really a luxury casino. But it's no ordinary gold that these guests are playing with. These gold coins bite back and bite hard, feeding on the greed that the casino attracts. Can Jing break the curse and come away with the loot?

(Source: Tokyopop)
Mar 15, 1995 to Apr 15, 1998 | 39 chp | Publishing

Remote.remote.

Kibayashi, ShinKoshiba, Tetsuy 2024
Kurumi Ayaki is a recently-retired police officer with a record of excellence on the force and the guts and guile to back it up. In order to earn some extra money for her upcoming wedding, she has to return to the force ... and is 'rewarded' with an assignment to an elite unit whose charge it is to solve those crimes that have been classified as unsolvable.
Partnered with a mysterious young genius who is unable to feel emotions, or even to leave his room, she acts as his eyes and ears to piece together clues even as her own personal life falls apart around her.
(Source: Tokyopop)
2002 to 2004 | 100 chp | Publishing

Fukai Nemuri no HanaFlower of the Deep Sleep

Kazumi, Yuana 2024
Yuuki is an energetic teenager who carries the disturbing power of foresight in her dreams. She finds that this is tied to the mysterious Deep Sleep that has overtaken her sister, Yuuka.
Clues left on her cell phone and visions that come to her in her dreams begin to reveal a strange puzzle... and then in one dream, a glass wall stands between her and her sister while a faceless little girl stands by Yuuka. The mysterious girl hands Yuuki a kaleidoscope—which Yuuki discovers she still has when she awakens from the dream the next morning...
(Source: Tokyopop)
Jan 17, 2003 to Aug 11, 2003 | 10 chp | Publishing

Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna (Spiral: Bonds of Reasoning)

Shirodaira, KyouMizuno, Eita 2024
Ayumu Narumi has lived all his life in the shadow of his famous detective brother, Kiyotaka. However, Kiyotaka disappeared two years ago, leaving behind his wife Madoka and Ayumu himself, along with a cryptic message about the "Blade Children."

One day, a girl at Ayumu's school suddenly dies. What seemed like a suicide at first glance turns out to be a murder, and Ayumu is the prime suspect. While investigating the person responsible for framing him, he discovers that the mysterious Blade Children are involved—and they somehow know Kiyotaka personally. Ayumu soon finds out just how dangerous the Blade Children are and learns that, in reality, he and Kiyotaka are intertwined more closely than he had ever believed.

[Written by Animeranku Rewrite]
Aug 11, 1999 to Oct 12, 2005 | 78 chp | Publishing

The Tarot Café

2024
Meet Pamela, a tarot card reader who helps supernatural beings living in the human world. She'll help anyone, whether they're a love-stricken cat, a vampire spending eternal life running from his one true love, an unattractive waitress looking for the man of her dreams, or even a magician who creates a humanoid doll to serve the woman he loves. Although she is good-natured, there is a deep dark secret that she must deal with before she can move on to the next life.
(Source: Tokyopop)
2002 to ? | 18 chp | Publishing

Wild Adapter

Minekura, Kazuya 2024
Makoto Kubota wandered through life, not taking things too seriously or looking too deep within himself. His job as the head of the Izumo Group's youth gang kept him pleasantly occupied with yakuza wars, mahjong and assassinations... Until the day he stumbled upon a strange drug called Wild Adapter that produces bizarre side-effects—including death. Forever changed, Kubota becomes entangled with a drifter named Minoru Tokito, and the two form an unlikely companionship that draws them deeper into the mystery of Wild Adapter...

(Source: Tokyopop)
2001 to Mar 4, 2016 | 52 chp | Publishing

World Embryo

Moriyama, Daisuke 2024
A deadly virus is spreading across mankind, turning humans into gruesome monsters known as "Kanshu." Yet no one knows of their existence, except for the organization called "F.L.A.G.," dedicated to hunting down and destroying the source of the infection. Its members possess extraordinary powers, capable of unleashing righteous fury on their enemies. One day, a cell phone message from a dead relative leads estranged youth Riku Amami unwittingly into the conflict between F.L.A.G. and Kanshu—and to a mysterious cocoon that would change his life forever, for better or worse...
(Source: Chuang Yi)
Apr 30, 2005 to May 30, 2014 | 97 chp | Publishing

X: KaiX-Kai-

Toujou, Asami 2024
Kaito Yagami is a florist/gardener by day and a hired assassin by night. He kills using poisons from plants to make money to care for his brother who is confined in a hospital.

(Source: Tokyopop)
1998 to 2000 | 7 chp | Publishing

ChunRangYulJun

Park, Sung-Woo 2024
The mighty Kingdom of Goguryeo is in the midst of a war which has raged on for decades. In need of talented warriors to help lead their people, O’Rhang Yhun is sent on a mission by his master into enemy territory to find and bring back his eldest brother. However, just as O’Rhang departs on his mission, his master, a renown warrior and general of Goguryeo, passes away. Unfortunately for O’Rhang, his 2nd eldest brother has always been jealous of his martial arts potential and betrays O’Rhang by branding him as a traitor defecting to the enemy. Having been branded a traitor, he is pursued and nearly killed. As fate would have it though, O’Rhang is able to escape from his homeland barely managing to survive when a maiden as beautiful and graceful as an angel saves his life. (Source: Infinity Studios)
1997 to ? | chp | Publishing

Vampire Knight

Hino, Matsuri 2024
Cross Academy is an elite boarding school with two separate, isolated classes: the Day Class and the Night Class. On the surface, Yuuki Cross and Zero Kiryuu are prefects of the academy, and attempt to keep order between the students as classes rotate in the evenings. As the Night Class is full of utterly gorgeous elites, this can sometimes prove to be a bit difficult. It is completely necessary, however, as those "elites" are actually vampires. Yuuki and Zero act as guardians, protecting the secrets of the Night Class and the safety of their ignorant morning counterparts.

As the adopted daughter of the academy's chairman, Yuuki takes her job with a serious and energetic attitude. It also allows her to interact with her secret crush and savior, the president of the Night students' dorm, Kaname Kuran. Zero, on the other hand, has a deep-rooted hatred against vampires, and at times, does not hesitate to kill.

Can vampires and humans co-exist, even in the strict setup of the Cross Academy? Only time will tell.

[Written by Animeranku Rewrite]
Included one-shot:
Volume 17: Watashi to Fukigen na Panya-san (The Sour-Faced Baker and Me)
Nov 24, 2004 to May 24, 2013 | 102 chp | Publishing

Chikyuu MisakiChikyu Misaki

Iwahara, Yuji 2024
The story follows young Makishima Misaki as she returns to her Grandfather's old house following his death. She is accompanied by her father, Kyoichi, an awkward widower. Once there she finds that since she is the only blood relation to her grandfather, she is the sole owner of her grandfather's house and artifacts. Barely remembering the house she visited as a toddler, Misaki is understandably reluctant to leave her school and friends behind. However, she soon makes new friends, including one that is beyond her imagination!
2000 to 2002 | 17 chp | Publishing

God Child (Godchild)

Yuki, Kaori 2024
Deep in the heart of 19th century London, a young nobleman named Cain walks the shadowy cobblestone streets of the aristocratic society into which he was born. Forced to become an earl upon the untimely death of his father, Cain assumes the role of head of the Hargreaves, a noble family with a dark past. With Riff, his faithful manservant, and Mary Weather, his 10-year-old half sister, Cain investigates the mysterious crimes that seem to follow him wherever he goes.

(Source: VIZ Media)
Included one-shot:
Volume 5: Nichiyoubi no Solomon Grundy
May 2, 2001 to Oct 4, 2003 | 48 chp | Publishing

Boku no Chikyuu wo Mamotte (Please Save My Earth)

Hiwatari, Saki 2024
Mystic dreams of a previous life in the moon lead to the bonding of seven students in an attempt to uncover the secrets behind what they have forgotten. As various truths are sought and avoided, Alice must hurry remembering if she is to save the fragile Rin from self-destruction. For only after facing the grave errors of the past, can they all move forward and live fully in the present.

(Source: MangaTraders)
1987 to 1994 | 138 chp | Publishing

Matantei Loki

Kinoshita, Sakura 2024
Loki, the Norse god of mischief, has been exiled to the human world for what apparently was a bad joke. Along with being exiled, he's forced to take the form of a child. He's told the only way he can get back to the world of the gods is if he can collect auras of evil that take over human hearts, to do this he runs a detective agency. However, at some point other Norse gods begin to appear with the intent to assassinate him for reasons unclear.
(Source: ANN)
Jan 12, 1999 to Nov 12, 2001 | 34 chp | Publishing