Highlights
- These anime series blend the exciting elements of gangster films with the unique charm of anime, providing a thrilling and visually stunning experience for fans of crime dramas.
- From the morally ambiguous characters of Gangsta. to the complex relationships in Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom, these shows delve into deep psychological explorations within the criminal underworld.
- Whether it’s the action-packed Jormungand or the dark and mature themes of Banana Fish, these anime series offer something for every crime drama enthusiast.
Be it the mafia, the yakuza, or the triad, people have been fascinated with gangsters, mobsters, and crime bosses for a very long time. There are heaps of anime series that explore the dark criminal underbelly of various cultures in intriguing ways, blending fast-paced action, gun-toting characters, and a deep exploration of morality, psychology, and philosophy.
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These shows blend all the hallmarks of the typical Hollywood gangster flick with a dash of anime charm. With their gorgeously animated fight scenes and impeccable soundtracks, these series are sure to satiate the appetite of even the pickiest crime drama fan.
10 Gangsta.
MyAnimeList Score: 7.41
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Studio |
Manglobe |
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Release Year |
2015 |
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No. Of Episodes |
12 |
The title alone should be enough to tell viewers what type of show they’re about to get into. The visually stunning opening theme showcases all the offerings of this mature seinen series – drugs, prostitution, and gangsters, all set to an incredibly catchy tune. In the town of Ergastalum exists a group of super-humans named “Twilights;” beings who have heightened senses as a result of a special drug. Nicholas Brown, one such Twilight, and Worick Arcangelo form the ‘Handymen’ duo, are partners who take up deadly jobs no one else can.
Unfortunately, the series ends on a cliffhanger, and as the studio, Manglobe, folded with Gangsta. as their swansong, the series will most likely never get a second season. The anime, therefore, is more of a promo for the manga than anything, although it does a pretty good job at being one.
9 Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
MyAnimeList Score: 7.94
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Studio |
Bee Train |
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Release Year |
2009 |
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No. Of Episodes |
26 |
Based on a Nitroplus visual novel directed and written by Gen Urobuchi (the creator behind Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Psycho-Pass), Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom tells the story of Zwei, a young man with amnesia who is taken in by the infamous crime syndicate Inferno. He is brainwashed by Inferno’s top killer, a woman named Ein, to be a puppet of the organization. Zwei fights to navigate the cruel world of Inferno and hopefully get his memories back.
Viewers looking for a mature show that’s more about character development than action sequences may find the complex relationship between Ein and Zwei to be an intriguing exploration of the human psyche. Despite a glaring plot hole regarding a time skip and the characters’ ages, Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom is still a worthwhile watch.
8 Jormungand
MyAnimeList Score: 7.80
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Studio |
White Fox |
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Release Year |
2012 |
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No. Of Episodes |
24 |
On the surface, Jormungand has many similarities to another organized crime-themed anime series, Black Lagoon. Jonah Mar, a former child soldier, takes up the task of protecting an illegal arms dealer, Koko Hekmatyar. The twist is that Jonah hates weapons and weapons dealers, leading to several conflicting loyalties.
In contrast to Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom, Jormungand is substantially more action-packed, although some might say it comes at the cost of the plot and character development. However, if fans are looking for a turn-your-brain-off, guns-blazing action series, then this anime is a treat.
7 Michiko & Hatchin
MyAnimeList Score: 7.83
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Studio |
Manglobe |
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Release Year |
2008 |
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No. Of Episodes |
22 |
It’s not at all uncommon to find anime that are set outside of Japan, but it’s pretty rare to find one set in Latin America. The series follows escaped convict Michiko Malandro and her search for her former lover, Hiroshi Morenos, in the fictional South American country of Diamandra. To reach her goal, she “rescues” a girl named Hana Morenos (Hiroshi’s alleged daughter) from her abusive foster family, nicknaming her Hatchin. Unfortunately for Michiko, a crime syndicate named Monstro Preto catches wind of the situation, and a cat-and-mouse chase begins.
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Created by the minds behind Samurai Champloo and Ergo Proxy, Michiko & Hatchin provides some much-needed representation to a part of the world often overlooked in anime, with some cool visuals, a stellar soundtrack (courtesy of Cowboy Bebop’s Shinichiro Watanabe), and a cast of unique and realistic characters.
6 91 Days
MyAnimeList Score: 7.83
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Studio |
Shuka |
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Release Year |
2016 |
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No. Of Episodes |
12 |
The 1920s prohibition era provides fertile ground for mafia media, and 91 Days stands out quite a bit in this colorful catalogue. Angelo Lagusa, witnessing the murder of his parents by the Vanetti crime family, is out for vengeance. After seven years in hiding, he returns to his appropriately named hometown of Lawless, Illinois, to take revenge on the Vanetti’s Don Vincent, and he does so by befriending the Don’s son, Nero.
One might say that this series more closely resembles The Godfather or Goodfellas than a typical action anime. Fans of revenge stories are sure to get a kick out of this crime drama with a morally ambiguous protagonist, stylized action scenes, and ingenious gambits. For extra immersion points, it’s best to view this anime in its absolutely stellar English dub.
5 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
MyAnimeList Score: 8.60
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Studio |
Trigger |
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Release Year |
2022 |
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No. Of Episodes |
10 |
The Cyberpunk 2077 video game may have had a tumultuous start, but the same cannot be said about its critically acclaimed prequel series, every moment of which is a feast for the eyes and ears. Set a year before the events of the video game, the story follows troubled teen David Martinez who gets caught in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting, gravely injuring him and his mother.
Armed with a prosthetic that grants the wearer super speed, Martinez vows to exact revenge on those who have wronged him. Netrunner Lucy Kushinada takes notice of his abilities and introduces him to her criminal gang. From then on, the protagonist is faced with several difficult moral decisions out of his control.
4 Banana Fish
MyAnimeList Score: 8.48
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Studio |
MAPPA |
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Release Year |
2018 |
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No. Of Episodes |
24 |
Who says shojo anime has to always be full of sparkles and butterflies? Adapted from Akimi Yoshida’s classic manga from 1985, the anime adaptation for Banana Fish was released a full 24 years after the manga finished serialization. Set in 1980s New York, the series tells the story of Ash Lynx, a 17-year-old gang leader who seeks to investigate the mysterious ‘Banana Fish,’ and Eiji Okumura, a photographer’s assistant reporting on American street gangs.
The series is considered to be one of the most influential in the anime and manga world, with the relationship between the two main characters, in particular, having a huge impact on the boys’ love/shonen-ai genre. Viewers should not be fooled by the ‘shojo’ label – Banana Fish is an incredibly dark and mature series that tackles issues like child trafficking, drug use, and gang violence.
3 Gungrave
MyAnimeList Score: 7.83
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Studio |
Madhouse |
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Release Year |
2003 |
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No. Of Episodes |
26 |
Gungrave is what you get when you sprinkle some sci-fi elements into the traditional crime drama. It’s about two close friends, Brandon Heat and Harry MacDowel, as they rise through the ranks of the Millennion crime syndicate. Brandon is soon killed by Harry, and is later brought back to life using a forbidden science called necrolyzation. The show follows the series of events that led to Harry’s betrayal and Brandon’s (now going by the name Beyond the Grave) quest for revenge.
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Gungrave is a truly underrated gem as far as video game adaptations are concerned, and it even expands and improves upon its original source material in several unexpected ways.
2 Black Lagoon
MyAnimeList Score: 8.03
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Studio |
Madhouse |
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Release Year |
2006 |
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No. Of Episodes |
24 |
Fans of Hollywood-style action flicks are sure to get a kick out of this classic series. Businessman Rokurou Okajima is taken hostage by the Lagoon Company, a group of pirates smuggling goods across the seas of Southeast Asia, and soon joins them as their negotiator, using skills he learned from his old job. Dubbed ‘Rock’ by his captors, Rokurou must navigate the crime-ridden city of Roanapur with his new crew.
The anime can be viewed as a more self-aware entry into the crime drama, having its share of humorous moments as well as surprisingly poignant philosophizing about the life of crime. Along with a colorful cast of action heroines and a fascinating exploration of various criminal organizations across different cultures, Black Lagoon is a journey filled with laughs, tears, and non-stop action.
1 Baccano!
MyAnimeList Score: 8.36
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Studio |
Brain’s Base |
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Release Year |
2007 |
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No. Of Episodes |
13 |
What if Quentin Tarantino decided to make an anime? Much like Pulp Fiction, Baccano! follows a non-linear storytelling style, with three different storylines intertwining into the larger plot. Mostly set during the Great Depression, the anime is more about the amusing cast of characters than the overall plot, featuring mobsters, thieves, immortals, and assassins, from the bumbling duo Isaac and Miria to the immortal genius mafioso Firo, all the way to the psychopathic Ladd Russo.
There’s a lot to love about this beautifully chaotic anime series, including its wacky character moments, flashy violence, romance, and an excellent English dub that has often been compared to Cowboy Bebop.
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