The best detective stories in anime

Key things

• Female detectives in anime defy stereotypes with unique characteristics and interesting personalities.
• Characters like Akane Tsunemori and Victorique de Blois excel in growth and mystery-solving abilities.
• Ghost in the Shell's Makoto Kusanagi paved the way for iconic cybernetic detectives.

From murder mysteries to solving supernatural crimes, the anime landscape is dotted with all kinds of detective series. While male characters are often associated with the detective role, many anime deviate from this preconceived notion by featuring female detectives who compete with their male counterparts. Some series feature strong female detectives as the main protagonist, while others feature equally capable women in the background.

These female characters are accompanied by several tropes associated with traditional detectives, whether it's a brilliant intellect or an indifferent personality. These leading ladies are also always at the forefront of solving a case, whether it's a vague trail of red herrings or a supernatural mystery.

8 Kotoko Iwanaga (In/Spectre)

Intermediary between humans and Yokai

As an intermediary between Yokai and humans, Kotoko Iwanaga has a special role in the world In/Spectre. Deemed by Yokai to be the “goddess of wisdom”, Kotoko is tasked with solving any supernatural problems that threaten the balance between the two realms.

Despite her nickname as the Goddess of Wisdom, Kotoko often acts immature and selfish. However, he compensates for these unsavory traits with his detective work and ingenious solutions to any problems that arise between Yokai and humans.

7 Siesta (Detective is already dead)

A self-proclaimed legendary detective

Siesta, who calls herself “The Great Detective”, is the leading lady The detective is already dead. Despite being self-proclaimed, her moniker is more than just a ceremonial title, as she has the intelligence and wit to back up that claim.

However, Siesta is not only a genius, she can hold her own in combat with her enhanced physical abilities. While Seista's life ends prematurely, she has a significant impact on her detective partner Kimizu and the rest of the series' roster of characters.

6 Aya Rindo (Murder Farce of the Undead Girl)

A thousand year old funny detective

Set in a historical setting in Europe, The murderous farce of an undead girl is a captivating mystery series. The series stars Aya Rindo, an immortal detective on a quest to find her stolen body. Aya's appearance is as unique as her personality, as she is simply a talking severed head.

Even though Aya is just shy of being a millennium old, she's not above making comedic jokes about the odd arrangement of her head being carried around in a birdcage. Her wit and sense of humor are evident in her detective work.

5 Sakurako Kujou (Beautiful Bones: Sakurako's Investigation)

An investigator with an obsession with bones

Most detectives end up as investigators due to their superior powers of deduction, although Sakurako Kujou's case is rather rare. Her passion for bones, whether human or animal, brings her into the middle of crime scenes as she investigates the remains of murders.

Sakuraka's passion for osteology (the study of bones) makes her character quite novel, and her creative use of bone knowledge is another interesting aspect of her character. While her investigation in Beautiful Bones: Sakurako's Investigation they may not be the most exciting in the detective genre, they certainly provide an interesting solution to the crime.

4 Victorique De Blois (Gosick)

A weirdo with a knack for solving mysteries

With her doll-like appearance and Victorian charm, Victorique de Blois is a figure shrouded in mystery. One thing is clear, however, and that is her love for solving mysteries and supernatural encounters.

Victorique is the epitome of the tsundere archetype with an otherworldly presence, though her human side shines through in a few heartfelt moments with Kazuya. Although she is not a detective in the traditional sense, Victorique is considered a worthy detective thanks to her efforts to solve mysteries.

3 Re-L Mayer (Ergo Proxy)

Exploring the mystery of her own existence

Ergo Proxy takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where members of humanity reside in domed cities and their lives are aided by androids. Re-L Mayer is at the center of this grim premise as she is tasked with investigating a virus infecting androids that will ultimately give them self-confidence.

Since the citizens of this domed city are programmed to remain indifferent and passive, Re-L's personality is no different. However, her encounter with Ergo Proxy leaves her curious for more, marking the beginning of her growth as a character. Still, her antisocial personality traits remain a part of her character, which serves her well in her search for Romdeau's secrets.

2 Akane Tsunemori (Psycho-Pass)

A compassionate detective in a dystopian world

In a world where a person's abilities and career are judged by a central hive-mind system, Akane Tsunemori is deemed qualified to lead her own police team. Though shy and reserved at first, Akane eventually eases into her desperate role as unit leader in a dystopian world filled with crime and misadventures.

There are plenty of female detectives in the anime landscape, but Akane stands out above all due to her transformation from a naive recruit to a confident, assertive inspector. Psycho-PassThe premise is as dystopian as it gets, and the only human aspect of the show is Akane herself, who questions the moral dilemmas she witnesses around her.

1 Makoto Kusanagi (Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex)

Iconic cyber detective

Makoto Kusanagi, popularly known as Major, is an iconic 90s detective who paved the way for women to thrive in the genre. As the head of the cyber squad of his Japan Ground Self-Defense Division, Makoto is a genius detective with both beauty and brawn.

While Makoto Kusanagi's character is different in the original Ghost in the Shell movies and Separate complex series, its defining personality and commanding presence remain the same across all versions. With subtle characterization and an engaging personality, Makoto Kusanagi is probably the most interesting aspect Ghost in the Shell franchise.