Anime is home to some of the greatest shows of all time, with titles like One Piece and Jujutsu Kaisen being highlights. As the medium gets more and more popular, fans are beginning to realize the creativity and talent put into each episode. But while action shows are good, there is a whole world out there to enjoy, including the thriller genre, with plenty of masterpieces.

Anime thrillers will have viewers on the edge of their seats, on the border between fright and entertainment. That is why this list will feature ten anime thrillers that are perfect from start to finish based on aspects such as writing, animation, originality, quality, consistency, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall popularity. Some say there is no such thing as perfect, but these thrillers get as close as possible to it.

‘Link Click’ (2021-present)

Anime is a medium from Japan, but other countries have animated-inspired works of their own, including China, which has produced the masterful thriller that is Link Click. Two friends have the ability to enter photographs and explore the time they were taken, which is why they run a detective agency to help solve their customers’ problems, but things can go wrong real fast.

Link Click is a hidden gem that doesn’t get as much recognition as it should, even though it is revered by fans as one of the best modern thrillers. With more seasons on the way, viewers get to experience more of this time-bending thriller. Link Click mixes its time-travel aspects with gritty detective work that becomes increasingly personal for the protagonists.

‘Steins;Gate’ (2011)

The best thrillers aren’t necessarily the most perfect, with a leading example being Steins;Gate. After a self-proclaimed mad scientist accidentally invents a machine that can send texts into the past, he breaks the bridge between space and time, needing to correct his errors before everything in their timeline is lost.

Fans may be surprised that Steins;Gate is so low on this list, but despite its critical acclaim, it can feel a bit slow at the beginning. Still, the buildup is perfect in its own way, and the rest of the show is as good as it gets. It is arguably the best-written anime of all time, boasting a flawless narrative that handles time travel with extreme accuracy, especially since it has little to no flaws, which is difficult for an anime with no plot armor.

‘Death Parade’ (2015)

The thriller genre is among the best in anime, but it houses some underrated hits, such as Death Parade. After a woman wakes up in a strange bar with different bartenders and games, she quickly learns what it is for. Each episode follows two characters competing in a series of games, with the winner advancing to heaven and the loser going to hell.

The episodic structure may be different for a thriller, but each story builds toward a common theme and message that makes it such an engaging series. Death Parade has plenty to say, and it does so through the competitions that bring out the worst in its participants. It may not be traditional, but Death Parade is a magnificent thriller that has no bad episodes.

‘Paranoia Agent’ (2004)

Satoshi Kon is one of the most influential anime directors of all time, known for his magnum opus, Perfect Blue. However, he also has a few anime series, such as Paranoia Agent. When someone known as the Lil’ Slugger strikes down an overworked toy designer, residents begin to fear that they may be the next victim as the attacks keep rising, even if they aren’t lethal.

A lot of Kon’s works are incredibly relevant in today’s landscape, and Paranoia Agent is no different. Its themes of mascotification, overwork, and escaping reality have aged like fine wine. Outside its themes and motifs, this anime is also a thrilling story that gives fans a view of many lives and their struggles relating them to Lil’ Slugger. With a powerful message and choking suspense, it is easily one of Kon’s best anime projects.

‘Parasyte: The Maxim’ (2014-2015)

There is a fine line between thriller and horror, and while most of these shows are on the side of the former,Parasyte: The Maxim finds the line in between. Alien parasites have come from space to invade Earth searching for suitable hosts to take over the planet. But when one fails to take over the body, it only possesses the arm of the host so now the duo must work together to stop the invasion.

Parasyte: The Maxim isa daring thriller with aspects of incredible suspense and drama, but at times it is also a frightful body horror with grotesque moments. The stakes are at an all-time high with the battle royale between alien hosts getting increasingly tense. This creeping tension creates an ominous sense of dread with its hard-hitting nature making it such a strong thriller.

‘Monster’ (2004-2005)

Naoki Urasawa is one of the greatest manga authors of all time boasting some of the best thrillers including his magnum opus,'Monster'. Dr.Tenma chooses to save…

The intricate pacing…

‘Ghost in…

‘Banana Fish…

‘Kaiji…

‘Odd Taxi…