Naoki Urasawa's Monster is a psychological mystery series that focuses on a doctor who's tormented by a life choice he made to save a boy's life instead of his town's mayor. This boy, known as the series's villain, Johan Liebert, would become a criminal mastermind who would make Dr. Tenma regret ever saving his life. Tenma spared Johan from certain death years ago, but now he is paying for it, and it's up to him to stop the monster he unleashed.

Monster is a well-loved classic with iconic characters and a rich story. Many argue it is one of the best murder-mystery anime out there, and it also has psychological thriller and crime thriller aspects to it too, which may remind anime fans of similar series. Even if those other anime have a totally different plot, their general vibe or certain character arcs in them clearly mark them as anime like Monster in some shape or form.

Update on April 24th, 2024 by Louis Kemner: This list of the best anime like Monster has been updated to adhere to CBR's current publication standards. It also features five more anime similar to Monster in some shape or form, such as dark themes of humanity's brutal side or mystery and crime thrillers.

15 Death Note is the Ultimate Supernatural Crime Thriller With a Twisted Antihero

Death Note is about a shinigami named Ryuk who leaves a murderous notebook in the human world that gets discovered by a boy named Light Yagami. After getting intel from Ryuk, Light decides to use the notebook to kill off notorious criminals under his hero alias Kira. Not loving Light's actions, the police require the help of a detective named L Lawliet who's goal is to end Kira's tirade.

Death Note Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.62
• IMDb: 8.9
• AnimePlanet: 4.3/5

Like Monster, Death Note follows a character who believes their actions are in the right and are what's best for humanity. Both anime are also mainstays in the psychological and thriller genre, with Death Note putting more emphasis on the supernatural and some intriguing questions about the ambiguous nature of justice itself. Death Note may be a shonen manga/anime series, but it also has a strong seinen vibe that Monster fans should enjoy.

14 Gankutsuo: The Count of Monte Cristo Is About Two French Men and the Noble Count Himself

Gankutsuo: The Conte of Monte Cristo is about two French aristocrats named Viscount Albert D. Morcerf and Baron Franz d'Epinay who are attending a festival while looking for something to appease themselves. Furthermore, Albert meets and befriends a nobleman named The Count of Monte Cristo who's secretly plotting revenge against people who exploited him. Thus the anime follows these men and highlights the negatives of enacting revenge.

Gankutsuo: The Count of Monte Cristo Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.13
• IMDb: 7.9
• AnimePlanet: 3.9/5

Gankutsuo: The Conte of Monte Cristo is an anime that'll keep viewers guessing on what will happen next and has a character-driven narrative. Gankutsuo: The Conte of Monte Cristo is also known as one of the best drama anime to air during the early 2000s, according to IMDb in particular.

13 Psycho-Pass is Set in a Grim Future Where Crime is Punished Before it Happens

Psycho-Pass is about a policewoman named Akane Tsunemori who wishes to uphold justice in Japan based on the merits of her nation's Sibyl System, which detects the threat level of citizens by analyzing their minds for unlawful plans. However, Akane will question her morals when she discovers the truth of her nation's corrupt system.

Psycho-Pass Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.33
• IMDb: 8.1
• AnimePlanet: 4.17/5

Like Monster, Psycho-Pass is a psychological mystery thriller anime that follows investigators trying to catch a mysterious murderer who acts from afar. Psycho-Pass also features realistically grounded characters and will leave viewers questioning their morals, all in a fascinating yet grim cyberpunk setting a few decades into the future.

12 Paranoia Agent Follows Two Investigators Searching For a Bat-Themed Villain

Paranoia Agent is about a weird assailant named Shounen Bat who's continuously attacking the residents in his area with a bat. Although two investigators are tasked with stopping him, they must hurry before everyone in there succumbs to anxiety at the hands of this cruel attacker.

Paranoia Agent Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 7.67
• IMDb: 8.0
• AnimePlanet: 3.69/5

Paranoia Agent features drama concerning humanity's mindset toward identity, human nature, and law enforcement. Paranoia Agent is a must-watch for most fans of detective anime to the point where some argue it's a mystery anime fans absolutely need to see.

11 Terror in Resonance Pits the Police Against Two Young Terrorists

Terror in Resonance is about a terrorist group run by two boys named Nine and Twelve who not only caused destruction to a Japanese nuclear facility, but also plan to cause more mayhem in Tokyo. After these boys upload a mysterious video on the internet declaring their other heinous plans, the police, along with detective Kenjirou Shibazaki, decide to take action. Thus the series follows the battle between these two forces.

Terror in Resonance Scores:

• MyAnimeList: 8.09
• IMDb: 7.8
• AnimePlanet: 4.12/5

Like Monster, Terror in Resonance is a thriller anime with complex characters and a plotline involving child experimentation to some degree. Terror in Resonance also makes sure to keep viewers at bay with each episode and their stellar story-telling.