What makes something a thriller anime? It’s one of those genres that fits somewhere between sci-fi Anime, horror anime, and action anime series. But what makes it a thriller is the slow burn that hits you at a deeper level than just some good dialogue and some flashy fight scenes. There’s a rising action that keeps you in suspense the whole time, never truly releasing you from its grip.

If you’re looking for something you can quietly obsess over, then look no further than this list of the best thriller anime on Netflix. Each series comes with the kind of deep intrigue and suspense needed to capture our unwavering attention.

Parasyte: The Maxim

Creator: Hitoshi Iwaaki
Total Episodes: 24
IMDb Rating: 8.4

Parasyte is… unexpected. It’s hard to fully describe the plot, but the image says enough about the oddities to get you started with this intriguing horror anime series.

The story follows a 17-year-old Shinichi Izumi is partially infected by an alien Parasyte. He finds he must learn how to coexist with this creature to survive a world he didn’t realize he understood. The Parasytes that managed to fully take over their human hosts pose an immense threat to both him and the rest of humanity.

You can currently stream all episodes of the first season on Netflix, but it doesn’t look likely we’ll see a season 2.

Erased

Creator: Kei Sanbe
Total Episodes: 13
IMDb Rating: 8.5

Erased is way more than just a sci-fi anime series, it’s a psychological thriller. It will draw you in with the very first episode and keep you up at night as you continue to binge the rest. With a unique concept and emotional depth, this is one of the best anime series on Netflix right now.

The story follows a 29-year-old man named Satoru who has an uncontrollable power to go back in time whenever something terrible happens near him. This unique ability has helped him stop a lot of tragedy, but it’s never taken him more than a few seconds or minutes back in time. So when an encounter with a serial killer brings up old memories and ends in death, Satoru finds he’s gone 18 years in the past to his 5th-grade body to try to stop the killer.

It’s a fairly short series at just 13 episodes, making it easy to binge in one day if you’re up for it

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Creator: Hideaki Anno
Total Episodes: 26
IMDb Rating: 8.5

Neon Genesis Evangelion is arguably one of the greatest sci-fi shows of all time, and absolutely essential for understanding the thriller anime genre as a whole.

What begins as a relatively standard-looking series about giant fighting robots turns into a post-modern look at how depression when you least expect it. And while that doesn’t sound particularly intriguing after the robot bit, we can assure you that it is a great action anime series as well.

You can currently stream all 26 episodes of the series on Netflix as well as two of the movies that arose from the show.

Death Note

Creators: Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata
Total Episodes: 37
IMDb Rating: 9.0

Death Note is the kind of anime that turns people who hate the genre into people looking for more — it’s that good. It draws you in

The plot follows an intelligent, yet cynical high school student who suddenly finds himself in possession of a magical notebook that can kill anyone. All he has to do is write in their name. With such power, he attempts to cleanse the world of evil by taking out those who have committed atrocities. Is it true that absolute power corrupts?

You can currently stream all 37 episodes of Death Note on Netflix. There’s also a live-action movie, but please do not watch that.

Kakegurui

Creators: Homura Kawamoto, Toru Naomura
Total Episodes: 24
IMDb Rating: 7.2

Is there anything more thrilling than gambling? Kakegurui is an absolutely absurd premise, but the tension you feel watchin it makes it feel believable. It forces you to be invested.

The setting, one of the most intriguing elements of the story, is a high school ruled by gambling. Students gamble against eachother for money, power, and the sheer thrill of the game. Gambling is their lives, and it rules their lives. And while that may sound more like a sad, cold look into addiction, what you get is actually an enthralling anime series that is surprisingly raunchy.

There are two season currently available on Netflix right now. We recommend you watch every second.

B: The Beginning

Creator: Production I.G
Total Episodes: 18
IMDb Rating: 7.2

B: The Beginning is a Netflix original anime with intrigue. If you’re a fan of good thriller anime and are looking for a good series to plow your way through, it’s worth a watch.

The story follows a legendary investigator for the Royal Police as he chases down a serial killer nicknamed “Killer B”. As the investigation unfolds, a mysterious criminal organization and a dark past is slowly unearthed.

There are currently 2 seasons streaming on Netflix right now, with the latest season just arriving.

Code Geass

Creator: Gorō Taniguchi
Total Episodes: 54
IMDb Rating: 8.6

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is a good anime series with just the right notes of action and suspense. It has many similar elements to Death Note, but with a seemingly less corrupt main character.

The story follows Lelouch, and outcast prince who eventually becomes the leader of a rebellion against the empire. And while that may not sound quite like a thriller, what makes Code Geass so good is the depth and complexity of psychological warfare.

Both seasons are currently streaming on Netllix right now.

No Game, No Life

Creator: Yuu Kamiya
Total Episodes: 12
IMDb Rating: 7.8

No Game, No Life is an RPG anime that feeds of your inner gamer. With complex rules and suspenseful, high-stakes games, it’s hard to look away.

The story follows Siblings Sora and Shiro, two of the most feared pro gamers in the world. When the pair defeats a god in a seemingly innocuous chess match online, they find themselves thrust into an entirely different world where every dispute is settled by playing games.

No Game, No Life is currently available to stream on Netflix. You can also find the prequel movie, No Game No Life: Zero on Netflix as well.

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