In the Shiniki district of Tokyo, Zen works as a prosecutor. Initially, he is assigned a case for false advertisement, but while looking into the pharmaceutical company that may have faked their clinical trials, he gets sucked down the rabbit hole of investigation, leading him to a whirlwind of corruption and conspiracy.
Complex and political, Babylon presents an excitingly interesting mystery series. If you thirst for more like it, we got you.
Monster
Dr Kenzou Tenma has the perfect life as one of the world’s most renowned brain surgeons. However, one night he is presented with a doctor’s most painful choice – to save an injured child or the mayor, both mortally wounded. Against his colleague’s advice, he saves the kid. However, when a series of crimes start happening around him, all evidence points to the child he saved.
Previously, Monster was always king of the hill when it came to sweeping conspiracy mysteries, but Babylon is really giving it a run. Both series provide huge mysteries where there is always someone pulling the strings and does really well laying out some thought provoking dialogue that has you questioning the morality of it all.
Eden of the East
On an event known as “Careless Monday,” Japan was hit by a series of missiles in a terrorist act that fortunately did not harm anyone. Months later as the attacks are all but forgotten, Saki Morimi goes on a celebratory trip to America. There she falls into unexpected trouble with a man named Akira Takizawa, a man that appeared before her completely naked. Drawn into the mystery around him, Saki’s life is changed forever.
While Eden has that set up that makes you question what is happening right from the start, both shows dive deep into a mystery of conspiracy, politics, and terrorism. The more each shows goes on, the more complex everything gets.
Terror in Resonance
After a terrorist attack on a Japanese nuclear facility, the country was paralyzed to act. After six months of searching for the perpetrators, the public is shown a video tape of two boys known as Sphinx that take credit for the attack. Threatening more mayhem, it is up to the police to catch these terrorists.
While these shows have very different plots, they both have those same exciting thriller elements to them. Furthermore, they both follow a detective style character that is trying to unravel the sometimes literal complex puzzles placed before them.
For Fans of Intricate MysteryGhost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
In the not so distant future, mankind has advanced to a state where the transplant of the complete body from flesh to machine is possible. This has blurred the lines between physical and technological worlds. Unfortunately, criminals can also make use of this technology, which led to the rise of Sector 9, a government agency that operates independently and deals with this new kind of cyber crime.
While Ghost in the Shell has several mysteries, it does have a central one. If you take away the cyberpunk element it has, it is much like Babylon in its complexity. However, it does lack that same sort of realism as Babylon.
Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens
The city of Fukuoka seems pretty normal, but it is awash in dangerous individuals. In the mix is Banba, a detective investigating hitman companies in the area and Lin, a hitman that is fed up with his lack of jobs. After being refused pay for a target that killed themselves, Lin is tasked with killing Banba, but instead asks him to team up.
Both series feature rather upstanding detective being dragged down into the unexpected underworld of the city. However, Babylon doesn’t quite have the same number of killers as Ramens inexplicably has in one area.
Psycho-Pass
In near future Japan, in order to fight crime and bring justice, they have implemented the Sibyl System, a means of determining the threat level of each citizen. Some citizens, despite being threats, are made into Enforcers that work alongside Inspectors to bring criminals to justice.
If you enjoyed Babylon due to how the story encouraged you to question the government and its actions, then Psycho-Pass is much in that same vein. It has its mystery and conspiracy elements, but most of all, it questions the morality of the system.
For Fans of SuspenseThe Perfect Insider
Genius programmer Shiki Magata lives on an island as a recluse. She rarely takes guests, but a professor and his student manage to get a meeting. Soon after their meeting is cut short and they both find themselves in a locked room murder mystery.
If you are looking for a complex mystery and thriller that draws you in deeply like Babylon did, then this is a great option. It doesn’t sound like the most complex set up, but once it gets going, it is every bit as intriguing.
B The Beginning
In the technologically advanced archipelago nation of Cremona, the city is terrorized by a serial killed called Killer B. On the hunt for this killer, the paths of many converge as the city spirals into chaos.
While B is more a traditional murder mystery, like Babylon, it throws you deep into what is happening in a single city. Once you are invested, you need to know the why of it all.
Speed Grapher
Tatsumi Saiga was once a war photographer, but now does investigative photography. When investigating a club for exploiting a young girl, he discovers this girl named Kagura and her saliva grant powers. After he is caught and about to be killed, Kagura kisses him. This gives him the power to destroy anything he photographs and begins a game of cat and mouse between him and the organization trying to capture them both.
Aside from the supernatural element in Speed Grapher, this series creates that same sort of thriller tension as Babylon, but with higher stakes. Instead of a unraveling mystery, however, you watch a suspenseful game of cat and mouse.
Do you have more anime recommendations like Babylon? Let fans know in the comments section below.