The anime world is filled with all types of villains and groups, such as demons, vampires, monsters, supervillains, and so on, but none of them exist in our real world. As a result, gangster anime seems more realistic and brings us relatable characters that we can imagine in our real world too.
Even though it is not a major anime genre, there are plenty of gangster anime available with incredible storylines and captivating Sigma characters. Some of them feature supernatural elements, grant mysterious powers to gangsters, and make the series more interesting. So let’s get straight to this wonderful list of the 20+ best gangster anime of all time that no gang lover wants to miss.
Note: Each of these Gangster anime is ranked according to their fans’ popularity and their involvement with mafia and crime, regardless of their ratings and viewerships.
20+ Best Gangster Anime of All Time (Ranked)
21. Joker Game
Number of Episode: 12
Joker Game is set during the World War II timeline, where information is the most powerful weapon in war. In order to take the lead in the war, Japan created an intelligence organization called the D Agency with the help of lieutenant colonel Yuuki. After a series of tests and examinations, they finally add some of the best spies with incredible intelligence to their agency and send them to the enemy’s nation.
Each of the spies knows very well how to gather useful information and lend it to their own nation. The Joker Game features warfare between two nations instead of any ordinary gang war between two cities.
20. Darker Than Black
Number of Episode: 37 (2 Seasons)
Darker than Black is another well-known gangster anime and is set in a Tokyo city where a mysterious gate seems like Hell’s gate has been opened. As the gate opened, it brought huge destruction to the city and opened the way for contactors. Contractors are the humans who have supernatural power, and whenever they use it, they have to pay something for it.
Now, every well-known organization, from government to crime syndicate, begins hiring contractors for their own sake. Hei is one of the strongest contractors who works for a syndicate and assassinates their target. In this world of chaos and conflict, it’s very interesting to see what happens next and how peace will return to the world.
19. Beastars: Gangster Anime With Animal Theme
Number of Episode: 24 (2 Seasons)
Beastars is not entirely a gangster anime, but its first season mainly revolves around a crime syndicate. The series is set in a world where carnivores and herbivore animals live together. However, a powerful criminal organization runs a black market where they sell the meat of herbivore animals. On the other hand, Legoshi, a wolf, is not happy with these illegal activities and wants to stop them.
Even though he is a carnivore, his way of seeing the world is completely different from his community, and he treats herbivores with love and respect. So, it is great to see what he will do to stop the crime syndicate, and who is he facing for it?
18. Michiko and Hatchin
Number of Episode: 22
As the name suggests, this gangster anime follows the story of Michiko and her lover’s daughter, Hatchin. After escaping from a top-security prison, Michiko went to meet her lover but wasn’t able to find him. However, she meets her lover’s daughter, who is living with her foster parents, who treat her very badly.
So, she rescues her from abusive foster parents and brings him with her in search of her lover. While finding her lover, Michiko reaches the world of crime and begins to face several challenges along the way. Is a lover reunited with her partner and a daughter meets her father, or are they just being trapped in the world of crime?
17. Durarara!!
Number of Episode: 62 (2 Seasons)
Durara is one of the most popular gangster anime that is set in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. It features a wide range of gangs and powerful individuals such as Dollar, Yellow Scarves, Blue Squares, Demon Sword, and so on. It follows the story of Dullahan, a headless rider, and his thrilling journey to find his own missing head.
She works as the underground courier for several gangs, including Dollars, an internet-based gang, and Snake Hands. Due to her underground courier work, she always involves herself in several conflicts and chaos between different gangs and groups. Aside from featuring gang wars, the series is filled with supernatural and mythical elements that make it one of the best picks for you.
16. K Project
Number of Episode: 26 (2 Seasons)
The K Project is set in a world that is divided into seven different parts that are secretly ruled by seven color clans. Each of the clans is ruled by their respective king, similar to the Mafia head who ruled over their territory. It follows the story of Yashiro Isana, an ordinary high school student who is living a very peaceful life.
After being mistakenly accused of killing one of the members of the Red Clan, he became the prime target for the Red Clan and Blue Clan. Now, Yashiro tries his best to prove his innocence, but he eventually becomes trapped in the conflict of seven clans. Now, it’s very thrilling to see what he will do to prove his innocence and which clan is going to help him in this difficult situation.
15. Tokyo Tribe 2: Classic Gangster Anime
Number of Episode: 13
You have definitely played or heard about GTA, the biggest gaming franchise of all time. Do you ever dream of experiencing the GTA mafia world? If yes, then you should definitely check out Tokyo Tribe 2, a well-known gangster anime which is set in a crime world similar to GTA. The series is set in Tokyo City, where every territory is ruled by different gangs called tribes.
All these gangs are often involved in gang wars and heists with each other that bring chaos to the city. Moreover, their gang wars seem quite realistic and will bring us plenty of raw fights, or, better to say, street fights.
14. Hinamatsuri
Number of Episode: 12
Hinamatsuri follows the story of Yoshifumi Nitta, a Yakuza member whose life drastically changes after encountering Hina. Hina is a young girl who is blessed with incredible psychic powers. Now, Nitta becomes the guardian of Hina and begins taking care of her while also maintaining his yakuza activities. Sometimes Hina’s psychic power is useful for Nitta, while sometimes it brings trouble for him.
Their daily lives in the world of crime are filled with humor and funny incidents instead of terror and chaos. If you love the bonding of Loid and Anya in Spy x Family, then you should definitely watch this popular gangster anime.
13. Gokushufudo: The Way of the Househusband: Funniest Gangster Anime
Number of Episode: 15 (2 Seasons)
Gokushufudo: The Way of the Househusband is one of the best comedy anime to boost your mind through its unique gangster theme. Tatsu is the legendary Yakuza boss who is known by his gangster name, Immortal Dragon. Despite being the strongest Yakuza of his time and achieving everything in the world of crime, he left everything just to become the househusband.
Now, he is living a very ordinary life with his wife and doing all types of household chores, including cooking, washing, and cleaning. Even though he left his past criminal life behind, he still encounters fellow gang members along the way that create difficulties in his new life. This gangster anime is filled with plenty of hilarious moments that will make you laugh out loud.
12. Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen
Number of Episode: 12
Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens is a popular gangster anime that features a criminal underworld where criminals, hitmen, and detectives all live together. After not being satisfied with his payout, Xianming Lin, a professional killer, teams up with Zenji Baba, a well-known crime detective. As they teamed up, they became the ultimate duo and invincible in the field of crime.
Throughout the series, they are involved in several high-profile cases and solve them by using their minds and strength. Aside from their involvement with the underworld, they also bring us plenty of dark humor. Due to featuring a femboy main character, Lin, the series is also considered one of the best femboy anime to watch.
11. Golden Kamuy
Number of Episode: 49 (4 Seasons)
Golden Kamuy is a poplar historical anime and is set in the timeline of the Russo-Japanese War and mainly revolves around Saichi Sugimoto, an ex-military officer. Due to his exceptional fighting skills, he is also known as the immortal Sugimoto. He went on a thrilling journey to find a hidden fortune of gold that belonged to his people.
Later, he is saved by Asirpa, a young girl who also joins him in his treasure hunting. Moreover, Saichi is not the only one seeking gold fortune; there are several yakuza and criminals who were also on the same search. Now, it’s very thrilling to see what happens when they encounter each other, and who is going to take back their gold fortune with them?
10. Katekyo Hitman Reborn: The Longest Running Gangster Anime
Number of Episode: 203 (9 Seasons)
Katekyo Hitman Reborn features a unique mafia storyline filled with plenty of hilarious moments that make you laugh out loud. It follows the story of Tsuna, a hero of the most powerful mafia organization, the Vongola Family. Even though he belongs to a mafia family, he is an extremely cowardly guy who has no interest in his family’s crime business.
As a result, his family hired the world’s strongest hitman to train Tsuna so that he became the leader of the mafia. Moreover, the hitman who comes to tutor Tsuma is just a boy. Now, it’s very interesting to see how a baby trained a cowardly guy and made him worthy of becoming the leader of the most powerful mafia family.
9. Gungrave
Number of Episode: 26
Gungrave depicts the story of two best friends, Brandon Heat and Harry MacDowell, who gradually reach the top position in the underworld. Earlier, they were just small criminals, but due to their hard work and strong determination, they became the major members of the Mafia. Later, Harry betrays Brandon and leads him to death, but unfortunately, Brandon is resurrected as Beyond the Grave.
Now, he went on revenge’s path to punish everyone behind his death, including his own best friend, Harry. Aside from Brandon’s revenge story, this gangster anime excellently depicts their rising story within the mafia world and what the main reason is behind Harry’s biggest betrayal.
8. Black Lagoon
Number of Episode: 24 (2 Seasons)
Black Lagoon is one of the best gangster anime, with a strong female lead. The series is set in a fictional city that is the hub of all the mafia, such as the Chinese Triad, the Russian Mafia, the Italian Mafia, the Colombian Cartel, and so on. It follows the story of Lagoon Company, a group of pirate mercenaries consisting of four members who are great in their own way.
Revy is one of the four members of Black Lagoon, and she is the main fighter of the group. Their group gets all types of crime-related information, such as smuggling, shipping, and piracy, from several mafia groups. As a result, they always engage in the deadliest battle against a mafia group and bring us some of the best action sequences, especially gun fighting.
7. Gangsta
Number of Episode: 12
The name of the series already gives us an idea of this gangster anime and what story it will bring. Gangsta anime is set in the city of Ergastulum, where every underworld-related thing exists, such as the mafia, hoodlums, prostitutes, and dirty cops. It mainly revolves around the story of Nicholas Brown and Worick Arcangelo, the ultimate duo of mercenaries called “Handymen.”
They take every task directly from the police and the mafia, whom they can’t handle on their own. While doing dangerous tasks, they always face several challenges along the way, including the superhuman species “Twilight,” but they never get afraid of anything.
6. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind
Number of Episode: 39
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind is the 4th season of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure franchise. It follows the story of Giorno Giovanna, a member of the Neapolitan Mafia, an infamous crime organization. In order to overthrow another infamous mafia, Passione, Giorno infiltrates it and gradually reaches its top place.
He just wants to change the mafia’s corrupt activities, especially their involvement with drug trafficking. On the other hand, the Passione gang is filled with several strong members who are blessed with a supernatural power called “Stand.” Now it’s very thrilling to see how Giorno accomplished his dream and what challenges he faced throughout his journey.
5. Banana Fish
Number of Episode: 24
Banana Fish is another great gangster anime that follows the story of Ash Lynx, a young gang leader. Even though he was raised by a mafia boss, he had no interest in his position and wanted to live his life in his own way. After hearing about “Banana Fish,” a mind-control drug, from his brother’s mouth, Ash began investigating it.
As he reaches deeper into the secret of “Banana Fish,” he gradually discovers the dark side of the city. Now, it’s very interesting to see how the mafia world responds to Ash, who dares to challenge them and wants to uncover their biggest secret.
4. Baccano!
Number of Episode: 16
Baccano does not feature ordinary mafia members; instead, they were blessed with immortality. It is set in a fictional crime city in the USA where a wide range of individuals live, including mafia members, thieves, thugs, and alchemists. One day, a group of alchemists summoned a demon and received an immortality elixir from him.
However, the elixir is lost and consumed by several mafia members who think it is alcohol. As a result, they all became immortal and brought chaos to the mafia underworld. So if you want to explore the mafia world with a touch of supernatural and fantasy, this gangster anime is an ideal pick for you.
3. 91 Days
Number of Episode: 13
91 Days has one of the best revenge stories and is set in a fictional city in the USA, where all types of criminal activities are common. Angelo Lagusa is the main character, whose entire family is killed by the Vanetti family, the mafia heads of the city. In order to take revenge for his family, he decides to infiltrate the Vanneti family through Don’s son.
Throughout the series, he discovers all the secrets of the mafia and excellently uses them against them. If you want to see the true meaning of revenge and betrayal, then you should definitely watch this ideal gangster anime.
2. Tokyo Revengers: Most Popular Gangster Anime
Number of Episode: 49 (3 Seasons)
Tokyo Revenger is not just one of the greatest gangster anime of all time but also one of the best time-traveling anime. The series features a wide range of bike gangs, such as the Tokyo Manji Gans, Kanto Manji Gang, Black Dragon, Tenjiku, Valhalla, and so on, who rule over their territory. It follows the story of Takemithcy, a young guy who was once a delinquent boy but is now living a boring life.
One day, he unfortunately finds a way to go back in time that he used to save his girlfriend’s life. No matter how many times he goes back in time, every time he fails, he can’t save his girlfriend and friends. In his past, he also joined the Tokyo Manji Gangs and eventually reached their top position to make a better future for everyone.
1. Bungo Stray Dogs: Greatest Gangster Anime of All Time
Number of Episode: 61 (5 Seasons)
Bungo Stray Dogs is the best gangster anime of all time that everyone has heard of. It follows the story of Atsushi Nakajima, a young orphan guy who unfortunately joins the Armed Detective Agency. This agency is filled with investigators who were blessed with supernatural abilities and worked on difficult cases that were outreached for the military and police.
Moreover, Atsushi himself is blessed with a special ability to transform into a white tiger. While solving cases, they always encounter the Port Mafia, the infamous mafia organization that conducts all types of illegal activities in the city. Now, it’s very interesting to explore all aspects of the mafia and find out how they control the crime of the entire city.
Conclusion:
That’s it for the post! We hope you find this wonderful list of the 20 best gangster anime to be useful and find something to your taste. Each of these gangster anime revolves around some sort of mafia, such as crime syndicates, clans, or gangs.
Moreover, they will bring us plenty of battles and conflicts that we all expect from any gangster anime. Stay tuned with us for more wonderful anime recommendations and informative character lists.
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