anime recommendation for my mother who’s been trying to get into it? she’s in her 70’s loves x files, murder mysteries, suspenseful television, 24, Agatha and Dan Brown.

She’s recently started watching Berserk and Castlevania by some acquaintances’ recommendations, but i walked in and thought “uuhhh im not sure you’ll like those”. Just wondering what else is out there since im more of a slice of life enjoyer and… actually thinking of it now she might like Spy Family. That aside any help with some recommendations??

(she also really enjoyed Akira in theaters.)

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LordDShadowy532026-01-19 20:53

I watched with my mother Spy Family and also Violet Evergarden.

Intelligent_Might9022026-01-20 00:59

I came to say spy family.

SecretHoboHerbs2026-01-19 20:54

Death Note? Covers the supernatural, mystery, and suspense angles.

Belgazou2026-01-19 21:51

But it's not a very good mystery. I have similar taste to op's mom and feel Death Note went downhill after the potato chips.

Falsus2026-01-20 04:42

I would definitely not say that Death Note has good mystery story telling.

Villag3Idiot2026-01-19 20:54

Detective Conan, Death Note

Belgazou2026-01-19 21:51

Detective Conan. I would not do Death Note.

literallyjusttony2026-01-19 22:33

I wouldn't not do death note lol. It's usually the first thing that comes to mind when I think of recommendations for non-anime watchers. For someone that likes the X-Files I'd think it would be pretty perfect

MontrealFunTimes2026-01-19 20:55

I then recommend *My Home Hero*!

It is about an author who writes mystery novels who gets mixed up with organized crime (and a murder!) while trying to protect his daughter. The entire show is about how he navigates all the issues this causes him with the criminals, but also his daughter and wife. Enjoy!

LegbasHand2026-01-19 21:50

Fire real good for newcomers who want to stay grounded

SaxLeo2026-01-19 20:55

Monster if she has the patience or death note until L deduces the killer is from which region by the end of second episode

anonyfool2026-01-20 01:12

I thought I had patience but only lasted about 30 episodes of Monster. No way I would recommend it based on what has been stated about the potential viewer.

Zesauruss2026-01-20 01:39

There’s a dilemma here. This applies to Death Not*e* too, I guess. Suspense and mystery, as genres, generally require a deeper familiarity with the medium, maybe patience too, to fully appreciate. That creates a contradiction. Even if his mom likes those genres, the real question is whether they’re actually the best choice as an introductory anime.

Mario_Prime5102026-01-20 02:12

One thing to note too is they’re 70. They have much more patience than Gen Z anime watchers of today.

WareKaraNari2026-01-20 18:44

My mom really liked monster, deathnote and AoT

Inside-Owl-7932026-01-19 20:56

Huh.

Millionaire Detective, Death Note, Kaiji, Frieren, maybe Wotakoi?

ThinButton77052026-01-19 20:58

Moriarty the Patriot

StarIsWar2026-01-19 20:58

Apothecary Diaries

diesalher2026-01-19 21:13

this

Broad-Connection-5892026-01-19 22:16

watching this now for something wirh no violence i’m loving it

mikuyo12026-01-20 03:13

Well theres a tiny bit of violence but not overly so

daddyjohns2026-01-19 22:35

This won awards because it's very well written and voice acted. Your mom will love the whole mystery in the story.

Moule142026-01-19 23:05

Yeah, moms love this

WakaliwoodMan2026-01-19 23:11

The obvious, but also most objectively correct answer

General_ELL2026-01-20 01:05

My mother is at almost 70 and loves it, she watched the whole lot and read all of the two manga versions

vtomal2026-01-19 20:59

Apothecary diaries. Good detective drama, historical setting, and nothing to weird out someone unfamiliar with the medium, very newbie friendly.

MISTERVENOM2026-01-19 20:59

How about Rezero then?? I like that one alot

HokageIV2026-01-19 20:59

Psycho Pass

Friends-Everywhere802026-01-19 21:01

The Apothecary Diaries might be what you are looking for.

A great female MC solving misteries in medieval China court. It has fantastic art and is really well written

IllustriousBanana2026-01-19 21:02

Apothecary Diaries

Livid_Palpitation_462026-01-19 21:03

“Undead murder farce” was a fun supernatural mystery show. Like an X files where mulder and scully are supernatural beings themselves too

“Orb: on the movement of the earth” feels like a Dan brown novel with blasphemous Christianity and hidden messages and the like.

“The apothecary diaries” is full of mysteries the main character ends up solving as she works in the inner palace of ancient China.

bomban2026-01-19 21:04

Kaiji, Death Note and maybe detective conan. Maybe she would like made in abyss?

SouekiSennoSTM2026-01-19 21:06

- Beautiful Bones - Sakurako's Investigation
- Subete ga F ni Naru
- Banana Fish
- Jormungand
- Id: Invaded
- Odd Taxi
- Master Keaton
- Top Secret: The Revelation
- Shiguang Dailiren
- AI no Idenshi

Knee_High_Cat_Beef2026-01-19 21:37

How are you going to recommend ID Invaded without recommending Psycho-Pass?

VioletOrchid852026-01-19 21:08

Ghost Stories, English Dub.

Gold_Data62212026-01-19 21:12

ghost stories 😂 that’s like a 90’s kid fever dream. she’s not gonna get the reference haha

VioletOrchid852026-01-19 21:13

It'll be funny as shit to watch though.

Gold_Data62212026-01-19 21:24

it’s honestly the best watch in october

frederoriz2026-01-19 21:11

Apothecary Diaries is a great thriller and investigation anime, despite the name, also has some really beautiful imagery and astethic.

Psycho Pass is a good investigative anime with a dark background.

Cowboy Bebop is full of crazy talles, and thrilling misteries.

shieldintern2026-01-19 21:11

I love Spy x Family. It's a nice break from the trauma of the first 13 episodes of Attack On Titan.

jackspicerii2026-01-19 21:14

Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood
Hunter x Hunter
Death Note
Tenku no Escaflowne
Record of Lodoss War

Most-Artichoke61842026-01-19 21:14

Aesthetics of a bookworm

Edit: of course, I mean ascendance of a bookworm.

artemisdart2026-01-20 03:11

* Ascendance

Most-Artichoke61842026-01-20 03:28

Dammit, I mixed it up with aesthetics of a rogue hero lol

HelpOthers10232026-01-20 15:34

yep, she loved this one, spy family, frieren, and and apothecary diaries

IveBeenHereBefore122026-01-19 21:15

Cowboy Bebop

HowToGetName2026-01-19 21:15

If by Agatha you mean Agatha Christie, there was an anime based on her works called "Agatha Christie's Great Detectives Poirot and Marple". Seems like fans like the adaptation, so it might be worth a shot.

Gold_Data62212026-01-19 21:23

that’s awesome i forgot about those

lodasi2026-01-19 21:16

Beyond the obvious Apothecary Diaries:

Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective

RPTGB2026-01-19 21:21

Steins gate

nilghias2026-01-19 22:48

I was gonna suggest that too

Dayz262026-01-19 21:28

Pluto, Monster, Parasyte, Death note, Bokura no, Ergo Proxy, Rainbow.

Akagikin2026-01-19 21:29

Beautiful Bones - Sakurako's Investigation, Zero's Teatime, Magic Kaito, Erased, Oshi no Ko, Tasokare Hotel.

Zero and Kaito are spin offs from Detective Conan/Case Closed, which I see someone else mentioned.

ParamedicOk58722026-01-19 21:39

The Kindaichi Case Files

Schrko872026-01-19 21:42

Well if she was ok with Akira she would probably be fine with ID:Invaded-where they dive into the minds of serial killers to solve cases. Not exactly a light hearted romp though.

NumbersInBoxes2026-01-19 21:59

Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It's got the conspiracies.

Top_Result_15502026-01-19 21:59

Monster.

Belgazou2026-01-19 22:01

Steins;gate is set in Tokyo; it involves time travel and sci-fi tech and an overarching murder mystery. Excellent story.

Detective Conan is mostly about a teenager who was turned into a child and solves murders; a lot of references to classic detective fiction (cafe Poirot, Inspector Megure (Maigret), etc). There is an overarching plot pertaining to why Conan was turned into a child that is about as bonkers as X-files. There is a TON of this and about 30 movies. The movies are more popular in Japan than the Avengers. It's mainstreamy but I have watched so much of it.

Case File 221: Kabukicho is a modern-day Sherlock Holmes set in Tokyo. Does some classic Holmes stories; some original.

I've recommended Oh! Edo Rocket a few times this week and I'm not slowing down. It's about a female shapeshifting space cop who is pursuing a female shapeshifting serial felon and they've both landed in 1840s era Japan. My favorite anime.

I disagree with recommendations for Death Note. Maybe later.

muminah002026-01-19 22:01

Meitantei Conan !

Ironlord4562026-01-19 22:02

Odd taxi

jus_plain_me2026-01-19 22:02

Surprised no one has said "Erased".

narlzac852026-01-19 22:29

Had to scroll way too far for this one.

Swiggy19572026-01-19 23:56

I think for a first-timer, it might be just a little much. Let her get a few others under her belt first. But otherwise, I agree.

TerribleShiksaBride2026-01-20 01:45

She's trying out Berserk and Castlevania. Clearly she's pretty adventurous even if they seem unlikely to be her thing.

Swiggy19572026-01-20 03:56

As long as she's got some experience. I'm glad I'd experienced other anime before I watched erased. Remember, I'm possibly one of the oldest people here. I know, I'm not the oldest, but I was around when the USSR launched Sputnik.

Virtura2026-01-20 01:53

I also came to suggest Erased

Broad-Connection-5892026-01-19 22:17

rokka and the 6 braves

my mums a huge murder mystery fan and was hooked

marcelinecat2026-01-19 22:20

Monster

Present-Range-1542026-01-19 22:21

Oldie, if sometimes hard to find, Detective Kindaichi Mysteries. There's a super old one and a less old one, and a new live action one.

daddyjohns2026-01-19 22:36

You could shoe her the live action golden kamui, then tell her there's more story in the anime version. My 70 year old m other in law started watching anime because of that and apothecary diaries.

MagDorito2026-01-19 22:37

Apothecary Diaries

andy_ems2026-01-19 23:03

Summer Time Rendering

Wildwill69692026-01-19 23:09

Psycho pass is a mystery/detective show in a future setting where there's too much police oversight like minority report

Grizzlies_Stan2026-01-19 23:31

Monster
Apothecary Diaries
Death Note
Summertime Rendering

Alichousan2026-01-19 23:36

Erased!
Has a very good mystery, thriller, has kids for main characters.

Miyuki222026-01-19 23:42

Frieren.

Sad_Medium_58662026-01-19 23:47

Odd Taxi is a murder mystery

jfcat2002026-01-19 23:48

In/spectre

Hephaestus_God2026-01-19 23:52

Erased

Murder mystery. 1 season. No fan service. Just enough anime flair to be unique.

I can’t believe nobody has said it yet… it’s like the #1 gateway anime to recommend someone.

BlueberryFree81692026-01-20 03:07

Definitely one of my favorite animes to binge watch. Towards the special place, my heart, even if it’s not popular in terms of fanfiction I really like it plus, I absolutely love the opening and ending songs.

Apothecary diaries is also something I be watched at least the first season on Netflix. I want to see about getting Crunchyroll because that has way more anime options and with stranger things ended… Well, that was the only reason why I stayed on Netflix to begin with.

More-Falcon8942026-01-20 00:11

Odd taxi

shortkitty132026-01-21 04:24

My mom watched Odd Taxi with me and liked it a lot.

greeneggsnyams2026-01-20 00:23

Monster

chidecki2026-01-20 00:25

Erased

In/Spectre

Eden of the East

Un-Go

Witch Hunter Robin

Undead Murder Farce

Pndrgin112026-01-20 00:32

Undead girl Murder Farce

PrinceAngron2026-01-20 00:37

Jojos

Fenetre2026-01-20 06:02

Idk why you got down downvoted when Jojos part 4 was literally a mystery story revolving around a town that has a killer

ThMogget2026-01-20 00:42

*Hyouka* is the most slice-of-life innocent mystery show I know of.

brool2026-01-20 03:59

Yup, seconded. Beautifully done. Shoshimin is not bad either.

skullpocket2026-01-20 00:49

The Lord of Mysteties.

Is set in a Victorian/steam punk era. Is about a guy that becomes a detective of supernatural nature. It has enough weird natured things to scratch that x-file niche. I believe this season ended with a Sherlock Moriarty name introducing himself to the agency he works for. If that clues you in to the nature of the mysteries.

travelersoul2026-01-20 00:50

Gosick

smells_like_aliens2026-01-20 04:51

100% this is the right recommendation. It has an older art style, that it sounds like she would enjoy. It also is much more similar to the episodic murder mysteries you've mentioned compared to some of the other recommendations in this thread.

Kerzic2026-01-20 00:51

**Spy x Family** is good, especially if she liked old Cold War-era spy movies.

Some suggestions I haven't seen:

**Planetes** is a near future fairly hard science fiction story with an adult cast that starts out looking like an office comedy but evolves into something more like a political thriller with some mysteries to figure out along the way. Doesn't get too weird.

The movie **Your Name**, which is very beautifully animated and involves characters trying to figure out what's going on in the plot.

**Schwarzesmarken** is one of the mecha anime based on Muv-Luv visual novels set in an alternate Earth that was invaded by very hostile aliens in 1975, and history diverged from there. This one takes place in East Germany in 1983. I'm 60, and the Cold War-era vibe could be interesting to her. It has mecha fights and aliens but also political intrigue subplots. If she watches it and really likes it, I would recommend trying **Total Eclipse** (another Muv-Luv setting story) after it. The third one (**Muv-Luv Alternative**) isn't bad and is worth watching, but the other two have more adult casts. All three stories are largely independent of each other.

**86** another mecha story that has some depth and some mysteries to it that she might like, especially if she's OK with war stories.

**Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day** has a mystery about a friend dying at it's core.

**Myself; Yourself** is a dark romance story with a mystery at it's core.

Suggested by others that I also think might be good: **Erased**, **My Home Hero**, **Eden of the East**, **Summer Time Rendering** (aka Summertime Rendering), **Steins;Gate**, and **Oshi no Ko**.

So who was recommending anime to her?

hardwoodguy712026-01-20 00:55

Apothecary dairies again

Lost-Bet60722026-01-20 01:00

The case study of vanitas

Boogiepop phantom

Dangaranpa

Another

Shiki

8turuin2026-01-20 01:24

paranoia agent

John_D_Badger2026-01-20 01:30

xxxHolic and Natsume's Book of Friends are both good supernatural titles but also have a lot of heart

QuiinZiix2026-01-20 01:32

Cop craft

Solar_Slushie2026-01-20 01:36

Raven of the Inner Palace

Weird_Abrocoma78352026-01-20 01:41

Try a short one on amazon called “dinner table detective”, it’s a small short detective series, and also it’s supporting a new translator and VAs that I hope make a dent in the anime VA world

Show_me_ur_Bulldogs2026-01-20 01:42

Undead Murder Farce. The first season is out, dunno when 2nd comes out.

rlaugh2026-01-20 01:45

Lupin,
Detective Conan,
Black Butler,
Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood,
Kinos Journey,
Steins Gate

trinReCoder2026-01-20 01:48

Steins gate, death note, monster, talentless nana, odd taxi.

One_Weird23712026-01-20 01:50

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Fruit Baskets, Clannad, March Comes Like A Lion, Violet Evergarden, Howls Moving Castle, The Promised Neverland

SSakuras2026-01-20 02:02

Psycho Pass sounds right up her alley

runthereszombies2026-01-20 02:05

Erased would be perfect for her

Rossum812026-01-20 02:06

Spy x Family

Cowboy Bebop

Frieren

NortWind2026-01-20 02:11

Try {Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective} and maybe {Dark Gathering}.

Albert_dark2026-01-20 02:13

Monster, If she likes murder mysteries. Also Boogiepop Phantom, the original one is a good pick.

puchirus2026-01-20 02:19

91 Days is the perfect anime for anyone who enjoys classic mafia films

XellosWizz2026-01-20 02:53

ERASED

OddSignificance35712026-01-20 02:54

Kindaichi

MrsLucienLachance2026-01-20 02:54

X-Files and Agatha Christie? **Id: Invaded**

deedeekei2026-01-20 02:55

Shoshuumin series

artemisdart2026-01-20 03:11

Apothecary Diaries.

I also enjoyed In:Spectre.

EnyaCa2026-01-20 03:16

Lord of Mysteries for one.

EscapeFacebook2026-01-20 03:20

I'm genuinely surprised no one said this.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

It's a complete story, it's well paced, it covers a range of topics, science fiction, war, murder, mystery, cover-ups, conspiracy. It really is a standalone gem by any standard.

If she likes Westerns Trigun is a great space Western. Vash the Stampede is someone anyone could fall in love with, he is such a good guy.

uncreativelybankrupt2026-01-20 03:22

It's an older one but Sherlock Hound!

A-Good-Weather-Man2026-01-20 03:26

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood

Xatu442026-01-20 03:28

Joker Game

Informal-Aerie76542026-01-20 03:41

Baccano!

On the Movements of the Earth

Shiki

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu

Also as bonus for you, check out Kamichu! One of my favorite Slice of Life shows.

UrRequestIsDenied2026-01-20 03:46

Vinland Saga

EDGE5152026-01-20 03:53

Death Note

ogthesamurai2026-01-20 04:03

Perfect Blue?

jacowab2026-01-20 04:19

Mushi-shi it's a series about a guy wandering around and researching invisible creatures called Mushi that are the source of mythology and legend

Falsus2026-01-20 04:39

The Apothecary Diaries easily.

It is a mystery show, it is *very* Agatha Christie.

Another pretty good one is Rokka of the 6 Braves. The entire anime centers about one big mystery.

Psycho Pass if she wants the Sci Fi side of things.

Lsagara2026-01-20 04:47

Agatha Christie’s Great Detectives Poirot and Marple

NonSupportiveCup2026-01-20 05:01

Mushishi.

Chao5Theory2026-01-20 05:08

Parasyte

Alone-Meeting28622026-01-20 05:16

.
Lord OF The Mysteries

.
Black Butler

.
Erased

.
B: The Beginning

.
Psycho-Pass

That’s all I can think of right now. Try one episode of each and hopefully she enjoys one☝️

kapesaumaga2026-01-20 06:36

These two are like slice of life/mystery anime, it'll probably scratch her itch for a Christie mystery.

- Apothecary Diaries

- Hyouka

These two are episodic 'monster' of the week type of anime. Slower but a little more reflective.

- Mushishi

- Natsume's Book of Friends

Another pair of suggestions. These are more X files/scifi anime that might work for her.

- Parasyte
- Ajin

Hooked13G2026-01-20 06:49

Beautiful Bones would probably be a good watch

I also recommend Astra Lost in Space. It's a space adventure mystery.

WakaWaka_72772026-01-20 09:50

I love those kinds of shows and books as well...these are some of my favorite anime in that genre, but in anime as a whole.

Moriarty the Patriot (turns the idea that he's a villain on its head)

Bungo Stray Dogs (mystery/supernatural/characters based on classic authors all meet and in my opinion, highly underated, though it's been picking up some traction)

The Case Studies of Vantis Pantheon (supernatural/steam punk, beautiful animation)

Summertime Rendering
(murder mystery meets time travel paradox)

Ron Kamonoshi's Forbidden Deductions
(eccentric detective meets by- the -book detective trope done brilliantly)

Yeesh. Looking over my list there's so many to suggest, so I'll keep this description list short(ish) and hope it doesn't get buried too far in the comments. But just by name:

91 Days

Ranpo Kitan: Game of Lovelace

Black Butler

Millionaire Detective Balance Unlimited

Psycho Pass

Steins Gate (I've only watched the first season and even then I'm not sure if I watched it in the correct order lol. I would do a search)

Blood Blockade Battlefront

Special 7

Grimm Variations

Okay apparently I've made it my life's mission to pick anime for your mom, because I could go on.

Hope these help!

Ok_Following91922026-01-20 10:21

Death Note?

kara_no_tamashi2026-01-20 12:51

a mix of slice of life with mystery : Hyouka and Shoshimin from the same author but the protagonists are high schoolers and the stake aren't too high.