The Best Anime About Organised Crime

There’s no world more brutal than the mafia world, filled with betrayals and cutthroat competition from rival organisations. Although we’ve been blessed with plenty of iconic mafia movies over the years, anime has not been far behind with its own contributions.

All of these shows retain the gritty, dark atmosphere of all mafia films, as well as the well-written, complex storylines, and characterisations. From battling for territory and dodging the authorities to running protection rackets, these are the best mafia anime out there.

10

Jormungand

(2012)

2012’s Jormungand takes you to the fast-paced, treacherous world of arms dealing. The protagonist, Koko Hekmatyar, works for her father’s company, HCLI, a reputable logistics firm that’s secretly a major player in the illegal sale of weapons.

The story follows Koko, who welcomes child soldier Jonah to her proficient squad of bodyguards early in the show. Koko strikes weapons deals wherever she goes while outmanoeuvring competitors and dodging the CIA. However, Koko’s main priority is her secret project, Jormungand, which is intended to, ironically, put an eternal stop to war and arms dealing – with major potential consequences.

9

Banana Fish

(2018)

Although this anime has quite a silly title, its story is far from lighthearted and humorous. Banana Fish refers to a hallucinatory drug in the show that brainwashes its victims into madness, one which its main protagonist, Ash Lynx, investigates and desires to put a stop to.

Ash Lynx has an extremely tragic and traumatising backstory, as he was taken advantage of by Corsican mafia boss Dino Golzine as a child. He finds emotional fulfilment in Eiji Okumura, though their story ends in a sad and bittersweet way. Overall, Banana Fish is a narrative masterpiece, and one of its strengths is that it isn’t afraid to discuss dark and heavy themes through its characters.

8

Gangsta

(2015)

Gangsta is another notable addition to the mafia anime genre, one well worth your time. The anime is set in the fictional city of Ergastulum, which seems infested with seedy criminals and crime syndicates aplenty. Worick Arcangelo and Nicholas Brown, dubbed Handymen by the locals, are mercenaries who work for hire and instantly strike you as anti-hero types.

Not only is Ergastulum riddled with crime, but it’s also the government-decreed nesting ground for ‘Tags’, superhumans with enhanced physical abilities. Nicholas Brown is a Tag himself and, alongside his partner, becomes involved in stopping the growing violence dealt towards Tags by the Corsica crime family.

7

Durarara!!

(2010)

Durarara drops you into a world full of chaotic happenings that’ll send your head spinning by the end of it. The anime wastes no time introducing you to a slew of different intriguing characters, their lives, and stories largely taking place in Japan’s Ikebukuro district.

The show focuses on a variety of themes but deals with storylines involving gangs and criminal organisations. From a dullahan in search of her head to Mikado Ryuugamine’s seemingly innocuous beginnings as your average high schooler to a demented gang leader, Durarara is a textbook case of a storytelling masterpiece.

6

Bungo Stray Dogs

(2016)

Bungo Stray Dogs is a blend of mystery, crime, and action that is full of tasteful twists and turns as multiple organisations vie for control of Yokohama. The story centres on the members of the Armed Detective Agency, who combat or, at times of necessity, ally themselves with the head honcho of the criminal underworld, the Port Mafia.

With special Abilities thrown into the mix, the Port Mafia holds an iron grip on their territories, and they’re not afraid to get messy to achieve their goals. Despite the rifts between the Port Mafia, the Armed Detective Agency, and other organisations, the Port Mafia boss and its members prioritise their business dealings and the protection of Yokohama above all else.

5

Katekyo Hitman Reborn!

(2006)

A show with one of the best character progressions in anime, Katekyo Hitman Reborn melds fantasy, comedy, and action in one of the most thrilling mafia anime in the game. Sawada Tsunayoshi (or Tsuna), the series’ main character, is an unpopular, bullied middle schooler with two left feet.

After learning he’s the heir to the powerful Vongola crime family, Tsuna undergoes intense training under the baby hitman Reborn and unlocks his Dying Will Flame. Slowly, Tsuna breaks out of his shell and gains more confidence with the help of his Guardians, transforming into someone unrecognisable compared to who he was before meeting Reborn.

4

91 Days

(2016)

The 12-episode 91 Days is a classic revenge story against a backdrop of bloody turf wars, illegal moonshine operations, and endless backstabbing. Set in the Prohibition Era, the story focuses on Angelo Lagusa, who witnessed his family’s brutal murder at the hands of mafioso when he was a child.

An adult Angelo returns to his home city, working under the alias of Avilio Bruno. He now knows that the Vanetti crime family is responsible and infiltrates their organisation, manipulating events and other crime families to ensure that the Vanettis are wiped out. Of course, Angelo’s crusade for justice doesn’t pan out as he plans to, and he begins to wonder about the futility of it all.

3

Black Lagoon

(2006)

One of the best anime of the 2000s, Black Lagoon is set in a fictional city in Thailand, a place that is practically run by various powerful criminal sects. The story focuses on Rock (or Rokurou Okajima), who unexpectedly says goodbye to his average salaryman career for one that regularly rubs shoulders with the criminal underground.

Rock joins the Lagoon Company, a small smuggling operation with close ties to the Russian mafia, otherwise known as Hotel Moscow. The anime has a really well-written narrative, with strong, well-written female characters like Balalaika and Revy standing out for their formidable personalities and intriguing backstories.

2

Gungrave

(2003)

Adapted from a much-lauded video game of the same name, Gungrave is yet another excellent tale of vengeance and retribution. The story centres on Brandon Heat, a man who joins the powerful mafia organisation, Millennion, alongside his best friend Harry McDowell.

However, after Brandon is killed and betrayed by Harry, he returns as an undead superhuman due to the efforts of Dr Tokioka. The anime stays faithful to the story of the 2002 game, with its intriguing character progression, Harry’s descent into madness, and the depiction of Brandon and Harry’s steadily disintegrating relationship.

1

Baccano!

(2007)

From the same studio that later brought Durarara to our screens, Baccano is unique among mafia-themed anime. The anime takes place through different timelines with multiple perspectives from its extensive selection of main characters.

First beginning in the 1700s, the story starts when an immortal elixir was created. Later on, the elixir is remade and stolen during the Prohibition Era, turning certain characters into immortals and sowing unimaginable chaos along the way. With alchemists, immortals, deadly gang wars, and conspiracies galore, Baccano stands out with its compelling dialogue and an unpredictable narrative that keeps you engaged.