Anime about the mafia explores the lives of underworld criminals inspired by real-life events. Let’s see the best animated series in the mafia genre.
Not many manga and animated series explore the Mafia theme. Anime about the mafia takes us into the world of underworld gangsters and their crimes. Fans have loved the portrayal of many notorious gangsters in anime shows over the years. Let’s find the best anime about mafia and crime. Anime shows with mafia as the main genre showcase the characters’ vengeance, emotions, revenge, and struggles. Some of the epic mafia animated shows have been cult classics over the years.
10 Popular Anime About Mafia
1. 91 Days
- Genre – Crime
- Episodes – 12
91 Days is an intense mafia anime featuring Angelo Lagusa as the protagonist. This gangster show is set in the United States Prohibition era. The story focuses on the battle between gangsters in Italy. Angelo, the hero, is on a mission to kill gangsters in the Vanetti clan who murdered his family and friends. 91 Days deeply explores revenge and betrayal, and showcases the lives of gangsters in the early 1930s.
2. Baccano
- Genre – Mafia, Adventure
- Episodes – 16
Baccano is a classic gangster anime show and it narrates the battles of thieves, alchemists, and underworld dons. Baccano starts in 1711 where greedy alchemists trap demons to unleash magical powers. The alchemists gain elixir and are born in different periods. Baccano depicts how thieves, drug lords, and alchemists succeed in their mission to become eternal.
3. Nisekoi: False Love
- Genre – Mafia, Harem
- Episodes – 20
Nisekoi is a riveting tale of gangsters between two factions, Yakuza and Beehive. Nisekoi stars Raku Ichijo and Chitoge Kirisaki, and they both belong to different gangs. The rivalry between Yakuza and Beehive slowly ends after the couple falls in a relationship. As the story progresses, Raku loses his locket. Raku is unable to find the key and things change when meets many girls and develops a relationship with them. Raku’s past comes to haunt him and he eventually succeeds in the mission.
4. Durarara!!
- Genre – Gangster, Suspense
- Episodes – 26
Durarara is a gripping gangster tale. Mikado Ryūgamine, the protagonist, has big goals and stays in Ikebukuro. Mikado meets his childhood friend and when they meet together, he learns about the “Dollars” gang and the mysterious creature, dullahan. Dollars is an internet-based gang and anyone who joins the gang will be under trouble. Mikado joins the gang and then gets embroiled in a tricky situation. As the story progresses, Mikado meets new gangsters and faces obstacles in every episode.
5. Black Lagoon
- Genre – Crime Thriller
- Episodes – 24
Black Lagoon is a dark thriller and the story is set in the early 1990s in southeast asia. The Mercenaries gang, Lagoon Company, is on a mission to smuggle goods and gold. Black Lagoon is the story of the members of Lagoon Company who loot resources in their primary location near Thailand. The gang members of Lagoon Company steal resources, engage in battles against other nations, and explore seas all over the world.
6. Banana Fish
- Genre – Gangster Drama
- Episode – 24
Banana Fish is a retro gangster anime that took place in the 1980s timeline. Banana Fish has Ash Lynx, the street gang leader in New York as the hero. The concept of this mafia-themed anime is unique. Ash is a happy guy who is involved in small crimes and he finds a drug named Banana Fish from the Vietnam war and it has the powers to brainwash humans. As the story moves, Ash has to meet many criminals to find the secrets of this drug.
7. Gungrave
- Genre – Supernatural, Crime
- Episodes – 26
Gungrave is an epic gangster drama and one of the best animated series in the mafia genre. Gungrave is an epic crime tale featuring best friends, Brandon Heat and Harry MacDowell. Brandon’s goal is to find his lover, Maria. He joins a crime syndicate named Big Daddy’s Millenion along with Harry.
As the story moves, Brandon Heat is killed by Harry, but he is born through necrolyzation named Beyond The Grave in the future. In the future, Brandon becomes a monster and Harry is the leader of the crime syndicate. Gungrave has a non-linear storyline and keeps us thoroughly engaged in every episode
8. Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
- Genre – Crime, Mystery
- Episodes – 26
Phantom is a gripping neo-noir mystery thriller from Gen Urobuchi. Phantom anime features assassins, Ein and Zwei in the main role. When Ein and Zwei decide to work on a big mission that involves killing a mob boss, things take a turn as they forget their past. In a quest to recollect the past, Ein and Zwei travel through different paths.
In the present, the assassins work for the Inferno crime syndicate after an incident and earn money by completing small tasks. Zwei and Ein meet Clauda, and then work on many missions. Clauda is impressed by their works and offers them the best payout every time. Ein and Zwei primarily work on killing drug lords and underworld criminals.
9. Gangsta
- Genre – Crime, Thriller
- Episode – 12
Gangsta is a top-rated mafia anime that takes place in a fictional city in Ergastulum. Gangsta has the backdrop of the mafia, hoodlums, prostitutes, and dirty cops. The story between the four mafia family and gang members makes this a gripping thriller. Arcangelo and Nicolas Brown, the gangsters play the lead roles in the series. They both work for police and mobs, and earn money for every mission.
10. Jormungand
- Genre – Gangster, Thriller
- Episodes – 12
Jormungand is a riveting tale of gangsters and arms dealers. Koko Hekmatyar, the leader of a smuggling company known as HCLI, plays the main role along with Jonah, a child soldier. Koko’s aim is to make money through selling illegal weapons and equipment. Koko sells weapons to all countries with a small team of bodyguards.
Koko Hekmatyar hires a new arm dealer to her team and it is Jonah who hates arms dealers, but joins the squad to find the mystery behind the murder of his dad. Koko and Jonah have different goals, but they work together in their missions. Jormungand is an epic gangster series and one of the most-viewed anime shows in the mafia genre.