Watching heist anime can be an incredibly enjoyable experience as it follows the adventures of clever thieves and elaborate heists. The excitement of the pursuit and the tension of seeing a meticulous plan come to fruition (or fail) keeps audiences captivated and at the edge of their seats.
Heist anime combines elements of crime thrillers, mystery genres, and even comedy to create a captivating viewing experience. Some of the most popular heist anime feature sophisticated criminals and elaborate schemes, while others incorporate supernatural elements to add even more excitement.
Witty main characters use their intelligence to outsmart both authorities and adversaries with flair. So, put on your sleek black catsuit and join us in discovering 10 of the best heist anime that are definitely worth your time.
Top 10 Heist Anime for Adventure Lovers
1) Great Pretender
Great Pretender, a widely acclaimed anime about heists, centers on the adventures of Makoto Edamura, a notorious con artist who is outsmarted by the cunning swindler Laurent Thierry.
Despite losing a bet, Edamura is compelled to join forces with Laurent and his team of global scammers as they journey across the globe to swindle corrupt targets. Boasting a neon-inspired visual design and groovy soundtrack, Great Pretender exudes a surplus of style.
During 23 flamboyant episodes, the audience is taken on an exhilarating journey as Laurent’s unconventional schemes tread the delicate balance between deception and retribution. This stylish heist features unforgettable characters and a captivating underlying enigma surrounding Laurent’s true intentions.
2) Lupin III
Lupin III, a renowned anime about heists, follows the clever and resourceful Lupin III, an expert thief and symbolic heir to the French gentleman-burglar Arsène Lupin. Together with his diverse team, Lupin III executes audacious capers around the world, constantly evading the relentless pursuit of Interpol’s top detective, Inspector Koichi Zenigata.
Accompanied by his cunning partner Daisuke Jigen, a skilled marksman with an impeccable aim who hardly ever misses his mark, and stoic samurai Goemon Ishikawa XIII, known for his legendary sword that can slice through anything, he bravely faces advanced security systems with smooth assurance and unwavering boldness, risking life and limb to obtain his desired treasure.
Fujiko Mine, the sultry femme fatale, can be both a help and a hindrance. She is known to switch allegiances depending on who can offer a bigger payout in each adventure. This anime sets the gold standard for the heist genre with its retro Euro-cool aesthetic, clever dialogue, and focus on gadgets and trickery rather than brute force.
Magic Kaito 1412
In this cunning anime about a heist, the focus is on Kaito Kuroba, a skilled master of disguise who takes on the persona of the infamous phantom thief Kaitou Kid. Kaitou Kid is renowned for his impressive magic shows and escape acts, leaving both law enforcement and enchanted crowds baffled.
During the day, Kaito appears to be an average high school student, but he is on a mission to uncover any leads that may connect the mysterious death of his magician father to a criminal organization. At night, he transforms into his alter ego Kaitou and mesmerizes audiences by stealing valuable jewels in an enthralling performance before disappearing without a trace.
Each adventure in Magic Kaito 1412 challenges Kaitou to push his skills to the edge, as he utilizes more daring illusions with the aid of disguises, decoys, and technological trickery, in order to obtain his target and evade capture.
What a racket!
Baccano! takes place during the Prohibition era in America and intricately connects the experiences of a diverse group of characters, such as the everlasting alchemist Szilard Quates and the search for the elusive bottles of the elixir of life.
The anime masterfully weaves together various storylines and utilizes non-linear storytelling to create a captivating mystery surrounding the concepts of alchemy and immortality. Along the way, the audience is introduced to a diverse range of characters, including thieves, gangsters, and psychopathic assassins, all driven by their pursuit of the elusive elixir of eternal life.
Despite the presence of supernatural immortality fueling crime empires in the shadows, Baccano! remains distinctive for its brutal fights, vintage aesthetics, and intricate network of morally ambiguous characters competing for dominance and control in the criminal underworld.
D.N.Angel
D.N.Angel, a well-known anime about heists, centers around the story of 14-year-old Daisuke Niwa. Whenever Daisuke feels love, he transforms into Dark Mousy, a notorious phantom thief. Using magical abilities, Dark Mousy adeptly bypasses security systems and steals artwork for unknown motives.
Throughout the story, Daisuke must conceal his identity as a thief from his crush, Risa Harada. Using his supernatural powers and struggling with his own inner turmoil, D.N.Angel is a delightful and charming series that also involves romantic entanglements.
Will Daisuke’s love interest uncover his true identity? Or will he become the target of the authorities as they begin to track down Dark Mousy? This anime series adds a supernatural twist to the traditional trope of a kind-hearted thief.
Cat’s Eye – A Review
The plot of this anime centers on three siblings (Hitomi, Rui, and Ai) who secretly work together as the talented thief, Cat’s Eye, in order to unravel the mystery of their father’s disappearance. During the day, they manage a cafe named Cat’s Eye, but once night falls, they set their sights on stealing valuable artwork from museums, galleries, and exhibitions.
The group of skilled thieves must remain discreet about their nighttime robberies, as a detective who often visits their café could potentially uncover their activities. This anime, one of the first in the genre to target a female audience, played a significant role in establishing common themes and conventions, as it follows the trio’s cunning tactics to outsmart law enforcement and navigate the dangers posed by rival criminals and their own hidden familial past.
Cat’s Eye is a comedic series with light-hearted moments and flirtatious interactions between thieves and detectives.
Jing: King of Bandits
The anime Jing: King of Bandits follows the story of Jing, also known as the King of Bandits, a cunning thief on a quest to obtain valuable treasures in a world abundant with enchanted items, mysterious places, and perilous obstacles. His ultimate goal is to outsmart the authorities who are after him, all while unraveling the secrets surrounding the legendary creature, Kirin.
Jing: King of Bandits stands out as a wildly extravagant and eccentric heist anime, thanks to its captivating settings and enchanting MacGuffins. Each escapade showcases Jing’s extraordinary powers and Kir’s peculiar shape-shifting abilities, cleverly utilized to elude perilous predicaments.
Despite its comedic nature, this anime series still provides clever storylines and thrilling adventures in abundance.
Mouse
This animated series centers around Mouse, a brilliant thief known for his expertise in meticulously planning and carrying out seemingly impossible heists. He lives by the motto “I will take what is mine,”and constantly challenges the authorities by giving them advance notice of his daring crimes.
Mouse’s tales not only demonstrate his supreme confidence, but also involve the use of ingenious techniques, cunning disguises, risk-taking, and outsmarting of law enforcement. Unlike other thieves, Mouse places great importance on meticulous preparation, challenging viewers to think critically about each heist.
Mouse is a heist anime that rewards attentive viewers with its logical, psychological, and strategic approach rather than relying on unbelievable gimmicks. Although it may be slightly weightier than other anime in this genre, it offers a satisfying viewing experience.
The Daughter of Twenty Faces
Taking place in the early 20th century, this anime about a heist follows the journey of Chiko, a young orphan who is taken in by the skilled thief Twenty Faces. At first, Chiko joins Twenty Faces’ crew in search of independence, but as they carry out their daring robberies, she discovers the importance of kindness and understanding.
Despite the disappearance of Twenty Faces, Chiko remains determined to uphold his legacy with the help of Twenty Faces’ former crew. The Daughter of Twenty Faces explores themes of morality and personal development, skillfully intertwining the suspense of strategic deceit with heartfelt depictions of meaningful connections and purpose.
This story effectively demonstrates the technical abilities required to be a gentleman thief, as well as the personal relationships that add a deeper significance to this lifestyle.
Princess Principal
In the world of Princess Principal, a steampunk-inspired version of 19th-century London, a group of five female spies work undercover to infiltrate the Kingdom of Albion on behalf of the Commonwealth of Entente, making it another intriguing heist anime.
The group known as Princess Principal utilizes a diverse range of abilities, including infiltration, intelligence collection, and sabotage, to acquire crucial state secrets for the Commonwealth’s success in the war. This unique blend of historical fiction, spy thriller, and steampunk science fiction creates a politically charged environment full of intrigue.
As a result of having double and even triple agents involved, the true intentions and backgrounds of the individuals are not what they seem at first. This leads to the development of conspiracies, unexpected plot twists, and highly suspenseful moments as the group works to preserve their disguises.
Conclusion
There are numerous fantastic heist anime series to choose from, ranging from traditional thefts to supernatural schemes, ensuring that there is something to suit every individual’s preferences.
These heist anime present a plethora of imaginative methods for morally ambiguous characters to outwit both authorities and adversaries with their cunning strategies or boldness. So, whether you are a fan of flashy magical displays or prefer realistic criminal geniuses, sit back and indulge in these exhilarating anime heists.
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