Netflix continues to test the anime waters with its original release B: The Beginning. The supernatural crime drama’s stunning graphics, amazing fight sequences, and mysterious plot left fans begging for more. Unfortunately, there’s been no word from Netflix about the show getting a second season. As we anxiously wait for official word from Netflix, why not get your fix from similar shows? Here are five anime like B: The Beginning to keep you busy until season 2 inevitably premieres.
Death Note
Death Note, considered by many fans to be one of the best anime of all time, is very similar to Netflix’s B: The Beginning. The series revolves around Light and L, two intelligent young men that go against each other in a battle of wits. Light, an ordinary student by day, takes on the persona of Kira outside of class, a vigilante who kills criminals with a supernatural notebook. As a detective, L becomes Light’s natural enemy. He works tirelessly to uncover Kira’s true identity.
Light and L’s cat-and-mouse game intensifies with each episode of the anime’s 37-episode run. They constantly outsmart each other, just as Keith and Gilbert do in B: The Beginning. The aloof detective Keith suspects that his longtime friend Gilbert is a serial killer. The distrust and the subsequent investigation becomes an integral part of the series, much like in Death Note. Death Note also has the similar supernatural tone and theme, as otherworldly beings roam the planet here, as well.
Monster
Monster follows renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Kenzou Tenma who saves a young boy’s life. However, the mysterious kid links Tenma to a string of murders. Now he must find the identity of his former patient and reveal the true evil that hides behind this monster.
Monster’s main antagonist, Johan Liebert is quite reminiscent of B: The Beginning‘s main villain, Gilbert Ross. They both are well-mannered, charismatic and handsome men. However, like his counterpart Gilbert Ross, Johan’s squeaky-clean persona hides his monstrous nature.
Johan’s altruistic facade, like Gilbert’s, makes it easy for him to gain and manipulate new allies. This front has allowed Johan to commit dozens of crimes, although not to the extent of Gilbert Ross. Besides sharing psychopathic traits, Johan and Gilbert also look remarkably alike. They both are European Caucasian men with similar builds and piercing blue eyes.
Erased
The supernatural mystery series Erased was easily one of the best anime of 2016. Satoru Fujinuma possesses an ability that allows him to travel back in time to prevent a life-threatening event from happening. The show begins with him traveling back to when he was 11 years old. During that time, a string of murders involving young girls rocks the quiet community.
Unable to leave, Fujinuma suspects that these gruesome murders are the reason he was sent back. As a result, he sets out to find the perpetrator of these horrific crimes so that he can return home.
Much like B: The Beginning, Erased excels as a mystery series due to its enthralling storyline. Throughout the series, Erased maintains a level of tension and suspense by concealing the identity of the killer until the end. Similarly, B: The Beginning doesn’t reveal the true nature of Gilbert Ross until the very end of the series.
Psycho-Pass
Psycho-Pass concentrates on the Sybil System, an objective means of determining the threat level of each citizen by examining their mental state for signs of criminal intent. In charge of enforcing the laws of the Sybil System are Inspectors. Joining the force is Akane Tsunemori, a young woman with an honest desire to uphold justice. However, a string of murders leads Akane to believe the Sybil system may be corrupt.
Similar to B: The Beginning, Psycho-Pass slowly builds up the central mystery by first showing several unrelated crimes. However, these small mysteries culminate into a larger conspiracy perpetrated by a mysterious and powerful organization. It’s due to this exploitation that a string of psychopaths can commit murders without being detected.
On top of that, both series feature a spunky female detective in search of the truth. Both Asane and Lily put their lives in danger for the sake of the investigation. Besides their dedication to their work, both leads share a few physical traits. For example, they both have pale skin, short brown hair, large brown eyes, and both are of Asian descent. Also, they share the same anime studio, Production I.G.
Psychic Detective Yakumo
If you liked B: The Beginning for its supernatural and high-stakes mystery themes, then Psychic Detective Yakumo is the series to watch. Much like B: The Beginning, the world of Psychic Detective Yakumo is mythical, captivating, and full of mystery.
The anime follows Yakumo Saitou, a disheveled young man with a red left eye, who is said to possess spiritual powers. Along with his friend Haruka Ozawa, they investigate and solve the terrifying supernatural events happening at their school.
Both series present their central mystery in a similar way. The first arc has a sort of murder-of-the-week vibe, however, throughout the series, bits and pieces of the overall storyline are revealed. The plot of each episode ends with a neat and interesting conclusion that makes you wonder what the truth actually is.
The main protagonists share similarities, as well. Yakumo’s disturbing past and skills would pique the curiosity of any mystery lover. Like B: The Beginning‘s Keith, Yakumo is highly intelligent and observant, often solving mysteries before the police.
