Summary
- Gangster anime explore the cost of violence through power struggles and revenge in the criminal underworld.
- Top gangster anime like Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom offer riveting stories of transformation and survival.
- Series like Black Lagoon and Gangsta delve deep into themes of crime, anarchy, and moral decay in society.
Crime has been a theme of countless myths, legends, and stories for many centuries. Perhaps its most significant iteration is the gangster narrative, which has become quite popular in modern storytelling. Anime has also been influenced by the genre, and over the decades, the industry has produced a variety of tales exploring the same theme.
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From fierce power struggles to ruthless revenge, gangster-focused anime have brilliantly captured the cost of violence and the harsh realities of criminal life. While there have been some great shows from the genre that deserve to be watched, these are the best gangster anime of all time.
7 Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
Assassins, Brainwash, and Crime
Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- April 3, 2009
- Studio
- Bee Train
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.92
- Based On
- Visual Novel
A Japanese tourist visiting America witnesses a murder carried out by the assassin syndicate called Inferno. In order to cover up their crime, the secretive mafia organization kidnaps him and turns him into an assassin after brainwashing him. Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom is the riveting story of his transformation into a skilled killer named Zwei and the challenges that he encounters after getting thrown into the ruthless underworld.
If this world wasn’t a complete hell for me, that’s because you were alive.
With death waiting for him at every turn, will the once-innocent tourist get out of the ruthless cycle of violence and murder? Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom, with its intriguing premise, introduces a twist to the gangster-centered narrative, creating a gripping account of self-preservation and survival.
6 Baccano!
Immortality, Crime, and Fate
Baccano!
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2007 - 2008-00-00
- Cast
- Michael C. Pizzuto, J. Michael Tatum, Caitlin Glass, Akemi Kanda, Maxey Whitehead, Masaya Onosaka, Sayaka Aoki, Sanae Kobayashi
- Creator(s)
- Ryôgo Narita
Set in the United States Prohibition Era, Baccano follows an eclectic cast of characters whose fates intertwine following a series of events involving a mysterious elixir of immortality. As they pursue their objectives, driven by a plethora of motivations, their interactions culminate into a bizarre and chaotic tapestry of violence, humor, and shocking connections.
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The series, with its non-linear storytelling, explores the drama that unfolds when people with diverse backgrounds compete for self-preservation, power, and the promise of eternal life. From mafia wars to alchemical secrets and train heists, Baccano seamlessly balances multiple storylines to give viewers a story to remember, leaving an indelible impression in the process.
5 91 Days
Revenge, Violence, and Italian Mafia
91 Days
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2017-00-00
- Directors
- Hiro Kaburagi
- Writers
- Taku Kishimoto
- Studio
- Shuka
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.83
Seven years after leaving the town of Lawless, Angelo Lagusa decides to return after realizing that it is finally time for his long-awaited vengeance against the Vanetti mafia family, which mercilessly butchered his loved ones. But with danger at every turn and revenge destined to fuel more violence, will Angelo succeed in his quest for retribution?
91 Days is an exciting anime that perfectly captures the power struggles, violence, and betrayal in the Prohibition-era underworld. Its simplistic but intriguing world-building, which takes inspiration from historical events, coupled with well-rounded characters, will appeal to fans of gangster anime.
4 Gangsta.
Survival and Loyalty in the City of Crime
Gangsta.
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2015 - 2015-00-00
- Cast
- Kenjiro Tsuda, Junichi Suwabe, Mamiko Noto, Tetsuo Kanao, Kaito Ishikawa
- TMDB User Rating
- 7.1
Set in the lawless town of Ergastulum, which is ruled by four ruthless mafia families, Gangsta. Follows two mercenaries for hire known as the Handymen as they take dangerous jobs while trying to navigate the morally ambiguous underworld.
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Exploring the harsh reality of living in a world of crime and the far-reaching consequences of choosing violence, the series uncovers the true cost of moral decay in a society through its disgruntled characters who, despite having a soft corner in their hearts, are overwhelmed by a nihilistic view of life. Crime, corruption, violence, heartbreak, loss, and unexpected bonds—Gangsta. Has everything that fans of gangster anime crave.
3 Black Lagoon
Crime, Chaos, and Self-Preservation
Black Lagoon
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2006 - 2006
- Directors
- Sunao Katabuchi
- Writers
- Sunao Katabuchi
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Creator
- Rei Hiroe
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.03 (Season 1)
- Based On
- Manga
Black Lagoon revolves around Rokurou Okajima, a salaryman who inadvertently ends up joining a group of pirate mercenaries after getting kidnapped. Suddenly finding himself in a world filled with crime and corruption, he sets out to live his life without compromising on his values while simultaneously making tough decisions at every turn. But crime and integrity do not go hand-in-hand, and as he gets embroiled in the chaotic underworld of Roanapur, Rokurou must adjust or perish.
Justice. I can't think of another word more loved by the people. It does have a nice ring to it. However, without ever exercising your own strength, you seek the death of others at the hands of someone else. Well, the justice you refer to smells pretty rotten to me.
Black Lagoon takes viewers to a very chaotic world filled with crime and anarchy, where any semblance of normalcy is rare. The series has no dearth of gang violence and conflicts. Those interested in gangster anime will probably find Black Lagoon to be quite entertaining, primarily because of its well-choreographed action sequences and its courageous account of the criminal underworld.
2 Tokyo Revengers
Time Travel and Bike Gangs
Tokyo Revengers
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- April 11, 2021
- Studio
- Liden Films
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Ken Wakui
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.87 (Season 1)
Inspired by one of the best-selling manga of all time, Tokyo Revengers recounts the story of a hopeless 26-year-old salaryman named Takemichi Hanagaki, whose gloomy life appears to have hit rock bottom. But a day after he learns that his middle school ex-girlfriend, Hinata Tachibana, lost her life because of a conflict related to a biker gang, he travels twelve years back in time after falling onto a train platform. Determined to save Hinata's life, Takemichi sets out to carefully relive his past, making decisions that could alter the future.
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Like most time-traveling anime with an interesting premise, Tokyo Revengers captivates viewers with its engrossing storytelling and well-written characters. The series is deeply influenced by gang conflicts and does not shy away from revealing the violent realities of delinquent life.
1 Banana Fish
Crime, Mafia, Abuse, and the Strength of the Human Spirit
Banana Fish
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2018 - 2018
- Directors
- Hiroko Utsumi
- Writers
- Hiroshi Seko
- Studio
- MAPPA
- Creator
- Akimi Yoshida
- Streaming Service(s)
- Prime Video
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.46
- Based On
- Manga
Banana Fish is an emotionally charged series that explores the criminal underbelly of New York City during the '80s. The show touches upon extremely sensitive topics like trauma, abuse, and systemic corruption with exceptional depth and nuance, allowing viewers to experience the grave realities of mafia life.
That guy always regarded me as a human being with a real heart, not some sort of tool.
The show follows 17-year-old Aslan Jade Callenreese as he investigates the mysterious drug named Banana Fish while trying to protect himself from the clutches of his adoptive father, who is regarded as the godfather of the mafia.
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