The best anime about organized crime

There is no world more brutal than the world of the mafia, full of betrayal and cutthroat competition from rival organizations. Although we've been blessed with many iconic mafia films over the years, anime hasn't been far behind with its own contributions.

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

10

Jörmungand

(2012)

“Jormungand” from 2012 takes you into the fast-paced, treacherous world of the arms trade. The protagonist, Koko Hekmatyar, works for her father's company, HCLI, a renowned logistics company that secretly plays an important role in illegal arms sales.

The story is about Koko, who welcomes the child soldier Jonah into her competent bodyguard team at the beginning of the series. Koko makes arms deals wherever she goes while outmaneuvering competitors and evading the CIA. Koko's main priority, however, is her secret project Jormungand, which ironically aims to put an end to war and the arms trade for good – with potentially grave consequences.

9

Banana fish

(2018)

Although this anime has a rather silly title, its story is anything but lighthearted and humorous. In the series, Banana Fish refers to a hallucinatory drug that causes its victims to go insane by brainwashing them, a drug that its main protagonist Ash Lynx is investigating and wants to stop.

Ash Lynx has an extremely tragic and traumatic backstory, having been exploited as a child by Corsican mafia boss Dino Golzine. He finds emotional fulfillment in Eiji Okumura, even if their story ends sadly and bittersweet. Overall, “Banana Fish” is a narrative masterpiece, and one of its strengths is that it is not afraid to discuss dark and heavy topics through its characters.

8

Gangsta

(2015)

Gangsta is another notable addition to the mafia anime genre that is definitely worth watching. The anime is set in the fictional town of Ergastulum, which seems to be infested with shady criminals and crime syndicates galore. Worick Arcangelo and Nicholas Brown, called “Artisans” by the locals, are mercenaries who work as hired hands and at first glance seem like antiheroes.

Not only is Ergastulum rife with crime, but it is also the government-mandated breeding ground for “Tags,” superhumans with enhanced physical abilities. Nicholas Brown is a Tag himself and, along with his partner, is committed to stopping the growing violence against Tags by the Corsica crime family.

7

Durarara!!

(2010)

Durarara takes you into a world full of chaotic events that will ultimately spin your head. The anime wastes no time in introducing you to a variety of fascinating characters, most of whose lives and stories take place in the Ikebukuro district of Japan.

The show focuses on a variety of topics but delves into storylines involving gangs and criminal organizations. From a Dullahan searching for her head to Mikado Ryuugamine's seemingly harmless beginnings as an average high school student to an insane gang leader, Durarara is an exemplar of a masterpiece of storytelling.

6

Bungo Stray Dogs

(2016)

Bungo Stray Dogs is a mix of mystery, crime and action full of tasteful twists as multiple organizations fight for control of Yokohama. The story revolves around the members of the Armed Detective Agency as they fight against or, when necessary, ally with the overlord of the criminal underworld, the Port Mafia.

With special abilities, the Port Mafia has a firm grip on its territory and is not afraid to wreak havoc to achieve its goals. Despite the differences between the Port Mafia, the Armed Detective Agency and other organizations, the Port Mafia boss and his members put their business and the protection of Yokohama above all else.

5

Katekyo Hitman reborn!

(2006)

A show with one of the best character developments in anime, Katekyo Hitman Reborn combines fantasy, comedy and action in one of the most exciting mafia anime in gaming. Sawada Tsunayoshi (or Tsuna), the series' main character, is an unpopular, bullied middle school student with two left feet.

After learning that he is the heir to the powerful Vongola crime family, Tsuna undergoes intensive training under the assassin Reborn and unleashes his Dying Will flame. Tsuna slowly breaks out of his shell and gains more confidence with the help of his guardians. He transforms into someone unrecognizable compared to who he was before meeting Reborn.

4

91 days

(2016)

The 12 episodes of “91 Days” are a classic revenge story set against a backdrop of bloody turf wars, illegal moonshine operations and endless backstabbing. The story is set in the Prohibition era and focuses on Angelo Lagusa, who as a child witnessed the brutal murder of his family at the hands of mobsters.

The adult Angelo returns to his hometown and works under the pseudonym Avilio Bruno. He now knows that the Vanetti crime family is responsible and infiltrates their organization, manipulating events and other crime families to ensure that the Vanettis are wiped out. Of course, Angelo's fight for justice doesn't go as he planned, 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 practically ruled by various powerful criminal sects. The story focuses on Rock (or Rokurou Okajima), who unexpectedly abandons his average white-collar career and instead regularly works with the criminal underground.

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

2

Gungrave

(2003)

An adaptation of the acclaimed video game of the same name, Gungrave is another excellent tale of revenge and retribution. The story focuses on Brandon Heat, a man who joins the powerful mafia organization Millennion along with his best friend Harry McDowell.

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

1

Baccano!

(2007)

Coming from the same studio that later brought Durarara to our screens, Baccano is unique among mafia anime. The anime is set in different timelines with multiple perspectives from the extensive cast of main characters.

The story begins in the 18th century when an immortal elixir was created. Later, the elixir is remade and stolen during the Prohibition era, turning certain characters into immortals and causing unimaginable chaos along the way. With alchemists, immortals, deadly gang wars and conspiracies galore, Baccano features captivating dialogue and an unpredictable narrative that keeps you hooked.