Naoki Urasawa's "20th Century Boys" is a critically acclaimed manga series written and illustrated by him. The series was first published in Japan from 1999 to 2006 and has since been translated into a number of languages. The plot revolves around a group of friends who, as children, invented a symbol and a secret code as part of their fantasy world. In the present day, one of the friends, Kenji, learns that the symbol and code were used in a doomsday cult's plan to destroy the world. Kenji and his friends must discover the truth behind the cult's plot and put an end to it before it's too late.

"20th Century Boys" is a mystery driven by a series of clues and revelations that gradually piece together the truth behind the cult's plan. The plot is complex, with multiple timelines and plot threads that intersect in unexpected ways. The show also delves into themes such as friendship, betrayal, and the power of nostalgia. Overall, "20th Century Boys" is a complex and engaging mystery manga that will keep readers guessing.

Author: Naoki Urasawa
Original run: October 4, 1999 – April 24, 2006
Volumes: 22
Status: Completed
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/20th-century-boys-manga/s?k=20th+century+boys+manga

Tsugumi Ohba's popular manga series "Death Note" is written and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. It was first serialized in Japan from 2003 to 2006, and it has since been translated into a number of languages. The series has also spawned an anime, several live-action films, and a TV drama.

Light Yagami, a high school student, discovers a mysterious notebook known as the "Death Note," which has the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it. Light decides to use the Death Note to rid the world of criminals and transform himself into a god-like figure known as "Kira." As he embarks on his crusade, he attracts the attention of an enigmatic detective known only as "L," who is determined to apprehend Kira and his associates.

The mystery in "Death Note" is driven by Light and L's cat-and-mouse game, in which they each try to outwit the other and discover their true identity. The show also delves into themes such as justice, morality, and the corrupting influence of power. The plot is suspenseful, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. Overall, "Death Note" is an exciting and thought-provoking manga that has established itself as a modern classic.

Author: Tsugumi Ohba
Original run: December 1, 2003 – May 15, 2006
Volumes: 12
Status: Completed
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/deathnote/s?k=deathnote

Case Closed, also known as Detective Conan, is a witty manga series that has stood the test of time. Gosho Aoyama's creation is a cultural phenomenon that is still among the top-selling manga nearly 30 years after its debut. It revolves around Jimmy, a high schooler and detective who occasionally assists the police in their fight against a dangerous group known as the Black Organization. One day, Jimmy is given an experimental drug that transforms him physically into a child. That doesn't deter him in the least. And he keeps working under the alias "Conan." As you might expect, this one is about solving crimes, which fits right in with anything mystery-themed. But don't dismiss Case Closed as harmless entertainment. You might be surprised.

The mystery in "Case Closed" is propelled by Conan's deductive abilities and his ability to piece together clues to solve each case. In addition, the series features a diverse cast of characters, including other detectives, police officers, and criminals, each with their own distinct personalities and motivations. The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the final reveal. Overall, "Case Closed" is a fun and engaging manga that has been a fan favorite for decades. Its blend of mystery, humor, and character development has made it a genre classic.

Author: Gosho Aoyama
Original run: January 5, 1994 – present
Volumes: 103
Status: Ongoing
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/case-closed/s?k=case+closed

The manga series "Monster" was created by Naoki Urasawa, who also wrote "20th Century Boys." From 1994 to 2001, the series was serialized in Japan and translated into several languages. "Monster" has also inspired an anime series and a live-action television show.

The plot revolves around Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a brilliant neurosurgeon working in Germany who faces a moral quandary when he chooses to save the life of a young boy over that of a prominent politician. Tenma's decision sets in motion a series of murders and the appearance of a mysterious figure known only as "Johan." Tenma becomes entangled in a web of conspiracies and political intrigue as he investigates Johan's true identity and motives. The enigma in "Monster" is driven by the enigmatic figure of Johan, a charismatic and manipulative individual who leaves a trail of death and destruction in his wake.

Tenma struggles to understand Johan's motivations and stop him before he causes more harm in the series, which explores themes of morality, identity, and the nature of evil. Suspenseful twists and turns keep readers on the edge of their seats throughout the story. Overall, "Monster" is an engrossing and complex manga that delves deep into the human psyche and the darkest corners of the human soul. It's intricate plotting, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes have made it a mystery genre classic.

Author: Naoki Urasawa
Original run: December 1994 – December 2001
Volumes: 18
Status: Completed
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/monster-manga/s?k=monster+manga

"Beastars" takes place in a world where anthropomorphic animals, or "beasts," coexist with humans. The story revolves around Legoshi, a quiet and reserved gray wolf who attends Cherryton Academy, a boarding school for young beasts. The plot begins with the murder of an herbivore student named Tem, which shocks the entire school.

As the story progresses, Legoshi is drawn to Haru, a white dwarf rabbit who is shunned by her peers for her promiscuous behavior. Their relationship is complicated, however, by the fact that Legoshi is a carnivore and Haru is a herbivore, and the two struggle to reconcile their feelings with their world's societal norms. "Beastars" explores a variety of themes throughout the series, including identity, discrimination, and the struggle to find oneself in a complex and ever-changing world. The show also has a diverse cast of characters, each with its own set of problems and perspectives.

The manga "Beastars" was very popular in Japan, and it has also gained a large following in other countries. The series has received praise for its compelling plot, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes. In addition to the manga, "Beastars" has been adapted into an anime series, which has received positive reviews from both fans and critics.

Author: Paru Itagaki
Original run: September 8, 2016 – October 8, 2020
Volumes: 22
Status: Completed
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Beastars-Manga/s?k=Beastars+Manga

"Pluto" is a manga series by Naoki Urasawa based on the story arc "The Greatest Robot on Earth" from Osamu Tezuka's classic "Astro Boy" manga. Shogakukan later compiled the series into eight tankbon volumes, which were published from 2003 to 2009. The plot follows Gesicht, a detective robot investigating a series of murders of prominent robots in a world where robots and humans coexist. The murders are thought to be the work of Pluto, a powerful and mysterious robot that is targeting the world's most advanced robots. Gesicht meets a variety of other robots along the way, each with their own distinct personalities and abilities.

"Pluto" delves into a number of themes, including the nature of humanity, the ethics of artificial intelligence, and the ramifications of creating intelligent machines. The series is well-known for its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and exploration of complex philosophical and ethical ideas. "Pluto" has received positive reviews from both fans and critics, and it has won several awards, including the Grand Prize at the 2010 Japan Media Arts Festival. The series was also adapted into an anime film, "Pluto: The Stage of the End," which debuted in 2021.

Author: Naoki Urasawa, Takashi Nagasaki
Original run: September 5, 2003 – April 4, 2009
Volumes: 8
Status: Completed
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/pluto-manga/s?k=pluto+manga

Made in the Abyss is more of a fantasy than a thriller. But that doesn't stop it from delivering a gripping mystery. Akihito Tsukushi's manga series "Made in Abyss" is written and illustrated by him. The plot revolves around Riko, a young girl who aspires to be a legendary cave raider like her mother. The series is set in a world where the only unexplored area is a massive and mysterious pit known as the Abyss.

In 2012, the manga was serialized in Web Comic Gamma, followed by Comic Gamma and Monthly Comic Alive magazines. Takeshobo has published the series in tankobon volumes, with seven volumes released as of September 2021. An anime television series, two compilation films, and a sequel film have all been made from the manga. Kinema Citrus produced the anime adaptation, which aired in 2017. "Made in Abyss: Journey's Dawn" and "Made in Abyss: Wandering Twilight," two compilation films, were released in 2019. "Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul," the sequel, will be released in January 2020.

The world-building, character development, and emotional storytelling in the manga have all been praised. It has received numerous honors, including the Manga Taisho Award in 2018.

Author: Akihito Tsukushi

Original run: October 20, 2012 – present
Volumes: 11

Status: Ongoing

Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/made-abyss-manga/s?k=made+in+abyss+manga

Naoki Urasawa's "Billy Bat" is a mystery manga series. The plot revolves around Kevin Yamagata, a Japanese-American comic book artist who creates the popular "Billy Bat" comic. One day, he discovers that Billy Bat is not his own creation but rather a real-world character and that he is somehow linked to a larger conspiracy spanning decades and multiple countries. In 2008, the manga was serialized in Weekly Morning magazine, and it was later collected into 20 tankobon volumes. Kodansha Comics USA published it in English, and it has also been adapted into an audio drama and a stage play.

The series has received praise for its intricate plot, complex storytelling, and historical accuracy. It addresses issues like identity, cultural imperialism, and the nature of storytelling. Several awards have been bestowed upon the manga, including the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2009 and the Shogakukan Manga Award in 2012. Overall, "Billy Bat" is an engrossing and thought-provoking mystery manga that delves into a variety of genres and themes while enticing readers with unexpected twists and turns.

Author: Naoki Urasawa
Original run: October 16, 2008 – August 18, 2016
Volumes: 20
Status: Completed
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/billy-bat-manga/s?k=billy+bat+manga

Have you ever played werewolves with your friends and felt the rush of escaping with murders or uncovering the mystery behind them? Then Doubt is the book for you. Yoshiki Tonogai's "Doubt" is a horror manga series written and illustrated by him. The plot revolves around a group of teenagers who meet on a popular social networking site and then decide to meet in person. They are all brought together to play "Rabbit Doubt," a game in which the players are assigned roles as rabbits and wolves, and the rabbits must collaborate to identify and eliminate the wolf.

The game, however, takes a sinister turn when the players begin to vanish one by one, revealing that there is a real wolf among them who is killing off the other players. The remaining players must figure out who the wolf is and try to flee before they are all killed. The suspenseful storytelling, complex characters, and psychological horror elements in "Doubt" have been praised. It has been compared to other horror manga such as "Death Note" and "Battle Royale" for its exploration of the darker side of human nature and the consequences of playing life and death-games.

Author: Yoshiki Tonogai

Original run: December 27, 2007 – February 12, 2009
Volumes: 4

Status: Completed

Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Doubt-Vol-1-Yoshiki-Tonogai/dp/0316245305

When it comes to setting, Alice in Borderland is difficult to beat. "Alice in Borderland" is a manga series written and illustrated by Haro Aso about survival and mystery. The plot revolves around a group of three friends, Arisu, Karube, and Chota, who are transported to a deserted version of Tokyo where they must play deadly games to survive.

The trio quickly realizes that they are not alone in this strange new world and that others have been brought there as well. They are forced to play a series of lethal games in order to earn "visas," which allow them to stay in this world. The games become more difficult and dangerous, and the trio must use their skills to survive.

As they progress through the games, they learn more about the world's dark secrets and the true identity of the mysterious "game master" who is behind it all. Along the way, they meet other players and form alliances and rivalries that will have an impact on their survival. Overall, "Alice in Borderland" is an exciting and thought-provoking survival and mystery manga that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

Author: Haro Aso
Original run: November 25, 2010 – March 2, 2016
Volumes: 18
Status: Completed
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/alice-borderland/s?k=alice+in+borderland

"MPD Psycho" is a manga series written by Eiji Otsuka and illustrated by Shou Tajima about psychological horror and mystery. The plot revolves around a detective named Kazuhiko Amamiya, who has multiple personality disorder (MPD) and is tasked with investigating a string of heinous murders.

Amamiya's various personalities begin to take over as the investigation progresses, and he struggles to maintain control over his thoughts and actions. A team of detectives, including his partner, Machi Isono, and the enigmatic female detective, Miwa Shirow, assist him in his investigation. The film "MPD Psycho" is known for its graphic violence, mature themes, and intricate storytelling. It delves into issues like mental illness, identity, and the nature of evil. The manga has received critical acclaim for its intricate plotting, detailed artwork, and intriguing characters.

The series has also been adapted into a two-part live-action film and a live-action television drama. The adaptation was well received and stayed true to the source material, but it was criticized for its graphic violence. Overall, "MPD Psycho" is a dark and disturbing psychological horror and mystery manga for the brave. It is a thought-provoking and intense read that will leave readers with a lasting impression.

Author: Eiji Tsuka
Original run: 1997 – March 4, 2016
Volumes: 24
Status: Completed
Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/MPD-Psycho-Vol-1-v/dp/159307770X

When it comes to mysteries, Sherlock Holmes is pretty iconic. So an eventual Sherlock manga was a foregone conclusion. But this one is about his adversary. Yes, you read that correctly. Moriarty the Patriot is based on Mr. Holmes's criminal rival, James Moriarty. One of the series' strengths is its well-developed characters. Moriarty is an intriguing and compelling protagonist who is motivated by a sense of justice and a desire to assist the oppressed. His two brothers, Louis and Albert, who are also complex characters with their own motivations and backstories, assist him.

Inspector Lestrade and Mycroft Holmes are two of the series' interesting and well-written supporting characters. These characters are given new dimensions and personalities, giving the classic Sherlock Holmes stories a new and interesting twist. "Moriarty the Patriot" has a well-crafted plot full of twists and turns, in addition to its strong characters. The manga is divided into several arcs, each of which features a different villain and a different justice scheme devised by Moriarty. The overall plot is well thought out and keeps readers interested until the very end.

Overall, "Moriarty the Patriot" is a must-read for fans of mystery and crime manga, as well as fans of Sherlock Holmes' classic stories. It provides a fresh and unique take on classic characters and themes and is sure to leave readers with a lasting impression.

Author: Rysuke Takeuchi

Original run: August 4, 2016 – present
Volumes: 19

Status: Ongoing

Buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Moriarty-Patriot-Vol-1/dp/1974717151