Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! exemplify timeless adventure storytelling through their blend of episodic mysteries, team-driven problem-solving, and lighthearted supernatural elements. These series thrive on underdog dynamics, clever subversions of genre tropes, and character growth amid fantastical scenarios.
The following underrated anime capture similar charm—prioritizing inventive narratives, unique animation styles, and ensemble chemistry over mainstream visibility. Each offers accessible entry points for fans seeking fresh takes on mystery and adventure.
1. Ghost Stories (2000)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, RetroCrush (free with ads)
- Episodes: 20
- Plot: A group of students investigates paranormal occurrences at their school, uncovering local legends and cursed spirits. Their adventures blend humor with supernatural sleuthing.
- Similarities: Episodic monster-of-the-week format, ensemble teamwork, and comedic horror akin to Scooby-Doo’s tone.
- Studio: Studio Pierrot
- Note: The English dub is celebrated for its improvisational humor.
2. Ron Kamonohashi: Deranged Detective (2023)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 26
- Plot: An eccentric detective partners with a rookie cop to solve crimes, grappling with his dark past and a supernatural curse that complicates deductions.
- Similarities: Case-of-the-week structure, dynamic duo chemistry, and supernatural twists mirroring Krypto’s superhero elements.
- Studio: Diomedéa
- Rating: 7.8/10 (MAL)
3. Mike Tyson Mysteries (2014–2020)
- Streaming: Amazon Video, Apple TV (purchase only)
- Episodes: 40
- Plot: Mike Tyson leads a quirky team—including a ghost and a talking pigeon—to solve absurd global mysteries with irreverent humor.
- Similarities: Satirical take on mystery tropes, ensemble dynamics, and Scooby-Doo-esque absurdity.
- Awards: Annie Award nomination (2015).
4. Summer Time Rendering (2022)
- Streaming: Disney+ (select regions), Hulu
- Episodes: 25
- Plot: A teen returns to his island home after his friend’s death, only to uncover a time-looping conspiracy involving shadowy doppelgängers.
- Similarities: Supernatural investigation, tight-knit group dynamics, and puzzle-solving urgency.
- Studio: OLM
- Rating: 8.1/10 (MAL)
5. Mysterious Disappearances (2024)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- Plot: A bookstore employee cursed with age-shifting abilities teams up with supernatural allies to investigate urban legends across Tokyo.
- Similarities: Episodic supernatural cases and team-based mystery-solving with a horror-comedy edge.
- Studio: Zero-G
6. Undead Murder Farce (2023)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 13
- Plot: In 19th-century Europe, a detective duo—one human, one immortal—solves gothic crimes involving vampires and folklore creatures.
- Similarities: Monster-focused mysteries and deductive teamwork, blending Sherlock Holmes with supernatural flair20.
- Studio: Lapin Track
7. Hyouka (2012)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 22
- Plot: A high school literature club tackles low-stakes puzzles, from missing manuscripts to local legends, driven by character-driven curiosity.
- Similarities: Cozy episodic mysteries and emphasis on group chemistry over high stakes.
- Studio: Kyoto Animation
- Rating: 8.1/10 (MAL)
8. Kyoto Teramachi Sanjou no Holmes (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- Plot: An antique shop owner and her apprentice unravel historical mysteries behind artifacts in Kyoto’s cultural districts.
- Similarities: Slice-of-life detective format and lighthearted puzzle-solving.
- Studio: Seven
9. Layton Mystery Tanteisha: Katri no Nazotoki File (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 50
- Plot: Katrielle Layton, daughter of Professor Layton, solves whimsical puzzles and supernatural enigmas across London.
- Similarities: Family-friendly episodic mysteries and playful supernatural elements.
- Studio: LIDENFILMS
10. Lupin the III (1971–present)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 250+ (multiple series)
- Plot: A master thief and his crew execute heists while outwitting rivals, blending action with comedic capers.
- Similarities: Ensemble-driven episodic adventures and lighthearted escapades.
- Studio: TMS Entertainment
11. Dorohedoro (2020)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Episodes: 12
- Plot: In a dystopian city, an amnesiac with a reptilian head hunts sorcerers to uncover his past, aided by eccentric allies.
- Similarities: Gritty monster-of-the-week format and found-family teamwork.
- Studio: MAPPA
12. Durarara!! (2010)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 36
- Plot: Urban legends come alive in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro, where teens, gangs, and supernatural beings collide in interconnected mysteries.
- Similarities: Ensemble-driven urban fantasy and episodic supernatural investigations.
- Studio: Brain’s Base
- Rating: 8.1/10 (MAL)
13. Gosick (2011)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 24
- Plot: In 1920s Europe, a detective and a reclusive girl solve gothic mysteries involving alchemy and historical conspiracies.
- Similarities: Duo-driven deductive synergy and atmospheric supernatural cases.
- Studio: Bones
14. UN-GO (2011)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 11
- Plot: A detective and his supernatural partner expose corporate and political corruption in a cyberpunk Tokyo.
- Similarities: Superpower-aided mystery-solving and social commentary.
- Studio: Bones
- Rating: 7.2/10 (MAL)
15. Tiger & Bunny (2011)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Episodes: 25
- Plot: Superheroes in a corporate-sponsored league solve crimes while balancing fame and ethics in a futuristic city.
- Similarities: Heroic team dynamics and episodic villain encounters, echoing Krypto’s superhero themes.
- Studio: Sunrise
- Awards: Tokyo Anime Award (2012).
Why These Anime Work for Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! Fans
These series excel in translating Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too!’s core appeal into diverse settings. Like the iconic mystery gang, each anime emphasizes:
- Team-Driven Dynamics: Ensembles like Ron Kamonohashi’s detective duo or Durarara!!’s urban allies mirror Scooby’s collaborative problem-solving.
- Accessible Supernatural Hooks: From Ghost Stories’ comedic hauntings to Summer Time Rendering’s time-loop horror, supernatural elements serve as engaging, low-barrier entry points.
- Episodic Pacing: Self-contained cases (Hyouka, Layton Mystery Tanteisha) prioritize inventive puzzles over convoluted arcs, ensuring bingeable comfort.
- Subversive Charm: Mike Tyson Mysteries and Undead Murder Farce reinvent genre tropes with humor and originality, much like Krypto’s playful take on superhero lore.
Prioritizing character growth amid the extraordinary, these underrated gems prove that mystery and adventure remain evergreen—no matter the animation style or era.
