Best Seinen Crime Manga, Ranked

Summary

Some manga with criminal protagonists offer gritty, realistic, and brutal stories that elevate the stakes.
Unique crime manga like “The Fable” and “Black Lagoon” explore the criminal underworld and the challenges faced by criminal protagonists.
Naoki Urasawa’s “Monster” presents an epic morality tale where a doctor hunts a serial killer, reflecting on the value of life.

Stories often become more compelling when they carry an element of tension or risk, and delving into the lives of criminal elements or crime fighters can effectively achieve this. This approach allows readers to embark on a thrilling adventure, witnessing the protagonists’ struggle to outwit the criminals or evade their inevitable comeuppance.

For those who prefer a more intense, authentic, and violent take on crime stories, here are some mature, seinen crime mangas that will show you the true extent of the danger involved.

10. Ushijima the Loan Shark

Loan Shark Goes to Any Lengths to Make His Clients Cough Up His Cash

Creator: Shohei Manabe.
46 Volumes, 493 Chapters.
Fan Translations only.

Ushijima, nicknamed the Loan Shark, might not ring a bell outside of Japan, but within its borders, it garnered enough recognition to spawn four live-action films and five spin-off comics – an impressive feat for a series centered around a ruthless loan shark. However, contrary to being the main character, Ushijima doesn’t take on the role of the protagonist.

I find myself observing an intriguing sequence of standalone narratives where unfortunate protagonists, burdened by immense debts and lacking any legal avenues to repay them, turn to Ushijima for aid. He’s a formidable, unyielding figure who swiftly escalates the discomfort of his clients if they fail to settle their loans within a 10-day window, even imposing a steep 50% interest rate. Thus, he assumes the role of a relentless adversary, ever ready to mete out retribution for the financial missteps of the main characters.

9. Yakuza Fiancée: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii

Girl is Forced to Marry a Violent Gangster to Keep the Peace

Creator: Asuka Konishi.
8+ Volumes, 38+ Chapters.
Available in English via Seven Seas Entertainment.

From my vantage point, the underworld of crime isn’t just about illicit activities; it’s a labyrinthine realm with its own set of political maneuvers and intricate pacts that its players need to abide by, or else risk creating chaos. In the narrative of ‘A Future Fit for Others’, Yoshino finds herself in an arranged marriage, a move designed to preserve a strategic union between Japan’s most influential yakuza organizations.

Initially, everything appears smooth as Kirishima, Yoshino’s fiancé, is courteous and well-liked (despite causing friction with his fan club). However, born into a family that runs a criminal enterprise, Kirishima harbors a cruel nature that makes even the toughest yakuza seem harmless. As her life spirals away from ordinary, Yoshino must take whatever measures necessary to stay alive, including navigating through a turbulent relationship.

8. Ouroboros: Keisatsu wo Sabaku wa Ware ni Ari

Orphans Join the Cops and Yakuza to Solve Their Teacher’s Murder

Creator: Yuya Kanzaki.
24 Volumes, 144 Chapters.
Fan Translations only.

In some circles, it’s often complained that the police aren’t always the noble crime fighters they claim to be. On occasion, they can be just as corrupt as those they pursue, prioritizing the interests of powerful figures in society over the common people they’re supposed to protect and serve. This harsh reality becomes clear to Ryuzaki and Tatsuya in the series Ouroboros: Keisatsu wo Sabaku wa Ware ni Ari, where it’s up to them to pass judgment on the police.

Originally, these children were orphaned individuals who admired their teacher named Yuiko dearly. Unfortunately, one fateful night, she was brutally murdered. The children, having witnessed this horrific event, reported it to the authorities; however, they received an unexpected response – the police chose to conceal the matter and advised them to keep silent about it.

As a result, Ryuzaki decided to pursue a career within the police force in order to uncover the corruption from within, while Tatsuya turned to the yakuza underworld to explore any potential criminal connections that might lead to the truth. Their ultimate goal is to reveal the identity of Yuiko’s killer and bring them to justice.

7. Multiple Personality Disorder Psycho

Detective Discovers There’s More to His Dissociative Identities Than He Thinks

Creators: Eiji Otsuka (story), Shou Tajima.
24 Volumes, 155 Chapters.
Available in English via Dark Horse Comics.

If traditional political narratives don’t appeal to you, consider diving into the realm of Philip K. Dick-inspired sci-fi police dramas instead. In “Multiple Personality Disorder Psycho”, detective Yosuke experiences a traumatic event when the serial killer he was pursuing murders his girlfriend. As a result, two distinct personalities emerge within him: the calm and composed Kazuhiko, who solves the case, and the vengeful Nishizono, who exacts revenge on the killer.

Following his prison term, he shifted his career to private investigation, eventually finding himself tracking a series of murderers who, like Yosuke, all bore barcodes in their left irises. As he delved deeper into the case, he began to suspect that his other personas might have been present within him for a longer period than initially assumed, and they may not have been inherent parts of his psyche from the start.

6. Ice Blade

Tough Cop Takes On a Tougher World

Creator: Tsutomu Takahashi.
19 Volumes, 72 Chapters.
Fan Translations only.

In the uncompromising style of Ushijima the Loan Shark, there’s a resonance with other hard-boiled crime manga protagonists such as Kyoya Ida from Ice Blade (or Jiraishin). He’s a relentless detective serving at the National Police Agency in Shinjuku, who isn’t shy about employing extreme measures to close his cases. Following the death of his partner Tsuyoshi in line of duty, Kyoya Ida no longer has the luxury of adhering strictly to the rulebook.

Still, he isn’t a reckless law enforcement officer who indiscriminately uses violence. Instead, he employs his intelligence in tandem with his authority, resorting to lethal force only when all legal options have been depleted. His tactics have garnered him respect from some fellow officers, but they have also earned him hostility from the higher-ups in the department. However, a tough and unforgiving environment breeds tough and unyielding individuals, and Ida fits that mold perfectly.

5. Gangsta

Mercenaries Must Contend with Cops, Criminals, and Superhumans to Uncover a Conspiracy

Creator: Kohske.
8+ Volumes, 56+ Chapters.
Available in English via Viz Media’s Viz Signature imprint.

In a world where a manga’s plot might seem fantastical, the series Gangsta doesn’t shy away from presenting a harsh and authentic reality. Set in Ergastulum, a city that serves as an internment camp for beings known as ‘Twilights,’ who possess superhuman abilities, survival often requires regular use of the drug Cerberet, despite its slow-acting toxicity over time.

This location is governed by a delicate equilibrium among its dominant groups, ranging from various criminal gangs to the authorities themselves. Characters like Worick and Nicolas perform various tasks for both parties, until they decide to shield Alex, a former prostitute with amnesia, rather than eliminate her. This action unwittingly draws them into a larger plot aimed at disrupting the city’s status quo entirely.

4. The Fable

Hitman is Forced to Give Up Killing for a Year

Creator: Katsuhisa Minami.
22 Volumes, 240 Chapters.
Available in English via Kodansha USA.

As an outside observer, I’ve noticed that even the most elusive individuals, such as criminals, require moments of respite – whether for leisure or to evade scrutiny from authorities or adversaries. This is where “The Fable” steps in, a legendary figure in the criminal underworld known for his unparalleled abilities and completion of any task assigned to him, provided the compensation is satisfactory. However, his renowned status has become a two-sided coin, as it’s started drawing unwanted attention.

In disguise as a civilian, Fable is instructed to maintain a low profile for an entire year, under the pretense of living with a ‘sister’. This is due to a situation where he must avoid attention rather than taking a regular vacation. The stipulations are strict: no violence, no work, and no contact with clients or other suspicious activities, or else there will be severe consequences. While this task may seem straightforward, it presents Fable with one of his toughest tests yet – staying honest after years of earning money through illegal means.

3. Sanctuary

Survivors Try to Improve Their New Home

Creators: Buronson (story), Ryoichi Ikegami (art).
12 Volumes, 108 Chapters.
Originally available in English via Viz Media’s Viz Premiere Comics imprint.

If the concept behind Ouroboros seems vaguely recognizable to some, it could be because it shares similarities with Sanctuary. Instead of the two main characters working to uncover a hidden crime, Akira and Chiaki, survivors from the Cambodian killing fields, strive to improve their new home country, Japan. In essence, they are creating a sanctuary for themselves and others.

In order to reach their objectives, they’ll need to take distinct routes. After a swift game of rock-paper-scissors, Akira elects to infiltrate the yakuza hierarchy, while Chiaki chooses to enter politics within the Japanese Diet. By ascending through their individual roles, they aspire to reform Japan’s upper and underworld echelons. Achieving this ambitious goal won’t be simple and will come at a high price.

2. Black Lagoon

Salaryman Must Learn How to Be a Pirate or Die Trying

Creator: Rei Hiroe.
13+ Volumes, 119+ Chapters.
Available in English via Viz Media’s Viz Signature imprint.

Today, it’s often recognized that “Black Lagoon” gained its fame through animated adaptations; however, the foundation of its storyline and plot points can be traced back to the original manga series, which continues to be published. This narrative follows the pirate mercenaries named in the title as they navigate a series of smuggling missions across Southeast Asia. These assignments often lead to intense gunfights.

In this scenario, I find myself observing a group where their ruthless leader, Revy, seems content. A seemingly ordinary Japanese businessman, Rokuro, has been thrust into their chaotic world as a hostage, if not a reluctant member. He’s learning the harsh realities of dealing with Triads, cartels, false churches, and other criminal elements to stay alive. If they don’t eliminate him, his fellow travelers could very well do it themselves.

1. Monster

Doctor Tries to Hold Onto His Ideals as He Chases After a Killer

Creator: Naoki Urasawa.
18 Volumes, 162 Chapters.
Available in English via Viz Media’s Viz Signature imprint.

Naoki Urasawa’s notable mangas often revolve around tracking down a criminal, such as the political intrigue in “20th Century Boys” or the murder investigations in “Pluto“. However, when it comes to his top crime-centric manga, his epic moral story “Monster“, where a doctor’s pursuit of a serial killer transforms into a philosophical exploration of life’s worth, truly stands out.

At the beginning of his medical profession, Doctor Tenma chose to save a young child over a prominent figure, an act that garnered him hostility among his peers and later suspicion upon the mysterious deaths of his critics. About ten years later, Doctor Tenma learns that his former patient, Johan Liebert, has transformed into a notorious murderer. To make amends for his past decision, he needs to understand how Johan can effortlessly kill others and prevent further victims – all while accepting the possibility that stopping Johan might require taking his life instead.

2025-03-27 06:40