17 Assassin Anime Shows to Watch

Lastly, we must mention ‘Samurai Champloo,’ an anime that masterfully blends the ancient world of samurais with elements of hip-hop culture. While not a typical assassin anime, the narrative often delves into the realm of professional killing.

Our main characters, Jin and Mugen, are both skilled samurai who could be considered assassins, given their talent for efficiently dealing with their enemies. ‘Samurai Champloo’ offers a unique spin on the hitman anime genre, showcasing how deadly martial arts can be when used by the right people.

Expect action, adventure, and a dash of comedy with a side of unforgettable samurai showdowns.

Basilisk is an exemplary addition to the list of anime with assassins, transporting viewers into the world of feuding ninja clans in Feudal Japan. The narrative is an intricate mesh of romance, war, politics, and betrayal.

The anime beautifully depicts the tale of two lovers from rival ninja clans, with each clan member possessing unique deadly abilities. It provides high-stakes assassination plots and intense action and touches your heart with a poignant love story.

As you navigate the lethal world of ‘Basilisk,’ expect to be thrilled, horrified, and captivated in equal measure.

Enter the world of ‘Black Lagoon,’ an anime that offers an exhilarating mix of crime, action, and assassins with its cast of lethal, badass women. The narrative is centered around the Lagoon Company, a team of pirate mercenaries known for their proficiency in carrying out the most dangerous tasks, including assassination.

Among them is the notorious Revy, a skilled gunslinger with a dark past who’s undoubtedly one of the most iconic anime assassins.

With a blend of thrilling action sequences, dark humor, and complex characters, ‘Black Lagoon’ carves its niche in the assassin anime genre. This series serves as a reminder that female assassins can be as deadly, if not more so, than their male counterparts.

Henrietta, a young girl, serves a “welfare group” that performs the government’s clandestine operations. With cybernetic enhancements and special training, she forms part of an elite cadre of hit-girls, devoid of remorse and stripped of memories.

Her partner, Jose, has looked after her since the organization inducted her following the murder of her family. He constantly grapples with his growing fondness for her and the conflicting responsibility he holds towards his employer.

On a destined night, twin siblings Suou and Shion, alongside their father, admired the starlit sky when a falling star struck them, transforming Shion into a Contractor. Two years later, they strive to maintain an ordinary life.

However, their life is disrupted when mysterious men invade their home, resulting in a chaotic escape where Shion disappears, and Suou ends up with the enigmatic Contractor known as Hei.

Now, Suou and Hei embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind Shion’s pursuit by multiple sinister syndicates, the reason behind their chase, and most importantly, the events that transpired on that pivotal night two years ago.

Tokaku Azuma, a cold and relentless teenage hitwoman, has been dispatched on a lethal mission. Her task is infiltrating an esteemed, all-female boarding school and partake in a deadly contest against eleven other glamorous assassins. Their chilling task: to ensure the bright and buoyant Haru Ichinose meets an untimely demise.

Hope’s Peak Private Academy, an ultra-exclusive institution, attracts the best students, promising a top-tier education and successful careers. But Naegi, a typical student who wins a place through a lottery, discovers the academy is far from ordinary.

He and 14 others find themselves trapped, with ‘graduation’ only possible by murdering a classmate and successfully deceiving the rest in a life-or-death trial. Guided by the cruel, teddy bear-like Monobear, Naegi and his classmates must navigate this strange, lethal game to escape.

‘Code: Breaker’ is a must-watch anime for assassination enthusiasts, offering a compelling blend of action, supernatural elements, and moral complexities. The series follows the journey of a high school student, Sakura Sakurakouji, who witnesses a boy, Rei Ogami, incinerating people with a blue flame. Ogami turns out to be a Code: Breaker, one of a group of assassins with unique powers who eliminate harmful individuals beyond the reach of the law.

Each Code: Breaker follows their moral compass, interpreting their motto, “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and evil for evil,” differently. The anime captures this complex world through Sakurakouji’s eyes as she attempts to understand the necessary evil that Ogami and his comrades represent.

Black Cat is a standout assassination anime that masterfully weaves action, comedy, and adventure elements. It centers around Train Heartnet, once a ruthless assassin known as ‘Black Cat’ working for the secret organization, Chronos.

His life takes an unexpected turn after he meets a bounty hunter, Saya Minatsuki, who teaches him the value of human life.

From his past as an elite assassin to his newfound role as a bounty hunter, Train’s journey is filled with exciting battles, thrilling plot twists, and memorable companions, including his ex-partner in Chronos, Creed Diskenth. ‘Black Cat’ expertly portrays the complex duality of Train’s character: the lethal assassin versus the man searching for redemption and a new life.

No anime enthusiast would dare to forget ‘Ghost in the Shell’ when talking about the best anime with assassins. Set in a cyberpunk future, it follows the story of Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg operative in Public Security Section 9, who deals with high-level cyber crimes and assassination missions.

The series offers a compelling narrative and thought-provoking themes that explore the merging of humanity with technology. This anime’s blend of espionage, law enforcement, and assassination in a futuristic setting sets it apart from the others.

‘Ghost in the Shell’ leaves its viewers with chilling questions about the nature of consciousness, identity, and what it means to be human.

A discussion about assassin anime would be incomplete without a nod to ‘Golgo 13’. Our titular protagonist, Golgo 13, is the embodiment of a professional hitman, unruffled, efficient, and deadly accurate.

His reputation as the world’s leading assassin brings him a myriad of assignments, each carrying its unique risks and rewards. What sets ‘Golgo 13’ apart is its episodic nature; each episode stands on its own with a new assignment and story while still threading Golgo’s stoic persona throughout.

This anime takes you through the life of a hitman, showcasing the cold, ruthless, and often grim side of the assassin’s world.

Among the best assassination anime, ‘Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom’ stands tall. This series presents a haunting tale of two individuals stripped of their identities and forced into the world of professional assassination. Their journey is a compelling blend of suspense, drama, and action.

The psychological aspect of the characters, their struggle to reclaim their past, and their journey through an underworld ruled by fear and violence is executed brilliantly.

As an anime assassin series, ‘Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom’ brings a tragic but riveting story about survival, identity, and the burdens carried by those living in the shadows.

Best friends Brandon Heat and Harry MacDowel thrived under the street’s law until one unfortunate day when they crossed paths with the wrong crowd and lost their freedom. Left with no allies and no escape, they felt compelled to join Millenion, the city’s dominant syndicate.

Now, they face a path riddled with heartache, tragedy, and the sting of betrayal. Brandon must wield the gun to safeguard those he cherishes and assist Harry in ascending Millenion’s ranks.

Even if success means painting his hands with the blood of countless others, Brandon is prepared to pay the price.

In a world where only nobles brandish the sacred power of mana to battle the creatures of darkness, young Merida’s apparent lack of ability places her in a dangerous spot.

Under the pretext of mentorship, Kufa, a ruthless assassin, receives orders to evaluate Merida’s abilities and ascertain if she is the legitimate heir of the esteemed Angel family. If Merida fails to meet her family’s expectations, they will trigger a far more ruthless plan.

When it comes to daring undercover missions for a better world, no one excels like master spy Twilight. Yet, his latest mission tests his abilities to the limit—it requires him to get married and have a child!

For Twilight, who typically prefers to work alone, this assignment presents a unique challenge as he has to procure both a wife and a child to infiltrate an elite private school.

Unbeknownst to him, the woman he selects as his wife is an assassin and the child he adopts possesses telepathic abilities. With such unexpected twists, Twilight might have finally bitten off more than he can chew!

Last but certainly not least, we have ‘Assassination Classroom’, a series that brilliantly blends humor with the serious business of assassination.

The series follows a class of students tasked with the unusual assignment of assassinating their alien teacher, Koro-sensei, before he destroys Earth. Despite the comedic overlay, the show touches upon complex themes such as the value of life, friendship, and the very essence of learning.

Its unique concept provides a fresh, humorous take on the typical assassin anime without skimping on the action and thrill. It’s a must-watch for anyone seeking an unconventional twist to the classic anime assassin narrative.

When exploring the fascinating realm of assassin anime, it’s impossible to overlook ‘Akame ga Kill!’. This renowned series dives deep into a world of brutal and relentless assassins, where battles of morality, power, and survival take center stage.

Protagonist Tatsumi’s journey into the treacherous world of the assassin group ‘Night Raid’ promises a poignant narrative combining thrilling action sequences, emotional depth, and political intrigue.

The series excels at displaying the thin line between good and evil, often forcing the viewer to question their perception of morality. In this ruthless world, assassins aren’t mere hitmen; they’re complex characters with their storylines and motivations.

Best Assassin Anime of All Time

A good assassin anime seamlessly blends several key elements to create a gripping narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

Here’s what sets a standout assassination anime apart:

Intriguing Characters: A great assassin anime features characters with depth, complex backgrounds, and interesting character arcs. The assassins might have a tragic past, unique motivations, or a moral compass that adds layers to their personality. This makes the characters relatable and keeps viewers invested in their journeys.

Engaging Plot: The narrative should be compelling and original, full of unexpected twists and turns. It could involve high-stakes missions, intricate political intrigue, moral dilemmas, or power dynamics within the assassin’s organization.

Action Sequences: Well-animated, strategically choreographed action scenes are crucial to any assassination anime. These sequences should showcase the assassin’s skills, strategies, and, occasionally, their vulnerabilities.

World-Building: Whether it’s set in a futuristic cyber world, a historical era, or a supernatural realm, the world of the anime should be well-defined and immersive. This helps set the stage for the assassins’ missions and challenges.

Moral Complexity: An excellent assassination anime often blurs the lines between right and wrong, providing a deeper exploration of themes such as justice, power, vengeance, and redemption.