Heist stories are adrenaline-filled, action-packed narratives brimming with high stakes, intricate schemes, and unexpected twists. Whether it’s a team of master thieves executing the perfect robbery or a lone mastermind orchestrating an elaborate con, these stories thrive on tension, deception, and the thrill of outsmarting the system.
Animehas embraced the heist genre in unique ways, blending it with elements of mystery, comedy,and even the supernatural. From daring casino heists to grand treasure hunts, anime offers a variety of thrilling capers that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best heist-themed anime that showcase clever planning, charismatic criminals, and unforgettable getaways.
9Kindaichi Case Files - Murder By Gentleman Thief
Minor spoilers ahead.
The Kindaichi Case Files follows the adventures of Hajime Kindaichi, a brilliant yet lazy high school student with a knack for solving complex murder mysteries. One such case, Murder by Gentleman Thief, is the fourth mystery in the Kindaichi Case Files anime series. It revolves around the elusive Gentleman Thief, a mysterious criminal known for targeting fine art. Their signature modus operandi includes warning their victims in advance, bypassing even the most sophisticated security systems, and leaving behind a calling card as proof of their prowess.
However, when the wealthy Gamo family receives a series of warnings, events take a sinister turn. Instead of simple theft, the subjects of each targeted painting are inexplicably destroyed… setting the stage for gruesome murders. As Kindaichi unravels the mystery, he successfully identifies the true culprit behind the murder and clears the Gentleman Thief’s name. Yet, despite his deductive brilliance, the thief ultimately escapes, their true identity remaining an enigma.
8Baccano!
Baccano! is a multi-perspective story spanning centuries, weaving together seemingly unrelated events into a chaotic yet connected narrative. It begins in 1711, when a group of alchemists summon a demon and receive the elixir of immortality. The demon warns them that the only way to kill another immortal is to “devour” them. When one alchemist begins hunting the others for power, the group scatters across the globe, remaining hidden, until the 1930s, when the elixir resurfaces. This sparks a violent mafia war that escalates into a massacre aboard a transcontinental train.
With so many intertwining stories, Baccano! is full of unforgettable characters, but few are as beloved as Isaac and Miria, a pair of eccentric, bumbling thieves who accidentally gain immortality. Their absurd heists, filled with elaborate schemes and ridiculous disguises, add a layer of humor to the chaos.
7Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon is a classic animethat follows a crew of mercenary pirates navigating the lawless waters of Southeast Asia, where violence and chaos rule. Operating out of the crime-ridden city of Roanapur, the team, known as the Lagoon Company, takes on high-risk jobs for various criminal organizations, from smuggling contraband to carrying out deadly missions. More often than not, these jobs spiral into explosive gunfights, brutal showdowns, and intense moral dilemmas.
As they work for dangerous clients, including drug cartels, the Russian mafia, and terrorist groups, the Lagoon Company constantly finds themselves entangled in violent conflicts, navigating the thin line between survival and destruction.
6Jing: King Of Bandits
Jing: King of Bandits follows Jing, a seemingly unassuming young man who is, in reality, the legendary thief known as the King of Bandits. Despite his youthful appearance and laid-back demeanor, he is a master strategist and an unparalleled thief, capable of pulling off heists that no one else would dare attempt.
Jing travels across a surreal and fantastical world alongside his partner, Kir, a wisecracking, womanizing talking bird. Together, they seek out legendary treasures and embark on daring adventures, often finding themselves entangled in strange and mystical encounters. While Jing’s skills in combat and thievery are extraordinary, it’s his quick wit, sharp intellect, and unwavering confidence that truly set him apart.
5Cat’s Eye
Hitomi, Rui, and Ai are three sisters who run Cat’s Eye, a charming café in Tokyo. But beneath their ordinary facade lies a thrilling secret—they are also a trio of highly skilled art thieves. Their targets? Priceless artworks that once belonged to their long-missing father, renowned artist Michael Heinz.
Determined to reclaim their father’s legacy and uncover the truth behind his disappearance, the sisters execute daring heists, outmaneuvering law enforcement at every turn. Unbeknownst to them, their biggest obstacle, and unintentional accomplice, is Hitomi’s fiancé, Toshio, a dedicated police officer. Unaware of his fiancée’s double life, Toshio tirelessly works to capture Cat’s Eye, never realizing that Hitomi herself is feeding him anonymous tips about their next heist. She then cleverly uses the police’s security details to refine their plans, ensuring the sisters always stay one step ahead.
4Magic Kaito 1412
After the mysterious death of his father, Kaito Kuroba stumbles upon a shocking secret: his father was none other than the legendary Phantom Thief, known internationally as Criminal 1412. But his death wasn’t an accident; he was murdered by a powerful criminal organization after refusing to help them retrieve the mythical Pandora Gem, a legendary jewel rumored to grant immortality.
The Magic Kaito 1412 was rebooted in 2014, which is the version most readily available for streaming.
Determined to uncover the truth and put an end to the organization’s schemes, Kaito takes up his father’s mantle as Kaitou Kid, the new Phantom Thief. Using his genius-level intellect, mastery of disguise, and expert sleight of hand, he embarks on a daring mission. However, unlike an ordinary thief, Kaito has a unique code: every time he steals a priceless jewel or artifact, he returns it after the next full moon. His true goal isn’t wealth or notoriety, but to locate and eliminate the Pandora Gem before it falls into the wrong hands.
3Great Pretender
Makoto Edamura is Japan’s most renowned grifter… at least, that’s what he believes. But when he tries to swindle a French tourist, he quickly realizes he’s bitten off more than he can chew. His target turns out to be Laurent Thierry, a master con artist with deep ties to the international underworld. What starts as a simple scam spirals out of control, pulling Makoto into Laurent’s world of high-stakes deception. Before he knows it, he becomes Laurent’s reluctant partner, traveling the globe and taking part in elaborate heists.
A sequel OVA, Great Pretender: Razbliuto, is available on Crunchyroll.
Great Pretender,created by Wit Studio, unfolds across three major story arcs, known as “cases,” each centered around a different con. From Hollywood to Singapore and beyond, Makoto and Laurent go up against powerful figures, from corrupt film executives to ruthless mafia bosses, turning deception into an art form.
2The Daughter Of Twenty Faces
Chizuko Mikamo is an orphan living under the care of her aunt and uncle, but rather than welcoming her as family, they see her as nothing more than an obstacle to her own inheritance. Determined to claim her wealth for themselves, they begin slowly poisoning her. The abuse takes its toll, and one day, Chizuko collapses, only to uncover an astonishing secret. Her seemingly loyal butler is none other than the legendary thief, Twenty Faces, a master of disguise and deception known across the world.
The Daughter of Twenty Faces manga was originally titled The Girl of Twenty Faces.
Originally, Twenty Faces had only one goal: to steal Chizuko’s inheritance, the priceless Anastasia Ruby. However, upon witnessing the cruelty she suffers, he makes an unexpected decision. Instead of robbing her, he offers her freedom, an invitation to escape her tragic life and join his band of skilled thieves as they travel the world.
With nothing left to hold her back, Chizuko seizes the opportunity, embarking on a thrilling new life under Twenty Faces' guidance. As she hones her skills in deception, infiltration, and theft, she begins carving out her own legend, stepping onto the path of becoming a world-famous thief in her own right.
1Lupin The Third
Lupin III is the grandson of the legendary gentleman thief, Arsène Lupin, and he’s determined to live up to (and surpass) his family name. As the world’s greatest thief, Lupin pulls off daring heists that defy logic, slipping past high-security systems and outwitting law enforcement at every turn. A master of disguise, an expert marksman, and a brilliant inventor, he combines skill, charm, and quick thinking to accomplish the impossible.
Whether he’s stealing priceless artifacts, infiltrating heavily guarded locations, or evading his longtime pursuer (Inspector Zenigata), Lupin’s adventures are always filled with action, humor, and intrigue. Alongside his trusted crew, the sharpshooter Jigen, the sword-wielding samurai Goemon, and the unpredictable femme fatale Fujiko, Lupin’s heists are as legendary as the man himself.
